GOD’S WORD FOR  MAY 9

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.

FORGIVEN AT CALVARY

Mark 16:15

“and He said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”

D.L. MOODY

I can imagine Jesus saying:  “Go search out the man who put that crown of thorns  on My brow;  tell him I will have a crown for him in  My kingdom if he will accept salvation; and there shall not  be a thorn in it.  Find out that man who took the reed from My hand and smote My head, driving the thorns deeper into My brow.  Tell him I want to give him a scepter.  Go, seek out that poor soldier who drove the spear into My side;  tell him that there is a nearer way to My heart than that.  Tell him I want to make him a soldier of the cross and that My banner over him shall be love.”

ERWIN LUTZER

Please reread the words of Moody printed above!  His preaching was vivid, immediate, and filled with colorful insights.  Little wonder he connected with the common people;  like Jesus, he was understood by those who knew they were sinners and humble enough to accept the hope of the gospel.

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).  Those are the words of the One who chose to become a victim of history’s greatest crime.  Jesus prayed out of love for His enemies.  When was this prayer prayed?  It was prayed at the very time His nerves were not yet dulled, when the pain was the freshest, when the jolt of anguish that went through His body was the sharpest.  These were His first words while on the cross.

Jesus commanded us to take this message of hope to a broken world. Yes, even those who crucified Him could receive His forgiveness.  Let us find the greatest sinners and tell them that they, too, have a place in heaven if they will repent and believe the gospel.

PRAYER

Father, please grant me the ability to forgive others even as You have forgiven me.  Let me remind people that great sin is not a barrier to great grace.

*** ***

Micah 7:18-19

Who is a God like You,

Pardoning iniquity

And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage?

He does not retain His anger forever,

Because He delights in mercy.

He will again have compassion on us,

And will subdue our iniquities.

You will cast all our sins

Into the depths of the sea.

** *

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

** *

Romans 8:1

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

** *

Mark 16:15

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”

** *

Matthew 28:19-20

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

** *

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

** *

Psalm 105:1

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;

make known his deeds among the peoples!

** *

1 Peter 3:15

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.

** *

Luke 4:18

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives

and recovering of sight to the blind,

to set at liberty those who are oppressed.

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