New book from D. L. Moody Center challenges readers to cultivate better understanding of God’s purpose for their lives through surrender
January 24, 2022
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The D. L. Moody Center (moodycenter.org), one of the nation’s top spiritual renewal destinations, recently announced the upcoming launch of the new book, “Useful to God: Nine Lessons from the Life of D. L. Moody.” The illustrated, full-color book will be published by Kingdom Winds Publishing and is scheduled to launch at the end of February.
The book explores the life and legacy of evangelist Dwight L. Moody and identifies nine key characteristics that Moody exemplified. Chapter Two, “Surrendered,” explores the spiritual benefits of giving God full control in all things.
Dr. James Spencer, president of D. L. Moody Center and author of the “Useful to God” states, “Moody’s life showed us that being surrendered is not about being inactive, but about being willing to accept God’s will even when it runs counter to our own. As Moody notes, ‘I cannot look into the future. I do not know what is going to happen tomorrow; in fact, I do not know what may happen before night; so, I cannot choose for myself as well as God can choose for me, and it is much better to surrender my will to God’s will.’”
Spencer points out that only by surrendering to God’s plan can Christians fully appreciate who God is. “In surrendering, we open ourselves up to a new realm of possibilities rooted in our belief in a wise, sovereign, and benevolent God,” comments Spencer. “We are no longer slaves to frenzied activities aimed at fixing the world, but can participate with God through prayer, fasting, lament, worship, and confession. By surrendering to God, we will find our possibilities expanded beyond the logic of our times and our own personal limitations.”
In the book, Spencer claims that what made Moody so successful in his ministry—and why he’s continuing to be relevant in modern times—is that his mission was to be beneficial to the kingdom of God, not for his own self-profit. This example, Spencer claims, is the best model for modern Christians who can get distracted by the chaos of the world.
Spencer states, “‘Useful to God’ serves as a reminder that our most powerful witness to God and the gospel comes as we delight in God’s instruction, sit at the feet of Jesus, and follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Our best work happens when we look with eyes that see and listen with ears that hear so that we do not walk by sight, but by faith.”
For more information about “Useful to God: Nine Lessons from the Life of D. L. Moody,” click here.
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.
The D. L. Moody Center is a destination for spiritual renewal, yet 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.
The D. L. Moody Center is honored to sponsor the annual “Go Dark, Shine Bright” ministry campaign in partnership with The Shine Bright Project. The innovative initiative is designed to help Christians let go of the daily distractions of social media and focus on daily devotions in the Word of God.
Learn more about D. L. Moody Center by visiting moodycenter.org or follow the ministry on Facebook or Twitter.
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