Living Faith
Living Faith15
"He Being Dead Yet Speaketh"
By David Wilkerson0GEN 4:4LEV 3:16PSA 42:1HEB 11:4JAS 4:8David Wilkerson emphasizes the necessity of deep intimacy with God as the foundation of faith that pleases Him, drawing from the example of Abel in Hebrews 11. He explains that true faith is born from a close personal bond with the Lord, characterized by a yearning for Him above all else. Wilkerson highlights Abel's offering, which was not only a sacrifice but also a representation of intimate worship, as it included the fat, symbolizing a sweet aroma to God. This intimate worship, rooted in fellowship and prayer, is what makes Abel's faith resonate through the ages, as he 'being dead yet speaketh.' Ultimately, Wilkerson calls believers to cultivate this closeness with God to experience a living faith.
Back to Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotional Index
By C.H. Spurgeon0MAT 5:16EPH 5:11PE 2:21C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that Christians should embody a striking likeness of Jesus Christ, serving as living biographies of Him through their words and actions. He encourages believers to boldly profess their faith, imitate Christ's loving spirit, and demonstrate holiness in their daily lives. Spurgeon highlights the importance of being zealous for God, self-denying, fervent in prayer, and patient, while also urging Christians to forgive their enemies as Christ did. The ultimate goal is for others to recognize that they have been with Jesus by observing their Christ-like behavior. This call to action serves as a reminder of the transformative power of living out one's faith authentically.
The Marks of a Christian
By Horatius Bonar0MAT 5:16ROM 12:11CO 9:272CO 5:17GAL 5:22EPH 2:10PHP 2:15COL 3:1JAS 5:161PE 1:15Horatius Bonar emphasizes that true Christians are identifiable by specific marks that reflect their inner spiritual state. He asserts that a genuine believer will exhibit holiness, prayerfulness, zeal, consistency, humility, and self-jealousy, which are essential characteristics of a life transformed by faith. Bonar warns against the dangers of living in sin or worldliness, as these behaviors contradict the essence of being a Christian. He encourages believers to take their faith seriously, ensuring their lives reflect the light of Christ and the fruits of righteousness. Ultimately, Bonar calls for a life that visibly demonstrates one's identity as a child of God.
Andrew Murray Quotes
By Andrew Murray0PHP 2:5Andrew Murray emphasizes the transformative power of a living Christ in our lives, contrasting the burdens of a dead faith with the freedom found in a vibrant relationship with Jesus. He highlights the importance of humility, prayer, and being filled with the Holy Spirit as essential for true Christian living and effective ministry. Murray also stresses that our love for God is reflected in our interactions with others and calls for a revival of spiritual life and devotion to Christ. He encourages believers to seek a deeper communion with God, which is vital for personal growth and the church's mission. Ultimately, he reminds us that true revival involves a radical change in our hearts, leading us to share the joy of salvation with others.
Hang It on the Wall - a Place for God's Feet in Your Heart
By Major Ian Thomas547:44DEU 11:10ISA 60:13JHN 10:10ROM 8:91CO 3:16GAL 2:20EPH 1:18COL 1:271TH 5:9HEB 2:10Major Ian Thomas emphasizes the need to give Jesus a rightful place in our hearts rather than relegating Him to mere tradition or decoration, akin to hanging items on a wall. He illustrates how society has depersonalized Christ, treating Him as a seasonal figure rather than the living Savior who desires to dwell within us. Thomas urges believers to move beyond a sterile religion and embrace a vibrant relationship with Christ, who should be enthroned in our hearts. He challenges the audience to consider whether they have made room for God's presence in their lives, highlighting the importance of faith in action rather than mere belief. Ultimately, he calls for a transformation where our lives reflect the fullness of Christ, making us occupied territory for His glory.
Wakeful Walking
By A.W. Tozer0MAT 5:14ROM 13:11EPH 5:14A.W. Tozer emphasizes the transformative power of spiritual awakening, contrasting the vibrant life of an awakened soul with the mediocrity of spiritually slumbering believers. He illustrates how some individuals, through divine intervention, become shining lights in the world, while others remain content to support these awakened souls from a distance, often celebrating their lives posthumously without embracing the same commitment. Tozer calls for a genuine awakening among Christians, urging them to seek a closer relationship with God rather than merely admiring those who have fully surrendered to Him. The sermon challenges believers to move beyond intellectual acknowledgment of faith and to actively pursue a deeper spiritual life. Ultimately, it is about becoming morally and spiritually awake to experience the fullness of God's presence.
Praying Without Ceasing (Having a Spiritual Life Outside of Church Meetings; Psalm 139)
By Hans R. Waldvogel0PSA 139:1PSA 139:14ISA 41:10MAT 28:20JHN 14:1ROM 12:122CO 5:17GAL 2:20PHP 4:61TH 5:17HEB 13:5Hans R. Waldvogel emphasizes the importance of maintaining a spiritual life outside of church meetings, highlighting that true connection with God occurs in our daily lives, not just during worship. He encourages believers to practice the presence of God in every moment, recognizing that God knows our thoughts and actions, which should inspire us to pray without ceasing. Waldvogel illustrates that real faith is tested in difficult times, and it is during these moments that we must trust in Jesus, who is always present. He warns against hypocrisy, urging Christians to embody their faith consistently, rather than just during church gatherings. Ultimately, he reminds us that our relationship with God should be a continuous, living experience, akin to breathing.
God Hath Spoken - Part 4
By T. Austin-Sparks0JHN 16:9ROM 1:182CO 4:6GAL 2:20EPH 4:15HEB 2:10HEB 5:11HEB 6:1HEB 12:51PE 2:9T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the necessity of maintaining spiritual life within Christianity, warning against reducing faith to mere 'dead works' or systems. He explains that the New Covenant is not a set of doctrines but a living relationship with Christ, revealed through the Holy Spirit. Sparks highlights that true Christianity is characterized by a personal revelation of Christ in the believer's heart, which must be continually deepened. He cautions against confining the vastness of Christ to rigid frameworks, advocating for a dynamic understanding of faith that grows through spiritual principles. Ultimately, the essence of the New Covenant is a living experience of Christ, not a mechanical adherence to doctrine.
George Fox Quotes
By George Fox0MAT 5:14George Fox emphasizes the transformative power of living in the spirit of the prophets and apostles, urging believers to heed the inner light and avoid worldly distractions. He calls for individuals to be examples of faith, demonstrating God's presence in their lives, and warns against external authorities that claim to govern faith. Fox highlights the importance of recognizing Christ within, asserting that true worship occurs in the heart rather than in man-made structures. He encourages believers to rejoice in the light and love of God, which overcomes darkness, and to actively participate in spreading this truth to others.
This Is That
By Vance Havner0JOL 2:28ACT 2:12Vance Havner emphasizes the need for the modern church to recapture the fervor and radiance of the Early Church, which was marked by a powerful experience of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. He reflects on the complacency of contemporary Christians who, despite their belief, fail to live out their faith passionately. Havner calls for a sweeping revival that encompasses all ages and a genuine weeping for the state of the church, urging believers to seek God's glory above all else. He warns against the dangers of compromise with the world and stresses the importance of boldness in proclaiming the Gospel. Ultimately, he challenges the church to return to its roots and live out the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
Here for Our Time
By A.W. Tozer0ECC 9:4MAT 5:14ROM 12:12CO 5:20GAL 6:9EPH 2:10PHP 3:13HEB 12:1JAS 1:221PE 2:9A.W. Tozer emphasizes that just as past generations were called to be God's people, we too have the privilege and responsibility to live out our faith in our own time. He encourages believers not to compare themselves to biblical heroes like Abraham or David, but to embrace their unique role in the present. Tozer reminds us that being alive today means we can actively witness, pray, and support those in need, thus fulfilling God's purpose for our lives. He urges us to give our love and devotion to God, as we may discover profound truths He wishes to share with us. Ultimately, we are called to be faithful in our generation, making a difference in the world around us.
The Word of Knowledge, and Faith
By Smith Wigglesworth11CO 12:8Smith Wigglesworth emphasizes the significance of the 'word of knowledge' and faith as gifts of the Holy Spirit, asserting that true unity in the body of Christ comes from the Spirit's revelation. He highlights the necessity of a living faith that transcends human limitations, encouraging believers to seek a deeper relationship with God to experience His power and glory. Wigglesworth shares personal testimonies of faith in action, illustrating how reliance on God's Spirit can lead to miraculous outcomes and transformation. He stresses that faith must be accompanied by love and a humble spirit, as these qualities enable the manifestation of God's gifts. Ultimately, he calls for believers to pursue a vibrant faith that is alive and active, trusting in God's limitless resources.
Exchanged Life
By Major Ian Thomas0JHN 6:29ROM 12:1GAL 2:20JAS 2:26Major Ian Thomas emphasizes that Christian living is not about methods or techniques, but rather about the revolutionary principle of an exchanged life, where 'not I, but Christ liveth in me' (Galatians 2:20). He warns against separating Christian behavior from the Gospel, asserting that true faith must manifest in good works, as faith without works is dead (James 2:26). Thomas highlights that the essence of the Gospel is Christ living in us now, not just a promise of heaven later. He encourages believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, allowing the life of Christ to be displayed through them, which is the only way to gain God's approval. The sermon calls for a faith that breathes with divine action, rooted in dependence on Jesus.
Aflame for God
By Smith Wigglesworth0ISA 40:31MAT 28:19MRK 16:17LUK 3:16JHN 10:10ACT 1:8ROM 8:371CO 12:42TI 1:7HEB 1:7Smith Wigglesworth emphasizes the necessity of being empowered by the Holy Spirit to be effective witnesses for Christ, just as the early disciples were on the day of Pentecost. He asserts that the same anointing and power are available today, urging believers to be flames of fire, filled with faith and the presence of God. Wigglesworth shares personal testimonies of miraculous healings and the transformative power of God, encouraging Christians to live in a state of readiness to manifest God's power in their lives. He calls for a passionate and active faith that reflects the glory of Christ and meets the needs of the world. Ultimately, he reminds us that through the Holy Spirit, we can experience life abundantly and be instruments of healing and hope.
Prayer - We Are Beginning Another Work-Day Week
By J.R. Miller0PSA 51:10MAT 5:16ROM 12:22CO 12:9GAL 5:22EPH 4:32PHP 4:13COL 3:23JAS 1:51PE 5:7J.R. Miller emphasizes the importance of carrying the lessons learned on Sunday into the workweek, urging believers to let the spirit of worship and reflection inspire their daily lives. He acknowledges the struggle to maintain good resolutions amidst the busyness of life and calls for God's grace to help fulfill these intentions. Miller encourages a continual connection with God through prayer, seeking strength to live out faith in everyday actions and to grow in holiness. He also highlights the need for forgiveness and the desire to improve in character and kindness towards others. Ultimately, he prays for a transformative week where Sunday’s blessings overflow into daily responsibilities.