Decathect (John 11:1-16)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “decathect.” Jesus lived a pretty tumultuous life. As he got ready for his ministry and did everything necessary, the time had come where he was to fulfill his purpose given by God. At one point in this journey, Thomas realized that if he was going to follow Jesus then it might have to be to the death. He accepted this fact.

Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

~Jn. 11:16

My question is: how far are you going to follow Jesus? If he was living with us today and you were following him, do you think that you could go to the point of death? I know it's easy for us to answer this in the positive. However, I think sometimes whethere or not I would stand up for Jesus in all circumstances. There were a couple of disciples who did stand up for Jesus all the time, well most of the time. There were others at different points in his journey that left him when they realized what he was asking. My prayer is that you understand what Jesus is asking of you. He wants you to follow him to the death. What I mean by this is that he knows that you will have to die to certain parts of your life if you want to be fully committed to him. What are those items or tendencies in your life? When you are presented with the ultimate decision in your life to follow Jesus will you decathect, or distance yourself from him… or will you follow the call? Are you ready to die for Jesus?

Praying for you,

mo

Wayworn (Isaiah 40:27-31)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “wayworn.” It always amazes me that read the Bible I find that people following God often become tired and weary. In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah wrote about his strength coming from the Creator. So many people look to their own strength instead of from God above. One of my favorite songs has the following line:

“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

~Is. 40:30-31

I remember leaning on this verse for many years between high school and college. My question for you is: from where do you find your rest? Many times we just like to work until we cannot work anymore. God would have a more suitable plan for us if we only listen. My prayer for you is that as you become wayworn, or tired from the journey… take time towards the end of this year to rest, you also remember God's goodness and that he is the one who restores your faith and strength.

Praying for you,

mo

Counterblast (Matthew 23:1-39)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “counterblast.” Have you ever been in a situation where somebody challenged your belief system? If you read the Gospels, you understand that Jesus was always up against somebody trying to bring him down. People would give him crazy questions and impossible scenarios, all of which he took in stride. But one of my favorite instances is when he gives a monologue on what is known as the Seven Woes. Pretty much for the end of it he says the following:

“You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?"

~Matthew 23:33

Whoa! Talk about a rebuttal to the questions that he was receiving. My question for you today is: how do you respond when somebody challenges the things that you believe in? I'm not saying that you have to use a sentence like the one above, because of course we know that none of us are Jesus. But what this passage shows us is that Jesus was very passionate about his mission here on earth. Are you passionate about the mission that God has given you? My prayer is that you study God's Word now so that you are able to give a calculated counterblast, or a vigorously powerful response, to any attacking statement against your beliefs. I believe each of you and know that you will be ready to defend your faith in love.

Praying for you,

mo

Laudable (Philippians 4:8)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “laudable.” The apostle Paul was always trying to make people better. He was not doing this for his sake, but for that of the Savior. He knew that his time on earth was limited in that he needed to do what was right all the time. You have to understand that Paul had a pretty tumultuous beginning as a Christian, or should we say a non-Christian. Remember that before he accepted Christ on that long road he was one who persecuted the very same people that he would soon be ministering to. For this reason he understood how precious life was and the importance of following Jesus at all times. He did not have time to think about things that were ungodly.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

~Phil 4:8

My question for you is: what are the things that you think of on a continual basis? I know that with all of the stuff that eats at us at life, it is tough to stay in the mindset that Paul speaks of in this passage. My prayer is that each of you takes this verse and applies it to your lives all the time. I say this with humility because I know that I do not always “think about such things.” But Paul says that our God is laudable, or worthy of praise, which means that he deserves nothing but exactly what is in this verse.

Praying for you,

Mo

Whinge (Philippians 2:14-18)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is whinge.” One of my favorite attributes of the apostle Paul is the way that he was able to help people understand the way they should be acting. There was a ton of people complaining in the church for various reasons. I'm not saying they didn't have a reason to do so, but the fact is that they were complaining, and he felt that this needed to stop.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

~Phil 2:14-18

Paul was all about running for that final destination of heaven. The day he was with Christ would be the ultimate goal and destination of his life. But even further than that he wanted to urge others to make sure they were ready to face Jesus on judgment day. Paul expected people to rejoice rather than whinge, or complain, no matter what the circumstances. My question for you is: what are some of the circumstances that you find yourself leaning towards beginning to complain? I know that I have my quirks and stuff that bothers me, and I'm sure you do as well. My prayer is that you remember to always look toward Christ in every situation and think to yourself whether or not your attitude reflects that of Christ. I think that as we continue to move through struggles and do not complain, God will be faithful and spreading his word through our words and actions.

Praying for you,

mo