Restraint (Habakkuk 3:1-16)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “restraint.” We like to think that we live in a pretty crazy world. The funny thing is, God has always dealt with people according to the way best to help them. God has always been the leader of this world and governance humans according to their situations. Habakkuk showed how God influenced nations to perform his will. In that specific instance, God prevented people from doing what they naturally were inclined to do. He helped them understand his cause and move toward his will. Even when evil is present, God can make something good come out of it.

“He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting.”

~Hab. 3:6

My question is: do you allow God to govern your life and the things that you deal with? Sometimes we don't always understand our situations. My prayer is that God would shape you into a leader who influences many toward the will of God. As God gives you more influence, what is necessary do to help others understand the goodness that God has prepared for them. As the nation of Israel needed to be course corrected every now and again, so do we as Christians need God's influence in our lives. Take each day to make your natural inclinations to match God’s.

Praying for you,

mo

Respond (Joel 3:1-21)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “respond.” In this very short book of the Bible, God uses this particular profit to pronounce judgment on the nations. Because of God's promise, Israel could look toward the future of hope. But they could only do this if they would respond in obedience to what God expected from them. Joel tells the people here that the Lord is going to use this nation to judge others. God was going to bring terror to those who rebelled, but hope to those who trusted in him.

“The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.”

~Joel 3:16

My question is this: how do you respond to God and what he expects of you? Some of you may not even know what God has in store for you. And that is exactly why we need to have people in our lives that can help us understand those things. We need to be a people full of discernment, strategy, and a hope for the future. My prayer is that you respond favorably to God's plans for you, as he will respond favorably when you take action. Just as Joel painted a picture here, God will continue to reveal his plan to you. You need only to respond.

Praying for you,

mo

Eye (Hebrews 12:2)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “eye.”  God continues to watch over you like he did for peeps in the OT and NT.  Good thing for them, and us, is that he gives more opportunities to live in a way that would be pleasing for both the Creator and those who follow.  The Savior himself was able to fix his eyes on what lay ahead of the excruciating pain he would endure for the sake of God’s people.  JC showed the ability to look at God in even the most troublesome time of his life.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

~Heb. 12:2

My question is: where are your eyes fixed in this moment of your relationship with God?  We must press on in spite of hardships and the things in life the hinder us from focusing on the Savior.  My prayer is that you understand that keeping a grasp on God’s vision for you will open doors that are important not only for you life, but for those whom you serve.  God will do a mighty work in you life when you turn your eyes to focus on him.

Praying for you,

mo

Discipline (Hebrews 12:9-11)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “discipline.” The writer of Hebrews was trying to make a point here about discipline, and following God's law. Submitting to divine discipline is not always what we would like to do. However, doesn't it always seem to come back around to remind us why it is good to be under that law? Reading passages like this always encourages me, because it reminds me that God's people have been dealing with the same kind of stuff for a lot of years now.

“Moreover, we had human parents to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not be even more willing to be subject to the Father of spirits and live?”

~Heb. 12:9

My question is: what are the disciplines that you live by... how does God fit into these plans? Coming toward the end of the season, discipline is more important than ever. Some things are going to want to distract you from doing your best. But you have to rise above all that and get the job done. You have to train when you are ready to do so, and you have to train when you're not ready. You have to train when times are good, and you have to train when times are not. You have to train when you feel good, and you have to train when you're tired. Discipline is the key at this point in the season. My prayer for you is that you would reach down inside you and figure out what that looks like. You are all capable of attaining great things, it is only a matter of whether or not you will do it. I choose to believe that you will rise to meet the challenge.

Praying for you,

mo

Struggle (Hebrews 12:4-12)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “struggle.” If anyone knew what it meant to struggle, it was the Savior. And the writer of Hebrews right here wants us to make sure that we don't make light of this. Can you imagine taking on the pain and suffering that JC did? It seems that the people here had forgotten a little bit of what it meant to struggle. So, they were reminded.

“In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.”

~Heb. 12:4

When it comes to sports I think we all know what it means to struggle. Each of you ladies has been putting in a lot of effort this season, and I know sometimes you think yourself what the heck you are doing. And I can tell you, you are doing exactly what you need to be. You are making sacrifices that others are not. My question is this: do you treat your spiritual life as you do your sports career? I know that you all have it in you to live an incredible life for the Savior. You just need to make the decision to do so. My prayer for you is that each of you takes a look at your spiritual life and embrace the struggle. Life is not easy, and you all know this. It brings me a ton of joy to see so many young women choosing to live in the spotlight of being an athlete at Christian school. You are leaders, and God's favor shining upon you.

Praying for you,

mo

Perfecter (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “perfecter.”  I love this one because it is not in the dictionary… or at least to my knowledge.  Which makes it even more cool and unique.  God sent his only Son to take care of the sin stuff that we could not do on our own.  That is why the writer of Hebrews is reminding the peeps that it is extremely important not to lose sight of the whole reason for doing the Christian life.  It is kind of sobering to know that even back then, so close to the time JC was on earth, it was difficult to stay focused. 

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

~Heb. 12:2

JC was a pioneer to a faith you and I could hold true. My question is: how are you letting the Savior be the perfecter in your life?  Think of specific ways that the Son touches your life and works to shape you.  My prayer is that you fix your eyes on the eternal throne, knowing that one day God will bring you into everlasting glory.  It’s a pretty crazy world, and sometimes we lose sight of what is important.  Don’t allow yourself to get caught up in the madness. Hold fast!

Praying for you,

mo

Helper (Hebrews 13:6)

Good morning ladies,

the word of the day is “helper.” When the writer of Hebrews was giving this discourse, he knew that the people needed a lot of help. Using references from the Old Testament was important to get his point across. In this crazy world we know that we need a lot of help. And the cool thing is we have a helper.

“So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’”

~Heb. 13:6

My question is: from where do you find your help? God wants to be the center of each of our lives, we just need to give the invitation. One of the best things I like about my Creator is that he does not force himself upon us. There are a lot of people out there that need a Savior. My prayer for you is that you would be the person who brings that Savior to them. So, live today in the confidence that God is on your side and wants to use you to reach others.

Praying for you,

mo