Moore to Ponder

The Nature of True Confession

May 26, 2012 at 4:34 pm (Uncategorized)

“If I’m pretty sure that I’m going to commit the same sin again, how can I repent and turn the other way? Does confession at some point become a lie?”

What a great question! It came to me from the comments of a fellow blogger, who then asked me for my opinion on it. It’s a great question because it is so honest, because it reveals the depth of our sinfulness, and because it reveals the nature of genuine faith in Christ.

A New Blog

March 22, 2012 at 3:24 am (Uncategorized)

I started a new blog. I am not getting rid of this blog , “Moore to Ponder”. The posts here are more in depth. My new blog is for very brief devotions when a quiet break from the busy day is needed. Here is the link: http://serenadedinseconds.wordpress.com/

I hope you enjoy it! :)

Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord? Please click here: http://pronetoponder.wordpress.com/category/about-salvation-very-important-words/ and make sure.

Do you have a Bible? If you don’t have one, you need not worry. Just click here: www.biblegateway.com They have many versions and translations of the Bible that you can read. Some of the best things in life are free!

4 Comments

Purpose of Moore to Ponder

March 21, 2012 at 1:45 am (About Moore to Ponder: Main Purpose, Devotional Thoughts., Discernment, Guidance, w Category Name, Wisdom)

Originally posted on February 14, 2010 at 5:33 am

Scripture References;

⁴For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4 KJV

⁴ For whatever was written before was written for our instruction, so that through our endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we may have hope. Romans 15:4 HCSB

It is my hope that all who read the entries of this blog will either discover or be reminded that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that they need to know Him personally as their Savior, Lord, and Guide, and that He delights in making Himself known to all who seek to know Him.

It is also my hope to encourage people who might be a little afraid to seek the Lord, because they possibly have been given descriptions of both Jesus and Christians that are not accurate. The Bible teaches that Jesus is more patient, kind, forgiving, dependable, and loving than words can even express. It is my hope that they will come to really appreciate that truth, and that they will also come to more fully understand that Christians are people of faith, but their faith is in Jesus, and not in themselves; that they are not perfect and still sin, but they are enabled to love much because they are loved much. This blog is for many different types of readers (I have described some different types of readers below.), and most of the entries can be read in five minutes or less.

First there is the reader who has never received the Lord as their personal Savior. Not only can they learn about Him, they can also learn how simple it truly is to receive Him and His precious gift of eternal life. If they click on About Salvation/Very Important Words out in the left margin or on the link provided at the very bottom of every post they will find the plan of salvation explained in the simplest terms. Then they might begin to read some of the entries and find some information that might be of benefit to them.

Next there is the reader who might have received the Lord as their personal Savior, but hasn’t studied very much, and is not as close in their relationship with the Lord as they would like to be. Each of these entries addresses one or more topics and lists a few Bible verses or passages that speak about them. The reader might “ponder” them for a short devotion, or go further and search the Bible themselves to see what else the Bible might have to say. They might even be inspired to seek the Lord more often in prayer and move into a closer relationship with the Lord.

Then there is the reader who already has a fairly close relationship with the Lord and a considerable amount of Bible knowledge. Perhaps this person is used to really extensive Bible studies, but is just needing to be refreshed by some of the simple but sweet truths that caused them to Love Jesus in the first place. We sometimes in our zeal to learn, and to serve forget how to rest. Resting is important. They might look at these entries as “mini retreats”.

I want to encourage the readers to share what is on their hearts. Their comments and/or questions will most likely lead to wonderful discoveries for themselves, others, and for me. They may click on the phrase Leave a Comment at the bottom of each entry to do so. I will try to respond to all of the comments the readers make, even if it is just to say “I don’t know.”.

Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord? Please click here: http://pronetoponder.wordpress.com/category/about-salvation-very-important-words/ and make sure.

3 Comments

The Treasury

March 1, 2012 at 6:14 am (Devotional Thoughts., Faith, Grace, Judging, Life, Lighter Burdens., Our Unchanging God, Peace, Sharing, strengthening, When You Feel Like Crying., Wisdom)

Scripture references;

¹And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.

²And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.

³And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:

⁴For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had. Luke 21:1-4 KJV

⁹And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

¹⁰As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:9-10 KJV

⁵²Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. Matthew 13:52 KJV

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I had forgotten all about the account of the widow. Then it came to me a little while ago. Things add up quite differently in the Lord’s treasury. Sometimes we have so little to offer to Him and to each other. The Lord sees the heart, and never despises what we have to share. We can’t see the hearts of others…it is not our job to “try the reins”, but if we ask the Lord for help, we can find it in our hearts to be gracious.

Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord? Please clickhere:http://pronetoponder.wordpress.com/category/about-salvation-very-important-words/ and make sure.

Do you have a Bible? If you don’t have one, you need not worry. Just click here:www.biblegateway.com They have many versions and translations of the Bible that you can read. Some of the best things in life are free!

12 Comments

Transitions: (Part 15…Commune With Your Own Heart)

February 20, 2012 at 12:56 pm (Assurance, Devotional Thoughts., Faith, Grace, Lighter Burdens., Love, Mercy, Our Unchanging God, Prayer, Resting, Sovereignty of God, strengthening, Thanksgiving, Transformation., Transitions ( Where I am, where I have been...the happenings of my life), Trusting, When you are afraid, When You Feel Like Crying., Wisdom)

Scripture reference;

Psalm 4

¹Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

²O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.

³But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.

⁴Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

⁵Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.

⁶There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

⁷Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.

⁸I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

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⁶For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

⁷And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

⁸For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

⁹And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

¹⁰Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 12:6-10KJV

¹⁸For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

¹⁹For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

²⁰For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

²¹Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

²²For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

²³And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

²⁴For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

²⁵But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

²⁶Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

²⁷And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

²⁸And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:18-28 KJV

“Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.” Psalm 4:4

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The past months I have had many challenges. Some that I can talk about and some that must remain “unspoken”. In some ways I have not been as faithful as I should have been…I have been spread so thin. Communing with my own heart and the Lord, especially in the night watches while I lie in bed…that is something that I have done in abundance. The Lord understands. He pulls us in at those times and comforts us. His grace is sufficient.

Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord? Please clickhere:http://pronetoponder.wordpress.com/category/about-salvation-very-important-words/ and make sure.

16 Comments

The Armor of God…Part 2: Who Are The Brethren?

January 17, 2012 at 12:05 am (Armor, Assurance, Devotional Thoughts., Faith, Grace, Guidance, Lighter Burdens., Mercy, Obedience, Our Unchanging God, Peace, Righteousness, Sovereignty of God, strengthening, Transformation., Trusting, Truth, When you are afraid, When You Feel Like Crying., Wisdom)

Scripture Reference;

¹⁰Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

¹¹Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

¹²For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

¹³Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

¹⁴Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

¹⁵And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

¹⁶Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

¹⁷And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

¹⁸Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:10-18 KJV

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“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Ephesians 6:10 KJV

Oh boy, where on earth do I begin? I guess I will pose a few questions. Who is the author of these words? The Apostle Paul. To whom is he writing? His brethren. Which brethren? All of his brethren, which include all who are faithful in Christ in his age, our age and in ages to come:

¹Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: ²Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:1-2.

But there is a phrase that makes me a little nervous and at times can undermine my confidence. Here it is:

“the faithful”

I think I will take a break for a minute and pray…

…Okay, I’m back. Whenever I see the the word “faithful” words like “loyal”, “devoted”, and “obedient” come to my mind, and those words tend to make me uneasy, because even after I received Jesus as my personal Savior and Lord many many years ago I could never claim those titles as my own. There have been times when I walked more loyally, devotedly, and obediently than at other times…but have I ever made it through a day where I was 100% loyal, devoted, and obedient? No, I haven’t.

How about Paul? What did he have to say about himself both before and after he became a Christian? I am not remembering everything Paul ever said, but a few things do come to my mind. If anything comes to your mind (anything Paul ever said that you remember) that would have bearing… please feel free to share your thoughts. Here are some things that come to my mind:

^“1Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.

²Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.

³For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

⁴Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:

⁵Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

⁶Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

⁷But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

⁸Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

⁹And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

¹⁰That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

¹¹If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

¹²Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

¹³Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

¹⁴I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:1-14KJV

Here is the same passage in another version:

“¹FOR THE rest, my brethren, delight yourselves in the Lord and continue to rejoice that you are in Him. To keep writing to you [over and over] of the same things is not irksome to me, and it is [a precaution] for your safety.

²Look out for those dogs [Judaizers, legalists], look out for those mischief-makers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.

³For we [Christians] are the true circumcision, who worship God in spirit and by the Spirit of God and exult and glory and pride ourselves in Jesus Christ, and put no confidence or dependence [on what we are] in the flesh and on outward privileges and physical advantages and external appearances–

⁴Though for myself I have [at least grounds] to rely on the flesh. If any other man considers that he has or seems to have reason to rely on the flesh and his physical and outward advantages, I have still more!

⁵Circumcised when I was eight days old, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew [and the son] of Hebrews; as to the observance of the Law I was of [the party of] the Pharisees,

⁶As to my zeal, I was a persecutor of the church, and by the Law’s standard of righteousness (supposed justice, uprightness, and right standing with God) I was proven to be blameless and no fault was found with me.

⁷But whatever former things I had that might have been gains to me, I have come to consider as [^[a]one combined] loss for Christ’s sake.

⁸Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One),

⁹And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law’s demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith.

¹⁰[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [^[b]which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]

¹¹That if possible I may attain to the [^[c]spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].

¹²Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own.

¹³I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

¹⁴I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.” Philippians 3:1-14 Amplified Bible

Now let’s look at this passage:

¹⁸For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

¹⁹For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

²⁰Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

²¹I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

²²For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

²³But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

²⁴O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

²⁵I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:18-25 KJV

…and here it is again in another version of the Bible:

¹⁵For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled, bewildered]. I do not practice or accomplish what I wish, but I do the very thing that I loathe [^[b]which my moral instinct condemns].

¹⁶Now if I do [habitually] what is contrary to my desire, [that means that] I acknowledge and agree that the Law is good (morally excellent) and that I take sides with it.

¹⁷However, it is no longer I who do the deed, but the sin [principle] which is at home in me and has possession of me.

¹⁸For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot perform it. [I have the intention and urge to do what is right, but no power to carry it out.]

¹⁹For I fail to practice the good deeds I desire to do, but the evil deeds that I do not desire to do are what I am [ever] doing.

²⁰Now if I do what I do not desire to do, it is no longer I doing it [it is not myself that acts], but the sin [principle] which dwells within me [^[c]fixed and operating in my soul].

²¹So I find it to be a law (rule of action of my being) that when I want to do what is right and good, evil is ever present with me and I am subject to its insistent demands.

²²For I endorse and delight in the Law of God in my inmost self [with my new nature].

²³But I discern in my bodily members [^[d]in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh] a different law (rule of action) at war against the law of my mind (my reason) and making me a prisoner to the law of sin that dwells in my bodily organs [^[e]in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh].

²⁴O unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am! Who will release and deliver me from [the shackles of] this body of death?

²⁵O thank God! [He will!] through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) our Lord! So then indeed I, of myself with the mind and heart, serve the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:15-25 Amplified Bible

So was the Apostle Paul 100% loyal, devoted, and obedient? Based on the above passages of scripture, my answer must be “No”.

Now that I have established “to whom” Paul was writing…is writing, I would like to look at Ephesians 6:10 again, and think about “Being strong in the Lord”. I have run out of time today, but I think it will be a nice starting place for my next post.

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Yikes! In Part One of this series I made a statement. Here it is:

” I will not be attempting to “teach” anyone how to interpret or apply the passage. As usual, I will be just sharing “glimpses”…Lord willing.”

Well, the whole tone of this entire post…Part 2 is…opinionated…preachy/teachy…I’m sorry. I guess I just am what I am….sigh.

Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord? Please clickhere:http://pronetoponder.wordpress.com/category/about-salvation-very-important-words/ and make sure.

12 Comments

The Armor of God…Part 1: An Overview

January 13, 2012 at 4:01 am (Armor, Battling, Bible study, Devotional Thoughts., Faith, Holy Spirit, Peace, Prayer, Righteousness, Salvation, Truth, Vigilance)

Scripture Reference;

¹⁰Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.