Astir (Matthew 5:1-10)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “astir.”  I mentioned the other day the Beatitudes, and how important they were to Jesus ministry.  Out of all of the passages in the Bible, I think that people know this one even if they do not really understand the context or exactly what Jesus wants to convey.  When I was in Israel I was given the opportunity to see where the Sermon on the Mount could have likely happened.  It was pretty awesome.  I could just picture all of the people getting together and waiting for him, astir with excitement.

“Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.” ~Matt 5:1-2

My question is: what are the things in life that you are most excited about?  I remember times in my walk with God where I was not very excited to read the word.  I felt that God was far from me.  But, I've come to realize that it is never God who is far from me, but sometimes I just slip away now and again.  But lucky for me, this does not change the way that he cares about me or attends to my needs.  My prayer is that you ask God to give you a fervor and excitement for reading his word.

Praying for you,

MO

Internuncial (Isaiah 55.1-11)

Good morning all,

The word the day is “internuncial.”  I was listening to one of my mentors the other day. He mentioned that people need to play certain roles within a company so that the goals can be accomplished.  One of the positions that is very important within any organization is the role of Connector.  This is the person who is able to bring people together, and help the organization get the right people into the right places, and projects.  God uses different ways to connect with us.  Of course we know that when we accept JC and give him the opportunity to move into our lives, he does so.  Another way that God has communicated with his people, and still does, is through Scripture.

“So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” ~Is 55:11

My question is: What does it mean for you to play your part concerning God’s purpose for his people. Just as you should do what you can, and use your strengths for God, we need to know that we are given the ability to do so because the Lord wants to commune with us.  And for this reason he connects with each of us through his internuncial word.  Take advantage of scripture as much as possible.  God will use you to change lives, but we must begin with changing ourselves, for the sake of his purpose.

Praying for you,

MO

Mackle (2 Timothy 4.1-10)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “mackle.”  Many of us live pretty complicated lives.  I am the kind of guy that used to like to make stuff more complicated for no real good reason.  I have since realized that simplicity is key.  When the Apostle Paul was speaking the Timothy through his letters, one of the main points he asserts is that the Gospel, and life for that matter, should be kept focused and single-minded.

“I can’t impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don’t ever quit. Just keep it simple.” ~2 Tim 4:1-2

My question is: What parts of your life do you feel are the most stressful?  My prayer is that you focus on the stuff that God puts on your heart this year. But even more so, that you are deliberate in your relationship with him, and others as you continue to grow in him.  Keep it simple and don’t allow it to get all mackled.  We have the privilege of living as his children.  I know that the more you live intentionally, the better you will be as a person, and as a Christian.

Praying or you,

MO

Periphrasis (Matthew 5.1-12)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “periphrasis.”  I remember when I first started reading the Bible.  I was very overwhelmed because I did not understand a lot of what I was reading.  My church group leader and people that helped me through those first years reminded me that I did not have to understand everything.  So, when I asked them about some verses that I might be able to understand pretty clearly, even not having been a Christian for a very long time, I was directed to the following passage.

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

~Matt 5:1-12

My question is: do you make the Christian life more complicated than need be?  I think sometimes we get so caught up on trying to understand things and go deeper with God that we forget that the Christian life is all about simplicity.  As we see in today’s passage, Jesus had no need for periphrasis speech, but instead a simple and succinct set of commands would suffice then, and end up being some of the most widely read verses in the Bible even to date.  My prayer is that you keep your relationship with God simple.  Don’t make more of it than necessary.  Allow God to work with you on his time and agenda.  That’s how you grow fast as a Christian.

Praying for you,

MO

Catchpenny (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “catchpenny.”  What is your most prized possession? Each of us has stuff in our lives that we hold dear. I remember when I was a young boy, I was all about my G.I. Joe collection.  I carried those figures everywhere. I was ready at any moment to save the world with the heroes in my pocket!  Well the Bible talks about what we should prioritize in our lives.  We can see that in today's passage there is a need for each person to have the proper foundation is here she is ever going to be worthwhile and sharing the gospel.

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” ~1 Tim 6:17-19

My question is: what are the blessings that God is giving you in abundance?  We can sometimes forget, when times are good, all of the things that God does for us, treating them like worthless catchpennies.  It's when we are in need that it seems we give a majority of our prayers to him.  My prayer is that you take hold of the future today, by choosing to follow God and make a difference for him.  Make a covenant with God this year to do good works, and be ready to see a generously with others.

Praying for you,

MO

Glut (Philippians 1:18-20)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “glut.”  In a world of excess it is often difficult to know what is important and what is not.  We get so caught up on thinking that we need stuff that we tend to forget what is really important. For instance, just the other day I left my house and got down the freeway a couple of exits… that is when I realized that I had forgotten my fone at home.  So guess what I did? That’s right, I turned around! How crazy is that??? And furthermore, I already had one of my fones with me, but I still went back. Now that is madness.

“…for I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ…” ~Phil. 1:19

My question is: what are the excesses in your life that would be good to revisit in this New Year? We all have things on our plates that we should reconsider why they get so much time and attention in our daily affairs?  What are the items on you agenda, or people in your life, that cause you get sidetracked off what really matters?  My prayer is that you take some time to see what it would mean for you to look to God in all that you do.  Allow God to be your glut, or full supply, today.  Try not to focus on the things that you think are important, and allow God to show you what actually is important.

Praying for you,

MO

Dowie (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “dowie.”  My parents’ generation loved some funny songs.  One that is going to stick in my head for the rest of my life is a song called Turn Turn Turn.  It's about the different phases in life and how we all live within those seasons.  That's actually a really good representation of what each of us will face.  But, what is even better is that the song is pretty much taken straight out of the Bible.

There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth:

A right time for birth and another for death,

A right time to plant and another to reap,

A right time to kill and another to heal,

A right time to destroy and another to construct,

A right time to cry and another to laugh,

A right time to lament and another to cheer,

A right time to make love and another to abstain,

A right time to embrace and another to part,

A right time to search and another to count your losses,

A right time to hold on and another to let go,

A right time to rip out and another to mend,

A right time to shut up and another to speak up,

A right time to love and another to hate,

A right time to wage war and another to make peace.

~Ecc 3:1-8

My question is: what season of life are you in right now?  My mentor talks to me often about understanding each season of life as being particular and important.  Never should we go through life and live haphazardly.  Instead, we need to take every opportunity to be in God's grace and will at all times.  My prayer is that you ask God to always be in the right place at the right time.  Of course this will not always happen, but the more we seek counsel from the Lord, the better chance we have of living in his will.  Do not live a dowie life of dullness, but be in the moment and run for God's plan.

Praying for you,

MO