GOD’S WORD FOR OCTOBER 29

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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CHOOSE HUMILITY

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30

D.L. MOODY

If we preached down ourselves and exalted Christ, the world would soon be reached. The world is perishing today for the want of Christ. The church could do without our theories and pet views, but not without Christ; and when her ministers get behind the cross so that Christ is held up, the people will come flocking to hear the gospel.

Selfishness is one of the greatest hindrances to the cause of Christ. Everyone wants the chief seat in the synagogue (Matthew 23:6). One prides himself that he is pastor of this church, and another of that. Would to God we could get all this out of the way and say, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” We cannot do it, however, except we get down at the foot of the cross. Human nature likes to be lifted up; the grace of God alone can humble us.

ERWIN LUTZER

Think of all of the divisions—arguments that would be avoided if only we were convinced that we do not need to be exalted; we do not need positions or power or control. If only we kept focusing on Christ, our humility would overcome our needless arguments.

Interestingly, humility is not a fruit of the Spirit. Why? Because it is a choice; we choose the path of humility. “Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:6–7). And Peter echoes the same thought, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you”  (1 Peter 5:6).

If we don’t humble ourselves, God may do it for us. I’ve seen proud leaders brought low when their secret sin was exposed; I have seen gifted people fail at their endeavors. Let us all say with John the Baptist, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

PRAYER

Father, help me choose humility and to see myself as you do.

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Philippians 2:3-5

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves;  do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.  Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

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Hebrews 2:14

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

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Isaiah 66:2

For My hand made all these things,

So all these things came into being,” declares the Lord.

“But I will look to this one,

At one who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who trembles at My word.

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Matthew 5:5

Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.

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Isaiah 57:15

For thus says the High and Lofty One

Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:

“I dwell in the high and holy place,

With him who has a contrite and humble spirit,

To revive the spirit of the humble,

And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

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Luke 18:14

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

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Matthew 20:25-27

But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles domineer over them, and those in high position exercise authority over them.  It is not this way among you, but whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant,  and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your slave;

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Matthew 23:12

And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

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Romans 12:3

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

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