GOD’S WORD FOR  MAY 14

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.

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AS IT SHOULD BE

Daniel 2:44

“A kingdom that shall never be destroyed.”

D.L. MOODY

Napoleon tried to establish a kingdom by the force of arms.  So did Alexander the Great and Caesar and other great warriors, but they utterly failed.  Jesus founded His kingdom on love, and it is going to stand.  When we join this realm of love, then all selfish and unworthy motives will disappear and our work will stand the fire when God puts it to the test.

ERWIN LUTZER

Some dictators have made promises about their kingdoms;  Hitler predicted his empire would last for a thousand years, but it lasted only twelve.  Dictators have always promised more than they can deliver; some speak of a coming “utopia” — a word invented by Thomas More in 1516 when he wrote a book by that title.  But the idea of a grand kingdom has captivated every generation.  We long to be a citizen in a great kingdom.

As Moody pointed out, there is an everlasting kingdom coming that cannot and will not be shaken.  When Christ returns, He will gather His own and reign for a thousand years, and “shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”  (Isaiah 2:4).  After this comes the end when the Son delivers the kingdom to the Father so that God may be all in all (see 1 Corinthians 15:24 – 28 below).

The earthly kingdom becomes the heavenly kingdom of which there shall be no end, and   we shall reign with Him forever and ever.

PRAYER

Father, please help me not to live for the kingdom of this world but for the kingdom to come.

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1 Corinthians 15:24-28

Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.  For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.  The last enemy to be destroyed is death.  For “God has put all things in subjection under His feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that He is excepted who put all things in subjection under Him.  When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subjected to Him who put all things in subjection under Him, that God may be all in all.

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Matthew 6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

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Mark 1:15

and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

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Mark 10:13-15

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them.   But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.   Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

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Mark 10:23-27

And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”

And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God.”

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

(meaning a person who is proud and trusting of his wealth, beauty, intelligence, talent or his perceived goodness).

And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.

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