GOD’S WORD FOR  APRIL 11

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.

DIVINE METAMORPHOSIS

Psalm 91:15

“when he calls to Me, I will answer him;  I will be with him in trouble;  I will rescue him and honor him.”

D.L. MOODY

If we call on God for deliverance and for victory over sin and every evil, God will not turn a deaf ear to our call.  I don’t care what the past record has been, I don’t care how disobedient or how one may have backslidden and wandered, if he really wants to come back,  God accepts the willing mind, God will hear prayer, and answer.

Some people say they can’t call.  Perhaps you cannot make an eloquent prayer – I hope you can’t—I have heard about all the eloquent prayers I want to.   But you can say, “God, please be merciful to me a sinner’ (Luke 18:13).

I have been forty years in Christian work, and I have never known God to disappoint any man or woman who was in earnest about their soul’s salvation or were seeking a more consecrated life.  I know lots of people who pretend to be in earnest, but their prayers are never answered.

ERWIN LUTZER

Can humans really change?  Society says only behaviorism brings change, that we are the product of our environment.  But Adam and Eve had a perfect environment, yet they blew it. 

Society also says education can change the individual;  people only do bad things because they don’t know better.  This assumes people would do good if they knew what good was, but we all have not lived up to what we know to be what God expects.

Only Jesus can transform us into who we should be.  All of us have defenses and denial mechanisms  making  it impossible to see ourselves in the light of His presence.  Just as vacillating Simon was transformed into Peter, Jesus can change you (Matthew 16:18).  If you admit your sins to Him and ask for His help, He will begin the transformation process.

Jesus knows who we are;  He also knows who we can become.  Figuratively speaking, He changes our name, and yes, as the Good Shepherd, He knows our names.

PRAYER

Father, please change me into the image of Your Son, Jesus.

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Isaiah 65:24

It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.

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Jeremiah 33:3

Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.

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Psalm 20:9

Save, Lord! May the King answer us when we call.

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Psalm 81:7

You called in trouble, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah.

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Psalm 86:7

In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, For You will answer me.

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    Psalm 118:5

    I called on the Lord in distress; The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.

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    Psalm 118:21

    I will praise You, For You have answered me, and have become my salvation.

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    Psalm 119:26

    I have declared my ways, and You answered me; Teach me Your statutes.

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Psalm 94:19

In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.

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