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

Euchre (Hebrews 4:11)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “euchre.”  Life is filled with stuff that tries to take our focus of the all the great stuff we should be doing. One of my mentors once told me that the good stuff sometimes will get in the way of us doing the great things that are in store for our lives. I know that in the scriptures we see that the Evil One does whatever he can to keep our eyes from God.  The churches back in the day even knew that stuff would get in the way.  The writer of Hebrews allows the people in the church to understand that all efforts need to be given towards following God, with an attitude of praise and obedience.

Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.

~Heb 4:11

I know that tons of stuff in each of your lives seems to be good and what you need to be doing.  I would encourage each of you to remember that we cannot give up in our attempts to follow God through your actions, prayer, and praise times.  My prayer is that we come to obey know eternal life with the believers, and that we see Jesus one day as a family… when we enter his rest. Until then, we cannot let the Evil One euchre, or trick us, into thinking that we can live any other way that completely for Christ.

Praying for you,

mo

Allocution (Matthew 5:1-7:29)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “allocution.” Every few years we have the opportunity to hear the inauguration speech of either a new or current president. These are known as some of the most listened to speeches by people from not only our country, but all over the world. On the morning of this year's presidential inauguration I am inclined to think of one of the greatest speeches ever given. The Sermon on the Mount was given by Jesus a couple thousand years ago, yet it still resonates with people today. Even though most of us would not even realize it, people often use parts from the Sermon on the Mount in present day speeches and every-day conversations. Jesus was speaking to a crowd of people, including disciples, and others who chose to follow him. He chose his words carefully, knowing that these words should and would resonate with those who heard.

“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

~Matt 5:13-16

My question is: what are some of the greatest speeches that you have ever heard? In all of my years of ministry I have heard a ton of great speeches, sermons, and other allocutions. And, I have to say that I am really proud that my Savior gave perhaps the most moving challenge of all with the Sermon on the Mount. My prayer is that each of you takes heed to each section of this encouragement by Jesus. Take time today to read through this particular sermon, and give thanks for a God who reaches out to love us continually.

Praying for you,

mo

Camelot (Luke 23:43)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is "Camelot." This was the legendary site of King Arthur's court. You've probably heard this word mentioned in many movies, usually referring to something that is idealistic or a state of life that is almost a dream-like world. Regarding this, we can only imagine what it is going to be like when we are with our Messiah in heaven. For one guy, a criminal on a cross who recognized Jesus for who he really was, was told of that life to come.

Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

~Luke 23:43

My question is: what are your thoughts on heaven, and how do they work into the here and now? For many of us, we feel that the afterlife is far off in the distance and so we do not always act with an urgency to live for Jesus. My prayer is that you realize while we are waiting for the day of paradise to come, we can live within our small part of the world with a hope that a life lived for Jesus will bring us to that paradise with him one day. Take some time today to thank God for revealing to you that paradise.

Praying for you,