Reflections from Titus

By Todd Moore

And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. -Titus 3:14 (ESV)

A theme that flows throughout the book of Titus (& the whole New Testament!) is the call for followers of Jesus Christ to do good works.  The basis for these good works is God’s goodness towards each of us.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people… - Titus 2:11 (ESV)

God’s grace has appeared in Christ for all people!  What Christ did in suffering God’s wrath for our sin is the ultimate good work, & we are called to share His selfless love with others.

Jesus gave many practical examples.  He fed, clothed, & helped people who were unable to meet their needs on their own.  He also set the example of restoring physical health & freeing people from spiritual & emotional bondage.  He comforted those who mourned, & called sinners out of their darkness into His marvelous light.  He stood against those who dealt out spiritual injustice by means of manipulation, power-seeking, & selfish gain in the name “of God”.  He protected & freed the vulnerable.

Jesus is still doing this work, & He wants us to join Him!  It’s all about loving others with the love of God, treating them with the full dignity of being creations of God who reflect His glory, & doing the greatest work possible of leading them to freedom in Christ!

When we do the good works of God to others with the love of God, we reflect the goodness & grace of God that has been poured out for us, as well.  So let us “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (Titus 2:10) by being His vessel of grace & goodness to all of mankind beginning with those in our own home.  It seems a small thanks in the light of 

Reflections from Psalm 27

By Todd Moore

When hardships come, where do we find strong confidence?  “The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)

Regardless of where the trouble comes from, it is our human nature to do everything we can to preserve ourselves & our loved ones.  In fear, we scramble to escape or decimate our perceived enemies.  Standing confidently in the LORD does not come naturally for us.  It is something that is enabled & strengthened over time as we choose to trust the LORD & find Him faithful time & time again.

King David experienced many threats & hardships to his family, his throne, his life, & his nation.  Some of them were caused by his own family members.  After years of resisting fear & trusting the LORD, David concluded that he had NOTHING to fear.  In fact, he confidently proclaimed that he would see the goodness of God when he came through it all!

Like David, we face real struggles & heartaches, but God is bigger than the sum of them.  He will see us through them, & even more than that, we will “look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!”

So whatever threat or hardship you are experiencing, “Wait for the LORD; be strong, & let your heart take courage!”  He is Faithful & Greater than your current enemy, & you WILL see the LORD's goodness revealed if you patiently persevere with faith in Him!

Reflections from Revelation 22

by Todd Moore

All things begin & end somewhere, but whom does it begin with, & with whom does it end?  “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”, says Jesus in Revelation 22:13.

The answer to the question is that all things begin & end with Jesus Christ.  “Alpha” & “Omega” are the first & last letters in the Greek alphabet.  Jesus is saying that He has the first & final say.  He is the first & final Authority.  Not even death could keep Him in a grave!  He determines the times & seasons of all things.  Even evil will find it’s end when Jesus says it’s done.

Colossians 1:16-17

For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him.  And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

He is The Beginning & End.  Everything is for His glory, & all things hold together because He holds it together…including our lives.

As we consider our daily trials, toils, & struggles against evil, let us remember in whom our life & all other things rest.  The more we grasp the magnitude of Christ’s Authority, Power, & Faithfulness, the more we will find rest, peace, joy, & strength for each day, & He will hold us together.

He is The Beginning & The End.  Amen.

Reflections from Galatians 2

by Todd Moore

Jesus gave His life to give us life.  But before we can take hold of His gift of life, we must die to our belief that our good efforts or religion can make us worthy of heaven.  This death is our path to life & freedom!

The Apostle Paul was Jewish to his core.  Born a “Jew of Jews” he says.  Educated in & committed to Jewish religious practice.  Yet he acknowledged that “a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ…”(Galatians 2:16).

While our efforts may show our faith, they do not make us worthy of heaven.  That comes by our faith in Christ who was crucified in our place.  Jesus Christ has made us worthy of heaven by His sacrifice & righteousness.

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us…”(Galatians 3:13)

The curse of the law was that it could not make a person righteous, but, rather, pointed out all of one’s unrighteousness; the very thing that keeps us from heaven.  So Christ, who was truly righteous, paid our debt of sin with His blood so that we could be worthy of heaven by His righteousness.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin & death.  For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do.”(Romans 8:1-3)

Christ has freed us from the pointless task of attempting to earn our way to God.  Believe in Christ & do good out of your gratitude, faith, & love for God; no longer from your fear that you may not be good enough!  Jesus Christ has made you more than good enough!  Live with joy & freedom!

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”(John 8:36).

Reflections from Matthew 4

by Todd Moore

When God brings you to a place of solitude or isolation, prepare to be purified, strengthened, & equipped for what He's about to do through you!

Before Jesus began healing with a word, feeding multitudes with a sack lunch, & teaching people about the kingdom of God, the Holy Spirit led Him into forty days of solitude with no food & lots of temptation (Matthew 4).

There were many other godly people from scripture that were also led into periods & types of solitude or isolation before greater trials or assignments.  Consider:  Adam in the garden (Genesis 2); Joseph’s unjust imprisonment (Genesis 39-41); Moses on Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19); Elijah during a severe drought (I Kings 17); David in the wilderness shepherding sheep (I Samuel 17); & Jonah in the belly of the giant fish (Jonah 1), just to name a few.  The LORD led them into periods of isolation to reveal His power & nearness, purify their faith in Him, & equip them for the tasks ahead.

Isolation can be a tool of the enemy to weaken & disarm believers in Christ, but God often uses times of solitude to deepen our walk with Him, tune our hearts to Him, & strengthen us in ways that are needed for the coming days.

In our solitude, whether voluntary or involuntary, let us be courageous to deal with our past, be faithful stewards with the present, & prepare for what the LORD has next!  For as Christ was not alone in the wilderness, neither are we!

...and behold, angels came and were ministering to Him.

(Matthew 4:11)

And behold, I [Jesus] am with you always, to the end of the age.

(Matthew 28:20)

Reflections on Psalm 106

by Todd Moore

As we are confronted with an invisible enemy who moves like a tidal wave (named Corona Virus) we are reminded that the things of earth will fail us when it counts, but the LORD will not.

Our wealth? In a matter of days, our vibrant economy was turned on its head.

Our medical system? The news is daily about how it may quickly become overwhelmed & undersized.

Our innovation & ability to organize? In a flash we found ourselves ill-prepared & isolated from one another.

Our military? Powerless to protect against this enemy.

So are we hopeless in this "crisis"? Absolutely NOT!

Like God's people of old, nations blessed by God have too often forgotten Him & even despised His blessings.

Here in America, we have learned to trust in our own wealth instead of our Jehovah Jireh (The Lord our Provider). We trust in our superior medical system instead of our Jehovah Rapha (The Lord who Heals). We trust in innovation & our ability to organize instead of our Jehovah Rohi (The Lord My Shepherd). We trust in our powerful military capabilities instead of our Jehovah Tsaba (The Lord Our Warrior).

Let us learn from Psalm 106. This is exactly the time to:

1. Recount the LORD's faithfulness (v.1-2)
2. Repent of our misplaced trust in earthly possessions, systems, & people (v.6-43)
3. Call upon the LORD in faith (v.44-47).

Let all the people say, "Amen!" Praise the LORD! (v.48)