Omnium-gatherum (1 Peter 2:9)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “omnium-gatherum.” I love what Peter has to say about belonging to God’s family.  He really knows how to make his audience feel good. And guess what… we are part of that audience!  The following verse gives us both a blessing and a mandate.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

~1 Pet 2:9

My question is: are you living in the knowledge that God has called you to be one of his children?  I preaced this past weekend on God’s calling for us both individually, as well as a body of believers. My prayer this morning is that you take this assurance of God’s favor on your life as a blessing and sign that you are special in his eyes.  God called you and me out of the darkness to abide in him, for the specific purpose of changing the world by first changing ourselves.

Praying for you,

mo

Commix (Ecclesiastes 4:9)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is "commix.”  When King Solomon was writing down his thoughts, it was amazing how much of what applied back then would apply today.  Wisdom supersedes time periods and allows for things of substance to stay relevant, even over the years.  In this particular verse, he wants to let the reader know about the importance of working together.  There is something about the process that makes us better.

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.

~Ecc. 4:9

I think most of us are the same when it comes to understanding the concept of working together.  I remember when I was a kid, I fought with my brother a lot.  However, when it came time to get something done, miraculously we began to work together.  My question is, are you the kind of person others look to when it is time to get things done?  I know that sometimes the task at hand feels a little overwhelming and that you may be unable to finish.  My prayer is that you seek out others who want to accomplish the same things that are important to you.  When we work together, and commix our abilities, we have and opportunity to excel and be better than we could if we were alone.

Praying for you,

mo

Commissure (Ecclesiastes 4:1-9)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is "commissure."  I think that sometimes in life we forget that we have a ton of resources, people and such that are behind us. King Solomon had more riches than he could know what to do with… I mean common, a guy can only have so many pairs of shoes, right?  But above all else, he knew the importance of joining together with others for the sake of spiritual strength.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

~Ecc. 4:9-12

My question is: who are the two or three peeps that you spend the most time with?  i know that for me, I have had a couple of guys that I could always turn to, no matter what.  My prayer is that you continue to lean on and put your trust in people who are trustworthy, and who will be there for you. The more you open up to others and get a few people who can be the commissure, or joint, that can keep you connected to God; the better you can begin to make good decisions.

Praying for you,

mo

Novitiate (2 Peter 3:9)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is " novitiate.”  I remember pretty vividly my first few days of high school.  In fact, I was so nervous for my first day as a freshman that I had my mom drive me to the school the day before it started, I hopped the fence, and found out where all of my classes were.  I guess the reason I remember this is because I was moving out of my comfort zone into something new.  I think sometimes as Christians we forget that others who do not share the same beliefs as us should be up to par and figure stuff out quick.  This is the exact opposite of what we should be thinking.

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

~2 Pet 3:9

My question is: are you the kind of person that others want to be like?  I know that we hear this all the time, but maybe we need to take a hard look at whether or not we are an example of what other people should emulate.  My prayer is that each of us take a deep look at the way that we respond to people who are not like us, mainly those who are not Christians.  For some reading this, you might not even call yourself a Christian, and that's okay too.  In fact, my favorite part about being a pastor is that I get to speak with people who are not of my faith beliefs.  Either way, I hope that God takes you out of your comfort zone and allows you to put your faith into practice, whether you are new believer in the novitiate of the kingdom, or if you are a seasoned veteran.  God wants to use you to speak to others.

Praying for you,

Mo

Roger (Philippians 2:12)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is "roger."  In the spirit of Veterans Day I thought I would turn you onto a military term.  Actually, I think that most everybody knows what this term means.  When joining the military, I would bet that this is probably one of the only responses that a new folder would know.  When I think of this word in terms of the Bible, the apostle Paul comes to mind.  It seems that no matter what he was told to do, he just kind of did it.  He knew that God had plans in mind.

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling…”

~Phil. 2:12

My question is: with what kind of obedience do you live your life according to God's plan?  My prayer is that you would do things the way that Paul did.  When he told the church at Philippi that they needed to work out their salvation, he knew that following Jesus was not an easy task, but one that would take them to the end of life.  So, if you feel like life is pretty tough sometimes and you don't know what to do, just remember that God has you on a path.  If you seek to follow him with fear and trembling, you can always feel confident in responding with a resounding, “Roger that!”

Praying for you,

Mo

Novitiate (Epesians 4:22-25)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is "novitiate.”  One of the more difficult understandings through my walk with God has been knowing how to see the positive change in my life, and continue to strive to be better each day.  In this passage, Paul is writing to the church in Ephesus that their state of mind is very important, that living life in the likeness of God is pertinent to a productive life.

To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

~Eph 4:22-25

My question is: what are one or two things that you could get rid of and your life that may help you become closer to God?  It's not always easy to change because we're so used to being who we are.  However, God wants us to renew our minds, and are commitments to him, daily so that we can become more conformed to his image.  My prayer is that each of you understand that you are created by God, and that he wants you to be more like him each day.

Praying for you,

Mo