Walking With God Today

Scripture: Psalm 15

Song: We Shall See The King Some Day

Dwelling with God in eternity begins by walking with God today. Here’s how:

“Walk uprightly” – Don’t slouch today. Don’t even lean. Stand tall. The man who does right has no reason to be ashamed.

“Speak the truth in your heart” – Speak the truth in your home, on your job, on the playground, at the school. Don’t lie today. Be honest.

“Don’t backbite” – Build somebody or somebodies up today. Don’t put anyone down. Encourage. Don’t discourage. Don’t gossip. Don’t listen to gossip. Choose your words carefully.

“Despise vileness” – Don’t give consent to evil today. Don’t be silent when you need to speak. Don’t stay when you need to leave. Don’t laugh when you need to censure. Stand up for what’s right and who’s right.

“Swear…and do not change” – Do what you say you’ll do today. Don’t make commitments that you can’t or won’t keep. Be a man of your word.

“Don’t put out your money” – Spend wisely. Use your time, your talents, your money as if you were borrowing them. They are, after all, on loan to you from God. Make Him a profit today.

“He who does these things shall never be moved” – That’s a promise. And God keeps His promises.

Jason Moore

A Mind To Work

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-6

Song: Work For The Night Is Coming

When you have a mind to work, you make enemies. Productive workers by their diligence call attention to the idleness of others. In the kingdom, that translates into the wicked hurling sticks and stones at workers who are doing the building of God. Work anyway. The insults of the Sanballats of our day are just as harmless as they were in Nehemiah’s time.

When you have a mind to work, you invite criticism. There’s always somebody who could have done it better, faster, or cheaper. Mind your work. There are plenty of critics in our day who say concerning marriages, families, and children, “It won’t last. You can’t do it.” Just mind your work.

When you have a mind to work, you need to mind your prayers. Prayer will keep you focused. Prayer will check your motives. Prayer will bring you new opportunities. If you have something to say about your enemies and about your critics, say it to God in prayer. It’s hard to gossip when you tell Him.

When you have a mind to work, you fuel the enthusiasm of fellow workers. When you mind your work, others get to work. That’s how all work, even the Lord’s work, gets done. The builders of Jerusalem’s wall completed the task because the people had a mind to work. But the work started with Nehemiah. Start a work today and watch it grow.

Jason Moore

The Nobleman's Quest

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Song: Teach Me Thy Way

A good question is the beginning place for all learning. Learning after all is a quest for knowledge, a search for the answers to your questions. Four pivotal questions are found in the story before us.

“Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip is trying the door. A question is the perfect way to launch a quest for a Bible study. His simple query found the door ajar. The eunuch himself was on a quest and eager to learn as Philip soon found.

“How can I, unless someone guides me?” Here is the quest for help. It takes a humble man to make this request, to admit he doesn’t know. The man who approaches the word of God assuming that he already has all the answers won’t learn. He can’t learn. He’s not on a quest. He’s on a mission.

“Of whom does the prophet say this?” This is the quest for context. It is an indication that the Bible is an ordinary book to be understood by ordinary means. The key to reading the Bible effectively is to ask questions of it all the while. Questions like Who? What? Where? When? Why?

“What hinders me from being baptized?” Here is the application question. Every disciple should ask – and answer – this question. The eunuch is really asking, “So what?” He wants to know how this information about Jesus applies to him.

Try one or more of these questions out today. They’re sure to help you on your quest to serve God.

Jason Moore

Healing of the Nobleman's Son

Scripture: John 4:46-54

Song: Love Divine

The power of Jesus was not bound by time and space. As the crow flies, Capernaum was 17 miles from Cana. Yet the nobleman’s servants confirmed that at the same hour Jesus said, “Your son lives,” the fever left the deathly ill boy. It’s a marvel to contemplate that there was such power in Jesus’ word. Without seeing the boy, without inquiring for his address or the nature of his ailment, Jesus spoke and that one boy out of all the world’s boys received the blessing of His power.

Trust Jesus’ power. Is Jesus less capable or less willing to answer our pleas now that He is in heaven? If He was not bound by time and space while dwelling below, He surely is not bound while reigning above. Trust Him. Ask Him. Wait on Him.

Trust Jesus’ word. The same tongue which said, “Your son lives,” also said, “Seek first the kingdom...and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). We may not see the provisions Jesus has made when we are called upon to act on our faith. But when we, like the nobleman, are walking by faith, news may come sooner than we expected that God has done what He promised.

Grow your faith. Jesus responded to the cry of a man with imperfect faith. That gives me courage. But that’s no excuse to stay where I am. “Go your way,” He said. “Go” we must if we’re to grow.

Jason Moore

The Chastening of the Lord

Scripture: Proverbs 3:11-12

Song: O Thou Fount Of Every Blessing

The chastening of the Lord comes in a variety of forms as the Scriptures themselves illustrate.

Punishment. The child conceived by David’s adultery died as punishment for David’s crime. The penalty invoked shows the distinction between the guilt and the consequences of sin. God forgave but still ordained that David suffer consequences for his sin because he had “given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme” (2 Samuel 12:14). "Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).

Preventative. Were we privy to the counsel of God we might find that some of life’s difficulties were intended for our own safety. Paul was privileged to learn that the reason for his “thorn in the flesh” was to prevent him from being “exalted above measure” (2 Corinthians 12:7). The Lord at times may build fences to keep us within safe bounds.

Pruning. “Every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:2). Sometimes our good deeds, kind words, and godly conduct will be rewarded with evil. Take courage. Such is evidence of your fruitfulness. The Lord may be trimming some of the dead wood so that your harvest will be sweeter and more abundant still.

Don’t despise the chastening of the Lord in whatever form it comes. In fact, pray that it comes for it’s a sign of the Father’s love for His children.

Jason Moore

Sunday Morning Starters

It’s not just another day. It’s the Lord’s Day.

It’s not just another week. It’s a new week.

It’s not just another Sunday. It’s the first day.

It’s not just another morning. It’s the resurrection morning.

It’s not just a matter of perspective. It’s a matter of attitude.

Jason Moore

Proper Concern For Influence

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Song: Ye Are The Light Of The World

The public acknowledgment of sin I’ve heard more than any other is, “I’ve been a bad example.” I would not discourage the penitent man seeking forgiveness, but I have at times been concerned for some who’ve made such a confession. I fear that some concern themselves with influence only after they’ve been caught. It may be that they’ve been “a bad example” for a long time, but only lately were seen by someone who cared about their conduct. If your light is only turned on when somebody who stands for righteousness is watching, God receives no glory in that.

The “bad example” confession may also be used to avoid the shame of admitting your real sin. We don’t need a public confessional nor to make the preacher an intermediary for the penitent saint. But if you’ve been drinking with the boys and it’s known abroad at work or school, the church ought to know to what extent you’ve hurt their influence. More than anything else, I fear that we’re not shining our light. I fear that Christians influenced by worldly peers partake of worldly pleasures. They repent for having partaken and join their associates once again, resolving within themselves to avoid their past mistakes, but never openly, unashamedly shining their light before their friends. Their light is hidden, as Jesus pointed out, under the bushel.

Shine your light. I mean really shine it. You can see the difference can’t you?

Jason Moore