Landloper (Matthew 3.1-9)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “landloper.” One of my favorite dudes in the Bible is John the Baptist, also known as J-Bap – a term commonly used by one of my proffs at Fuller Seminary.  He was hardcore in his living style, using the land to live off of and make his own clothes. Wow, what a crazy way to do life. But, he did it well, and knew what God’s plan for him was the whole way through…

Now John himself had a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey… As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. ~Matt 3:4, 11

My question is: what are you doing to live a life the way God has intended? We see that J-Bap was a man of conviction. His role in the New Testament is pivotal, yet he sees himself as nothing more than one who is preparing the way for JC. My prayer is that you live such a life, that you realize the potential that God has for you, and that you live within that plan. God will give you direction. And even though some might see J-Bap as just a landloper, crazy and moving from place to place, he was actually a very important  part of the God story.  We should all take a page out of his book, and play our small part as well.

Praying for you,

MO

Nosophobia (1 Corinthians 13:1-4)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “nosophobia.”  I have been reading from the book of first Corinthians lately.  The church there had a pretty big task.  They were pretty much in the middle of some straight up sin madness!  It was almost like planting the very first church in the middle of Las Vegas.  Could you imagine having that task?  Most of us would not be able to handle that kind of pressure.  But, the Apostle Paul knew that the people could survive.  He wrote the church a couple of letters, of which we know.  I love what he has to say right before the famous love passage in chapter 13.

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” ~1 Cor 13:1-4

I would imagine that there were probably some moments in this church where the people do not think they are going to make it.  With all of the sin that was around them, this disease spread by the Evil One was very rampant.  And I think we can all relate… this being flu season, I feel like sometimes I am suffering from an acute case of nosophobia, - the fear of disease!  Well, this is what the people in Corinth were dealing with.  Sin was trying to overtake them at an incredible rate.  The only hope that the people had was to cling to one another and love each other like their lives depended on it; and their spiritual lives DID depend on it.  

Here’s my question: is your life a clanging symbol, or something that others could look towards as a spiritual melody?  My prayer is that you read the Scriptures and ask God to give you an attitude of love, and all situations.  As Christians, we are called to love one another so that each person might have a good representation to follow.  I know you can do it.  God has his hand upon you.

Praying for you,

Mo

Pell-mell (Matthew 26:47-56)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “pell-mell.”  Could you imagine being sold out by one of your closest friends?  This was the place that Jesus was in.  It must’ve been a little bit lonely and frustrating.  In today’s passage we see that when Jesus is arrested all those who are close to him pretty much deserted and left him to fend for himself.  After so many years of ministry, building relationships, making a difference… Jesus was now alone.

55 At that time Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.” ~Matt. 26:55-56

My question is: have you made the decision to follow Jesus, even when times get bad?  If his own disciples left him when the going got tough, how much more should we be concerned about doing the same thing?  Even though God is always in control of situations, we see that sometimes even those closest to Jesus were unable to understand the chosen path that needed to be fulfilled.  What was at one point a strong coalition of disciples and followers was now a pell-mell mass of jumbled and confused individuals.  My prayer morning is that each of you make a decision to remain loyal to the Savior, no matter what the circumstances.  We need to stick together as the family of God.  Allow Jesus to solidify your faith a little bit more today.

Praying for you,

MO

Addendum (Revelation 22:12-21)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “addendum.”  I remember the first time that I read the book of Revelation in the Bible.  It was a pretty scary endeavor.  Luckily though, I had one of my small group leaders help me through it.  I was only in high school.  It was me and a couple other guys.  We thought we would be courageous and try to learn and understand what that book was all about.  We soon realized that understanding everything in that particular work of John was going to be a much longer process than just reading through it once.  But, I do remember one of the verses that stuck out in my head, and still does even to this day…

“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.” ~Rev. 22:18

That is some crazy stuff.  My question is: do you believe that God’s word is good enough the way that it is?  What John is saying right here is that nothing should be added to the Bible… there is no addendum needed.  God took care of all of the stuff he needed to say, and would be sending his son back soon to get us.  My prayer is that you live and the hope that God’s words are true and accurate.  Whenever life gets you down, always remember that God is right beside you fighting the war.  And although you might lose a battle or two, you have been given the victory in God’s perfect Word, in its totality.

Praying for you,

MO