GOD’S WORD FOR AUGUST 10

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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FADING INTO THE BACKGROUND

John 3:30

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”

D.L. MOODY

Doctor Bonar once remarked that he could tell when a Christian was growing.  In proportion to his growth in grace he would elevate his Master, talk less of what he was doing, and become smaller and smaller in his own esteem until, like the morning star, he faded away before the rising sun.  Jonathan was willing to decrease that David might increase; and John the Baptist showed the same spirit of humility.

ERWIN LUTZER

Many sought John the Baptist’s baptism for  blessings but not with a heart of repentance.  Over time, John’s crowds dwindled as people flocked to Jesus, whose disciples were baptizing nearby.  As Jesus’s popularity  grew,  John’s disciples said in effect, “Jesus is taking away your converts and your ministry appears to be over.”  But John made two powerful statements, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven”  We’re called to stop comparing ourselves with one another and to be content with the gifts and talents (or lack of them) God has given us.  This one remark should forever cure us of all envy.

But then comes John’s refreshing confession of humility, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”   As Christians, our lives are never about us, it is always about Christ.  We must step back from ANY GLORY OR PRAISE;  all praise directed toward us should immediately be passed along to Christ.

In summary:  Our gifts or possessions are gifts deserving no  credit from us, so we gladly pass the thanks to Jesus.  We must fade into the background and exalt Christ in every way possible.

PRAYER

Father, I refuse to take the credit for any success I have had, and I ive You all the praise!

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Philippians 2:3-5

 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves;  do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.  Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

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    Isaiah 66:2

For My hand made all these things,

So all these things came into being,” declares the Lord.

“But I will look to this one,

At one who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who trembles at My word.

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    Matthew 5:5

    Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.

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    Isaiah 57:15

    For thus says the High and Lofty One

    Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:

    “I dwell in the high and holy place,

    With him who has a contrite and humble spirit,

    To revive the spirit of the humble,

    And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

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    John 8:29

    And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”

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    Proverbs 15:33

    The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom,

    And before honor is humility.

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    Matthew 23:12

    And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

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    Romans 12:3

    For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

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