GOD’S WORD FOR AUGUST 15

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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A DIM LIGHT IS BETTER THAN NONE

Matthew 5:16

Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

D.L. MOODY

If every one of us was illuminated by the Spirit of God, how we could light up the churches!  But to have a lantern without any light, would be a nuisance. Many Christians carry along lanterns and say, “I wouldn’t give up my religion for yours.”  They talk about religion.  The religion that has no fire is like painted fire.  These are artificial Christians.  Do you belong to that class?  You can tell.  If you can’t, your friends can.

ERWIN LUTZER

I heard about a man charged with negligence for not using his lantern to warn a train conductor approaching a critical crossing.  In court, he testified he did wave his lantern, and was acquitted.  Later, he told a friend, “It’s true, I did wave my lantern; I’m  just glad they didn’t ask me if it was lit.”

I sympathize with people who work in an environment surrounded by attitudes and words exuding the irreverent and foul deeds of the world.  Some believers have to change jobs.  But we should also thank God for believers who choose to stay – who not only wave their lantern, but keep it lit. 

“Artificial Christians” have form but no substance, the cloak of religion but no heart change.  What Jesus said to His disciples applies to us:  “You are the light of the world.”

Even if you don’t think you’re a very good light, you’re probably the best light these people will ever meet.  Be faithful, represent Jesus.  If you fall back into darkness, confess your sins and begin walking in the light anew, praying and seeking God.  You might be surprised about the impact you have.  Right where you are, right where God has planted you, you represent Him in an evil time.  In the darkest night, keep your lamp burning.

PRAYER

Father, please help e to represent Your Son well:  may those who are in darkness see the Son’s light reflected in my life.

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Matthew 5:14-16

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;  nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

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Romans 2:19-21

and are confident that you yourself are a guide to people who are blind, a light to those in darkness,  a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, possessing in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth— you, therefore, who teach someone else, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one is not to steal, do you steal?

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John 8:12

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

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Matthew 6:22-23

The eye is the lamp of the body; so then, if your eye is clear,  (a clear understanding of Truth) your whole body will be full of light.   But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. So if the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

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Luke 8:17

For nothing is concealed that will not become evident, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.

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Philippians 2:15

so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,

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Colossians 1:12

giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

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