Journey Thru the Bible | Leviticus 14:54-57 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on February 5, 2012

Leviticus 14:54-57
These are the regulations . . . to determine when something is clean or unclean.

The Bubonic Plague raged throughout Europe in the mid-1300’s, killing an estimated 25 million people. In a three-year period, one-fourth of Europe’s entire population was wiped out. Finally, it was discovered that the disease was carried by flea infested rats. But poor sanitation and the devastation of war allowed the epidemic to take its deadly toll.

As the people of Israel begin to get their footing as a nation freshly freed from Egypt, God revealed to them His civil, ceremonial, and moral law. In that instruction were certain “regulations” that addressed hygiene and ways to avoid the spreading of disease. God knew how fast infection could spread. These regulations were an act of grace. In them, God was protecting of His people.

Now, I’ll admit that reading through the dietary and hygienic regulations in Leviticus doesn’t provide the most moving morning devotional. But don’t miss God’s deep love and care within these practical rules and guidelines. Just as God provided a way to stop the spread of sin, so He instructed His people how to avoid the spread of infection and disease. Reading through these regulations gives me a new appreciation for God’s gracious care, His thorough protection, and His practical love.

Father, sometimes Your instruction is deeply theological; sometimes it is downright practical. Thank You for loving us so much that You sent Your Son. And thank You for loving us so much that you provided practical hygienic instruction to the Old Testament believer, and practical instruction in the New Testament for believers today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Journey Thru the Bible:

Through the Bible in a Year:
Leviticus 11-15

Through the New Testament in a Year:
Acts 4

 
Check out Ron’s book–Ignite.

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Journey Thru the Bible | Leviticus 11:45 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on February 4, 2012

Leviticus 11:45
I am the LORD, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.

To be holy means to be set apart. It does not mean to run off and hide in a cave so as not to have contact with the world. To be holy means to live a life of purity and moral integrity as we go about the business of our life. To be holy means that we strive to live apart from the things that opposes God and the things that God opposes.

Our standard for holiness is not a set of rules or an abstract religious system. Our standard is not our mentor or a strong Christian friend. Our standard for holy living is God himself. He alone is holy.

Now it’s true that absolute holiness cannot be achieved in this life. In our humanity, we will miss the mark. But it should be the believer’s desire to be in a process of spiritual growth—conforming our lives to God’s holy standard. This is done as we continually depend on the Spirit to control our attitude, thinking, desires, and actions. While we will never live sinless lives on this earth; it is possible, by the strength of the Spirit, to sin less and obey more. That’s the high standard that God has called His children. And that’s the desire of His children.

So, Father, today we pinpoint a sin that seems to constantly trip us up. We depend on you to resist it day by day…moment by moment. Help us to see that sin be less of a threat to our walk with You. Then, help us to pinpoint another sin….

Journey Thru the Bible:

Through the Bible in a Year:
Leviticus 11-15

Through the New Testament in a Year:
Acts 4

 
Check out Ron’s book–Ignite.

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Lawrence Taylor: “As easy as football is to me is as hard as life is.”

Posted by ronmoore on February 3, 2012

 
As the New York Giants prepare for Super Bowl XLVI, some of their former stars are resurfacing. Who can think of the Giants stars without thinking of L.T.?

Lawrence Taylor was one of the greatest football players in NFL history. The 6’3’’, 237 pound New York Giant linebacker played in ten Pro Bowls and was voted the Defensive Player of the Year three times. The defense he led, coined the “Big Blue Wrecking Crew,” was a major part of New York’s victories in Super Bowl XXI and XXV. The Hall of Famer was selected to the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time team.

But after Taylor retired from football, his life began a downward spiral. A series of bad decisions and destructive actions have tarnished his reputation and embarrassed his family. Two years ago Taylor was charged with sexual misconduct and patronizing an underage prostitute.

Here’s what L.T. told Showtime’s Inside the NFL:

“What was I thinking? According to my wife, I wasn’t thinking . . . You know, we as boys we think that we can do certain things, and we still want to have the same life we did when we was younger, you know? Sometimes my decision process is not very good. I make mistakes, and I make bad decisions,” said Taylor, his eyes seeming to glisten. “Do I wish this had gone another way, that day had never happened? Of course I do. The embarrassment I gave my family, the embarrassment of myself.”

Then Taylor got to the crux of the matter.

“I know everything about football, I mean as far as defense and stuff . . . I can see the play before it happens . . . I know how to manage a football game.” Then Taylor lamented, “The problem with me is sometimes managing my life . . . as easy as football is to me is as hard as life is to me.”

Managing life. That’s the challenge, isn’t it? Keeping our marriage intact. Being the mother we need to be. Being the father that God expects. Balancing busy schedules. The demands of work. Dealing with burdensome debt. Handling our finances wisely. These are issues that weigh heavy on us. We know that one bad decision or a series of bad decisions can put us on a slippery slope.
 

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Journey Thru the Bible | Leviticus 10:1 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on February 3, 2012

Leviticus 10:1
Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to his command.

The key words in today’s passage are the last five: “contrary to his command.” The new office of the Old Testament priest had just been established. Moses had explained God’s instructions with great care and detail. But when it came time for Nadab and Abihu to perform their priestly duties, they knew better and “offered unauthorized fire before the Lord” – and paid dearly for their sin (Exodus 10:2-3).

Do you think you know better? When it comes to running your business? When it comes to leading your family? When it comes to your marriage? When it comes to personal and spiritual disciplines? Anytime we act contrary to God’s instructions we are living as if we know better. I must admit…I know God knows best, but sometimes I act like I know better.

God’s commands are based on His omniscience and His perfect will. There are always consequences when we refuse to follow His instructions. True worship and submission to God begins with an attitude of “Lord, You know best. Please give me the strength and determination to follow Your instruction.”

Father, that’s our prayer. You know best. Please help me to live like I truly believe that today. Help me to submit to and follow Your instruction…in all the areas of my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Journey Thru the Bible:

Through the Bible in a Year:
Leviticus 8-10

Through the New Testament in a Year:
Acts 3

 

Today on The Journey: Focus (Serving). Listen to today’s broadcast!

Check out Ron’s book–Ignite.

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Journey Thru the Bible | Leviticus 5:1 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on February 2, 2012

Leviticus 5:1
If anyone sins because they do not speak up when they hear a public charge to testify regarding something they have seen or learned about, they will be held responsible.


Information is power. Sharing it, or not sharing it, can change the course of a person’s life. In today’s passage, we find that refusing to share needed information is as much of a sin as sharing false information.

So, let’s say that a person you know is facing a public charge. People are dependent on the testimony of those who have the facts. And you have the facts. You may be an eyewitness or you may have learned all the details from a credible source. The question is: will you speak out? If not, you will be held responsible for this sin.

Now, the issue may not be a public charge. It may be a nasty rumor or attempted character assassination in your office, school, circle of friends, or home. Or it may be a person getting by with something for which he should be held accountable. The same principle applies. If you have what is needed information – speak out! When you don’t…your silence is sin.

Father, someone reading this has some information about a person that needs to be shared. Give that person to courage to speak out. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Journey Thru the Bible:

Through the Bible in a Year:
Leviticus 4-7

Through the New Testament in a Year:
Acts 2

 

Today on The Journey: Action (Serving). Listen to today’s broadcast!

Check out Ron’s book–Ignite.

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The Wrath of God

Posted by ronmoore on February 1, 2012

Romans 1:18
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness….

Let’s be honest…the “wrath of God”—God’s holy displeasure on sin— turns people off. The skeptic says, “That’s why I don’t want to have anything to do with God. Who wants to serve an angry deity?” The liberal says, “I don’t believe that part of the Bible. Paul is hung up on the Old Testament God. The God of the New Testament is a God of love.” And the evangelical is not much better. Many ignore this teaching so “seekers” won’t be offended.

So how do we understand and explain this emotion of God that is seen throughout Scripture?

We have to consider God’s righteousness. Not as many people have a problem with that. Righteousness means that God acts in a way that is always right. He is the final standard for what is right. The word “righteousness” originally described a river reed that was used as a construction tool to judge the horizontal straightness of walls and fences. God chose the term to use metaphorically of His own nature. He is the “straight edge” by which all things are evaluated.

When we agree that God is righteous, then it is easy to understand His wrath. In fact, wrath of God is a demonstration of the righteousness of God. Let me explain it this way.

My wife, Lori, and I have four children. We love them with a deep love. And I have a certain standards regarding how my family should be treated by others. If I ever saw a person a person trying to hurt Lori or one of my children, my deep love for them, and my standard of rightness in how you treat my children, would result in wrath. If anyone in my family was being physically attacked, I would go after that person with vengeance and beat them to a pulp. My anger against the attacker would be the demonstration of my deep love and would be a result of my (imperfect) sense of righteousness.

And so it is with God. We have to understand that God action is always the action of all his attributes. You can’t carve God up like a Thanksgiving turkey and just take the parts you want. All his attributes work in harmony together. They exist and function as one.


He does not divide Himself to do a work but works in the total unity of His being.
-A. W. Tozer

So the wrath of God is right in sync with His righteousness. A loving God could not stand by emotionless without reacting to evil. God’s wrath is a demonstration of His righteousness.
 

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Journey Thru the Bible | Leviticus 1:3-4 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on February 1, 2012

Leviticus 1:3-4
If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, you are to offer a male without defect . . . You are to lay your hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on your behalf to make atonement for you.

Sometimes an Old Testament passage may make you wonder, “What in the world does that have to do with me and my life?” That may have come to mind as you read today’s passage. Interestingly, Leviticus was the first book studied by a Jewish child. It was important because it showed that “sacrifice was given by God as the only sufficient means for Israelites to remain in harmonious fellowship” with God (Bible Knowledge Commentary, 164).

Note today’s instruction regarding the burnt offering. First, the offering had to be a male “without defect.” A deficient sacrifice would not do. Second, the person laid his hands on the head of the burnt offering. This identified the worshipper with the animal as his personal substitute. Third, the animal was sacrificed in order to “make atonement” for the individual. Atonement means that reconciliation between God and man was achieved through the sacrifice.

God’s sacrificial system in the Old Testament was a picture and preparer for the coming “Lamb of God.” Jesus came “without defect.” By faith we lay our hands on Him identifying ourselves with the substitute. The death of Jesus on our behalf brings forgiveness, and reconciles us with the Holy God. Amazing, isn’t it? Wherever you are in the Old Testament, God the Father is preparing us for God the Son.

Father, thank You for preparing us for Jesus. Thank you for the atonement that He provides by His death on the cross. By faith we identify ourselves with Him and receive your forgiveness and reconciliation. Thank You! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Journey Thru the Bible:

Through the Bible in a Year:
Leviticus 1-3

Through the New Testament in a Year:
Acts 1

 

Today on The Journey: Humility (Serving). Listen to today’s broadcast!

Check out Ron’s book–Ignite.

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Journey Thru the Bible | Exodus 36:5-7 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on January 31, 2012

Exodus 36:5-7
…The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded to be done.” Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: “No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.


“Stop giving! We have too much money already. We don’t even know how we are going to use the funds we have. So from now on, we are not going to pass the plates. Cancel your online giving. And please, no special gifts. We have more than enough to do all the work God has for us to do.”

Have you heard that from your pastor lately…or ever? I promise you have never heard that from me. But here in Exodus, as the people “continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning” to build the Tabernacle and its furnishings, the builders said, “Enough already.” And the people were “restrained from bringing more.”

What a response to God! What generosity! Remember these were “freewill offerings” the people were giving. They were giving voluntarily from a heart of worship in response to God’s amazing love and grace. So…how are you doing with your freewill offerings?

Father, reminds us that all things belong to You. All things we have are a gift from You. Help us to use Your gifts to us in a way that honors You. Help us to do so with grateful and generous hearts of worship. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Journey Thru the Bible:

Through the Bible in a Year:
Exodus 35-40

Through the New Testament in a Year:
John 21

 

Today on The Journey: God or Guru: Is Christ the Only Way? (Big Questions). Listen to today’s broadcast!

Check out Ron’s book–Ignite.

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Journey Thru the Bible | Exodus 34:5-6 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on January 30, 2012

Exodus 34:5-6
Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness…

In Exodus 34, God invited Moses to bring two stone tablets to Mt. Sinai for the giving of the Law. This was the second trip up the mountain for Moses. The first time he returned to find the Israelites dancing around a golden calf. In his anger, he threw the tablets to the ground “breaking them into pieces.” God graciously invited him back and promised to write “the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke.”

Early in the morning Moses made his way up the mountain. The Lord came down from a cloud, stood with Moses, and proclaimed His name and His character. He introduced Himself as the “Lord” (“Yahweh” in Hebrew), which explains that God depends on no one or no thing for His existence. Then God described His character. He is compassionate, gracious, patient, loving, and faithful. Those were words Moses needed to hear…and words we need to hear.

Today, thank God for His compassion—His affection that leads to action. Thank God for His grace—acceptance without condition. Thank God for his patience—His slowness to become angry. Thank God for His love—the love that sent Jesus to the cross to pay the penalty for your sin. Thank God for His faithfulness—He will always keep His promises. Thank God that through His Holy Spirit, He is standing with you right now.

Father, thank You for who You are and what You do for us. Thank You for Your attributes described in today’s passage. May we live a life that demonstrates our gratefulness for Your great generosity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Journey Thru the Bible:

Through the Bible in a Year:
Exodus 32-34

Through the New Testament in a Year:
John 20:16-31

 

Today on The Journey: Divine or Disaster: Why do Bad Things Happen to Good People? (Big Questions). Listen to today’s broadcast!

Check out Ron’s book–Ignite.

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Romans: Blueprint of Salvation – Reality of Rejection | January 29, 2012 Service

Posted by ronmoore on January 29, 2012

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Romans:
1:1-17—Setting the Stage: The Theme
1:18-3:20—Sin: The Problem
3:21-5:21—Salvation: The Cure
6:1-8:39—Sanctification: Christian Growth
9:1-11:36—Sovereignty of God: Christian Defense
12:1-15:33—So What? Practical Application
16:1-27—Signing Off: Personal Greetings

Romans 1:16-17
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 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.”

Justification—Declared “Not Guilty”
Sanctification—Christian Growth
Glorification—Eternity in resurrected bodies

Romans 1:18
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness,

He does not divide Himself to do a work but works in the total unity of His being.
-A. W. Tozer

Romans 1:19
since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.


God is not dependent on man to deliver His message.

Romans 1:20
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

God has made Himself known to all people through natural revelation.

Psalm 19:1-4
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, every man is without excuse.

Romans 1:21
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.


Romans 1:22-23
Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Romans 1:24, 26, 28
Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.

Psalm 81:11-12
“But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.

Hosea 4:17-19
Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone! Even when their drinks are gone, they continue their prostitution; their rulers dearly love shameful ways. A whirlwind will sweep them away, and their sacrifices will bring them shame.

Acts 7:41-42
That was the time they made an idol in the form of a calf. They brought sacrifices to it and reveled in what their own hands had made. But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the sun, moon and stars.

Romans 1:24
Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.

  • The majority of cohabitating relationships either break up or marry within two years. (Case for Marriage, 38)
  • The rate of divorce in cohabitating couples is 50% higher than couples who have not lived with each other before marriage.
  • After ten years only 15 out of a 100 cohabitating couples are still together. (PreachingToday.com, Terry Mattingly, Washington Bureau religion column (8.21.02)

Romans 1:25
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

Romans 1:26-27
Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

Romans 1:28-31
Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.

Romans 1:32
Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Romans 2:5
But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.


There will be a day of judgment.

Will you trust in Jesus?
 

Click here for more information on services at The Bible Chapel.
 
 

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