Complimentary and in-depth 8-week program kicks off exciting initiative as lead devotional to Shine Bright 365
June 27, 2022
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Research indicates that only eleven percent of Americans claim to read the Bible daily, yet 56 percent wish they used the Bible more often in their daily lives. While the desire to get into the Word is a great start, D. L. Moody Center (moodycenter.org) President Dr. James Spencer argues in D. L. Moody Center’s latest new eight-week devotional, “Becoming Useful to God,” that merely reading the Bible is not enough — building a deep, meaningful connection with God should be the purpose of studying the Scripture.
“Studying the Bible but missing God makes our study an empty task,” Spencer commented. “If we do not come to know God, we do not really understand the Scriptures we study. Being studious isn’t about accumulating knowledge. It’s about submitting ourselves to God’s revealed word.”
A unique, eight-week guide for Christians looking to grow their relationship with Christ, “Becoming Useful to God” focuses on cultivating eight characteristics essential to the life of every Christian. Building on the revolutionary book “Useful to God: Eight Lessons from the Life of D. L. Moody” by D. L. Moody Center President Dr. James Spencer, the devotional provides a tangible, easy-to-follow guide that users can follow to grow closer to Christ and become useful to God in their own lives.
The third week in the study, “Studious,” dives into Deuteronomy 17:14-20. Spencer points out that the requirements that God set forth for the kings of Israel — to depend on God for security and the lure of power by seeking after God instead — is how modern Christians should live their lives as well. By studying God’s Word in order to better know His heart, Christians must reject that in the world that distracts them from God’s divine purpose.
Spencer stated, “As a people called from darkness to light, we must learn to live in the light and help others do so as well (1 Tim 4:11-16; 1 Pet 2:9). To do so requires that we be students of God’s word to avoid the trappings of this world by learning to delight in God’s instruction (Psalm 1:1-2).”
“Becoming Useful to God” is offered at no cost from D. L. Moody Center as part of it’s “Shine Bright 365” initiative. “Shine Bright 365” is a year-long comprehensive campaign designed to encourage believers to shine bright for Christ in a dark world. The project is inspired by the famed evangelist D. L. Moody himself, who stated, “In the place God has put us, He expects us to shine, to be living witnesses, to be a bright and shining light. While we are here our work is to shine for Him.”
Spencer summarized, “Modern life is complicated, but the message of the Gospel is simple. The purpose of ‘Shine Bright 365’ is to cut through all the distractions and bring Christians back to the basics of our faith.”
The D. L. Moody Center is also pleased to announce the launch of its new 10-day Bible plan, Living As If God Exists (Because He Does), on the YouVersion app.Inspired by the ‘Go Dark, Shine Bright’ campaign, this plan encourages readers to turn their focus from their own stories to step into God’s big story.
The D.L. Moody Center is an independent non-profit organization located in Northfield, Massachusetts. Dedicated to preserving and advancing the legacy of Dwight Moody, the D. L. Moody Center is a catalyst for spiritual formation in New England and beyond through evangelism and discipleship.
As a destination for spiritual renewal, the D. L. Moody Center is not a school. Nevertheless, there is much to learn by studying D. L. Moody and what God accomplished through his life which began in New England, at the Northfield, Massachusetts campus, the heart of Moody’s ministry as well as his childhood home.
Learn more about D. L. Moody Center by visiting moodycenter.org or follow the ministry on Facebook or Twitter.
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