Effulgent (Matthew 5:15-17)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “effulgent.”  When someone decides to become Christian, they automatically have a responsibility.  Understanding that people would be looking at the way that I acted in my new Christian life was probably one of the toughest things I had to deal with.  Now everything that I did was looked at closely and with tons of scrutiny.  At first I did not think it was fair, but then began to understand that living a life for Jesus would have to be different than the life I had led up to that point.

“In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” ~Matt 5:16

My question is: have you decided to live a little differently knowing that others are going to be looking at you and how you act as a Christian?  Although God does not expect perfection, he does want excellence, and for us to be effulgent in such a way that we shine brightly in our relationship with him.  My prayer is that others see a relationship with God and want to emulate you because of your desire to be a better Christian and follower of Christ every day.

Praying for you,

MO

Subfuscous (Psalm 113:1-9)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is "subfuscous.”  I have been to more Christian camps then I know what to do with.  The funny part is, I didn't really start going until I was a senior in high school.  I actually remember what Kevin went through to make sure that I was able to fit camp in my schedule prior to that school year.  From then on, I was hooked.  I began to do more, serve more, and be at more camps each summer.  My favorite was always junior high camp.  Those kids are awesome!  They are all over the place, and their faith, as well as the rest of their emotions, they wear on their sleeves.  The following verse sticks out in my mind and reminds me of junior high camp every time I read it.

“Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, you his servants; praise the name of the Lord. Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.” ~Ps. 113:1-3

My question is: how do you praise God?  My favorite song to ever sing at camp was one that included these verses.  I can still remember like it was yesterday, as I sing them in my head.  That song and that verse made such an impact on my life that it will be etched in my memory forever.  From the early morning sunrise, to the waning subfuscous hours of the early evening… God will make his name known.  My prayer is that you have more encounters with God where he impresses upon your soul and writes on your heart his words.  The more you read and hear God's word, and the more you actively remember, the more affect it can have in your life.

Praying for you,

MO

Vespertide (Psalm 113:1-9)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “vespertide.”  Most of us lead pretty crazy lives. We get up early and go to bed late. There is always something to be done and work to be finished. At times we can even become consumed with the tasks that are in front of us. But how many peeps take the time to sit and reflect on the things of God? I am not saying that we need to shut life down, although sometimes i believe that is appropriate. I do know that we need to give God his due and realize what is important.

“From the rising of the sun to its setting The name of the LORD is to be praised.”

~Psalm 113:3

ANd that is about it… so here is the question: Are you praising God on a continual basis? I know that stuff needs to get done. THere is always something pressing that cannot wait.  But there is always a way to incorporate God into whatever is going on in your life. My prayer is that you take a moment to praise God.  And, whether you're going through good times or bad, day or nite, morning or vespertide, you realize that you have been given this life, which is the best gift God could give. And it’s a simple way to give back to God through a bit of simple praise.

Paying for you,

MO

Crepuscule (Psalm 113:1-9)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is "crepuscule." One of my best experiences when I was in college was the ability to do ministry in Mexico during certain holidays and such.  I never really had the time to do it, but I made it a priority.  My freshman year I was at one of these international trips and the dude doing song worship played a song with the following verse:

"From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the Lord's  name is to be praised."

Ps. 113:3

Maybe it was the way the song sounded, or maybe it was the words.  But the point is that I still remember it a million years later.  My question is, what are the things that you do to keep God's name in your conscience on a continual basis?  I pray that you take time to think of how much time you spend praising God. And i don't mean necessarily in song, or church, or bible study or whatever.  Really, it's about being mindful of God all of the time, from sun-up... to the day's beautiful crepuscule, or sunset. Sooo, how are you doing?

Praying for you,

mo

Ennoble (Psalm 34)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is "ennoble."  The psalms are a collection of writings that give perspectives of those who walked with God.  They could be positive in nature, or even a cry for help.  The cool thing is that no matter what the feeling of the writer, we are always invited into the experience.

Come, let us tell of the LORD's greatness; let us exalt his name together.
~Ps. 34:3

My question is: who is someone in your life that has invited you into the God experience? I know that over the years I have had many people do just that for me.  I thank the Lord for those that God has placed in my life, especially in the hard times.  My prayer is that you look for people in your life that can be that influence, those who look out for your best interest and help you ennoble, or exalt, that name of God.

Praying for you,

mo

Stentorian (Psalm 98:1-9)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “stentorian.”  The Bible speaks a lot about how we are to praise God.  The psalmist understood the making known his joy to the Lord was one of the best parts of his worship experience.  This was a way to be an example to others who would read the psalm to lift up praise to God without restraint.

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn — shout for joy before the Lord, the King.”

Ps. 98:4-6

My question is: does the Lord’s eventual coming back to this earth excite you?  I think that with all the madness going on in the world we forget to praise God in the midst of it every now and again.  My prayer is that you take time to slow down and praise God the way that the psalmist does in this scripture.  If we put more time into giving glory and praise to the Lord then we have a better chance at influencing others to do the same.

Praying for you,

mo