GOD’S WORD FOR OCTOBER 15

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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SUFFERING NEEDN’T STOP US

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

D.L. MOODY

The devil thought he had done a very wise thing when he got Paul into prison, but he was very mistaken; he overdid it for once. I have no doubt Paul has thanked God ever since for that Philippian jail and for his stripes and imprisonment there. The world has made more by it than we shall ever know till we get to heaven.

ERWIN LUTZER

When Paul had a thorn in the flesh, he pleaded with God three times to take it away. The first two times, God was silent. God answered the third time, but it was not the answer Paul had been hoping for. God said, “Paul, the answer is no.” The thorn would not be removed, but that was not the end of the story. God would not leave Paul stranded, suffering without hope. God promised Paul the grace to endure the thorn—to see it as a plus not a minus. Paul heard Jesus say, “My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). God never leaves us without the strength needed to endure a trial.

Paul said in effect, “If, through my weakness, the power of Christ is seen, and through my weakness, grace is given, then I can be content with my thorn. I was asking for a kernel, but God gave me a harvest. I was asking for a trinket, but God gave me true wealth.”

With thorns comes grace; with burdens there are blessings.

    PRAYER

    Father, I thank you for using my suffering to bring me deeper into your love.

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Romans 8:28

    “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

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Isaiah 43:2

    “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”

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James 1:2-3

    “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”

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Psalm 94:19

    “When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.”

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2 Corinthians 4:8-9

    “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.”

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