GOD’S WORD FOR JANUARY 11

Our  book this month  is a continuation of “Chiseled by the Master’s Hand ~ Lessons From the Life of Peter,” by Erwin  Lutzer.  Dr. Lutzer is  Canadian-born and served as Senior Pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years, until his retirement in 2016.   He now serves as Pastor Emeritus of Moody Church.  He’s written many books and has radio and internet teaching programs.

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THE TRACE OF HIS SHADOW

(Read Acts 3:1-10;  5:1-11;  8:14-24;   and 10:44-48)

YOUR SHADOW AND MINE

What about our shadow?  Let’s remember that the greatest impact we can have is not the silver and gold we can give but the life we can live.  The shadow of a person in his home, in his business, or out on the street – that shadow has effects that will continue throughout all eternity.  When you throw a stone in a pond, the ripples continue even after the stone has sunk to the bottom.  Long after we are gone, either for good or for ill, our influence will continue.

Also, our greatest impact is frequently unconscious.  We influence others by the way we live, not just by what we say.  When people are watching, we tend to be on our best behavior.  But when we are positive role models even when we think no one is watching –that kind of impact is long-lasting and special to God.

Finally  our shadow is dependent on our relationship to the Son.  Only those who live in the light will cast a shadow that is positive, effective, and eternal.  When we walk in darkness, there is no shadow – no influence that will make those around us better people.  Some people live only for themselves, and they will die as they have lived.  Someone has Said, “In eternity we become what we are now only more so.”  The selfish and the wicked will become even more selfish and wicked after death.  The righteous will become more generous, more loving, and more joyful.

Perhaps you and I are discouraged today and feel as if we have nothing to give.  But let me remind you that once we have received the gift of the Spirit, we can all give to someone else.  God doesn’t expect us to give what we do not have, but He gives to us that we might give back in return.  “Freely you have received, freely give.”

A.J. Gordon tells of seeing a man in the distance pumping water, and wondering how a human being could work so consistently and tirelessly.  But as he came nearer, he realized that it was not a man that was doing the pumping, but rather a figure of a man, which was itself being pumped by an artesian well as the water gushed through the pipe system. 

Just so, it is not that we must give what we do not have; rather, because Christ promised the Holy Spirit who would create rivers of living waters within us, we all have something to give today.

Wherever our shadow is cast, we will affect the lives of others and receive a lasting reward.  But only those who look at the Son will have a shadow that continues forever.

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Hebrews 13:16

And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

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Isaiah 58:10

And if you offer yourself to the hungry  and satisfy the need of the afflicted,

Then your light will rise in darkness, and your gloom will become like midday.

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1 John 3:18

Little children, let’s not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

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Luke 10:27

And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”

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Romans 13:10

 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law.

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Ephesians 4:32

Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

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Titus 3:14

Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unproductive.

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Galatians 6:10

So then, while we have opportunity, let’s do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith

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