Archive for June 2010

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Hello, My Name is … God | Isaiah 46:9 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on June 30, 2010

Isaiah 46:9
Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.

I had a seminary professor who loved to say, “If a little is good; a little more is better; and too much is just right.” I loved the line and, it’s true, most of us think that way. From the heaping helping on our plates to the latest, greatest app on our iPhone, “a little more is better.” From the square footage of our homes to the accessories in our luxury cars, “too much is just right.” We apply that same philosophy to our gods.

Tim Keller has written a great book called Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope That Matters. The subtitle describes the thesis of the book. Keller says that an idol “is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give.” He says we think that idols “are bad things, but that is almost never the case. The greater the good, the more likely we are to expect that it can satisfy our deepest needs and hopes. Anything can serve as a counterfeit god, especially the very best things in life.”

But God puts an end to the “more is better” mindset, and he begins with himself. “I am God,” he declares, “and there is no other.” “I am God,” he repeats, “and there is none like me.” Counterfeit gods are the product of the equation God plus something else. But the God of creation is Elohim—the almighty, all-powerful God. He is the product of the equation God minus everything else.

Father, help us to identify and destroy all the counterfeit gods in our life. Make our heart to beat for you alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today on The Journey: The Extreme Test (God Speaks). Listen to today’s broadcast!

Check out Ron’s new book–Ignite.

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Hello, My Name is … God | Psalm 19:1-3 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on June 29, 2010

Psalm 19:1-3
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.

For some reason, I am impressed with the magnificence of the heavens each summer in Oklahoma when we take our annual pilgrimage to visit family. Maybe my awareness is due to the big Oklahoma sky. Maybe it’s because we are away from the city lights. Or maybe it’s because during our time away, I slow down enough to look up (I hope that’s not the case). Often Lori and I stand outside and gaze at the stars. We check out the Big and Little Dipper, the Seven Sisters, the North Star, and a bunch of others constellations we don’t know the names for. But one thing’s for sure: The heavens declare the glory of God.

C. H. Spurgeon wrote that “the book of nature has three leaves, heaven, earth, and sea, of which heaven is the first and the most glorious, and by its aid we are able to see the beauties of the other two.” True, isn’t it? When we look up into the skies we see God’s glory shinning in the stars.

The same God, whose glory shines in the sky, desires to shine in you and through you. Paul says that he wants us to “shine like stars in the universe” (Philippians 2:15). Maybe you don’t feel much like shining. In fact, some circumstances in your life are making you feel rather drab and dull. Today I encourage you to look up. God loves you so much he sent his only Son to die on a cross just for you. Through Christ you can have a relationship with the God who hung the stars. Knowing him makes all the difference in the world…and throughout eternity.

Father, thank you for revealing yourself in the heavens. I pray that you would reveal yourself personally to all reading these words. Through Christ allow each of us to “shine like stars in the universe.” In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today on The Journey: The Tower of Babel (God Speaks). Listen to today’s broadcast!

Check out Ron’s new book–Ignite.

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Hello, My Name is … God | Genesis 1:1 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on June 28, 2010

Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

It all started for us in Genesis 1:1 when God spoke the world into existence. Just imagine! He spoke the world into existence. “Let there be light” and boom…! Light sliced through the darkness. “Created” is a word exclusively used for God. Man can design, build and form—but there is only One who creates. And one thing about God’s creation…he didn’t gather up spare eternal particles to use as building blocks. He created ex nihilo—“out of nothing.”

God reveals himself to us throughout Scripture, but here, right out of the chute, we are introduced to “Elohim” – the all-powerful almighty God. And from this passage, we learn some things about God that are confirmed all the way to the last verse in Revelation 22:21.

I don’t know what you are going through today. No doubt, the pain that some of you are feeling is deep. The dread of your tomorrow is real. The fear of the future hangs over your head. But today God wants to remind you that his name is Elohim. He is the almighty, all-powerful God. You can trust him. Really, you can trust him.

Father, sometimes we need your strength to ask for and receive your strength. Someone reading this needs to be reminded that you are Elohim—the all-powerful, almighty God. Drive that truth into faltering hearts today. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today on The Journey: The Flood (God Speaks). Listen to today’s broadcast!

Check out Ron’s new book–Ignite.

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Hello, my name is…God Sermon Series

Posted by ronmoore on June 28, 2010

In his classic work, The Knowledge of the Holy, A.W. Tozer writes, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” It is true right thinking about God will translate to right living for God. Any real defect in our lives can ultimately be traced back to a faulty view of the One who created us. With that said, this series goes beyond just thinking correctly and living right. We want to move beyond knowing about God and doing right things for God, to actually getting to know God in a powerful and personal way.

Throughout the Scriptures, various names are given to God. Each name is born out of someone’s highly emotional, very personal experience with God. Sometimes people give the name to God, other times God gives his name to people. In all cases, the names reveal an aspect of God’s character, uniquely revealed through the personal encounter.

Through the coming weeks, we’ll explore the following names of God and their meanings:

  • Elohim, “God,” (i.e. His Power and Might)
  • El-Roi, “The Strong One Who Sees”
  • El-Shaddai, “God Almighty”
  • Jehovah-Jireh, “The LORD will Provide”
  • Jehovah-Maccaddeshem, “The LORD Your Sanctifier”
  • Jehovah-Nissi, “The LORD our Banner”
  • Jehovah-Rapha, “The LORD our Healer”
  • Jehovah-Sabbaoth, “The LORD of Hosts”
  • Jehovah-Shalom, “The LORD is Peace”
  • Jehovah-Tsidkenu, “The LORD our Righteousness”

Our prayer is that God will use these stories of real encounters with Him, to reveal Himself to you in the emotions and experiences of your day to day life.

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Living Hope | Psalm 95:1-3 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on June 25, 2010

Psalm 95:1-3
Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.

Commenting on this psalm, C. H. Spurgeon writes,

Other nations sing unto their gods, let us sing unto Jehovah. We love him, we admire him, we reverence him, let us express our feelings with the choicest sounds, using our noblest faculty for its noblest end. It is well thus to urge others to magnify the Lord, but we must be careful to set a worthy example ourselves, so that we may be able not only to cry “Come,” but also to add “let us sing,” because we are singing ourselves. It is to be feared that very much even of religious singing is not unto the Lord, but unto the ear of the congregation: above all things we must in our service of song take care that all we offer is with the heart’s sincerest and most fervent intent directed towards the Lord himself.

Our “service of song,” then, should not be entered into with an attitude of critique, but rather with an invitation to “Come.” We should not be watching what others do or don’t do. Instead, we should be setting “a worthy example ourselves.” If you are distracted by the worship of others, I have an easy remedy. Sit on the front row. Then without disruption you can look up, lift your voice and “shout aloud to the Rock” of your salvation.

At The Bible Chapel, we believe that the most attractive thing an unbeliever can see is a believer truly worshiping the Lord. So put forth the invitation to “Come.” And let others see how a person who loves, admires, and reveres God expresses his feelings “with the choicest sounds, using our noblest faculty for its noblest end.”

Father, thank you for the gift of singing praises to you. May we be those who worship you without worrying about what others think. Help us to worship with an audience of One. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today on The Journey: The Fall (God Speaks). Listen to today’s broadcast!

Check out Ron’s new book–Ignite.

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Living Hope | Romans 6:4 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on June 24, 2010

Romans 6:4
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Baptism does not make you a Christian. It does not complete the process of you becoming a Christian. It does not make you more of a Christian. We are saved fully by grace through faith, in the finished work of Christ. So what is the point of baptism?

Baptism is an outward demonstration of an inward grace. God’s spiritual cleansing of your heart is demonstrated in a symbolic way by the water of baptism. This immersion is a powerful picture of our identification with Christ. Going into the water, we identify with his death. Going under the water, we identify with his burial. Coming out of the water, we identify with his resurrection. Surrounded by family and friends, the believer declares through the waters of baptism, “I’m all in!” It is a public proclamation that you want obedience to be the pattern of your life.

So…if you have been baptized as a believer, reflect back to that time. Renew your commitment to follow hard after Christ. If you have not been baptized as a believer – well, don’t you think it’s about time?

Father, thank you for the powerful ordinance of baptism and the public demonstration it allows for all who follow you. May we never be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In his name. Amen.

Today on The Journey: Adam and Eve (God Speaks). Listen to today’s broadcast!

Check out Ron’s new book–Ignite.

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Living Hope | Acts 2:41 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on June 23, 2010

Acts 2:41
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

I was standing in the lobby between services, minding my own business, when she approached. “I have something I need to talk to you about.” I prepared myself, not knowing what would be her complaint of the week. “All these new people coming to our church,” she continued without taking a breath, “I am sick and tired of everyone catering to them. What about all of us who have been around here for a long time. I don’t like all these new people around here.”

Not everyone has been so bold, but more than a few people have expressed this “concern” over the years. Just like newborns take time and attention, so do new believers. And just like brothers and sisters become jealous of the new addition in the home, so some brothers and sisters in the church become jealous of the attention spiritual newborns need and receive. The leadership challenge is to help turn murmurers into mentors.

From the beginning of the church, the message of Jesus Christ has changed lives. Those who are changed enter into the body as spiritual babies needing attention and likely to make some messes here or there. But they also bring freshness and vitality and a spiritual excitement that, quite honestly, has leaked out of the life of many mature believers. 3000 added to the church in one day! Can you imagine the lobby conversations the next Sunday?

Father, help us to look beyond ourselves, our needs and preferences, to see the needs of others – especially those who are living in spiritual infancy. May all of us reach out as mentors to help others get a sure footing on their spiritual journey. In Christ’s name. Amen.

Today on The Journey: From Chaos to Creation (God Speaks). Listen to today’s broadcast!

Check out Ron’s new book–Ignite.

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Living Hope | Acts 2:46-47 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on June 22, 2010

Acts 2:46-47
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

The new church was off and running. After his resurrection, Jesus ascended and the Holy Spirit came down. When the Spirit-empowered Peter preached the Gospel, 3000 people trusted in Christ and were baptized. They met for teaching, fellowship, worship, and prayer. And you know what happened next…

The excitement of the new “experience” quickly wore off for many of the church-goers. Besides, there were others things they needed to get done. Little Johnny was a great athlete and the three travel teams that he played on kept the family busy on Sundays. Mark put up his skis and fired up his boat on the weekends. He loved the great outdoors. Larry and his family headed for their mountain cabin…“beautiful this time of year.” Mary Louise made the two-hour trip every Sunday morning to see her mother. By the time she got there, it was too late to find a place of worship. George was so busy during the week that Sunday was the only day to sleep in and get the yard work done. Thankfully, that’s not what happened…

The early church didn’t meet only on weekends; they met every day! Understanding the significance of sharing a meal, they opened up their homes and ate together. They were sincerely glad to be together. They used their times of fellowship to praise God. And “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Not a bad start!

Father, remind us why the community of believers is so important to our spiritual growth. May we participate gladly and sincerely in the body of Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today on The Journey: The Journey…One Step at a Time (God Speaks). Listen to today’s broadcast!

Check out Ron’s new book–Ignite.

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Pastors…on the Journey

Posted by ronmoore on June 21, 2010

I had lunch with a pastor last week who was hurting…I mean really hurting. Seeing this guy up front, you would never know it. He is dynamic, right on target, humorous – one of my absolute favorites. We talked about the expectation of having to be “on” every weekend (he says that Sundays come around every three days…) even when you are dying inside.

While I love to prepare for and deliver sermons, I think these are the two hardest things:

  1. The amazing regularity of the weekend services. It does feel like they come around every three days. The traveling speaker has his five sermons that he can memorize and hone and find the absolute best illustrations. The rest of us labor weekend after weekend, doing our best to be clear and fresh. While many of us have great staffs that do much of the pastoral work, we still have to make the time to prepare. Most of the time we don’t have the time to study, write, edit, practice, and re-edit a sermon like we would want. A fresh, clear, meaningful sermon week after week takes work; often I walk to my car on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. after preaching four times and wish I could have communicated an important point with more clarity, or driven the message home with an appropriate ending. But then, in three days, it’s the weekend again.
  2. Being “on” when you don’t feel like standing up. Being placed on a pedestal is unfair and unenviable. I know my heart, my wayward thoughts, my areas of temptation; and yet still I go back to the pulpit. People forget that preachers struggle with sin, doubts, fears, hurts, and disappointments just like everybody else. Add in a “two funerals and a wedding” week and the emotional tank can be nearly empty as we head up to deliver the expected passionate, impactful, powerful sermon. Some say, well, that’s your problem. You need to be vulnerable and share all your feelings. For sure, part of being real is being vulnerable and open. But let’s face it, the pulpit is not a counselor’s couch where I can sit and share all my feelings. And I don’t preach to a room full of counselors. Sitting in front of me are people going through the same stuff I’m going through. They want to be fed.

So there are my thoughts…no answers…just thoughts. I’d love to hear yours…

Ron

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Living Hope | Acts 2:42 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on June 21, 2010

Acts 2:42
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

The new church was off and running. Following the crucifixion, burial, resurrection, ascension, the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and a significant growth in attendance (3000 is a pretty healthy growth after one day), the new believers met to start doing church. You know what happened next.

Brother and Sister Smith were concerned about the growth, certain that not all the “so-called converts” had truly trusted. The Jones felt that things were going way too fast since a proven discipleship program had not been researched, piloted, and implemented. John said that the church had gotten too big. He felt disconnected and was thinking of leaving. Sue said the addition of all the people made the singing too loud. Tom said that he liked it so much better when it was just a small group hiding out with the doors locked for fear of the Jews. The first day, the disciples were busy baptizing all the believers. The second day, they were busy reading all the comment cards. Thankfully, that’s not what happened.

The people devoted themselves to teaching as a basis for growth. They devoted themselves to each other. They remembered the death of the Lord. And they prayed. Check it out—Teaching, Fellowship, Worship, and Prayer. Not a bad start…

Father, may we be part of church more like the one found in Acts 2, than churches of our own making. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today on The Journey: More Than Words: Seeking Spiritual Protection (The Lord’s Prayer). Listen to today’s broadcast!

Check out Ron’s new book–Ignite.

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