Plotz (Matthew 9:35-38)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “plotz.” In today’s scripture, at this particular point in Jesus ministry he had been traveling all around Israel, teaching and preaching about God's kingdom. The whole purpose for this tour was to authenticate what the Scriptures said he was. Because of all this stuff that Jesus was doing, he often attracted large crowds. Jesus had compassion on people and had sympathy for them. This is also shown a ton in the book of Luke, and also by the apostle Paul.

And when He saw the crowds He was touched with pity for them, because they were distressed and were fainting on the ground like sheep which have no shepherd.

~Matt 9:36

My question is: have you ever felt harassed and helpless, that you had lost your way? We don't always understand the stuff that happens in our lives. Sometimes we have something to say about it, and other times we can only respond. The cool thing about all of this is that Jesus has compassion for us. It is when we don't understand our circumstances and have pretty much exhausted all options that Jesus can begin his work. So, the next time that you feel that you have done all that you could possibly do and you are to the point of plotzing, or fainting from exhaustion, let yourself go in the Savior will uphold you.

Praying for you,

mo

Intemerate (1 Timothy 1:1-7)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “intemerate.” In a time where so much was getting out of hand, Paul knew that his charge to young Timothy was very important. Paul was not always going to be there to guide the young man. He spoke often about what it would take for Timothy to be effective in his ministry. One of the most important pieces to this puzzle was that Timothy stay pure in heart. The evil one was always going to try and thwart any good deed that might add to the kingdom. Paul knew that the only way to win was to do so with love.

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

~1 Tim 1:5

My question is: do you approach each situation in your life with a pure heart? I guess what I'm really asking is whether or not your intentions are backed by love. It is easier to judge the situation in terms of right and wrong than it is to approach that same situation with the pure heart. We are called as Christians to love one another. Even further than that we are called to love the unlovable. My prayer is that you take Paul's charge seriously and enter each situation put in front of you with an intemerate, or pure, heart.

Praying for you,

mo

Brabble (2 Timothy 2:20-26)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “brabble.”  Paul was usually put in situations that required him to defend the Gospel.  This was of course his choice and so he knew what he was getting into.  I love how he approached people who did not believe that Jesus was Lord.  Moreover, I especially liked when he spoke to believers about what it takes to be one who follows Jesus.  Among those imperatives was a challenge to be cool with everyone, both Christian and non-Christian.  And what better way to express this than to tell peeps how to speak with one another…

Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.

~2 Tim 2:23

It is pretty much plain as day.  It is important for xtians to act civily with one another so as not to bring shame to the Gospel.  the word of God does fine on its own, it is when we screw it up that God has to work a little harder.  My question is: do you act in accordance with God’s commandments, giving people a reason to live the life of a Christ-follower?  My prayer is that each of you use your words to encourage others. Stay away from brabbling, or arguing about useless and meaningless stuff.  Our calling is much to important to go astray.

Praying for you,

mo

Kibitzer (Proverbs 10)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is "kibitzer.” I was talking to one of my buddies last night about how cool the book of Psalms is. No matter what you're looking for, you're bound to find it in the Psalms. In fact, when my pastor first told me that I needed to read through the Bible, he told me that I needed to read a Psalm a day and I would get through the book in about a year. I took him up on the challenge and to this day continue to read through the Psalms about once a year. In today's specific passage, we see the value of hard work. I know that each of you understands what it takes to succeed, so this Psalm would probably be written just for you if the Psalmist were here today.

A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

~Ps 10:4

My question is: what is your view of hard work? The funny thing is that most people will work for you hard to make a few bucks or so, or to make a relationship work, but when it comes to a relationship with God we are not willing to put in the time. This was me in my early years as a Christian. I know what I needed to do but I was somewhat lazy in my attempts to follow God and learn his decrees. I've found that over the years the more time that I put into learning about God's word, the more equipped I am for specific situations.  My prayer is that you never become kibitzer, or lazy person when it comes to your relationship with God. Be diligent in your work, and your relationship with your creator.

Praying for you,

mo

Sanctum (Matthew 6:5-13)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is "sanctum.” Our passage of Scripture the other day was the Sermon on the Mount given by Jesus years ago. Right in the middle of that he speaks of what it means to be righteous. Although some people were using prayer as a show of their own righteousness, Jesus understood that role righteousness came from the heart and was an attitude of the soul. He did not appreciate very much people who made crazy spectacles of themselves, acting like they were praising God. He lived from people were genuinely concerned with spiritual growth and maturity.

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matt 6:6

My question is: do you get that frequent kind of time with Jesus? It is important for each of us to get out of our daily madness and talk with him one-on-one. I know that each of us have tons of demands on our time, but I believe it would do us good to me time to sit and listen to the words of God. It's not even that you have do here God talking to you audibly. Really, it's about setting aside that time and giving it to something greater than yourself. My prayer is that each of you would find a sanctum, for sacred place, to spend on a pretty consistent basis with your Creator. Prayer works...

Praying for you,

mo