GOD’S WORD FOR  MAY 29

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.

ETERNAL INFLUENCE

Hebrews 11:4

“By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain…though he died, he still speaks.”

D.L. MOODY

But there is one thing you cannot bury with a good man:  his influence still lives.  They buried Daniel, yet his influence is as great today as ever it was.  Do you tell me that Joseph is dead?  His influence still lives and will continue to live on and on.  You may bury the frail tenement of clay that a good man lives in. but you cannot get rid of his influence and example.  Paul was never  more powerful than he is today.

ERWIN LUTZER

Yes, after we are dead, our influence will continue for good or for ill.  We come into this world seeking meaning; we want to do something worthwhile, something that lasts forever, and true meaning can only be found in our love for and service to God.

Imagine the legacy of those who leave an evil impact; those who lived for self, treated others with disdain, and valued only those things that will pass away.  They, too, will be remembered but only for the harm they did, the stingy life they lived, and the broken legacy they left behind.

But for those who lived for Christ, they have sought that which is most precious and endures forever.  The good news is that if the glory of God is our goal, we know that the meaning we seek will be found; the impact we hope to have will be realized, and yes, though being dead, we still speak.  The judgment seat of Christ is in the future because the good that believers have done keeps having repercussions in the lives of others, often in invisible ways.

I have frequently stood at the grace of D M.L. Moody in Northfield, Massachusetts.  On his tombstone is written his favorite verse, “He that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” (1 John 2:17).

 Although he died in 1899, he still speaks!

PRAYER

Father, I earnestly pray that the good I do today will have eternal value because it was done in Your name and for Your glory.

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Proverbs 16:24

    “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” –

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Colossians 4:6

    “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

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James 1:19

    “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

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Titus 2:7

    “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness.”

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Matthew 5:16

    “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

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1 Thessalonians 5:11

    “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

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Hebrews 10:24-25

    “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.”

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Philippians 2:15

    “So that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.”

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