Shirk (1 Corinthians 3.8)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “shirk.”  I used to think that life was a bit unfair.  It always seemed that my friends were getting away with stuff while I was getting the short end of the stick.  Specifically, I remember coming home from school and telling my parents that one of my teachers was being very unfair to me.  She had singled me out in the middle of class.  It doesn't matter whether I was right or wrong, because when I told my mom about the unfair treatment, she told me that I probably deserved it… and if I did not deserve it that time, I probably deserved it for all the other grief that I had put that teacher through.  And of course, my mom was right, as always.  Responsibility was a big theme in my house.

“He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor.” ~1 Cor 3:8

My question is: what is it that you put first in your life?  I think that God wants us to take responsibility for what we have been given, and live according to his principles no matter what.  My prayer is that you do not shirk this responsibility, but instead remember that how you live and act directly reflects upon both you, and Christians as a whole.  Even when life seems unfair, and that you are not necessarily having things go your way, always make decisions based on the responsibility God has given you.  Situations tend to work themselves out when we do our best to serve God in those decisions.

Praying for you,

MO

Pittance (Deuteronomy 15:1-11)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “pittance.” God's people have laws for about everything. In the middle of Deuteronomy, God commands his people on how they should handle debts. He wanted to make sure that people were not being stingy or misusing the resources that he had blessed them with. He reminded people that no matter how well off you become, there is always somebody that needs a little bit of help.

“There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.”

~Deut 15:11

My question is: how do you view your relationship with God? We live in the greatest country in the world and no matter how bad we think we have it, we pretty much have it way better than any other country in the world. My prayer is that you put those thoughts on how you can help other people. It's amazing what can happen when we take the focus off of ourselves and look to see how we can help God's people. The next time you believe that you are living on a pittance, turn those thoughts into action and help someone else as a blessing in the Lord.

Praying for you,

Mo

Jackanapes (Ecclesiates 11:1-10)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “jackanapes.”  I think one of my favrit books in the Bible is Ecclesiates.  King Solomon was the wisest man ever to have lived, and he put together some stuff that peeps in that time as well as now, and forever, could use.  He was big on living life to the fullest, but he also reminded his readers that they would not live forever and that the afterlife would be a lot longer than their time on earth.

You who are young, make the most of your youth. Relish your youthful vigor. Follow the impulses of your heart. If something looks good to you, pursue it. But know also that not just anything goes; You have to answer to God for every last bit of it.

~Ecc 11:9

I accepted Christ in the middle of my teenage years. I remember feeling invincible and that life would go on forever. I must admit that I have always been a sort of jackanapes, or mischievous child. Even now that I am well on my way to middle age I still kind of feel the same way. But, reading this passage makes me realize that Solomon is pretty wise in his understanding of God's law. My question is: how do you spend your days? Because our time on earth is only for a short period, we must take every opportunity to live for God. My prayer is that you make the wisest decisions now, and manage those decisions for the rest of your life. God has great things in store for each of you. Spend time with those who affirm your abilities and encourage you in walking with the Lord.

Praying for you,

mo