Archive for August 2010

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Hello, My Name is … God | Romans 3:10-11 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on August 31, 2010

Romans 3:10-11
As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.

In 1788, as our Founding Fathers were crafting the Constitution, James Madison wrote, “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” Of course, laws and governing authorities are needed because men are not angels. In fact, “there is no one righteous, not even one….”

It is hard for many to come to grips with the theological truth that there is no inherent good in us. We think we’re pretty good. But the prophet Jeremiah wrote, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). Certainly, we are not as bad as we could be, but even our best actions are tainted.

Left to myself I am no angel; I can’t come to grips with my spiritual bankruptcy; and I neither desire not seek God. I am a sinner with no spiritual heartbeat…until God intervenes. By his Spirit he breathes life into my spiritual corpse. He causes me to see my sin and my need for a Savior. Then he introduces me to Jesus. He opens my heart and mind to trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross as the only way I can have a relationship with him. It is God who shows me that I am no angel and that I am in desperate need of a Savior.

Oh Father, thank you for interrupting my sinful, ignorant, and prideful journey away from you. Thank you for opening my blinded eyes, enlightening my dull mind, and giving life to my spiritually dead heart. I thank you that the work of salvation is from you and of you from start to finish! I thank you in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today on The Journey: Who Are You Trying to Impress? – Prayer 3 (Sermon on the Mount). Listen to today’s broadcast!

Check out Ron’s new book–Ignite.

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Hello, My Name is … God | Jeremiah 23:5-6 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on August 30, 2010

Jeremiah 23:5-6
“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.

The prophet Jeremiah began his ministry halfway through the reign of King Josiah, and continued throughout the reigns of four other kings. In 586 B.C., the Babylonians rolled in and took Jerusalem captive. It was a bleak time, but as we see in today’s passage better days were on the way.

Through Jeremiah, God promised that he would raise up a King—the coming Messiah. Unlike many kings of Judah and Israel, this King would reign with wisdom and his actions would be “just and right.” He would provide safety and security for God’s people. In fact, his name is: The Lord is our Righteousness.

Righteousness is the doctrine that God always acts in accordance with what is right and that he himself is the final standard of what is right. Think about it. No action of God can ever be wrong or even slightly wrong. He doesn’t make mistakes. He doesn’t need an eraser or a delete function. From our standpoint it may seem like the uninvited challenges in our lives are errors. But all God does is right. He is not wasting your time.

Father, life can be full of challenges. When things come into our lives, we question and wonder if just maybe you took your eye off of us. Forgive us for the thought. Thank you for your righteousness. You always do what is right. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today on The Journey: Who Are You Trying to Impress? – Prayer 2 (Sermon on the Mount). Listen to today’s broadcast!

Check out Ron’s new book–Ignite.

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Hello, My Name is … God | Philippians 4:9 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on August 27, 2010

Philippians 4:9
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me– put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

The boldest statements in the New Testament come from Jesus. No one is going to top, whoever “believes in me will never die” and “no one comes to the Father except through me.” But today’s passage, I believe, is the boldest statement made by someone other than Jesus.

Paul lived his life with such passion and mission that he could invite his readers to put into practice all they had seen him do and heard him say. That’s bold! In another letter to the Corinthians, Paul explained why he could speak with such confidence: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Paul could invite others to live as he lived, because he was committed to live as Jesus lived.

How about you? Are you committed to follow the example of Jesus? In your leadership style? In your marriage. In your parenting? In your singleness? In your studies? In your calling? In your finances? What would that commitment look like in your life? What changes would you have to make? Man, wouldn’t it be great to look into the eyes of those you love and say with confidence, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”

Father, show us where we need to change in order to make that statement. And, after you show us, give us the courage to make the changes. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today on The Journey: Who Are You Trying to Impress? – Prayer 1 (Sermon on the Mount). Listen to today’s broadcast!

Check out Ron’s new book–Ignite.

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Hello, My Name is … God | Philippians 4:6-7 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on August 26, 2010

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

This past summer, I was driving with my family on the Cimarron Turnpike in Oklahoma when we ran into a serious storm. Lightening was ripping across the sky. Rain was coming down in sheets. Cars were pulling off to the side of the road. We were moving all of 15 mph. And no end was in sight.

Life has its share of storms. Some come with lightening and rain. Some storms come with job loss, illness, separation, divorce, or undesired singleness. Some storms hit with that final enemy—death. I spoke to a neighbor recently whose wife of 59 years suddenly passed away. He took her to the hospital on a Friday…she was gone by Saturday afternoon. Through tears of grief he asked me, “Is this ever going to get better?” Maybe you are asking the same question.

Our passage today tells us exactly what to do when storms hit—pray. Using anxiety as an alarm we, “present [our] requests to God.” He replaces anxiety with a peace that “transcends all understanding.” It is a peace that guards our hearts and minds.

That storm on the Cimarron Turnpike? Yeah, we were in it for quite a while. But just as we were coming to our exit, the rains stopped, the clouds broke, and the bright blue sky shone through again. Storms come and go…and come and go again. But God’s peace “in Christ Jesus” is the constant that carries us all the way home.

Father, thank you for the promise of your peace that transcends all human understanding. Help us use our anxiety as an alarm to remind us it is time to talk to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today on The Journey: Who Are You Trying to Impress? (Sermon on the Mount). Listen to today’s broadcast!

Check out Ron’s new book–Ignite.

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Hello, My Name is … God | Romans 5:10 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on August 25, 2010

Romans 5:10
For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

Most of us who grew up in church don’t think of ourselves as ever being an enemy of God. Even before trusting in Christ, we really were not that bad. I mean, sure, there were some youthful indiscretions. But that’s normal, right? At least we kept our names off the front page of the paper. I mean, really, God’s pretty fortunate to have us on his team. Okay, today’s devotional blog is for all you former choirboys and girls. Brace yourselves.

You were an enemy of God!! I don’t care how many Sunday School perfect attendance pins you have, or Bible memorization certificates hung on your pink princess or NFL wallpapered wall. You may have looked cute or handsome in your church clothes, but your little heart was “desperately wicked” and “beyond cure.” As charming as you were in the children’s Christmas play, your heart was totally depraved. Sorry to burst your bubble, but you were born a sinner in need of a Savior.

It took the death of Jesus on the cross for all of us, choirboys and girls or not, to be reconciled to God. Reconciliation means, “the removal of enmity and the restoration of fellowship between two parties.” It took the work of Jesus to remove the antagonism we had toward God and restore fellowship. Thank God for his grace that saved your little sinful heart. Thank God for the work of Jesus that reconciled you to God.

Father, those of us who grew up in Christian homes and trusted in Christ early on are thankful for that blessing. But never let us take your grace lightly. Thank you for the work of Jesus on the cross to reconcile us to you, choirboy or girl or not. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today on The Journey: Attitude Adjustment (Sermon on the Mount). Listen to today’s broadcast!

Check out Ron’s new book–Ignite.

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Hello, My Name is … God | Romans 5:1-2 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on August 24, 2010

Romans 5:1-2
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Not long ago, I had the opportunity to have a private lunch with a man who had ministered to me in significant ways through his preaching and writing. This person is in my mind a giant of the faith. Through a mutual friend I gained access into his presence. During a two hour lunch, I sat and soaked in his stories, life lessons, and advice.

Years ago, a much more important meeting took place. When I was around twelve years old, I had a private meeting with the Savior at the front of our little church. That day, I gained access into a life of grace. God took away my sins and attributed to me the righteousness of Christ. He declared me to be blameless in his sight. This “justification” took place when I trusted in the finished work of Christ on the cross as the only way to have a life of peace with the heavenly Father.

I thoroughly enjoyed the meeting with the man I admire. But it’s the meeting with Jesus that changed my life both now and forever. Today my life is rooted in his free gift of grace and will be throughout eternity. That’s why I can rejoice in the hope of the glory of God!

Father, may my meeting with Jesus never be forgotten or taken for granted. While I enjoy meetings with mentors on this earth, may I be completely awed by my daily time with Jesus. In his name I pray. Amen.

Today on The Journey: Revenge (Sermon on the Mount). Listen to today’s broadcast!

Check out Ron’s new book–Ignite.

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Hello, My Name is … God | Judges 6:24 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on August 23, 2010

Judges 6:24
So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

Gideon was minding his own business…or trying to. The powerful and oppressive Midianites had driven the Israelites into hiding in the mountain clefts and caves. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he was threshing wheat in a winepress in order to keep it from the enemy. But God had bigger plans for Gideon.

God called Gideon to lead the Israelites to victory over the Midanites, but Gideon was not ready to jump at the opportunity. He asked, “But Lord, how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” God, however, makes a habit of using his smallest instruments to do big things. He gave Gideon a sign delivered by the angel of the Lord (the pre-incarnate Christ). When Gideon realized who it was, he exclaimed, “Ah, Sovereign Lord! I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face!” But God reassured him, “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.” That’s when Gideon built the altar and named it “The Lord is Peace.”

No one, on his own, can see God and live, but there is one who comes and intercedes for us. Jesus stands between God and man. He is the one who brings peace. Paul writes, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). Do you have that peace with God through Jesus?

Lord Jesus, thank you for giving us peace with God. Thank you for the price you paid in order to secure that eternal peace. May we live like those who are truly grateful. In Your name we pray. Amen.

Today on The Journey: Words of Integrity (Sermon on the Mount). Listen to today’s broadcast!

Check out Ron’s new book–Ignite.

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Hello, My Name is … God | 1 Timothy 5:16 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on August 20, 2010

1 Timothy 5:16
If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.

“Community” is one of the current buzz words in church leader’s literature. It is not a new word, and certainly right from Scripture, but it seems everyone is talking about or writing about community. And like most things, it’s easier to write an article about how it ought to be done, than it is to actually get out there and do it.

Real community is not an intellectual exercise perfected in the reading of books, or in small groups with all the people I really like and who really like me. Community is hands on, sacrificial, and yes, at times a little messy. In our passage today, Paul addresses a delicate subject but doesn’t mince words. His bold words are directed, no doubt, to a person who needs to be corrected. The church has some real needs, Paul says, don’t be a burden by refusing to help those close to you.

The challenge of real, hands-on community is our propensity to skirt hard issues. A friend in another church told me that his small group basically dissolved when the church leaders were unwilling to address the messiness of an affair. When we ignore sin and blind spots in the life of others, that’s not showing love; it’s allowing the person to walk in danger. Community is hard, boots on the ground work. That’s why it’s a lot easier just to write about it.

Father, help us to not be theoretical Christians who know the buzz words, but are unwilling to get involved in the messy lives of other believers. By your strength and grace, help us to address the issues in the lives of others with the love and tenderness, yet firmness, of your Spirit. Help us to practice what we preach. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today on The Journey: The Covenant of Marriage (Sermon on the Mount). Listen to today’s broadcast!

Check out Ron’s new book–Ignite.

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Hello, My Name is … God | 1 Peter 1:15-16 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on August 19, 2010

1 Peter 1:15-16
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

To be holy means to be set apart for special use. It does not mean to run off and hide in a cave, so as not to have contact with the world. We are to be in the world but not of it. To be holy means to live a life of purity and moral integrity. It means we are to be separate from all 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. Peter, quoting Leviticus 11:44, says, “Be holy, because I am holy.” God himself is our standard. He is the one who called us to himself, and he called us to himself to be like him.

Absolute holiness cannot be achieved in this life. Peter knew our tendency to miss the mark. But he also knew that it is the true believer’s desire to be in the process of conforming our lives to God’s will. We know we can’t win every game; but certainly, we don’t play to lose.

Lord, not only are you our loving Father, you are our standard for holiness. Father, please work in our hearts to make us more like you. And when we fall, thank you for putting us back on our feet and back on the path of obedience. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today on The Journey: Adultery (Sermon on the Mount). Listen to today’s broadcast!

Check out Ron’s new book–Ignite.

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Hello, My Name is … God | Romans 12:1 | Devotional

Posted by ronmoore on August 18, 2010

Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God– this is your spiritual act of worship.

Glen Lapp was an adventurer, nurse, and a lover of Jesus Christ. His desire to care for others took him around the world. Recently, he was with a group from the International Assistance Mission, providing medical care to mountainous tribes in Afghanistan. Lapp wrote that his goal for the trip was “treating people with respect and with love and trying to be a little bit of Christ in this part of the world.”1 But Lapp and his five team members never made it home. They were murdered in the process of carrying out their mission.

God does not call everyone to go to dangerous parts of the world in order for people to see “a little bit of Christ” in them. He expects us to do that every day wherever we are. We are to place ourselves on the altar of obedience daily and allow God to use us however he sees fit. That act of surrender is our “spiritual act of worship.”

Someone has well said that the trouble with living sacrifices is that they keep crawling off the altar. I can relate to that. So let’s crawl back on, submit ourselves to the loving Father, and allow people to see Jesus in us.

Lord Jesus, we want to demonstrate our love and devotion for you to a watching world. We submit ourselves to you and your will for our lives. Please keep our hearts tender and obedient. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

1Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 10, 2010

 

 

Today on The Journey: Reconciliation (Sermon on the Mount). Listen to today’s broadcast!

Check out Ron’s new book–Ignite.

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