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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