As For Me and My House

Scripture: Joshua 24:15

Song: Dare To Stand Like Joshua

Make Joshua's words your own...everyday.

"And if it seem evil unto you to serve Jehovah, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah." (Joshua 24:15; ASV)

Jason Cicero

What Jesus Taught at Lazarus' Tomb

Scripture: John 11:1-16, 38-45

Song: In The Morning Of Joy

Jesus who taught us about life and living was not remiss in teaching us about death and dying.

Jesus taught that death is no respecter of persons. Lazarus’ sisters sent word, “Behold, he whom You love is sick” (vs. 3). Death gave no special treatment to the Lord’s friends. It did not consider His affections. If Jesus’ love and interest offered no special exemption from an untimely death, what’s protecting you. Death is no respecter.

Jesus taught that death is not beholden to our schedule. Jesus waited two more days before going to Bethany. But death did not wait on Jesus. How foolish to presume that death will wait until we get our house in order. We must prepare and stay prepared. If death was not obligated by Jesus’ schedule, it certainly is not obligated by ours.

Jesus taught that the one who recognize His voice in life will recognize His voice in death. “Lazarus, come forth,” said Jesus at the tomb of the one He loved. Lazarus, who had known Jesus’ voice when he lived, heard Jesus’ voice though he lay in the tomb. “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice” (John 8:28). Jesus knows the names of those who have known His name and responded to His voice in life. What assurance that death who respects no person and no schedule will be rendered powerless in the resurrection by the voice of the risen Savior.

Jason Moore

Whatever We Ask

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

Song: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

“Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” How many have wished the same from God? The disciples wanted a commitment from Jesus before He heard their request. Not even to the sons of Zebedee would Jesus make this open-ended promise. “What do you want Me to do for you?” He asked. Think of what condition we would be in if God, like some genie, honored every wish we had at various points in our life. We would be spoiled in every sense. It’s far better to pray, “If it be Thy will,” and lean on God’s wisdom than to make demands from our own limited perspective.

“You do not know what you ask,” Jesus responded to their petitions for seats on His right and left in glory. Jesus’ glory would not come without the cross. That was the “cup” and the “baptism” that Jesus asked the brothers if they were able to handle. Sitting beside Him in glory would demand walking the same path of suffering and service that He was trodding. “We are able,” they boasted. A few days later they would abandon Jesus to the arresting officers. They were not able. Not yet. Sometimes the Lord may know that we can’t handle the thing we ask for. It’s far better to pray, “If it’s best,” than to be so sure in our hearts that we are as able and willing as we claim to be.

Perhaps we could learn as well that the Lord is interested in providing opportunities for serving, not reigning. It’s the servant that will sit with Him in glory. More prayers should begin and end with “Here am I, send me” than “Here am I, give me.”

Jason Moore

Sunday Morning Starters

How To Be Worshipful:

Be prepared.

Be on time.

Be attentive.

Be reverent.

Be considerate.

Be a participant.

Bubba Garner

A Humble Prayer

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 29:10-20

Song: He Leadeth Me

Israel was generous in supporting the construction of the temple in Jerusalem. Their zealous spirit was complemented by the humble prayer David offered before the assembly.

“All things come from You, and of Your own we have given You,” David prayed (vs. 14). Our gifts to God are spoiled when we become impressed with our gift giving. The worshipper who thinks he has given so much to God has not stopped to consider how much God has given him. He merely returns to God what is already His. That leads to the further consideration—God wants you, not your gifts. He desires children, not things.

“I know… that You test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness,” prayed King David (vs. 17). Hypocrites are brave souls. To be a hypocrite is to be cowardly before men who are fooled by the act, but to be courageous before God who sees through our mask. Better to fear God who tests the heart and to be brave toward men whose judgment of our performance doesn’t matter.

“Give my son Solomon a loyal heart,” asked David (vs. 18). Of all the things David left to his son, his faith was the most precious. Thrones and palaces and armies and treasuries are uncertain. But faith—it shall stand when glory and power and riches fail. Pass your faith to your family and you make them richer than Solomon in all his glory. Teach them to work and to study but don’t teach them to love God and you may secure their fortunes but not their future.

Jason Moore

Furnished For Every Good Work

Scripture: Psalms 119:169-176

Song: Take My Life, And Let It Be

Paul tells us that because the Scriptures are God-breathed they furnish, or equip, unto every good work. He was not the first to express that sentiment. The songwriter of Israel said it too.

Need understanding? It’s in the Book. “Give me understanding according to Your word,” said the psalmist. The Bible dispels all mysteries.

Need a lifeline? It’s in the Book. “Deliver me according to Your word,” wrote the prophet of God. The Bible points to the way of salvation.

Need acceptable worship? It’s in the Book. “My lips shall utter praise, for You teach me Your statutes.” The Bible tells you how to approach God.

Need advice for the wayward? It’s in the Book. “My tongue shall speak of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteousness.” The Bible will make you a counselor to the wayward soul.


Need a helping hand? It’s in the Book. “Let Your hand become my help, for I have chosen Your precepts.” The Bible is help from heaven. It lifts the fallen. It rescues the perishing. It points the way.

Need a revival? It’s in the Book. “I long for Your salvation, O Lord, and Your law is my delight.” The Bible returns you to the joy of your salvation.

Need a way back? It’s in the Book. “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments.” The Bible is the Shepherd’s voice. It shows the way back home.

Need something? It’s in the Book. And if it’s not, you never really needed it. You only thought so.

Jason Moore

Jesus Walks on Water

Scripture: John 6:16-21 I

Song: I Know That My Redeemer Lives

The various signs and wonders that Jesus performed all testified to His deity. For every sphere in which men acknowledge God’s sovereignty, Jesus showed Himself Master. In the account before us, He manifested His power over all the elements.

He defied gravity as He walked on the sea. He overcame the physical properties of water as He walked not paddled, not swam but walked across the waves. He escaped harm from the wind and tempest that assailed the boat and the sea. He caused not just Himself but the boat and its passengers to exceed the limitations of time and space arriving at their destination the moment He boarded the vessel. Truly this Man was the Son of God.

The story of Jesus’ walking on water and His command of the elements is a picture of what God does every day. Man has no control over the weather, but God does. Man has no power over the elements. He is bound by time and space, by gravity and momentum and other properties and principles that pertain to matter and energy. But God is not so bound. How then can this story be read, and men not pray? How can this account be recited and Christians not take courage that God is on His throne above the circle of the earth? “It is I,” He says, “Do not be afraid.

Jason Moore

The Danger of Conservatism

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Song: Open My Eyes, That I May See

Self-deception is the bane of conservatism. When a people like the Pharisees are a people of the Book, they can begin to put their confidence in their possession of the truth. They can take on airs of superiority since, after all, they have discovered the truth while others miss it completely or only possess part of it. They can begin to glory in observing their religion according to the rules and so pride themselves on their conservatism that they excuse an unclean heart.

How is it that preachers wind up adulterers? How is it that elders and deacons can quit the faith? How is it possible that Christians of long standing can slip back into the beggarly elements of the world? It happens when religion is rendered a shell.

It happens when men go through the motions of weekly worship, of getting up sermons, of preparing lessons, of shaking hands and occupying pews, of citing book, chapter and verse. What somehow, sometime stops is the introspection and reflection on where they stand. What ceases is secret prayer and private study and personal meditation and time alone with God.

It’s your heart God is after, not just your sacrifices, not just your ritual. Your stand for truth is no good if the truth doesn’t stand in your heart. Cleanse the inside of the cup and God will be pleased.

Jason Moore

The Transfiguration

Scripture: Luke 9:28-36

Song: Wonderful Jesus

The transformation of Jesus on the mountain was a sight to behold. Here was the Son of God, the veil of flesh removed and His glory manifest to the eyes of His closest disciples. The lawgiver, Moses, and the kingdom prophet, Elijah, were both present to bask in His glory. They represented not only the authority of the Law and Prophets which Jesus came to fulfill but the host of O.T. saints who rejoiced to see His day. The cloud passed, and with it Moses and Elijah. Only Jesus remained. “Hear ye Him!” was the Father’s message to the disciples, both then and now.

Moses, who had not crossed the Jordan, now stood in Canaan. It was not the promised land he saw, but the Promised One, the Messiah. Elijah, like Jesus’ cousin John, preached the return of the people to Jehovah as King, when they forsook Him for the false “lord,” Baal. Now he stood along with Moses conversing with the “I Am” concerning His exodus in Jerusalem and enthronement in glory.

“It’s good for us to be here,” cried Peter. “Let’s stay here rather than go up to Jerusalem,” was the gist of his exclamation. He liked the vision of Jesus in glory but not the path of suffering. Luke tells us, “He didn’t realize what he was saying.” The only way to glory, not for Jesus, but for man, was for Jesus to leave the mountain and march to Calvary. Had he remained heaven would be unpeopled. So Jesus left glory again to return only after our exodus from sin was accomplished.

Jason Moore

Sunday Morning Starters

Find a new person to encourage.

Find a new passage to appreciate.

Find a new plan for an old problem.

Find a new petition for a needy person.

There’s no excuse for not growing.

Jason Moore

Why Not Be Defrauded?

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:1-11

Song: “How Sweet, How Heavenly”

We are enamored with rights in our day. It’s not as if that’s a new problem. Men had the same love of self in Paul’s day. Listen to what he says about it.

Don’t fault the saints before the world. It is a shame, a terrible shame, that brethren who have trouble with brethren should announce their gripes to the world. How many people have been soured about the Lord’s church because they’ve heard brethren speak so bitterly about their own brethren?

Seek godly counsel for family troubles. “A fool does not delight in understanding” (Pr. 18:2), for that reason he lets the world’s wise men be his counselor—his lawyer, his coworkers, his neighbor. How could it be that the people of God educated by the word of God could be so incompetent as to not have “one wise man who will be able to decide between his brethren?” We should have enough confidence in the word of God and the family of God to keep family trouble within the family.

Be willing to be defrauded. The principle needs hearing in our day. Why not appear the loser for the sake of peace? Isn’t the Lord’s cause greater than your cause? Isn’t the reputation of the Lord’s church more crucial than your personal pride?

Much trouble in Israel could be avoided by heeding these principles, especially the last one. Be willing to be defrauded and you’ll not only be like Jesus but you’ll honor Him by doing so.

Jason Moore

The Necessity of Discipline

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Song: “There’s A Great Day Coming”

Discipline is a necessary part of growth. A child without parental discipline not only hurts others, he hurts himself. Corrective discipline when administered by the people of God is for the good of the church and for the good of the one corrected. It’s necessary to the continued growth of each.

Discipline is administered with a view toward saving the soul of the erring. The hope is that by condemning the actions of the erring brother, delivering him to Satan, “his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.”

Discipline, when done properly, is an act of love and humility. The Corinthians’ failure to discipline was an act of arrogance (v. 2). They were either too selfish to get involved, too fearful to run the risk, or too open-minded to “judge” the offending brother. In either case, they were too proud to help a brother whose soul was in jeopardy. Love gets involved, runs the risk, and judges when necessary for the good of its object.

Discipline is done to prevent the spread of immorality. “A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.” If the people of God tolerate the presence of ungodliness, soon the whole group is infected. Consent to wickedness is only a step away from participation in it. A small step.

Discipline is unpleasant, but necessary. And its wisdom is seen when it results in restored souls.

Jason Moore

All Things Belong to God

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:10-23

Song: “To The Work”

When men aren’t mindful of spiritual things, they quickly forget in their daily affairs that they’re dealing with God’s things and not their own. Paul reminds us of that in this text.

God’s workers are God’s workers. The workers in this context are the apostles. And if men were mistaken in picking favorites among the apostles how much more do they err when they pick favorites among lesser servants. “Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.” Let God be glorified if we’re to glory in His servants.

God’s temple is God’s temple. Oh, that men would understand this before they do harm to the church. To despise the church of God, to threaten its peace and unity is to do more than to despise its people. It is to despise the Lord who purchased it with the blood of His only Son. “If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him.”

God’s field is God’s field. When you go to work today, you’re not working for your boss. When you go to school, you’re not working for you’re teacher. In whatever arena you find yourself today, you work for the Lord. “You are God’s field, God’s building.” What will you build Him today?

Remember as you manage your relationship with God’s workers, God’s people, and God’s time that you’re a steward of the precious things of God.

Jason Moore

The Symptoms of Division

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Song: “Blest Be The Tie”

Paul enumerates in irrefutable terms the spiritual condition that prompts divisions.

Immaturity. Divisions are an indication of spiritual dwarfism. “I could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but… as to babes… .” It leads to spiritual malnutrition: “I gave you milk… not solid food.”

Carnality. “Are you not walking like mere men?” Divisions are political, vestiges of the old man of sin, not the new man in Christ.

Disloyalty. Factions indicate that allegiances with men are held dearer than allegiances toward God. “What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants… .” Servants are exalted to undue rank and the Master is disgraced when men are divisive.

Ingratitude. When men strive and jockey for position, God is robbed of the glory due Him alone. “Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes growth.”

Irreverence. “God’s fellow workers” are discouraged. “God’s field” is rendered unfruitful. “God’s building” is laid waste. Men embroiled in division are not so thoughtful of the harm they do to the Lord’s work, of how they cheapen His cause.

There is no good thing that comes from strife and divisions. They are bad to begin with and degenerate into worse ungodliness. Watch out for pride and the attitudes that lead to such conduct.

Jason Moore

The Foolishness of Preaching

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:21-31

“How Firm A Foundation”

God might have spoken to man in many different ways. But He “was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.” Why a preached message? Why bottle His treasure in earthen vessels to be delivered by fallible creatures. It’s impossible to fathom God’s wisdom, but man’s foolishness can perceive some sense in God’s choice.

A preached message finds humble hearers. It’s hard for a man to take his medicine from another fallible man. It’s hard not to ask, “Why should I listen to you?” But it takes humility to look past the messenger and to examine the message to see if it contains any truth relevant to yourself. A preached message will only be heeded by humble ears. In just such a way God sifts the hearts of men.

A preached message is a persuasive one. Though messengers are fallible, audiences understand that fallible men don’t ordinarily run the risk of being despised when nothing is to be gained. The only profit in preaching, at least honest preaching, is if the message of the cross is true, and if the price at stake is the souls of men. God knew that such foolishness convicts honest listeners.

What do you think? Why else did God choose for His message to be preached? Isn’t it true that “the foolishness of God is wiser than men?”

Jason Moore

Sunday Morning Starters

Practical Pointers From Proverbs:

“1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. 2 The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all. 3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished” (Proverbs 22:1-3).

Three points to determine your bearings today.

1. “A good name is better than riches.” So what if the world doesn’t know you. The Lord does.

2. “The rich and poor meet together.” The only thing of real value that any man possesses is his soul. Your soul is the only thing in this life you have to lose, and the only thing you can be assured of keeping.

3. “A prudent man forseeth the evil.” Wisdom is the ability to see the end of a thing from the beginning. The fool can’t see that trouble is around the corner. He never considers the consequences before he acts.

Get Wisdom. She’ll keep you on track.

Jason Moore

When Jesus Was Ready

Scripture: John 11:1-46

Song: In His Time

When Jesus learned of Lazarus’ illness, He might have hurried to Bethany. The sisters, Martha and Mary, sent to Jesus, but Jesus waited. Lazarus was undoubtedly uncomfortable as most sick folks are, but Jesus waited. He had His own purposes in mind. Had Jesus hastened to Lazarus’ side, He would surely have saved him from death, the sisters from anguish, the family from the expense of the burial and the wake. Jesus waited… two days longer He waited and Lazarus died.

Jesus’ plan to go to Bethany shocked the disciples. The Jews were looking to stone Jesus and Lazarus was now dead. What would the trip accomplish? Both Martha and Mary questioned His delay in coming. Nobody seemed pleased with His timing—either His delay or His arrival.

The order to roll back the stone from Lazarus’ tomb, shocked observers even more. If Jesus had only come earlier! But now the corpse will have begun to decay having been in the tomb four days. “Remove the stone,” said Jesus.

We don’t understand Jesus’ timing always. We don’t comprehend His delay while we or others suffer. But we don’t have to understand because He knows His reasons. “Lazarus, come forth,” Jesus said. And Lazarus did… when Jesus was ready. Remember His timing is a lot better than ours.

Jason Moore

The New Birth

Scripture: John 3:1-15

Song: I Will Sing The Wondrous Story

Wouldn’t it be great if you could undo your past? Not the good, but the bad. Wouldn’t it be grand if you could remove your mistakes from your record? The truth is that you can. That’s what the new birth is all about.

Unbelievable, isn’t it? Incomprehensible! How can a man start again when he is old? The secret is not to live life over. That would just mean making the same or similar mistakes all over again. The point of the new birth is to make the man over again—not the outside of the man but the inside.

“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” The changes indicative of the new birth pertain to a man’s spirit rather than his body so that this birth is not perceived in the same way as the birth of a child. We don’t see the wind. We see the evidences of its movements in the stirring of the leaves or the waving of a flag.

The spiritual newborn does not necessarily experience any changes in his physical constitution to indicate that the birth has occurred. But there are signs in the conduct and direction of the spiritual newborn that betray the change that has taken place within. There are new habits, a new diet, a new vocabulary, a new outlook—all products of the new birth. Folks say to him, “You’ve really changed!” Have they seen the change in you?

Jason Moore

The Great Commission

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Song: Far And Near

God’s plan for saving the lost world is a simple one. In the great commission it is simply stated by God Himself in the person of His own Son.

“All authority has been given to Me.” Both the disciple and prospective disciple must recognize Jesus’ right to command. When His rule in religion is not acknowledged men fashion idols and idle religion. Disciples who don’t submit to His lordship don’t go. And prospects who don’t see His authority don’t follow.

“Go.” Recognizing Jesus’ authority gives reason to go. He has authority in heaven and on earth, over the natural and the supernatural, over life and even over death. That should fuel our efforts because the one who said, “Go,” is able to equip us for success.

“Make disciples.” Being an effective disciple maker does not actually require good leadership qualities. Instead it requires good following skills. Good disciples make good disciples because they show others how to follow the Leader.

“Baptizing them.” Jesus has all authority. He alone has the right to declare the terms of man’s pardon. He has been pleased to do so.

“Teaching them.” Being an effective teacher of disciples does not require great communicative genius, but just the patience and humility to show other disciples how to observe all that the Teacher has already communicated.

Jason Moore

A Wise Man's Portfolio

Scripture: Proverbs 11:29-31

Song: What Shall It Profit?

You can try to say something well, or conjure a precept to live by, and always find it said better in the Proverbs. It is a shame that this reservoir of wisdom is drawn from so infrequently and that men stop only for a sip but not to drink deeply for strength to continue on their journey. Slake your thirst on the words of the wise man today.

Make an investment in home improvement. Some houses collapse from neglect. Some are left in shambles by abusive tenants. But the occupants of both houses inherit the same fate. The wise man said, “He who troubles his own house will inherit wind.” They’re both rendered homeless. Make an investment today, not in your house, but in your household, in your home and family. It will pay off.

Invest in a lost soul today. Time spent in teaching the gospel is the sole investment in this life where a man suffers no loss of capital. Even if the gospel is rejected you win because you’ve reminded a man of his accountability to God. That glorifies God. “He who is wise wins souls.”

Remember that every man receives a return for his investment in this life. Men don’t stop to consider that the nature of God demands His response to sin. God could not be good and do nothing about sin. The righteous will be rewarded. It is a certainty. And if their fate is certain then “how much more the wicked and the sinner!”

Jason Moore

The Thud Factor

Scripture: Daniel 4:28-37

Song: Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee

There was this thing my Dad did with his middle finger where he’d pull it back and lock it between his index finger and the base of his thumb. This provided optimum flicking power and was an alternative disciplinary tool—in fact his weapon… I mean tool… of choice—when the belt was not practical. You can flick back-seat occupants from the front-seat while driving. You can flick at the table. You can even flick in services or in crowds with little disruption to the people around you. Dad was a good flicker. The resulting thud usually evoked instant submission and often tears.

The Lord has His way of thumping His children. Just when man thinks that he’ll make a name for himself and build a tower to heaven—Thud. The Lord brings him back down to earth. Just when a king, a world emperor, begins to credit himself with all his accomplishments—Thud. He learns that “the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whomever He wishes.” Just when the Devil begins to congratulate himself on the execution of the appointed Deliverer of mankind—Thud. The stone is rolled away from the door of the tomb and the Savior arises.

Thuds keep you humble. I’m grateful for those I’ve received. Better though to learn from the mistakes of others and to check your own pride. Some Thuds are not disciplinary. Some are final.

Jason Moore

Sunday Morning Starters

Four Things That Are Certain:

1. Be sure your sins will find you out. God doesn’t sleep and His memory is long. Why test Him?

2. Be certain that the Lord is not slack concerning His promised return. His delay is only proof of His patience. He doesn’t wish for any to perish—including you—but for all to come to repentance.

3. Know for certain that Jesus cares. He hurts when you hurt. He rejoices when you’re strong. He mourns when you fall; He extends His mercy when you return. How can we be certain He cares? He gave Himself when none of us cared.

4. Be assured that God… Is… On… His… Throne. He never left it. Need anything else be said?

Jason Moore

Clash of Cultures

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1

I Walk With The King

The questions that Paul posed to the Corinthians concerning their response to their culture still need answering in our time. In view of the promised alliance with the just God—“I will dwell in them”—what partnership do we want with lawlessness? In consideration of the promise of divine company—“I will walk among them”—who would dim the brightness of His light by fellowship with darkness?

In the face of a God who came to adopt us as children—“I will be their God”—who would prefer the Belials and false gods who make promises which they cannot keep?

In view of divine election—“they will be My people”—who would elect to be in the company of unbelievers who question and even mock God’s initiatives in redeeming man?

The questions are easily posed and easily answered. In spite of their ease, they are seldom considered and often ignored. Ask them today. Answer them in the choices you make as you interact with our culture. Remember who you are. “Having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

Jason Moore

Inauguration of a Prophet

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:7-14

Song: He Is In Our Midst

The days of Elijah and Elisha were different from our own. Many events of this time are a puzzle to me but there are still principles to be observed.

The Lord raises up men to serve his cause in every generation. Ahab was a wicked king married to Jezebel, a wicked queen. They ruled a wicked people. Yet God sent them prophets. Two of the best to call them back to righteousness.

The line between this world and the next is thinly drawn. We see how easily it is crossed in death. If we only saw how easily it is crossed in life. When Elisha saw the chariot and horses of fire come to collect Elijah, he exclaimed, “The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” The strength of Israel was not its armies. It was the angelic hosts led by the arm of the Lord that fortified Israel. Oh that we trusted in God’s power to deliver. These peaks behind the curtain are intended for our learning.

The Lord equips His servants. The request of Elisha was not an arrogant one. He was not asking to be twice as powerful as Elijah. A measure of Elijah’s spirit would presumably be less than that which Elijah himself possessed. Elisha requested a double measure in view of the work to be done. His parting of the waters, the telltale sign of a prophet after the order of Moses and Elijah, was proof that God had equipped him to fulfill his chores. We serve the same God. He will equip us also.

Jason Moore

Practical Pointers From Proverbs

“18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall… . 22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. 23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. 24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:18, 22-24; NASB).

Four principles to help prepare your heart for living this week:

1. “Pride goeth before destruction.” Don’t say, “It can’t happen to me.” Remember the folly of David, a man after God’s own heart.

2. “Understanding is a wellspring of life.” It’s refreshing to learn or revisit some truth. Have you experienced that joy lately?

3. “The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth.” Think before you speak.

4. “Pleasant words are as honeycomb.” Encourage before you criticize. Get Wisdom. She’s the key to a healthy heart.

Jason Moore

A Wee Little Man

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Song: Seek Ye First

The meeting of Zaccheus and Jesus is one of my favorite in all the Bible. The lessons abound.

Jesus sees the little people. Zaccheus was a wee little man. He was small in the eyes of the multitude who saw his occupation and knew of his wealth and so despised him. But he was not too small for Jesus to see and for Jesus to visit.

Jesus knows our names. Zaccheus knew who Jesus was. Everybody did. How surprised he must have been to have Jesus address him! How surprised we might be to know how often we’re on God’s mind. In fact we’ve been on His mind since before time began.

Jesus watches for those who are looking for Him. The multitudes came to see Jesus, but Zaccheus went farther. Perhaps we should take warning when we’re only willing to go as far as the majority to see Jesus. Zaccheus went farther and Jesus found him.

Jesus walks with those who suffer for Him. The crowd spoke disparagingly of Zaccheus, but also of Jesus. “He’s gonna eat with a sinner,” they said. Their criticism became Zaccheus’ cue to unashamedly confess his resolve to fit himself for the Master’s company. Deserved or not he took the rap and suffered loss for the sake of Jesus’ reputation. Jesus is not ashamed to call such sinners His own.

Jason Moore

Have You Ever?

Scripture: Matthew 27:15-26

Song: I Stand Amazed

At different times we all stand in the shoes of those who observed the spectacle of Jesus’ death.

Have you ever like Pilate’s wife been kept awake at night by thoughts you suffered concerning Jesus? Have you ever tried, as she suggested, to have nothing to do with this righteous man? It can’t be done. Everyone has something to do with Him. In fact, everyone has everything to do with Him. The answer to troubled thoughts and sleepless nights is to have more to do with Him. Have you ever lobbied for the wicked to the peril of the righteous? Have you ever made your selections based on popularity, prejudice, and which way the crowd was moving? Remember that “as you did to the least of these my brethren so you did unto Me,” Jesus said.

Have you ever like Pilate justified your own cowardice? Rather than oppose wrong and defend right, have you ever stood aside intending not to get involved? Men are moral creatures. It is impossible for you not to be involved in moral matters. The will and intellect permit it. Conscience demands it. To stand by is to cast your vote with the opposition.

Most assuredly you’ve stood in the place of guilty Barabbas in whose place Jesus suffered. Have you ever wondered how he felt when he emerged from the prison a free man and learned that the innocent died in his stead? Have you ever wondered what he did next? What will you do?

Jason Moore