Oneiric (Daniel 1.1-17)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “oneiric.”  One of my favorite places in the Bible is the book of Daniel.  It is amazing the favor that God had on him and the others.  I am amazed at the faith that Daniel and his buddies had when following God.  In the beginning of the story, we read an important piece that tells us how we must discern each situation and live with in the confines of what God knows will get us the results to which we look.  The youths we see in this story understand both worldly wisdom, and God’s real truth.

“As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.” ~Dan. 1:17

My question is: do you ask God for his blessing on your life, and with specificity?  I know that God wants to take care of his people and give them all that they need to succeed in life.  Not that life is going to be easy, but that you will have all that you need to be an active part of God’s family.  Daniel was quite oneiric, interpreting dreams and visions that would make an impact on those in this sphere of influence.  I do not expect to have this gift specifically, or anything from God… I am just happy to be a sinner saved by grace. However, I often ask for wisdom, as we are told to do in the book of James.  Just as God had his hand on Daniel, would you give God the opportunity to speak truth into your life.

Praying for you,

MO

Chronometer (Mark 4.35-41)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “chronometer.”  Today’s story is one of the first that I remember grasping pretty well.  I was a young Christian and learning about the stories and parables of Jesus.  When I came across this story I was pretty fascinated.  I actually thought to myself, could the story even be true?  As I continued on with my relationship with Jesus, I realized that there is pretty much nothing that he would not be able to handle.  In today’s story proves just that.

“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” ~Mark 4:39

My question is: where do you put your faith when you face difficult challenges and situations?  I’m the kind of person that likes to take things on myself and not ask for any assistance.  But, as we learned in today’s story, sometimes there is stuff that is out of your control.  At which point, all you can really do is look to Jesus.  Just like the people in the boat, who could not rely on the regular technology of the day – the chronometer – so must we put other things aside and realize that our true strength and answers come from Jesus.

Praying for you,

Mo

Thaumaturge (Matthew 17:1-20)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “thaumaturge.”  I remember growing up as a young Christian.  I had just decided to put my faith in Jesus, and I was in high school.  So, by definition I pretty much thought I knew everything in the world.  It wasn't until I started reading the stories in the Bible that I was both filled with inspiration, all, and a whole lot of questions about some of the stuff that did not seem to fit within my confines of reality.  Namely, the miracles that I read in the Bible, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament, were somewhat puzzling to me.  I mean, how could some of that stuff even happen.

He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” ~Matt 17:20

My question is: where is your belief concerning the things that Jesus can do in your life, today?  I know for me, it is taken an entire Christian lifetime, even to this point, to continually put my faith in Jesus. He is more than just a thaumaturge, or a miracle worker.  I want to be the kind of man that can put my faith completely in God, who saved me.  My prayer this morning is that you live out your faith, even if you feel it is small.  God does not judge us in comparison to others, but instead our ability and willingness to love him to our fullest potential.

Praying for you,

MO

Brobdingnagian (Matthew 17:1-20)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is " Brobdingnagian.”  Early on in my Christian journey I remember I was often intimidated by people who had a stronger faith than me.  This was pretty much everybody at that particular time in my life.  I wanted to be someone who made a difference for God.  I wanted to do something that would allow me to spend my time serving God, not only helpful for my personal journey, but also help others around me to share the blessings that God had given to me.

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." ~Matt 17:20

My question is: where is your faith today?  I realize now that I do not have to be a person of Brobdingnagian-like faith, but need only have the smallest amount so that God can do with you more than you would even expect.  Take some time to ask God not to make you a spiritual giant, but to give you enough faith to allow others to see him work miraculously in your life, making you an example to others.

Praying for you,

MO

Comminate (Psalm 146.5-9)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “comminate.”  Understanding God’s blessings can be pretty tricky sometimes.  If you’re like me, sometimes you feel like the world is against you and that they’re just is not enough time, resources, and help available to help you get through the stuff that you need to overcome.  I think that the people in the Old Testament felt kind of the same way at times.  That’s why I take a lot of comfort in reading the Psalms.

“Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.” ~Ps. 146:5-9

My question is: where do you put your hope and trust?  It’s easy to say that you believe in God and trust him, but it’s a whole other thing to actually do it.  I know that for me sometimes I have to step back and remember that trusting God is an active part of my life, and not something passive that I just let happen.  My prayer this morning is that you realize that God is not about comminating us for what we do wrong, but instead bestowing blessings upon us because he does it through his grace and mercy.  Remember that God loves you and wants you to succeed.  Make the decisions today that point you in God’s direction.

Praying for you,

MO

Totidem Verbis (Romans 1.16-32)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “totidem verbis.”  The apostle Paul didn’t really ever pull many punches.  He talked about how good the gospel of Jesus Christ was, as well as the wrath that can come from God to those who do not live by faith but rather in sin.  He simplifies what it means to have a relationship with Christ on more than one occasion.  Today’s passage shows that Paul was pretty clear-cut in his beliefs about God’s power.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” ~Rom 1:16-20

My question is: how do you express your commitment to Christ?  I think there are a lot of ways that we can be faithful to spreading God’s word.  My prayer is that you take your own life into account and see where it is that you need to get better in terms of the way that you spread the gospel.  Just as Paul talked about his commitment to Christ totidem verbis, so must we learn it to act out our faith instead of just talking about it.

Praying for you,

MO

Reliance (1 Peter 5:1-11)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is "reliance."  One of the great things about the Bible is the comforter brings in times of trouble and need.  I know that I have had my share of troubles, as each of you have.  One important lesson I learned from my mentor early on was that life was not always going to be easy.  But he did assure me that God would never leave me.  I now think back to the times where I had trouble in my life but did not have a relationship with Jesus.  I mean, really, how did I get through it?

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” ~1 Peter 5:7

My question is, how well do you give your concerns and fears over to God?  Just as Peter was talking to those in the congregation who were experiencing tough times in their lives, so do we have to remember that in our tough times we have a choice as well.  My prayer is that you step out on faith a little bit today and when you don't understand something, really tried to get over to God.  It's the times where we don't feel like we can trust God to take care of stuff that we really need to allow him to do so.  God will sustain you in times of trouble.  He made the promise, and you keep it.

Praying for you,

MO

Apocryphal (Hebrews 12:1-8)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “apocryphal.  The author of Hebrews was especially focused on helping his readers understand that the Gospel needed to be first and formost.  He realized that Jesus was the center of faith, and that because he made the ultimate sacrifice we are now able to share in his glory. 

“…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” ~Heb 12:2

My question is: what are the things that you spend most time on?  Some of us give a lot of time to work, others family, or maybe fun stuff.  I think that there is a kind of balance that we needed to have in life.  Not to say that everything is going to have an equal amount of time always, but that in certain seasons of life you know what is most important.  We don't have to worry about something fake, or apocryphal, when it comes to the gospel.  Jesus Israel and his word persevere.  My prayer is that the matter what you focus on, God is always part of that equation and central to the tasks and relationships in your life.

Praying for you,