Novitiate (2 Peter 3:9)

Good morning all,

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

Clepe (Jeremiah 1:4-10)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “clepe.”  Jeremiah was a pretty special dude.  He was called to do great things for God.  He was given the reins of leadership in a time where very few people, if anyone, would want to have the responsibility for what was going on in God's kingdom.  The Bible is very specific about the way that he was called to lead…

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

~Jer. 1:5

My question is: what are some of the things in your life that point to a divine calling?  Like Jeremiah, God wants to use you for something specific.  And the cool thing is, there is no such thing as something small in God's eyes.  What you are called to do is very important for you to the story.  Each of us have a specific role to play, and should take seriously the effects of our actions, as God has cleped you his own.

Praying for you,

Mo

Adscititious (Ephesians 3:1-21)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “adscititious.”  The following verse is one of my favorite long sentences in the New Testament.  Every time I read this sentence, I feel as though God's power is moving through me and strengthening me in my desire and will follow him:

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

~Eph 3:14-19

My question is: when is the last time you asked God to give you strength beyond what you are capable of attaining?  I know that our God gives us the opportunity to become wiser as we get to know him.  My prayer is that you seek to be filled with all of the fullness of God.  As his glory shines upon you, and through you, you will be the adscititious extension of God's greatness.

Counterpoise (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “counterpoise.” The writer of Ecclesiastes was said to be the wisest man ever to live. Wow… that takes in some folks!  He reminded his readers that life is full of changes… ups and downs.  He understood, as king, that there was a ton of stuff that would happen both good and bad. In fact, he knew that there was a time for everything in life…

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing…

~Ecc. 3:1-6

My question is: what season of life are you and right now?  My mentor spoke to me years ago about seasons of life.  He knew that I would have the chance to make decisions that would affect others positively.  I know that as you ask God to be with you through this season of life, he will help you to be effective in the relationships that you have, and the impact that you on others. Remember the influence you have on others will only increase, as you understand where you are in life, and with God.

Praying for you,

mo

Counterpoise (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “counterpoise.” The writer of Ecclesiastes was said to be the wisest man ever to live. Wow… that takes in some folks!  He reminded his readers that life is full of changes… ups and downs.  He understood, as king, that there was a ton of stuff that would happen both good and bad. In fact, he knew that there was a time for everything in life…

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing…

~Ecc. 3:1-6

My question is: what season of life are you and right now?  My mentor spoke to me years ago about seasons of life.  He knew that I would have the chance to make decisions that would affect others positively.  I know that as you ask God to be with you through this season of life, he will help you to be effective in the relationships that you have, and the impact that you on others. Remember the influence you have on others will only increase, as you understand where you are in life, and with God.

Praying for you,

mo

Skeigh (Galatians 6:14)

Good morning all, 

The word of the day is "skeigh." The Apostle Paul knew a thing or two about boasting.  In his prior life, before he was a Xtian, he led quite a different life than the one that he now lived.  Knowing this, he made sure that when people saw that he had pride, it was a boasting in the Lord and the power given.

"But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

~Gal. 6:14

My question is: in what do you put your trust and hope?  Much of the time we try to do things the way we think they should be done.  When really, the moment we realize that it is not us who cause the good in our lives but the Son, only then can we experience true understanding of the meaning of the cross. My prayer is that each of your take a moment to thank God for giving us the ability to conquer death, and all that is working against the Lord.

Praying for you,

mo