GOD’S WORD FOR JULY 1

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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GLORIOUS TREASURE, ORDINARY VESSEL

1 Corinthians 1:28

“God chose what is low and despised in the world.”

D.L. MOODY

Notice that all the men whom Christ called around Him were weak men in a worldly sense.  They were all men without rank, without title, without position, without wealth or culture.  Nearly all of them were fishermen and unlettered men, yet Christ chose them to build up His kingdom.  When God wanted to bring the children of Israel out of bondage, He did not send an army, He sent one solitary man.  So in all ages, God has used the weak things of the world to accomplish His purposes.

ERWIN LUTZER

Can you and I open anybody’s eyes to the glories of the gospel?  Of course not.  But we are coworkers together with God.  Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:7, “but we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”  Paul is saying that the treasure we have is the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  In other words, the treasure is the good news of the gospel.  God says, “I’m going to use imperfect people, just common jars of clay, to spread the message of hope and forgiveness to a very hurting world.”

What a word of encouragement.  It’s okay for you and me to be weak in the world’s eyes.  We may have limited gifts and continue to struggle with sin – we are just ordinary people, but we have an extraordinary message.  Do you realize how freeing this is?  Clay pots were everywhere during the time this was written, and Paul says, “that’s all you are, but that’s all you have to be.”

We are imperfect people pointing people to a perfect Savior.

PRAYER

Father, may I never lose sight of Your wonder.  Thank You, Lord, for using  me in  my “ordinariness.”

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Ephesians 2:10

We are created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance.

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2 Timothy 1:9

 God saved us and called us to a holy life, not because of our works, but His own purpose.

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Isaiah 43:7

 We are created for God’s glory, formed and made for His purpose.

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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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Colossians 3:23

    “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

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2 Timothy 1:7

    “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.”

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1 Peter 4:10

    “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

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