Comport (Hebrews 10:19-39)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “comport.”  The writer of today's passage understood that new Christians were going to have to face trials and tribulations, persecution and unrest, in both the community and within their faith.  He knew that giving them instructions on how to live would give them something to look towards as they made life decisions and strived to make correct decisions.

“For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins…”

~Heb 10:26

My question is: how are you going to allow the sacrifice of Jesus to work through you this year?  With all of the New Year's resolutions and other stuff that consumes our time, we must not forget where God fits into the equation.  Just like the Christians of this day were persecuted when they made decisions to make life changes, so must we remember to put to work the knowledge of truth that we have gained in knowing Jesus.  My prayer is that you meditate on the sacrifice of God's son that was given, comporting yourself for the trials that are ahead.

Praying for you,

Mo

Welkin (Psalm 8)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “welkin.”  I know we live in California, but have you ever caught the sky on a crisp and clear night?  You look up and you can see all the stars in heaven and realize that what God has made is pretty cool.  Well, the writer of this particular psalm understood what it meant to revel in God's majesty.

“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?”

~Ps. 8:3-4

My question is: what are the things that you have set your sights on this year?  With the world at your fingertips and many decisions to be made in this New Year, it is important for us to realize that God has given us a glimpse into his greatness every time we look at the wonders he has made.  My prayer is that as you gaze at the welkin, remember that God has created everything within that sky. I know he will reveal to you his greatness in new ways.

Skosh (Psalm 1:1-6)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “skosh.”  During the beginning of each year I revisit the Psalms.  What I like about that particular book in the Bible is when you feel that you do not know exactly what you should read, opening up to any of these Psalms is usually a pretty good idea.  And, in keeping with the theme of new beginnings this year, it is only appropriate to start with the first one.  A lot of times people overlook this psalm because it is like the quick start guide of how to read the rest of the book.  But, there are some very telling the pieces within these verses.

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

~Ps. 1:1-2

My question is: what are some of the resolutions that you have made this year that will move you to be a better person?  Everything that we do it is important that we remember that each day is given to us to become a little bit better.  My prayer is that each of you examines the places in your life where you maybe have fallen short and would like to improve.  The goal is not to become better by leaps and bounds each day, but even just a skosh is pretty awesome.  Always work to get a little closer at excelling in everything you do.

Praying for you,

mo

Terminus (Luke 5:36)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “terminus.”  Last night I was thinking about coming back to our regular schedule.  It's always bittersweet at the end of this particular holiday season.  I love Christmas and everything that goes with it.  But with the terminus of one season comes the joys of something fresh.  Bringing in the New Year always makes me feel rejuvenated and ready to take on the world.  But, the most fun that I have is looking forward to new beginnings and a continued journey.

“And He was also telling them a parable: "No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and puts it on an old garment; otherwise he will both tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old.”

~Luke 5:36

My question is: what do you have in store for this year?  Remember that God wants to continually make your relationship with him new each day.  As you make your New Year's resolutions take some time and effort to add God and to those.  My prayer is that each of you burns away the old stuff that gets in the way of your relationship with God and puts on the new clothes of the Savior.  Let's have a great year!

Praying for you,

Mo

Delitescent (Matthew 13:11-13)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “delitescent.”  I remember when I was little kid that I wanted to be a magician.  I thought it was pretty cool to do tricks and figure out how to make something unbelievable happen out of just everyday kind of stuff.  I also liked to read mystery novels… well, they were books at least.  In particular, there was a series called the Hardy Boys.  They were always getting themselves into some mischief and figuring out these crazy mysteries and got themselves into situations that only high level agents would experience.  It was all pretty cool stuff to me.  The Bible also talks about the mysteries that are revealed to us during our Christian walk.

And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.”

~Matt 13:11-13

My question is: where do you fit in concerning the mysteries of God?  If you're like me, you have a ton of questions.  I actually thought that when I accepted Christ as my personal Lord and Savior that a lot of these questions would be tied up neatly with a little bow at the top.  I thought that I would understand everything.  Conversely, I actually began to have more questions.  It was not that I didn't believe, but that I started to gain deeper understanding of God's word.  My prayer is that you take some time to fit into your priorities this year delving into God's word and letting it penetrate your heart in a new way.  Only then can the delitescent mysteries of God's word and plans be understood.

Praying for you,

Mo

Inchoation (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “inchoation.”  Today marks the beginning of yet another year. Now that we are in the middle of this particular decade, it is important for us to evaluate how we are doing.  Back in the early church, years were not necessarily the marking of times, but in events. One of those events was a belief in Christ and a transformation of life.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

~2 Cor 5:17

My question is: what are you most looking forward to this new year?  I know that each of us have a ton of stuff the we are thinking about, stuff that needs to get done.  God gives us new beginnings at many points in life.  It is easy for us to see that in days like today.  As the Lord brings forth this year another inchoation, or beginning, I pray that each of you takes the opportunity to see what God has laid in front of you to be successful and obedient.

Praying for you,

mo