TIMOTHY, MY SON IN THE FAITH

Posted on March 23, 2022 by randscallawayffm

“Christians are quite serious in believing that when they gather together for worship and work, God is present and sovereign, really present and absolutely sovereign.  God creates and guides, God saves and heals, God corrects and blesses, God calls and judges.  With such comprehensive and personal leadership from God, what is the place of human leadership?”

An introduction to Timothy and Titus…by Eugene Peterson—

“Quite obviously, it has to be second place.  It must not elbow its way to the front, it must not bossily take over.  Ego-centered, ego-prominent leadership betrays the Master.  The best leadership in spiritual communities formed in the name of Jesus, the Messiah, is inconspicuous, not calling attention to itself, but not sacrificing anything in the way of conviction and firmness either.”

“In his letters to two young associates—Timothy in Ephesus and Titus in Crete—we see Paul encouraging and guiding the development of just such leadership.  What he had learned so thoroughly himself, he was now passing on, and showing them, in turn, how to develop a similar leadership in local congregations.  This is essential reading because ill-directed and badly formed spiritual leadership causes much damage in souls.  Paul in both his life and in his letters shows us how to do it right.”

TIMOTHY—PASSING IT ON WITH MENTORSHIP

1 Timothy 1, The Message

1-2 I, Paul, am an apostle on special assignment for Christ, our living hope. Under God our Savior’s command, I’m writing this to you, Timothy, my son in the faith. All the best from our God and Christ be yours!

Self-Appointed Experts on Life

3-4 On my way to the province of Macedonia, I advised you to stay in Ephesus. Well, I haven’t changed my mind. Stay right there on top of things so that the teaching stays on track. Apparently some people have been introducing fantasy stories and fanciful family trees that digress into silliness instead of pulling the people back into the center, deepening faith and obedience.

5-7 The whole point of what we’re urging is simply love—love uncontaminated by self-interest and counterfeit faith, a life open to God. Those who fail to keep to this point soon wander off into dead ends of gossip. They set themselves up as experts on religious issues, but haven’t the remotest idea of what they’re holding forth with such imposing eloquence.

8-11 It’s true that moral guidance and counsel need to be given, but the way you say it and to whom you say it are as important as what you say. It’s obvious, isn’t it, that the law code isn’t primarily for people who live responsibly, but for the irresponsible, who defy all authority, riding roughshod over God, life, sex, truth, whatever! They are cynical toward this great Message I’ve been put in charge of by this great God.

* * *

12-14 I’m so grateful to Christ Jesus for making me adequate to do this work. He went out on a limb, you know, in trusting me with this ministry. The only credentials I brought to it were violence and witch hunts and arrogance. But I was treated mercifully because I didn’t know what I was doing—didn’t know Who I was doing it against! Grace mixed with faith and love poured over me and into me. And all because of Jesus.

15-19 Here’s a word you can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. I’m proof—Public Sinner Number One—of someone who could never have made it apart from sheer mercy. And now he shows me off—evidence of his endless patience—to those who are right on the edge of trusting him forever.

Deep honor and bright glory
    to the King of All Time—
One God, Immortal, Invisible,
    ever and always. Oh, yes!

I’m passing this work on to you, my son Timothy. The prophetic word that was directed to you prepared us for this. All those prayers are coming together now so you will do this well, fearless in your struggle, keeping a firm grip on your faith and on yourself. After all, this is a fight we’re in.

19-20 There are some, you know, who by relaxing their grip and thinking anything goes have made a thorough mess of their faith. Hymenaeus and Alexander are two of them. I let them wander off to Satan to be taught a lesson or two about not blaspheming.

WHAT DO WE LEARN?

God chose Timothy for Paul to mentor and pass on the work begun in Paul.  “Under God our Savior’s command . . .”

Led by the Holy Spirit, Paul teaches Timothy:

  • Keep Jesus at the center of all you think, say and do.
  • Let the Love of Jesus in you lead you.  “The whole point of what we’re urging is simply love—love uncontaminated by self-interest and counterfeit faith, a life open to God.”
  • “It’s true that moral guidance and counsel need to be given, but the way you say it and to whom you say it are as important as what you say.”  (That’s why God’s Love leads!)
  • God-led Leaders are grateful for what God has done in them.  They never forget what God did in them before using them to help others.  Their very lives show the mercy and grace of God!  “Grace mixed with faith and love poured over me and into me. And all because of Jesus.”
  • God-led Leaders pray for those God wants them to mentor so the work continues.  Paul prayed for Timothy.  He prayed, “so you will do this well, fearless in your struggle, keeping a firm grip on your faith and on yourself. After all, this is a fight we’re in.”

Ah, what a powerful foundation upon which to build a mentorship of those people God sends to us, to pass on what God has taught us as leaders and followers of Christ!

Who is your mentor?  (We all need many advisors, as Proverbs wisdom tells us.)

Who are you mentoring?  In what ways?  For what reasons?  Why?

Some of us will say we are not teachers or leaders, but we are—all of us!  There is always someone seeking to better their walk and they do it by watching others who say they believe.  That is probably you! And me.

Lord,

First, all of Life is all about You.  You are God and we are not.  You are merciful in the ways you brought us from lostness to being found in you.  You saved us from ourselves and selfish living.  Lord, I know you want to take us to a place of helping others find and follow you, too.  I pray that all the learning, merciful acts of forgiveness, and love you have given to me is passed on to others with Your Spirit of Love, with your wisdom flowing through me, with your words of advice and counsel that are merciful kind and loving with your patience—just as you and others were to me.  Help us to pass it on and on and on…

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen!  Yes!

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THE PATH OF GRACE

Posted on March 22, 2022 by randscallawayffm

Following the “path of least resistance” by definition, is an option of avoiding difficulty or unpleasantness; the easiest course of action.  Most of us shyaway from confrontation and generally choose the path of least resistance.  But is that the best way?

When any given group of people form a team to accomplish a specific and significant task, not matter what it is, there will always be that “one” who doesn’t pull their weight.  This “one” doesn’t stop the work, because the others will take up the slack by doing the work of the lazy one because the ultimate goal is the completion of the project or task, right?

Paul says no.  We might say, “But Paul, it’s okay, we’ll do his work and ours to avoid conflict.”  “The goal is to finish the work God gave us to do.”  “So, we will not cause a scene, we will work harder so nothing is left undone.”  Paul still says no.  As a great leader, who is led by the Holy Spirit of God, Paul tells the church that laziness is not to be tolerated but we are not to get mad or even.  We are to “sit him down and talk about the problem as someone who cares.” 

There are many reasons people do not serve or serve well.  We need to take the time to sit down with them and talk it over.  Ask questions, in a spirit of love, with care for the individual such as; “How can I help you serve?”  “What do you need to serve well?”  “Is there something you don’t know that you need to know?” “Is there something else you feel God is asking you to do?”  “How can I help connect you to what God is asking you to be?” “Who would you like to work with so you can learn from them?” There are many more helpful questions, but you get the picture. 

Sometimes the person is so overwhelmed by the task, that they give up readily. That is a warning sign to leaders who have not prepared them well for the task.  We have not trained them but have merely dumped them into a situation that is completely foreign to them, leaving them to fin for themselves.  Giving up looks a lot like laziness on the outside.

“Let’s pray together, asking God for his purpose and plan.” This a great beginning and ending to this type of conversation. As God lead us, and He will when we ask, Paul’s “sit and talk about it” plan is better for correcting the path of the person who is deemed lazy which will, in turn, further the health of the church!

I think of Paul’s advice to the Ephesian church, “Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”  (Ephesians 4, NLT) 

After reading this passage, I think of lazy people who required “extra grace” and a talk from a team leader.  I also saw joy abound in a changed life that was directed to a better way to live.  I also remember times when caring people took me aside to privately correct my own lazy attitude, putting me back on the “path of God’s love and Christ’s endurance.”   

Right now, again today, I now thank God for those people who gave me “the talk”! 

Friends, could that be the ultimate goal, that trumps even the completion of the task at hand?  When God invites us to join Him in HIS work; is this the real goal…to correct our walk with love and caring concern for each other? Mm, something to think about…Oh God, I see what you’re doing there…

THESSALONIANS—LIVING FORWARD!

2 Thessalonians 3, The Message

Those Who Are Lazy

1-3 One more thing, friends: Pray for us. Pray that the Master’s Word will simply take off and race through the country to a groundswell of response, just as it did among you. And pray that we’ll be rescued from these troublemakers who are trying to do us in. I’m finding that not all “believers” are believers. But the Master never lets us down. He’ll stick by you and protect you from evil.

4-5 Because of the Master, we have great confidence in you. We know you’re doing everything we told you and will continue doing it. May the Master take you by the hand and lead you along the path of God’s love and Christ’s endurance.

6-9 Our orders—backed up by the Master, Jesus—are to refuse to have anything to do with those among you who are lazy and refuse to work the way we taught you. Don’t permit them to freeload on the rest. We showed you how to pull your weight when we were with you, so get on with it. We didn’t sit around on our hands expecting others to take care of us. In fact, we worked our fingers to the bone, up half the night moonlighting so you wouldn’t be burdened with taking care of us. And it wasn’t because we didn’t have a right to your support; we did. We simply wanted to provide an example of diligence, hoping it would prove contagious.

10-13 Don’t you remember the rule we had when we lived with you? “If you don’t work, you don’t eat.” And now we’re getting reports that a bunch of lazy good-for-nothings are taking advantage of you. This must not be tolerated. We command them to get to work immediately—no excuses, no arguments—and earn their own keep. Friends, don’t slack off in doing your duty.

14-15 If anyone refuses to obey our clear command written in this letter, don’t let him get by with it. Point out such a person and refuse to subsidize his freeloading. Maybe then he’ll think twice. But don’t treat him as an enemy. Sit him down and talk about the problem as someone who cares.

16 May the Master of Peace himself give you the gift of getting along with each other at all times, in all ways. May the Master be truly among you!

17 I, Paul, bid you good-bye in my own handwriting. I do this in all my letters, so examine my signature as proof that the letter is genuine.

18 The incredible grace of our Master, Jesus Christ, be with all of you!

Lord,

Your work is YOUR work in us.  Sometimes it appears easy then it is challenging, but whatever is asked, you provide a means to do it.  Thank you for the people you sent in my life to correct my path.  Help me to see people like you see them.  Help me to extend tremendous amounts of grace to them like you did for me.  Lead me, Lord.  Keep me on the Your path, always pointing people to You.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen!

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EVIL WILL TRY—BUT HE WILL FAIL!

Posted on March 21, 2022 by randscallawayffm

Do I really believe that what I believe about God to be really real?

This is the question that needs to be asked of ourselves daily and answered with a confident, assured, determined YES!  Only then can “the things of this world grow strangely dim in the Light of His glory and grace.”  In times like these, only this kind of faith and trust can withstand what evil will try to do to shake us up, distract us from Truth and redirect our thinking to self alone—which leads to death—forever. 

Living Forward thinking leads us to believe, without a doubt, that “Greater is HE (Jesus) that is in me than he (his opponent, Satan) that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) We stand firm on the foundation of Truth who is Jesus.  We have a tight grip on Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith!  Jesus.  Only Jesus.

Keep all this foundational truth in mind when people cry out “the end is near”, “the antichrist has come”, “the world as we know it will come to an end in the next year”.  Fear of the unknown is a tactic used by evil to draw us to him.  Faith in God, the One and Only who knows, smothers the fire of fear and gives us peace right in the middle of the storms of life. He straightens our shoulders, corrects our walk and bring us right into His Holy Presence.   

God chose us to live forever.  Do we choose Him?  Completely, with nothing held back?  Paul says, read these next words carefully.  Let us do the same and be blessed by the assurance of our faith in our Savior, our Redeemer, Protector, Provider, Help in troubles and Lord of our lives forever!  And may we believe—really believe!

NOTE:  Apostasy—Getting people to denounce all that is Jesus.  Anarchist—one who will be used by Satan to claim he is God.  The anarchist will be a puppet of Satan—who tried this tactic the first time as an angel in heaven!  He was kicked out and banned forever because he wanted to be God and take his place.  It didn’t work then; it won’t work later.  He tries, but fails.  Every time.  Don’t fall for it!

THESSALONIANS—LIVING FORWARD

2 Thessalonians 2, The Message

The Anarchist

1-3 Now, friends, read these next words carefully. Slow down and don’t go jumping to conclusions regarding the day when our Master, Jesus Christ, will come back and we assemble to welcome him. Don’t let anyone shake you up or get you excited over some breathless report or rumored letter from me that the day of the Master’s arrival has come and gone. Don’t fall for any line like that.

3-5 Before that day comes, a couple of things have to happen. First, the Apostasy. Second, the debut of the Anarchist, a partner in crime with Satan. He’ll defy and then take over every so-called god or altar. Having cleared away the opposition, he’ll then set himself up in God’s Temple as “God Almighty.” Don’t you remember me going over all this in detail when I was with you? Are your memories that short?

6-8 You’ll also remember that I told you the Anarchist is being held back until just the right time. That doesn’t mean that the spirit of anarchy is not now at work. It is, secretly and underground. But the time will come when the Anarchist will no longer be held back, but will be let loose. But don’t worry. The Master Jesus will be right on his heels and blow him away. The Master appears and—puff!—the Anarchist is out of there.

9-12 The Anarchist’s coming is all Satan’s work. All his power and signs and miracles are fake, evil sleight of hand that plays to the gallery of those who hate the truth that could save them. And since they’re so obsessed with evil, God rubs their noses in it—gives them what they want. Since they refuse to trust truth, they’re banished to their chosen world of lies and illusions.

13-14 Meanwhile, we’ve got our hands full continually thanking God for you, our good friends—so loved by God! God picked you out as his from the very start. Think of it: included in God’s original plan of salvation by the bond of faith in the living truth. This is the life of the Spirit he invited you to through the Message we delivered, in which you get in on the glory of our Master, Jesus Christ.

15-17 So, friends, take a firm stand, feet on the ground and head high. Keep a tight grip on what you were taught, whether in personal conversation or by our letter. May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech.

AGAIN, LET’S ASK—

Do I really believe that what I believe about God to be really real?  Then live it!

Lord,

I do believe and hold a firm grip on Your Hand who leads me through all the rhetoric and false teaching of this world.  Thank you for drawing back to you in faith when fear creeps in like a thief in an attempt to rob me of the joy and peace I have with You.  You in me.  Me in you.  Simply put, this is living forward in expectation of the day you will come and set all things right.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, YES and Amen!

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I THANK GOD FOR YOU!

Posted on March 20, 2022 by randscallawayffm

Can you imagine having a Paul in our lives who consistently encourage us, with nothing of himself held back, wanting nothing in return, only thankful praise to God for us?  This is Paul! Paul thanks God often for believers he knows are going through rough times of persecution and harassment for their determined faith in Jesus.  He knows what they are feeling because he is sitting in jail cell for preaching Jesus himself!  Paul’s living forward thinking is contagious to believers as well as encouraging. 

Paul’s letters remind us that God indeed gives us everything we need while growing us to be all He created us to be.  God held nothing back of His love for us.  Because of His love, He gave His Son, Jesus, freely so we can be free from all our sin.  I thank God for Paul!  I thank God for all of you reading this right now because you want to know more and live more closely to Jesus!

Jesus told us there would be hard times with rejection for following Him.  Paul, led by God’s Holy Spirit, encourages believers in Jesus that suffering through hard times is only temporary, justice is on the way!  This is yet another level of forward thinking—looking forward to the Day when Jesus returns for His own while bring justice as only He can. Judgement belongs to the Lord.  Revenge is mine, says God.  HE is God, we are not.

We live for Christ with Christ living in us.  Our prayer is Paul’s loving prayer for all believers, “Because we know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we pray for you all the time—pray that our God will make you fit for what he’s called you to be, pray that he’ll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something. If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you. Grace is behind and through all of this, our God giving himself freely, the Master, Jesus Christ, giving himself freely.”

In Jesus Name, For His Glory, Amen! 

Celebrate the coming of the Lord, even now!

THESSALONIANS—LIVING FORWARD!

2 Thessalonians 1, the Message

1-2 I, Paul, together with Silas and Timothy, greet the church of the Thessalonian Christians in the name of God our Father and our Master, Jesus Christ. Our God gives you everything you need, makes you everything you’re to be.

Justice Is on the Way

3-4 You need to know, friends, that thanking God over and over for you is not only a pleasure; it’s a must. We have to do it. Your faith is growing phenomenally; your love for each other is developing wonderfully. Why, it’s only right that we give thanks. We’re so proud of you; you’re so steady and determined in your faith despite all the hard times that have broadsided you. We tell everyone we meet in the churches all about you.

5-10 All this trouble is a clear sign that God has decided to make you fit for the kingdom. You’re suffering now, but justice is on the way. When the Master Jesus appears out of heaven in a blaze of fire with his strong angels, he’ll even up the score by settling accounts with those who gave you such a bad time. His coming will be the break we’ve been waiting for. Those who refuse to know God and refuse to obey the Message will pay for what they’ve done. Eternal exile from the presence of the Master and his splendid power is their sentence. But on that very same day when he comes, he will be exalted by his followers and celebrated by all who believe—and all because you believed what we told you.

11-12 Because we know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we pray for you all the time—pray that our God will make you fit for what he’s called you to be, pray that he’ll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something. If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you. Grace is behind and through all of this, our God giving himself freely, the Master, Jesus Christ, giving himself freely.

He IS coming back, you know.

What a Day that will be…

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HURRYING, HOLDING, AND HOVERING

Posted on March 19, 2022 by randscallawayffm

Sometimes when I’m stuck in a holding pattern, not yet landing on a decision to be made with troubles that need solutions; I feel like a jet plane hovering over the airport waiting for orders to land.  There are also times I may have landed but still stuck sitting on the tarmac until all checks have been made and the gate finally opens so I can get on my way with the agenda of my life.

If you’ve ever traveled by plane from one place to another, you soon realize that flying is a lot of hurry and wait.  You hurry to get to the gate of departure; you hurry to double check your flight because schedules change in an instant; you struggle with baggage you pray meets the requirements; and you are anxious because you are at the mercy of all who have a part in your travel.  The reason those boards that list arrivals and departures are spaced throughout the airport is because your travel life can change in minutes.  The gate of departure or arrival can change while you are walking or running to your gate!  So, you must check while enroute to the gate often!  When changes are made, then you wait for the next available plane to take—sometimes waiting overnight—in a chair surrounded with your luggage.  You look and feel like a hunter in the wilderness protecting his possessions in the night ready to fend off intruders.

Okay, we digress.  You probably realize by now I have traveled quite a bit by air with many experiences of hurry and wait.  Here’s what I have learned.  Stuck times can be frustrating but these pauses in life can also be important for learning and growing.  In the quiet pauses between life’s activities, I sometimes wonder if Jesus is thinking about when He will come back to solve all problems on earth, not just mine.  But then I remember, only God knows that and scriptures tells us NOONE else knows the time, either.  So, stop guessing.

I then wonder how ready am I for Jesus’ return? In the hovering stuck times of life, I pause and think about my current priorities and wonder if it is my unreadiness that I am in a holding pattern?  Maybe there are some checks and balances that need to be made, some adjustments to my way of living or maybe God, who is always at work for us, not against us, is clearing the runway for a safer landing?  Do I trust him as much as I trust people in the flight industry?  If so, then my hope, faith and trust needs some much needed work!!

Paul helps us with all these thoughts.  In his letter to the church, He reminds us WHO we are in Christ, WHO we need to believe, trust and follow, with HOW we need to live.  Simple.  Truth with landing instructions!  Let’s go, our flight is ready to depart!

THESSALONIANS—LIVING FORWARD!

1 Thessalonians 5, The Message

1-3 I don’t think, friends, that I need to deal with the question of when all this is going to happen. You know as well as I that the day of the Master’s coming can’t be posted on our calendars. He won’t call ahead and make an appointment any more than a burglar would. About the time everybody’s walking around complacently, congratulating each other—“We’ve sure got it made! Now we can take it easy!”—suddenly everything will fall apart. It’s going to come as suddenly and inescapably as birth pangs to a pregnant woman.

4-8 But friends, you’re not in the dark, so how could you be taken off guard by any of this? You’re sons of Light, daughters of Day. We live under wide open skies and know where we stand. So let’s not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let’s keep our eyes open and be smart. People sleep at night and get drunk at night. But not us! Since we’re creatures of Day, let’s act like it. Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation.

9-11 God didn’t set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we’re awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we’re alive with him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.

The Way He Wants You to Live

12-13 And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!

13-15 Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other’s nerves you don’t snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.

16-18 Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.

19-22 Don’t suppress the Spirit, and don’t stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don’t be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what’s good. Throw out anything tainted with evil.

23-24 May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it!

25-27 Friends, keep up your prayers for us. Greet all the followers of Jesus there with a holy embrace. And make sure this letter gets read to all the brothers and sisters. Don’t leave anyone out.

28 The amazing grace of Jesus Christ be with you!

Lord,

We have taken note of all your flight instructions!  We realize again how awesome and loving you are.  We realize that the answers for life are always all about you and our relationship with you.  So, make me whole and holy, keeping me fit for your coming!

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen!  Yes!  I believe!

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AS IF—

Posted on March 18, 2022 by randscallawayffm

“As if” is a catch phrase that most times express skepticism.  When someone tells you something a bit too hard to believe, we sarcastically respond, “Yeah, right, as if—” “As if” is usually followed by, “like THAT’S going to happen.” 

Apparently, the Thessalonians needed reassurance in their “living forward” lives.  As we read this passage this morning, I think we all need reminding and reassuring that Jesus is indeed coming back some day “at the sound of the trumpet blast”, bursting into our mundane, routine lives with his glorious return to claim his own!  How will we know?  Oh, Friends, we’re going to KNOW it.  ALL will know when Jesus arrives!  Jesus assures us in the gospel writings.  Whoa, now I’m really getting excited to imagine this happening—even today!  I was going to pay bills but if Jesus is coming back today …

Instead of living sarcastic lives, thinking “as if—, yeah, right, like that’s going to happen”; what if we lived our lives ready for him, AS IF Jesus was coming today—like in the next few hours! 

Seriously, what was your first thought when you read that last sentence?  Let’s pause and think for a bit…as if He were right beside you.  (Because He is.)

Paul reminds believers and followers of Jesus that we are God-taught, knowing how we should live with generous help from the Holy Spirit to live forward in His ways, because of God’s love, mercy and grace.  I love that Paul calls each believer a gift of the God’s Holy Spirit!  So, being a gift, we must live it in celebration of being one of His own.  Paul tells us to “… keep on … please God, not in a dogged religious plod, but in a living, spirited dance!” 

Live AS IF Jesus was walking beside us, ahead of us, and behind us as well as in us.  Live as if He was your Guide, Protector, Healer, Provider.  Live with FORWARD thinking, being fully aware and assured that He is coming back!  It is not our concern when.  Our focus is to live as if He was coming in the next few hours.  Start the music, begin the spirited dance!  Jesus is coming!  And Jesus is here now in Spirit!

How does knowing and really believing this change our agenda, our approach to this day, our thoughts for what concerns us right now?

THESSALONIANS—LIVING FORWARD!

1 Thessalonians 4, The Message

You’re God-Taught

1-3 One final word, friends. We ask you—urge is more like it—that you keep on doing what we told you to do to please God, not in a dogged religious plod, but in a living, spirited dance. You know the guidelines we laid out for you from the Master Jesus. God wants you to live a pure life.

Keep yourselves from sexual promiscuity.

4-5 Learn to appreciate and give dignity to your body, not abusing it, as is so common among those who know nothing of God.

6-7 Don’t run roughshod over the concerns of your brothers and sisters. Their concerns are God’s concerns, and he will take care of them. We’ve warned you about this before. God hasn’t invited us into a disorderly, grungy life but into something holy and beautiful—as beautiful on the inside as the outside.

8 If you disregard this advice, you’re not offending your neighbors; you’re rejecting God, who is making you a gift of his Holy Spirit.

9-10 Regarding life together and getting along with each other, you don’t need me to tell you what to do. You’re God-taught in these matters. Just love one another! You’re already good at it; your friends all over the province of Macedonia are the evidence. Keep it up; get better and better at it.

11-12 Stay calm; mind your own business; do your own job. You’ve heard all this from us before, but a reminder never hurts. We want you living in a way that will command the respect of outsiders, not lying around sponging off your friends.

The Master’s Coming

13-14 And regarding the question, friends, that has come up about what happens to those already dead and buried, we don’t want you in the dark any longer. First off, you must not carry on over them like people who have nothing to look forward to, as if the grave were the last word. Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus.

15-18 And then this: We can tell you with complete confidence—we have the Master’s word on it—that when the Master comes again to get us, those of us who are still alive will not get a jump on the dead and leave them behind. In actual fact, they’ll be ahead of us. The Master himself will give the command. Archangel thunder! God’s trumpet blast! He’ll come down from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise—they’ll go first. Then the rest of us who are still alive at the time will be caught up with them into the clouds to meet the Master. Oh, we’ll be walking on air! And then there will be one huge family reunion with the Master. So reassure one another with these words.

ONE LAST “AS IF” THOUGHT—

As if the grave had the final say!  No!  All because of Jesus!

  “you must not carry on over them like people who have nothing to look forward to, as if the grave were the last word. Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus.”

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16 

Can I get a hallelujah and amen?!

Lord,

Help me to live forward, love more, love better, walk more closely, listen more, talk less, and live redeemed and assured.  There’s no turning back now!  Help me to live as if you’re arrival is in the next few minutes!

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen!

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BLESSINGS

Posted on March 17, 2022 by randscallawayffm

It’s St Patrick’s Day today!  March 17, the day we wear green so we won’t be pinched, (or wear orange if you’re Protestant, but few know that!). There are many traditions and “blessings” that are associated with this observance of this patron Irish saint.  The most traditional and well known of all the Irish blessings is “May the road rise up”. It was written a very long time ago, and is often recited at wedding and special ceremonies and sometimes said as a prayer. It goes as follows:

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face;

the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,

may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

This is a translation, as this Irish blessing was originally written in the Irish language, but this is the form most commonly spoken today. There are additional verses in the full version, and another version adapted specifically as a travel blessing, but these are the most well-known words.

But what does it mean?

There are three main images in “May the road rise up”. These are the wind, the sun and the rain. Many believe this symbolizes two very important elements of the Irish culture: a love and appreciation for nature and the environment, and also a representation of their religion.

The mention of the wind is often considered to mean the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit came as a “mighty wind” at Pentecost.

The reference to the warmth of the sun suggests God’s Mercy, as in the New Testament it reads “by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven,” speaking of God’s Son, Jesus who died for our sins and rose again to defeat death.

And as nothing can grow without the rain, the line about the rain falling softly in this Irish blessing is believed to be symbolic of God’s ongoing provision for the people.

But what about the patron saint, himself?  Here is a snippet from the famous Irish blessing known as St Patrick’s Blessing. I only included a snippet as the full version has an additional 7 verses!

St Patrick’s Irish Blessing

Christ with me,

Christ before me,

Christ behind me,

Christ in me,

Christ beneath me,

Christ above me,

Christ on my right,

Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down,

Christ when I sit down,

Christ when I arise,

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

It is believed that once upon a time, the patron saint of Ireland had this long Irish Blessing carved upon his breastplate. Whether this is true (as realistically it would have taken up a lot of room to display the whole blessing!) or whether it is simply a symbolic statement of the idea of St Patrick having these words close to his heart, we don’t know for sure.  Either way this is a very sweet and very popular Irish blessing. The extract we have included above is the second to last verse as it is probably the most quoted section.

Why the history lesson?  I’m a teacher and I love to learn!  For this day, March 17, 2022, to be on the day we read about Paul giving a blessing to the believers in Thessalonica is not coincidental.  God reminds us once more the importance of the ministry of encouragement—blessing, if you will—that keeps us all growing and going in the ways of the Lord.  We need each other’s words of blessed assurances about our Savior and Lord with encouraging words that keep us focused on our faith! 

These later saints who became legends have stories of their goodness but we cannot miss the foundation of their goodness and faith—Jesus Christ!  Anyone who has encountered the living Christ is never the same again.  Encouragement comes from a life transformed by the Three-In-One; Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

Be Encouraged—

Dear Friends, I pray Paul’s blessing for you this day;

“May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers.”

In Jesus Name, For His Glory, Amen!  I believe!

THESSALONIANS—LIVING FORWARD!

1 Thessalonians 3, The Message

1-2 So when we couldn’t stand being separated from you any longer and could find no way to visit you ourselves, we stayed in Athens and sent Timothy to get you up and about, cheering you on so you wouldn’t be discouraged by these hard times. He’s a brother and companion in the faith, God’s man in spreading the Message, preaching Christ.

3-5 Not that the troubles should come as any surprise to you. You’ve always known that we’re in for this kind of thing. It’s part of our calling. When we were with you, we made it quite clear that there was trouble ahead. And now that it’s happened, you know what it’s like. That’s why I couldn’t quit worrying; I had to know for myself how you were doing in the faith. I didn’t want the Tempter getting to you and tearing down everything we had built up together.

6-8 But now that Timothy is back, bringing this terrific report on your faith and love, we feel a lot better. It’s especially gratifying to know that you continue to think well of us, and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you! In the middle of our trouble and hard times here, just knowing how you’re doing keeps us going. Knowing that your faith is alive keeps us alive.

9-10 What would be an adequate thanksgiving to offer God for all the joy we experience before him because of you? We do what we can, praying away, night and day, asking for the bonus of seeing your faces again and doing what we can to help when your faith falters.

11-13 May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers.

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NO HIDDEN AGENDAS, PLEASE!

Posted on March 16, 2022 by randscallawayffm

“Bait and switch” is an old phrase used as a sales technique from the old days.  Bait the customer inside your establishment with media ads, telling them what great deals you have on something you know they want.  However, when you come to look, feel and decide if the product is indeed what is advertised, the salesman will persuade you to check out the higher priced model that will “be a much better deal with more gadgets to make our lives easier”.  And besides that, the one advertised is suddenly “out of stock” and will take weeks or months to get.  Car, appliance and other types of salespeople are trained to do this still today.  Why?  Because it works.  We want the most for our money.  True.  So, the old “bait and switch” manipulation cause us to spend more than we expected.  Later, we are disappointed that we fell for it.

PERSUASION VS. MANIPULATION—WE NEED TO TALK …

Paul is a passionate persuader of telling the Good News of Jesus saving grace to all who comes within earshot of the Message.  But he doesn’t do this for his own gain like a salesperson.  That’s not where his heart is.  We need to talk about the difference between a persuader and a manipulator.  You will find both in the believing world!  A persuader wants nothing for themselves.  They lay Truth on the table, out in the open, for all to see, hear, feel and understand.  Their greatest desire is for you to know what you are getting into with encouragement and information to help you.  A persuader does not use “bait and switch”, no hidden agendas to get what THEY want.  A persuader knows and is assured they have what is needed for you best.  They have Jesus and want you to have Jesus.  Simple.  Nothing more.  Nothing less than Jesus.  Jesus is not a product to be sold, but a Life to be lived forward!

A manipulator does have hidden agendas which are about power—to have and to hold over the one that are manipulating with words that draw attention to themselves.  They tell you what you want hear so you will like them.  They will tell you what they can do for you, with promises they cannot possibly keep, motivated by self—what it will do for them.  They want to be liked by people and will say anything to get them to come on “their side” of life.  Once there, they move on to manipulate others who fall for their agendas of self-promotion.  “But God is fed up, ready to put an end to it.”, writes Paul.

Where your heart is, so is your behavior, says Jesus.  Be a persuader of HIS salvation news to those in desperate need of a Savior.  Allow His Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts, words and actions.  Manipulation is a game.  Persuasion is a work of the heart.

THESSALONIANS—LIVING FORWARD!

1 Thessalonians 2, The Message

1-2 So, friends, it’s obvious that our visit to you was no waste of time. We had just been given rough treatment in Philippi, as you know, but that didn’t slow us down. We were sure of ourselves in God, and went right ahead and said our piece, presenting God’s Message to you, defiant of the opposition.

No Hidden Agendas

3-5 God tested us thoroughly to make sure we were qualified to be trusted with this Message. Be assured that when we speak to you we’re not after crowd approval—only God approval. Since we’ve been put through that battery of tests, you’re guaranteed that both we and the Message are free of error, mixed motives, or hidden agendas. We never used words to butter you up. No one knows that better than you. And God knows we never used words as a smoke screen to take advantage of you.

6-8 Even though we had some standing as Christ’s apostles, we never threw our weight around or tried to come across as important, with you or anyone else. We weren’t standoffish with you. We took you just as you were. We were never patronizing, never condescending, but we cared for you the way a mother cares for her children. We loved you dearly. Not content to just pass on the Message, we wanted to give you our hearts. And we did.

9-12 You remember us in those days, friends, working our fingers to the bone, up half the night, moonlighting so you wouldn’t have the burden of supporting us while we proclaimed God’s Message to you. You saw with your own eyes how discreet and courteous we were among you, with keen sensitivity to you as fellow believers. And God knows we weren’t freeloaders! You experienced it all firsthand. With each of you we were like a father with his child, holding your hand, whispering encouragement, showing you step-by-step how to live well before God, who called us into his own kingdom, into this delightful life.

13 And now we look back on all this and thank God, a geyser of thanks! When you got the Message of God we preached, you didn’t pass it off as just one more human opinion, but you took it to heart as God’s true word to you, which it is, God himself at work in you believers!

14-16 Friends, do you realize that you followed in the exact footsteps of the churches of God in Judea, those who were the first to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ? You got the same bad treatment from your countrymen as they did from theirs, the Jews who killed the Master Jesus (to say nothing of the prophets) and followed it up by running us out of town. They make themselves offensive to God and everyone else by trying to keep us from telling people who’ve never heard of our God how to be saved. They’ve made a career of opposing God, and have gotten mighty good at it. But God is fed up, ready to put an end to it.

* * *

17-20 Do you have any idea how very homesick we became for you, dear friends? Even though it hadn’t been that long and it was only our bodies that were separated from you, not our hearts, we tried our very best to get back to see you. You can’t imagine how much we missed you! I, Paul, tried over and over to get back, but Satan thwarted us each time. Who do you think we’re going to be proud of when our Master Jesus appears if it’s not you? You’re our pride and joy!

PAUSE, REFLECT, PRAY

When we talk to people about Jesus, what is our motivation?  Is it to build attendance for our particular church organization or to help people find Jesus and follow Him along with other imperfect people? 

Consider this:  Do we invite people to church, telling them coming to church will solve all their problems?  Let’s rethink this after reading Paul’s words.  Inviting people to church is a manipulation tactic that we have all used if we admit it. We add words like, “Our preacher is a really great speaker”, “our band it the greatest”, or “we are the friendliest church in town, you’re going to love going there”!  We’ve all said these words because these are easy words to say. 

However, we are a bit misleading by only inviting people in this way.  Wait, what!?  Yes, friends, if we only invite people to church as a way to solve their problems we are not telling the whole story.  Church is full of imperfect people who will disappoint people who think they are perfect and will solve their issues in life.  Church does not solve all your problems.  Only Jesus.  Only Jesus saves us from sin.  Only Jesus knows us inside out and outside in.  Church does not.  Church is a place to learn to learn and grow with other very imperfect people. 

Consider this option of persuasion:  Invite people to Jesus, the One and Only who IS perfect and will not disappoint!  Tell them what Jesus has done for you in words they will understand.  Tell the Truth of Jesus’ saving grace with how you now live for Him because of what He has done in your life.  This is an initiation with no hidden agendas.  THIS is what Paul was talking about when he told the church in Thessalonica, “When you got the Message of God we preached, you didn’t pass it off as just one more human opinion, but you took it to heart as God’s true word to you, which it is, God himself at work in you believers!”

Be a persuader, not a manipulator!  Be reconciled to Christ! 

Lord,

You alone saved me from my sins.  You convict me and teach me how to walk in your ways with what to say, in your Name, for your glory so others will find and follow you, too.  Continue to teach me for I have not arrived at perfection and won’t until I see you face to face in all your glory.  Continue to transform me, day by day, hour by hour.  Help me to persuade others so they can be saved and begin living forward in Hope which is all You!

In Jesus Name, Amen

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THESSALONIANS—LIVING FORWARD!

Posted on March 15, 2022 by randscallawayffm

“The way we conceive the future sculpts the present, gives contour and tone to nearly every action and thought through the day.  If our sense of future is weak, we live listlessly.  Much emotional and mental illness and most suicides occur among men and women who feel that they ‘have no future.’

The Christian faith has always been characterized by a strong and focused sense of future, with belief in the Second Coming of Jesus as the most distinctive detail.  From the day Jesus ascended into heaven, his followers lived in expectancy of his return. He told them he was coming back.  They believed he was coming back.  They continued to believe it.  For Christians it is the most important thing to know and believe about the future.

The practical effect of this belief is to charge each moment of the present with hope.  For if the future is dominated by the coming again of Jesus, there is little room left on the screen for projecting our anxieties and fantasies.  It takes the clutter out of our lives.  We’re far more free to respond spontaneously to the freedom of God.

All the same, the belief can be misconceived so that it results in paralyzing fear for some, shiftless indolence in others.  Paul’s two letter to the Christians in Thessalonica, among much else, correct such debilitating misconceptions, prodding us to continue to live forward in taut and joyful expectancy for what God will do next in Jesus.” 

–An Introduction to Paul’s letters to the churches in Thessalonica by Eugene Peterson

Are we ready to learn to live forward with convictions of steel upon Jesus, our Hope?  Let’s begin…

1 Thessalonians 1, The Message

Convictions of Steel

I, Paul, together here with Silas and Timothy, send greetings to the church at Thessalonica, Christians assembled by God the Father and by the Master, Jesus Christ. God’s amazing grace be with you! God’s robust peace!

Convictions of Steel

2-5 Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night you’re in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father. It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special. When the Message we preached came to you, it wasn’t just words. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions.

5-6 You paid careful attention to the way we lived among you, and determined to live that way yourselves. In imitating us, you imitated the Master. Although great trouble accompanied the Word, you were able to take great joy from the Holy Spirit!—taking the trouble with the joy, the joy with the trouble.

7-10 Do you know that all over the provinces of both Macedonia and Achaia believers look up to you? The word has gotten around. Your lives are echoing the Master’s Word, not only in the provinces but all over the place. The news of your faith in God is out. We don’t even have to say anything anymore—you’re the message! People come up and tell us how you received us with open arms, how you deserted the dead idols of your old life so you could embrace and serve God, the true God. They marvel at how expectantly you await the arrival of his Son, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescued us from certain doom.

PAUSE, REFLECT, PRAY

How convicted am I?  Right now, at this minute.

How much life clutter is in my way of living forward?

Who really knows who I believe and who I follow with conviction?

Lord,

You get right to the point, right to the heart of our believing and behaviors.  Your Holy Spirit convicts us to think more clearly, evaluating who we say we are, while reflecting over our recent behaviors.  Your perfection forgiveness of our imperfective behavior, dear Jesus, allows us to start fresh each morning, with joyful expectations with the Hope of your return.  We DO have a future.  “All have sinned and fall short of your glory” in our walk, but you love and forgive all who believe.  YOU are Life.  YOU are my Hope now and forever.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen

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FOCUSED PRAYER

Posted on March 14, 2022 by randscallawayffm

We pray in thanks for the food, for our family, and rejoice for another day.  All prayers are heard but how are they received by God who knows our hearts?  Sometimes, like now, I wonder what God thinks when he hears our prayers said in the same way, with the same words, with a less than stellar attitude of expecting God to answer.  Are our words becoming routine and careless; words said “in vain with repetition”?  Jesus warned us about praying the same thing over and over without a lot of thought behind the words, not really expecting great revelations or responses from God, only words to say from memory and tradition.  Sometimes we pray and check Him off the list of to do’s for the day.  Yikes.

I’m reminded of the little girl who was asked to prayer at the table.  The room was in silence.  Everyone with heads bowed was wondering when the little girl would speak.  Finally, her father whispered to her, “we can’t hear you”, to which she replied, “I’m not talking to you.”  We laugh, but what if we really realized Who we are talking to?

Jesus told his curious disciples about praying when they asked Him.  Of course, this super teachable moment by the Master Teacher did not go unnoticed—as usual.  Jesus said;

“Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.

“The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:

Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best—
    as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!
    Yes. Yes. Yes.

In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do.”–Jesus

Matthew 6:6-15, The Message

I am reminded of this passage in Matthew as we read Paul’s last words in his letter to the Colossian church.  He prays like Jesus taught.  He asks for others to join him in prayer in a very focused way.  Notice this prayer is not a litany of requests for physical wellness but a focused prayer for souls to be saved by Jesus! 

Focused prayer takes the attention from self to asking God for opportunities to tell His Story of Jesus who saves us from sins.  He prays specifically for help in three ways.  (Paul does this in all his letters, see Ephesians specifically).  If you want to get into a lost person’s life pray like Paul.  Lord, open the door, open their heart, and open my mouth. It is a prayer that God loves to answer!

COLOSSIANS—ONLY JESUS

Colossians 4, The Message

And masters, treat your servants considerately. Be fair with them. Don’t forget for a minute that you, too, serve a Master—God in heaven.

Pray for Open Doors

2-4 Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. Don’t forget to pray for us, that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ, even while I’m locked up in this jail. Pray that every time I open my mouth, I’ll be able to make Christ plain as day to them.

5-6 Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don’t miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.

7-9 My good friend Tychicus will tell you all about me. He’s a trusted minister and companion in the service of the Master. I’ve sent him to you so that you would know how things are with us, and so he could encourage you in your faith. And I’ve sent Onesimus with him. Onesimus is one of you, and has become such a trusted and dear brother! Together they’ll bring you up-to-date on everything that has been going on here.

10-11 Aristarchus, who is in jail here with me, sends greetings; also Mark, cousin of Barnabas (you received a letter regarding him; if he shows up, welcome him); and also Jesus, the one they call Justus. These are the only ones left from the old crowd who have stuck with me in working for God’s kingdom. Don’t think they haven’t been a big help!

12-13 Epaphras, who is one of you, says hello. What a trooper he has been! He’s been tireless in his prayers for you, praying that you’ll stand firm, mature and confident in everything God wants you to do. I’ve watched him closely, and can report on how hard he has worked for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

14 Luke, good friend and physician, and Demas both send greetings.

15 Say hello to our friends in Laodicea; also to Nympha and the church that meets in her house.

16 After this letter has been read to you, make sure it gets read also in Laodicea. And get the letter that went to Laodicea and have it read to you.

17 And, oh, yes, tell Archippus, “Do your best in the job you received from the Master. Do your very best.”

18 I’m signing off in my own handwriting—Paul. Remember to pray for me in this jail. Grace be with you.

Lord,

I pray for open doors of opportunities to show your love and tell your story.  I pray for open hearts to hear your Truth. I pray that you open my mouth and speak your works of love, mercy and grace.  Help me to encourage today, not tear down another person who is seeking life to full. Help me to do my best for you.  I trust you, dear Jesus, to help us.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen

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