Archive for March 2010

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Hope Rising | Habakkuk 2:20 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on March 31, 2010

Habakkuk 2:20
But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.

Today’s passage is found in a portion of Habakkuk where God is addressing the utter futility of bowing before idols. God reminds the readers that an idol is a lifeless image carved by man, unable to speak or give guidance. God says that it is useless to shout to a piece of wood “Come to life!” or to lifeless stone, ‘Wake up!’” (2:19). But…in contrast to the temporal stuff we are tempted to trust in…God is on his heavenly throne.

Why put your trust in temporal things (bank accounts, retirement funds, investments) or temporal institutions (governments) when the living, self-existent, eternal, holy God rules the world from heaven, his holy temple? What good does it do us to shout to the economy to “Come to life!” What impact does it have when you yell “Wake up!” to C-SPAN’s legislative broadcasts? Instead of shouting at man-made idols, we are to stand silent before the Sovereign God of time and eternity.

Apply the Word. Turn off Fox News and CNN. Turn off the talk-heads on the airwaves who make their money by keeping you in a frenzy. Now, away from the distractions…focus your heart and mind on the living God. Sit silent before him in worship.

Father, keep eternal things before our minds. May we be passionate about things that count. As we do our part to keep our country a place where your word can go forth, do not allow us to worship the idol of government. As we thank you for your great blessings, don’t allow us to worship the idol of material possessions. In Jesus name. Amen.

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Hope Rising | Habakkuk 2:14 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on March 30, 2010

Habakkuk 2:14
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Habakkuk’s frustration was at a boiling point. Violence, injustice, strife, and conflict surrounded him, and he wanted God to do something about it. But he didn’t complain behind God’s back. Instead, he went straight to God. “How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen” were the prophets opening words. God was listening (he always is) and was getting ready to address the situation…just not in the way that Habakkuk thought appropriate. Funny, isn’t it? We want God to work and work according to our plan.

God’s plan left Habakkuk “utterly amazed” (1:5). The wicked Babylonians were going to be used as an instrument of his justice. But God was going to deal with the proud Babylonians as well. And, then, just as certain and fully as the water covers the sea, the whole earth would know of his power and glory.

Sometimes our praise and worship is generated by something God has done…an answer to prayer, a tangible provision, an obvious time of protection. But regardless of what God gives, we praise him for who he is. The “knowledge of the glory of the Lord” is more than enough to produce a heart full of praise. We need to do much more of “God’s Person Praise” than “God’s Provision Praise.”

Father, may the knowledge of your power and glory fill our hearts as the waters fill the sea. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Others need to know of the amazing love of God. Please take advantage of the Letters to God pre-release showing at The Bible Chapel. The movie will open the heart, you plant seed, and let God do his work. Click here to check out this opportunity.

 

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Hope Rising | Habakkuk 2:4 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on March 29, 2010

Habakkuk 2:4
See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright– but the righteous will live by his faith….

Habakkuk begins his book complaining that God did not seem to be on the job. Violence, injustice, and destruction surround the prophet. God lets Habakkuk know that he is indeed at work and justice is on the way. However, Habakkuk is shell-shocked to learn that God is going to use the Babylonians as his instrument of justice.

In today’s passage God is speaking. The “he” refers to the Babylonians collectively and their king specifically. He does not argue that the Babylonians are wicked and full of themselves. But he asks that the righteous—those who desire to live a life rightly before God—trust him, even when they are unable to figure everything out with human reasoning.

Between the first step of faith and God’s provision, there is life in the gap. We know God has called us and we know he will provide, but the gap is filled with doubt, fear, worry, discouragement, and desperation. Yet, God calls us to walk through the gap by faith. The One who calls us is trustworthy. He will provide. The answer or the provision may not come today or tomorrow. God works on his own timetable. But it will come just as he promised and just in time.

Several of us are having a discussion regarding what it looks like and feels like to live in the gap. Join the discussion by clicking here.

Father, we trust in you…even when we are living in the gap between our first step of faith and your provision. We know that without faith it is impossible to please you. Help us to live obediently and confidently in the gap. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Prayer of Submission

Posted by ronmoore on March 26, 2010

Conceding control of my life and giving it to God is a hard thing to do. Here is a prayer that may help submitting the thoughts, words, and actions of your day to God.

Father, this is Your day on loan to me, and I want to be used by You for eternal and lasting purposes. I submit myself, my plans, my activities, and my interactions with others to You. I am thankful that Your Spirit indwells me. Now I ask that Your Spirit control every aspect of my life. Take control of my tongue, that my words will reflect Your love and grace. Take control of my emotions, that I may respond obediently and calmly. Take control of my thoughts, that my mind may be cleansed of those things that will not bring glory to You. Place in my mind those things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy. Control my actions in such a way so others will know what I my deeds have been influenced by You. Give me the strength to live this day in a way that pleases You. I submit myself to Your control. In Christ’s name. Amen.

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Hope Rising | Habakkuk 2:1 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on March 26, 2010

Habakkuk 2:1
I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint.

Having finished the first round of questioning God, Habakkuk now takes time to listen. Although there seems to be a bit of an attitude in the prophet’s statement, at least he is taking time to hear from God. This is a great lesson for us all.

A few years ago, I had the privilege of speaking at a conference for missionaries in Spain. No doubt, I benefited from the time much more than they did. At one of the prayer sessions, a seasoned missionary led us through the familiar ACTS prayer pattern. But to Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication he added the Spanish word “oir” which means “to listen.” We can get so busy listing our needs we forget to listen for God’s voice.

So here’s my challenge. When you pray, take time to listen. Quiet your heart before God and let him speak to your heart. It may take some time to develop this discipline, but when you do, prayer will become more than you talking. It will become true communication between you and God.

Father, we pause now to listen. Speak to us…

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Letters to God

Posted by ronmoore on March 25, 2010

The Journey is pleased and honored to partner with Possibility Partners in presenting the movie, Letters to God. This is the same group that produced Facing the Giants and Fireproof.

Members of The Journey ministry team had the opportunity to watch Letters to God, which will be released nationwide on April 9. The Bible Chapel will be permitted to show this movie prior to its release, and all the proceeds of the movie to go to The Journey. This is a generous and much appreciated offer. We will be showing Letters to God on April 6 at 7:00 p.m. in the Worship Center of the South Hills campus. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the Chapter 2 Bookstore or at www.thejourneyradioministry.com.

I have to tell you this movie is very powerful. It is based on a true story about a young boy and his battle with cancer. The story deals honestly with all the emotions that take place in a family going through health challenges. Check it out:



Possibility Pictures is committed to making faith-based movies. We were impressed to hear their heart for God and desire to see people come to Christ. You will be amazed to hear how God worked in the life of actors and those working on the set. This is the type of mission we want to support, and we are thankful they desire to partner with The Journey. We pray this will be the first of many opportunities. We are in the process of getting an interview with Tom Swanson, Executive Producer of Possibility Pictures, or David Nixon, the director/producer, and making it available at www.thejourneyradioministry.com.

I look forward to hear your thoughts about Letters to God. See you there.

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Hope Rising | Habakkuk 1:13 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on March 25, 2010

Habakkuk 1:13
Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?

In today’s passage, Habakkuk describes God as “too pure to look on evil” and unable to “tolerate wrong.” Habakkuk is describing God’s holiness. The word “holy” is used more often as a prefix to God’s name than any other attribute. One writer well says, “Holiness is God’s crown.”1 Let me briefly describe this attribute of God.

Holiness is the essential part of God’s nature. It describes his absolute purity and moral perfection. We don’t always know what is right or just or fair. But God never faces that dilemma. He knows what is right and he can only do what is right. His holiness is “perfect freedom from all evil.” God’s actions are always consistent with his holy character. And God’s holiness is the perfection of all his other attributes. His power is holy power. His mercy is holy mercy. His wisdom is holy wisdom. God “cannot for one moment relax His perfect standard of holiness.”

So Habakkuk’s questions are both based on God’s holiness and answered by his holiness. God is neither tolerant nor silent when it comes to evil. His holiness ensures that all he does it right…even when we don’t understand it.

Father, we surrender our perception of life, our questions, and our lack of understanding to your holiness. We acknowledge that all your actions are perfect, even when in our finite minds we cannot understand. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

1Jerry Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness. Navpress, p. 29

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Emotions of the Gap

Posted by ronmoore on March 24, 2010

I was doing some closing remarks for The Journey radio program today, and my mind is stuck on this idea of the gap between the first step of faith and God’s provisions. What are some of the emotions that fill our mind and heart while living in the gap? This idea was sparked by Greg Cromartie who produces our program. To help me craft a 3-4 minute closing, he reminded me of a quote I had used in my sermon from the Jewish Talmud (pious people rush to perform a divine command) and then wrote:

…but in between the decision and the doing there is often time to reflect on what we may be losing—the void. Tell us how to settle our doubts after we have decided to obey the command. Then offer encouragement for the time between jumping in faith into the void, (and feeling the discomfort, sadness, etc., letting go of the known may bring) and being caught by God’s provision.

After reading my comments below, I’d love to hear what you think about living in the gap (or what Greg calls the “void’) between the first step of faith and God’s provision.

Today we have discussed the story of Abraham…a man who stepped out on faith to obey the call of God. Now you have to admit, the call that God gave Abraham in Genesis 12—“Leave your country, your people, and your fathers household and go to the land I will show you”—you have to admit was a bit open ended. Go to the land that I will show you…I mean, how do you set your GPS for that destination? But Abraham obeyed God. And he did the same thing the day God told him to offer his son as a burnt offering.

The Jewish Talmud says: pious people rush to perform a divine commandment. And that is certainly true. Those who desire to make this journey with Jesus follow him with steps of obedience. But let’s make one thing clear. The time between the first step of obedience and God’s provision is filled with prayer and emotion, doubt and discouragement, the excitement of where God is going to take you and fear of not knowing exactly how you are going to get there.

Let me share a personal example. For years we prayed that God would open the doors for us to expand The Journey Ministry. We had been on a station in Pittsburgh for 10 years and believed God was leading us to expand. God answered our prayers in a big way. He presented us a God-sized opportunity to expand into 19 cities across the United States and through www.oneplace.com to expand world-wide. In our time on the air, people throughout the United State and over 20 countries have downloaded our messages.

But believe me, this expansion was a huge step of faith. We had enough monies to begin, but now we are dependent on God to provide in order to continue. I have no doubt that God called us to start this journey with you, and I have no doubt that he will provide—maybe through some of you listening today. But I can tell you that between the first step of faith and the provision—there are some serious emotions of excitement and fear, confidence and doubt, great encouragement and yeah, some days of discouragement as well.

So I encourage you to join me in this journey. Some of you know you need to step out and obey God…take the step of faith. He will provide what you need when you need it. And in between the first step and the provision, you will get a fresh dose of what it means to depend solely on God. I can promised you this…you will be stretched like you have never been stretch before.

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Hope Rising | Habakkuk 1:5 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on March 24, 2010

Habakkuk 1:5
Look at the nations and watch– and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.

The first four verses of Habakkuk have been filled with questions—“How long must I call for help?” “Why do you make me look at injustice?” “Why do you tolerate wrong?” The questions come in rapid fire succession. It seems Habakkuk never takes a breath between his inquiries. But now it’s God’s turn. He answers Habakkuk’s “Why’s” with “Watch!”

In the midst of challenging situations, we can become myopic. Pain causes us to pull into ourselves and center our attention on the hurt. This initial inward look is natural but can soon become noxious. If we stay focused on our situation too long, discouragement sets in. Our mind is absorbed by everything that is wrong. Our heart is saturated with the injustice of it all. I have seen positive and joyful people became negative and bitter because their life became centered on the difficult thing(s) that had happened to them.

God’s reminder is to watch what he is doing. He is at work even through the seeming injustice. He is not wasting your time even in the pain. Observe the things going on around you. You will be “utterly amazed.” God is doing some unbelievable things. But you’ll have to look up and look out to see them.

Father, many reading this today are going through some difficult times. Their pain is deep and real. Lord, give them the strength…the desire…to look beyond their hurt. Help them to look up to you and look out to the things that you are doing. May they be utterly amazed at your work all around them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Hope Rising | Habakkuk 1:3 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on March 23, 2010

Habakkuk 1:3
Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds.

Last night I watched a news report on Haiti. Several weeks ago, an earthquake shook that country to its core, resulting in destruction and death. Today, much of the country remains devastated and injustice is rearing its ugly head. Orphans are being taken and sold into sex trade and slavery. Strife and conflict abounds.

It is hard to watch what is happening in Haiti without asking questions. Lord, why is this injustice occurring in the lives of children? Why are you tolerating wrong? Like Habakkuk, we have questions. And honestly, the purpose of our rapid fire questioning is to release our emotions, rather than to discover answers.

But God will remind us throughout the book of Habakkuk that the judgments we make on a single picture is really only one frame in His divine video. He works all things toward His perfect purpose. Like an artist putting the initial brush strokes on a canvas, soon what looks like chaos will be turned into a masterpiece. Just remember, while we may question the injustice and destruction frozen on a single frame, at the end of the video God always wins. God always wins!

Father, we trust you with our eternities. May we trust you each step along the journey as well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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