Birling (1 Corinthians 10.23-33)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “birling.”  Have you ever felt like your life is spinning, but not going anywhere? I know sometimes I get in the middle of doing life and realize that I am not being as productive as I should be.  That is when I need to step back and remember what my goals are. The bible is pretty clear about keeping your priorities straight, and that no matter what you do, to do it with the intention of pleasing God.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.  Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God — even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.” ~1 Cor 10:31-33

My question is: what are your intentions behind the actions you take?  We are given a ton of freedom in our relationship with Jesus.  And, no matter how much we stay in line with his teachings, that freedom will always outweigh the responsibilities that we have because we are Christians.  I have done life without a relationship with Jesus.  And I've done life with that relationship.  The former made me feel like I was in a Burling contest.  Whereas the latter surprisingly has helped lower my stresses and concerns.  Not that life has been any easier, as a matter of fact it has not been.  But, knowing that I have Jesus on my side allows me to move forward with confidence in my decisions and actions.  Setting my sights on him keeps me grounded, knowing that I am making good and informed decisions. My prayer is that you focus on a life where JC is central in pointing your directions in the proper ways.

Praying for you,

MO

Gourmand (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “gourmand.”  I remember when I first became a Christian.  I was walking on pins and needles.  I didn’t want to mess up and make sure that everything I did was absolutely unblemished.  Well, that lasted for about a week.  I was so stressed out about being the best I could for God that I forgot what I really needed to be concerned with.  I needed to make sure that everything that I did from that point on was in good faith, and directed in a way that had God center of those decisions.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” ~1 Cor 10:31

My question is: what are the things in life that you are trying to succeed at doing?  I know that with all of the responsibilities and things that need to get done, often we forget to remember why we need to do them.  My prayer is that you keep God at the center of everything that you do, and whatever endeavors you have going for you, do them for God. Do not be like the gourmand, who lives his or her life in excess, but do only what is necessary to help others see God's goodness.  The best way to give him glory is to allow others to see that your life centers around accomplishing everything in his name.

Praying for you,

MO

Brolly (Isaiah 55:1-12)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “brolly.”  The symbolism and word usage in the Old Testament is second to none.  I would put the literary excellence of our Bible of to any other work out there.  As we see in today’s passage, we can be sure of God’s fulfillment in the elements, including rain and snow.  As I go outside and see the rain today and keep from getting wet because of the brolly I carry, I am comforted that God’s use of all of the elements make possible everything good that is at our fingertips.

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater…” ~Is 55:10

My question is: are you praying for God’s will in your life?  Just as we see the good part of nature in today’s passage, we also see that resisting God is not necessarily what we want to be doing.  God is the one who makes everything that is good flourish and gives us what we need.  We must also know though that staying within God’s will is our best bet to be happy and secure.  My prayer is that you think God for the little things, as I am doing with the rain today.  May God bless you and allow you to grow and flourish where you are.

Praying for you,

MO

Winnow (Matthew 25.31-46)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “winnow.”  I think one of very clear directives in the NT is when Jesus tells his people how they are supposed to treat others.  We see the Savior plainly telling peeps in today’s passage about what it means to follow and serve him.

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.” ~Matt 25:31-46

My question is: what are you doing for others that cannot be repaid to you? We live in a society where it is “all about me.” My prayer this morning is that you take a moment and focus your time of prayer and supplication to God in such a way that he puts your heart facing outward… praying for others.  We will be winnowed one day, the good from the bad, the followers of God for those who do not follow him.  How we use this life is up to us. God has given you life for this day and you can use it to further his kingdom in so many ways, most notably for the benefit of others. Go forth and do great things for the Lord, specifically for others.

Praying for you,

MO

Deiform (2 Corinthians 3:7-18)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “deiform.”  I remember back in high school when I was in Latin class for my second language.  It was actually a lot of fun.  When we got into the honors program the last couple of years, we started to read stuff in Latin a lot to translate.  Some of that stuff was Greek mythology.  It was funny to read about how all of the gods used to fight and because of that bad things happened to humans down on earth as a consequence.  They were really full of themselves.  Well, lucky for us, we have a true God who makes us in his perfect image…

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” ~2 Cor 3:18

My question is: how do people perceive your image?  The good thing is, if you give God a chance, you have the ability to live and reflect his glory.  He gives you the opportunity, and you just have to respond.  My prayer is that you respond favorably today.  As we continually receive his ever-increasing glory, remember that we will one day solidify our deiform nature when we meet him face-to-face.

Praying for you,

MO

Jape (John 11:38-44)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “jape.”  Jesus did some pretty awesome stuff when he was here on earth.  I mean, imagine you are the Son of God and were able to do some cool stuff that no one else could do.  For instance, when Lazarus died and no one really thought anything could be done, Jesus had other plans… the stuff that the Savior did was no joke.

Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”

~Jn 11:40

My question is: do you believe in the glory of God?  We spend so much time looking for God to do big and crazy stuff that we forget the little things.  My prayer for you this morning is that you experience God for who he is, knowing that the stuff he has in store for you is no jape, or joke… the Lord has important things in store for your life, you need only believe that he will deliver.  And every now and again you will have a Lazarus moment, when JC throws you off completely.  Get ready.

Praying for you,

mo

Terpsichorean (2 Samuel 6:12-18)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “terpsichorean.” Back in the Old Testament times it was very important for a man to have dignity and respect among his people. As you will see in today's passage, King David did not really think about this when he decided to praise the Lord. As a respectable and important man, probably the most in the entire kingdom, he cared more about what God saw then what other people did.

David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.

~2 Sam 6:14-15

My question for you today is: as you live each day of your life are you concerned more with what God thinks about you or what others do? I know that I have been guilty of this selfishness in my own life many times over the years. It is important for each of us to make sure that God is always the first and only person that we are to impress. My prayer for you this morning is that you take a page out of King David's book and dance before God in terpsichorean glee before his splendor.

Praying for you,

mo

Heliotrope (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “heliotrope.” Could you imagine what it would have been like to walk with Jesus? We are a couple thousand years away from that specific time period, but think of those who followed him directly after his death. Even by that time people needed reminders to stay committed to the Savior.

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

~Heb. 12:2

My question for you is: how well do you keep your attention on Jesus? It's easy to get consumed with all the craziness of even one day, let alone keep an entire lifetime with our eyes fixed on Christ. My prayer is that you continue to be like a heliotrope, which always turns its attention toward the sun, and fix your eyes on the Son. Do not be distracted by anything that comes your way, but instead give others a reason to do the same.

Praying for you,

mo