GOD’S WORD FOR  APRIL 17

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.

THE PENALTY BOX

Exodus 4:17

“And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.”

D.L. MOODY

When God Almighty linked Himself to that rod, it was worth more than all the armies the world had ever seen.  Look and see how that rod did this work.  It brought up the plagues of flies and the thunderstorm and turned the water into blood.  It wasn’t Moses, however, nor Moses’ rod that did the work, but it was the God of the rod, the God of Moses.  As long as God was with him, he could not fail.

ERWIN LUTZER

Where did Moses get the rod?  He picked up the rod while in the “penalty box,” that is, the desert where he herded sheep, suffering his fate because of  manslaughter.  There in the desert, he found a limb from a tree, perhaps six feet long, and used it to herd his flock.  But God had greater plans for this shepherd.  After the fire burned and Moses reluctantly said “yes” to God, that rod had divine significance.

As Moody said, wherever Moses went, he took that rod with him.  He used it to part the sea, and later, God instructed Moses to hit the rock and water gushed out.  The rod of Moses then became the rod of God.

Let me ask:  What did you pick up in your desert that God is using today?  The desert tests our loyalty and depth of commitment.  In the desert, God helps us see who we are and who He is.  There we learn lessons that living in a palace could not teach us.  It is in the desert we learn servanthood, obedience, and faith.  It’s there where we receive insight and help that enables us to move to the next level of our ministry and impact.

PRAYER

Father, please use everything, including  my desert, to equip  me to serve You effectively.

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Hebrews 13:5

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

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Romans 8:28

    “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

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Isaiah 43:2

    “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”

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James 1:2-3

    “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”

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Psalm 94:19

    “When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.”

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2 Corinthians 4:8-9

    “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.”

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