GOD’S WORD FOR SEPTEMBER 13

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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SINCERE OBEDIENCE

And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22

D.L. MOODY

Did you ever notice all but the heart of man obeys God? If you look through history, you will find that this is true. In the beginning God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. “Let the waters bring forth,” and the water brought forth abundantly. And one of the proofs that Jesus Christ is God is that He spoke to nature, and nature obeyed Him. At one time He spoke to the sea, and the sea recognized and obeyed. He spoke to the fig tree, and instantly it withered and died, it obeyed literally and at once. He spoke to devils, and the devils fled. He spoke to the grave, and the grave obeyed Him and gave back its dead. But when He speaks to man, man will not obey Him. That is why man is out of harmony with God, and it will never be different until men learn to obey God. God wants obedience, and He will have it, else there can be no harmony.

ERWIN LUTZER

Yes, we all disobey God. It’s like the little boy whose mother told him to sit in the corner because he was being naughty. And he said, “Okay, I’m sitting down, but in my heart, I’m still standing up.” You can educate somebody’s mind, but that does not change their heart.

What does the New Testament say? By nature, we are dead in our sins, but God intervenes and gives us the desire and ability to come to Christ, and when we do, we become partakers of the divine nature. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Figuratively speaking, God takes our heart of stone and replaces it with a heart of flesh.

Today, look to Christ as the One whose obedience gives us the right to call God, Father.

    PRAYER

    Father, help me love your law, which led me to Christ. Help me live in sincere obedience.

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Psalm 15:1-2

Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle?   Who may dwell in Your holy hill?

He who walks uprightly,   and works righteousness,   and speaks the truth in his heart;

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Psalm 25:5

Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day.

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Psalm 25:10

All the paths of the Lord are faithfulness and truth To those who comply with His covenant and His testimonies.

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Psalm 51:6

Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in secret You will make wisdom known to me.

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Psalm 145:18

The Lord is near to all who call on Him, To all who call on Him in truth.

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Exodus 19:5

Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine;

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Genesis 22:18

And in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.

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