GOD’S WORD FOR  APRIL 24

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.

A CONFLICT OF CONSCIENCE

Daniel 6:5

“Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.”

D.L. MOODY

What a testimony from his bitterest enemies!  Would that it could be said of all of us!  He had never taken a bribe, he had never been connected with a “ring.”  Ah, how his name shines!  He had commenced to shine in his early manhood, and he shone right along.  Now he is an old man, an old statesman, and yet this is their testimony.  Character is worth more than money.

Character is worth  more than anything else in the wide world.  I would rather, in my old age, have such a character as that which Daniel’s enemies gave him:  that would be much better than to have raised over my dead body a monument of gold reaching from Earth to sky.

ERWIN LUTZER

How do you handle a conflict of conscience?  Difficult choices either prove or disprove our love for Christ.  A young pastor asked me, “What advice do you have for young pastors?  I said, “Guard your character; once your reputation is called into question, your ability to minister will end.”

There comes a time when we draw a line in the sand, refusing to bow down to sin’s temptations for the sake of God and His gospel.  Jesus was honored because He loved righteousness and hated iniquity (Hebrews 1:9)  He died forsaken by others, but no one could honestly accuse Him of sin.

Often, people will not make up their minds about God until they have made up their minds about us.  If we say we are believers but our character betrays us, they will use us as a reason to reject the gospel.  Daniel maintained his character while in a hostile culture.  What guardrails do you have in place to maintain an upright character?

PRAYER

Father, I ask in Jesus’ name that, in a confused culture, those of us who are redeemed might actually look and act redeemed.

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2 Corinthians 4:4

    “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.”

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Matthew 24:12

    “Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.”

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2 Thessalonians 2:7

    “For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way.”

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John 16:33

    “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

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Titus 2:13

    “While we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.”

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Isaiah 9:2

    “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.”

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Psalm 42:5

    “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!”

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Hebrews 6:19

    “This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.”

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