GOD’S WORD FOR SEPTEMBER 3

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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THE FRUIT OF JOY

John 5:11

“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be full.”

D.L. MOODY

People should look for joy in the Word, and not in the world.  They should look for the joy, which the Scriptures furnish, and then go to work in the vineyard, because a joy that doesn’t send me out to someone else, a joy that doesn’t impel me to go and help the poor drunkard, a joy that doesn’t prompt me to visit the widow and the fatherless, a joy that doesn’t cause me to go into Christian work, is not worth having, and is not from above.  A joy that does not constrain me to go and work for the Master is purely sentiment and not real joy.

ERWIN LUTZER

People are able to fake love, peace,  patience, and even happiness,  but they cannot fake joy.  Joy is the one fruit of the spirit that cannot be superficially duplicated by the unconverted:  it’s not a matter of positive thinking.  In fact, Jesus explains “Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that  bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).  Then later He adds these marvelous words in verse 11.  “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”   The bottom line:  You cannot please Christ without being a fruit-bearing Christian.

To abide in Christ is to live with a clear conscience with daily and hourly dependence on Him.  All of us have many different tasks and challenges each day,  but if, in the morning, we spend time in God’s presence in full fellowship and obedience, we will exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, including joy.

No one alive today personally knew D.L. Moody, but those who worked with him described him as full of vigor, passion, and unbounded joy.

Let us follow his example.

PRAYER

Father, may Your gift of joy overflow in my service for others.

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*Psalm 32:11

“Be glad in the Lord and rejoice; YOU RIGHTEOUS and shout for joy, all YOU UPRIGHT IN HEART!”

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*Psalm 35:9

“And my soul SHALL BE joyful in the Lord; It shall rejoice in HIS SALVATION.”

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*Psalm 42:5

“Why are you cast down, O my soul?

And why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God, for I  shall yet PRAISE HIM

FOR THE HELP OF HIS COUNTENANCE.”

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*Psalm 43:3-4

“Oh, send out YOUR LIGHT AND YOUR TRUTH!

Let them lead me;

Let them bring me to YOUR HOLY HILL.

And to YOUR TABERNACLE.

Then I will go to the ALTAR of God,

To GOD my EXCEEDING JOY!

And on the harp I WILL PRAISE YOU!

O God, my God.”

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Psalm 48:2

“Beautiful in elevation, The joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, The city of the great King.”

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Psalm 51:8 ~ “Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice.”

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Psalm 51:12 ~ “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.”

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Psalm 63:1

“O God, You are my God; EARLY will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.”

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    Psalm 119:117~ “Hold me up, and I shall be safe, And I shall observe Your statutes continually.”

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Psalm 94:18 ~ “If I say, “My foot slips,” Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up.”

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Psalm 65:13

“The pastures are clothed with flocks; The valleys also are covered with grain; They shout for joy, they also sing.”

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Psalm 66:1

“Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!”

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Psalm 67:4

“Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You shall judge the people righteously, and govern the nations on earth. Selah”

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