Tyro (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “tyro.” This is the time of year when we are able to reflect upon both things of the past and the future. Paul knew something about teaching people about the old and the new. Paul wanted to understand that when the accepted a life with Jesus in their life would change drastically. Becoming a Christ follower was a matter of the heart, and would be reflected by a change God's and their actions.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

~2 Cor 5:17

My question is: what in you life needs to become new?  Today marks the last day of a year and moves us into a new one.  When you receive Christ as Lord of your life you become a new creation. Because the old is supposed to be gone and the new here to stay, your life should and will be an indicator of such a change.  We are all a tyro, or beginner, at sometime in our lives. Use this New Year to remember back to that decision to follow Jesus and renew your commitment to him.  My prayer is that you take time today to reflect on this past year and resolve that you can always start new with God.

Praying for you,

mo

Antepenultimate (Luke 14:1-11)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “antepenultimate.” Jesus always seemed to find himself at important places with important people. What I love about these passages is that he has never really impressed with the people that seem to be those who are seen as important. He was only concerned about a couple of things. In fact, Jesus was setting the stage to talk about some important issues. The stuff that Jesus found to be important others often did not.

But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you.

~Lk 14:10

My question is: what are the things that you find to be important in your life? Sometimes we get wrapped up in the way that we are supposed to be and forget that Jesus only cares about the unseen. The Savior cares more about your soul than anything else. He wants you to live a life that is worthy of the kingdom of God. The cool part about that is we know we can never earn it. So instead of trying to be important like the people in this passage it would probably do is good to take the antepenultimate seat at the banquet table, or third from the end. Always be humble and remember that the Lord will put you exactly where you need to be.

Praying for you,

mo

Malleable (Isaiah 64:1-12)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “malleable.”  The prophet offers up a prayer to the Lord, in which there is a confession at the end. He gives the imagery of God being the potter and he the clay. Isaiah asks humbly that God treat his life as belonging to the Lord.

Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.

~Is 64:8

My question is: will you be shaped by God? If you are at all like me, this is much easier said than done. Although I trust in God with all my heart, sometimes I like to run so hard that I get ahead of myself. Notice that I understand and realize that I never get ahead of God, because God knows exactly where I need to be. My prayer is that you allow God to write the days of your life, and that you trust him wholeheartedly. As God's people we must be malleable, or capable of being adjusted, by The Potter. Allow God to make you better each day, not for your sake but for his.

Praying for you,

mo

Avidity (1 Corinthians 15:1-11)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “avidity.” Paul is reminding the church of the word he proclaimed to them sometime before. Holding fast to the message that the apostles brought was important for each man and woman who heard the gospel. Tons of stuff would potentially get in the way of helping others follow Christ. Paul did not want this to happen.

Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, 2 through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you—unless you have come to believe in vain.

~1 Cor 15:1-2

My question for you is: how do you hold firm to the message of Christ? Paul believed that once a person received the word of Christ they must continue to take specific action to keep that word hidden in their heart. My prayer is that you do whatever it takes so that you never lose your avidity, or dedication, to the decision you made to follow Christ.

Praying for you,

mo

Yuletide (Isaiah 9:1-7)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is "Yuletide." Back in the Old Testament, before the Messiah was around, there was a lot of speculation of who this person might be and how that Messiah would come to be with us. The prophet Isaiah tells us that the Messiah is to come as a child, and probably as one from the lineage of the covenant people.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

~Is 9:6

My question is: how do you celebrate the Yuletide, or Christmas time, with the ones you love? Sometimes we can get wrapped up in a lot of stuff that does not matter during the season. However, as recent similar family and the ones that we love, we can remember that the reason we are able to celebrate this is because that God sent Messiah. His only son was his gift to us during this special time of year. My prayer is that you spend a little bit more time with the ones that you love, and hug them a little bit tighter, knowing that our time on this earth is limited. We will one day be with our Messiah again. Until then, let us celebrate Christmas and remember the reason for our joy.

Praying for you,

mo