GOD’S WORD FOR  MARCH 18

We are reading from a daily devotional  called “Running To Win” written by Erwin Lutzer  and the late, great D.L. Moody.   Erwin Lutzer is a light in our day as D.L. Moody was in his.  Besides his many ministries, and many books, Pastor Lutzer was Senior Pastor at Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years and now serves as Pastor Emeritus there.  He is  Chancelor and a former professor at Moody Bible Institute, where he taught Theology and Ministry, and now has numerous radio teachings.

BUILD UP THE CHURCH

“Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than receive.”   Acts 20:35

D.L. MOODY

What makes the Dead Sea dead?  Because it is all the time receiving, but never giving out anything.  Why is it that many Christians are cold?  Because they are all the time receiving, never giving out.

ERWIN LUTZER

God has ordained that, in one way or another, we should serve others.  If any one of us is not doing his or her part, the work of God suffers.  God has given us gifts, the purpose of which is so that nobody would ever have to do the job alone, but work together as the body of Christ to do what God expects.

I can’t remember a Christmas at the Lutzer family where there was a gift under the tree that was left unopened.  It is a tragedy that God has given us gifts, but often they lie dormant, unopened because of fear or a variety of other excuses.  I have often noted how Christians complain if they are not edified by the church, but they themselves neglect the opportunity to edify others.  This is what I promise:  If we take the time to invest in others, we ourselves will be blessed in return.  As Moody said, let’s not be like the Dead Sea that stagnates, but may our lives be a stream of blessing for others.

PRAYER

Father, I want to thank You that Jesus Christ ordained that we all be a part of something greater than any one of us.  May I be committed to blessing others even as You have greatly blessed me.  Please grant me opportunities to serve the body of Christ with the gifts You gave me.

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Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.

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Matthew 25:40

And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

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1 Chronicles 29:14

But who am I, and who are my people,

That we should be able to offer so willingly as this?

For all things come from You,

And of Your own we have given You.

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1 John 3:17

But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

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Galatians 6:2 & 6:9

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ……. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

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2 Corinthians 9:8

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

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James 5:16

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

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