GOD’S WORD FOR JUNE 13

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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RUNNING TOWARD JESUS

2 Timothy 4:7

“I have fought the good fight.”

D.L. MOODY

Rome never had such a conqueror as Paul within her walls.  Rome never had such a mighty man as Paul within her boundaries.  Although the world looked down upon him, and perhaps he looked very small and contemptible, yet, in the sight of heaven, he was the mightiest man who ever trod the streets of Rome.  Probably there will never be another one like him travelling those streets.  The Son of God walked with him like the fourth man in the fiery furnace in Daniel 3:24-25.

ERWIN LUTZER

Soon after Paul wrote 2 Timothy, he was beheaded by Nero, reminding us that death does not end all.  Not only that, but decisions and victories won in this world may be very different in the life to come.

Then I think of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  He turned against Hitler, becoming part of the resistance movement, and was eventually hung in Flossenburg.  What impresses me is that on the morning of his hanging – and that wouldn’t be a nice way to die, would it? – a biographer says that he was stripped, taken to the gallows, and was allowed to pray.  He prayed these words: 

“This is the end…for me the beginning of life.”   And with that, he walked to the gallows and was hung.  Dr. H. Fisher-Hullstrung who saw him said he had never seen anyone die “so entirely submissive to the will of God.” 

Things are not what they appear to be, and at the end of the day, what we need is Jesus so that we can say, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”  (Philippians 1:21).

PRAYER

Father, please teach me faithfulness in matters both small and weighty until I make it all the way to the finish line

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Psalm 23:4

    “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

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Isaiah 41:10

    “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

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John 14:27

    “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

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Revelation 21:4

    “‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’”

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John 11:25-26

    “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’”

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1 Peter 1:3

    “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…”

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John 14:1-3

    “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?”

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2 Corinthians 4:16-18

    “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

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Romans 8:18

    “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

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Isaiah 43:1-2

    “But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.’”

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Romans 8:31

    “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

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