Apotheosis (1 Timothy 4:12)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “apotheosis.”  Growing up as the oldest of two children made me feel a little bit of pressure. I was felt like everybody was looking at me to be the best at everything that I did. Looking back on it now, I guess I really put the pressure on myself. Nevertheless, the pressure was there, and was real for me. It wasn’t until I started hanging out at church early during my high school years that I realize that I could turn this pressure into a positive. My youth pastor helped me to understand what it meant to be a leader in a different way, for God. When I finally embraced it, I encountered a new set of problems. When I accepted Christ as my personal Lord and Savior in the middle of those high school years, I was then charged with the spiritual mission, to lead for God. However, being young often frustrated me because I wanted to do my best, and this new spiritual journey was hard. I needed constant reminders.

“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

~1 Tim 4:12

My question is: what kind of influence you have on others? Just like the way that I struggled as a young Christian, not knowing how to exert my influence, you might be in a similar position. Wherever you are in your relationship with God, whether you are a super–Christian, or just beginning the journey, you have influence over others. The decision to be made is whether or not you will continue to grow from that point. I really enjoy what Paul says right here to young Timothy, knowing that he has a great burden on his shoulders, though he knows that Timothy can rise to the occasion. Will you rise to the occasion? My prayer is that you take an intentional look at what it means to be the apotheosis, or example, to those around you.

Praying for you,

MO

Catchpenny (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “catchpenny.”  What is your most prized possession? Each of us has stuff in our lives that we hold dear. I remember when I was a young boy, I was all about my G.I. Joe collection.  I carried those figures everywhere. I was ready at any moment to save the world with the heroes in my pocket!  Well the Bible talks about what we should prioritize in our lives.  We can see that in today's passage there is a need for each person to have the proper foundation is here she is ever going to be worthwhile and sharing the gospel.

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” ~1 Tim 6:17-19

My question is: what are the blessings that God is giving you in abundance?  We can sometimes forget, when times are good, all of the things that God does for us, treating them like worthless catchpennies.  It's when we are in need that it seems we give a majority of our prayers to him.  My prayer is that you take hold of the future today, by choosing to follow God and make a difference for him.  Make a covenant with God this year to do good works, and be ready to see a generously with others.

Praying for you,

MO

Whippersnapper (1 Timothy 4:11-13)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “whippersnapper.”  One of the things that I really like about the book of 1 Timothy is the encouragement that Paul gives in.  We know that Timothy is a young man because of the stuff that Paul says to him.  In fact in today’s passage, we can kind of tell that Timothy might’ve been feeling discouraged, maybe that others did not take him seriously because of his youthfulness.  But, could you imagine having Paul as a teacher?  I think the people that were ridiculing Timothy had no idea how uninformed they were.

“Prescribe and teach these things. Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching…” ~1 Timothy 4:11-13

My question is: what are the inadequacies that you feel in your life?  Is there anything that holds you back from getting out there and achieving the goals that God would have in front of you?  I remember at the beginning of my professional ministry, I was very young.  My mentor pointed to this book in the Bible, and specifically this passage, on more than one occasion.  He told me to rise above the ridicule and that even though a lot of people might think that I was an unqualified whippersnapper, I was really a child of God who was called to spread the word.  You have been called to do the same!  Go out and make a difference today.

Praying for you

MO

Verbigeration (1 Timothy 1:1-7)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “verbigeration.”  During my initial years of the Christian life I was often drawn to this book in the Bible.  The reason is that my mentor, and the man who had eventually led me into a relationship with Jesus, told me that my life needed to be similar to the young man to whom Paul is talking.

“But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. For some men and women, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.” ~1 Timothy 1:5-7

My question is: what are the things in life that you give most of your time?  The Apostle Paul understood the importance of keeping one's heart pure, and new that the words that came along with this task were pertinent.  As Christians, we do not have the luxury of engaging in verbigeration, but instead our words need to have complete and full meaning.  In your quest to become a better person, my prayer is that you choose your words carefully, and help others to feel encouraged.  One of the most significant ways Christians can keep themselves separate from the ways of this world is to speak truth, and love.

Praying for you,

MO

Horripilation (1 Timothy 4:10-13)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “horripilation.”  The Apostle Paul (then Saul) had a pretty crazy experience with Jesus that changed his life from persecuting Christians, to being one of the most influential people in biblical history.  He knew God’s message was so important that Paul would risk his life day in and day out to help others understand why they needed to be a part of what God was doing. Especially when he was away from his people, Paul made sure to send words of encouragement to his fellow leaders to always persevere…

“Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.” ~1 Tim 4:13

My question is: What are the things in your life that most excite you? God wants us to live in excellence and to know that we are doing all we can to be productive and devoted, both to one another and to experiencing an excellent life.  My prayer is that when you think about the possibilities God has set before you that you get goosebumps, or more formally and scientifically known as horripilation.  The Lord has a ton of good stuff in store for you. Just keep you eyes fixed on him and allow his works to move you to a state of awe.

Praying for you,

MO

Ugsome (1 Timothy 1:15-16)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “ugsome.”  Reading the apostle Paul as he gives instruction to young Timothy is always inspiring to me.  You can hear through the words written on this page that Paul really cared about the young man as he would one day be like Paul, a prisoner for Christ.  Paul knew that he had nothing to show for it in his own life except for the love that Christ bestowed upon him.  And that's why each of us can relate to these words.

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.”

~1 Tim 1:15-16

My question is: what are a couple of ways that Jesus is showed his patients in your life?  This could be something in your specific walk with him, or maybe something that you were able to witness as a fellow Christian to another person.  My prayer is that each of you receives the mercy that God gives to us as sinners.  Remember to always love others above yourself and accept them, as Christ accepts them.  Although our sin is ugsome, the Savior looks beyond that and makes this part of his family.

Praying for you,

Mo