Sororal (Luke 10.38-42)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “sororal.”  We are only about a week in to the New Year and if you are like me, life is probably already getting a little bit hectic.  Or, for some of you it never really stopped.  Sometimes it just feels like the old year rolls right into the next.  That's why I love today's passage.  We see that Mary and Martha both had good intentions and their decisions to respond to the Savior.

As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. “Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand.” The Master said, “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.” ~Luk 10:38-42

My question is: what are the items on your agenda for this year?  Sometimes we get so busy doing stuff that we forget to slow down and remember the reasons behind doing them.  My prayer this morning is that you begin to understand a real sense of Jesus’ calling in your life.  What are the parts of your agenda that are important to both you and him?  If you don't really know the answer to this, I would challenge you to ask someone close to you… a person who knows you best.  Just as in this sororal exchange between Mary and Martha, we can sometimes see the value and knowing God's will for our intentions and life.  Give God your best this year.

Praying for you,

MO

Métier (Galatians 6:1-10)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “métier.”  I often think about the work that I have done about this time of year.  It's amazing to look back and realize that 12 months of an entire year are pretty much done.  For students, it's somewhat in the middle, whereas for other people on the workforce it may be the beginning or end of a fiscal year.  What we must never forget is that the work we do is important to God.  This church in Galatia was dealing with the struggles that we still face today.  Instead of working together, they were too worried about what other people were doing and criticizing them.  Paul had to correct this real fast.

But let each one test their own work, and then their reason to boast will be in themselves alone and not in their neighbor. For each will have to bear their own load.

~Gal 6:4-5

My question is: what is the work that is set before you?  I know that each of us has gifts and talents, and goals and ambitions.  When we look at others and the stuff that they are doing in their lives, we should not look at their work for the sake of comparison, but instead for that of compassion.  One of my mentors always told me that I needed to give appreciation to others, and save any criticism that I might have for myself.  My prayer is that each of you looks back at this year and the work you have done.  When you do so, always member that your métier, or main occupation, is doing the Lords work whatever that may be.  What will the next year brings for you?

Praying for you,

Mo

Kibitzer (Proverbs 10)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is "kibitzer.” I was talking to one of my buddies last night about how cool the book of Psalms is. No matter what you're looking for, you're bound to find it in the Psalms. In fact, when my pastor first told me that I needed to read through the Bible, he told me that I needed to read a Psalm a day and I would get through the book in about a year. I took him up on the challenge and to this day continue to read through the Psalms about once a year. In today's specific passage, we see the value of hard work. I know that each of you understands what it takes to succeed, so this Psalm would probably be written just for you if the Psalmist were here today.

A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

~Ps 10:4

My question is: what is your view of hard work? The funny thing is that most people will work for you hard to make a few bucks or so, or to make a relationship work, but when it comes to a relationship with God we are not willing to put in the time. This was me in my early years as a Christian. I know what I needed to do but I was somewhat lazy in my attempts to follow God and learn his decrees. I've found that over the years the more time that I put into learning about God's word, the more equipped I am for specific situations.  My prayer is that you never become kibitzer, or lazy person when it comes to your relationship with God. Be diligent in your work, and your relationship with your creator.

Praying for you,

mo