Storm (Mark 4:35-41)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “storm.” I was thinking about the time that JC was rollin’ with the disciples through the Sea of Galilee. He was pretty tired after a long day of ministry and decided to get a little sleep. As you may remember, the events that happened next were a crazy test of faith. A storm came up, the disciples got scared and woke up JC… and of course, he calmed the storm.

"They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

~Mk. 4:41

There are tons of teaching moments in this small passage. My question though is: do you really believe that JC will calm the storms in your life? Sometimes we say we trust, but then get all crazy and flustered, stressed, and sometimes we panic. My prayer is that you really take a long look at the way you view JC and his power in you life. He wants to intercede for us. He will calm the storms that come up. Even though we feel life is spinning out of control, the Savior has us in his arms. So, when you look up and see those storm clouds… praise God for getting you through the storms – both physically and spiritually. Let’s have a great swim meet!!!

Praying for you,

mo

Distance (Romans 8:35-39)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “distance.” I remember getting lost at Disneyland one time – and I started to panic! As I began to frantically call for my mom I realized that she never lost sight of me, and she was only a few paces away. Paul’s reminder of God’s love is pretty deep and that he has good things in store for us. Sometimes we feel like we are far from God, only to find that we are the ones who turned our eyes away.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Rom. 8:38-39

My question is: when have you moved away from God and realized he never left, and was right there waiting for you? I know that is something we don’t really like to think about a ton, but it is important. My prayer is that each of you looks toward God, especially when times get crazy and tough. School is going to weigh on you… relationships continue to test our patience… uncertainties will always be there. Always remember, you can never be too far from God; he will go the distance to be with you.

Praying for you,

mo

Ordeal (1 Peter 4:12-13)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “ordeal.” Isn’t it crazy how God likes to test us? I mean, sometimes I am doing just fine in this Xtian life and the Lord comes along and has the nerve to stretch me beyond what I believe it possible ☺ Even back in the old days God wanted to keep his peeps ready for the stuff they would have to face because of their choice to be a Believer.

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

~1 Pet. 4:12-13

Here’s my question: are you surprised at the stuff that you have to deal with concerning your Xian life? Think about it… the Enemy would love for you to slip up and do stuff that makes both you and God look bad. I know that I mess up with this all the time. Whether I treat someone poorly, or if I just downright do something stupid. And of course I look back at it and think, “What the heck were you thinking???” So, don't give the bad guys a foothold! You are a creation of the Most High Creator... My prayer is that you rejoice in the fact that God in nowhere being done with you. Live today and let God reveal his glory through your relationship with him through JC.

Praying for you,

mo

Acquire (2 Corinthians 2:17)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “acquire.” Back in the day there were a ton of peeps that would try to make a buck off anything, including the word of God. This did not make Paul too happy. He knew that Xtians needed to be sincere in their motives for sharing the Gospel with others. Paul’s message was pure; and he expected the same from his fellow believers…

“For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.”

~2 Cor. 2:17

The purpose of God’s word is to help others prosper. If we use it to our advantage then we are missing the point. My question is: do others see you as someone who handles the word of God correctly? You would be surprised at what peeps expect from you concerning your knowledge of the Gospel. My prayer is that you are ready to share God’s goodness in all sincerity so that you might plant seeds in the hearts of those who need to acquire it. You are given power in the name of our Lord, JC… do what you can to prosper the Kingdom.

Praying for you,

mo.

Spot (Acts 16:1-5)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “spot.” The Apostle Paul had a knack for spotting talent when he saw it. Even though Timothy was an unlikely candidate for taking on the role of Paul’s companion for ministry, the two ended up doing some awesome ministry together. Paul believed in the young guy and gave him a chance despite his background, which prolly was not impressive to a lot of peeps.

“Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.”

~Acts 16:3-4

My question is: when have you been that unlikely companion for God’s work? Many of us would not have seen ourselves as instrumental in the Lord’s plan… but we are. Each of us has been chosen to play a part in moving the kingdom forward. My prayer is that you are ready for God’s direction; he sees your potential. Spend time with the peeps that encourage you in the faith; look to spot the same in others. Strengthen God’s church daily, increasing in love for those who need to hear the Gospel. Have a great day.

Praying for you,

mo

Surrender (Jeremiah 10:23-25)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “surrender.” Jeremiah was a dude who knew a little about what it meant to live life for God. He was given a pretty tough task in delivering God’s message. Prophets were not always the most popular peeps on the block for the fact that they brought what needed to be heard – not always what others wanted to hear. Nevertheless, he was bold in this speech, knowing that God was with him. I love this verse here because after his address to Israel, Jeremiah prayed…

“I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.”

~Jer. 10:23

Jeremiah knew his life was not his own. My question is: How willing are you to allow God to direct your steps? Sometimes we want to do things our way. We get so focused on school, work, family, friends, and other madness that we forget that we are God’s creation. My prayer is that each of you surrenders your heart to the Lord. Let the Spirit renew you today as you remember God’s covenant, both with his peeps back then… and in your own life.

Praying for you,

mo

Great (Mark 9:33-37)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “great.” JC stumbled upon a conversation of his disciples arguing about who was going to be the greatest. They got totally busted. They thought that the stuff they were saying was under the radar, but it backfired. This turned out to be a sweet teaching moment for the Savior…

“And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.”

~Mark 9:36-37

Now that is awesome. Notice how JC does not rebuke them for wanting to be the greatest… pretty interesting, I know. He wants the disciples to know that true greatness lay within servanthood. My question is: can you characterize yourself as a servant to others? God wants you to be a servant – it’s all over his teaching. My prayer is that each of you concerns yourself with matters of the heart. Always look to serve others and lift them toward the Savior. Get ready… pray that God will use you as a witness in action and speech.

Praying for you,

mo