Mollify (James 2:13)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “mollify.”  Living a life with Jesus is not always easy.  In fact, living in the same house as some people in your own family does not always work out the best.  I remember years ago when I was still in high school, my brother and I went through a pretty crazy phase where we did not like each other very much.  There’s no real reason.  We came from a pretty good upbringing and although we did not always get what we wanted, we did always have what we needed.  Anyway, we would often get in fights and accuse one another of of some ridiculously petty stuff.

“For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” ~Jam 2:13

My question is: where do you fall on the judgment versus mercy scale?  Just like me and my brother went through a tough time of thinking that the other was completely on the wrong side of every issue, and were at each other’s throats, each of you are going to have opportunities to show either judgment or mercy to others.  My prayer is that you take your time and this next season of life and really understand both.  Believe it or not, judgment and mercy go hand in hand.  God uses one to affect the other in a positive way.  He mollifes his anger towards us and replaces judgment with mercy.  I hope that you accept the teachings from both.

Praying for you,

MO

Spondulicks (Matthew 27.1-5)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “spondulicks.”  One of the most famous people in the Bible is Judas Iscariot.  He sold Jesus to those who wanted him dead for a measly handful of money.  And now and again, when it gets close to Easter and I begin to read these last days of Jesus a bit more, I am reminded that I am not to much better than Judas much of the time.  I have fallen short and have sin in my life that should disqualify me from sitting with Jesus one day in Heaven.

“Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." ~Matt 27:3-4

My question is: what are the things in your life that you need to get rid of to follow Jesus with a whole heart?  The other day when it was Ash Wednesday I saw a bunch of peeps around town with ash on their foreheads.  It made me remember that I have stuff in my life that I put in front of my relationship with God, and that I need to make changes daily, in hopes that I will be a better witness for my Lord.  No spondulicks or any other mount of money is going to get in the way of my love for God. I pray that you leave behind all that hinders you from living completely for Jesus.

Praying for you,

MO

Realpolitik (Matthew 23:12-14)

Good morning all,

THe word of the day is “realpolitik.”  Self-righteousness has been going on since, and even before, the Bible was recorded.  Some peeps just like to get up in other people’s business and tell them how to live.  Unfortunately, most of us have enough hang-ups to keep ourselves busy, and do not really need to worry about others and the way that they are living life.  The Pharisees were these kind of dudes back in the New Testament.  JC really had it up to here with the way that they were living, and judging others...

"Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.13"But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. 14"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation.… ~Matt 23:12-14

My question is: what do you spend most of your time and energy on?  Some peeps are so consumed with the business of judging others that they do not take time to look in the mirror.  My prayer is that each of you takes a moment and self-reflects upon the things in your own life that God would like to work on.  If we spend more time working out our own issues, we will have less time to try to run other peeps’ lives.  Live in grace today, and give others the same benefit that God would… an accepting heart.

Praying for you,

MO