GOD’S WORD FOR SEPTEMBER 11

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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PERSECUTION IS COMING

I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.    John 16:1–2

D.L. MOODY

A man said to me some time ago: “Mr. Moody, now that I am converted, have I to give up the world?”

“No,” said I, “you haven’t to give up the world. If you give a good ringing testimony for the Son of God, the world will give you up pretty quick; they won’t want you.”

ERWIN LUTZER

When Moody used the word world he was talking about the world of people, not the world system John warned about (1 John 2:15–17). But yes, all who live for Christ will be despised by at least some people in the world, and perhaps even suffer for our faith. There is suffering that comes to us because of the fallenness of this world: sickness, heartache, broken relationships, or poverty. But there’s another kind of suffering that comes because we bear the name of Jesus.

Some Christians have decided to blend into the culture so that they experience no pushback because of their faith. Such Christians almost always are silent about their conversion; no one knows they are a Christ follower. But Christians are called to suffer. Jesus told His disciples that, since the world hated Him, the world will also hate them (see John 15:18). A servant is not above the master.

Philippians 1:29 says, “It has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake.” Suffering is part of our responsibility as believers. We who believe on Him should gladly suffer because of Him. Let us expect it. Anticipate it. That is our calling.

    PRAYER

    Father, help me to suffer well. Help me to lovingly share the gospel and receive any pushback with gratitude that I have been found worthy to suffer, even if but a little for you.

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John 14:25-28

“These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.  But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.  Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.

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Matthew 10:16

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

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Mark 10:28-31

 Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.”

 So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s,  who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.  But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

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Romans 8:35

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

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2 Timothy 3:12

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution

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John 16:33

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

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Ps 34:7

The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him,

And delivers them.

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Isaiah 53:4-5

Surely He has borne our griefs

And carried our sorrows;

Yet we esteemed Him stricken,

Smitten by God, and afflicted.

But He was wounded for our transgressions,

He was bruised for our iniquities;

The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,

And by His stripes we are healed.

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