GOD’S WORD FOR JULY 7

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.

*** ***

OUR EXAMPLE

Matthew 5:11

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you.”

D.L. MOODY

Listen to Paul in the jail at Philippi.  “If God wants me to go to heaven by way of this prison.” He says, “It is all the same to me;  rejoice and be exceedingly glad, Silas.  I thank God that I am accounted worthy to suffer for Jesus’ sake.”  As they sang their praises to God, the other prisoners heard them; but, what was far more important, the Lord heard them, and the old prison shook.  Talk about Alexander the Great making the world tremble with his armies. , here is a little tentmaker who makes the world tremble without any army!

ERWIN LUTZER

The better the world understands Christ, the more they will come to hate Him.  Paul and Silas were not in prison for doing evil, but for doing good.  The authorities rejected the gospel, the one message that could show them their sin and the way o forgiveness.  The gospel is so contrary to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life that its message can only be accepted by the convicting work of the Spirit.

Jesus told His disciples, “’A servant is not greater than his master,’   If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.”  (John 15:20).  Jesus tells us to expect hatred from the world.  That is why Paul and Silas could sing in prison:  they knew they were there by divine appointment.

We think we are suffering for Christ when someone cancels us on social media.  But historically, the church has often experienced horrendous personal, physical and emotional suffering for the gospel.  Blessed are those who can sing in the midst of such trials.

PRAYER

Father, please teach me to sing Your praises today, no matter how my day goes,

*** ***

 Matthew 5:10–12

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

** *

Mark 10:29–30

Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.

** *

 2 Corinthians 12:9–10

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

** *

 Romans 8:31–39

  What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?  Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.  Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  As it is written:

“For Your sake we are killed all day long;

We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,  nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

** *

 Galatians 4:29

Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.

** *

 Matthew 10:16–18

Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.

** *

 1 Peter 4:12–14

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

Published by liveinthelightofourlord

View all posts by liveinthelightofourlord