My Utmost for His Highest- Daily Devotional

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters . . . , so our eyes look to the Lord our God . . . —Psalm 123:2

This verse is a description of total reliance on God. Just as the eyes of a servant are riveted on his master, our eyes should be directed to and focused on God. This is how knowledge of His countenance is gained and how God reveals Himself to us (seeIsaiah 53:1 ). Our spiritual strength begins to be drained when we stop lifting our eyes to Him. Our stamina is sapped, not so much through external troubles surrounding us but through problems in our thinking. We wrongfully think, "I suppose I’ve been stretching myself a little too much, standing too tall and trying to look like God instead of being an ordinary humble person." We have to realize that no effort can be too high.
For example, you came to a crisis in your life, took a stand for God, and even had the witness of the Spirit as a confirmation that what you did was right. But now, maybe weeks or years have gone by, and you are slowly coming to the conclusion— "Well, maybe what I did showed too much pride or was superficial. Was I taking a stand a bit too high for me?" Your "rational" friends come and say, "Don’t be silly. We knew when you first talked about this spiritual awakening that it was a passing impulse, that you couldn’t hold up under the strain. And anyway, God doesn’t expect you to endure." You respond by saying, "Well, I suppose I was expecting too much." That sounds humble to say, but it means that your reliance on God is gone, and you are now relying on worldly opinion. The danger comes when, no longer relying on God, you neglect to focus your eyes on Him. Only when God brings you to a sudden stop will you realize that you have been the loser. Whenever there is a spiritual drain in your life, correct it immediately. Realize that something has been coming between you and God, and change or remove it at once.

This is EXACTLY what I've been facing the past couple of weeks, every since I got back from New York. Other things (i.e. fleshly desires, worldly ways of thinking) have intruded upon my heart...and now I'm in a place of repentance & thankfulness of God's unending mercy and grace. If it weren't for His continual tugging on my heart, I'd continue to be a wayward child instead of a prodigal son. Thankfully He continues to pursue us! II Cor. 12:9 "My grace IS sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness!" Amen & Amen. :)

A still, small voice.

God knows just how to get my attention. Sometimes, it's in the most simple yet amazing ways..

This morning, before my devotional time, I made a fire in the fireplace. I sat down on the couch with my Bible and notebook and just began to read. After a few minutes had passed, I glanced at the fire; one small log was completely surrounded by a flame, while the other had only one single high flame coming off of its side. Not in a booming voice or in an earth-shattering way, but in a quiet voice, God began speaking to my heart..

- I have come that you might have life, and have life in abundance. Sin, impure thoughts, and pride will cause you to stray from Me. The log you see in the fireplace that has one long flame rising up from its left-side represents you in your Christian walk. The side that is aflame is the 'face' you put on for the world to see, while the other side, untouched by the fire, is the part I can see. This will be your lot in life if you do not repent and turn away from (forsake) your sin. The log that is so engulfed in flame that, if you were to put your hand near it it would burn you, represents what I want to be and do in you. The Holy Spirit, encompassing every fiber of your being, will cause those around you to be completely drawn to my Spirit working in you. It is a life of total freedom, joy, peace, and fruitfulness. You will not be moved by the terrors and trials by day or by night, which I can assure you will come..

Your children and your children's children will be anointed and chosen to do great things for My namesake. Your spirit, when joined with mine, will cause demons to flee, the lame to walk, and the sick to be healed. Do not look to the left or to the right in fear. Keep your eyes on Me and My purpose for you. Let me make your joy complete in Me. Will you go forward with me? Will you trust in the unseen?

Verses of importance:
Deut. 30:19; Jn. 15:5; Matt. 7:7-11; II Cor. 4:18

I do not, in my own 'merit', deserve any gift that God chooses to give...especially salvation. But because of who He is, and what Jesus has done for me out of His complete love for me, the promises that are in His Word are assured to me...

- The fruits of the Spirit (self-control, patience, endurance..)
- The gifts of the Spirit (prophecy, teaching, healing..)

Only by the grace of God I am becoming who He wants me to be. I fail daily. I only want to surrender to His will for me a little more today than I did yesterday. It's not easy, nor does He promise I'll be complete in everything and possess all of His gifts. But the gifts He has given me are to be used to glorify Him, not myself. I'm thankful He chooses to teach me and and call me to Himself, even when I fail Him.