Glut (Philippians 1:18-20)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “glut.”  In a world of excess it is often difficult to know what is important and what is not.  We get so caught up on thinking that we need stuff that we tend to forget what is really important. For instance, just the other day I left my house and got down the freeway a couple of exits… that is when I realized that I had forgotten my fone at home.  So guess what I did? That’s right, I turned around! How crazy is that??? And furthermore, I already had one of my fones with me, but I still went back. Now that is madness.

“…for I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ…” ~Phil. 1:19

My question is: what are the excesses in your life that would be good to revisit in this New Year? We all have things on our plates that we should reconsider why they get so much time and attention in our daily affairs?  What are the items on you agenda, or people in your life, that cause you get sidetracked off what really matters?  My prayer is that you take some time to see what it would mean for you to look to God in all that you do.  Allow God to be your glut, or full supply, today.  Try not to focus on the things that you think are important, and allow God to show you what actually is important.

Praying for you,

MO

Arraign (Mark 15:1-5)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “arraign.”  When Jesus was nearing the end of his ministry and life, he had it pretty rough.  He had given everything in the way that he lived, and was about to give even more in the way that he died.  At this point in the story, Jesus is brought in front of the most powerful people, those with all of the power to either put him to death, or let him live.

Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “You have said so,” Jesus replied. The chief priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.” But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.

~Mk 15:1-5

My question is: how do you respond to Jesus, knowing that he chose to take a very difficult path for both your sake and mine?  My prayer is that you always remember that there is a ton of stuff going on in life, but most of it is not as important as the decision to make Jesus a part of your life a little bit more each day.  Although Jesus was arraigned and eventually put to death, he now sits in glory with the Father and awaits your day of acceptance into the kingdom.  Hold on and make a difference for the Savior!

Praying for you,

mo

Proclamation (Ezra 1:1)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “proclamation.” Back in the old days when someone wanted to make an important announcement this is how they did it.  The king of Persia wanted the peeps to know that what he was about say was pretty important. This rebuilding process was going to take a lot of time, effort, and dedication from all involved.

“…the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm…”

~Ezra 1:1

My question of you is: what does your life say about your relationship with JC… is it a proclamation of who the Lord is and what his decrees mean?  You have the privilege of representing the Savior each day that you live. I pray that as you move about today and the rest of this week that you would be a living proclamation of God’s divine plan.  Be encouraged that God has called you in his power to minister to others through your actions and abilities.  He is waiting for you to do good stuff for his name’s sake.

Praying for you,

mo

Reign (Romans 5:18-21)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “reign.” Paul knew that humans were pretty much helpless without the assistance of the Lord Jesus. Most people would have taken this as something discouraging. But the apostle Paul understood that because it was so impossible to earn salvation, we were able to receive it freely without expecting to ever earn it. If anyone knew what it meant to have a Savior cover his sins it was the apostle Paul.

“The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, ²¹ so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

~Rom. 5:20-21

My question for you is: has grace increased all the more in your life? JC gives it freely, we just need to accept it. Living a life of the Savior is freeing them because we do not deserve it. My prayer is that you realize your trespasses are no match for the blood that covers you. Take a few moments and thank God for giving you everything you need, even though you are not capable of earning it. God is pretty cool like that.

Praying for you,

Mo

Perfecter (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “perfecter.”  I love this one because it is not in the dictionary… or at least to my knowledge.  Which makes it even more cool and unique.  God sent his only Son to take care of the sin stuff that we could not do on our own.  That is why the writer of Hebrews is reminding the peeps that it is extremely important not to lose sight of the whole reason for doing the Christian life.  It is kind of sobering to know that even back then, so close to the time JC was on earth, it was difficult to stay focused. 

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

~Heb. 12:2

JC was a pioneer to a faith you and I could hold true. My question is: how are you letting the Savior be the perfecter in your life?  Think of specific ways that the Son touches your life and works to shape you.  My prayer is that you fix your eyes on the eternal throne, knowing that one day God will bring you into everlasting glory.  It’s a pretty crazy world, and sometimes we lose sight of what is important.  Don’t allow yourself to get caught up in the madness. Hold fast!

Praying for you,

mo

Appear (Titus 2:11-14)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “appear.” Each of us grows up and learns about the Gospel a little bit differently. However, the cool part about this is that when we focus on God we have the opportunity to experience his goodness as a collective body. Paul understood that when we accept God’s grace it is then possible for us to know how God wants us to live…

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.”

Titus 2:11

Because salvation has appeared to us we can live in accordance with God’s desires. My question is: what does God desire for your life? You live in community with others each day and God gives you the ability to follow him. My prayer for you is that you would live boldly through Christ Jesus and that you would be a witness to others who need to experience his goodness. Salvation will appear to others when we choose to join in God’s work to save the lost. Go in power today, knowing that God wants you to love others and show them salvation through JC.

Praying for you,

mo

Clothed (Isaiah 61:10)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “clothed.” What a great word that does not get enough attention in our Christian walk. In the OT God had the priests wear certain clothing when they took care of all the offering stuff… and as the offerings got increasingly more important the priests actually had to change clothes (Lev. 6:8-13). What??? That is pretty crazy. But that was how imperative it was for God’s peeps to follow the guidelines. Later on in the Bible though, the book of Isaiah reminds us what we mean in the eyes of God:

“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”

~Isaiah 61:10

Each of us wears the clothes of salvation and righteousness. God has set you apart and made you holy. My question for you is this: What are you doing to experience a continuing renewal of God’s awesomeness each day? This year you will have many opportunities to experience the Lord’s goodness. From chapel, to D-Groups, accountability partners, and the million activities that APU offers… always remember that you represent God’s promise to all who call on that powerful name. My prayer for you today is that God would continually remind you of the incredible love in which you are wrapped and clothed.

Praying for you,

mo

New (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “new.” I was thinking this morning how each week we get to do a little bit of a reset. Yeah, I know there is stuff that lingers from the weeks before. I also know that our troubles do not miraculously go away (although I do believe my God is big enough to do so). The Apostle Paul’s thought here is that even though the old law was not looking so good with the whole Sin of Adam thing, we need not worry ‘cause Christ reversed the human verdict – from death to life!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, she is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

~2 Cor. 5:17

I guess my question today is: When is the last time you felt a newness with JC? I mean, really sat back and remembered that God has given you new life… I hope you understand that the old is out and the new is in… your life is a representation of Christ – hallelujah! God has some sweet stuff for each of you to experience in this crazy life. My prayer is that you would marvel this week at the saving grace that God has given you through the Son. You are his perfect and new creation.

Praying for you,

mo

Crown (Philippians 4:1)

Good morning ladies,

The word of day is “crown.” What a fitting word, given our goals and aspirations as student-athletes. Paul was very proud to have so many peeps with whom to share the Gospel. Although he was miles away, he always had such a love and joy for his friends. He writes:

"Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!"

~Philippians 4:1

Now this is the kind of friend that I want. Paul did a ton of ministry and saw each person in the body of Christ as special. He knew that the road to life with JC was tough and so he reminded his peeps to stand firm! My question for you today is: Who are the friends in your life that are pushing you to be a better follower of Christ? This season we will compete for the victor’s crown… but we must also remember our ultimate goal – life in Christ. My prayer for you today is that God would surround you with the right individuals to help you achieve that.

Praying for you,

mo