Bequeath (Pr 13:21-25)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is "bequeath."  Back in the day it was customary for a man to make enough money and gain enough wealth to leave to his family and future generations.  Solomon tells us here that we should be focused on both taking care of people financially, but more importantly spiritually.  He knew that the way that people conducted themselves would influence future generations.  The importance of a relationship with God was key because even after someone died that relationship continued to minister to others.

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.”

~Pr. 13:22

My question is: what you plan to leave behind, what is your legacy?  I know that when I began to do ministry with my first boss and mentor, the man who brought to Christ, he had a long-term perspective.  He brought me on staff as a youth pastor under his care.  He said something that I will always remember.  He told me that if he and I did ministry together for the next 5 to 10 years, that we could change a community through influence and service.  And, we did just that.  My prayer is that you find out what is important to you and that you put your whole heart into it, knowing that Jesus will bless your efforts and allow you to be a positive impact on those whom you serve.

Praying for you,

Mo

Chattel (Romans 6:18)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is "chattel."  The Apostle Paul talked about being a slave to sin, as opposed to a slave to righteousness.  He knew that the people reading his letters were continually struggling with surrendering to God the stuff that hindered them from a better relationship with him.

You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness."

~Rom. 6:18

My question is: what are the things in your life that are most important? That could sometimes be very different from what we tell others or display in our lives. Even when you hide your feelings from the rest of the world, God can still search your heart and knows you to the core. I pray today that you chat with God and set your thoughts and actions on what is important to him.  Take some time to give to God the stuff that controls you. Be no longer a slave to anything that is not of God.

Praying for you,

mo

Shoal (1 Timothy 6:12-16)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is "shoal."  In preparation for the sermon that I preached this past Sunday, I was convicted by the Lord to move deeper into a relationship with him.  I know that might seem a little bit odd, figuring that he is always calling us to become closer, but it was just one of those moments that one has every now and again that remind them how important it is to continually get closer in relationship to him.

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

~1 Tim 6:12-16

Talk about an awesome charge of encouragement from Paul to Timothy!  In these few verses, the apostle was telling this young man that he must continually fight to preserve what he accepted from Jesus.  My question for you is: what are the things in life that are keeping you from becoming closer to God?  Some of us like to sit on the shore, and sometimes wade into the shoal, when the Lord is calling us to go to the deep waters.  When we move from the familiar to the unfamiliar, God will move us further from what we have been and make us more of what we can become.  My prayer is that each of you understands that God is calling you to a deeper relationship with him each moment, and that we must not take for granted that calling.

Praying for you,

Mo

Solipsism (Proverbs 26:1-12)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is "solipsism.”  The book of Proverbs continues to speak to me every time I read through them.  My mentor told me a long time ago that a good way to get these principles down was to read one a day and I would finish the book in a month.  I have since added this to my reading regiment.  Now I go through this book a few times a year.  Many of the lessons that it teaches are hard to heed and make a part of life because I know that I am far off from being able to live them out.

“Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”

~Pr. 26:12

My question is: what are the principles you dedicate to learning on a continual basis.  Often we think that because we learn something that we do not have to revisit it.  But, sometimes it is better to reminded than instructed.  My prayer is that you find the important lessons of life and continue to relearn them throughout this year.  Take some time today and write down a couple of lessons that have helped you grow in your relationship with Jesus.  This exercise may help to keep those specific lessons at the forefront of your mind.

Praying for you,

Mo

Arraign (Mark 15:1-5)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “arraign.”  When Jesus was nearing the end of his ministry and life, he had it pretty rough.  He had given everything in the way that he lived, and was about to give even more in the way that he died.  At this point in the story, Jesus is brought in front of the most powerful people, those with all of the power to either put him to death, or let him live.

Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “You have said so,” Jesus replied. The chief priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.” But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.

~Mk 15:1-5

My question is: how do you respond to Jesus, knowing that he chose to take a very difficult path for both your sake and mine?  My prayer is that you always remember that there is a ton of stuff going on in life, but most of it is not as important as the decision to make Jesus a part of your life a little bit more each day.  Although Jesus was arraigned and eventually put to death, he now sits in glory with the Father and awaits your day of acceptance into the kingdom.  Hold on and make a difference for the Savior!

Praying for you,

mo

Habiliments (Ephesians 4:22-24)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “habiliments.” The church in Ephesus dealt with many situations like we do today. In fact, there was a ton of stuff going on and beliefs were often hindered by the teachings of others who were not in accordance with God's law. Paul reminds this church that as they were made in God's likeness, they must act accordingly and clothe themselves in righteousness and holiness.

To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

~Eph 4:22-24

My question for you is: what are the two or three main things in your life that hinder you from developing a close relationship with God? I know that sometimes the evil one would like to make us feel as though we were not deserving of God's love. But the funny thing is, we already know that. My prayer is that each of you takes God's righteousness and holiness to be your own. Continue to be renewed by God's spirit and let your mind throw off all habiliments, putting on the clothes of God. Let your life be a representation of Christ's love for others. I believe in you!

Praying for you,

mo

Sapient (Proverbs 12:15)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “sapient.” I love reading the book of Proverbs because when I do not know exactly what to read I open it up and get good stuff, every time!  To think of the wisdom that King Solomon had is incredible.  I feel like those proverbs speak into my life and give me great insight.  One of my most favrit verses in that book is this one on advice and wisdom.

“The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.”

~Pr. 12:15

My question is: who is it that you have given the ability to speak into your life? I know that I would not be where I am today, nor be the person I am without the advice of many people who have walked the road before me.  I give a lot of weight to certain peeps in my life to help me make decisions and move in positive directions. My prayer is that you find men and women that are seeking God daily, and give them permission to help you grow closer to God. 

Praying for you,

mo