Moody Media Latest Blog Entries

Broken and Mighty

Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer (media@moodychurch.org) — Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Go in this might of yours and save Israel…do I not send you? Judges 6:14

D.L. MOODY
God knows, and you know, what He has sent you to do. God sent Moses to Egypt to bring bondmen up out of the house of bondage into the Promised Land. Did he fail? It looked, at first, as if he were going to fail. But he fulfilled his calling. God sent Elijah to stand before Ahab, and it was a bold thing for him to say there should be neither dew nor rain: but did God not lock up the heavens for three years and six months?
But did Elijah fail? And you cannot find any place in Scripture where a man was ever sent by God to do a work in which he failed.

ERWIN LUTZER
In our text today, we see God calling Gideon, an ordinary man, to do a great work. Like Moses, Gideon complained to the Lord about his situation, asking questions about why Israel was not delivered. But God saw beyond Gideon’s objections and weakness and called him “A mighty man of valor” long before he became one (Judges 6:12). God humbled him before He used him. Weakness in itself is not a barrier to our usefulness. If our weakness drives us to depend on God, we can say as Paul did, “When I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10). If we’ve never been broken, if we’ve never been humbled, if the sense of pride and self-will has never been dealt with, we will not have the strength to fulfill our calling.
Recently, we spent time with a young couple who were blessed with a child with a disability; taking care of him has been a difficult and unexpected challenge. But as time has passed, their initial anger has turned to joy; their many questions have turned to worship.
To what have you been called? “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

PRAYER
Father, here I am, whatever your calling is on my life today, help me to accept it without complaining.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Why do you think God uses broken people?

How should we measure success in work in light of God?

Uniquely Powerful

Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer (media@moodychurch.org) — Thu, 07 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

“Do you want to go away as well?” “Lord, to whom shall we go?” John 6:67–68

D.L. MOODY
The sun is thousands of years old, but gasoline is new. Shall we then use only gasoline in place of the sun? Block up all the windows of your houses and have nothing to do with the sun! You might as well do that as give up the Bible. Outgrown it! Why, there is no book to be compared with it. No other book will lift up the world. If you could go into a town where men were trying to love without that good book, you would flee from it as they who left Sodom and Gomorrah. Have infidels ever produced a Knox, a Bunyan, or a Milton?

ERWIN LUTZER
I once read a story about a young man who, in a fit of anger, threw the Bible his mother had given him from a train into a passing field. Weeks later, he repented of the sin of desecrating God’s Word and returned to the spot, hoping to find his discarded Bible. The story goes that he met a young man who had found the Bible and, as a result, had come to saving faith in Christ.
My point: Moody was right, there is no other book like the Bible. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105, KJV). Someone has said that the Ten Commandments are like ten lanterns that guard us from wandering into evil. As warning lights, they say to us, “Don’t slip into the ditch! Stay on the path.” “Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward” (Psalm 19:11).
The Bible warns us and instructs us. And yet, our appetite for God’s Word is diluted by our addictions to technology and the struggles of life. We don’t take time to let the Word of God feed us, encourage us, and rebuke us. Blessed are those who meditate in the law of God “day and night” (see Psalm 1:1–2).

PRAYER
Father, let me hide thy Word in my heart so I might not sin against you.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
What is the role of the Bible in Your life?

What does the Bible say it should be?

Walking Temples

Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer (media@moodychurch.org) — Wed, 06 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:4

D.L. MOODY
In Exodus, we read that when Moses had finished the tabernacle in the desert, the Shekhinah glory came and filled it with the presence of God—that was the Holy Spirit. The moment the tabernacle was ready, it was filled. And when the temple was built, and the priests and the Levites were there singing with one accord, the cloud came and filled the temple; the moment the temple was ready, it was filled.
These were two of His dwelling places; but where does He dwell now? Ye are the temples for the Holy Spirit to dwell in, and the moment the heart is ready, the Spirit of God will fill it.

ERWIN LUTZER
When an Old Testament high priest entered the Holy Place and went behind the curtain into the Most Holy Place, he sprinkled blood on the ark of the covenant, making intercession for himself and the people. Tradition says a rope was tied around his leg in case he died in there, he could be pulled from behind the curtain without anyone needing to enter the sacred place.
When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain of the temple was ripped down the middle, from top to bottom. This torn veil symbolized the beginning of a new era, and that the entrance into the Most Holy Place was accessible to anyone who would enter through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. We have complete confidence to enter into the holy places (see Hebrews 10:19).
And, yes, as Moody said, the temple of God now exists within every believer, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit?” (1 Corinthians 6:19). Today, let us cleanse the temple, through confession and prayer. And let us remember, “In your presence there is fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11).

PRAYER
Father, cleanse me; let me welcome your presence in my life today.
Thank you for your indwelling Spirit.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Why do you think there was a curtain separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy place?

Why is it significant that the Holy Spirit now dwells in us?

All for God, Unashamed

Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer (media@moodychurch.org) — Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

All…All…All. Mathew 28:18–20

D.L. MOODY
All power is given unto me…go…teach all nations. Teach them what? To observe all things. There are a great many people now that are willing to observe what they like about Christ, but the things they don’t like, they turn away from. But His commission to His disciples was, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (see Matthew 28:19–20). And what right has a messenger who has been sent of God to change the message?

ERWIN LUTZER
Because of the failure of many high-profile believers, many people today are turned off to Christianity. But we are called to challenge them to look beyond human failure and instead focus on Christ.
We are to witness about Christ by what we say, “Always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (see 1 Peter 3:8–17). We witness by our words and our attitudes. We must witness with humility, recognizing our own sin even as we point others to Christ. As someone has said, “Evangelism is one beggar telling another where he has found bread.”
We also witness by how we speak, and then by how we suffer. We are told to not be surprised but to “Rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed” (see 1 Peter 4:13–17). God wants to build faith in our hearts so when Jesus returns He, is glorified by our faithfulness.
We have to see this world as being under occupation. John says the whole world lies in the lap of the evil one (1 John 5:19). We have to know and see beyond the people with whom we are dealing, and to be loving and strong and encouraging in our witness.

PRAYER
Father, I desire to be a part of the great commission; lead me to someone who needs to know about Christ and what He came to do.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
How do we point people away from the failure of leaders and back to the perfection of Jesus?

How does our faithfulness during trials demonstrate the reality of our faith to those watching?

Role Models

Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer (media@moodychurch.org) — Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

There is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:10

D.L. MOODY
“Joy in the presence of angels?” Perhaps the friends who have left the shores of time may be looking down upon us; and when they see someone they prayed for while on Earth turning to God, it sends a thrill of joy to their very hearts. Even now, some mother who has gone up yonder may be looking down upon a son or daughter, and if that child should say: “I will meet that mother of mine; I will decide for God,” the news, with the speed of a sunbeam, reaches heaven, and that mother may then rejoice, as we read, “In the presence of angels.”

ERWIN LUTZER
Throughout the world today, I believe there will be tens of thousands of people who will believe on Christ in repentance and faith. And every single one of them is going to cause a cosmic celebration.
We don’t know if the joy Jesus referred to in this passage is that of redeemed saints or the angels rejoicing. Although angels will never be heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, they rejoice in our salvation, totally free of all jealousy, and one-upmanship. You see, angels were created individually. Angels have no relatives; they are not part of a family and will never be a brother to Christ, yet they rejoice in our salvation and are fascinated by our redemption (see 1 Peter 1:10–12).
The angels rejoice at the news of a new convert, but do we also share in that joy? Many Christians are like the elder brother in the story of the prodigal who don’t rejoice over a wayward sinner who returns and receives all the blessings and privileges of sonship.
Are you a joyful Christian? Do you rejoice over a sinner who repents?

PRAYER
Father, I give thanks for my brothers and sisters in Christ. Please give me the joy of introducing a wayward sinner into your kingdom.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Why do you think the Angels celebrate a sinner coming to Christ?

How can you be more like them in this manner?

Sure Footing in the Spiritual Battle

Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer (media@moodychurch.org) — Sun, 03 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
John 5:24

D.L. MOODY
I would a thousand times rather stand on that verse than all the frames and feelings I ever had. I took my stand there twenty years ago. Since then, the dark waves of hell have come dashing up against me; the waves of persecution have broken all around me; doubts, fears, and unbelief, in turn, have assailed me; but I have been able to stand firm on this short word of God. It is a sure footing for eternity.

ERWIN LUTZER
Which piece of armor is absolutely necessary? “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16). In times when the enemy comes in like a flood, we can only resist him by faith in God’s promises.
“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). That does not mean he won’t be back. Jesus used the Word of God against the devil three times, and it says in the Gospel of Luke, “And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13). Don’t ever think your battle will be over. Don’t ever think you have outgrown spiritual warfare.
Like Moody, all of us have had our seasons of darkness; our fears, our disappointments, and our pain. The person who, in a season of darkness, sees no reason to believe God cares for him and no reason to trust Him, but continues believing on God’s Word and promises, has a faith that honors God—that is the shield of faith into which Satan sends his arrows, but they hit the shield and fall to the ground.

PRAYER
Father, today, increase my faith in your Word; help me to stand even when cast down by doubt.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Why should our faith be rooted in God’s word over our feelings?

How might Faith protect us from the enemy?

From a Cocoon to a Butterfly

Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer (media@moodychurch.org) — Sat, 02 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The hour has come for you to wake from sleep. Romans 13:11

D.L. MOODY
There are a great many in the church who make one profession, and that is about all you hear of them; and when they come to die, you have to go and hunt up some musty old church records to know whether they were Christians or not. What we want is men with a little courage to stand up for Christ. When Christianity wakes up, and every child that belongs to the Lord is willing to speak for Him, is willing to work for Him, and if need be, willing to die for Him, then Christianity will advance and we shall see the work of the Lord prosper.

ERWIN LUTZER
Moody said it like it is: True conversion results in life-change. But can we really change or are we all stuck with the personality and desires we were given? How does God mold our character? The Lord has given us a certain amount of raw material and He works with what we are, but we might ask: Does God make far-reaching changes within us, changing our motivations and our attitudes so that we become different people? The answer, of course, is yes!
In the Gospels, we see Peter the cocoon; in the book of Acts, we see Peter the butterfly. Before he was filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter was filled with timidity and fear, but suddenly we see him speaking in boldness because God was standing with him. Just so, God gives us what we need for the moment. Inner transformation is available for those who desire it.

PRAYER
Father, teach me to say no to my sinful desires and weaknesses.
Today, let me receive the strength your Spirit can give me to bring about inner transformation.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
What can we learn from the changes in Peter after Pentecost?

What transformation have you noticed in your life since you have come to faith in Christ?

A Tale of Two Kingdoms

Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer (media@moodychurch.org) — Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Our citizenship is in heaven. Philippians 3:20

D.L. MOODY
Someone asked a Scotchman if he was on the way to heaven, and he said: “Why man, I live there; I am not on the way.” That is just it. We want to live in heaven; while we are walking in this world, it is our privilege to have our hearts and affections there.

ERWIN LUTZER
While Paul was sitting in jail penning the book of Philippians, Nero, who’d had his own mother murdered, was ruling Rome. He was also the one who, when Rome burned, blamed it on the Christians. It is in this context in which Paul explained that we are citizens in two different kingdoms.
A few centuries later, Augustine would define it as two cities: the city of God, and the city of man. The perfect city of God has always existed, but the city of man was born out of the fall. The challenge before us is: How shall we live for the city of God even as we now live in the city of man? The members of the city of God must do all they can to help all who live in the city of man; we must pick up the pieces in a broken culture. We must proclaim the good news that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (see 2 Corinthians 5:18), and that those who believe in Christ can become citizens of the city of God.
Your challenge today as a citizen of heaven: How can you bless those who live in the city of man and help them see beyond this world to the next?
We live for the eternal city, but we must point beyond this world to the beauty, the love, the sacrifice, and the grace of the gospel.
Whatever challenges the city of man poses, our focus must always be on the city of God.

PRAYER
Father, teach me to live with the values of heaven while living here on Earth. Give me a desire to lead others to Christ
who is the gateway to the Eternal City.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
In what way is your citizenship in heaven?

How does this verse help you?

Eternal Life Is Now!

Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer (media@moodychurch.org) — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. John 5:24

D.L. MOODY
A man once prayed for me that I might obtain eternal life at last. I could not have said “Amen” to that. I obtained eternal life over forty years ago when I was converted. What is the “gift of God,” if it is not eternal life? And what makes the gospel such good news? Is it not that it offers eternal life to every poor sinner who will take it?

ERWIN LUTZER
Eternal life starts the moment we believe and continues into eternity. Eternal life is to know God and His Son, Jesus Christ (John 17:3). God invites us in to His fellowship as members of His eternal family. So let us draw near, taking advantage of the welcome the Father gives to His children. I have a friend who prays for me regularly and he always signs his texts, “Christ is life!”
After Jesus cried, “It is finished” (John 19:30), the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom by an invisible hand (Matthew 27:51). We have confidence to enter into the most holy place by the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 9–10). It is Jesus who gives us that right and that authority to come directly to the Father. That is our privilege as those who have inherited eternal life and already enjoy its benefits.
It’s as if Jesus delivered us to the Father and says, “These are the redeemed; they belong to us both—now and forever.” All of life, until we see Him face to face, can be lived in the here and now in the very presence of God. As my praying friend reminds me, even now, “Christ is life.”

PRAYER
Father, I stand amazed at the gift of eternal life. And because of that, we can boldly enter into your presence by the blood of Christ.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
How would your daily schedule change if you viewed eternal life as a current relationship to be enjoyed today, rather than a "fire insurance policy" for the future?

Is your prayer life characterized by confidence, or do you find yourself standing in the outer court, hesitating to truly draw near? What holds you back?

Ironclad Promises

Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer (media@moodychurch.org) — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The LORD bless you and keep you. Numbers 6:24

D.L. MOODY
God can do what He has done before. He kept Joseph in Egypt, Moses before Pharaoh, Daniel in Babylon, and enabled Elijah to stand before Ahab in that dark day. And I am so thankful that these I have mentioned were men of like passions with ourselves.

ERWIN LUTZER
Yes, as Moody said, God can keep us. But sometimes our faith wavers.
God said to Abraham, “All the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever” (Genesis 13:15). But soon Abraham had doubts. In fact, when there was a famine in the land of promise, Abraham and his family went down to Egypt. There he sinned by trying to deceive Pharaoh. Abraham shamefully betrayed his wife by lying, saying she was not his wife. He had to leave Egypt in disgrace. On another occasion he said in effect, “God you must understand I am old, and Sarah is old. We can’t bear children anymore. What about Eliezer of Damascus? He is my trusted servant. Could he be my heir?” But God says, “Abraham, the answer is ‘No.’ The one who comes from you, your very own son is going to be the heir of the promise” (see Genesis 15:1–6).
My point: We can’t stand against the pressures trials bring unless we are “Standing on the promises,” as the song reminds us. We must believe God despite evidence to the contrary. So, when God said to Abraham, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them…So shall your offspring be” (Genesis 15:5), that was not just a reminder of God’s power, but also a promise that was fulfilled. The Lord did for Abraham and Sarah just as He had promised. And He will do so for us. Only those who kneel before God’s promises will stand when the trials come.

PRAYER
Father, no matter how hard the winds blow, help me to keep standing on your promises.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Why is our first instinct often to run toward a worldly solution rather than standing on the promise of God?

What "stars" or specific scriptures can we look toward today to remind us that God’s power is not limited by our human frailty?

Ultimate Enjoyment

Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer (media@moodychurch.org) — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0500

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 2 Corinthians 12:2

D.L. MOODY
Some people have wondered what the third heaven means. That is where God dwells and where the storms do not come. There sits the incorruptible Judge. Paul, when he was caught up there, heard things that it was not lawful for him to utter, and he saw things that he could not speak of down here. The higher up we get in spiritual matters, the nearer we seem to heaven. There our wishes are fulfilled at last.

ERWIN LUTZER
There are people today who claim to have been taken to heaven and returned to Earth to tell us all about what they saw. When this happened to Paul, he kept it quiet; he did not speak of it, lest it tempt him into pride.
In fact, today’s verse is actually in the context of his “thorn in the flesh” given to him to keep him humble. And even though he begged God for it to be taken away, God did not, but instead gave Paul a sufficient substitute, namely grace to bear his trial (see 2 Corinthians 12:1–10).
Trials are specifically chosen for us. Paul was given his “thorn” by God; it was what Paul needed. But his thorn was not a detriment to his ministry; it was used by God to enhance his ministry. God’s strength was perfected in Paul’s weakness.
We will have to wait until we die to have the experience of the “third heaven.” But while on Earth, we must learn from Paul to accept what we cannot change and that any impediment can be used for the glory of God. God is not indifferent to our needs; He often does not give us what we ask, but He has promised grace to bear whatever He gives us.
Someday, when we arrive at the third heaven, we will see that it has been worth it all.

PRAYER
Father, until I see you face to face, let me say with Bernard of Clairvaux, “Jesus, the very thought of Thee, with sweetness fills my breast; but sweeter far Thy face to see, and in Thy presence rest.”

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Why does God sometimes choose to provide the grace to endure a trial rather than removing the "thorn" as we requested?

In what ways can a personal weakness or physical impediment actually enhance your ministry rather than hinder it?

Ready Your Sword

Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer (media@moodychurch.org) — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0500

It is written. Matthew 4:4, 7, 10

D.L. MOODY
Christ overcame Satan by the Word. He simply said: “It is written;” and a second time, and a third time, “It is written;” and that was the arrow that shot right into Satan and drove him away. The devil does not care a bit about our feelings. He can make our feelings good or bad; he can take us up on the mountain or down into the valley, and we can only vanquish him by the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word.

ERWIN LUTZER
The Word does work when it is applied, and that’s why we should be memorizing Scripture. We should be able to take that sword and put it into the teeth of the enemy who wants to destroy us. He’s after us. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10). And what makes our battle challenging is that we can’t see our enemy with physical sight, nonetheless, I can assure you he is there.
How do we wield the sword? We follow Jesus by directly and specifically using passages of Scripture related to our temptation and our situation. If we continue to stand on God’s promises, the enemy will eventually leave us. But believe me, Satan will return with more intoxicating temptations. The battle never ends. We must stand our ground over and over again.

PRAYER
Father, teach me the nature and tactics of the enemy. May I be able to say with Paul, “We are not ignorant of his designs” (2 Corinthians 2:11).

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Why should you memorize and study God’s word?

How does reading God’s word affect you?

Reading Ahead

Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer (media@moodychurch.org) — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0500

He will declare to you the things that are to come. John 16:13

D.L. MOODY
People talk about news nowadays. The Bible is the only newsworthy book in the world. The newspaper tells us what has taken place, but this Book tells us what will take place. And for people to be closing it and saying we can be guided without it, is just as reasonable as to shut out the sun by closing our windows because we have the electric light. There is as much reason to say that the sun in the sky is worn out as there is to say that we have gotten beyond the Bible.

ERWIN LUTZER
Weariness seems to be the illness of the day, especially when people describe the state of their heart. Peace and inner rest are in short supply. There is good news for tired Christians. “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near” (Revelation 1:3). As Moody said, the Bible tells us what will take place. “And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, ‘Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name?’” (Revelation 15:2–4).
Don’t become obsessed with today’s news; there will be more news tomorrow. Read the only newspaper that counts, the one which tells us how this world will end. Jesus—King of kings, Lord of lords, will reign forever. That is just the encouragement we need in a world with shouting voices and hollow promises.

PRAYER
Father, help me to look beyond today and remember that, in the end, Jesus wins!

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
How does focusing on the certain victory of Christ in Revelation help alleviate the weariness caused by daily news cycles?

In what ways does the promise of Jesus reigning forever change the way you view your current earthly struggles?

Regulating Your Temperature

Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer (media@moodychurch.org) — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Would that you were either cold or hot! Revelation 3:15

D.L. MOODY
What we want is to be red hot all the time. Do not wait until someone hunts you up. People talk about striking while the iron is hot. I believe it was Cromwell who said that he would rather strike the iron and make it hot. So let us keep at our post and we will soon grow warm in the Lord’s work.

ERWIN LUTZER
What did Jesus mean when He used the imagery of being hot or cold but not lukewarm?
In Laodicea, there were two kinds of aqueducts. One came from Hierapolis, very hot springs people would bathe in, and believed to provide cures to many ailments. But from the other direction, there was a spring that was very cold and refreshing. People went from one to the other just like people do today when they go to a spa. And so, Jesus was saying, “You can either be hot and passionate, or you can also be cool, refreshing, and invigorating. You can be one or other, but whatever you do, don’t be lukewarm.”
As for the lukewarm—neither hot nor cold, but tepid—Jesus said, “I will spit you out of my mouth” (see Revelation 3:16). He’s talking about Christians who are indifferent; He is speaking about those who have no positive influence because they are carnal and self-satisfied. The lukewarmness of indifference—does that characterize us today?
How do we repent of our lukewarmness? We have to come close to Jesus; His fire, His love, and His passion will become ours. He will invigorate us and give us a passion for Himself, for His gospel, for His word, and for fellowship with Him.

PRAYER
Lord, I repent of my lukewarmness; I repent of my spiritual indifference, draw me close to you to receive your love and passion.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
How would you rate your passion for God? What can you do to increase it?

What does coming closer to Jesus look like for you right now?

Divine Influence

Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer (media@moodychurch.org) — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0500

For zeal for your house has consumed me. Psalm 69:9

D.L. MOODY
I heard of someone who was speaking the other day of something that was to be done, and he hoped zeal would be tempered with moderation. Another friend very wisely replied that he hoped moderation would be tempered with zeal. If that were always the case, Christianity would be like a red-hot ball rolling over the face of the Earth. There is no power on Earth that can stand before the onward march of God’s people when they are in dead earnest.

ERWIN LUTZER
Zeal is a character quality many of us lack. Many Christians are zealous for their favorite sports team or zealous for politics, but how many of us are zealous for the gospel? Are we burdened for those around us who do not know Christ?
All of us would like to be a positive influence, the kind of influence that enables us to give people direction, to give them help, to impact their lives forever in the right direction. But, too often, we are not motivated, we lack the conviction to follow through with discipline and consistency.
So I ask, “Do we share Christ’s zeal?”
Freely we have received. Freely we must give (see Matthew 10:8). As Jesus Christ’s representatives, we have the privilege of introducing men and women to saving faith, to explain the gospel and, being God’s link on Earth, to pray for their conversion. Let’s ask God for the motivation to take some bold steps for the benefit of the lost, for the benefit of His church and, above all, for His glory.

PRAYER
Father, make me passionate with the zeal that motivated Jesus for His house and His people.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Why is it often easier for us to be zealous for sports or politics than for the eternal message of the gospel?

What specific fears or distractions most often prevent you from following through with the discipline needed to share your faith?