Archive for December 2009

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Reflecting the Glory | Ephesians 4:22-24 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on December 31, 2009

Ephesians 4:22-24
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Who did you used to be? That’s a real question for every believer because there was a time we lived in our “former way of life…corrupted by its deceitful desires.” But then we encountered Jesus, or rather, Jesus encountered us. On that day everything changed. Now, by the power of God that lives in us we partner with him to put off the old and put on the new.

Because of Jesus our thinking changed. The thoughts and attitudes of the mind that seep into the heart have been made new. Because of Jesus, our actions changed. Our “new self” was “created” to imitate the holy God who is right and just in all his works. All of the old me is in the past. All of the new me lives with the full potential to honor God in everything I do.

There is an old song I remember that goes something like this, “I’m not who I used to be and I’m not what I want to be, but thank God I’m not who I was.” Every believer can thank God that we are not who we used to be. By his grace, we have been given a fresh start!

Father, your word reminds us to put off the old and put on the new. Those are mere words unless you are at work in our lives. Thank you for making me a new creation. Thank you that I am not who I used to be. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Reflecting the Glory | Psalm 40:1-3 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on December 30, 2009

Psalm 40:1-3
I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.

What do you do when the results of your sin deliver you into a “slimy pit”? Where do you go for relief from “the mud and mire” of self-inflicted wounds? While the specifics of this Psalm are not known; we do know that David asked for rescue from a hole dug by his own sin (see 40:12).

Sometimes our pride or ignorance or misunderstanding (or all of the above) cause us to conclude that God will not assist us in difficult situations of our own making. We hear God saying, “You made your bed; now lie in it.” But God is not the one who causes those words to rattle in our heads. Even when our backs are turned on him; he turns to us. Even when we distance ourselves; he still hears our cry for help. Our Father responds to the needs of his children.

He lifts us out of sin’s slippery places and puts us on a rock of forgiveness and restoration so that we can stand firm. He replaces our cries for help with a new song, a “hymn of praise.” We damage our reputation and witness. But God’s work in our life causes onlookers to “see” what he has done, “fear” his mighty power, and “put their trust in the Lord.”

Lord, thank you that we can cry out to you even from the pit of sin-inflicted situations. Thank you for forgiveness and restoration. Thank you for firm footing to return to the journey of obedience. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Reflecting the Glory | 2 Corinthians 5:17 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on December 29, 2009

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Okay, let’s have a heart-to-heart. Our passage today proclaims a truth way too important to brush over. Paul says that an encounter with Jesus changes things. Jesus transforms us into “a new creation.” This makeover shows up on the inside (attitudes, thinking, emotions, passions, desires) and outside (direction, goals, mission, use of time, gifts, and money). Old ways of thinking and doing things are gone. A new day comes to our lives.

So here’s my question: Is the “old” gone and has the “new” come? Have you experienced true spiritual transformation? Let’s face it, there are many who proclaim to be Christ-followers but, quite honestly, don’t live any differently than their neighbor across the street who hasn’t had two serious thoughts about God in the past twelve months.

You cannot “receive Jesus” and stay on the same worn out path. You cannot “trust in Jesus” and keep trusting in yourself. You cannot “ask him to come into your life” and keep filling your life with temporal stuff. You cannot “accept him into your heart” and remain spiritually flat-lined. An encounter with Jesus changes things. Here’s the hard truth that each of us must use to evaluate our hearts—No Change? Then, no Jesus.

Lord, search and examine our hearts. Give us the self-honesty to deal with the results. In Jesus name. Amen.

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Reflecting the Glory | Luke 19:5-6 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on December 28, 2009

Luke 19:5-6
When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

Everybody has stuff. Mistakes they have made. Messes they have caused. Sins that have left a trail of destruction. If life had a replay button, we would hit it. If life had mulligans, we would take them. Unfortunately, there are not “do-over’s.” But with Jesus there are fresh starts.

Zacchaeus may have been a “wee little man” but his power wreaked havoc in the lives of many. As a tax collector, he enforced the Roman laws and he wasn’t above sticking a few coins in his pocket and making a few deals on the side. He was hated for sure—a Jew working on the side of Rome. But he didn’t care, as he counted his pot of money at the end of each day. Then he met this man named Jesus.

Jesus deals with the stuff in your life. He took it upon himself when he died on the cross. Zacchaeus was never the same. To everyone he cheated, he paid back four times the amount. That day Zacchaeus experienced salvation. Not because of his good works, but because of his trust in Jesus, the Lord of Fresh Starts.

Father, as this new year begins, we need a fresh start. May we seek your forgiveness. May we come to you in true repentance. May we feel the freedom that Zacchaeus felt the day Jesus came to his house. May today be the day of a fresh start. In Jesus name. Amen.

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Reflecting the Glory | James 4:6 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on December 25, 2009

James 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Merry Christmas! What’s your day like?

  • You’re exhausted and your children are excited? God gives the grace of patience.
  • Alone and discouraged by the silence? God gives the grace of encouragement.
  • On the road to grandma’s house? God gives traveling mercies.
  • Surrounding by relatives…difficult relatives? God gives the grace of biting our tongue.
  • A sad day without your loved one? God gives the grace of comfort.
  • Christmas without a job? God gives the grace of providing our needs.
  • Stressed? Worried? Worn out? God gives the grace of peace.

Today we celebrate the birth of the Grace Giver. God in the flesh who gave up everything, so we could have eternity in heaven and abundant life on this earth thrown in as a bonus. Merry Christmas and remember, “he gives us more grace.”

Father, we need more grace today. A day of celebration and a day that highlights the challenges before us. I pray that you make this Christmas day a day of grace. In Jesus name. Amen.

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Reflecting the Glory | 2 Corinthains 12:9 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on December 24, 2009

2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

After an amazing vision of heaven where Paul “heard inexpressible things…that man is not permitted to tell,” he received a “thorn in the flesh” to keep him from “becoming conceited.” On three separate occasions, he pleaded with God to take the thorn away. God’s answer and Paul’s response are found in today’s verse. God knows all about power made perfect in weakness.

Omnipotence wrapped in flesh…and nailed to a cross.
The Eternal One lived…and died in time.
The Creator constrained to a crib…and a tomb.
Jesus held down…and bursting forth!

God knows all about power made perfect in weakness. His “weakness” provided the power for our resurrected life and eternal life. Now, that’s something to boast about!

Father, may the power of Christ rest on us today. In Jesus name. Amen.

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Reflecting the Glory | 1 Corinthains 15:10 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on December 23, 2009

1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them– yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.


Life is joint venture between God and man. We cannot do what God must do, and God will not do what we should do—Jerry Bridges

Not long ago Lori and I thought it would be nice to have a little tomato garden in our back yard—nothing big, just a few plants. So, here’s what we…didn’t. When it was time to prepare the ground, we didn’t. When it was time to plant the seeds, we didn’t. When it was time to weed, we didn’t. Then one day we stood out on our back deck, looked at the place where the garden was supposed to be, and said, “Hey, God where are all the tomatoes!?”

I know, it’s ridiculous to think that without plow, planting, and weeding that somehow “by God’s grace” tomato plants are going to appear. It’s just as ridiculous to think that we can grow spiritually without reading the Bible, become worshipers without worshipping, connect with other believers without reaching out to other believers, serve while sitting on our rear ends, and share the message of Jesus without opening our mouths.

Yes, salvation and every good gift are by God’s grace. At the same time he expects us to do what he has graciously made us to do. Grace was not an excuse for Paul to slack. He “worked harder than all of them.” Yet, he realized that all his efforts as a believer were for naught unless graced by God.

Father, thank you for your great grace. And never let us use your grace as an excuse for our sin and laziness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Reflecting the Glory | 1 Peter 4:10 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on December 22, 2009

1 Peter 4:10
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

After every game, NFL coaches “breakdown” the game film to evaluate every part of the contest and the performance of each player. Let’s do the same thing with today’s verse. Here’s the breakdown.

    Each one—Peter is writing to believers. Here he addresses “each one.” This verse, then, is not for the spiritually mature or elite. The following is for every believer.
    Should use—This means you can’t be a “couch potato” believer. There is something you need to use…to put into action.
    Whatever gift he has received—The “something” you need to put into action is the gift God has given you. This verse makes it clear that every believer has at least one gift.
    To serve others—The gift God has given you is not for self-promotion. Serving others is the purpose for the gift(s) you have been given.
    Faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms—When your gift is put to use, you are being a faithful steward.

So, here’s the real question. How does 1 Peter 4:10 breakdown in your life?

Lord, thank you for giving each believer a gift corresponding to the works you have prepared in advance for us to do. Don’t allow us to hide or hoard your gift. Today help us to use it to serve others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you would like to learn what your spiritual gift is, go to www.biblechapel.org and click on Spiritual Gift Inventory under “Assessments.” This inventory, designed by Dr. Steve White, our Pastor of Ministry Development, will send you a report of your primary gifts within five minutes after completion.

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Reflecting the Glory | John 1:16 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on December 21, 2009


John 1:16
From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.

I don’t know the emotion you bring to this daily devotional. I don’t know if you are reading this in the midst of your dream job or no job, perfect health or a difficult illness, having lovingly kissed your spouse good-bye and longing to be reunited or left without words and dreading the end of the day back home. Maybe there is no spouse back home and you are and feel alone. Maybe some relationships with children are strained and you are scared. But…here’s what I know.

  • God is gracious and merciful. In his grace he gives us the good things we don’t deserve. In his mercy he doesn’t give us the things we do deserve. His grace and mercy remind us that he has not and will not forsake us. Even when we “feel” alone, he is there. Even when we “feel” abandoned, we are not. Even when we have run from him to a distant country he is waiting with open arms to forgive us.
  • God sends continual blessings. The air we breathe, the food we eat, the roof over our heads—all continual blessings from God. Resources of time, gifts, experience, and money—are all continual blessings from God. The great spiritual blessings that come from being created in Christ Jesus—salvation, forgiveness, faith, assurance—all blessings from God. And yes even the difficult challenges of your day and the painful stretching that is taking place—all blessings from God.

Lord, I don’t know the emotion that each person brings to these devotionals, but you do and that’s all that matters. Show yourself strong and mighty and gracious and merciful in our lives today. Help us to know you are with us. Help us to sense your presence. Thank you for your grace, mercy, and continual blessings. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Reflecting the Glory | 1 Corinthians 15:58 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on December 18, 2009

I Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

This passage is found at the end of Paul’s discussion on the resurrection. After explaining the difference between the natural and spiritual body, he proclaims, “Death has been swallowed up in victory” and notes that this victory comes “through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Based on the eternal resurrected life, Paul leaves the church with this charge.

When we live life looking only at the small map of our present experience, things can seem pretty dreary. We get sick. We lose jobs. Disappointments set us back. Discouragement throws us for an unexpected loop. Relationships take work and still end up strained. Dreams mock us. We stand weakened. Our emotions are tossed this way and that. We feel our spiritual tank to be empty. We feel our spiritual labor is for naught. But all that changes when we turn to the unfathomable map of eternity. Death is overcome. Every tear is wiped away. Our dreams are fully realized. The purpose for disappointment and discouragement is understood. Relationships are perfect. We see Jesus face to face.

The “secret” to standing firm is simple-just be sure you are looking at the right map.

Father, many reading this are facing real difficulties and challenges today. Please do your work in their hearts. Encourage the discouraged. Replace anxiety with peace. Restore relationships. Provide needed jobs. Help us to dream your dreams. Put in front of us the map of eternity and help us to give ourselves fully to your work during our brief time on this earth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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