Jackanapes (Ecclesiates 11:1-10)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “jackanapes.”  I think one of my favrit books in the Bible is Ecclesiates.  King Solomon was the wisest man ever to have lived, and he put together some stuff that peeps in that time as well as now, and forever, could use.  He was big on living life to the fullest, but he also reminded his readers that they would not live forever and that the afterlife would be a lot longer than their time on earth.

You who are young, make the most of your youth. Relish your youthful vigor. Follow the impulses of your heart. If something looks good to you, pursue it. But know also that not just anything goes; You have to answer to God for every last bit of it.

~Ecc 11:9

I accepted Christ in the middle of my teenage years. I remember feeling invincible and that life would go on forever. I must admit that I have always been a sort of jackanapes, or mischievous child. Even now that I am well on my way to middle age I still kind of feel the same way. But, reading this passage makes me realize that Solomon is pretty wise in his understanding of God's law. My question is: how do you spend your days? Because our time on earth is only for a short period, we must take every opportunity to live for God. My prayer is that you make the wisest decisions now, and manage those decisions for the rest of your life. God has great things in store for each of you. Spend time with those who affirm your abilities and encourage you in walking with the Lord.

Praying for you,

mo

Wellaway (Isaiah 5:9-30)

Good morning ladies,

The word of today is "wellaway.” Isaiah was one of the Major Prophets who had a very unfriendly job. He was to help God communicate to his people that some stuff needed to change. Although it was not always pleasant, he had a way with words. This section in the Bible talks about the different woes that people had to look out for, if they wanted to stay on the right path with God.

Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes

and clever in their own sight.

~Is 5:21

My question is: what are some of the things in your life that need to change? You can be sure that you are in good company with God's word. There are a lot of people in the Bible that had to make changes. Sometimes we don't make change because we think that it will take too much time and effort, and sometimes you wonder if it is worth it to even try. My prayer this morning is that you understand that God is on your side and wants to make changes in your life. When you are in distress you can be sure that when you cry out to God, "Wellaway!” that he will lift you up. The more you communicate with God the healthier you will be. Let God transform your spirit's well-being.

Praying for you,

mo

Plotz (Matthew 9:35-38)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “plotz.” In today’s scripture, at this particular point in Jesus ministry he had been traveling all around Israel, teaching and preaching about God's kingdom. The whole purpose for this tour was to authenticate what the Scriptures said he was. Because of all this stuff that Jesus was doing, he often attracted large crowds. Jesus had compassion on people and had sympathy for them. This is also shown a ton in the book of Luke, and also by the apostle Paul.

And when He saw the crowds He was touched with pity for them, because they were distressed and were fainting on the ground like sheep which have no shepherd.

~Matt 9:36

My question is: have you ever felt harassed and helpless, that you had lost your way? We don't always understand the stuff that happens in our lives. Sometimes we have something to say about it, and other times we can only respond. The cool thing about all of this is that Jesus has compassion for us. It is when we don't understand our circumstances and have pretty much exhausted all options that Jesus can begin his work. So, the next time that you feel that you have done all that you could possibly do and you are to the point of plotzing, or fainting from exhaustion, let yourself go in the Savior will uphold you.

Praying for you,

mo

Intemerate (1 Timothy 1:1-7)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “intemerate.” In a time where so much was getting out of hand, Paul knew that his charge to young Timothy was very important. Paul was not always going to be there to guide the young man. He spoke often about what it would take for Timothy to be effective in his ministry. One of the most important pieces to this puzzle was that Timothy stay pure in heart. The evil one was always going to try and thwart any good deed that might add to the kingdom. Paul knew that the only way to win was to do so with love.

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

~1 Tim 1:5

My question is: do you approach each situation in your life with a pure heart? I guess what I'm really asking is whether or not your intentions are backed by love. It is easier to judge the situation in terms of right and wrong than it is to approach that same situation with the pure heart. We are called as Christians to love one another. Even further than that we are called to love the unlovable. My prayer is that you take Paul's charge seriously and enter each situation put in front of you with an intemerate, or pure, heart.

Praying for you,

mo

Brabble (2 Timothy 2:20-26)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “brabble.”  Paul was usually put in situations that required him to defend the Gospel.  This was of course his choice and so he knew what he was getting into.  I love how he approached people who did not believe that Jesus was Lord.  Moreover, I especially liked when he spoke to believers about what it takes to be one who follows Jesus.  Among those imperatives was a challenge to be cool with everyone, both Christian and non-Christian.  And what better way to express this than to tell peeps how to speak with one another…

Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.

~2 Tim 2:23

It is pretty much plain as day.  It is important for xtians to act civily with one another so as not to bring shame to the Gospel.  the word of God does fine on its own, it is when we screw it up that God has to work a little harder.  My question is: do you act in accordance with God’s commandments, giving people a reason to live the life of a Christ-follower?  My prayer is that each of you use your words to encourage others. Stay away from brabbling, or arguing about useless and meaningless stuff.  Our calling is much to important to go astray.

Praying for you,

mo