Central (Deuteronomy 15:7-11)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “central.” Moses had to lead God’s peeps through some pretty crazy times. There were tons of laws and policies and enough other rules to drive anyone batty! But with all this going on God really only needed the Israelites remember one thing and then most other stuff would come to work out. And that one thing was to keep the main thing the main thing. Obedience, justice and charity were absolutely central to God’s message and covenant with Israel…

“Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.”

~Deut. 15:10

My question is: can you make time on this last day of the year to sit down and ponder God’s covenant – both in the lives of the Israelites, and you personally today? I know that our Lord has a great agenda for you this next year. My prayer is that you put in your goals to give back to God more than you ever have before. Allow him to use you and all that you are to advance the kingdom. Hope you had a great year; this next one will be even better.

Praying for you,

mo

Precarious (Joshua 10:1-43)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “precarious.” Can you imagine being in Joshua’s position when God called him to lead the Israelites into the next chapter of history? The peeps just lost the only leader they had for the last 40 years; and Joshua was to follow that act! The Israelites still had not reached the Promised Land and in front of them was a huge river and bunch of cities with walls. Not a good situation. But Joshua stepped up and took on that crazy task…

“Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the LORD will do to all the enemies you are going to fight.”

~Josh. 10:25

Here’s my question: are you continually moving forward during both the good and bad times of your life? Sometimes we want to slow down because we get overwhelmed. All of us have been in a precarious situation or two, as Joshua faced. My prayer is that when you come across those situations you are reminded of the times God has pulled you through to victory. God will give you favor… hit this new year running hard and looking toward the Creator!

Praying for you,

mo

Belong (John 15:18–16:4)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “belong.” JC knew that his disciples were going through a ton of madness by choosing to follow him. Some of them had heavy hearts because of their decision to trust in JC; give the dudes a break – how do you think they looked to everyone else when they said they were following the Messiah??? Ummm, yeah. There were a bunch of evil forces surrounding all of this and JC wanted his disciples to stay strong and remain with him.

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”

~Jn. 15:18-19

Here’s my question: do you ever feel like you are going totally against everything else the world says is right? The world would like to tell us to focus on ourselves and that it is ok to be selfish and do your own thing. But JC wanted his peeps to know, as he wants us also to know, that this crazy spiritual warfare will continue, even until the day he comes back. My prayer is that you focus on the fact that you belong to JC, and because you do it is to your advantage… even though it does not always feel that way. Hang in there, God has cool stuff for you in store this upcoming year.

Praying for you,

mo

Specific (1 Samuel 15:1-26)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day “specific.” I would have to say that this could be one of the more important words in the OT. God knew what he wanted, and spoke through prophets to relay those messages. We would all for God to speak to us directly or through some means that is specific. The bummer part about when that happened was that God’s peeps did not do what they were commanded to do anyway! Whaaaat??? Pretty frustrating for the big guy upstairs, I am sure. Saul made some major mistakes in his run as king… this one was the icing on the cake though…

“Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel: ‘I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.’ Samuel was troubled, and he cried out to the LORD all that night.”

~1 Sam. 15:10-11

My question is: Have you committed to obey God’s commands, and live a life of specificity concerning your relationship with him? The way we understand these things that God wants from us is to ask others who are wiser, reading, and meditating on the word. My prayer is that you use these next couple of days to recap this year and see what can be done to be even more specific with the year upcoming. God has cool stuff in store for each of you, just wait… but wait with specificity and yearning.

Praying for you,

mo

Stewardship (Ezra 1:1-11)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “stewardship.” How ‘bout this one for a Xtian word if I have ever heard one. How true is it that we should be good stewards of the resources that God gives. Even the king understood that God’s peeps needed to go up to Judah and build the house of the Lord. Every person was expected to pitch in and serve according to his or her gifts.

“Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites—everyone whose heart God had moved—prepared to go up and build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem.”

~Ez. 1:5

My question is: are you using your gifts for God’s glory? There is a ton of stuff that needs to be done in this crazy world and each believer has been given a gift or multiple gifts that should be utilized. My prayer is that each of us digs down deep at the end of this year to evaluate how we use those gifts. If you do not know what you do well then ask someone who knows you pretty well. That person will give you insight into how you can best use your gifts for advancing God’s kingdom here on earth. I am excited to hear of how God has used you and will use you going into this next year.

Praying for you,

mo

Blessings (Genesis 9:1)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “blessings.” God has always been one to give his children all that they need. Back in the old days one of my most favorite blessings to read about is the one that God gave to Noah. God knew that he loved humankind and that fellowship with those he created was something that would bring joy. Remember that after the flood God was craving that love from his creation. For him to give Noah and his family the chance to create more fellowship was a testament to God’s love for humans…

“Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.”

~Gen. 9:1

My question is: do you understand the blessings that God has given you? I hope so. Sometimes we forget to see God for his greatness because either times are really good in our lives, or even really bad. My prayer is that God reminds you in this special season of his blessings for you and the peeps he has put in your life. Enjoy the fellowship that comes from the Lord and don’t take for granted the ones you love. God has given you a ton of blessings.

Praying for you,

mo

Bestow (Luke 1:26-38)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “bestow.” With only a couple of days left till our celebration of JC’s birth, I am excited to read this narrative. God had a pretty cool way of keeping promises, even when his peeps were not the most obedient. Imagine dealing with a people for hundreds of years that brought tons of craziness and headache. If you were the Creator you may have felt the same way. But here we see the manifestation of God’s love for his peeps… the reminder of a promise that would soon occur.

“The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”

~Luke 1:35

My question is: how are you allowing God to fulfill a mighty work in your life? Mary was hesitant, yet she trusted the Lord even when his thoughts may have seemed a little unbelievable. My prayer for you is that God would show his favor that is bestowed upon his peeps. This is one of the best times of year to tell everyone about why JC means so much to you.

Praying for you,

mo

Precede (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “precede.” One may think right off that Paul was being rude and condescending in this passage. However, he was not doing so at all. The situation was that the Apostle was speaking to new believers… this church was really young. He loved the peeps a ton and wanted to make sure they were getting the message correctly. The strength of the church as a whole and for the future depended on these saints learning properly the Word of God…

“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.”~1 Thes. 4:13

My question is: are you the kind of person that the new believer should look to for JC’s example? You have the responsibility to minister the word correctly – this is no joke. We have a limited time and just as Paul reminded these peeps, we need to get on the madness and bring JC’s love to the world. My prayer is that you rightly interpret God’s message in your life and give it to others as you serve them. You are an important part to God’s plan of salvation for others. Be encouraged!

Praying for you,

mo

Plight (Jeremiah 1:18-19)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “plight.” Jeremiah was called by God to do some crazy stuff. He had a message the was not easy to express, and the peeps did not really want to hear it. The peeps even beat him up because they did not like the message he brought. But, someone had to do it… and God chose him. All this paid off and Jeremiah, because he listened to the Creator, made life safe for everyone…

"Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.”~Jer. 1:18-19

My question is: are you doing what God wants you to? Simple question, I know. But when God calls you to do something it has implications to the greater good. We are called to sacrifice in our lives so that others may know the love of Christ. We should continually sacrifice for JC, testing our motives, and practicing what God would intend for our lives to have. My prayer is that you ponder what God wants for you concerning your life for this next year. As Jeremiah took on a tough road for the Father, so will each of us face similar stuff. Live in a way that brings glory to JC; give others a reason to want to follow.

Praying for you,

mo

Zeal (Romans 12:9-13)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “zeal.” Paul reminds his peeps in this passage about a couple of attributes that make a Xtian more attractive to others. One of these was the way that believers should approach life is with a positive attitude. This allows us to relate with others and share the Gospel to those who need it. We do not need to be fake, but live in the love that God has promised to us through the Son…

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

~Rom. 12:9

My question is: what do peeps see when they look at you? Others should know there is something different about you. My prayer is that you live the grace and love of JC and understand that you were called to live with a fervor for the Lord. Don’t give up and keep your attitude focused on the promise that God has given you. Take these couple weeks off and really spend some time with God and your family. What is it that he wants you to do to increase your zeal for the upcoming year? I am excited to see what God does through his peeps in 2012… Great meet this past weekend. You all did incredibly well. Have a great Xmas break.

Praying for you,

mo

Overcome (John 16:31-33)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “overcome.” JC was in a pretty intense place at this point in his ministry. Imagine knowing that all of your best friends were going to diss you in your darkest hour. Pretty crazy, I know. But through all this madness, realize what he says right here about the Father never leaving him…

“Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.”~Jn. 16:32

My question is: do you understand what it means for God to never leave you? The cool thing is that it’s much different for each of us. So, we are at the end of this meet and the end of the semester… you have overcome. Chalk this up to a victory in your life and get ready for another great year. But not before you take some time off and remember all that God has given you. We conquer because he is with us. My prayer for you is that God manifests himself to you a bunch while you are off for these next couple of weeks. You have overcome.

Praying for you,

mo

Express (Romans 8:26-27)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “express.” God’s people have always had a reason to express thanks for what He has done. The difficult part sometimes is finding how to actually do so in a way that seems worthy. Paul reminds the peeps here that it is not that the Lord helps us occasionally when we are feeling weak, whether it is physically, emotionally, or spiritually. What he is saying here is that as Xtians we are in a constant state of weakness, which allows the Spirit to intercede and do a mighty work…

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
~Rom. 8:26-27



My question is: do you live your life in this continual state of needing the Creator? God wants to be with you and help in all situations. However, when we are not focused on letting God work, it makes the situation a little more difficult. I am not saying this is easy. My prayer is that you take some time today, on the bus, in the pool, the hotel, or wherever, and express to God where you feel you are in relation to Him. Be honest… he’s cool with wherever you are – trust me, there have been times when I told God I did not know what the heck was happening and I was not happy. On the other hand, I have come to God in times of jubilation and gratitude. Where are you today?

Praying for you,

mo

First (Nehemiah 1:1-11)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “first.” Back in the day Israel took a shellacking and the city was all jacked up. God needed someone to rebuild the walls and so he employed one of his most faithful guys. Nehemiah had a huge task set before him and knew that taking it on was going to be like eating an elephant… and how do you do that? One bite at a time. The cool thing is that out of all the stuff that he could have done first, he chose prayer…

“And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven…”

~Neh. 1:4

My question is: when you have a task that is pretty big, what is it that you do first; where does prayer fit into that equation? For instance, this past couple of weeks has been pretty insane for most of you with finals and stuff. I would encourage you to evaluate your time spent with God in that time period and see how you can become more effective in spending time with Him. Life is straight up crazy sometimes and I forget to pray sometimes in the madness, thinking I need to move faster and with more force. My prayer is that you slow down a bit today, lay out your tasks and cares, and pray that God would give you direction. God will give you success as you look to him and persevere.

Praying for you,

mo

Prevail (Romans 3:3-4)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “prevail.” Paul was in the midst of some of the peeps not believing in the promises given by God. This alarmed some Christ followers because they thought this lack of faith could potentially nullify those promises. But the Apostle reassures them that nothing can stop God from pouring out his goodness. The Creator would remain forever unshaken…

“What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? 4 Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.”

~Rom. 3:3-4

My question is: what is it in your life that causes you to be shaken? I am not saying that any of us would ever give up our trust in God… but I know that each of us goes through struggles. As you near the end of the year with finals, the meet this weekend, and other stuff that weighs on the soul, where is your heart in terms of your relationship with God. My prayer is that the tough times bring you closer to him. Continue to work hard, be faithful, and you will prevail.

Praying for you,

mo

Unlikely (Judges 7:16-25)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is unlikely. Gideon was chosen by God because the man was an not necessarily the perfect leader. He would catch the attention of those around him by his actions in battle and bring glory and honor to his creator. He kept the message simple and relied on God, not wavering from his trust. This was not always easy, but he hung in there and made the history books.

“Watch me,” he told them. “Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do. When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, then from all around the camp blow yours and shout, ‘For the LORD and for Gideon.’ ”

~Judg. 7:16

My question is: do you trust God with the stuff that you pursue? You may not have to lead others into a life-or-death kind of situation, but you do face daily stuff that causes you to follow the Lord. My prayer is that you persevere through this week of finals and remember that God wants you to win. Don’t forget that even though you are busy and need to get stuff done you should slow down to remember God and his favor on your life. This week is crazy, I know… Do something unlikely for God; open yourself to be used for purpose.

Praying for you,

mo

Unswerving (Hebrews 10:23-25)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “unswerving.” You gotta love this one. Specifically in this passage, the author tells us that because of the direct access we have to God, we can be confident in our faith. The danger that is expressed here was one of actual harm. Can you imagine being a Xtian in a country or province where you were persecuted to the point of physical harm? Well, the old school followers had to deal with this continually.

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”

~Heb. 10:23

My question is: do you profess your love for the Savior in the stuff that you do and say? JC has provided the option for a life of obedience and faith. Just as the peeps in this passage were encouraged to rely on one another for support, so should we as Xtians do the same. My prayer is that you hold unswervingly to your faith, in whatever situation. God has given you the ability to reach out to Him through an unbreakable promise. Have a great day.

Praying for you,

mo

Gain (Philippians 1:21)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “gain.” Paul understood that his entire life was about glorifying JC. The Apostle was completely consumed with the understanding that everything in his live was about the Savior. While he was alive Paul did a ton to make sure others knew the love that came from God. And even if he died, which was always a possibility Paul could become martyred at any time, it would be for the benefit of the Gospel… so it was like a win-win.

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

~Phil. 1:21

My question is: what will it take for you to die to the stuff that you know is in the way of a complete relationship with the Maker? My prayer is that you examine your priorities and realize that for you to live is to advocate something much bigger than just you. God wants us to live continually, and within that we must learn to die to ourselves a little more each day in this process. Take a few moments today and thank God for the ability to change a little bit more for the good…

Praying for you,

mo

Tenacious (John 16:19-24)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “tenacious.” Most of us relate this word with a band, but God has a very different way of what it represents. At this point in JC’s journey he knows that his ministry on earth is a about to reach the end of a chapter. With this will bring the beginning of something new and fulfilling…

“In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”

~Jn. 16:24-25

You could imagine the mixed emotions that JC had at that moment of his ministry. My question is: are you holding on to your faith and a belief in JC that can bring about real change? Everything following this passage tells us that we need to grasp with everything we have at a relationship with the Son. My prayer is that as you face the craziness of college, especially now with finals and such, God reminds you of his power. Ask the Father for direction… you just may get it.

Praying for you,

mo

Significance (Ephesians, 2:8-10)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “significance.” Paul knew that his life rested in the grace and love of JC. He was reminded the peeps here that they were important to God. He has prepared a path of good works for believers which He will perform in and through them as they walk by faith…

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

~Eph. 2:10

Teams share credit for the good stuff that happens, as well as the failures. Our success depends on one another. My question is: where do you see your role in each team you play, whether it be this team, your family, friendships, or a job. My prayer is that God shows the reasons he has put you in each situation in life. You are significant to God, and you are significant to our team. We can do more when we work together – that’s the great thing about being in JC’s family.

Praying for you,

mo

Sharp (Hebrews 4:12)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “sharp.” I really love the way Paul talks about our relationship with JC and how we need to lift one another up. Imagine the church in the old days and how difficult it must have been to keep the faith. Christianity was pretty new and there were a bunch of peeps who did not like them. So Paul here tells the church that they need have each other’s backs, always allowing the Word of God to be the driving force in our lives…

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

~Heb. 4:12

My question is: are you letting God speak to you through his word continually? I know that a lot of times when I get busy I totally forget and then its like my time in the Word is the first thing to go. My prayer is that you are very deliberate in spending time in God’s word. Each time you study the Word, you sharpen that sword… God is preparing you for great things! You just need to let him pierce your soul…

Praying for you,

mo

Listen (1 Samuel 3:1-10)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “listen.” I love hearing the wind outside of my house when it pounds against the walls. It is so amazing and has so many implications of how God is great in our lives. When God called Samuel, the boy thought he was hearing voices, the wind, or this master with whom he lived. But all the while it was the Creator calling him…

The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”

Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

~1 Sam. 3:10

Here’s my question: could you imagine if God did that with you? I guess the truth is that God does do that with us; we just choose not to hear it, or sometimes do not know what to listen for. My prayer for you is that you listen to God’s call on your heart. Learn to see when it is God tugging at your soul to do something. When you answer God and follow his direction, you have a pretty good chance that you will be successful. Have a great week.

Praying for you,

mo

Rock (Matthew 7:24-27)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “rock.” Every time I hear this one I am proud to be a Christ-follower. It reminds me of the craziness that life brings and how I sometimes get weary in my faith. And that is why I love reading this passage, knowing that JC didn’t pull any punches when he was telling his peeps that they needed to get ready for whatever…

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

~Matt. 7:24

He pretty much just lays it out right here and lets those who are listening know that they need to listen to God’s word. My question is: what does it mean to you that you have a foundation is Christ? I mean, this is amazing in the sense that those who believe in God through the Son have a totally awesome deal. There are going to be times in your walk when the rain comes down and the elements test your faith. My prayer is that you weather the storm. It’s not always easy… but it is worth it. I can tell you that in all the stuff that I have gone through so far in my life, it’s much better to have a Savior on my side. So, when you feel like life is beating up on you, remember your foundation.

Praying for you,

mo

Sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:8-10)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “sufficient.” Paul struggled a ton with the understanding that ministry was a difficult calling, yet he never gave up. He knew that the grace that came from the Father through JC was exactly what he needed. This did not change the fact that he was continually frustrated with the stuff that hindered his ministry…

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

~2 Cor. 12:8-9

My question is: what in your life is frustrating to the point that it hinders the person you are? God’s power is best displayed against the backdrop of our human weakness. My prayer is that you look at the frustrating stuff in life and realize that the more helpless you feel, the more room God has to do a great work in your life. Give JC a chance today to show you grace through the tough situations and feelings that you hold.

Praying for you,

mo

Superfluous (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “superfluous.” This has got to be one of my favorite in the dictionary – ever since I heard Steve Martin use it in “Father of the Bride.” Paul recognized God for the cool stuff that only JC was able to accomplish. In this case, no one ever thought Jews and Gentiles could live together in common love and purpose, yet here they are. And so Paul is giving mad love to God, thanking him for this incredible act…

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”

~Eph. 3:20-21

My question is: are you letting God do some crazy works in your life that only he can make happen? Just when you think something is impossible, here comes the Creator to mess it all up and show you what he can do… IF we choose to let him. My prayer is that God takes what you think is impossible and turn it upside down – doing what you thought could never be. You ladies are incredible and God is moving in your lives… watch for the superfluous love and kindness of God affect your life today, through the Son.

Praying for you,

mo

Serry (Matthew 13:1-3)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “serry.” When JC used to roll around it was difficult for him to get some alone time. Why is this… because even if he snuck away by himself or with his disciples, peeps would inevitably begin to serry, or a come together in a great crowd. That was the life of our Savior. Could you imagine having to be on your A-game all the time… that was JC!

“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables…”

~Matt. 13:1-3

My question is: are you the kind of example daily for others who come into contact with you? In such a small world today with social media and mad technology… are you giving peeps a reason to love JC? My prayer is that you realize that as a Christian the microscope is always on you. There is always someone looking at you. We must always be ready for the serry.

Praying for you,

mo

Continue (Colossians 2:6-7)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “continue.” Paul was a huge advocate of peeps remembering to both take care of one another, and to press on in the faith. Around the church in Colasse were a ton of heretical teachings that tried to steal Christ followers. You could imagine Paul’s heart for the saints because he loved them so much.

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

~Col. 2:6-7

It’s time to get back to the grind – school, swim, work… stuff in general. My question is: how rooted are you in Christ? This world has a lot to offer. The problem is that most of it is not worth eternity. My prayer is that you take last week’s theme, as it is seen in this scripture, and continue to strengthen your faith. The more you invest into your relationship with JC, the more others will see thankfulness flow from your actions, words, and heart.

Praying for you,

mo

Recover (Hosea 6:1-3)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “recover.” I hope that each of your ate till your hearts’ content yesterday. I looove Turkey Day because it gives me and excuse to goes straight loco with some of the best food of the year. God’s peeps knew something about recovery. It always seemed they were doing something dumb that would cause God to bring correction.

“Come, let us return to the LORD…”

~Hos. 6:1

Then JC came along and saved God’s peeps… literally. This common theme in the Bible calls for a Savior to get us out of the messes we like to create. And, just like we can recover from our binge eating on Thanksgiving, so can we do the same in our relationship with God. My question is: do you believe that God can restore you? There is nothing the God cannot change in your life. He wants to intervene. My prayer is that you ask him to show his saving grace in his relationship with you. As you recover this weekend, remember God is always ready for us to change our hearts to him.

Praying for you,

mo

Thanksgiving (Psalm 100:1-5)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “thanksgiving.” Shocking, I know. The Bible is all about thanksgiving – just look at any of the epistles that Paul wrote. But even earlier than that in the OT God’s peeps knew what it meant to be thankful and praise him for the stuff that he did…

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

~Psalm 100:4-5

My question is: do you cherish your family and the other stuff that God has given you? Well, today is the perfect chance to be reminded that the Lord is good and is a forever kind of God. I pray that each of you slow down and praise God for his goodness. Each of you are special to the Lord and can rely on his faithfulness. May we continue to praise the Lord for many more generations. Have a great Turkey Day.

Praying for you,

mo

Travel (Acts 28:14-16)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “travel.” I do not know where this blog post will find you – some at APU, others already home, still some in midst of travel. Did you know that today is the busiest travel day of the year; I know, crazy! I am reminded of what some believe was Paul’s final journey on this day, the one that would see him find a destination that he knew was a long time coming.

"There we found some brothers who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. The brothers there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these men Paul thanked God and was encouraged. When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him."

~Acts 28:14-16

My question for you is: do you know your destination concerning God’s plans for you? I am not saying you need to know every move or that it is pertinent to understand the full plan. But I do think that when you align your mind and heart with God you will begin to have a more full picture of his plans for you. My prayer is that God shows you your mission, if not in life yet at least while living through the APU experience. Have fun this weekend. Rest in the knowledge that God has made you a traveler on this Christ journey.

Praying for you,

mo

Tough (Jeremiah 42:1 – 43:13)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “tough.” How would you like to have been one of God’s prophets in the OT whose main objective was to tell the Israelites that they were a bunch of bustas… yeah, not a fun job. Jeremiah was a real leader. He pretty much knew that he had to punk the Israelites for disobedience – but he faced the situation like a real leader should.

“Jeremiah the prophet said, "I hear your request. And I will pray to your God as you have asked. Whatever God says, I'll pass on to you. I'll tell you everything, holding nothing back."

~Jer. 42:4

Whoa! Now that is what I call a fearless leader. Jeremiah was willing to do a couple things. He would first pray to God on behalf of the peeps, and then he would pass on whatever message the Lord gave. Unfortunately it was going to be a message that the Israelite would not like to hear. My question is: are you ready for tough decisions… in family, relationships, school, your direction in life? My prayer is that you take Jeremiah’s path and learn how to tackle tough circumstances. That way, when God calls you to make those decisions… you will be ready.

Praying for you,

mo

Great (Mark 9:33-37)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “great.” JC stumbled upon a conversation of his disciples arguing about who was going to be the greatest. They got totally busted. They thought that the stuff they were saying was under the radar, but it backfired. This turned out to be a sweet teaching moment for the Savior…

“And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.”

~Mark 9:36-37

Now that is awesome. Notice how JC does not rebuke them for wanting to be the greatest… pretty interesting, I know. He wants the disciples to know that true greatness lay within servanthood. My question is: can you characterize yourself as a servant to others? God wants you to be a servant – it’s all over his teaching. My prayer is that each of you concerns yourself with matters of the heart. Always look to serve others and lift them toward the Savior. Going home this weekend, many of you will have the chance to serve others for Turkey Day. Get ready… pray that God will use you as a witness in action and speech.

Praying for you,

mo

Surrender (Jeremiah 10:23-25)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “surrender.” Jeremiah was a dude who knew a little about what it meant to live life for God. He was given a pretty tough task in delivering God’s message. Prophets were not always the most popular peeps on the block for the fact that they brought what needed to be heard – not always what others wanted to hear. Nevertheless, he was bold in this speech, knowing that God was with him. I love this verse here because after his address to Israel, Jeremiah prayed…

“I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.”

~Jer. 10:23

Jeremiah knew his life was not his own. My question is: How willing are you to allow God to direct your steps? Sometimes we want to do things our way. We get so focused on school, work, family, friends, and other madness that we forget that we are God’s creation. My prayer is that each of you surrenders your heart to the Lord. Let the Spirit renew you today as you remember God’s covenant, both with his peeps back then… and in your own life.

Praying for you,

mo

Spot (Acts 16:1-5)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “spot.” The Apostle Paul had a knack for spotting talent when he saw it. Even though Timothy was an unlikely candidate for taking on the role of Paul’s companion for ministry, the two ended up doing some awesome ministry together. Paul believed in the young guy and gave him a chance despite his background, which prolly was not impressive to a lot of peeps.

“Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.”

~Acts 16:3-4

My question is: when have you been that unlikely companion for God’s work? Many of us would not have seen ourselves as instrumental in the Lord’s plan… but we are. Each of us has been chosen to play a part in moving the kingdom forward. My prayer is that you are ready for God’s direction; he sees your potential. Spend time with the peeps that encourage you in the faith; look to spot the same in others. Strengthen God’s church daily, increasing in love for those who need to hear the Gospel. Have a great day.

Praying for you,

mo

Acquire (2 Corinthians 2:17)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “acquire.” Back in the day there were a ton of peeps that would try to make a buck off anything, including the word of God. This did not make Paul too happy. He knew that Xtians needed to be sincere in their motives for sharing the Gospel with others. Paul’s message was pure; and he expected the same from his fellow believers…

“For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.”

~2 Cor. 2:17

The purpose of God’s word is to help others prosper. If we use it to our advantage then we are missing the point. My question is: do others see you as someone who handles the word of God correctly? You would be surprised at what peeps expect from you concerning your knowledge of the Gospel. My prayer is that you are ready to share God’s goodness in all sincerity so that you might plant seeds in the hearts of those who need to acquire it. You are given power in the name of our Lord, JC… do what you can to prosper the Kingdom.

Praying for you,

mo.

Ordeal (1 Peter 4:12-13)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “ordeal.” Isn’t it crazy how God likes to test us? I mean, sometimes I am doing just fine in this Xtian life and the Lord comes along and has the nerve to stretch me beyond what I believe it possible ☺ Even back in the old days God wanted to keep his peeps ready for the stuff they would have to face because of their choice to be a Believer.

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

~1 Pet. 4:12-13

Here’s my question: are you surprised at the stuff that you have to deal with concerning your Xian life? Think about it… the Enemy would love for you to slip up and do stuff that makes both you and God look bad. I know that I mess up with this all the time. Whether I treat someone poorly, or if I just downright do something stupid. And of course I look back at it and think, “What the heck were you thinking???” So, don't give the bad guys a foothold! You are a creation of the Most High Creator... My prayer is that you rejoice in the fact that God in nowhere being done with you. Live today and let God reveal his glory through your relationship with him through JC.

Praying for you,

mo

Distance (Romans 8:35-39)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “distance.” I remember getting lost at Disneyland one time – and I started to panic! As I began to frantically call for my mom I realized that she never lost sight of me, and she was only a few paces away. Paul’s reminder of God’s love is pretty deep and that he has good things in store for us. Sometimes we feel like we are far from God, only to find that we are the ones who turned our eyes away.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Rom. 8:38-39

My question is: when have you moved away from God and realized he never left, and was right there waiting for you? I know that is something we don’t really like to think about a ton, but it is important. My prayer is that each of you looks toward God, especially when times get crazy and tough. School is going to weigh on you… relationships continue to test our patience… uncertainties will always be there. Always remember, you can never be too far from God; he will go the distance to be with you.

Praying for you,

mo

Storm (Mark 4:35-41)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “storm.” We are not certain it is going to rain today, but according to my android weather service it does not look good for us. I was thinking about the time that JC was rollin’ with the disciples through the Sea of Galilee. He was pretty tired after a long day of ministry and decided to get a little sleep. As you may remember, the events that happened next were a crazy test of faith. A storm came up, the disciples got scared and woke up JC… and of course, he calmed the storm.

"They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

~Mark 4:41

There are tons of teaching moments in this small passage. My question though is: do you really believe that JC will calm the storms in your life? Sometimes we say we trust, but then get all crazy and flustered, stressed, and sometimes we panic. My prayer is that you really take a long look at the way you view JC and his power in you life. He wants to intercede for us. He will calm the storms that come up. Even though we feel life is spinning out of control, the Savior has us in his arms. So, when you look up today and see those storm clouds… praise God for getting you through the storms – both physically and spiritually. Let’s have a great swim meet!!!

Praying for you,

mo.

Grounded (Hebrews 10:32)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “grounded.” There are many implications to this word and the ways in which it can be used. Interpreted in this passage Paul reminds the peeps of their foundation in Christ. They know what it meant to stand their ground for the sake of JC.

"Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering.”

~Heb. 10:32

My question today is: can you remember at time when you stood your ground for the sake of the faith… either personally or for a friend? We have been given a great responsibility with the Gospel. God has equipped each of you with the strength and tools to persevere. You only need the will now to do so. My prayer for you is that God plants his word in your heart so that you may persevere and stand your ground when it is time. This weekend we have the opportunity to be ambassadors for the Most High God. Let’s have some fun ☺

Praying for you,

mo

Mercy (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “mercy.” This is one of my favorite words in the Bible; and with so many passages covering it, I was thinking of which one to use. In this particular passage the Apostle Paul is reminding the peeps at the church of Corinth that they were going to experience some madness in life – you know, that it’s not always going to be sunshine and flowers.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”

~2 Cor. 1:3-4

Paul is telling this church to be aware of hardships that are happening… and to comfort those who are not in the best situation. The interesting part of this scripture is that we can assume that Paul has most likely gone through tougher times than any of these peeps would ever dream. Yet he does not say that. Instead he reminds them to help one another shift their attention for the temporary life to that of one eternal. My question is: who in your life can you remind of God’s eternal riches, in spite of their current situation. My prayer is that you bless someone today with the reminder of God’s mercy and love.

Praying for you,

mo

Appear (Titus 2:11-14)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “appear.” Each of us grows up and learns about the Gospel a little bit differently. However, the cool part about this is that when we focus on God we have the opportunity to experience his goodness as a collective body. Paul understood that when we accept God’s grace it is then possible for us to know how God wants us to live…

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.”

Titus 2:11

Because salvation has appeared to us we can live in accordance with God’s desires. My question is: what does God desire for your life? You live in community with others each day and God gives you the ability to follow him. My prayer for you is that you would live boldly through Christ Jesus and that you would be a witness to others who need to experience his goodness. Salvation will appear to others when we choose to join in God’s work to save the lost. Go in power today, knowing that God wants you to love others and show them salvation through JC.

Praying for you,

mo