SADNESS TO GLADNESS!

Posted on September 28, 2021 by randscallawayffm

We have all experienced it.  We don’t like it.  We are miserable in it.  We long for it to stop.  In the middle of it we feel less than we should, wondering what we did wrong while dwelling in deep sorrow because of it.  What is it?  Sadness.  Sadness can make us physically ill.  Sadness feels dark, with no light in sight.  Sadness drives who we are and what we do when we consider nothing else but the sadness.  Death of a loved one brings a sadness that is deeper still.  Sadness is a dark cloud that seemingly will not lift bringing a fog that confuses our minds, tenders our hearts and is felt deep in our souls.

Jesus warns his followers of this sadness with a lesson in gladness.  “You’re going to be in deep mourning while the godless world throws a party. You’ll be sad, very sad, but your sadness will develop into gladness.”  We, who know the rest of the story know where Jesus is headed and what He will do for the world.  But his followers do not know—yet.  They are right in the middle of it all and don’t know what is coming.  So, Jesus, concerned for them, is meeting their sadness need before they even know they will need help.

Friends, Isn’t that just like Jesus?  He meets our needs before we know we need Him?  He goes before us, behind us and beside us at all times.  This is how sadness develops into gladness—by trusting Jesus!  Jesus, Son of God, died for our sins but then rose again, defeating death for all of us!  This is the Gladness part.  This is our hope! 

“When I see you again, you’ll be full of joy, and it will be a joy no one can rob from you. You’ll no longer be so full of questions.” –Jesus  

WHAT A PROMISE! 

John—God’s Love

John 16:

16 “In a day or so you’re not going to see me, but then in another day or so you will see me.”

Joy Like a River Overflowing

17-18 That stirred up a hornet’s nest of questions among the disciples: “What’s he talking about: ‘In a day or so you’re not going to see me, but then in another day or so you will see me’? And, ‘Because I’m on my way to the Father’? What is this ‘day or so’? We don’t know what he’s talking about.”

19-20 Jesus knew they were dying to ask him what he meant, so he said, “Are you trying to figure out among yourselves what I meant when I said, ‘In a day or so you’re not going to see me, but then in another day or so you will see me’? Then fix this firmly in your minds: You’re going to be in deep mourning while the godless world throws a party. You’ll be sad, very sad, but your sadness will develop into gladness.

21-23 “When a woman gives birth, she has a hard time, there’s no getting around it. But when the baby is born, there is joy in the birth. This new life in the world wipes out memory of the pain. The sadness you have right now is similar to that pain, but the coming joy is also similar. When I see you again, you’ll be full of joy, and it will be a joy no one can rob from you. You’ll no longer be so full of questions.

23-24 “This is what I want you to do: Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I’ve revealed to you. Ask in my name, according to my will, and he’ll most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!

25-28 “I’ve used figures of speech in telling you these things. Soon I’ll drop the figures and tell you about the Father in plain language. Then you can make your requests directly to him in relation to this life I’ve revealed to you. I won’t continue making requests of the Father on your behalf. I won’t need to. Because you’ve gone out on a limb, committed yourselves to love and trust in me, believing I came directly from the Father, the Father loves you directly. First, I left the Father and arrived in the world; now I leave the world and travel to the Father.”

29-30 His disciples said, “Finally! You’re giving it to us straight, in plain talk—no more figures of speech. Now we know that you know everything—it all comes together in you. You won’t have to put up with our questions anymore. We’re convinced you came from God.”

31-33 Jesus answered them, “Do you finally believe? In fact, you’re about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me. I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”

Jesus reveals more sadness to gladness promises…

  • “Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I’ve revealed to you. Ask in my name, according to my will, and he’ll most certainly give it to you.”
  • I won’t continue making requests of the Father on your behalf. I won’t need to. Because you’ve gone out on a limb, committed yourselves to love and trust in me, believing I came directly from the Father, the Father loves you directly.
  • I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”

Trusting Jesus makes us unshakable and assured, deeply at peace!  Did you get that?  Does this excite you as much as it fills my soul?  Trust is assurance—unshakable assurance with the by-product of peace! 

Want peace?  Trust God!  He knows what He is doing!

Lord,

Thank you for this encouragement, this lesson is trust that leads to unshakable assurance with the light of your peace that dispels the darkness of sadness.  We do “take heart” this morning just know and believing in what you said.  Continue to teach us, Lord.  Show us your ways of thinking.

In Jesus Name, Amen

And we’re singing… Whom Shall I Fear (God Of Angel Armies) Chris Tomlin

I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

My strength is in Your name
For You alone can save
You will deliver me
Yours is the victory

Whom then shall I fear…

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FOLLOWING COMES WITH A WARNING LABEL

Posted on September 27, 2021 by randscallawayffm

Oh my, the commercials these days, pushing diseases they think we probably have with their cure for what ails us!  Wait, what?  I’m I the only one wondering why there are advertisements for diseases with cures?  Do we now medicate ourselves?  Where is the medical community on this?  Do we now get to decide what disease we have?  Are we actually allowed to go buy what is promoted to us as cures? 

Doesn’t this remind us of the old TV shows like Bonanza or Andy Griffith where Dr. Shyster rolls into town with his “tonic that cures everything!”  Dr. Shyster never said your hair might fall out along with your teeth.  There were no warning labels. 

Today’s lawsuits cause all medications to have warning labels to cover anything that might go wrong.  The warning is given at the end of each commercial in rapid fire words.  If we had the ability to slow down the words, you would hear that the meds might be worse than whatever ails you.  “Take this, you will be maimed for life, bleed out or even die, but hey, it’s a great cure for a disease we just made up.”  Okay, that’s what I hear…until someone I love has this real illness.  Then I might listen to the warning or read the label—when it gets personal.

Jesus is real.  Jesus is personal to his followers.  Jesus tells his followers real truth about what they will face.  He warns them so that when it happens, they will be prepared for it.  Jesus also introduces the antidote to evil’s temptations, a “Friend” who will come, abide in them as if He were physically with them.  His Holy Spirit, a part of Him, will tell them the Truth and be their guide. 

God’s Holy Spirit comes and lives in us, too.  All who believe, accept, repent and follow Jesus have the gift of this Friend who will guide, comfort, convict, challenge and show us the way to navigate our best life on God’s terms.  I don’t know about you, but I am extremely grateful for this Friend!  The Holy Spirit, like Jesus, is Truth.  Jesus is the Way, Truth and Life.  The Holy Spirit leads us from the inside out in showing us the Way, Truth and Life each day. This is God’s plan for us.

John—God’s Love

John 16:1-15, The Message

1-4 “I’ve told you these things to prepare you for rough times ahead. They are going to throw you out of the meeting places. There will even come a time when anyone who kills you will think he’s doing God a favor. They will do these things because they never really understood the Father. I’ve told you these things so that when the time comes and they start in on you, you’ll be well-warned and ready for them.

The Friend Will Come

4-7 “I didn’t tell you this earlier because I was with you every day. But now I am on my way to the One who sent me. Not one of you has asked, ‘Where are you going?’ Instead, the longer I’ve talked, the sadder you’ve become. So let me say it again, this truth: It’s better for you that I leave. If I don’t leave, the Friend won’t come. But if I go, I’ll send him to you.

8-11 “When he comes, he’ll expose the error of the godless world’s view of sin, righteousness, and judgment: He’ll show them that their refusal to believe in me is their basic sin; that righteousness comes from above, where I am with the Father, out of their sight and control; that judgment takes place as the ruler of this godless world is brought to trial and convicted.

12-15 “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t handle them now. But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won’t draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. He will honor me; he will take from me and deliver it to you. Everything the Father has is also mine. That is why I’ve said, ‘He takes from me and delivers to you.’

Lord,

Thank you for the Warning with a Wonderful Counselor, part of you in us, to guide us to Your Truth!  Thank you for always being with us in this way!  Thank you for the wisdom that comes from listening to the guidance of your Holy Spirit.  Your Spirit give us warning lights when we are about to be empty and need more of you.  You warn us when we are about to walk into danger and troubles.  Your Spirit also teaches and shows the way out, over and through the deep waters.  Thank you, thank you, thank you for this Friend gift!

In Jesus Name, Amen

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NEWSFLASH:  NO GOOD REASON TO HATE

Posted on September 25, 2021 by randscallawayffm

Did the title get to you?  Do you believe that the nature of those who hate God, the “God-less”, are haters?  The ruler of this godless world is Satan, the fallen angel, who was kicked out of heaven because he wanted to be God.  Satan has been seeking revenge ever since that time.  Evil lurks in believing homes, in the workplace and even in our church buildings where we gather to worship God!  Satan consistently plants thoughts in our heads to confuse us about God so we will seem foolish to follow Him.  He is a Tempter but with limited power.  He is a Liar who wants to lead us to death.  But in the end, who is the foolish one?  The fallen angel or Jesus Christ, Son of God?  The one who leads us to death or the One and Only who leads us to life eternal.  We choose.

Jesus warns his disciples of this worldly hate that is so strong against Him that it will lead to beatings and torture, ending in death on a cross.  He prepares them for the harsh reality that will certainly come to those who love Jesus and love like Jesus.  “If they beat on me, they will certainly beat on you.”  However, hate does not win in the end.  Jesus conquers death, rises again from death and reminds us God is in control at all times.  Love trumps hate.  Love wins every time.

Even though Jesus spent his earthly ministry life showing compassion, unconditional love, forgiveness, extreme healing beyond what the world had to offer, the godless world only saw hate and were driven by hate.

We might pause to ask ourselves, what drives us in our relationships, workplace, families, all of life?  Hate or Love.  Do we compartmentalize our love, as most the world does?  Do we sing of love on Sundays but hate on Mondays and the rest of the week because of annoying people who get in our way, have attitudes that don’t fit ours or think differently than we do?  Are we Godless in our thinking and behaving?  How firm to we stand with Jesus?

Is it too hard to be hated for following Jesus that we’d rather hide our belief to avoid the repercussions?  Jesus has something to say about that, too.  “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”  (Luke 9:26) 

“Hate me, hate my Father—it’s all the same.”  Okay, so that’s pretty clear, right?

Of the godless Jesus relates, “But they saw the God-signs and hated anyway, both me and my Father. Interesting—they have verified the truth of their own Scriptures where it is written, ‘They hated me for no good reason.’”—Jesus

There is no good reason to hate when the Love of Jesus wins every time.  Love God.  Love Others like He loves us.  Love your enemies, teaches Jesus, and pray that they see God and believe in His love before it is too late.  That’s the love Jesus is teaching.  Don’t be hating like the godless world hates.  There’s just no good reason for it.

John—God’s Love

John 15:18-27, The Message

Hated by the World

18-19 “If you find the godless world is hating you, remember it got its start hating me. If you lived on the world’s terms, the world would love you as one of its own. But since I picked you to live on God’s terms and no longer on the world’s terms, the world is going to hate you.

20 “When that happens, remember this: Servants don’t get better treatment than their masters. If they beat on me, they will certainly beat on you. If they did what I told them, they will do what you tell them.

21-25 “They are going to do all these things to you because of the way they treated me, because they don’t know the One who sent me. If I hadn’t come and told them all this in plain language, it wouldn’t be so bad. As it is, they have no excuse. Hate me, hate my Father—it’s all the same. If I hadn’t done what I have done among them, works no one has ever done, they wouldn’t be to blame. But they saw the God-signs and hated anyway, both me and my Father. Interesting—they have verified the truth of their own Scriptures where it is written, ‘They hated me for no good reason.’

26-27 “When the Friend I plan to send you from the Father comes—the Spirit of Truth issuing from the Father—he will confirm everything about me. You, too, from your side must give your confirming evidence, since you are in this with me from the start.”

Lord,

Thank you for your unending, relentless, unconditional love!  Thank you for saving us.  Thank you for teaching us about hate before we have to deal with it in life. Thank you for Your Holy Spirit of Truth that confirms everything you have said on earth to fulfill all of Scripture.  Thank you for loving me.  Help me to love like you love even though it is harder than hating.  I do not want to hate—it hurts my heart.  Help me to deal with the haters of who I am in You.  I know you will, you always have.  Thank you, Lord.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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SEPARATED—I JUST CAN’T

Posted on September 24, 2021 by randscallawayffm

My granddaughter has a saying she uses often when something she doesn’t believe should happen or she refuses to accept.  “I just can’t…”  There are no words after this phrase.  It is not really a full sentence in my teacher mind, but it expresses exactly what she means by the way she says it with a shake of her head and the roll of her eyes.  Communication is clear.  “I just can’t”.  I thought of this as I read our next passage.  You will see why when we you read it prayerfully and carefully.

Jesus gives his disciples another word picture of the importance of being with Him, relying and trusting in His wisdom while living life completely “attached” to Him for the greatest impact on the world with His message of salvation.  “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing.”

Imagine Jesus and his guys walking through the vineyard, with Him showing how the branches are attached to the main vine in a gardening lesson from One who was at the Creation of those vines!  He finishes the lesson by getting the “root” of it all.    “Remember the root command: Love one another.” 

When I am unattached from The Vine, going my own way, leaning on my own pea brain wisdom, insight and understanding,

“I just can’t” …

  • Experience His peace in troubles
  • Have complete and mature Joy in all circumstance
  • Make myself at home in His love
  • Love like Jesus loves me
  • Produce fruit that lasts forever… “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22) 
  • Live forever with Jesus
  • Ask the Father for help
  • Be Friends with Jesus, Kind of kings, Lord of lords, Savior and Lord of my life.

“Separated, you can’t produce a thing.” –Jesus

John—God’s Love

John 15:1-17, The Message

The Vine and the Branches

1-3 “I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn’t bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken.

4 “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me.

5-8 “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.

9-10 “I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love.

11-15 “I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.

16 “You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.

17 “But remember the root command: Love one another.

Lord,

I remember.  You chose me.  You loved me before I knew you.  I became attached to your love, mercy and grace.  I just can’t unattached myself to all you have to offer to me.  I just can’t.  My life is yours.  All of my life is yours.  Thank you for giving your life to save mine.  Thank you for wanting to be my friend as well as my Savior and Lord.  Produce in me all your characteristics.  Forgive me when I falter and fear because of my own unsteadiness.  Be my strength, confidence and my song all day long.  Show me your ways and I will follow.  I just can’t do life any other way.  With you, I can!

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen.  I believe.

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IF YOU LOVE ME…

Posted on September 23, 2021 by randscallawayffm

TRUTH BOMB:  Loving is knowing, knowing is showing. 

“If you really loved me, you wouldn’t have done this!” How many times did our parents pull this out their repertory of reprimands when we did something that was not acceptable?  Unfortunately, they were only thinking how the unacceptable act was a reflection on them and of their parenting skills so as a quick response they went for the juggler with these words to us as children.

When Jesus says, “If you love me, it’s all about His love in us, guiding us, filling us with all of Him!  Jesus is different with his “if you love me” because instead of condemnation, He is teaching us all about God’s love with His best life plan for us.  Jesus says to know love is to know God who is love.  God is always thinking of His created who He knows by name.  We have a hard time truly understanding the depth of this kind of love God has for us.  God’s love builds and shapes us to be all He created us to be.  God’s love forgives quickly.  God is limitless and unconditional in His love.  God’s love is pure, perfect and simple—and He wants us to unreservedly love Him back.

God is a jealous God, not because of His power, not because He wants to control us like puppets, and not for sport of playing games with our lives for the fun of it.  God is jealous of the evil one who tries to distract us from all HE knows is good and right from Him. His jealous is about what we miss when we miss Him!  God really loves you.  God truly and forever loves me.  He loves the world He created. 

God wants us to love Him back because we decide to, not because we are forced.  When we love Him back, God opens up the heavens with a bounty of blessings He pours over us.  These blessings include teaching us to show His kind of love to the world by developing the fruits of His Holy Spirit so that we will live the abundant life with Him and with others.  One of the first fruits mentioned in the list is love—followed by joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  (See Galatians 5).

Yes, if we unreservedly love God, says Jesus, our lives show it. 

Loving is knowing, knowing is showing. 

John, who was there listening and learning, narrates the Master Teacher’s last in-class session with his students before being arrested and taken away from them.  Because of the love of God in Jesus, Jesus unconditionally loves his disciples who have dedicated their lives to following him.  Read and understand the love that oozes with every word…

John—God’s Love

John 14:15-31, The Message

The Spirit of Truth

15-17 “If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you. I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see him, doesn’t know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!

18-20 “I will not leave you orphaned. I’m coming back. In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you’re going to see me because I am alive and you’re about to come alive. At that moment you will know absolutely that I’m in my Father, and you’re in me, and I’m in you.

21 “The person who knows my commandments and keeps them, that’s who loves me. And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and make myself plain to him.”

22 Judas (not Iscariot) said, “Master, why is it that you are about to make yourself plain to us but not to the world?”

23-24 “Because a loveless world,” said Jesus, “is a sightless world. If anyone loves me, he will carefully keep my word and my Father will love him—we’ll move right into the neighborhood! Not loving me means not keeping my words. The message you are hearing isn’t mine. It’s the message of the Father who sent me.

25-27 “I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.

28 “You’ve heard me tell you, ‘I’m going away, and I’m coming back.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I’m on my way to the Father because the Father is the goal and purpose of my life.

29-31 “I’ve told you this ahead of time, before it happens, so that when it does happen, the confirmation will deepen your belief in me. I’ll not be talking with you much more like this because the chief of this godless world is about to attack. But don’t worry—he has nothing on me, no claim on me. But so the world might know how thoroughly I love the Father, I am carrying out my Father’s instructions right down to the last detail.

“Get up. Let’s go. It’s time to leave here.”

REFLECT ON THE JESUS’ PROMISES…

“I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth.”

“You know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!”

“I will not leave you orphaned.”

“I’m coming back.”

“The person who knows my commandments and keeps them, that’s who loves me. And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father…”

“The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you.”

“I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.”

“If you loved me, you would be glad that I’m on my way to the Father because the Father is the goal and purpose of my life.”

“…the chief of this godless world is about to attack. But don’t worry—he has nothing on me, no claim on me.”  (And not on us who believe!)

“If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you.”

The last words of the love lesson are awesome and tells us that Jesus is ready to fulfill his mission.  “Get up, let’s go”.  I love that!  After prayer each morning I can hear Him say to me, “Let’s do this”, can you?  Can I get an amen?

Lord,

I love You.  I love how Your word speaks to us, builds us up, readies us for another day with knowing we are loved so well.  May your love in us be shown to others in ways you have preordained for this day.  Thank you, Lord.  Continue to transform my life with your love in me.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen.  I believe.  It’s settled.

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LAST WORDS

Posted on September 22, 2021 by randscallawayffm

If you knew exactly the time you will die, leaving your beloved family behind, what would you say?  What would you leave unsaid?  Will your extreme love for them guide your words and actions?  Will your words be about funeral arrangements or about your love for them.  Will the words be of better days ahead in heaven or about how to carry on the business of what you are leaving behind?  It all depends on Who you follow on The Road to Truth and Life forever.  It depends on Who guides your life now.

Jesus has a few hours before he will be taken from his beloved followers.  His last words are words we still cherish as believing followers now.  Think about these “last words” and hold them dear to our hearts today.

Jesus said (and says because He is alive now and coming back);

“Trust Me.”

“I’m getting a room ready for you.”

“I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life.”  (“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” as we memorized in translations we read as youth.)

“No one gets to the Father apart from me.”

“If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well.”

“Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me.”

“From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I’ll do it. That’s how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I’ll do.”

In these last words, we understand that Jesus is with us in all we are invited to be and do in His work to help others find, know, believe, and follow Jesus, too.  Trust Him. 

John—God’s Love

John 14:1-14, The Message

The Road

1-4 “Don’t let this rattle you. You trust God, don’t you? Trust me. There is plenty of room for you in my Father’s home. If that weren’t so, would I have told you that I’m on my way to get a room ready for you? And if I’m on my way to get your room ready, I’ll come back and get you so you can live where I live. And you already know the road I’m taking.”

5 Thomas said, “Master, we have no idea where you’re going. How do you expect us to know the road?”

6-7 Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You’ve even seen him!”

8 Philip said, “Master, show us the Father; then we’ll be content.”

9-10 “You’ve been with me all this time, Philip, and you still don’t understand? To see me is to see the Father. So how can you ask, ‘Where is the Father?’ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you aren’t mere words. I don’t just make them up on my own. The Father who resides in me crafts each word into a divine act.

11-14 “Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can’t believe that, believe what you see—these works. The person who trusts me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I’ve been doing. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I’ll do it. That’s how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I’ll do.

Lord,

I needed these exact words today.  Your promises to your disciples hold true for us in challenging times in life on earth.  YOU ARE the Way, (the Road) to Truth and Life!  You are with us every moment of every day.  I will trust you.  All day long, I will trust you.  Lead me on the right Road and I will follow.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen.  I believe.

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UNTIL THEN…”LOVE LIKE I LOVE”

Posted on September 21, 2021 by randscallawayffm

There is no greater love than knowing the love God has for us.  But do we really understand the depth of His love?  Do we have the desire to go deeper in realizing this love He has for us?  What kind of love is this who sacrificially lays down his life for us so that we do not receive the punishment for our sins that we well deserve?  What kind of love bends down to wash dirty feet that have walked miles in sandals? 

John, Jesus beloved disciple and witness, gives us glimpses of God’s love demonstrated so eloquently and unreservedly in His Son, Jesus.  In this passage alone, we see Jesus put aside his robe of authority at the Passover meal, take on the role of a servant, bend down with apron, bowl and basin to wash the feet of his disciples—even the one He knew had betrayed Him.  The only human act of love who comes close to this kind of love is Mary who anointed Jesus’ feet with precious oils and dried his feet with her hair. 

Jesus then prepares his disciples once more for his departure but not with delivery once simple message—LOVE like I love you.  In a few hours, Jesus will be taken away, falsely accused, beaten, stripped of all dignity and then nailed to a cross to pay the debt of the sins of the world God loves.  Jesus will be lifted up in humility for all to see.  Passersby will mock him.  Followers will weep, thinking life is over.  But death cannot hold Him for He is the Son of God sent to save us!  God’s glory will be seen as Jesus rises from death on the third day—all because of this love we are trying to wrap our small minds around.  This is what Jesus means when he foretells of God’s glory—glory all around!”

Jesus’ parting words to his beloved is this: “Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”

Friends, this kind of love is active in serving, goes deep in believing, is willing to trade our old lives for new lives of living under the authority of Jesus.  This kind of love loves and cherishes everyone in the world no matter who they are or what they have done.  We have learned from John that Jesus’ kind of love is humble, kind, gentle, patient, and forgiving.  Paul describes the character of the love of Jesus in this way, “…the fruit of the Spirit (the Holy Spirit who lives in all who believe) is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:25) 

So, until Jesus comes back again, we are commanded to:  Love God.  Love Others.  This is the new commandment Jesus gave his disciples (and us) to live out loud so we will be recognizable to each other.  Peter is stuck on physically wanting to follow Jesus wherever He goes, but Jesus comes back to remind him of his humanness.  More on that story later.

Until then—Love like Jesus.

John—God’s Love

John 13:31-38, The Message

A New Command

31-32 When he had left, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is seen for who he is, and God seen for who he is in him. The moment God is seen in him, God’s glory will be on display. In glorifying him, he himself is glorified—glory all around!

33 “Children, I am with you for only a short time longer. You are going to look high and low for me. But just as I told the Jews, I’m telling you: ‘Where I go, you are not able to come.’

34-35 “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”

36 Simon Peter asked, “Master, just where are you going?”

Jesus answered, “You can’t now follow me where I’m going. You will follow later.”

37 “Master,” said Peter, “why can’t I follow now? I’ll lay down my life for you!”

38 “Really? You’ll lay down your life for me? The truth is that before the rooster crows, you’ll deny me three times.”

Lord,

We sometimes get stuck on our own humanness while waiting on your return.  We long to be with you, but we also know there are souls who need your saving grace.  How will they know unless we love like you love?  Help us to go deeper in your understanding the depths of your love for us so we can go deeper in our love for each other.  Help me to love today in your ways of loving so others will know without doubt that I am loved by you and they are, too!  Lord, may all I do be led by you and your love.  Nothing else really matters but your love in me. 

In Jesus Name, for Your Glory, Amen.

I’m reminded of the chorus of a beautiful hymn, “Until Then”

But until then my heart will go on singing,
Until then with joy I’ll carry on,
Until the day my eyes behold the city,
Until the day God calls me home.

Loving like Jesus is freeing, brings joy into our lives, lifts our spirit and puts smiles on our faces.  Until then—Love like Jesus. 

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THE PAIN OF BETRAYAL

Posted on September 20, 2021 by randscallawayffm

We are human.  We have been betrayed by other humans led by self.  We have betrayed people with actions that have hurt others.  Some of those actions could have been unintentional on our part, but it still hurts.  Sometimes we betray those who betray us because in our human minds this kind of betrayal to get back at the one who betray us is justified.  This is what the world thinks.  We are not of this world if we believe in Jesus and walk in His ways.

Jesus shows us, as the Son of Man and of God, that indeed, betrayal is painful.  Jesus was “visibly upset” while talking about the one who betrayed him.  This man, Judas, a beloved disciple, sat at the last meal Jesus would share with his disciples. Imagine the small, jingling bag of coins in his pocket given for “selling Jesus out” to those who were plotting to kill Him. 

What does Jesus do at the meal knowing his betrayer?  Jesus shows the full extent of His love by serving His betrayer. The betrayer’s feet were washed by Jesus, Son of God.  Can we camp on this thought alone right now?!  We wonder how Judas is keeping his emotions in check that night.  Don’t you wonder?  But we see, that Jesus does not hold his emotions to himself.  The others know he is in pain because of the betrayal.

When we betray each other do we break the heart of God?  (Yes!)  What we do to each other we do to God.  Jesus taught us this truth.  See Matthew 25.

“What you must do,” said Jesus, “do. Do it and get it over with.” 

Judas, with the piece of bread, left.

John—God’s Love

John 13:18-30, The Message

The One Who Ate Bread at My Table

18-20 “I’m not including all of you in this. I know precisely whom I’ve selected, so as not to interfere with the fulfillment of this Scripture:

The one who ate bread at my table

Will stab me in the back.

“I’m telling you all this ahead of time so that when it happens you will believe that I am who I say I am. Make sure you get this right: Receiving someone I send is the same as receiving me, just as receiving me is the same as receiving the One who sent me.”

21 After he said these things, Jesus became visibly upset, and then he told them why. “One of you is going to betray me.”

22-25 The disciples looked around at one another, wondering who on earth he was talking about. One of the disciples, the one Jesus loved dearly, was reclining against him, his head on his shoulder. Peter motioned to him to ask who Jesus might be talking about. So, being the closest, he said, “Master, who?”

26-27 Jesus said, “The one to whom I give this crust of bread after I’ve dipped it.” Then he dipped the crust and gave it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot. As soon as the bread was in his hand, Satan entered him.

“What you must do,” said Jesus, “do. Do it and get it over with.”

28-29 No one around the supper table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that since Judas was their treasurer, Jesus was telling him to buy what they needed for the Feast, or that he should give something to the poor.

30 Judas, with the piece of bread, left. It was night.

WHAT DO WE LEARN?

Betrayal to God and to each other breaks the heart of God.

Lord,

We betray you when we are only self-motivated for self-survival in this world who would betray us in a heartbeat.  You do not and cannot betray us.  Betrayal is not in your nature or character.  Lord, we repent of those times we have fallen to betrayal as a last resort to cover up our tracks of sin.  Cleanse us.  Set us free of this sin that can maim our walk and can destroy the lives of others trying to walk with you.  May truth, Your Truth always rise to surface.  We know, without a doubt, you have already won over the enemy.  May we live victorious in you, leaving all acts of betrayal behind.  Betrayal just does not fit in a life that is fully devoted to you—heart, mind and soul.  Continue to grow us, Lord.  We’re not there, yet.  And you know this.

In Jesus Name, By Your Power in us, For Your Glory, Amen.  

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IN HIS GRIP

Posted on September 18, 2021 by randscallawayffm

Did you ever wonder who has a grip on you?  Do we stop to think about who we think about most and want to please?  Do we think what grip our work has on us?  Do we wonder if the grip of our family and friends is so tight, we can’t move forward—grow up and mature?  Does the grip of our old destructive habits keep us from grabbing hold to a new life without those hinderances? 

Does the grip of self, wanting our own way, in our own time, so fierce that it is strangling at times?  Is the grip of desire to please others we feel are more important than we are so demanding that it overwhelms to the point of pleasing no one?  Who has a hold on me? I ask myself this question often. We must ponder this for it is a matter of loving or hating, serving or demanding—of life or death. 

Who has a grip on me?  Right now, at this moment, we ask ourselves.  

Pause to allow the Holy Spirit speak to our hearts.

The following passage in Jesus’ journey to fulfill his mission from God culminates with the ultimate expression of the love of God.  Jesus washes his disciples’ feet to show the “full extent of his love” as some translations say.  He shows his beloved followers one more final act of loving service to them before going to the cross to pay the debt of their sins, our sins, all the sins of the world. 

Judas’s feet were washed right along with the other dirty feet.  Jesus loves the sinner.  Jesus knew Judas’ heart and knew Judas was in Satan’s grip.  Judas had previously betrayed Jesus and “sold him out” to the priests for a small bag of coins—yet Jesus still washed his feet.  What kind of love is this?  God’s love that has no bounds, limitless, reckless, and unconditional.  Judas lost his grip on his Savior, Teacher and Master and allowed the grip of Satan to take hold of him.

John—God’s Love

John 13:1-17, The Message

Washing His Disciples’ Feet

1-2 Just before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that the time had come to leave this world to go to the Father. Having loved his dear companions, he continued to love them right to the end. It was suppertime. The Devil by now had Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, firmly in his grip, all set for the betrayal.

3-6 Jesus knew that the Father had put him in complete charge of everything, that he came from God and was on his way back to God. So he got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put on an apron. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with his apron. When he got to Simon Peter, Peter said, “Master, you wash my feet?”

7 Jesus answered, “You don’t understand now what I’m doing, but it will be clear enough to you later.”

8 Peter persisted, “You’re not going to wash my feet—ever!”

Jesus said, “If I don’t wash you, you can’t be part of what I’m doing.”

9 “Master!” said Peter. “Not only my feet, then. Wash my hands! Wash my head!”

10-12 Jesus said, “If you’ve had a bath in the morning, you only need your feet washed now and you’re clean from head to toe. My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene. So now you’re clean. But not every one of you.” (He knew who was betraying him. That’s why he said, “Not every one of you.”) After he had finished washing their feet, he took his robe, put it back on, and went back to his place at the table.

12-17 Then he said, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as ‘Teacher’ and ‘Master,’ and rightly so. That is what I am. So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet. I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do. I’m only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn’t give orders to the employer. If you understand what I’m telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life.

THINK ABOUT IT…

Jesus lays down his robe of distinction signifying who He is as head of the Table for Passover and puts on the apron of a servant.  We are reminded of what he told his disciples many times, “I came to serve, not to be served.” (Mark 10:45) Jesus served because of the grip God had on Him.  He only thought, said and did what His Father told him.  They were one in mission, service, love, mercy and grace.  Now he will SHOW them what that means by his actions. 

I love the phrase by Peterson’s paraphrase, “My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene.”  We do a lot in this world to look good, when God is concerned with what is good and holy on the inside.

Jesus bends down to wash the feet of his betrayer.  Who does that?  Jesus, the One and Only who died for our sins.  When God has a grip on us, we take actions that are “not of this world” as we live in hope for the eternal world with Him.   

When Jesus finished the last pair of feet, he simply put back on his robe and continued the meal.  It was easy for Jesus to go from leading to serving and back to leading.  Wow.  Ponder that thought.  Servant leading is the Jesus way of life that He shows by this example.

“What I’ve done, you do. I’m only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn’t give orders to the employer. If you understand what I’m telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life.” –Jesus

Lord and Savior,

We are your servants but we also serve the world that you created.  I want to be in the solid grip of all you have to offer.  Don’t let me go and I won’t let go of my grip on you!  Not letting go of your grip is your promise to us.  So, there is no reason for me to let go of you!  Thank you for this supreme example of loving service.  Help me to wash feet, even those feet who are deemed not worthy by the world, for we are all not worthy.  Thank you for paying the debt of my sins and all the sins of the world.  Thank you for loving me the way you do–so unconditionally.  Yes, help me to love like that always.  We humbled by this act of service, the full extent of who you are.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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LOSING EYESIGHT

Posted on September 17, 2021 by randscallawayffm

As we age, there is nothing more alarming than slowing losing our eyesight. For some of us, it began in our youth. Losing eyesight begins with our eyes not adjusting as quickly when coming into a dark room from the light.  It progresses to losing sight of the details.  Leaves on trees become green blobs unless we come really close to see individual leaves attached to the branches.

So, we go the eye doctor who prescribes lens with correction so we can see more clearly what we have been missing in our slow decline.  I will never forget what my oldest daughter said as a teenager when she put on her first pair of glasses for the trip home.  As we drove, she was amazed.  “I never knew that building had individual bricks.  I see the lines, now!”  “And look at the trees!”  She was so excited and amazed to SEE all the details she had been missing in life.

Because in most cases losing eyesight is a slow decline, we sometimes just accept it while modifying and adapting our lifestyles to it—until we can no longer see at all!  Then it might be too late for correction!  We do this spiritually, too, says Jesus. 

Here’s how the Son of God explains it…

John—God’s Love

John 12:36-50, The Message

Their Eyes Are Blinded

36-40 Jesus said all this, and then went into hiding. All these God-signs he had given them and they still didn’t get it, still wouldn’t trust him. This proved that the prophet Isaiah was right:

God, who believed what we preached?
Who recognized God’s arm, outstretched and ready to act?

First, they wouldn’t believe, then they couldn’t—again, just as Isaiah said:

Their eyes are blinded,
    their hearts are hardened,
So that they wouldn’t see with their eyes
    and perceive with their hearts,
And turn to me, God,
    so I could heal them.

41 Isaiah said these things after he got a glimpse of God’s overflowing glory that would pour through the Messiah.

42-43 On the other hand, a considerable number from the ranks of the leaders did believe. But because of the Pharisees, they didn’t come out in the open with it. They were afraid of getting kicked out of the meeting place. When push came to shove they cared more for human approval than for God’s glory.

44-46 Jesus summed it all up when he cried out, “Whoever believes in me, believes not just in me but in the One who sent me. Whoever looks at me is looking, in fact, at the One who sent me. I am Light that has come into the world so that all who believe in me won’t have to stay any longer in the dark.

47-50 “If anyone hears what I am saying and doesn’t take it seriously, I don’t reject him. I didn’t come to reject the world; I came to save the world. But you need to know that whoever puts me off, refusing to take in what I’m saying, is willfully choosing rejection. The Word, the Word-made-flesh that I have spoken and that I am, that Word and no other is the last word. I’m not making any of this up on my own. The Father who sent me gave me orders, told me what to say and how to say it. And I know exactly what his command produces: real and eternal life. That’s all I have to say. What the Father told me, I tell you.”

WHAT LEADS TO SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS?

–Caring more for human approval than for God’s glory.

–Adjusting to the world’s ways, avoiding correction from God.

–Going blind to the details of what God wants for us—His best life for us.

–Unbelief in God

–Refusing to see Truth

–Refusing to see God at work—”Who recognized God’s arm, outstretched and ready to act?”

–Refusing to see to understand

–Rejecting God of our own free will not wanting His will to be done in our lives.

The diagnosis and cure for spiritual blindness

“Whoever believes in me, believes not just in me but in the One who sent me. Whoever looks at me is looking, in fact, at the One who sent me. I am Light that has come into the world so that all who believe in me won’t have to stay any longer in the dark.”—Jesus, The Great Physician

Hallelujah, praise God for healing us from spiritual blindness!!  Believe.  Come into the Light and get a good look at the Savior who loves us more than we can imagine!  When we do, our blinded eyes receive sight once more and we are no longer stumbling around in the dark!

Lord,

I was blind but now I see!  Thank you for saving my soul, healing my spiritual blindness, correcting and overriding my will to see your will which is best for my life.  You are God.  Jesus, you are Healer.  Thank you for all you have done, are doing and will do to mold and shape me to be who you created me to be.  May all I do today be done in your Name for your glory.  Lead me, Lord.  Open my eyes, Lord and help me to see your Truth always.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Casting Crowns has a beautiful song that describes the healing of spiritual blindness called Blinded Eyes…Here are the lyrics:

You say I’m lame for calling on a man that I have never seen
You say I’m crazy for listening for a voice that I have never heard
You say that I am so naive to think that He could love me
but I have joy and I have peace
that will never ever leave me

Is it because you’ve never seen
Is it because you’ve never heard
that you’re comfortable in darkness
in a lost and dying world
He’ll be standing all around you
with His arms held open wide
and you’re straining just to see Him
through blinded eyes

Open your eyes the place where you are standing now is holy ground
God shined His light straight into you heart now look what you’ve found
Is that right what you call righteousness
All dressed up in Sunday best
They’re draped across the stage
Only Jesus never walked away

Open your heart, He’ll open your eyes
show you the hope you have inside
call on the Name of Christ
and He will save you
and give you wings to fly!

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