Flapdoodle (1 Corinthians 3:18-23)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “flapdoodle.”  I really like this one because it just looks so awesome on its own.  And I'm sure you can infer from the word itself that it probably has a pretty ridiculous meaning.  I recently looked up online a bunch of stuff that people say about Christianity.  Everyone who does not believe in God has their take on God.  Pretty ironic, don't you think?  I figure that's why I really like what Paul says in this particular passage.

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness;” and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”

~1 Cor 3:19-20

My question is: what are the things in the world that you believe are wise, and what this foolishness?  When people ask me why it is I can go on faith and believe in God, sometimes I don't have an answer that will suffice.  The reason for this is that what the world believes his wisdom is nothing but foolishness to God.  My prayer is that each of you take a look at your own relationship with God and ask your self what it would mean to give up the wisdom of the world for the foolishness of God.  Go in faith and give God's plan the benefit of the doubt in your life today.

Praying for you,

mo

Persistence (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “persistence.” Paul lays out in this passage that Christians need to put before them the idea that giving our all to JC is the key to eternal life and salvation.  Paul talks about diligent work, giving the church a charge to work hard, and to never quit. We can learn a lot from the words that he tells his dearest friends, knowing that it’s not about how much we have, but what we do with it that matters.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…”

~Heb 12:1

My question is: where do you stand with it comes to persistence in your life? Are you the kind of person that puts her mind to something and works diligently until it is finished? God would have us work with joy in abundance in all tasks. That means whether we are in the pool, on campus, with family, or whatever. THis is going to be a long season, and you will need to make choices… each of which will bring you either closer or farther away from your goals. My prayer is that you take steps in a direction that would make you a woman of persistence.

Praying for you,

MO

Purpose (John 12:27-36)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is "purpose."  As Jesus was nearing the end of his earthly ministry prior to the crucifixion, we see that many different kinds of people sought out his wisdom and guidance.  Others just followed him because they were intrigued by what he spoke about and stood for.  We see in today's passage that Jesus unequivocally lays out the purpose for which he was born.

“Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came out of heaven: “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” So the crowd of people who stood by and heard it were saying that it had thundered; others were saying, “An angel has spoken to Him.”

~Jn. 12:27-38

My question is: when is the last time you thought about your purpose?  This subject tends to be one that we gloss over much of the time as Christians because we know that God does have a plan for us.  And because of that, the language gets old and stale sometimes.  My prayer is that each of you revisits what you think God's purpose might be for your life.  What you do is important to the kingdom.  Take some time and ask God to clarify any parts of your life that you feel are uncertain.

Praying for you,

MO

Certainty (Romans 11:25-32)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “certainty.”  Have you ever felt like God has given up on you?  I know there were a couple times in my life where I really thought that he should have.  But because I stuck close to people who knew both me and God very well, I was able to constantly change to become more recognizable to myself.  God already saw me for who I was, it was me who had the need for change.  I love what the apostle Paul says in the following verse…

“As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.”

~Rom. 11:28-29

My question is: what is the calling that God is given to you?  I have been trying to answer that with certainty my whole life as a Christian.  I never seem to get an answer that I am okay with.  But remember that God has given all of us the ability to do specific and certain things well (Rom 12:6). my prayer is that you do not underestimate the purpose that God has given you, knowing that the gifts and talents you possess are waiting to define who you are.  Take this year and allow yourself to be affected by God so that you might in turn affect the souls of many in a positive way.  Choose to let God use your unique qualities today, your God-given perfection in his sight.

Praying for you,

MO

Serve (John 13:1-20)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the word of the day is “serve.” Towards the end of Jesus ministry I am sure that he thought much about leaving his disciples behind to continue building the king them.  You can imagine the stress and concern with which he lived.  Out of all of the lessons that he taught these men and women who followed him, he always focused on the most important part of his ministry... Jesus was always ready to serve others.

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

John 13:3-6

My question is: who are the people in your life that you associate most with serving others?  I would imagine that these are the men of women that you should follow.  My prayer is that each of you live a life of service, both to one another as teammates, and also others with whom you come into contact.  We don’t have a lot of time here at Azusa Pacific.  What we do have is the opportunity that God has given.  Use it well, and always put others before you.

Praying for you,

MO

Courage (Joshua 1:1-18)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is "courage."  Welcome to the first day of the next several months of your life.  God spoke long ago to a young man who was taking on a new role, during one of the most pivotal changes of his life.  Joshua for sure did not have all of the answers, but had to rely on God to be his strength for the journey ahead.  One of my most favorite verses in the Bible is what God told Joshua as he transitioned into his new role.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

~Josh. 1:9 

My question is: are you going to live your life on the offensive, as a decisive person who finds her security and God?  There is a lot of stuff that you can focus on this year, and you will face change one way or the other.  My prayer is that you never let your quest for balance and life stop you from taking steps that God will help to make you successful.  Be bold in the way that you approach this season as well as the other parts of your life that your Creator has set before you. Take courage and succeed!

Praying for you,

MO

Gracious (Romans 3:21-23)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is "gracious.”  I have been in a study of Romans lately and love to read about the stuff that Paul has to say to the believers in Rome.  He spends the first few chapters talking about all the stuff that is going wrong.  But then he gets to the good news.  The reason we know that God's news is so good is because by ourselves we have such bad news.  This is how we know God is gracious. 

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it — the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…

~Rom 3:21-23

My prayer this morning is that you learn a little bit more what it means to live a righteous life through faith in the Creator. He is the one who brings that good news as it is explained by at how rebellious gods people are but the cool thing is that Paul reveals and reaffirms to each of the centers in Rome, and us today, that God is gracious and wants to give us his righteousness.

Praying for you,

MO