Perspicuous (Galatians 6:9)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “perspicuous.”  I was preaching this last weekend and let my congregation know that it was up to them to make sure that the message of JC gets out to the rest of the world.  I speak to them much of the time about what it means to take responsibility for God’s plan and working within the small space of life that each of them has been given.  So it is with each of us here.

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

~Gal 6:9

My question is: are you doing what you are supposed to be in terms of your place on God’s team, and within his plan? I know that each of you has influence in different areas of life. As student-athletes, you know what it means to be dedicated to something long term. My prayer is that you take the same approach to your relationship with God and the way that you minister to others.  Give him your best and stay completely focused, expressing the Gospel as it relates to your life, in a very perspicuous way so that others have no doubt your intentions of them getting to know JC better.

Praying for you,

mo

Echt (Ephesians 2:1-10)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “echt.”  I remember way back when I was first beginning to look at leading a Christian life.  I knew for sure that I was not going to be able to live up to the standards of all the other Christian kids that I saw in the high school youth group.  But then I spent a ton of time with the youth pastor.  Over a process of several months that extended into years, he reminded me that being a Christ follower was not about being perfect, it was being authentic.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

~Eph. 2:10

My question is: where are you on the faith journey with Christ?  Some of you are probably further along than others, and others may just be at the beginning of understanding what it means to be part of this community.  The cool thing is that Jesus does not really care where you are.  He just wants to help you understand a little bit more.  My prayer is that you continue to be yourself, a real and echt version of the best you.  Allow yourself to get better each day and always get up in the morning wanting to be better by the end of that day.

Praying for you,

Mo

Hornswoggle (1 Peter 5:1-10)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day “is hornswoggle.”  From the beginning of time all the way back to Adam and Eve, the Enemy has always tried to get the best of humankind.  Wehave always known as Xtians that as soon as we accept a relationship with JC, we open ourselves up to the flaming arrows of the Evil One.

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

~1 Pet 5:8-9

My question is: what are the precautions you have have in your life that keep you aware of the Enemy doing his best to outsmart and cheat you. My prayer is that you look to JC, who has called you to this place, and that he gives you the wherewithal an understanding you will need to not be hornswoggled by the forces of bad in this world. Hold fast! Remember that God has called you to alertness that you might resist him in the day of temptation and tribulation.

Praying for you,

mo

Antebellum (Exodus 15:3)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is "antebellum."  As most people equate this word with a certain musical group nowadays, there are definite spiritual implications behind that word.  We see in the Bible a continual struggle of good against evil.  God tells the story through the first few books of the Old Testament, and then that story plays out over the next several thousand years.  We are a part of that wonderful story of God's people.

The LORD is a man of war, the LORD is his name!”

~Ex. 15:3

My question is: where are you when it comes to your journey with God?  I remember in my pre-Christian days, or as I like to recall as the antebellum of my faith, I was less susceptible to the battles fought on holy ground.  It was not that I was any less important than another person, but the Enemy did not have to worry about me.  Before I became a part of God's family and swore my allegiance to fight the good fight, I was no threat.  Now, I am part of a spiritual renaissance of sorts, as are you.  My prayer is that each of you takes a look at where you are on that spiritual journey.  God calls each of us at different times.  It is up to us to respond.  I hope that you will continue to grow in that faith journey.

Praying for you,

Mo

Infinitesimal (Psalm 147)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “infinitesimal.”  Sometimes in this world we can feel pretty small.  I really like how the psalmist portrays how great God is in comparison to the rest of everything that is out there.  Knowing that there are so many things out in the world and the universe that we don't understand makes me realize that God is pretty big.

“He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.”

~Ps. 147:4

My question is: what are the parts of life that are most important to you?  God cares about you and will be instrumental in helping you attain success in your life.  My prayer is that you take this new semester and remember that sometimes our cares can seem irrelevant, or infinitesimal.  On the contrary, God cares for you and wants you to understand that like the stars, he knows you very well.  Look towards him and remember that your every thought and care is on his mind.

Praying for you,

Mo

Wamble (Colossians 3:1-5)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “wamble.”  Now that you're back and getting ready to acclimate to regular school life again, an important piece to the puzzle of success is focus.  The church at Colossae was dealing with stuff that was not out of the ordinary for what other churches face.  In fact, I'm sure that most churches go through those same problems.  Keeping people on track and remembering to live the Christian life can be difficult sometimes, when we are not headed completely in the right direction.

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

~Col. 3:2

My question is: what are the things that you focus on most?  Living like a Christian is great, but if your heart is not the right place then God will recognize that.  My prayer is that each of you remembers that the stuff that we deal with on earth is temporary, while the things above are eternal.  I know that the Lord has cool plans for each of you, and I hope that you do not wamble through your journey with God.  Stay the course and focus on things above!

Praying for you,

mo