Posted by ronmoore on September 7, 2010
Joshua 1:5
No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
All leaders have a day when they grow up. It’s that day when the move is made from being a part of the leadership team to leading the leadership team. True leaders take on this responsibility with humility and a huge feeling of responsibility. Their gut churns with a farrago of emotions that range from excitement to downright fear. That’s where we find Joshua in the opening chapter of this book.
For years, Joshua had served under Moses, the larger-than-life leader who led Israel out of slavery. He was a military leader and one of the twelve who had gone into the promised land undercover. He was mentored by Moses…and now Moses was gone. Knowing the emotions of Joshua’s heart, God promises his enduring presence. He promises to never leave or forsake the new leader.
That same promise is extended to us (Hebrews 13:5). Whether you are a new leader or still part of a team; whether you are rejoicing over a new birth or the loss of a loved one; whether you are celebrating a new job, feeling trapped in the one you have, or just lost the one you had; God is with you. He will never leave you. He will never forsake you. Enjoy his presence and stand firm in his strength.
Father, thank you for the promise of your enduring presence. If you are with us and for us…then who can ever stand against us?! We thank you in Jesus name. Amen.
Today on The Journey: Troubled of Trusting – Part 1 (Sermon on the Mount). Listen to today’s broadcast!
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Posted by ronmoore on September 6, 2010
Joshua 1:1-2
After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them– to the Israelites.
Today’s passage was the Scripture I used for my first sermon as Senior Pastor of The Bible Chapel almost 18 years ago. The previous Senior Pastor, a tremendous preacher and leader, was called to another church. It was a hard transition, but we had to move on.
Many things that happened in my past are tremendous blessings. I remain thankful, but past blessings become stale if they are not renewed. Some things that happened in my past I’d like to forget, but I cannot be weighed down by pardoned sins of the past. God’s statement, “Moses my servant is dead,” is a reminder that yesterday is over. It’s time to move forward into the promises of the future.
I don’t know what memories or emotions of your past continually make their way into your present. But I do know this—the past is over and cannot be changed—Moses is dead. Today is a new day. It’s time to get ready to cross the Jordan River. Whatever happened in our past, the future is always as bright as the promises of God!
Lord, thank you for our past—its joys and challenges. But help us not to live there. Today your Word has exhorted us to get ready for the future. By your grace and strength, help us to get ready to cross into your prepared tomorrow. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Today on The Journey: Possession Obsession – Part 3 (Sermon on the Mount). Listen to today’s broadcast!
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Posted by ronmoore on September 6, 2010
With every great opportunity comes significant obstacles. Wherever we find significant obstacles, it’s guaranteed that FEAR is not far behind. However, God calls us to face our fears and replace our fears with faith. He calls us to have faith that he can do what he has promised. We pray this study on the book of Joshua will give you the courage you need to keep moving forward in the face of fear and discouragement.
Weekly themes:
September 6-12: It’s a New Day
September 13-19: Strong and Courageous
September 20-26: Fear Not
September 27-October 3: Forward by Faith
October 4-10: Stones of Remembrance
October 11-17: Tear Down the Walls
October 18-24: Saw..Wanted..Took!
October 25-31: Covenant Restored
November 1-7: Caleb’s Calling
November 8-14: Our Protector
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Posted by ronmoore on September 3, 2010
2 Timothy 4:8
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day– and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
I just read a review on a new book titled The Truth About Leadership. The authors devote a chapter to ten concepts, one of which is “Focusing on the Future Sets Leaders Apart.” The writers say, “You have to be forward looking; it’s the quality that most differentiates leaders from individual contributors.” I totally agree with that concept. But as I look at today’s passage, I find an interesting and important spiritual principle—“Looking backward from the future puts the present in the right perspective.”
The Apostle Paul looked forward to the day when he would be awarded a crown of righteousness by the Lord himself. It’s as if he pictures Jesus walking up to him and placing the crown on his head. He longs not only for that day, but for that award and the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant!” So with that ultimate goal always on his mind, Paul looked back from what was in store for him and allowed that desire to determine the decisions and actions of his present. Paul did not want to lose his crown!
I want that crown too. Don’t you? It belongs to “all who have longed for his appearing.” This is not the description of a flippant Christian life. The crown is not for those who could “take or leave” a life of obedience. The crown will not be placed on the head of those who bow before money, jobs, homes, and pleasure. The crown is for those who follow hard after God. Quite honestly, some people want the future crown without the daily obedience and sacrifice. But…some will find too late…it just doesn’t work that way.
Father, put in our minds your desired future for us. Burn it into our hearts. Then give us the strength and desire to go after it with all of our strength. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Today on The Journey: Possession Obsession – Part 2 (Sermon on the Mount). Listen to today’s broadcast!
Check out Ron’s new book–Ignite.
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Posted by ronmoore on September 2, 2010
1 Corinthians 1:30
It is because of [God] that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God– that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
Let’s face it—the Christian life from the beginning to end and everything in between is all the work of Jesus. Check out what Jesus “has become for us.”
Wisdom from God. Jesus personified the wisdom of God. That’s why we must read, study, and apply the Bible. The Old Testament prepares us for Jesus and the New Testament tells his story, records his words, and tells us how to apply his teaching.
Righteousness. Jesus was righteous (blameless). When we trust in him, our sins are forgiven and his righteousness is accredited to us. Because of Jesus, we stand before God blameless.
Holiness. To be holy means to be set apart for special use. Through the work of Jesus, God makes us holy; set apart to him and for him.
Redemption. Christ’s work on the cross bought us back (redeemed) from slavery to sin. Jesus purchased us by his death on the cross.
Let’s face it—the Christian life from the beginning to end and everything in between is all the work of Jesus. Don’t neglect to thank him every day.
Lord Jesus, with humbled and thankful hearts we bow down and worship you. Thank you for the price you paid to make us children of the living God. We will sing your praises forever…starting today. Amen.
Today on The Journey: Possession Obsession – Part 1 (Sermon on the Mount). Listen to today’s broadcast!
Check out Ron’s new book–Ignite.
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Posted by ronmoore on September 1, 2010
Romans 1:17
For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
I love today’s passage! It is both deeply theological and boots-on-the-ground practical. It speaks of that which only God can do, and that which I must do. Let’s break it down. We’ll start with the theological.
To be “righteous” means to be blameless. This is something we cannot achieve on our own. It is found in the message of the Gospel. Jesus came to do for me what I could not do for myself. Jesus, the Righteous One, paid the penalty for my sins by dying for them on the cross. When I place my faith in him, two things happen. First, I am forgiven of my sins (past, present, and future). Second, the righteousness of Jesus is “imputed” (accredited) to me by God. Because of Christ, I stand blameless before the Holy God! Amazing!!
This righteousness is very practical as well. Having been declared blameless by God, I must, with his help (always with his help), “live by faith.” Every day I must be about growing in this blameless standing. Will I ever be perfect? No. Not until I get to heaven. But is it my purpose and desire to grow spiritually, by God’s strength (always by God’s strength), resisting the temptations and disabling the sins that meet me around every corner? Yes! All the way to heaven.
Father, thank you for the full and finished work of Jesus Christ. Thank you for awakening me when I was spiritually dead; allowing me to place my faith in Christ. Thank you for declaring me righteous. By your strength, empower me to live by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Today on The Journey: Fasting (Sermon on the Mount). Listen to today’s broadcast!
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Posted by ronmoore on August 31, 2010
Romans 3:10-11
As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.
In 1788, as our Founding Fathers were crafting the Constitution, James Madison wrote, “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” Of course, laws and governing authorities are needed because men are not angels. In fact, “there is no one righteous, not even one….”
It is hard for many to come to grips with the theological truth that there is no inherent good in us. We think we’re pretty good. But the prophet Jeremiah wrote, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). Certainly, we are not as bad as we could be, but even our best actions are tainted.
Left to myself I am no angel; I can’t come to grips with my spiritual bankruptcy; and I neither desire not seek God. I am a sinner with no spiritual heartbeat…until God intervenes. By his Spirit he breathes life into my spiritual corpse. He causes me to see my sin and my need for a Savior. Then he introduces me to Jesus. He opens my heart and mind to trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross as the only way I can have a relationship with him. It is God who shows me that I am no angel and that I am in desperate need of a Savior.
Oh Father, thank you for interrupting my sinful, ignorant, and prideful journey away from you. Thank you for opening my blinded eyes, enlightening my dull mind, and giving life to my spiritually dead heart. I thank you that the work of salvation is from you and of you from start to finish! I thank you in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Today on The Journey: Who Are You Trying to Impress? – Prayer 3 (Sermon on the Mount). Listen to today’s broadcast!
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Posted by ronmoore on August 30, 2010
Jeremiah 23:5-6
“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.
The prophet Jeremiah began his ministry halfway through the reign of King Josiah, and continued throughout the reigns of four other kings. In 586 B.C., the Babylonians rolled in and took Jerusalem captive. It was a bleak time, but as we see in today’s passage better days were on the way.
Through Jeremiah, God promised that he would raise up a King—the coming Messiah. Unlike many kings of Judah and Israel, this King would reign with wisdom and his actions would be “just and right.” He would provide safety and security for God’s people. In fact, his name is: The Lord is our Righteousness.
Righteousness is the doctrine that God always acts in accordance with what is right and that he himself is the final standard of what is right. Think about it. No action of God can ever be wrong or even slightly wrong. He doesn’t make mistakes. He doesn’t need an eraser or a delete function. From our standpoint it may seem like the uninvited challenges in our lives are errors. But all God does is right. He is not wasting your time.
Father, life can be full of challenges. When things come into our lives, we question and wonder if just maybe you took your eye off of us. Forgive us for the thought. Thank you for your righteousness. You always do what is right. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Today on The Journey: Who Are You Trying to Impress? – Prayer 2 (Sermon on the Mount). Listen to today’s broadcast!
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Posted by ronmoore on August 27, 2010
Philippians 4:9
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me– put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
The boldest statements in the New Testament come from Jesus. No one is going to top, whoever “believes in me will never die” and “no one comes to the Father except through me.” But today’s passage, I believe, is the boldest statement made by someone other than Jesus.
Paul lived his life with such passion and mission that he could invite his readers to put into practice all they had seen him do and heard him say. That’s bold! In another letter to the Corinthians, Paul explained why he could speak with such confidence: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Paul could invite others to live as he lived, because he was committed to live as Jesus lived.
How about you? Are you committed to follow the example of Jesus? In your leadership style? In your marriage. In your parenting? In your singleness? In your studies? In your calling? In your finances? What would that commitment look like in your life? What changes would you have to make? Man, wouldn’t it be great to look into the eyes of those you love and say with confidence, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
Father, show us where we need to change in order to make that statement. And, after you show us, give us the courage to make the changes. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Today on The Journey: Who Are You Trying to Impress? – Prayer 1 (Sermon on the Mount). Listen to today’s broadcast!
Check out Ron’s new book–Ignite.
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Posted by ronmoore on August 26, 2010
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
This past summer, I was driving with my family on the Cimarron Turnpike in Oklahoma when we ran into a serious storm. Lightening was ripping across the sky. Rain was coming down in sheets. Cars were pulling off to the side of the road. We were moving all of 15 mph. And no end was in sight.
Life has its share of storms. Some come with lightening and rain. Some storms come with job loss, illness, separation, divorce, or undesired singleness. Some storms hit with that final enemy—death. I spoke to a neighbor recently whose wife of 59 years suddenly passed away. He took her to the hospital on a Friday…she was gone by Saturday afternoon. Through tears of grief he asked me, “Is this ever going to get better?” Maybe you are asking the same question.
Our passage today tells us exactly what to do when storms hit—pray. Using anxiety as an alarm we, “present [our] requests to God.” He replaces anxiety with a peace that “transcends all understanding.” It is a peace that guards our hearts and minds.
That storm on the Cimarron Turnpike? Yeah, we were in it for quite a while. But just as we were coming to our exit, the rains stopped, the clouds broke, and the bright blue sky shone through again. Storms come and go…and come and go again. But God’s peace “in Christ Jesus” is the constant that carries us all the way home.
Father, thank you for the promise of your peace that transcends all human understanding. Help us use our anxiety as an alarm to remind us it is time to talk to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Today on The Journey: Who Are You Trying to Impress? (Sermon on the Mount). Listen to today’s broadcast!
Check out Ron’s new book–Ignite.
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