Oneiric (Daniel 1.1-17)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “oneiric.”  One of my favorite places in the Bible is the book of Daniel.  It is amazing the favor that God had on him and the others.  I am amazed at the faith that Daniel and his buddies had when following God.  In the beginning of the story, we read an important piece that tells us how we must discern each situation and live with in the confines of what God knows will get us the results to which we look.  The youths we see in this story understand both worldly wisdom, and God’s real truth.

“As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.” ~Dan. 1:17

My question is: do you ask God for his blessing on your life, and with specificity?  I know that God wants to take care of his people and give them all that they need to succeed in life.  Not that life is going to be easy, but that you will have all that you need to be an active part of God’s family.  Daniel was quite oneiric, interpreting dreams and visions that would make an impact on those in this sphere of influence.  I do not expect to have this gift specifically, or anything from God… I am just happy to be a sinner saved by grace. However, I often ask for wisdom, as we are told to do in the book of James.  Just as God had his hand on Daniel, would you give God the opportunity to speak truth into your life.

Praying for you,

MO

Amphigory (John 7.14-20)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “amphigory.”  As a new Christian, I took a look at the Bible and thought to myself, there is no way that I will ever be able to learn all of the stuff in here.  However, after taking the next several years to be mentored by guys who are older than me in the faith, many of them in college or just out of college, I learned to know the Bible pretty well.  That's what caused me to choose Azusa Pacific University over the other colleges that I was looking at.  It reminds me of those who probably heard the word from Jesus back in the day.  At that time, the authorities, like the scribes and Pharisees, did not know Scripture as well as they probably should have.  This was seen in the fact that Jesus was an untrained and unskilled teacher, but spoke with authority because of the knowledge he was able to apply.

Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him. ~Jn 7:18

My question is: are you seeking to know the word of God?  Sometimes it is intimidating to read the Bible for various reasons.  Some don't feel like they are good enough to deserve to even read what's in the Bible, because they know that they go against those principles and sin.  Others just never really give the Bible a chance, and think it is just an amphigory.  My prayer is that you try and learn a little bit about the Bible each day.  You don't have to dive into it and read a whole bunch, just enough to spark a conversation or two with someone else who is reading.  That's how you will become sharper in your knowledge of the truth.  And, it is then that you will be able to influence others in a positive and godly manner.

Praying for you,

MO

Taradiddle (Colossians 3.1-10)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “taradiddle.”  I love how the Bible talks about putting on the new self.  It makes me feel like I have been given the gift of a new and blameless life before God.  W see in today’s passage that the church was continually dealing with the struggle to be true to one another.  They were reminded that as they shed the old self and embraced the new, God was faithful to respond to them as both a people, and individuals.

“Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” ~Col. 3:9-10

My question is: how do you act towards the people within your sphere of influence?  We must understand that as God calls us to be different and set apart, so must we remember to let our actions match our deeds.  The Lord has called us to be a people who live in his image. That means we need to love one another.  And as in the case of the people in the Colossian church, even the smallest taradiddle brings deceit within the church, because even those little lies fester and grow.  We must be more like Jesus.  Knowing him on a personal level is up to us and the way that we choose to move either closer to God, or further from him.  I pray that you continually renew your mind and the knowledge of God’s saving grace.  Take a moment the morning to thank and praise him.

Praying for you,

MO

Callow (Ephesians 4:14-15)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “callow.”  When Paul was writing to the church at Ephesus, he reminded them of the their commitment to the gospel and the importance that they continue to grow in the face, not looking back at when they were without the discipline that was now in their lives.  He knew the importance of their need for real and effective change.

So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ… ~Eph 4:14-15

My question is: are you the kind of person that speaks the truth in love?  It's not only important that we tell people with honesty what we believe, but more importantly to do with the correct attitude.  I never really appreciated when those who had been in the faith longer than me ridiculed or criticized my lack of understanding of the Bible or other things of God.  I vowed early on that I would not be this kind of Christian.  My prayer is that each of you becomes more knowledgeable in Scripture and godly principles, but that you keep the message simple and clear, so that others might be encouraged by what you have to say, and not condemned.

Praying for you,

Clarion (Philippians 4:4-9)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “clarion.”  The Apostle Paul lived a pretty crazy life. When he addressed the church in Philippi he was avid on letting them know how he felt about them and what their duties as Christians was.  It was important for them to understand the need for clarity of mind and spirit would drive them to seek a better relationship with God and his will.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

~Phil. 4:8

My question is: do you have a clear mind when it comes to your relationship with God? I am not talking about having a perfect life or one without sin. We all know that we will struggle through stuff.  what I am talking about is the ability to see Jesus in all your decisions.  One of the homies from APU back in the day used this as her life verse. She would always quote it and remind me and others of the necessary role that God plays in out lives.  My prayer is that you give God both the good and bad stuff in your life.  Live a clarion life, unmasked by the smoke the evil one wants to use to distract you from an honest relationship with your creator.

Praying for you,

mo

Popinjay (Matthew 7:15-23)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “popinjay.” It's funny how some things never really change. Whether in the time of Jesus or today, false prophets have always been around us. Jesus knew that there were tons of people prophesying and talking about the coming of the chosen one. However, it's easy for us now to look back and see that people were wrong. We have the Scriptures to look at, but back in the day can you imagine how frustrating it must have been to hear so many people promoting different messages.

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

~Matt 7:15-16

My question is: will you be able to spot the false prophets when they present themselves? I would encourage each of you to make sure that you are in the company of others who understand what it means to follow Christ. Sometimes we do not understand the severity of our mission here on earth. With so many messages out there, it is pertinent for us as believers to latch onto things that are of God. Stay away from the popinjays, or talkative and vain people, who preach messages of ungodliness.  My prayer is that you receive the message that the gospel gives, and that you share it with others so that they know the love of God through his son.

Praying for you,

mo