GOD’S WORD FOR SEPTEMBER 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.

*** ***

THE CURE WE NEED

“Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die.”  Ezekiel 18:4

D.L. MOODY

Suppose there was a law that man should not steal, but no penalty was attached to stealing; some man would have my pocketbook before the day was over. If I threatened to have him arrested, he would snap his fingers in my face. He would not fear the law if there was no penalty. It is not the law that people are afraid of, it is the penalty for transgression.

Do not suppose God has made a law without a penalty. What an absurd thing it would be! The penalty for sin is death: “The soul that sins, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:20). If I have sinned, I must die or get somebody to die for me. If the Bible doesn’t teach that, it doesn’t teach anything. And that is where the atonement of Jesus Christ comes in.

ERWIN LUTZER

The Black Death killed many millions of people in the 1300s. But there is another epidemic in the human race. Everyone has caught it and, in every instance, it leads to death. I am referring to the poison of sin, which has infected the human race with a plague.

Interestingly, if you read a biography of D.L. Moody, you would discover he feared death as a young man but, as he grew older, he feared it no more. He learned that physical death is the natural consequence of our sin, but spiritually, we go on living. For believers, our eternal life will be in the presence of God. Just as we are punished for Adam’s sin, we get credited with the righteousness of Jesus Christ—if we trust in Him. And, because He lives, we shall also live (John 14:19).

Let us honestly confront our own mortality; let us live for the reality of eternity, not just for the moment. We are not promised that the path to our death will be smooth, but thanks to Christ, we are promised a safe landing.

    PRAYER

    Father, thank you for Jesus, and that in Him, death has lost its sting. Wean me from earthly values and may I seek that which is above.

*** ***

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

** *

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

We do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.   For if we believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead, so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.

** *

1 Corinthians 15:54

So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.

** *

Philippians 1:21

 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

** *

Romans 14:8

If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.”

** *

John 11:25-26

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Published by liveinthelightofourlord

View all posts by liveinthelightofourlord