Lorn (Isaiah 1:1-9)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “lorn.” The beginning of Isaiah was not really what you would like to hear if you were one of God’s peeps. The Israelites to this point were in a pretty bad place. They did not do what the Lord needed them to do, and so it was time for him to lay the smack down. This seems to have been quite the pattern for God and his people. The problem is, not much has changed from that time until now…

Your country is desolate, your cities burned with fire; your fields are being stripped by foreigners right before you, laid waste as when overthrown by strangers.

~Isaiah 61:7

My question is: Where are you in your relationship with God at this moment in time. The nature of the way that we live our lives is that we have ups and downs.  The most important thing is that we learn to bring offerings to God that are true and with meaning. I have been in places in my life when I would just go through the motions. My prayer is that you give God what is due his name… which is holy.  Choose today a way to remember some of the cool things God has done for you lately. We are not a lorn people, as God has given us everything we need.

Praying for you,

MO

Redoubt (2 Corinthians 10:1-6)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is "redoubt."  If you remember what we talked about the other day, we must realize that God is the strength to which we must turn.  Paul realizes that we often get caught up in the problems we have on earth.  However, there is a much bigger war at stake.

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

~2 Cor 10:3-5

My question is: what are the things in your life right now that are trying to hold you back.  I think often times we have so much going on in life that it is almost like we are in a sort of prison.  My prayer is that the divine power of God descends on your life to demolish any redoubts that may be challenging his power.  Allow God to be your warrior, especially in times when you think that you cannot handle life.  He will come to your rescue.

Praying for you,

MO

Rejectamenta (James 1:19-26)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “rejectamenta.”  There is stuff in this world that matters, and stuff that does not. The tough part for all of us is to figure out the difference between the two. James gives great insights in the way that we should be living as Christians.  Apparently, based on the verses following, there was a problem or two with the speech practices of the peeps to which he was talking...

“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.”

~Jam. 1:26

Ouch!  You gotta love this guy. Some of the church members thought they were all that and a bag of chips, but James pretty much gives them a spiritual smackdown.  How would you like to be told that your religion is worthless? Wow. My question is: how would you rate your speech concerning the way you talk to others, language, etc.? My prayer is that you understand you are a representation of Christ.  James in effect was saying, don’t say you are a follower of Christ and make the rest of the church look bad because of your behavior. Strive today to make a positive change in yourself and others.

Praying for you,

MO

Flapdoodle (1 Corinthians 3:18-23)

Good morning all,

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

Purpose (John 12:27-36)

Good morning all,

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 all,

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.  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

Gracious (Romans 3:21-23)

Good morning all,

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