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What are you chasing?

Posted by ronmoore on January 24, 2012

 
Muhammad Ali just turned 70 years old on January 17. There’s a big birthday bash in Las Vegas on February 18. I am sure you’re invited. Let me know how it goes. Whether you love him or hate him, Ali has become a sports icon appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated thirty-eight times!

Today, the man who branded himself with his non-stop poetic boasts, seldom speaks. Decades of battling Parkinson’s disease drastically diminished the body that floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee. Age, disease, and a brutal sport have taken their toll.

Several years ago, not long after Ali retired from the ring, sportswriter Gary Smith caught up with the former champion at his home. Ali escorted Smith to his training facilities in a barn-like structure next to his farmhouse. Leaning against the walls were mementos of Ali in his prime. There were photos and portraits of the champ punching and dancing, sculpted body, championship held high in triumph. But on the pictures were white streaks—bird droppings.

Smith said that Ali looked into the rafters at the pigeons who had made his gym their home. And then Smith said, maybe as a gesture of closure or a statement of despair, Ali walked over to the row of pictures and turned them, one by one, toward the wall. He then walked to the door, stared at the countryside, and mumbled something so low that Smith had to ask him to repeat it. Ali did.

“I had the world,” Ali said, “And it wasn’t nothin’. Look now.”

The fleeting illusive power of man is nothing. Whatever you are chasing and however good you’re feeling about it right now, one day you’ll agree with Ali. But God’s power in your life changes everything. Don’t wait till it’s too late. Make sure you are chasing the right thing today.
 
 

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What keeps you from taking off on your spiritual journey?

Posted by ronmoore on January 17, 2012

September 7, 2011. It was supposed to have been just a routine flight. But it ended in tragedy…all because the pilots missed some basic procedures.

Both pilots had much more experience flying the Russian made YAK-40. But in the plane that had been assigned to them that day, the YAK-42, the pedals were laid out just a bit differently. Investigation found that as the pilots were pulling back on the control column for takeoff, one of them braced his feet on the brake pedal. The brakes were applied at the same time the crew was trying to reach takeoff speed.

The plane never reached the needed speed. It was airborne only a few minutes before crashing 500 yards from the runway. The airliner was carrying the country’s best known Hockey team, many veterans from the NHL. Of the 45 on board, only one crew member survived the crash.

Most crashes are not caused by something unusual. Most result from a failure to follow the basic procedures. As so it is with life.

It’s failing to learn, or straying from, or ignoring the basics of the Christian journey that gets us into trouble. When we miss the basics of the faith, we will never take off on our spiritual journey.

 
 

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You don’t have to be a theologian to share the Gospel

Posted by ronmoore on April 13, 2010

Right out of seminary, I couldn’t find a job in a church. So, at the end of the summer, I learned about an opportunity to teach and coach in a little school district just outside of Dallas. A teacher who had been with the district for 25 years had resigned, and school was to start the next week. They were desperate.

One of the classes they needed me to teach was Computer Literacy. This was back in 1985, and I had never used a computer. So I told the superintendent, “I don’t think this is going to work. You want me to teach computer literacy and I honestly don’t know how to turn on a computer.” Here’s what he said, “No problem. You have the textbook. You can take a computer home to get acquainted with it. All you have to do is stay one step ahead of the students.” And that’s exactly what I did…and in the process became certified to teach computer literacy, but more importantly, I learned an invaluable lesson.

When it comes to Scripture, you don’t have to know everything…you don’t have to be a world-renowned theologian. Just nail down some of the essentials of the faith…learn to turn on the computer…and build from there. At our church, we have a class called Essentials for Growth…I am sure a church in your area has a similar class.

One more thing…at the end of the day…every person you are in a spiritual discussion with needs Jesus. You don’t need to be an expert in apologetics to share what Jesus has done in your life. Tell the story of your spiritual journey. Don’t get me wrong – you need to study the word of God…but your story—rather God’s story in your life—will be the most compelling invitation to trust in Jesus Christ.

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Do You Have A Boring Testimony?

Posted by ronmoore on April 9, 2010

Let me tell you about something that I used to struggle with. I grew up in a Christian home, and trusted in Jesus Christ as my personal Savior when I was around 12 years old. While I was far from perfect, and wandered from the path more than a few times, God, in his grace, didn’t let me wander far. Early on I had a desire to serve him and develop the gifts that he had given me. But here’s where I struggled…I didn’t feel I had much of a testimony. The guys with great testimonies of God’s grace were those who lived far from God, into sex and drugs, crashed and burned, and then God brought them to himself from a lifestyle of sin. People would say, and still do today, that guy has a great testimony. Maybe some of you listening can relate. You feel like you have to apologize for a boring testimony. Let me tell you there is no testimony of God’s saving grace that is boring.

  • Whether you came to Christ as a young child and grew up in the faith, or whether you were plucked, as it were, from the fires of hell, you have been fully rescued and graced by God.
  • Whether you were saved at 12 in church, or 24 in prison, you have been fully rescued by the saving grace of the living God.
  • Whether your life before Christ had the appearance of morality, or you were saved from an immoral pit, it took the complete work of Jesus to pay for your sins on the cross.
  • Whether you knelt by your bed with your mom or dad in your early years to ask Jesus into your life, or like one of my friends, woke up in his own vomit after a night of drunkenness and there decided to trust in Jesus—in both places a miracle of Christ took place.

When the Bible says all have sinned—it means all have sinned and are liable for eternity without God. Sin is not graded on a scale; it is missing the mark and we all have missed the mark. None of us, at any age or from any situation, can be good enough for God. Every child of God, regardless of his or her background, is a child by God’s grace.

Each of us was dead and now we are alive.
Each of us had hearts blackened with sin and now they are cleansed.
Each of us has been made righteous.
Each of us have been adopted as children of the living God.

Every believer has a great testimony. We have been fully rescued! And every believer must respond with a great love for the great work of Christ.

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Are You Hot, Cold, or Lukewarm?

Posted by ronmoore on April 8, 2010

In Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus speaks personally and specifically to seven churches. Listen to his words to the group of believers in Laodiciea:

Revelation 3:15-16
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm– neither hot nor cold– I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

In a nearby city, Hieropolis, there was a hot springs that was often used for medicinal purposes. When the water was hot, you could drink it. When someone mistakenly drank it when it was lukewarm, they got sick. Jesus says to this group of believers—if you were spiritually cold and had no interest or profession…I could handle that. Certainly, if you were spiritually hot—following hard after me with a purpose and passion—that would be great. But your lukewarmness turns my stomach and – Jesus gets pretty graphic here—it makes me want to throw up.

Now, I am pretty certain that you don’t want Jesus say that you make him want to spit you out of his mouth. So, let me give you a description of what a lukewarm Christian looks like. It’s just between you and me (and God, of course), so evaluate your spiritual life against these characteristics of spiritual lukewarmness. Ready?

    1. You seldom read the word of God outside of church.
    2. Your prayers can be best described as “emergency flares” rather than open and consistent communication with God.
    3. Corporate worship is optional. You mix it in when it doesn’t interfere with anything else.
    4. Corporate worship is social and strategic. It’s a place to see friends, share your frustrations about politics, and maybe even schedule a business meeting or two.
    5. Your “Religion” is more about form and tradition than it is about a relationship with the living God.
    6. You can be described as a “Creastor.” You are there for the Christmas Eve and Easter services, but that’s about it.
    7. You say that you are a Christian, but it has little or no impact on the way you live.

That’s what a spiritually lukewarm person looks like. You can see why Jesus says that lukewarmness makes him sick. My challenge for you today is to turn up the spiritual heat. Spend time daily in God’s word; learn to communicate with him as your best friend; be an engaged worshipper with a real and fresh personal relationship; let your light shine in such a way that people will see your good works and glorify your heavenly father. That’s the person Jesus is looking for!

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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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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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Good News – Bad News

Posted by ronmoore on December 8, 2009

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17

Faith comes through hearing the message. That means someone has to share it. That someone may well be you! The Christmas season presents a tremendous opportunity to tell others what a relationship with God through Christ is all about. Following is an “approach” to enter into that conversation. There are four points, four verses, and four illustrations. Take it and adapt to your personality and situation. Change the illustrations. Make it your own. And then use the Christmas season to start sharing the Good News.

GOOD NEWS—BAD NEWS

Have you come to the place in your spiritual life where you know for certain if you were to die tonight you would go to heaven?

Has anyone ever taken a Bible and shown you how you can know for sure? May I?

The Bible contains both good news and bad news. The good news is about God; the bad news is about man. Let’s start with the bad news first.

Man is a Sinner.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

Illustration: ROCK or CANYON

  • ROCK: Suppose you and I were to walk outside, pick up a rock and try to hit South Hills Village. You might throw it farther than me; I might throw it farther than you. But it is safe to say neither of us, even with our best effort, could hit the target. Our throw would fall far short. So, too, none of us, even with our best effort can reach God.
  • CANYON: Suppose you and I were to try to jump from one side of the Grand Canyon to the other. I may jump farther than you; you may jump farther than me. But neither of us, even with our best jump, could reach the other side. We would fall short of our mark. So, too, none of us with our best effort can reach the Almighty God.

The bad news gets worse.

The Penalty for Sin is Death.

For the wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23

Illustration: WAGES

  • When you work you expect your rightful wages. You deserve what is coming to you. The Bible says that because we are sinners, we deserve to die. Not only physically but spiritually as well.

That’s pretty bad news, isn’t it? If this was all the Bible had to say, what would you think about God?

Thankfully the Bible doesn’t stop here. Since there was no way you could get to God, God came to you. He came in the form of His Son Jesus Christ. That’s the Good News!

Christ Died for You

But God demonstrates His love toward us in that while we were sinners Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

llustration: DISEASE

  • Suppose you were dying with a disease. However, through a surgical procedure I gave you my healthy cells and took your diseased ones. I would die; you would live. That’s what Christ did for us on the Cross. He took our sin upon Him. He died so we could live.

The good news gets better.

You Can Be Saved Through Faith.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Illustration: CHAIR

  • Let’s suppose the chair I am sitting in represents my life; my wishes, plans and desires. This chair represents Christ and life based on His promises. Faith involves shifting my trust from my present basis to Jesus Christ.

Would you like to place your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?

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Assurance of Salvation | Blog 5 of 5 | Evidence: Growth

Posted by ronmoore on December 5, 2009

The Doctrine of Assurance states that a person who has truly trusted in Christ will finally and forever be a child of God. No one can snatch them out of God’s hand (John 10:27-30). Nothing can separate them from the Father’s love (Romans 8:38-39). This doctrine gives great confidence, but it also raises a question—How can I know for sure that I am a child of God?

There are three important strands of evidence. In blog 3 I dealt with the question of a present trust. In blog 4 I discussed the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life. Now let’s deal with the question:

Do I see a long-term pattern of growth in my Christian life?

The Doctrine of Assurance does not stop with simply giving me certainty for today. When I am a child of God, I can have assurance about my future as well. Added to the evidence of a present trust and the work of the Holy Spirit, I will see a pattern of growth in my life. Not perfection. Maybe not as much growth as I would have liked. But, in partnership with the Holy Spirit, I will see evidence of life and spiritual maturation. Although there may be some times of wandering and even prodigal son experiences, over the long haul there will be growth. This can be said with confidence, not because of my ability to stay the course, but because of God’s promise to finish the work he has started.

Following are several passages that speak to the issue of God completing his work in my life. My long-term pattern of growth is based on his work in my life.

1 Corinthians 1:8-9
He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

Philippians 1:6
…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

2 Timothy 1:12
That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

2 Timothy 4:18
The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 1:3-5
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade– kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

The word “shielded” in verse 5 means “to protect or guard.” We are continually guarded and protected by God himself. God’s power does not work separate from our faith…it works through our faith. It is God’s power working in us and through us to sustain us and bring us safely to his heavenly kingdom.

The crux of assurance is not our perseverance. At core of this doctrine is the fact that God preserves us and protects us all the way to heaven.

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Assurance of Salvation | Blog 4 of 5 | Evidence: The Holy Spirit

Posted by ronmoore on December 4, 2009

The Doctrine of Assurance states that a person who has truly trusted in Christ will finally and forever be a child of God. No one can snatch them out of God’s hand (John 10:27-30). Nothing can separate them from the Father’s love (Romans 8:38-39). This doctrine gives great confidence, but it also raises a question—how can I know for sure that I am a child of God?

There are three important strands of evidence. In blog 3 I dealt with the question of a present trust. In blog 5 we’ll consider a long-term pattern of growth. For now, let’s deal with this question:

Is there evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in my life?

  • The Presence of the Spirit

    • Ephesians 1:13-14
    And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession– to the praise of his glory.

    The word translated “deposit guaranteeing” is a Greek word that means “down payment” or “installment.” The Holy Spirit is God’s down payment, promising that he will complete what he started.

  • The Testimony of the Spirit

    • Romans 8:13-16
    For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

    The Spirit will remind the true believer—“You belong to me!”

  • The Fruit of the Spirit

    • Are you exhibiting the Fruit of the Spirit—Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)? Certainly, the demonstration of this fruit will not be perfect, but is it a general characteristic in your life?

  • Interaction with Other Believers

    • How is your influence on others? Do you encourage or discourage? Do you build up or tear down? Do speak truth or provoke controversies or divisiveness?

  • Hold to sound teaching

    • Do you continue to believe and accept sound teaching?

    1 John 2:23
    No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

  • Regular Devotionals

    • Do you meet with Christ regularly in prayer and reading the Word?

  • Pattern of Obedience

    • Again, the issue is not perfect obedience, but a pattern of obedience.

    1 John 2:4
    The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

  • Involvement in Christian Fellowship

    • Are you continuing in Christian fellowship?

    Hebrews 10:24-25
    And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another– and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

    I always scratch my head when I hear about a “believer” who never attends church. The church is, after all, the body of Christ. Find one believer in the New Testament not associated with a local fellowship.

  • Giving to Those in Need

    • Do you give to those in need?

    1 John 3:17
    If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?

Certainly this is not an exhaustive list. You could add many more as you read through Scripture. But this will get you started as you evaluate the Spirit’s work in your life.


BLOG 5—Evidence of Assurance: Show Me Some Progress

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