GOD’S WORD FOR  APRIL 16

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.

LOVE THE BRIDE

1 John 4:7

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God”

D.L. MOODY

The first impulse of a young convert is to love.  Do you remember the day you were converted?  Was your heart full of sweet peace and love?

I remember the morning I came out of my room after I had first trusted Christ.  I thought the old sun shone a good deal brighter than it ever had before.  I thought that the sun was just smiling upon me.  I walked out upon Boston Common and heard the birds in the trees and I thought that they were all singing a song for me.  Do you know I fell in love with the birds?   I never cared for them before, but now it seemed to me that I was in love with all creation.  I had not a bitter-feeling against any man, and I was ready to take all men to my heart.  If a man has not the love of God shed abroad in his heart, he has never been regenerated.

ERWIN LUTZER

I remember praying with a woman who fell into the sin of alcoholism.  The first words out of her mouth were, “Father, you know that I love you!”  To me, that was proof she was regenerated even though she was struggling with sin.  The regenerated heart not only loves God but the “household of God” as well (Ephesians 2:19).  The Holy Spirit connects us, but we also must connect with one another.  “All the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.  For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.”  (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).  The church’s strength lies in our unity, loyalty, and love.  We love Him because He first loved us.

PRAYER

Father, please grow my love for others –especially the household of faith.

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John 13:34-35

    “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” –

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1 John 4:7

    “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”

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Romans 13:10

    “Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”

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1 Corinthians 16:14

    “Do everything in love.”

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Colossians 3:14

    “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

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Ephesians 4:32

    “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

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