GOD’S WORD FOR JULY 24

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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BELIEVING IS SEEING

Matthew 13:58

“And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.

D.L. MOODY

Unbelief is as much an enemy to the Christian as it is to the unconverted.  It will keep back the blessing now as much as it did in the days of Christ.  We read that in one place Christ could not do many mighty works because of unbelief.  If Christ couldn’t do this, how can WE expect to accomplish anything if the people of God dare unbelieving?  I contend that God’s children are alone able to hinder God’s work.  Infidels, atheists, and skeptics cannot do it.  Where there is union, strong faith, and expectation among Christians, a mighty work is always done.

ERWIN LUTZER

Today we say, “to see is to believe,” but in the Bible, the opposite is sometimes necessary:  “to believe is to see.”  For example, David would have despaired but he said, “I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!”  (Psalm 27:13).  It was faith that caused the psalmist to see the blessing of God despite the circumstances around him.  Remember the words of Christ to Mary and Martha at the grave of Lazarus, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?  (John 11:40).  Believing came before seeing.

Of course, we are not speaking about blind faith, this is faith based on God and His Word.  Without faith, we are not able to please God and we forfeit experiencing His power in impossible circumstances.  To paraphrase Charles H. Spurgeon, that great preacher in London who met with Moody when he visited England, is known to have said: “A little bit of faith will take your soul to heaven, but a great deal of faith will bring heaven to your soul.”

Let me quote it again, “without faith it is impossible to please God.”  (Hebrews 11:6).

PRAYER

Father please increase my faith.  I repent of my unbelief.

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    James 1:3

    Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

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1 Corinthians 16:13

    Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

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Romans 10:17

    So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

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Hebrews 11:1

    Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

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Romans 5:1

    Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

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    1 John 5:4

    For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

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