GOD’S WORD FOR  APRIL 6

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.

BELIEVE, THEN GROW

Hebrews 4:2

“for good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.”

D.L. MOODY

Faith is very important.  It is the link that binds us to every promise of God – it brings us every blessing.  I don’t mean  DEAD faith, but a LIVING faith.  There is a big difference between the two.  A man may tell me that ten thousand dollars are deposited in a certain bank in my name.  I may believe it, but if I don’t act upon it and get the money, it does me no good.  Unbelief bars the door and keeps back the blessing.

Someone has said there are three elements in faith – knowledge, assent, and laying hold.  KNOWLEDGE! A man may have a good deal of knowledge about Christ, but that does not save him.  Our knowledge about Christ does not help us if we don’t act upon it.  But knowledge is very important.  Many also ASSENT and say, “I believe;” but that doesn’t save them either.  Knowledge, assent, then LAYING HOLD:  It is that last element that saves…..that brings the soul and Christ together…..Trusting the promise and acting on the belief is what brings the blessing.

ERWIN LUTZER

The object of faith is much more important than the amount of faith.  A small amount of faith in the true Jesus is much better than absolute confidence in the wrong Jesus.  Those who believe in the wrong “Jesus” will be barred from heaven even if they outwardly appear to have a faith that saves (Matthew 7:21-23).  Faith is not merely information, but an attitude of trust:  and that trust must be in the Jesus of the New Testament as He has revealed Himself.

PRAYER

Father, please grow my faith in you. In my lack of faith, grow me.

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 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.    For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

    Romans 1:16 & 17

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    For we walk by faith, not by sight.

    2 Corinthians 5:7

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    Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

    James 2:17

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    Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

    James 1:3

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    Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

    1 Corinthians 16:13

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    So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

    Romans 10:17

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    Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

    Hebrews 11:1

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    Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.

    Romans 14:1

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    Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

    Romans 5:1

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    For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

    1 John 5:4

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