Appointed (Philippians 1:12-18)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “appointed.” Paul knew that he had a special calling from God, one that only he could fulfill. He also knew that each person was called by Christ to live that life in abundance. During that particular time, a lot of people had messages that were not true to the gospel. Paul realized that he was sent for the defense of the gospel and was called to make sure others heard it correctly.

“Because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.”

~Phil. 1:14

My question is: does your relationship with JC cause others to speak the Gospel more courageously? As Christians we should always strive to live a life worthy of emulation.  There is a ton of stuff to believe in out in this world and peeps need something to hold on to.  We know that our God has given us an important responsibility in preaching the gospel with our words, actions, and thoughts.  My prayer is that you speak the name of Christ without fear so that others are bolder in pursuing a relationship with the Savior.

Plant (Luke 13:18-19)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “plant.” JC was always ready with a parable that gave his listeners the ability to understand the message being communicated.  This one especially really let peeps realized the importance of what it means to have faith.  God did not want perfection from them, but a yearning to strive toward the meaningful life.  Putting the correct information into his disciples, and the multitudes, was imperative for them to succeed.  JC was going to leave the earth and knew that his ministry was only for a season.  Teaching people was always high in the Savior’s list…

“Then Jesus asked, ‘What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to?’”

~Luke 13:18

My question is: what are you allowing to be planted in your mind? God wants to penetrate your heart and give you the opportunity to live life in abundance.  We need only to heed his teaching through the Word, other believers, and prayer to the Father. My prayer is that you ask the Savior to plant meaningful thoughts and desires in your heart.  God will answer you favorably when you ask to align your soul to his.  Your heart is the soil… let God plant.

Praying for you,

mo

Reign (Romans 5:18-21)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “reign.” Paul knew that humans were pretty much helpless without the assistance of the Lord Jesus. Most people would have taken this as something discouraging. But the apostle Paul understood that because it was so impossible to earn salvation, we were able to receive it freely without expecting to ever earn it. If anyone knew what it meant to have a Savior cover his sins it was the apostle Paul.

“The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, ²¹ so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

~Rom. 5:20-21

My question for you is: has grace increased all the more in your life? JC gives it freely, we just need to accept it. Living a life of the Savior is freeing them because we do not deserve it. My prayer is that you realize your trespasses are no match for the blood that covers you. Take a few moments and thank God for giving you everything you need, even though you are not capable of earning it. God is pretty cool like that.

Praying for you,

Mo

Pour (Jeremiah 10:23-25)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “pour.”  Jeremiah ended his temple address with a prayer to God. The prophet admitted that a person’s life can’t be considered his or her own as though they are free to direct their own steps. The Lord is in control, and only those who let God direct their ways will be truly blessed. Because Judah’s judgment was inevitable, Jeremiah pleaded that it might come only with God’s justice and not with His anger.  Jeremiah was asking for God’s patience in passing judgment or else the nation might be reduced to nothing…

“Correct me, Lord, but only with justice — not in your anger, lest you reduce me to nothing. Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the peoples who do not call on your name.”

~Jer. 10:23-24

My question is: do you allow God to pour his goodness into your life?  There are so many things that you can do with the strength of the Lord.  He asks only for our obedience and love.  My prayer is that God is in control of your life today and continues to be more so in the future.  Each of you is a special individual and the Lord will bless you.  Just as the Lord rightly delivered judgment on his people, so does he pour out his blessings on those who call on the name of JC.  Live your life according to the decrees God has given.  He will correct your missteps and give you a heart more toward his each day.

Praying for you,

mo

Life (1 Timothy 6:11-16)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “life.” This is what being a God follower is all about. So many times throughout the Bible we hear about what it means to live through a relationship with God. In his first letter to Timothy, Paul reminds him of the importance of fighting for the life to come. The apostle Paul knew what it meant to live a crazy life of serving God. I love this passage and what he says to young Timothy because Paul knows it is imperative to fight to the very end.

“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

~1 Timothy 6:12

My question is: what does it mean for you as a Christian to fight the good fight of faith? God has put you in the unique position to influence others and to live a life for Christ. We are in the presence of many witnesses and it is imperative for us to live a life worthy of the calling God has given. You are coming to the end of your season and each of you knows what it means to fight. With every practice, every stroke, every breath – you are fighting to do your best. My prayer for you is that you continue to live your life in the same manner. We don't know how many more days we have left on this earth. But we do know that we can live each of those days for Christ. As we finished the season strong, remember to take hold of your calling from God.

Praying for you,

mo

Emphasis (Genesis 22:1-12)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “emphasis.”  God chooses often to show us his will by way of situations.  We are given the choice to follow his way but are not forced to do so.  In this instance, Abraham is faced with a choice and given a test in obedience.  Could you imagine God telling you to sacrifice the promise of a nations?  It’s almost a little crazy if you were Abe, you know.  The cool thing is that in the beginning of his discourse, God puts a major emphasis on reminding Abe that he is to take his only son and give him up.  This would ultimately throw a wrench in the promise Abe received from God concerning building a great nation through this kid…

“Then God said, ‘Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Mariah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.’”

~Gen. 22:2

My question is: how do you respond when God seems to ask you to give something up for the good of his ultimate plan?  I know for me that sometimes God wants me to do stuff that takes me out of my comfort zone.  I feel like the decisions I need to make to live in obedience are not always the most desirable.  Yet, I choose them because God has  a plan and I would like to be a part of it in the fullest.  My prayer for you today is that God put on your heart the things he wants for your life.  Just a warning, sometimes the stuff that God wants for us is not the path we are currently on.  Look for the places in life where God puts special emphasis… go that route with boldness.

Praying for you,

mo

Careful (1 Corinthians 8:9-13)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “careful.” Paul knew a thing or two about what it took to be a constant minister for the Gospel.  In the early days a lot of dissention among Xtians occurred because of the certain rules, regulations, and rituals attached to an obedient life in Christ.  Now, that the peeps wanted to follow the will of God was all good, but to the extent of craziness and fighting within the church… well, that is just absurd!

“Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, won’t he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols?”

~1 Cor. 8:9-10

My question is: how to you live your life in accordance to God’s law? There are a lot of brothers and sisters in Christ out in our churches, schools, and society that need good role models. You can, and should be, that role model. And if you are on the other side of the coin and feel like the newer and more inexperienced Xtian then I encourage you to find others that you know to be strong in the Lord.  My prayer is that we as God’s peeps give others a reason to believe that a life with JC is the way to go. Be careful to understand that others are always watching you to see if you example is worth following… is it?

Praying for you,

mo