GOD’S TWO—LAST CALL?

Posted on May 24, 2022 by randscallawayffm

The life we live is either before Jesus or after Jesus.  Before Jesus, we think life is all up to us because that is what a world without Jesus tells us.  “It’s all up to you”, the world teaches.  “Pull yourself up by your bootstraps”, the old saying goes, which is actually physically impossible!  We are trained to succeed by walking over anyone who gets in our way as we climb the ladder to the top.  In fact, we aren’t truly succeeding unless we are consistently climbing to the top, making more money, gaining more influence, in whatever organization, including the church, you are working within. 

We are told to live with goals of “in it to win it”, “fake it ‘til we make it”, while making it hard on those who come up under us trying to do the same.  This life is an endless cycle of self.  We are trained to mock and malign all who get in our way.  We assume what others might be thinking and devise a plan to manipulate them to do what we want.  We begin to operate in the chaos of doing life all by ourselves for ourselves.  We crave the praise and attention draw to us, extoling our accomplishments.  We are very arrogant and extremely demanding.

After we receive Christ into our hearts, surrendering all that is in us, our minds change.  We begin to follow Him and Him alone. We become not who we once were.  We are different.  We are saved from the sin of self-satisfaction with a strong desire not to go back.  We now see that the benefits of following Christ and serving others far outweigh the folly of not abiding in Him.  We who know Jesus Christ know all the benefits and blessings of growing in His character with His gift of peace that comes with the following.  We no longer do life alone but with the One who is the Giver of Life.  Real Life.  Forever Life. 

After receiving Christ, however, we are treated much differently by those we once knew among our family and friends.  We become the “drag” or “wet blanket” to our former groups who want to continue to party, gossip, complain and mock others with you.  After Jesus, our once arrogant, selfish, unloving, unkind behaviors look and smell like a casserole that went bad and moldy in the fridge weeks ago.  It makes us ill to just look at it much less partake of it.

Yes, after Jesus, all of life changes.  Or it should.

John now sees two witnesses, sent by God, with a testimony to God.  They stand firm in the midst of selfish sin with the results of perverted living.  My first thought is, “only two”?  Only two are left to stand firm in Truth?  But God knows what He is doing.

And the people mock the Two.  They celebrate when these “wet blankets” to their partying are dead.  “Those people will cheer at the spectacle, shouting ‘Good riddance!’ and calling for a celebration, for these two prophets pricked the conscience of all the people on earth, made it impossible for them to enjoy their sins.”  There were those who cheered with they thought Jesus died, too. 

So, the question is, with Jesus coming back in power, glory and majesty, who does my life truly revolve around?  “I pity the fool”, as Mister T used to say, who does not follow the One and Only who saves us and keep us safe for eternity living.

REVELATION—JESUS IS COMING BACK!

Revelation 11, The Message

The Two Witnesses

1-2 I was given a stick for a measuring rod and told, “Get up and measure God’s Temple and Altar and everyone worshiping in it. Exclude the outside court; don’t measure it. It’s been handed over to non-Jewish outsiders. They’ll desecrate the Holy City for forty-two months.

3-6 “Meanwhile, I’ll provide my two Witnesses. Dressed in sackcloth, they’ll prophesy for 1,260 days. These are the two Olive Trees, the two Lampstands, standing at attention before God on earth. If anyone tries to hurt them, a blast of fire from their mouths will incinerate them—burn them to a crisp just like that. They’ll have power to seal the sky so that it doesn’t rain for the time of their prophesying, power to turn rivers and springs to blood, power to hit earth with any and every disaster as often as they want.

7-10 “When they’ve completed their witness, the Beast from the Abyss will emerge and fight them, conquer and kill them, leaving their corpses exposed on the street of the Great City spiritually called Sodom and Egypt, the same City where their Master was crucified. For three and a half days they’ll be there—exposed, prevented from getting a decent burial, stared at by the curious from all over the world. Those people will cheer at the spectacle, shouting ‘Good riddance!’ and calling for a celebration, for these two prophets pricked the conscience of all the people on earth, made it impossible for them to enjoy their sins.

11 “Then, after three and a half days, the Living Spirit of God will enter them—they’re on their feet!—and all those gloating spectators will be scared to death.”

12-13 I heard a strong voice out of Heaven calling, “Come up here!” and up they went to Heaven, wrapped in a cloud, their enemies watching it all. At that moment there was a gigantic earthquake—a tenth of the city fell to ruin, seven thousand perished in the earthquake, the rest frightened to the core of their being, frightened into giving honor to the God-of-Heaven.

14 The second doom is past, the third doom coming right on its heels.

The Last Trumpet Sounds

15-18 The seventh Angel trumpeted. A crescendo of voices in Heaven sang out,

The kingdom of the world is now
    the Kingdom of our God and his Messiah!
He will rule forever and ever!

The Twenty-four Elders seated before God on their thrones fell to their knees, worshiped, and sang,

We thank you, O God, Sovereign-Strong,
    Who Is and Who Was.
You took your great power
    and took over—reigned!
The angry nations now
    get a taste of your anger.
The time has come to judge the dead,
    to reward your servants, all prophets and saints,
Reward small and great who fear your Name,
    and destroy the destroyers of earth.

19 The doors of God’s Temple in Heaven flew open, and the Ark of his Covenant was clearly seen surrounded by flashes of lightning, loud shouts, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a fierce hailstorm.

WHAT WE LEARN—

(With the help of Warren Wiersbe, Commentator and Theologian)

John’s measurement of the temple is a symbolic action. To measure something means to claim it for yourself.  Jesus will regain control of God’s Holy Temple and City.

The two witnesses are sent and given great power with their testimony until it is told. “Repent and be saved” is the cry of their hearts. 

Imagine the act and testimony of God’s Two Witnesses standing outside of the Temple in Jerusalem being picked up by the media!  God’s obedient servants are immortal until their work is done. “The beast” (Antichrist) is now in power and wants to take over the temple, but he cannot succeed until the two witnesses are out of the way. God will permit him to slay them, for no one will be able to make war against “the beast” and win (Rev. 13:4). The witnesses will not even be permitted decent burial (see Ps. 79:1–3). But even this indecency will be used by God to bear witness to mankind. No doubt the TV cameras in Jerusalem will transmit the scene to people around the world, and the news analysts will discuss its significance. 

Jerusalem is called a “great city” (Rev. 11:8), and from a human viewpoint, this is a true statement. But God looks at men and nations from a spiritual viewpoint. To Him, Jerusalem will be considered as polluted and worldly as Sodom and as rebellious and proud as Egypt.  And he will be the judge.

Repent and be saved.

Lord,

I don’t want to live my life as a fool who falls for sin and self.  I want to live for you, with you guiding me in all that is good, right and pleasing to you.  The old life has gone, the new life has come.  Continue to transform my thoughts and behaviors.  May I remain a witness of you, standing firm in my faith and trust in You alone.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen

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THE TESTIMONY

Posted on May 23, 2022 by randscallawayffm

What do you believe about angels?  Messengers of God?  Created to carry out His work?  Are they like us?  Do they have a testimony about God to deliver to us? 

More than sixty references to angels are made in Revelation. We need to understand that they are God’s army sent to accomplish His purposes on earth. Believers today seldom think about these servants (Heb. 1:14), but one day in heaven we shall learn about all they did for us here.

John describes the “powerful, mighty Angel he saw in our next passage.  This angel amazes us, for he has some of the characteristics that belong especially to the Lord Jesus Christ. John had seen and heard a “strong angel” (Rev. 5:2), and the same Greek word is here translated “mighty.” All angels excel in strength (Ps. 103:20), but apparently some have greater power and authority than others.

We first saw the rainbow around the throne of God (Rev. 4:3); now it sits like a crown on the head of this messenger. The rainbow was God’s sign to mankind that He would never again destroy the world with a flood. Even in wrath, God remembers His mercy (Hab. 3:2). Whoever this angel is, he has the authority of God’s throne given to him.

God is often identified with clouds. God led Israel by a glorious cloud (Ex. 16:10), and dark clouds covered Sinai when the law was given (Ex. 19:9). When God appeared to Moses, it was in a cloud of glory.  A cloud received Jesus when He ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9), and, when He returns, it will be with clouds (Rev. 1:7).

Angels created by God for God’s service have His characteristics.  Warren Weirsbe, Theologian and Commentator writes: “The fact that the angel’s face is “as the sun” corresponds to the description of Jesus Christ in Revelation 1:16; his feet correspond to the Lord’s description in Revelation 1:15. His voice like a lion suggests Revelation 5:5. This being could well be our Lord Jesus Christ, appearing to John as a kingly angel. Jesus often appeared in the Old Testament as “the Angel of the Lord” (Ex. 3:2; Judg. 2:4; 6:11–12, 21–22; 2 Sam. 24:16). This was a temporary manifestation for a special purpose, not a permanent incarnation.”

No matter what is happening and who is delivering; the message is as clear as it needs to be for now and John must listen to the testimony, consume it (take it inside) and then testify to others who need to hear it and believe it to be saved.

I am reminded of what Jesus said at The Table to his followers;

“I AM the Bread of Life. At the Table he reminded them—This is my Body, Take it and eat it.” –Jesus

REVELATION—JESUS IS COMING BACK!

Revelation 10, The Message

 1-4 I saw another powerful Angel coming down out of Heaven wrapped in a cloud. There was a rainbow over his head, his face was sun-radiant, his legs pillars of fire. He had a small book open in his hand. He placed his right foot on the sea and his left foot on land, then called out thunderously, a lion roar. When he called out, the Seven Thunders called back. When the Seven Thunders spoke, I started to write it all down, but a voice out of Heaven stopped me, saying, “Seal with silence the Seven Thunders; don’t write a word.”

5-7 Then the Angel I saw astride sea and land lifted his right hand to Heaven and swore by the One Living Forever and Ever, who created Heaven and everything in it, earth and everything in it, sea and everything in it, that time was up—that when the seventh Angel blew his trumpet, which he was about to do, the Mystery of God, all the plans he had revealed to his servants, the prophets, would be completed.

8-11 The voice out of Heaven spoke to me again: “Go, take the book held open in the hand of the Angel astride sea and earth.” I went up to the Angel and said, “Give me the little book.” He said, “Take it, then eat it. It will taste sweet like honey, but turn sour in your stomach.” I took the little book from the Angel’s hand and it was sweet honey in my mouth, but when I swallowed, my stomach curdled. Then I was told, “You must go back and prophesy again over many peoples and nations and languages and kings.”

CONSIDER…

The directions that the angel gave to John (Rev. 10:8–11) should remind us of our responsibility to assimilate the Word of God and make it a part of us, from the outside in and inside out.  It was not enough for John to see the book or even know its contents and purpose. He had to receive it into his inner being.

Sweet and sour?  God will not thrust His Word into our mouths and force us to receive it. He hands it to us and we must take it. Nor can He change the effects the Word will have in our lives: there will be both sorrow and joy, bitterness and sweetness. God’s Word contains sweet promises and assurances, but it also contains bitter warnings and prophecies of judgment.

The angel commissioned John to prophesy again; his work was not yet completed. He must declare God’s prophetic truth to all “people, nations, languages and kings.”(Rev. 5:9). The word nations usually refers to the Gentile nations. John will have much to say about the nations of the world as he presents the rest of this prophecy.

What is our testimony?  Do we live it out loud?  Would we be accused of being “one of those” who believes in Jesus and walks in His ways no matter what is happening around us or to us?

Lord,

You are Life.  You are all I need.  When times are rough, You are there to help me through it all.  When I am rejected for who I am in You, You are by strength and resolve.  When I am confused, You are wisdom to clarify.  I need you every hour and every hour you are there.  You are my everything.  You saved me from myself and selfishness.  This is my testimony.  You are for all who believe and follow You.  Thank you, Lord.  Help me to live my testimony out loud so others will know You, too.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen

And we’re singing in worship to the One and Only…

This Is My Testimony

I saw satan fall like lightning
I saw darkness run for cover
But the miracle that I just can’t get over
My name is registered in heaven

I believe in signs and wonders
I have resurrection power
Still the miracle that I just can’t get over
My name is registered in heaven
My praise belongs to you forever

This is my testimony from death to life
Cause grace rewrote my story, I’ll testify
By Jesus Christ the Righteous
I’m justified
This is my testimony
This is my testimony

Come together sons and daughters
Bought with blood
And washed in water
Sing the praises of the Spirit
Son and Father
Our God will finish what He started
Our God will finish what He started

If I’m not dead, You’re not done
Greater things are still to come
Oh I believe

This is my testimony from death to life
Cause grace rewrote my story, I’ll testify
By Jesus Christ the Righteous
I’m justified
This is my testimony
This is my testimony

This is my testimony from death to life
Cause grace rewrote my story, I’ll testify
By Jesus Christ the Righteous
I’m justified
This is my testimony, this is my testimony

Songwriters: Brandon Lake / Christopher Joel Brown / Steven Furtick / Tiffany Hammer

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NO CHANGE OF HEART

Posted on May 22, 2022 by randscallawayffm

What will take for you to see that what you are doing is destroying you?  How many times have we ask that of a loved one who has an addiction in one form or another?

A dear friend of mine came to me for help at our place of work.  Randy and I prayed for him and with him.  We both tried to help this friend understand the destructive pattern with addictive tendencies in his life that were robbing his joy, hurting the family he loved, while causing restlessness and lack of peace.  He saw it for a moment then easily returned to his old habits, “I can handle it,” he would say—until he couldn’t.

How we long for our loved ones to have a change of heart by turning to the God who created them, loved them so much that He sent His One and Only Son to lay down His life to save them, with hope restored.  Life is not always rosy but life is better lived in communion with God who created Life.   The power to change lies in Jesus, His Holy Spirit abiding in us, with God in charge of our transformation.  We cannot do life alone.  We were not created to do life alone.

Let’s get personal.  What if that self-destructive thinking with addictive behaviors is our way of life?  How much self-centered arrogance in the world, the “have it your own way” way of life, do we have to see, feel, seek and experience to corrupt and destroy our own hearts?  What will it take to realize the One in charge, over all, in all then bow down, humble ourselves and worship Him alone?  Do we realize God is for us, not against us?

Will it take stars plummeting from the sky?  How much perverted behaviors to we have to see and experience around and in us?  Are we blind to the degradation of humans? How bad does it have to get? John sees with clarity and imagery the approach of the last days before Jesus comes to claim His own, the ones who still believe, still humble, worship Him alone, sealed with His redemption.

John also sees those who still do not believe;

“The remaining men and women who weren’t killed by these weapons went on their merry way—didn’t change their way of life, didn’t quit worshiping demons, didn’t quit centering their lives around lumps of gold and silver and brass, hunks of stone and wood that couldn’t see or hear or move. There wasn’t a sign of a change of heart. They plunged right on in their murderous, occult, promiscuous, and thieving ways”.

Each camp in which we pitch our tent will be rewarded accordingly.  The most important question is, do I believe in Jesus or not.  There are only two choices.  We must choose wisely.  There are people in our world who demand to be served in one camp.  Then there are people who serve as a natural response to God’s love.  Who are we?

REVELATION—JESUS IS COMING BACK!

Revelation 8, The Message

1-2 The fifth Angel trumpeted. I saw a Star plummet from Heaven to earth. The Star was handed a key to the Well of the Abyss. He unlocked the Well of the Abyss—smoke poured out of the Well, billows and billows of smoke, sun and air in blackout from smoke pouring out of the Well.

3-6 Then out of the smoke crawled locusts with the venom of scorpions. They were given their orders: “Don’t hurt the grass, don’t hurt anything green, don’t hurt a single tree—only men and women, and then only those who lack the seal of God on their foreheads.” They were ordered to torture but not kill, torture them for five months, the pain like a scorpion sting. When this happens, people are going to prefer death to torture, look for ways to kill themselves. But they won’t find a way—death will have gone into hiding.

7-11 The locusts looked like horses ready for war. They had gold crowns, human faces, women’s hair, the teeth of lions, and iron breastplates. The sound of their wings was the sound of horse-drawn chariots charging into battle. Their tails were equipped with stings, like scorpion tails. With those tails they were ordered to torture the human race for five months. They had a king over them, the Angel of the Abyss. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, in Greek, Apollyon—“Destroyer.”

12 The first doom is past. Two dooms yet to come.

13-14 The sixth Angel trumpeted. I heard a voice speaking to the sixth Angel from the horns of the Golden Altar before God: “Let the Four Angels loose, the Angels confined at the great River Euphrates.”

15-19 The Four Angels were untied and let loose, Four Angels all prepared for the exact year, month, day, and even hour when they were to kill a third of the human race. The number of the army of horsemen was twice ten thousand times ten thousand. I heard the count and saw both horses and riders in my vision: fiery breastplates on the riders, lion heads on the horses breathing out fire and smoke and brimstone. With these three weapons—fire and smoke and brimstone—they killed a third of the human race. The horses killed with their mouths and tails; their serpentlike tails also had heads that wreaked havoc.

20-21 The remaining men and women who weren’t killed by these weapons went on their merry way—didn’t change their way of life, didn’t quit worshiping demons, didn’t quit centering their lives around lumps of gold and silver and brass, hunks of stone and wood that couldn’t see or hear or move. There wasn’t a sign of a change of heart. They plunged right on in their murderous, occult, promiscuous, and thieving ways.

* * *

REFLECT AND EVALUATE

Do we really believe in what God says about Himself really real?  Our behavior will show what we believe.  God knows our hearts better than we know our hearts.  Ask God for wisdom for living this life according to Him.  He will give what you ask.  He promised. 

Lord,

We ask for wisdom for living life well, doing what is right and good in your way of thinking.  Help us to think more like you with your power working in us.  We need you every hour of every day.  I choose to live life by your power, in Your Name, for Your Glory.  Amen

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WHEN HEAVEN FELL SILENT

Posted on May 21, 2022 by randscallawayffm

My grandsons are in band.  We have gone to concerts, marching band competitions on football fields and watched them in parades.  We are joined by other spectators who watch as the students look intently, “all eyes on me”, for the Director’s prompt. It amazes me to watch the discipline of band students.  Before a concert begins, everyone tunes their instruments in readiness.  This sounds like just a lot of noise if you have never experienced it.  But it is this “warm up” that gets everyone ready to make beautiful music together in perfect rhythm with pitch perfect harmonies—at least that is the goal! 

As soon as the Director steps up on the platform, all students fall silent.  You can hear a pin drop in the auditorium or on the field.  All focus is on the director. They are ready to be directed, with hours and hours of practice behind them, to perform what is asked of them in unity.

We come now to another band concert by seven angels led by the Lamb of God.  The Lamb will rip off the seventh seal.  Get this—heaven fell silent—for about a half hour!  Imagine everyone in heaven, stopping everything, all praises to God, all instruments quiet as the Director readies the band of Angels to begin the sound of trumpets!

The Seven Angels prepare to sound their trumpets, “always in readiness before God”.  All eyes on the Director—The Lamb of God! 

REVELATION—JESUS IS COMING BACK!

Revelation 8, The Message

When the Lamb ripped off the seventh seal, Heaven fell quiet—complete silence for about half an hour.

Blowing the Trumpets

2-4 I saw the Seven Angels who are always in readiness before God handed seven trumpets. Then another Angel, carrying a gold censer, came and stood at the Altar. He was given a great quantity of incense so that he could offer up the prayers of all the holy people of God on the Golden Altar before the Throne. Smoke billowed up from the incense-laced prayers of the holy ones, rose before God from the hand of the Angel.

5 Then the Angel filled the censer with fire from the Altar and heaved it to earth. It set off thunders, voices, lightnings, and an earthquake.

6-7 The Seven Angels with the trumpets got ready to blow them. At the first trumpet blast, hail and fire mixed with blood were dumped on earth. A third of the earth was scorched, a third of the trees, and every blade of green grass—burned to a crisp.

8-9 The second Angel trumpeted. Something like a huge mountain blazing with fire was flung into the sea. A third of the sea turned to blood, a third of the living sea creatures died, and a third of the ships sank.

10-11 The third Angel trumpeted. A huge Star, blazing like a torch, fell from Heaven, wiping out a third of the rivers and a third of the springs. The Star’s name was Wormwood. A third of the water turned bitter, and many people died from the poisoned water.

12 The fourth Angel trumpeted. A third of the sun, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars were hit, blacked out by a third, both day and night in one-third blackout.

13 I looked hard; I heard a lone eagle, flying through Middle-Heaven, crying out ominously, “Doom! Doom! Doom to everyone left on earth! There are three more Angels about to blow their trumpets. Doom is on its way!”

THOUGHTS TO CONSIDER

Let the music begin!  The Director begins His Judgements.  All eyes on Him! We can rely, trust, have faith in our God who told us this would happen along with protecting those who love Him.  God has already won this battle over evil through Jesus, the Lamb of God, who defeated death for all who believe.

The prayers of God’s holy, faithful people, who never stopped loving God, even though people around them did, are offered up to God.  ALL our prayers offered up to God!  Can you stop and imagine this for a moment?  What we pray to God matters to God!  We pray to the Father through the Son, for He alone is worthy (Rev. 5:3). For centuries, God’s people have been praying, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done!” and now those prayers are about to be answered. 

The purpose of prayer, it has often been said, is not to get man’s will done in heaven, but to get God’s will done on earth—even if that will involves judgment. True prayer is serious business, so we had better not move the altar too far from the throne!

The trumpet judgments are released during the first half of the tribulation, and the bowl judgments during the last half, which is also called “the wrath of God” (Rev. 14:10; 15:7). The trumpet judgments parallel the plagues that God sent on the land of Egypt. And why not? After all, the whole world will be saying, as did Pharaoh, “Who is the Lord that we should serve Him?”

The hosts in heaven had just worshipped the Father and the Lamb with a tremendous volume of praise (Rev. 7:10–12). But when the Lamb opened the seventh seal, heaven was silent for about thirty minutes.  Why?  Were they awestruck as God’s plan, written on the scroll was now seen by all?  Certainly, this silence was “the lull before the storm,” for God’s intensified judgments were about to be hurled to the earth. 

God’s prophets talked about this “silence”! 

“Be silent before the Lord, all humanity, for he is springing into action from his holy dwelling.”  Zachariah 2:13

“Has not the Lord of Heaven’s Armies promised that the wealth of nations will turn to ashes?  They work so hard, but all in vain!”  Habakkuk 2:13 And to idol worshipers, the prophet relates from God, “But the Lord is in his holy Temple.  Let all the earth be silent before him.”  Habakkuk 2:20

There is time to speak and a time to be silent.  Listen for the voice of the Lord.  Be silent before Him.

FUN FACT:  During this silence, the seven angels were given trumpets, significant to John, because he was a Jew and understood the place of trumpets in Israel’s national life. According to Numbers 10, trumpets had three important uses: they called me people together (Num. 10:1–8); they announced war (Num. 10:9); and they announced special times (Num. 10:10). The trumpet sounded at Mount Sinai when the law was given (Ex. 19:16–19), and trumpets were blown when the king was anointed and enthroned (1 Kings 1:34, 39). Of course, everyone familiar with the Old Testament would remember the trumpets at the conquest of Jericho (Josh. 6:13–16).

The voice of the Lord Jesus Christ sounded to John like a trumpet (Rev. 1:10). The voice of a trumpet summoned John to heaven (Rev. 4:1), and some relate this to the promise of the rapture of the church given in 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18.

Lord,

I recall Your declaration through the Psalmist, “Be still, and know that I am God!  I will be honored by every nation.  I will be honored throughout the world.”  That’s why I come to you every morning—to be silent before You and Your Son.  I am your servant.  I am listening for your trumpet call.  I’m ready to obey.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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THERE’S NO CRYING!

Posted on May 20, 2022 by randscallawayffm

I confess.  I enjoy the movie, “League of Their Own”.  One of the best quotes, and there are several, “There’s no crying in baseball!”, said by the male coach who does not have it all together and does not understand what is going on, but the women knew what to do with passion and emotion.  There is SO much going on in this movie.  It’s a good study of humans navigating difficult circumstances during a war. 

Being a woman who has worked and served alongside men in various business, education and ministry occupations, I respect those women who have gone before me.  My mentors, male and female, have helped me to understand how to navigate being less than equal in the workplace without drawing attention to yourself as a woman.  “Above all, serve God”.  Great advice!  So, I’ve always had the attitude that if we are fully devoted to the One who saved us and calls us His own, He upholds His promise to guide and protect us no matter what is going on around us.  We respect our earthly authorities for sure, but ultimately, we serve God heart, mind and soul in whatever vocation we are in at the moment. 

To serve God is worship to God.  Paul teaches the church, “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”  Romans 12:1-2, The Message

John gets a front row seat in the culmination of the promises of God to His servants who worship God by giving their lives to the One and Only!  Remember when Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:2-4

Did John remember writing this in his gospel at the time of this vision? 

In the same passage in John 14, Thomas, a disciple, wanted clarification by asking Jesus, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

To which Jesus replied, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:6-7

Now, we see how God provides for His Servants!  “The One on the Throne will pitch his tent there for them: no more hunger, no more thirst, no more scorching heat. The Lamb on the Throne will shepherd them, will lead them to spring waters of Life. And God will wipe every last tear from their eyes.”

THIS is the place Jesus was talking about!

There’s no crying in heaven around the throne of God! 

No need for crying there!  Only joy, pure joy forever!

REVELATION—JESUS IS COMING BACK!

Revelation 7, The Message

The Servants of God

Immediately I saw Four Angels standing at the four corners of earth, standing steady with a firm grip on the four winds so no wind would blow on earth or sea, not even rustle a tree.

2-3 Then I saw another Angel rising from where the sun rose, carrying the seal of the Living God. He thundered to the Four Angels assigned the task of hurting earth and sea, “Don’t hurt the earth! Don’t hurt the sea! Don’t so much as hurt a tree until I’ve sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads!”

4-8 I heard the count of those who were sealed: 144,000! They were sealed out of every Tribe of Israel: 12,000 sealed from Judah, 12,000 from Reuben, 12,000 from Gad, 12,000 from Asher, 12,000 from Naphtali, 12,000 from Manasseh, 12,000 from Simeon, 12,000 from Levi, 12,000 from Issachar, 12,000 from Zebulun, 12,000 from Joseph, 12,000 sealed from Benjamin.

* * *

9-12 I looked again. I saw a huge crowd, too huge to count. Everyone was there—all nations and tribes, all races and languages. And they were standing, dressed in white robes and waving palm branches, standing before the Throne and the Lamb and heartily singing:

Salvation to our God on his Throne!
Salvation to the Lamb!

All who were standing around the Throne—Angels, Elders, Animals—fell on their faces before the Throne and worshiped God, singing:

Oh, Yes!
The blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving,
The honor and power and strength,
To our God forever and ever and ever!
Oh, Yes!

13-14 Just then one of the Elders addressed me: “Who are these dressed in white robes, and where did they come from?” Taken aback, I said, “O Sir, I have no idea—but you must know.”

14-17 Then he told me, “These are those who come from the great tribulation, and they’ve washed their robes, scrubbed them clean in the blood of the Lamb. That’s why they’re standing before God’s Throne. They serve him day and night in his Temple.  The One on the Throne will pitch his tent there for them: no more hunger, no more thirst, no more scorching heat. The Lamb on the Throne will shepherd them, will lead them to spring waters of Life. And God will wipe every last tear from their eyes.”

THOUGHTS FOR PONDERING…

In Scripture, a seal indicates ownership and protection. Today, God’s people are sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13–14). This is God’s guarantee that we are saved and safe, and that He will one day take us to heaven.

Matthew 24:14 also indicates that the 144,000 will witness for the Lord during the tribulation.

Protected from these awesome judgments, the 144,000 will be able to do their work and glorify the Lord.

You cannot read the book of Revelation without developing a global outlook, for the emphasis is on what God does for people in the whole world. The Lamb died to redeem people “out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Rev. 5:9). The great multitudes pictured here came from “all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues” (Rev. 7:9).

Third, servants are rewarded for pure worship in serving. They had the privilege of being before God’s throne and of serving Him. When God’s people get to heaven, there will be work to do! We shall be able to serve Him perfectly! The Lamb will shepherd us and satisfy us with every good thing (see Isa. 49:10; Rev. 21:4).

In the heavenly city (Rev. 21—22), all distinctions will cease and we shall all simply be the people of God in glory.  What a day, glorious day, that will be!

“The opening of the seventh seal will introduce the seven “trumpet judgments” (Rev. 8—11) and the wrath of God will increase both in intensity and scope. But before that occurs, we are assured that in His wrath, God will remember mercy (Hab. 3:2). Despite the wrath of God and the terror inspired by Satan and his helpers, multitudes will be saved through the blood of Jesus Christ. No matter what the age or dispensation. God’s way of salvation has always been the same: faith in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.”

Warren Wiersbe, Commentator and Theologian

LAST THOUGHTS…

If you have never trusted the Savior, do so now.

If you have trusted Him, then share the good news of salvation with others that they might be delivered from the wrath to come.

Come, Lord Jesus, and take us to where you are.  No more crying there, only joy in worship of you!  In Jesus Name, Amen

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ENOUGH!

Posted on May 19, 2022 by randscallawayffm

When we were kids, we pushed the limits of our parents’ patience as a daily activity.  It seemed to be our job.  We did it without thinking or planning, strategizing or scheming.  That’s what life is to be a kid.  Kids are with little experience yet in life do not think about life, they just do life as it comes.  A kids’ life is like a ball in a pinball machine.  Life keeps moving, bouncing off others lives while also running into obstacles.  If you have kids, were a kid or watched a kid, you will notice that they cannot walk through a room with touching, shoving or colliding with something in the room, making it fall or turn over!  The obstacles are merely part of the game of leaping over them, running head first into them or going around them.  Kids get hurt and they hurt others intentionally or unintentionally, but they keep on moving until some one in charge of them says, “ENOUGH!”

We are the children of God.  God is in One in charge.  God has always been in charge.  He created us to worship Him, commune with Him in an exclusive, intimate forever relationship, and to grow from childish behavior to childlike faith in Him.  God always knows what is best for us.  As we obey Him, He grows His character in us bearing the fruits of His Holy Spirit in us!  (See Galatians 5).  As we transform daily, by His power working in us, we begin to discover that we no longer live a “pinball” life of bouncing around from obstacle to obstacle, but we know who we are and where we are going!  God is in the lead, taking us by the hand as we embrace all of what God is doing in us.  Peace and contentment follow and abides in us.

But alas, God gave us free will to make choices.  He wanted us to love Him back as our first and greatest choice.  God also knew, because He knows everything, that we would not always make the right choice.  “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”(Genesis 1:1)  God’s Son, Jesus, was there at the beginning.  God knew his created humans would, because of choice, turn away from Him and be enticed to sin.  At first, God designed a way for humans to “cover” their sin with animal sacrifices, but always knowing that His son would, at just the right time, leave the perfection of heaven, come down and be the “once and for all” sacrifice for the sins of the world.  He knew from the beginning we would need a Savior.  We are imperfect humans who need a perfect, without sin, sacrifice to be perfectly forgiven forever.

So, from the beginning of time and creation.  God so loved us, beyond what a parent on earth has for their child, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  (John 3:16)

Jesus completed His work on earth to save us and then rose again as proof of life everlasting for all who believe.  Jesus left parting words, letting all who truly heard, that He is coming back for His own.  Then Jesus ascended back to heaven.

“Every knee with bow…”

Now we come to John’s vision of Jesus and the beginning acts of His return!  The worship described in Revelation 4—5 is preparation for the wrath described in Revelation 6—19. It seems strange to us that worship and judgment should go together, but this is because we do not fully understand either the holiness of God or the sinfulness of man. Nor do we grasp the total picture of what God wants to accomplish and how the forces of evil have opposed Him. God is longsuffering, (patient), but eventually He must judge sin and vindicate His servants.  He knows the hearts of all, so He knows who belongs to Him.  “In times like these, be sure, be very sure”, so the song goes, in the choices we make to follow God—or not.  There are only two choices.  Each choice will be dealt with when He comes “riding on the clouds”.  There will be a day when God says, “Enough!”

REVELATION—JESUS IS COMING BACK!

Revelation 6, The Message

Unsealing the Scroll

1-2 I watched while the Lamb ripped off the first of the seven seals. I heard one of the Animals roar, “Come out!” I looked—I saw a white horse. Its rider carried a bow and was given a victory garland. He rode off victorious, conquering right and left.

3-4 When the Lamb ripped off the second seal, I heard the second Animal cry, “Come out!” Another horse appeared, this one red. Its rider was off to take peace from the earth, setting people at each other’s throats, killing one another. He was given a huge sword.

5-6 When he ripped off the third seal, I heard the third Animal cry, “Come out!” I looked. A black horse this time. Its rider carried a set of scales in his hand. I heard a message (it seemed to issue from the Four Animals): “A quart of wheat for a day’s wages, or three quarts of barley, but don’t lay even a finger on the oil and wine.”

7-8 When he ripped off the fourth seal, I heard the fourth Animal cry, “Come out!” I looked. A colorless horse, sickly pale. Its rider was Death, and Hell was close on its heels. They were given power to destroy a fourth of the earth by war, famine, disease, and wild beasts.

9-11 When he ripped off the fifth seal, I saw the souls of those killed because they had held firm in their witness to the Word of God. They were gathered under the Altar, and cried out in loud prayers, “How long, Strong God, Holy and True? How long before you step in and avenge our murders?” Then each martyr was given a white robe and told to sit back and wait until the full number of martyrs was filled from among their servant companions and friends in the faith.

12-17 I watched while he ripped off the sixth seal: a bone-jarring earthquake, sun turned black as ink, moon all bloody, stars falling out of the sky like figs shaken from a tree in a high wind, sky snapped shut like a book, islands and mountains sliding this way and that. And then pandemonium, everyone and his dog running for cover—kings, princes, generals, rich and strong, along with every commoner, slave or free. They hid in mountain caves and rocky dens, calling out to mountains and rocks, “Refuge! Hide us from the One Seated on the Throne and the wrath of the Lamb! The great Day of their wrath has come—who can stand it?”

This is the opening “scene” for the final victory for those who call Jesus Lord and Savior, stand firm in faith in Him, obey Him, all while growing more intimately in a loving relationship with God.  This is the choice that will give life forevermore.

Life or death?  Don’t be deceived. Choose Life.

In Jesus Name, For His Glory, Amen

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MULTI-DIMENSIONAL ACT OF WORSHIP!

Posted on May 18, 2022 by randscallawayffm

“The Bible ends with a flourish: vision and son, doom and deliverance, terror and triumph.  The rush of color and sound, images and energy, leaves us reeling.  But if we persist through the initial confusion and read on, we begin to pick up the rhythms, realize the connections, and find ourselves enlisted as participants in a multi-dimensional act of Christian worship.”  –Eugene Peterson, The Message, Introduction to Revelation

“I sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it”… was a powerful song written by a seemingly frustrated worship leader, Matt Redman, who was coming close to realizing that worship truly is much more than a song to sing. 

When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that’s of worth
That will bless your heart
I’ll bring you more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what you have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You’re looking into my heart

I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about you
It’s all about you, Jesus
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it
When it’s all about you
It’s all about you, Jesus…

(Heart of Worship, Matt Redman)

Worship is indeed multi-dimensional.  Worship is realizing every moment of every day Who created us, Who alone can save us and Who we owe it all—Jesus!  I’m reminded of Paul’s wonderful description of Who Jesus was, is and is to come, helping to realize to Whom all praise and glory should be given!  He writes;

“Though he was God,
    he did not think of equality with God
    as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
    he took the humble position of a slave
    and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
    he humbled himself in obedience to God
    and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
    and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.”   Philippians 2:6-11, NLT

Realizing the depth of love God has for us through Jesus Christ is Son is the beginning of real, multi-dimensional worship.  We discover It is more than a worship formula with a lively opening song, two more songs, announcements, special song, prayer, preaching, ending song for the sole purpose to draw people to Jesus.  In fact, I remember Jesus saying (John 12:32), “When I be lifted up from this earth, I will draw all men to Me.”  Mm.  The formula may be only a beginning to “lift up the Name of Jesus”, but it is Jesus who draws people to Himself.  Yes, it’s so much more than a song…

It is interesting to note that John of Patmos, a pastor of the late first century, has worship on his mind, and is preeminently concerned with worship.  The vision, The Revelation, comes to him while he is at worship on a certain Sunday on the Mediterranean island of Patmos.  He is responsible for a circuit of churches on the mainland whose primary task is worship.  Worship shapes the human community in response to the living God.  If worship is neglected or perverted, our communities fall into chaos or under tyranny.

Our times are not propitious for worship.  The times never are:  The world is hostile to worship.  The Devil hates worship.  As The Revelation makes clear, worship must be carried out under conditions decidedly uncongenial to it.  Some Christians even get killed because they worship.

“John’s Revelation is not easy reading.  Besides being a pastor, John is a poet, fond of metaphor and symbol, image and allusion, passionate in his desire to bring us into the presence of Jesus believing and adoring.  But the demands he makes on our intelligence and imagination are well rewarded, for in keeping company with John, our worship of God will almost certainly deepen in urgency and joy!”  (Peterson)

John’s vision also confirms and validates words given to Paul and reminds us that the heart of worship is just that—our hearts aligning with the heart of God as we come into His Presence! 

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.”  Romans 12:1, NLT 

“To the One on the Throne! To the Lamb!
The blessing, the honor, the glory, the strength,
For age after age after age.”

REVELATION—JESUS IS COMING BACK!

Revelation 5, The Message

The Lion Is a Lamb

1-2 I saw a scroll in the right hand of the One Seated on the Throne. It was written on both sides, fastened with seven seals. I also saw a powerful Angel, calling out in a voice like thunder, “Is there anyone who can open the scroll, who can break its seals?”

3 There was no one—no one in Heaven, no one on earth, no one from the underworld—able to break open the scroll and read it.

4-5 I wept and wept and wept that no one was found able to open the scroll, able to read it. One of the Elders said, “Don’t weep. Look—the Lion from Tribe Judah, the Root of David’s Tree, has conquered. He can open the scroll, can rip through the seven seals.”

6-10 So I looked, and there, surrounded by Throne, Animals, and Elders, was a Lamb, slaughtered but standing tall. Seven horns he had, and seven eyes, the Seven Spirits of God sent into all the earth. He came to the One Seated on the Throne and took the scroll from his right hand. The moment he took the scroll, the Four Animals and Twenty-four Elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb. Each had a harp and each had a bowl, a gold bowl filled with incense, the prayers of God’s holy people. And they sang a new song:

Worthy! Take the scroll, open its seals.
Slain! Paying in blood, you bought men and women,
Bought them back from all over the earth,
Bought them back for God.
Then you made them a Kingdom, Priests for our God,
Priest-kings to rule over the earth.

11-14 I looked again. I heard a company of Angels around the Throne, the Animals, and the Elders—ten thousand times ten thousand their number, thousand after thousand after thousand in full song:

The slain Lamb is worthy!
Take the power, the wealth, the wisdom, the strength!
Take the honor, the glory, the blessing!

Then I heard every creature in Heaven and earth, in underworld and sea, join in, all voices in all places, singing:

To the One on the Throne! To the Lamb!
The blessing, the honor, the glory, the strength,
For age after age after age.

The Four Animals called out, “Oh, Yes!” The Elders fell to their knees and worshiped.

Lord,

I offer my whole life to you, not in part, but the whole.  Thank you for saving me.  Thank you for continually teaching me with patience and gentleness because of your love, mercy and grace.  You are God.  I am not.  I will worship you in thought, words and actions all day long, every day, forever.  Oh Lamb of God, sacrificed for the sins of the world, all because you loved…

In Jesus Name, Amen, To you be all glory!

King of endless worth
No one could express
How much you deserve
Though I’m weak and poor
All I have is yours
Every single breath
I’ll bring you more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what you have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You’re looking into my heart

And I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about you
It’s all about you, Jesus
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it
When it’s all about you
It’s all about you, Jesus…

(Heart of Worship, Matt Redman)

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THE OPEN DOOR TO PURE WORSHIP

Posted on May 18, 2022 by randscallawayffm

We worship when gathered as believers of Jesus in many ways.  We sing, dance, pray out loud, raise our hands or bow humbly.  We sing songs of praise or old hymns of teaching.  When our worship not for us but for God completely, we crack the door open to get a glimpse of what it is like in heaven.  Pure worship, flowing from our heart to the heart of God happens when we are in sync with each other, in tune to the Scripture, in harmony with each other.  Our hearts beat with God’s heart in the true rhythm of his love, grace and mercy flowing through us in return for our worship of God alone.  This is a glimpse of what it must be like in heaven.

John, beloved disciple, apostle, pastor, gospel writer is given a glimpse of true, pure, loving worship of God from God.  The door to heaven opened up for him to see in his vision the magnificent worship of our God that never ends.  Beasts and Elders all bow down to worship the One seated on The Throne.  It seems our worship here on earth is only practice in the choir room until we come face to face to the Throne of God someday.  And “What a Day that Will Be” as the song of my youth taught me…

What a day that will be
When my Jesus I shall see
And I look upon his face
The one who saved me by his grace
When he takes me by the hand
And leads me through the Promised Land
What a day, glorious day that will be

There’ll be no sorrows there
No more burdens to bear
No more sickness and no more pain
No more parting over there
But forever I will be
With the one who died for me
What a day, glorious day that will be

What a day that will be
When my Jesus I shall see
When I look upon his face
The one who saved me by his grace
When he takes me by the hand

And leads me through the Promised Land
What a day, glorious day that will be

Songwriters: Jim Hill / William J. Reynolds

REVELATION—JESUS IS COMING BACK!

Revelation 4, The Message

A Door into Heaven

Then I looked, and, oh!—a door open into Heaven. The trumpet-voice, the first voice in my vision, called out, “Ascend and enter. I’ll show you what happens next.”

2-6 I was caught up at once in deep worship and, oh!—a Throne set in Heaven with One Seated on the Throne, suffused in gem hues of amber and flame with a nimbus of emerald. Twenty-four thrones circled the Throne, with Twenty-four Elders seated, white-robed, gold-crowned. Lightning flash and thunder crash pulsed from the Throne. Seven fire-blazing torches fronted the Throne (these are the Sevenfold Spirit of God). Before the Throne it was like a clear crystal sea.

6-8 Prowling around the Throne were Four Animals, all eyes. Eyes to look ahead, eyes to look behind. The first Animal like a lion, the second like an ox, the third with a human face, the fourth like an eagle in flight. The Four Animals were winged, each with six wings. They were all eyes, seeing around and within. And they chanted night and day, never taking a break:

Holy, holy, holy
Is God our Master, Sovereign-Strong,
The Was, The Is, The Coming.

9-11 Every time the Animals gave glory and honor and thanks to the One Seated on the Throne—the age-after-age Living One—the Twenty-four Elders would fall prostrate before the One Seated on the Throne. They worshiped the age-after-age Living One. They threw their crowns at the foot of the Throne, chanting,

Worthy, O Master! Yes, our God!
Take the glory! the honor! the power!
You created it all;
It was created because you wanted it.

WHAT WE LEARN…

Keep it simple.  Love God with all our hearts, minds and souls.  Put God first, middle and last.  Put no others before God.  Worship God alone with all that is in us, heart, mind and soul.  Wash feet by serving others like Jesus did who showed the full extent of love by His example.

What God wants most is you!  What God wants most of me.  All for God.

Holy, holy, holy
Is God our Master, Sovereign-Strong,
The Was, The Is, The Coming.

Lord,

Thank you for giving a glimpse of heaven through the vision you gave to John who obediently wrote it down.  Thank you for saving my soul and making me whole.  Because of what you do for me and in me, I praise You.  I worship You with every detail of life here.  I love you heart, mind and soul.  Thank you for loving me enough to lay down your life.  May my life reflect the pure praise that is in me moment by moment.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen

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LEARNING FROM OTHER’S STORIES

Posted on May 16, 2022 by randscallawayffm

When my older cousin messed up, I learned not to do what he did because I saw what it did in him and the consequences that came to him.  Growing up, as a child who watched people intently, I learned to do what was right by watching others do life wrong.  For example, I saw the results of family members yelling at people that didn’t satisfy their needs on the workplace or at other places of business.  I didn’t want to be that person, surely there’s another way to work out problems, I thought.  I looked up to wise people, watched how they handled problems and tried to model what they did because life seemed more peaceful for them.  I learned from the story of others who learned from their setbacks and mistakes in behavior.  I’m still learning for I am not where I want to be yet.  God certainly is not finished with me yet.

Churches today can learn from the messages God sent John to the Seven Churches.  Each church has a problem that needs to be rectified and solved by turning back to God for life’s answers.  Each church (group of people who say they believe in Jesus) needs to evaluate where they are now and ask God for help in walking in His ways again.  At times, churches are filled with good intentions only; while avoiding the real life of determinedly waking with God, doing what He wants.  We get overwhelmed in the busyness of merely doing church, constantly coming up with a “new program” that will make us even more busy.  Busy churches are highly susceptible to the devil and his schemes to divide us at this point.  He loves it when we get so busy, we slowly walk further away from God’s plan, his purpose for each of us and for us collectively called “church”. 

Jesus IS coming back.  All who believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord can agree on this Truth.  So, maybe it is time to pay close attention to all the ways the churches are not pleasing to God and learn from their stories. 

REVELATION—JESUS IS COMING BACK!

Revelation 3, The Message

Part Two

To Sardis

3 Write this to Sardis, to the Angel of the church. The One holding the Seven Spirits of God in one hand, a firm grip on the Seven Stars with the other, speaks:

“I see right through your work. You have a reputation for vigor and zest, but you’re dead, stone-dead.

2-3 “Up on your feet! Take a deep breath! Maybe there’s life in you yet. But I wouldn’t know it by looking at your busywork; nothing of God’s work has been completed. Your condition is desperate. Think of the gift you once had in your hands, the Message you heard with your ears—grasp it again and turn back to God.

“If you pull the covers back over your head and sleep on, oblivious to God, I’ll return when you least expect it, break into your life like a thief in the night.

4 “You still have a few followers of Jesus in Sardis who haven’t ruined themselves wallowing in the muck of the world’s ways. They’ll walk with me on parade! They’ve proved their worth!

5 “Conquerors will march in the victory parade, their names indelible in the Book of Life. I’ll lead them up and present them by name to my Father and his Angels.

6 “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.”

To Philadelphia

7 Write this to Philadelphia, to the Angel of the church. The Holy, the True—David’s key in his hand, opening doors no one can lock, locking doors no one can open—speaks:

8 “I see what you’ve done. Now see what I’ve done. I’ve opened a door before you that no one can slam shut. You don’t have much strength, I know that; you used what you had to keep my Word. You didn’t deny me when times were rough.

9 “And watch as I take those who call themselves true believers but are nothing of the kind, pretenders whose true membership is in the club of Satan—watch as I strip off their pretensions and they’re forced to acknowledge it’s you that I’ve loved.

10 “Because you kept my Word in passionate patience, I’ll keep you safe in the time of testing that will be here soon, and all over the earth, every man, woman, and child put to the test.

11 “I’m on my way; I’ll be there soon. Keep a tight grip on what you have so no one distracts you and steals your crown.

12 “I’ll make each conqueror a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, a permanent position of honor. Then I’ll write names on you, the pillars: the Name of my God, the Name of God’s City—the new Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven—and my new Name.

13 “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.”

To Laodicea

14 Write to Laodicea, to the Angel of the church. God’s Yes, the Faithful and Accurate Witness, the First of God’s creation, says:

15-17 “I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You’re not cold, you’re not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’ oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.

18 “Here’s what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that’s been through the refiner’s fire. Then you’ll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You’ve gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see.

19 “The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they’ll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!

20-21 “Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That’s my gift to the conquerors!

22 “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.”

Lord,

I’m listening, learning and asking for you to come in and change our lives to be more in sync with what you want for all of us.  We are conquerors with you.  We want to hear your voice above all other voices and then walk in your ways.  We know you are coming back.  Come, Lord Jesus and live now in our hearts.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen 

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EVERYONE HAS A STORY

Posted on May 15, 2022 by randscallawayffm

You have a story.  I have a story.  Everyone has a story!  Some are God-led stories.  Some stories result from being led by the fleeting, unstable whims of the world.  Most stories are earth shaking and life changing—good or bad.  All stories affect our lives.  When we hear Truth and understand the changes we need to make, our stories change.  We take up residence on higher ground, digging our feet into a solid foundation that doesn’t shift or move us—and we get better.  Our stories get better.  Our lives grow and blossom with beauty we never thought possible. 

So, what is your story?  I’m reflecting now on my story.

As we read “the big reveal” of Jesus coming back, we learn that churches (people collected in one group, striving to be like Jesus) have stories, too.  It is revealed to John that each church has kinks in their personalities, attitudes, and behaviors that could cause them to be less than worthy when Jesus comes back for his own. Each story is known by God.  It is God through Jesus Christ who can rectify and redeem their story—if the warnings are taken seriously.

What is the story of your church?  Our churches?

REVELATION—JESUS IS COMING!

Revelation 2, The Message

Part One

To Ephesus

2 Write this to Ephesus, to the Angel of the church. The One with Seven Stars in his right-fist grip, striding through the golden seven-lights’ circle, speaks:

2-3 “I see what you’ve done, your hard, hard work, your refusal to quit. I know you can’t stomach evil, that you weed out apostolic pretenders. I know your persistence, your courage in my cause, that you never wear out.

4-5 “But you walked away from your first love—why? What’s going on with you, anyway? Do you have any idea how far you’ve fallen? A Lucifer fall!

“Turn back! Recover your dear early love. No time to waste, for I’m well on my way to removing your light from the golden circle.

6 “You do have this to your credit: You hate the Nicolaitan business. I hate it, too.

7 “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches. I’m about to call each conqueror to dinner. I’m spreading a banquet of Tree-of-Life fruit, a supper plucked from God’s orchard.”

To Smyrna

8 Write this to Smyrna, to the Angel of the church. The Beginning and Ending, the First and Final One, the Once Dead and Then Come Alive, speaks:

9 “I can see your pain and poverty—constant pain, dire poverty—but I also see your wealth. And I hear the lie in the claims of those who pretend to be good Jews, who in fact belong to Satan’s crowd.

10 “Fear nothing in the things you’re about to suffer—but stay on guard! Fear nothing! The Devil is about to throw you in jail for a time of testing—ten days. It won’t last forever.

“Don’t quit, even if it costs you your life. Stay there believing. I have a Life-Crown sized and ready for you.

11 “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches. Christ-conquerors are safe from Devil-death.”

To Pergamum

12 Write this to Pergamum, to the Angel of the church. The One with the sharp-biting sword draws from the sheath of his mouth—out come the sword words:

13 “I see where you live, right under the shadow of Satan’s throne. But you continue boldly in my Name; you never once denied my Name, even when the pressure was worst, when they martyred Antipas, my witness who stayed faithful to me on Satan’s turf.

14-15 “But why do you indulge that Balaam crowd? Don’t you remember that Balaam was an enemy agent, seducing Balak and sabotaging Israel’s holy pilgrimage by throwing unholy parties? And why do you put up with the Nicolaitans, who do the same thing?

16 “Enough! Don’t give in to them; I’ll be with you soon. I’m fed up and about to cut them to pieces with my sword-sharp words.

17 “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches. I’ll give the sacred manna to every conqueror; I’ll also give a clear, smooth stone inscribed with your new name, your secret new name.”

To Thyatira

18 Write this to Thyatira, to the Angel of the church. God’s Son, eyes pouring fire-blaze, standing on feet of furnace-fired bronze, says this:

19 “I see everything you’re doing for me. Impressive! The love and the faith, the service and persistence. Yes, very impressive! You get better at it every day.

20-23 “But why do you let that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet mislead my dear servants into Cross-denying, self-indulging religion? I gave her a chance to change her ways, but she has no intention of giving up a career in the god-business. I’m about to lay her low, along with her partners, as they play their sex-and-religion games. The bastard offspring of their idol-whoring I’ll kill. Then every church will know that appearances don’t impress me. I x-ray every motive and make sure you get what’s coming to you.

24-25 “The rest of you Thyatirans, who have nothing to do with this outrage, who scorn this playing around with the Devil that gets paraded as profundity, be assured I’ll not make life any harder for you than it already is. Hold on to the truth you have until I get there.

26-28 “Here’s the reward I have for every conqueror, everyone who keeps at it, refusing to give up: You’ll rule the nations, your Shepherd-King rule as firm as an iron staff, their resistance fragile as clay pots. This was the gift my Father gave me; I pass it along to you—and with it, the Morning Star!

29 “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN?

Ephesus:  They lost their first love while trying to do church.  Their motive to do things right became paramount over loving Jesus first and asking what He wanted.  Our Light begins to fade as our love for Jesus-first and only begins to fade in the background of why we do what we do.  Be then do.

Smyrna:  Rich or poor, never stop believing!  No matter what happens—never stop believing!  I be back soon, leave the Light on!

Pergamum:  You call on the Name of Jesus, but you’re looking for love in all the wrong places, partying close to the edge which can lead to death.  People led of evil are great influencers of those who follow Christ—if we let them.  Jesus will daily give us what we need to conquer the crowd of evil influencers. 

Thyatira: Impressive work without pure motives of heart, mind and soul is not what God is looking for as servant followers of God alone.  When the church becomes a business, the people suffer growth in Godly character (fruits of the Spirit).  When the church is confused by world thinking religions with an attempt to merge all religions with the Truth of Jesus Christ, the Body suffers.  God is not pleased.  Christ alone, nothing more, nothing less.  “Hold on to the truth you have until I get there.”  God rewards those who stick the His Truth alone.

“Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.” 

What “wind” is blowing through our churches today?

Lord,

I pray for your church everywhere, around the world, to love you first, ask what you want, hear your voice above all other voices and obey you because we of our love for you.  “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.”

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen!

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