Dithyramb (Mark 7.24-37)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “dithyramb.”  I know that many people have been healed by Jesus, both when he was doing ministry on the earth as well as to the present day. I remember asking why he would want the people that he healed not to say anything. And I guess there are more than a couple of reasons for that. However, for the people that were being healed by Jesus, they had only one thought on their minds.  They were now healed did not have the infirmities or demons that they thought would have to deal with for the rest of their lives.  How would you feel if you were one of these people?

Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” ~Mk. 7:36-37

My question is: Are you excited for what God has done in your life, and how do you express that?  God is very active in our lives today.  A lot of us just don't stop to realize that he is present.  My prayer is that you make the necessary adjustments in your daily routine to reflect your appreciation towards what God is doing.  Even though the people in today's passage were told specifically by Jesus not to go and tell anyone, many of them did so in the form of enthusiastic dithyrambs.  How will you express your appreciation for what God is doing in your life today?

Praying for you,

MO

Tumescent (Mark 12.38-40)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “tumescent.”  Have you known anyone in your life that just seems to have an opinion for everything?  It could be any subject, at any time, for any reason.  But that person will have some kind of answer.  Well, most of us don’t like when others talk down to us or use unnecessary language.  During Jesus’s ministry he encountered a lot of people who thought he was wrong, or thought he was completely crazy.  He had to battle this day in and day out.  It did not matter how much he pointed to the Scriptures, even those who were the most educated in the law were rude and unbelieving.

 As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.” ~Mk 12:38-40

My question is: where is it that you place your faith?  The Pharisees and other teachers of the law often talked about Jesus with tumescent and contemptuous language.  They do not respect him and were always trying to get him in some kind of trap to say something that would trip him up and make his followers leave him.  The truth was that he was always speaking the truth, and even though the teachers of the law did everything that they could, they could not find anything wrong with the way that Jesus lived or taught.  My prayer is that you hold on to the words of Jesus, and know that he spoke the truth then, and still yearns for an intimate relationship with you.  God will always fight for you.  You need only to trust him.

Praying for you,

MO

Inglenook (Mark 4:33–34)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “inglenook.”  I remember when I was a young Christian I would do my best to spend as much time with my youth pastor as possible.  He was a pretty knowledgeable guy, hence the reason he was the youth pastor of our ministry.  He always had something to say.  Whenever I was in a bind, I went to him and asked for advice because I knew that he would have a good story for me.  I didn't realize though, that he never gave me the answers.  He only gave me suggestions of what I needed to do.

“With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; substantive.  He felt better.  Someone finally he and his own game.  he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.

~ Mk 4:33–34

My question is: who are the people in your life that give you counsel?  I know that if I can get time with my mentor, I will take everything out of my schedule to make sure that I give him the opportunity to speak into my life.  Even today, he has stores for me that apply to my life.  My prayer is that you heed the advice of others whom you respect.  Whenever you get the chance, settle down in an inglenook, and glean as much wisdom from as you can.

Praying for you,

mo

Denizen (Mark 16:13-18)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “denizen.”  I love the story in the Bible of JC coming back after he has been crucified and raised from the dead. Can you imagine what all of the disciples must have been thinking? We read the account now and sometimes do not think twice. We are so used to it as Christians that the miracle of it all is lost.  But it is important to remember that Jesus is counting on us to keep the story going.

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

~Mark 16:15

My question is:  where are you most familiar in life? i know that when we are home and spending time with the ones we love, we are rejuvenated and reminded of the meaning of this season, and the love that God has for us.  My prayer is that each of you takes to heart this commandment above to spur you on to live and proclaim a life for JC.  We must become denizens, or those who frequent, those in the world that need to hear the love of Christ.

Praying for you,

mo