Archive for May 2010

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Living Hope | 2 Peter 1:12-14 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on May 31, 2010

2 Peter 1:12-14
So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.

It is early in the morning as you sit down with pen and paper. Composing on a computer won’t do. You want these words to flow straight from your heart, personalized with your distinct handwriting. The end of your life is near and you write knowing that you are expressing last thoughts. What would you write in that letter?

Peter’s second letter is his last. For all we know, he had already been crucified in Rome by the time his message reaches the believers scattered throughout five Roman provinces that make up present day northern Turkey. Notice, from today’s passage, that Peter was not introducing new thoughts. The things he writes in his last letter are the things he has been proclaiming and practicing throughout his life. I find that very instructive.

The content of our last letter should not be new material. “Oh, I never knew he believed that” or “I never knew he felt that way” are not responses we want to illicit. Our last letter should be simply to remind those we love of the things we have been telling them and showing them all along. The last letter is simply to refresh their memory. The content of our last letter is being written today.

Father, remind us that what we do today impacts tomorrow. Help us to share every day the things we would want to remind our loved ones of in our last letter. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today on The Journey: When God is Not Enough (I and II Samuel). Listen to today’s broadcast!

Check out Ron’s new book–Ignite.

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Living Hope | 2 Peter 1:10-11 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on May 28, 2010

2 Peter 1:10-11
Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.


How can you know for certain that you are a true believer? How can you know with confidence that you will “receive a rich welcome?” These are the most important questions of time and eternity. And the answer centers on spiritual growth.

Peter begins his second letter by addressing the need to grow spiritually. God has given us everything we need for spiritual development (1:3-4), and we should “make every effort” to be effective and productive believers by adding essential virtues to the gift of faith (1:5-9). In our passage today, Peter says that we should be diligent to make our salvation certain.

The word “make” is in the middle voice and carries the meaning “make for oneself.” Being certain of your salvation is something only you can do. Salvation begins with the gift of faith. So the first question is: Have you trusted in Christ as the one who paid for your sins? The second question is: Are you in the process of adding to your faith the essential Christian virtues? (see 2 Peter 1:5-7) This question does not deal with earning our right to stay in God’s family, but with the inevitable demonstration of life. When we are alive in Christ, there will be signs of life.

Father, help us to know that we are your children by seeing the signs of life that you desire and the honor you desire. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today on The Journey: Taking God Seriously (I and II Samuel). Listen to today’s broadcast!

Check out Ron’s new book–Ignite.

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Living Hope | 2 Peter 1:8-9 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on May 27, 2010

2 Peter 1:8-9
For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Last night, I officiated a memorial service for Lois, a believer who lived her days following hard after Christ. One word that described her entire life was “service.” Not long before this dear saint’s passing, her daughter-in-law took several of Lois’ great-grandchildren to visit her in a care facility. They became worried when she was not in her room and begin searching for her. Finally, they found Lois at the end of a hall in her wheelchair reading to a person who was unable to see.

In 2 Peter 1:5-7, the Apostle listed several qualities the believer needs to possess. The qualities of goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love should be added to our faith. In today’s passage, he reminds us that these qualities need to be used and developed so that we will be effective and productive believers. When we do not develop these qualities, Peter says we are “nearsighted and blind” and we live as if we have forgotten that God has “cleansed [us] from [our] past sins.”

I was so encouraged to hear Lois’ family describe her life. She was effective and productive. She encountered many challenges in life and used them to become stronger. She didn’t use the aging process as an excuse to slide for home. She used what she had to demonstrate love and kindness to others. She didn’t waste a day of her 85 years. May her tribe increase! May Lois serve as an example for us all.

Father, until you call us home, may we used every day to develop the qualities that make us productive and effective servants. Help us to not waste of minute of our days on this earth. In Jesus name. Amen.

Today on The Journey: God In a Box (I and II Samuel). Listen to today’s broadcast!

Check out Ron’s new book–Ignite.

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Living Hope | 2 Peter 1:5-7 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on May 26, 2010

2 Peter 1:5-7
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

Becoming a Christian is a free gift of grace. There is nothing we can do to earn our salvation. It is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. We were dead in our sins and God breathed spiritual life into us. Salvation is of the Lord. But growing as a believer involves the power of the Holy Spirit in us and our personal commitment and discipline to grow.

Peter’s challenge is to “add” Christian virtues to the gift of faith. As an infant grows and develops into maturity, so must the believer grow and develop spiritually. Peter lists the characteristics and actions that should be a part of the spiritual maturation process.

The Christian is not to simply “let go and let God.” We are to be active partners in the work of God in the world and in the work of God in our lives. Jerry Bridges, using the analogy of a farmer, explains this “joint venture” well:

Farming is a joint venture between God and the farmer. The farmer cannot do what God must do, and God will not do what the farmer should do.

We can say just as accurately that the pursuit of holiness is a joint venture between God and the Christian. No one can attain any degree of holiness without God working in his life, but just as surely no one will attain it without effort on his own part. God has made it possible for us to walk in holiness. But He has given us the responsibility of doing the walking; He does not do that for us. (The Pursuit of Holiness, pp.13-14.)

Father, thank you for making it possible to walk in holiness. Remind us of our responsibility to do the walking. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Living Hope | 2 Peter 1:4 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on May 25, 2010

2 Peter 1:4
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

As I write this, God has placed me in a challenging and stretching time. I have done a good bit of reflecting on “his very great and precious promises.” In fact, I have written several on 3 x 5 cards in order to review them often. There is no middle ground to a promise. A promise is either true or it isn’t.

God alone is my rock and my salvation (Psalm 62:1-2); or he isn’t. The Lord will fight for me (Exodus 14:14); or he won’t. The arm of the Lord is not too short to save (Isaiah 59:1); or it is. God takes hold of my right hand and says, “Do not fear; I will help you (Isaiah 41:13); or he doesn’t. God will never leave me nor forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:7-8); or he will.

So, here’s the deal. Do you really believe that God’s promises are true? Belief is more than lip service. You have to put God’s “very great and precious promises” into action. Then you can truly experience the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit and “escape the corruption…caused by evil desires.”

Lord, help us to believe and apply your “very great and precious promises.” Move them from our heads to our hearts. Change them for intellectual accent to spiritual passion. Give us the courage to step out onto you promises with a life of trust. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Living Hope | 2 Peter 1:3 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on May 24, 2010

2 Peter 1:3
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

No one escapes the challenges of life. The unstable economy makes a job go away. The results of the medical test bring unwanted news. The counseling sessions don’t restore the marriage. A loved one dies. No one escapes the challenges of life.

But when these difficult times come, God’s “divine power” gives us “everything we need for life.” He gives us everything we need to honor him. Our strength and confidence comes directly through his power, and our knowledge of who he is and how he protects and provides for his children.

Sooner or later, the props get knocked out from under each one of us. But here’s what we find: when God is all you have, God is all you need.

Father, thank you for the promise to give us all we need. Thank you for the reminder that at the end of the day, you are all we need. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Living Hope | 1 Peter 5:8-9 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on May 21, 2010

1 Peter 5:8-9
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

In the preceding verses, Peter told his readers that they were to humble themselves under “God’s mighty hand, that he may lift them up in his timing.” Believers, Peter said, could cast all their cares on the Lord. God is sovereign; the “faithful Creator” and those who follow him can entrust themselves to his care. God is in control. But that does not nullify human responsibility.

In today’s passage, Peter reminds the readers that Satan is strong and cunning and out to get them. He is on the prowl seeking to destroy their faith, testimony, and very lives. God is our only hope for sure and we are to partner with him to stand “firm in the faith” and “resist” the devil’s schemes.

Peter’s two imperatives—be self-controlled and be alert—are strong reminders that we cannot let our guard down. We have to be in the Word daily. We have to be men and women of prayer. We have to make a break with the pattern of sin that defined our life before trusting in Christ. The moment we let down our guard, we are goners. We must buckle up with the full armor of God every day.

Father, we know too many people who let their guard down and fall into serious sin. By your Spirit, keep us self-disciplined and alert. We desire to finish this race strong for you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Living Hope | 1 Peter 5:6-7 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on May 20, 2010

1 Peter 5:6-7
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

It was a particularly hot day in Dallas and I was driving around the city looking for an apartment. I had just graduated from seminary, and we needed to move from the condo we had rented for four years. I had resumes scattered throughout the country but was getting no response – or rather I was getting a response – “No.” Lori and I thought we would be looking for a place to live in another part of the country. But we were staying in Dallas. It was a discouraging stretch of my journey.

These were pre-kid days, but for some reason there was a Psalty the Singing Songbook cassette in our car. left after a visit from Lori’s sisters or my nieces. I plugged it in and heard Psalty sing,

“I cast all my cares upon you. I lay all of my burdens down at your feet. And anytime I don’t know what to do; I will cast all my cares upon you.”

With tears in my eyes, I played that song, based on today’s passage, over and over again. I had just finished four years of Greek, Hebrew, Bible, and theology courses, but it was a children’s song that delivered a needed promise of Scripture right to my heart.

I will never forget that day. God cared enough for me to orchestrate someone to leave a tape behind, in order to tenderly teach me that I could throw all my frustration, fear, and anxiety on him. So, if you are on a discouraging stretch of the journey, you have to know what I was reminded of that day—God really does care for you…he really does.

Father, thank you for reminding me of your care that hot day in Dallas. Remind those reading this devotional of your care as well. In Jesus name. Amen.

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Living Hope | 1 Peter 5:5 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on May 19, 2010

1 Peter 5:5
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Humility is the appropriate attire of the follower of Jesus. The lasting principle, quoted here by Peter, makes the case that God “sets himself against” the proud, but gives grace to those who live in humility (Proverbs 3:34).

The instruction to “clothe yourselves” refers to a slave who puts on an apron before serving. Peter may have chosen this word as he reflected back on that day when Jesus “wrapped a towel around his waist” and washed the feet of the disciples. Peter resisted this act of service until Jesus said, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and head as well!” (John 13:9).

Humility is the appropriate attire of the believer, and here’s the way to attain it. “If anyone would like to acquire humility,” C. S. Lewis wrote in Mere Christianity, “I can…tell him the first step. The first step is to realize that one is proud. And a biggish step, too. At least, nothing whatever can be done before it. If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.” (p. 114).

Father, we are proud and conceited. Our first thought is always about ourselves. So we confess our pride to you. Forgive us and make us people who are willing to wear the apron of humility everywhere every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Living Hope | 1 Peter 5:2-3 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on May 18, 2010

1 Peter 5:2-3
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers– not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

James and John sent their mother to request a favor. She asked that when Jesus established his kingdom, her two sons be given a special place of power and position. When the other disciples learned of this request, they were “indignant.” Peter must have been particularly irritated by the “end run.” Along with James and John, he made up Jesus’ inner circle. But as always, the Master Teacher turned the situation into an important teaching moment.

Jesus explained to his disciples that in his kingdom, leaders would not “lord it over” others. Instead, leaders would be servants. He would set the standard by showing that he “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:26-28). Peter watched Jesus demonstrate this servant-leadership all the way to the cross.

So, Peter passed on what he learned from Jesus. Leaders must be servants and examples “to the flock” that God has graciously entrusted to them. Leadership is a great privilege and responsibility. Leaders in the kingdom must follow the Master’s plan.

Father, I pray for leaders. Give us courage to lead. Give us tender hearts to serve. Help us to be strong and tender. Give us vision and grace. Help us to lead like Jesus. In his name. Amen.

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