Baleful (Proverbs 13:10-20)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “baleful.”  Do you remember that one friend that you were not allowed to hang out with while growing up, especially if there was not any supervision from adults?  Well, if you don't remember then chances are… you are that friend that everybody's moms was talking about.  The fact is that there are people in each of our lives who have influence over us.  It is up to us to decide who will be those influences in our lives.

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” ~Pr. 13:20

My question is: who are the peeps that have the most influence in your life? I remember one of my mentors saying that we are only as good as the people that we chill with, and the books that we read.  My prayer this morning is that you take a sort of inventory of the peeps that have influence in your life. Who’s opinion matters? Who do you look towards for advice.  Always remember that God wants you to spend time with those who make a posite impact in your life.

Praying for you,

MO

Chthonian (2 Timothy 3:10-17)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “chthonian.”  I’ve studied Scripture for quite a few years.  I remember when I was brand-new in the faith.  Everything was so exciting.  I had questions about everything.  I remember talking to my mentor about every little detail in the Bible, and it was pretty awesome time.  Because I went to Christian school I was able to continue this fervor.  Then I went to seminary, also known as pastor school, which helped me to keep my interest in Scripture.  And, just when I thought I could not get more excited, I remember hearing the following verse at my pastoral ordination ceremony.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…” ~2 Tim 3:16

This was a pretty big deal for me to hear.  I realized that the word of God was more than just chthonian, or some kind of mythology… it was the real and inspired word of God.  I was given the task as a pastor to faithfully teach and administer the stuff that I had been learning for so many years.  My question is: what kind of authority have you given God’s word in your life?  My prayer is that you seek a life of righteousness, always doing more than is required to love others and be an active participant in God’s incredible plan for your life.

Praying for you,

MO

Chthonian (2 Timothy 3:10-17)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “chthonian.”  I’ve studied Scripture for quite a few years.  I remember when I was brand-new in the faith.  Everything was so exciting.  I had questions about everything.  I remember talking to my mentor about every little detail in the Bible, and it was pretty awesome time.  Because I went to Christian school I was able to continue this fervor.  Then I went to seminary, also known as pastor school, which helped me to keep my interest in Scripture.  And, just when I thought I could not get more excited, I remember hearing the following verse at my pastoral ordination ceremony.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…” ~2 Tim 3:16

This was a pretty big deal for me to hear.  I realized that the word of God was more than just chthonian, or some kind of mythology… it was the real and inspired word of God.  I was given the task as a pastor to faithfully teach and administer the stuff that I had been learning for so many years.  My question is: what kind of authority have you given God’s word in your life?  My prayer is that you seek a life of righteousness, always doing more than is required to love others and be an active participant in God’s incredible plan for your life.

Praying for you,

MO

Pugnacious (Galatians 4:4-5)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “pugnacious.”  Have you ever gotten in a fight in your life?  I know that I have quarreled over some pretty dumb things before.  Stuff that I thought was pretty important at the time, but then realized how ridiculous I was acting.  Well, Jesus had to put up with this kind of stuff all the time.  During his short time of ministry, there were always people trying to mess them up and get in his way.  However, he refused to back down and let others dictate what he came to do.

“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” ~Gal. 4:4-5

My question is: what does godly redemption mean in your life?  Sometimes we can focus on stuff that really doesn't matter.  But, if we will choose to work with Jesus instead of fighting M then he will be able to fulfill his mission in our lives.  God is going to fulfill his promises, we just made to be ready for him to act in our lives.  When we stop our pugnacious and indignant nature, the Lord will work within us and around us to bring glory to himself.

Praying for you,

MO

Volte-face (Acts 9:1-19)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “volte-face.”  I think one of the most intriguing stories in the Bible is that of the conversion of Saul.  If there was any guy who was completely against Christianity and what it stood for, it was this guy.  He was raised to be a very smart dude, and had everything going for him in his life.  In fact, at one point, where we meet him, he is continuing his persecution of those who believed in Christ Jesus crucified and resurrected.  However, he experiences an abrupt change at a moment that he least expects it.

Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” ~Acts 9:3-6

My question is: was there ever a time in your life where you thought you had something right, only to find out that you are totally off base?  That's a pretty humbling experience.  In fact, as I grow older I realize that there is less and less that I actually know, and more that I need to learn.  What Saul learned here on the road to Damascus was that his entire life's achievements and endeavors were completely in the wrong.  He experienced in one moment that he needed to make a complete 180° turn, or volte-face.  My prayer is that you evaluate your priorities and see if living with and for Christ Jesus crucified could be something that would add value both to your life and those around you.

Praying for you,

MO

Cloister (James 1:12-18)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “cloister.”  I really like the stuff in the Bible that talks about wisdom.  The book of James gets overlooked sometimes, but there is a ton of awesome stuff in this small book.  The wisdom theme is seen throughout this book, and James is explicit and making sure that people understand that whatever they do, it should be wrapped around love.  In fact, he talks about what it means to an door through tough times.

“Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” ~Jm. 1:12

My question is: what are some of the tests in your life that you believe are pretty tough?  Remember that God is always given his promise and the crown of life weights for each of us in heaven.  My prayer is that each of you revisits the promise that God made to you, and that as he walks with you and your times of need, that he continually stands you up to the tests you face.

Praying for you,

MO

Exiguous (Mark 12:38-41)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “exiguous.”  I really enjoy this passage because it is at the end of a chapter filled with stories of JC and all of the big dawgs of the day.  Right now, we are in the middle of election season, and I continue to see and hear politicians give their opponents beat-downs; it seems that the better a candidate can slander his or her opposition, the more they feel it will help their own campaign.  Well, the Pharisees figured that if they could slander JC enough, or give him enough hard situations, that he would eventually slip up.  The verses here are following Jesus having to deal with the Pharisees.

As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.” ~Mk 12:38-40

My question is: what are the things that you give to God in your life?  Does he get the best, or what is left over, or even nothing at all?  Although this woman in the above passage gave out of her exiguous status, what she gave was much more than all of those rich guys put together.  While the Pharisees and other teachers of law were busy in their own self-righteousness and trying to catch Jesus in some kind of lie, this woman humbly brought everything she had and gave it to God.  My prayer is that you take the lead from this woman, and think of one place in your life where you could maybe give God just a bit more.

Praying for you,

mo