August 23, 2021
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Sinful pride can be camouflaged by pious words and feigned modesty. But it often reveals itself when the battle for obedience is intense and our focus is diverted.
In this broadcast, Ron Moore and men’s minister Tunch Ilkin help us identify prideful attitudes, before the attack, so that we can bring them under the command of Jesus Christ.
December 19, 2020
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Devotion Text2 John 1:4-6
It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
Vince Lombardi, the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers, knew the value of fundamentals. In preparing to play a game against the then lowly Chicago Bears, he preached all week—the basics, men, remember the basics. Don’t forget! They forgot. The mighty Packers were taken down by the Bears. When the team arrived back in Green Bay, Lombardi ordered the team to get dressed and meet him on the practice field. Without question, the men got ready and waited on the field for Lombardi. Finally, he appeared and stood in front of them. He reminded them that they had forgotten the fundamentals and they were going to start from the beginning. Standing before the professional players he held up a ball and said, “Men, this is a football!”
Sometimes we forget the basics of the Christian faith. Enamored by new messages and methods we forget the foundational truths upon which our faith stands. When we ignore, change, or alter the foundational truths in any way, our faith falls. 2 John is a call back to the fundamentals. John reminds us to go back to the basics.
First, John calls the believers to live “in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.” John reminds the readers this is not some new teaching, but a command “we have had from the beginning.” Second, foundational to the Christian faith is this: “Love one another.” We are to love each other just as Christ loved us. Third, we are to “walk in obedience.” Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Truth. Love. Obedience. Foundational stuff…that we often forget.
Father, may we never forget the basics. May we be discerning enough to see beyond the book cover, the fancy website, the cool marketing schemes, the new can’t-miss programs. Make sure everything we do is anchored in bedrock fundamentals. In Christ’s name. Amen.
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December 2, 2020
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Conquering your fears doesn’t always require power and resolve. Sometimes the only remedy is a gentle touch, and kind command, from God.
In this half-hour, Ron Moore explores that transforming experience in the lives of three cowering disciples.
November 1, 2020
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Devotion TextActs 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Today’s passage is the passionate command that Jesus left His followers just before He ascended into heaven. This powerful verse contains these four important parts.
The Promise: Power through the Holy Spirit
Jesus will always provide us with the strength that we need to do whatever He calls us to do. The Holy Spirit lives in each believer. He encourages and empowers!
The Command: You will be my witnesses
Jesus said that our assignment is to tell others about Him. Empowered by the Spirit, we are to share the message of Jesus.
The Scope: Your world and the rest of the world
“Jerusalem” describes our immediate area. This includes our homes, neighborhoods, and communities. “Judea and Samaria” broadens our scope of influence. This includes the cities where we live and the places where we work and interact with people. The “ends of the earth” describe the world. We are to take and support the taking of the gospel to every part of the globe!
The Motivation: Love for Jesus
In 2 Corinthians 5:14, Paul writes, “For Christ’s love compels us because we are convinced that one died for all.” Man is a sinner separated from God. Jesus paid the penalty of man’s sins. Our love for Jesus and our love for others compels us to share that message of eternity.
You have a choice. You can sit, or you can put passion to action and follow the command of Jesus. You know what you need to do . . . what you must do. What are you waiting for?
Father, give us the courage not only to hear Your Word but also actually get up, get out, and get moving so we can share with others. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.
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November 27, 2019
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Devotion TextActs 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Today’s passage is the passionate command that Jesus gave His followers just before He ascended into heaven. This powerful passage contains four important parts:
Jesus will always provide us with the strength we need to do whatever He calls us to do. The Holy Spirit lives in each believer. He encourages and empowers!
Jesus said that our assignment is to tell others about Him. Empowered by the Spirit, we are to share the message of Jesus.
“Jerusalem” describes your immediate area. This includes your home, neighborhood, and community. “Judea and Samaria” describes a broader scope of influence. This includes the city in which you live and the place where you work and interact with people. The “ends of the earth” describe the world. We are to take and support the taking of the gospel to every part of the globe.
In 2 Corinthians 5:14, Paul writes, “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all….” We are sinners separated from God. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins. Our love for Jesus and our love for others compel us to share that message of grace.
So, you have a couple of choices. You can sit, soak, and sour, or you can put passion into action and follow the command of Jesus. You know what you need to do…what you must do. What are you waiting for?
Father, give me the courage to not only hear Your Word, but to actually get up and get moving. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.
June 20, 2019
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Mark 7:6-7
He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’”
The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were always looking for a way to discredit Him and His disciples. When the leaders noticed that some of Jesus’ followers were eating without going through the ritual of ceremonial washing, they cried foul. “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?” they asked.
Jesus answered the leaders by applying a passage from Isaiah. He noted that they were honoring God with their lips but not with their hearts. They followed “merely human rules” instead of God’s instruction. Their misguided worship was worthless.
Legalism is a religion of the hands absent the heart. It adheres to the law without adoration of the Lord. It is a religion that twists God’s commands into a set of human rules. It says the right words but is far from real worship. Legalism impresses people but never impresses God.
Father, shine Your light on any area of my life that carries even a hint of legalism. Help me be clean on the inside, washed and renewed by the work of Jesus. Keep me free from a hands-without-heart religion. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
April 23, 2019
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Matthew 7:12
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
I like executive summaries. The bottom line. The main point. Cut to the chase. Give me a few bullet points on one side of a sheet of paper and I’m happy. Today’s passage is the executive summary of the entire Old Testament.
Jesus said there is this one thing that “sums up the Law and the Prophets.” It’s this one instruction that demonstrates who you trust and who you serve. It’s the one command that puts all other commands in perspective. It’s called the Golden Rule: “Do to others what you would have them do to you.”
If truly applied, this one command would change everything. Armies would put down their weapons. Husbands and wives would call a ceasefire. Siblings would embrace. Forgiveness would flow. Grace would govern. Bitterness would be banished. The greedy would turn generous. This one command would change the world.
Father, help me to obey the words of Jesus found in today’s passage. Please help me treat others exactly the way I want them to treat me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
February 18, 2019
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How do we reconcile the Lord’s warning to “Judge not lest you be judged” with His command: “If anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one?”
Ron Moore explores that sensitive issue through the life of King David.
May 30, 2018
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Conquering your fears doesn’t always require power and resolve. Sometimes the only remedy is a gentle touch, and kind command, from God.
In this half-hour Ron Moore explores that transforming experience in the lives of three cowering disciples.
