GOD’S WORD FOR JUNE 2

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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OUR RELATIONAL CREATOR

1 John 4:8

“God is love…”

D.L. MOODY

If I could only make men understand the real meaning o the words of John:  “GOD IS LOVE”,  I would take that single verse, and would go up and down the world proclaiming the glorious truth.  If you can convince a man that you love him, you have won his heart.  If we could really make people believe that God loves them, how we should find them crowding into the kingdom of heaven!  The trouble is that men think God hates them; and so they are continually turning their backs on Him.

ERWIN LUTZER

Yes, God is love, but today’s understanding of love is used to justify that which is evil.  Love must be defined by the teachings of the Bible, “This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.” (1 John 5:3) and love “rejoices in truth.” (1 Corinthians 23:6).

That being said, Moody’s preaching was a great example of someone who preached the love of God in almost every sermon. The Love of God was Moody’s central theme. 

The statement, “God is love” reminds us that God is personal; it means that He invites us into fellowship with Him.  Love has implications for companionship for the redeemed.  In John 17, Jesus prayed that we might know that He loves us even as He is loved by the Father!  As He was loved by the Father in eternity past, so we also have been loved from all eternity.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism has it right:

“Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.”  This is the God who loved His own from all eternity, and yes, because we have been loved, let us love one another.

PRAYER

Father, thank You for loving me from eternity.  Please help me to know what it means to love You with all my heart, soul, and mind.  (Matthew 22:37).

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Jeremiah 31:3

    The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.’

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Psalms 136:26

    Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.

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Isaiah 54:10

    “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”

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Psalm 11:5

The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked, and His soul hates one who loves violence.

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Psalm 11:7

For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; The upright will see His face.

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Deuteronomy 32:4

    “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong; upright and just is he.”

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Psalms 89:14

    “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.”

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Psalms 119:137

    “Righteous are you, O Lord, and your laws are right.”

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Isaiah 30:18

    “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!”

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