Sagacity (Proverbs 3:18-22)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “sagacity.”when is the last time you had to make a really big decision? I can remember several times in my life when there was probably a better way than another, and I wanted to make sure to choose that. So, I began asking other people to help me in those decisions. It actually took a lot of work for me to trust others with certain pieces of my life. I think that’s kind of what the Christian life is all about.

“My child, don't lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them…”

~Pr. 3:21

I talk a lot about how my pastors wife once told me that it was important for me each day to ask God to give me both wisdom and discernment. So I guess my question is this: from where do you get your common sense and discernment? Who are the people, readings, and other sources that give you information in making sound decisions? My prayer is that you add the tools that God gives you in your daily decisions, whether those decisions are big or small. If we seek to do things God’s way, I think that the overall outcome of life might have a pretty good chance of being better, as opposed to taking a different path.

Praying for you,

MO

Clishmaclaver (Proverbs 10.19)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “clishmaclaver.”  Growing up I was always one to speak way before I listened. Then I began hanging out with some people who made wiser decisions than me on a more consistent basis, as opposed to the way I was used to doing them on my own. At first, of course, I did not want to listen to anyone. I believed I knew enough on my own to get through life. But, of course I was wrong. It wasn't until I started listening to wise counsel that I began to make decisions differently.

“When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.” ~Pr. 10:19

My question is: who are the people in life that you give advice… and whose counsel do you listen to most? The mentors in my life have always listened to me and never sought to speak into my life more than they knew I was going to accept their words and counsel. I guess that's why I always went to those specific people. Most of the time they were reluctant to give me any words of advice, knowing that I was probably going to do things the way that I wanted to anyway. And that is why I always hung on every word that these people said. They were never about meaningless clishmaclaver. They always had my best interest in mind, and gave me exactly what I needed. Who are those kind of people in your life?

Praying for you,

MO

Specter (James 4:1-9)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “specter.”  I love the book of James because the dude pretty much just lays it all out there. He tells us that it is imperative that we stay away from sin and anything that can trip us up and take away from our relationship with God.  He realizes the need for repentance, and to be in sync with the actions consistent with what it means to grow as a Christian.  And so, in this passage he tells them a very simple and effective way to stay out of trouble…

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” ~Jam 4:7

My question is: are you doing the thing you need to stay away from trouble? Resisting can be as easy and not putting yourself in a position to do something wrong.  One of my mentors said that applying wisdom to one’s life is easy… “Just think of something stupid, and then don’t do it.” I love this. How many times do we find ourselves in situations or relationships that are not good and know that we need to make a change… but we don’t! My prayer is that you take inventory of your life and find a way to resist the Evil One today.

Praying for you,

MO

Hoyden (Proverbs 12:1-16)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “hoyden.”  The writer of Proverbs gives some great insight in this particular passage.  When speaking of the difference between a fool and a wise person, we see that someone who is in pursuit of the former always makes sure to listen to counsel.  I remember early on in my ministry, I believed that everything that I did was the right way to do stuff.  Unfortunately for me I had to learn from the school of hard knocks.  It wasn’t until I started listening to my mentor that I realized that I actually did have room in my cluttered arrogant head to gain wisdom.

The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.” ~Pr. 12:16

My question is: do you seek counsel in your life from those who know what they are talking about?  I’m don't mean taking advice from just anyone... I mean really looking for wisdom from those who have fruit on the tree.  I feel very blessed to have the influence of so many phenomenal mentors over the years.  My prayer is that you are prudent in your quest for righteousness and self growth.  Don’t allow people to look at you as hoyden, or obnoxious and arrogant, but instead be a witness to them with your quest for humility and excellence.

Praying for you,

MO

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

Parse (Proverbs 4:1-9)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is "parse."  It always seems that the Bible has a ton of different meanings.  I remember when I first started studying the Bible; I realized how many different ways there were of interpreting the meanings I was learning.  I knew that there were a lot of lessons that I needed to understand and apply to my life.  But it was up to me to take the correct steps and actions to make that happen.  Now that I was a believer, I knew that God expected me to do things a little differently.

“The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.”

~Pr. 4:7

My question is what are you doing to gain wisdom and insight?  I remember when I was a young Christian going to my pastor’s wife and asking her how she was so knowledgeable in the biblical matters.  She told me that she prayed every morning for wisdom and discernment.  From that day on, I did the same.  My prayer is that you seek wisdom and gain insight from those who have done life a little bit longer than you.  Take God’s word and pull it apart, or parse it, to understand a bit more each day.  Humble yourself to accept the teachings that others with wisdom might give in order to change your life for the better.

Praying for you,

MO

Flapdoodle (1 Corinthians 3:18-23)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “flapdoodle.”  I really like this one because it just looks so awesome on its own.  And I'm sure you can infer from the word itself that it probably has a pretty ridiculous meaning.  I recently looked up online a bunch of stuff that people say about Christianity.  Everyone who does not believe in God has their take on God.  Pretty ironic, don't you think?  I figure that's why I really like what Paul says in this particular passage.

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness;” and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”

~1 Cor 3:19-20

My question is: what are the things in the world that you believe are wise, and what this foolishness?  When people ask me why it is I can go on faith and believe in God, sometimes I don't have an answer that will suffice.  The reason for this is that what the world believes his wisdom is nothing but foolishness to God.  My prayer is that each of you take a look at your own relationship with God and ask your self what it would mean to give up the wisdom of the world for the foolishness of God.  Go in faith and give God's plan the benefit of the doubt in your life today.

Praying for you,

mo