GOD’S WORD FOR JUNE 28

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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THE SWEETEST FRUIT

Isaiah 35:10

“And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads.”

D.L. MOODY

I think there is a difference between happiness and joy.  “Happy-ness” is caused by things which “happen” around me, and circumstances will mar it,  but:

Joy flows right on through trouble;

 Joy flows on through the dark; 

Joy flows in the night as well as in the day;

 Joy flows all through persecution and opposition;

 It is an unceasing fountain bubbling up in the heart; a secret spring which the world can’t see and doesn’t know anything about.  The Lord gives His people perpetual joy when they walk in obedience to Him.

ERWIN LUTZER

There was a pastor who was baptizing a new convert.  This new believer had the kind of joy that we, who are older converts ought to have; and this convert, after being baptized shouted, I am so full of joy, I will never be tempted again.”  The pastor wisely said to him, “In order for you to have that blessing, I would have had to keep you under the water a little longer.”  Yes, that’s  right.  Someday, we’ll never be tempted again, but not right now.

We must ever realize that when we get saved, God does a great miracle.  He creates something within us that wasn’t there before:  a new nature. 

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”  Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17.  God makes a place in our lives where His Holy Spirit, whom we love and whose companionship we crave, can dwell within us, and He births within us qualities that are supernatural, things that are totally contrary to the flesh.  When we walk in the Spirit and obey God’s word, we grow in Christ’s likeness.  The result is that we bear fruit including the fruit of “joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.”  (1 Peter 1:8).

PRAYER

Father, thank you for the joy of my salvation.  Please grand me the healing fruit of a joyful heart.

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Job 38:7

“When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy”

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*Psalm 43:3-4

“Oh, send out Your light and Your truth!

Let them lead me;

Let them bring me to Your holy hill.

And to Your tabernacle

Then I will go to the altar of God,

To God my exceeding joy!

And on the harp I will praise You!

O God, my God.”

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*Psalm 5:11

“But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend then;  Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You.”

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Psalm 16:11

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy;  at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

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*Psalm 30:5

“…..His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”

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*Psalm 42:5

“Why are you cast down, O my soul?

And why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God, for I  shall yet praise Him for

The help of His countenance.”

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Psalm 51:8

 “Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice.”

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Psalm 51:12

“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.”

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