GOD’S WORD FOR JULY 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.

*** ***

THE OLD IS PAST, THE NEW HAS COME

1 Peter 1:23

“Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable.”

D.L. MOODY

God has not only adopted us, but we are His by birth:  you have been born into His kingdom, if you trust only in Christ’s sacrifice and payment for your sins, and have repented. (turned away from them).  My boy was as much mine when he was a day old as now when he is fourteen.  He was MY SON: although it didn’t appear what he would be when he attained manhood.  He is mine; although he may have to undergo testing under tutors and governors.  The children of God are not perfect; but we are perfectly His children.

ERWIN LUTZER

The topic of God’s special relationship to you is the best news you will ever hear.  Since all who trust Christ belong to God, there are many promises we can claim.  Just as Moody mentioned, we belong to God because we are born again.  Let’s take just one promise given to us as His child and consider what it means for us.

You’ve read it before, but reread it: 

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose” 

Read the verses that follow and you will discover that we are a part of God’s eternal purposes.  Paul says God foreknew us.  He calls and justifies us, and in His mind, we are already glorified! (see Romans 8:28-30 below).  God says, “It’s a finished process.”  In the meantime, He is conforming us to the image of Christ.

There are times when we need to put away all distractions and quietly concentrate on who we are in Christ.  We don’t have to understand all of God’s ways in order to know that we belong to Him, and anything He ordains for us is good and just.  To be a son or daughter of God is the highest privilege; it is to join a family on Earth that will be glorified in heaven.

PRAYER

Father, thank You for remembering me; You know my name.  Thank You for adopting me into Your family!

*** ***

Hebrews 10:23

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

** *

Romans 8:28-30

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.  Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

** *

Ephesians 2:10

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before hand so that we would walk in them.

** *

Romans 11:29

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

** *

John 3:16-18

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

** *

1 John 2:17

And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

** *

1 John 3:1

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

** *

Romans 8:15

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

** *

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Published by liveinthelightofourlord

View all posts by liveinthelightofourlord