GOD’S WORD FOR SEPTEMBER 8

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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FIGHT THE DEVIL WITH THE BIBLE

1 Corinthians 10-12

“Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.”

D.L. MOODY

Twenty-five years ago – and for the first five years after I was converted – I used to think that if I were able to stand for twenty years, I need fear no fall.  But the nearer you get to the cross, the fiercer the battle.  Satan aims high.  He went amongst the twelve and singled out the treasurer.  Judas Iscariot, and the chief apostle, Peter.

Most men who have fallen have done so on the strongest side of their character.  I am told the only side upon which Edinburgh Castle was successfully assailed was where the rocks were steepest and where the garrison thought themselves secure.  If any man thinks he is strong enough to resist the evil at any one point, he needs special watch there, for the tempter comes that way.

ERWIN LUTZER

What do you do when you want to kill a bear?  You use a trap with bait.  You let the trap and the bait do your work.  Satan has as many lures as we have interests, and he concentrates on where we are most vulnerable.  Behind the trap is the trapper, and behind the lie is the liar.  The moment we no longer fear sin, we are vulnerable; we wrongly think we can handle temptations at that moment when falling into deep sin is almost inevitable.  One concession to sin leads to another and then another.  The history of the church is strewn with the wreckage of men and women whose testimony was destroyed through toying with temptation.

The devil’s  Purpose in temptation always is to draw us away from God.  The way we resist temptation is the same way Jesus did by the power of God’s Word.  When we know and submit to God’s Word, we can resist temptation. If you are not reading your Bible regularly and memorizing the Word of God, you are not going to be ready for the devil when he comes.

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PRAYER

Father, I rebuke the devil’s wiles.  Please help me submit to Your word and walk in Christ’s complete victory.

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James 4:7

    “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

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1 Corinthians 10:13

    “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.”

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Matthew 26:41

    “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

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Galatians 5:16

    “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

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Romans 12:21

    “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:21

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Philippians 4:6-7

    “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7

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Mark 14:38

    “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

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