REFUSING TO BELIEVE—THERE’S YOUR SIGN!

Posted on May 26, 2021 by randscallawayffm

In the old days, we looked at a huge paper map to go to a place we had never been. Once the map was unfolded, it was almost impossible to fold it back the way it was.  Remember? We used this tool to follow roads we had never traveled to get to our new destination.  However, we realized as soon as the maps were printed, they were out of date.  The maps would not indicate road construction or delays.  The printed maps would not be able to tell us if a road had suddenly been removed, so we would have to rely on signs to show us the way around the roadblocks and detours. 

Now we have GPS!  But guess what, even GPS does not always tell us of impromptu delays and detours of road closures.  We still have to watch for physical signs as we travel.  The GPS, however, can guide us to a new road when we get lost along with following the physical signs.  We love clear signs.  It settles our building anxiety.

Travel in unknown areas can be troubling and fills us with anxiety when we travel without knowing for sure where we are going.  We catch ourselves doing ridiculous things such as turning down the radio or shouting at the kids to be quiet so we can see the signs when we come to a place that isn’t on the map or doesn’t agree with GPS.  My parents did it, we do it.  “Be quiet, so I can see!”  Even if no one is in the car, I still turn down the radio as I maneuver on unfamiliar roads.  Are you laughing?  I hear you laughing…because you probably do this, too.  We all do it.  We want to turn off everything that distracts us so we can see to understand.  Ah, there it is.  There’s your sign—seeing to understand.

The religious “powers that be” in Jesus’ time on earth asked for a sign “to prove His authority”.  Jesus had already given ample signs but they refused to believe.  They could not see the signs with understanding.  He healed multitudes of people, spoke with authority and had a dedicated following because of doing the will of God, His Father.  Yes, Jesus had given them many “signs” of who He was, but they could not see the signs with clarity.  There was too much noise interference and distractions of greed, envy, pride, self-serving with self-importance along with political aspirations.  They had been in control until Jesus came along with signs of change.  The refused to believe in the signs before them.  Jesus was taking them down unfamiliar roads to the Kingdom of God that would upset their self-made way of life.

So, Jesus reminds them of the experience of Jonah to tell the unbelievers of His story that would happen very soon.  Here’s your sign.  “…the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.”  Jesus gives them more information as signs to prove his authority.  There is one greater than Jonah and Solomon among you and you refuse to SEE and understand, listen, repent and believe.  There’s your sign.

Oh friends, turn down the noise of the world to stop, look and listen to the signs and glories of God each day.  We need not ask for signs.  Jesus already was, is and is to come.  See and understand.  Believe and be saved.  Don’t allow evil to take the place of Jesus in our hearts, minds and souls.  There’s your sign. 

Matthew—The Law Fulfilled

Matthew 12:38-45, NLT

The Sign of Jonah

38 One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove your authority.”

39 But Jesus replied, “Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.

41 “The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse to repent. 42 The queen of Sheba will also stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here—but you refuse to listen.

43 “When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest but finding none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and in order. 45 Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. That will be the experience of this evil generation.”

Abba, Father in Heaven,

You are God, most Holy and we are not.  We look to You for your blessed assurance and you freely give it to us each day we ask.  When we are anxious in unfamiliar places, you show us the way.  You are always with us.  You are our supreme GPS!  You know what was, is and is to come.  Why trust anyone else but you?  I don’t.  To trust anyone or anything else makes me anxious!  You have given us more than enough signs in Your Word to guide us through all kinds of circumstances.  You have given us your Holy Spirit to lead us through and around the detours of troubled circumstances.  Oh Lord, I love you with all my heart, mind and soul.  Thank you for speaking to our hearts, allowing us to hear your voice over the noise of the world.  Continue to help us see and hear to understand.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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HEARTLESS, IDLE WORDS

Posted on May 25, 2021 by randscallawayffm

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me.”  This childish taunt we used to say while playing with others in our childhood games is a huge lie.  Words do hurt, maim and destroy a person’s core being if they do not have help to overcome mean words said idly as “trash talk” in a game or said in mocking each other.  Words can be as abusive as physical harm.  If you have ever been spiritually abused inside the church by people who wanted you to be more like them to be accepted then you are probably still feeling the pain from that experience.  Jesus knows what you are feeling. 

Harmful words escalate in powerful ways as we get older. Driven by fear of loss of power, job, status or position in the family or workplace, a heartless individual driven only by this fear will lash out with words that can bring another person to their knees.  If you stop to think about it, there are probably a few phrases or words said to you that you have never forgotten.  You may have forgiven the person for saying them, but what was said is still embedded in your memory bank.  Words, good and bad, affect how we treat others.  Wounds left by hurtful words drive how we respond in certain circumstances. Jesus knows and understands.

Jesus says our words come directly from our heart.  Matthew, the former tax collector, calls it the “treasury of our hearts”.  Jesus makes a serious statement concerning the account we store in our heart’s treasury that produces what we say.

The Pharisees were on the attack with their words from impure hearts that rejected Jesus and all that He did.  They refused to accept him as Messiah and accused Him of being directly opposed to God.  We see their foolishness of opposing God in flesh as not being God at all, but we know the whole story. To call Jesus the “Prince of Demons” was a slap in the face of God Himself!  Jesus made them see that these words flowed from their hearts of fear, pride, selfishness, afraid of losing their position in the religious structure—all the “fruits” of heart treasuries filled with evil. 

PAUSE TO PRAY

We can be disgusted with the Pharisees who could not “see” that Jesus was indeed the Messiah they read about but all but forgotten and put aside for their own power and glory.  They lorded their desires and wants over the people, but we know “all have sinned and fall short”.  Do we really believe that what we believe about God and His Son really real?  What is in the treasury of our hearts?  What are the fruits that flow from this treasury?  What does the “ledger of our accounts look like?  I am pausing to look inside my own heart and take account of what has been stored up.  I repent for I am ashamed of some of the words said.  Because with Jesus, words that flow from our hearts  is serious business.   

“And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”–Jesus

Here’s a thought…Idle words lead to idolatry of self.  Yikes!  I’m praying right now for forgiveness of all the idle words I have spoken that offend our Lord I love and serve, Jesus Christ my Savior.

Matthew—The Law Fulfilled

Matthew 12:22-37, NLT

Jesus and the Prince of Demons

22 Then a demon-possessed man, who was blind and couldn’t speak, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he could both speak and see. 23 The crowd was amazed and asked, “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?”

24 But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.”

25 Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart. 26 And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive. 27 And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. 28 But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. 29 For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.

30 “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.

31 “So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.

33 “A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. 34 You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. 35 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. 36 And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”

Abba, Father in Heaven,

Hallowed be your Name!  May your Kingdom come and reign supremely in us, from the inside out!  May Your Will with your words flowing from repentant hearts be expressed in the most excellent way by your love, mercy and grace.  Yes, forgive us our sins as we forgive those who hurt us with words.  Help us to be more gracious with less unkindness.  Help us all to speak words that build each other up, not tear them down.  Help us to avoid “civil wars” in your church built upon You, dear Jesus.  Help me to be all you want me to be.  Help me then to do all you want me to do.  One day at a time.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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ARROGANCE IS NOT WHO HE IS

Posted on May 24, 2021 by randscallawayffm

I know what arrogance is and I know I don’t like it when I allow arrogance in my speech or body language. I work hard in my life to rid myself of all arrogance in my talk and walk.  I cannot do this by myself.  God’s Holy Spirit must help me daily.  Arrogance does not fit in the believer’s life and is not one of God’s fruits of His Holy Spirit.  Arrogance is not who Jesus is and should not be a part of who we are in Him.  Arrogance comes into direct competition with humility, one of God’s requirements in our walk with Him as written by the prophet Micah, “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”  (Micah 6:8, NIV)

We cannot hope to bring others to Jesus, the Prince of Peace, Hope of the World with a “know it all” heart if we want to be like Jesus in His way of bringing people to Himself.  Jesus came to serve, not to be served.  He served driven by love and compassion as the foundation of every miracle that changed lives but was done ultimately for the purpose to bring glory, honor and praise to God, His Father and also Our Father.  Not to Himself directly.  “I do what the Father tells me to do” Jesus reminds the people throughout the gospel writings.  God sent Jesus to seek and to save lost people.  People came in droves.

This passage of Matthew dips back to the prophet Isaiah who describes Jesus Christ as God’s Chosen Servant.  Look at all the characteristics, as written by God through this prophet many centuries before Christ came to earth!  Arrogance is not found in Jesus, only hope as a Servant with Humility.  If I want to truly be like Jesus, all arrogance must be deleted. I must be reprogrammed with humility, mercy, with fairness to others.  I must serve as Jesus served to please God and bring Him all glory, honor and praise.  That’s is all that matters. Our new birth with a new attitude is what will bring others to Jesus through our acts of humble service.

Matthew—The Law Fulfilled

Matthew 12:15-21, NIV

Jesus, God’s Chosen Servant

15 But Jesus knew what they were planning. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them, 16 but he warned them not to reveal who he was. 17 This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him:

18 “Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen.
    He is my Beloved, who pleases me.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
    and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19 He will not fight or shout
    or raise his voice in public.
20 He will not crush the weakest reed
    or put out a flickering candle.
    Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.
21 And his name will be the hope
    of all the world.”

Abba Father,

People followed Your Chosen Servant, Your Son, because of Your character in Him as an example for us to live.  Thank you for reminding us that the drama of fighting, shouting at each other to get people to come to you is not your way.  Being arrogant in our walk just does not fit.  Being as if we are more “spiritual” than others is certainly not the goal of living either!  “All have sinned and fall short of your glory” as Paul reminds us.  No one has all the answers.  No one is righteous but You.  So, I humble myself before you, desiring what YOU want for my life.  Show me your path, your ways and your will for I am your servant.  One day at a time.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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HERE COMES THE JUDGE!

Posted on May 22, 2021 by randscallawayffm

Long, long ago, in a galaxy far, far away was a television show called Laugh In.  Most southern-never-miss-a-Sunday church goers did not watch (or said they didn’t watch) this funny, ridiculous show.  My parents allowed it because they thought it was funny—but we weren’t supposed to talk about it. I’m smiling at the thought even now.  They knew we would be judged and held accountable (mostly by family) for partaking in this laughter.  My parents are with Jesus now and I am certain He did not bring up the watching of Laugh In to them.  They were forgiven, redeemed people who loved Him with all their hearts, minds and souls.  Case settled.

The show had a repeating comedic sketch called “Here Comes the Judge” that was thrown in between other sketches as in the days of Vaudeville.  (Now, you have to look Vaudeville up.  What lessons we are learning today!)  “Here Comes the Judge” is a 1968 song by legendary comedian Pigmeat Markham. It became one of comedy’s first memes when Sammy Davis Jr. made it a catchphrase on the TV show: Rowan & Martin’s Laugh In.

WHY do I think of Laugh In’s Judge as I read this next passage of Matthew?  Jesus, Son of Man and Son of God, is coming up against His own judges who try to assume what he is thinking and presume what he will do while judging every move he makes.  They need evidence, any kind of evidence, so they can bring him down to their level of justice.  So, when we cry out to God about our own accusers at work, home or among our family members, remember Jesus knows, wow, does he know!  Here comes the Judge, Here come the Judges!

Matthew—The Law Fulfilled

Matthew 12:1-14, NLT

A Discussion about the Sabbath

At about that time Jesus was walking through some grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of grain and eating them. 2 But some Pharisees saw them do it and protested, “Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath.”

3 Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He went into the house of God, and he and his companions broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. 5 And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath? 6 I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple! 7 But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ 8 For the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!”

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

9 Then Jesus went over to their synagogue, 10 where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?” (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.)

11 And he answered, “If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you work to pull it out? Of course you would. 12 And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.”

13 Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one! 14 Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus.

POINTS TO PONDER AND INTERNALYZE

Jesus, Son of God, is Lord of the Sabbath.  What He says goes.  “To obey is better than sacrifice” says God through Samuel to king hopefuls.  Take a look at 1 Samuel 15:22 as explained in Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase, The Message: “Then Samuel said, Do you think all God wants are sacrifices— empty rituals just for show? He wants you to listen to him! Plain listening is the thing, not staging a lavish religious production. Not doing what God tells you is far worse than fooling around in the occult. Getting self-important around God is far worse than making deals with your dead ancestors. Because you said No to God’s command, he says No to your kingship.”  This fits the Pharisee judges Jesus contends with in this passage! 

Do what God says to do no matter what day of the week it is!  We can rely on what God says to be right and good…even on the Sabbath! Mercy and obedience to God is better than what you bring as offerrings.

 “Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus.”  Here comes the judges who “know not what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) Jesus prayed for his judge, jury and executioners from the cross.  Before going to the cross for our sins Jesus continued to do the will of the Father.  Jesus showed mercy for us, obeyed God and then sacrificed His life in exchange for ours. Jesus, our Savior and Lord, obeyed AND sacrificed so we who believe in Him could have eternal life!

Friends, does this not send chills down our spines in deep gratitude, bringing tears of joy to our eyes?

Lord, Father in Heaven,

You teach, you make us smile, you invite us to do your work with you from time to time all because you love us and want the best for us.  All of these benefits are given to us as a result of believing that you died and rose again to pay our debt of sin and set us free from the bondage of hanging on to the forgiven sins of the past. 

Yes, You set us free, dear Jesus, by obeying God, the Father and sacrificing yourself for us.  What a profound thought of the depth of your love for us, it is almost too hard for complete understanding!  But I am grateful, oh so grateful for all you have done, are doing and will do in my life.  Show me the way, continue to teach me, for I am yours.

In Jesus Name, Amen.  I believe.

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WHEN OPPOSITES DO NOT ATTRACT

Posted on May 21, 2021 by randscallawayffm

Randy and I are as opposite as night and day in the way we approach and accomplish a task.  We knew we were opposites before we were married.  We grew up together in the same community, went the same church with our dads working at the same place.  But that is almost all we had in common.  I do admire his way of thinking as interesting, but I will admit readily that I am pretty stubborn about “holding my own” in my thinking. Yes, kids, we know we are opposites when we attempt to accomplish any given task.  There was a time in our ministries, we were given a phycological profile that proved just how opposite we were.  Well, duh, we already knew that.  How do we live knowing how opposite we are?

We had to learn and are still learning at each phase of our lives to merge our ways, asking for wisdom, to live life with love and care.  We married and raised our children with this theology.  We know we are opposites when we approach work tasks.  Asking, “what do you think” and listening is key to deciding how to complete a task.  Sometimes it is “you do this and I’ll do that” because through the years we have come to know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, so each one does their part to accomplish the whole.  We are both project/goal oriented, so this works for us.

“Love, love will keep us together”, is an old pop song that rings in my heart.  The love of God in us is what trumps all that is opposite in our God-created beings.  Because of God, there is one Person in whom we are in complete agreement—we both need a Savior and Lord and we cannot be that for each other.  Only Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, could bring two opposites together for His glory. 

In this passage, you are probably wondering why I began with “opposite” thinking stories.  Jesus came down from heaven and moved into the neighborhood of religiosity with opposite thinking with what it means to walk with God.  “He came to serve, not to be served”.  That was opposite in itself as a Master Teacher.  “He came to seek and to save lost people” who were living opposite ways to what God intended for them to live. This, too, was not on the radar of the religious elite at the time.

The religious leaders, the “wise and clever” of the day, were so stubborn in their thinking that they would not yield to Truth as the Person of Jesus who taught the opposite of their thinking about Kingdom of God living.  They missed it.  They missed Him, “the Messiah to come”, as read from Scripture scrolls in the Synagogues.   So, Jesus reveals Himself, God in the flesh, to the common folks who are ready to hear the opposite of what they have been told with burdened oppression by the religious leaders as well as the Roman government.

Matthew—The Law Fulfilled

Matthew 11:25-30, The New Living Translation

Jesus’ Prayer of Thanksgiving

25 At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. 26 Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way!

27 “My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

WHAT WE LEARN…

  1. Opposite thinking from God’s thinking is destructive, not sustainable, and is it not right or good as God’s best for us.
  2. Jesus thanks God for revealing Himself to those with “child-like” faith, not childish but child-like, trusting God completely.
  3. To know God is to know Jesus.  Jesus does what the Father tells Him, for they are in complete agreement with God’ Holy Spirit.  Three-In-One.
  4. Jesus knows the oppression of opposite-from-God thinking that has been a burden to God’s people, His chosen of Israel. 
  5. “Come to Me” is a welcome invitation to those scratching out a living in tough times.  Just knowing Jesus recognizes our heavy burdens is encouraging and reminds us of his love and compassion for us!
  6. Where the yoke that fits!  “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  THIS is the complete opposite of what the religious leaders were teaching and lording over the people to do it their way or the highway!  MY yoke and MY teaching will set you free, making your burdens much lighter.  (The yoke’s on the Pharisees, ha!  Sorry, couldn’t resist.  I’m my dad’s daughter.)
  7. “I will give you rest.”–Jesus  These are the most loving, caring words on the planet.  You will find rest in Me, says Jesus.  He is not oppressive.  He wants what is best and he knows when it is time to rest.  “So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.” Genesis 2:2-3, NLT

THINK ABOUT IT…

If you are tired, worn out and weary maybe you took on the yoke of someone else but not the one that fits you.  Maybe you are wearing a self-made yoke instead of wearing the yoke that Jesus especially made for you to do his work in the best way that fits you.

Yokes were built from wood and metal to exactly fix the oxen who would bear the burden of the load more easily.  The yoke was carefully measured and created just for that particular beast of burden so it would not rub raw sores on their skins or pull in places that would hurt them and cause scars.  That’s why Jesus used this analogy to teach those who were oxen fitters and drivers.  They got the message, do we?

Come to Me says Jesus and I will give you exactly what you need.  Friends, gratefully except this message of opposite the world Kingdom living. 

Get a new yoke fitting today!  You’ll look fabulous in it!

Abba, Father in Heaven,

You are my everything!  I’m coming to you!  YOU are everything I need.  Thank you, Jesus for saving my soul.  Thank you for fitting and refitting your yoke upon me as you invite me to your work from time to time.  Thank you for giving me rest when I need it most.  Thank you for redirecting my life consistently from worldview thinking to your thinking.  I still have a lot to learn but I am willing and eager for you to teach me more.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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RIGHT WISDOM PRODUCES RIGHT RESULTS

Posted on May 20, 2021 by randscallawayffm

Matthew was inspired by God to walk with Christ, the One who the prophets talked about, the One who would be the Redeemer of those in bondage—and then writes about his journey with Jesus.  Matthew’s life testimony is told in two parts:  Before Jesus and After Jesus.  Before Jesus, Matthew was given enough wisdom skills to create ledgers of accurate accounting so he could collect the taxes from his own people, the Jewish nation, “God’s chosen”.  He learned how to set aside some of the “collection” to make a comfortable living for himself.  The rest, the bulk of the collection demanded, went to the Roman oppressors who ruled over the Jewish nation at the time.  You could say, “the rich got richer and the poor got poorer” as an appropriate assessment of the situation and living conditions at the time Jesus walked the earth. 

Matthew did his work well or he would not have been asked to do it.  His family, most likely disowned him.  The Jewish community hated tax collectors who demanded more than they could possibly give.  We must admit, we shiver at the thought of getting a letter from the IRS in these times, right?  Our first thought, is what did I (or my accountant/tax preparer) do wrong?  Seldom do we get a letter that says, “we owe you…”.  Right?  Now compound those thoughts with being asked to pay what is unfair so that you are kept poor for the purpose of controlling you.

AFTER JESUS…

Then Jesus comes to town and Matthew is drawn to this man who talks about the Kingdom of God in ways he has never heard.  When Jesus looks over at Matthew, it is as if this teacher or prophet, he can’t quite decide, is looking through him right into the depths of his soul.  Matthew knows just enough of his upbringing in the Jewish faith to be curious about him with a desire to know more.  So, he watches Jesus each day with his calculating mind while trying to put all the pieces together.  Then one day, right in the middle of his work of collecting at this booth, Jesus passes by again, stops and asks, “Follow me, Matthew.”  Matthew leaves his work to follow Jesus. 

The disciples have been chosen.  (See yesterday’s blog.) A seminar of instructions for discipleship making, healing, and demon casting 101 has been firmly delivered by Jesus, the Master Teacher.  Jesus is now encountered and questioned by the followers of John, aka The Baptizer, who preached about the One who would “come and take away the sins of the world” out in the wilderness.  John’s followers come to town and are asking Jesus, are YOU indeed the One? 

Jesus makes a statement that leaps into my thoughts, “…wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”  Matthew, with a results oriented mind, writes these words at the end of Jesus telling John’s disciples what God has done through Jesus.  Jesus sends them back to John with, “…tell him (John) what you have heard and seen”.  Right wisdom produces right results.

The best way to discern right hearts of others is by what their lives produce in Biblical behaviors.  If behaviors match what they say they believe in faith about God mostly likely their first response will be with wisdom motivated by a right heat.  Matthew will write of Jesus preaching to the Pharisees about their hearts’ motivation.  “For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.” (Matthew 12:34-37, NLT) Again, written by a driven calculating results mind!  But we get the picture!

PAUSE TO PRAY

Our heart, writes Matthew, is a “treasury”.  Accountant-speak!  (Smiling as I write this…) But, seriouisly, I must pause to pray and ask what is in the treasury of my heart today?  If right wisdom produces right results in the eyes of our Lord, is what I am saving up that is good and right? Results of my life must be led by God daily.  What flows from my heart’s treasury will tell the true story.  What am I showing and telling?  What is my savings plan?

Matthew—The Law Fulfilled

Matthew 11:1-18, NLT

Jesus and John the Baptist

11 When Jesus had finished giving these instructions to his twelve disciples, he went out to teach and preach in towns throughout the region.

2 John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So, he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, 3 “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?”

4 Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen— 5 the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” 6 And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.”

7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? 8 Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces. 9 Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. 10 John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say,

‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
    and he will prepare your way before you.’

11 “I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is! 12 And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it. 13 For before John came, all the prophets and the law of Moses looked forward to this present time. 14 And if you are willing to accept what I say, he is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come. 15 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!

16 “To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends,

17 ‘We played wedding songs,
    and you didn’t dance,
so we played funeral songs,
    and you didn’t mourn.’

18 For John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”

EPILOGUE

John’s followers go back to him to tell the story and what they had seen and heard.  John was affirmed in what God had given him to be and do.  Right wisdom yielded right results for God’s Kingdom.

Abba, Father in Heaven,

I wake each day asking what you want me to be and do for this day.  I am always amazed by the way you lead me, what you ask me to do or not do.  I am grateful for your protection from situations I need not be walking toward.  I love they way you lead us through troubling times of confusion only to reveal truth.  Yes, your right wisdom working in us and through us produces right results.  Deliver us from evil.  Speak to our hearts and help us to hear your voice above all others and follow you. You are the One and Only who holds all the answers to our questions.  You are Savior.  You are Lord. Continue to call us, teach and equip us, give us wisdom, while helping us save up what is good in the treasury of our hearts for our brief journey here in preparation for life eternal with you some glorious day.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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CALLED WITH POWER—TRAINED WITH AUTHORITY

Posted on May 19, 2021 by randscallawayffm

Jesus calls all who believe to follow Him in His Kingdom work of helping others know about His gift of salvation.  We are told not to keep it to ourselves but to share what God has done in and through us each day of our lives.  What once was whispered in secret between The Twelve is now to be shouted from the rooftops to all who need a Savior.  What a responsibility!  But what a privilege to be given words of power with authority to tell about Jesus, be like Jesus and live for Jesus.  What an opportunity to obey in Jesus Name and do what He wants for the glory of God!

Jesus called THEN he equipped his rough and tumble young men who needed to hear what they were up against and how to handle each situation as they told The Way back to God in relationship with Him.  Here are the instructions as written by Matthew, one of The Twelve:

Matthew-The Law Fulfilled

Matthew 10, New Living Translation

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles

10 Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness. 2 Here are the names of the twelve apostles:

first, Simon (also called Peter),
then Andrew (Peter’s brother),
James (son of Zebedee),
John (James’s brother),
3 Philip,
Bartholomew,
Thomas,
Matthew (the tax collector),
James (son of Alphaeus),
Thaddaeus,
4 Simon (the zealot),
Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).

5 Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: “Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, 6 but only to the people of Israel—God’s lost sheep. 7 Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!

9 “Don’t take any money in your money belts—no gold, silver, or even copper coins. 10 Don’t carry a traveler’s bag with a change of clothes and sandals or even a walking stick. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed.

16 “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. 17 But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. 18 You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. 19 When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. 20 For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

11 “Whenever you enter a city or village, search for a worthy person and stay in his home until you leave town. 12 When you enter the home, give it your blessing. 13 If it turns out to be a worthy home, let your blessing stand; if it is not, take back the blessing. 14 If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave. 15 I tell you the truth, the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah will be better off than such a town on the judgment day.

21 “A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. 22 And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next. I tell you the truth, the Son of Man will return before you have reached all the towns of Israel.

24 “Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master. 25 Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names!

26 “But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. 27 What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!

28 “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

32 “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.

34 “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.

35 ‘I have come to set a man against his father,
    a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
36     Your enemies will be right in your own household!’

37 “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. 38 If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. 39 If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

40 “Anyone who receives you receives me, and anyone who receives me receives the Father who sent me. 41 If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs. 42 And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.”

POINTS TO PONDER – FOR US…

  1. Give as freely as God as given to you.  God sent His Son, Jesus to pay the debt of our sins.  Jesus gave it “freely” so we could have eternal life but also to share this gift of salvation with others who seek a Savior who can free them of their debt of sin.  “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, NIV) Begin with who you know (God’s lost sheep of Israel) then later to everyone else because God loves the world.  Jesus extended his power and authority to The Twelve.  He will give us power to speak His words to those He sends us to tell His Story.
  • Travel light.  You don’t need a lot of stuff to hinder your walk and distract from the work God has invited you to be and do.  You only need what He gives us to go and tell.  Accept hospitality of those who will give it because they are extending in response to the Father, too!  Don’t rob them of the blessing!  Where God guides, He provides.
  • Tell the gospel where you are welcome.  Jesus will lead us by the power of the Holy Spirit.  He will tell us the places to go and tell and He will also tell us the places to leave when the message is shunned.  “Don’t beat a dead horse” is an expression I used to hear in my youth which means don’t waste precious time on those who are not ready to hear.  Pay attention the leading of His Holy Spirit.  We are not to wear ourselves out or waste time with those who refuse to believe for there are others who need and want to hear!
  • Be smart, kind and gentle as you tell His Story.  Know your audience.  Begin with what they know with a point of reference to relate to then extend their knowledge with what you know and how God has shown you His power in your life.  We can only take people as far as we have been.  Know the Word.  Know His message.  Know your audience. 
  • Know your enemy.  Evil abounds in the world that is dark.  Evil will oppose the Light of Jesus in you.  You will be mocked and gossip of your character will be on trial daily as you live for Jesus and tell His Truth.  Do all in the Name of Jesus for His glory because we are promised that “God will give you (us) the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”  Often, Jesus told all who would listen, “I do and say only what the Father tells me”.  Who are we to do any less or more than the Father tells us?
  • Get used to betrayal.  Who knows this better than Jesus?  When you give your life to Jesus, unbelievers in your own family will not be thrilled and may even betray you and push out of their lives.   Your new life does not relate to their lives so you will become an outcast to them.  We are promised, “But everyone who endures to the end will be saved.” 
  • Persecutions will come but don’t be afraid, “not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”
  • You will be hated.  When our goal is to be like Jesus, we can expect to be hated by those who hate Him.  Don’t let that stop the us!  Jesus tell us, “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven”.  Our hearts are an open book to God.  Our lives will reflect and reveal who we acknowledge on earth.
  • Love God first.  Give His Son and His teaching first place in our hearts.  Give up life on earth for eternal life with Him.  Jesus IS coming back, you know, to claim His own.  All Truth will be revealed, hidden no longer.  Our behavior on earth pours out from what our hearts believe.  Do we really believe what we say we believe about God really real?  Jesus reveals the bottom line of our faith: “If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.”  Lose to find.
  • “And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.” –Jesus

All the instructions given to the apostles are readily available and helpful to all who believe and follow Jesus with hearts, minds and souls who are called and willing to be equipped by Him.  We are all called to tell His story.

Abba, Father in Heaven,

Hallowed be Your Name.  May Your Kingdom come and reign in us and all around us.  May Your will be done in every detail of our lives here on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day all you want us to say with how and when to say it.  Give us this day what you want us to do and we will do it.  Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.  Lead us far from temptations to follow anyone else.  Help us to hear your voice above all others.  Deliver us from evil.  For you hold all power and authority.  To you be all glory forevermore.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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HELP WANTED!

Posted on May 18, 2021 by randscallawayffm

“All you need is a preacher with a Bible and a song leader with a hymn book”.  I am old enough to have heard that comment a few times in the sixties from people who put a toe in the water of Kingdom of God living but didn’t not jump in the river of responsibilities to “go and teach”, help daily, support, give of what they had to help others, pray and pray with others.  We needed workers for the harvest then and we need more people willing to help others find and follow Jesus now.  The harvest is greater still because the population is exponentially larger now.  The world desperately needs a Savior.  Jesus is the One and Only who can save them. The world also needs Jesus as LORD of their lives who gives wisdom (skills for living) and guides us to all that is right and good in the eyes of God.

For the church today, the harvest includes people who are finding Jesus online due to the pandemic conditions that forced people inside their homes for such a time as this.  They had nowhere to turn for help but online.  Harvest Workers were needed then to welcome people online, friend them socially, pray with them and continually connect them to the Body of Christ called his church in new ways.  But the workers were few. 

The harvest is even greater still as churches, after the pandemic, are seeing people come back inside churches in person to visit for the first time in their lives.  Who will they find holding the doors wide open to welcome them in with smiles and encouragement for their well thought out but scary decision to come?  We find we need even more people who know Jesus at the doors, outside the building, in the hallways, some who are ready to teach children and youth with eyes of joy with welcome voices of love and tenderness.  We need people to compassionately accept those who are anxious and nervous about coming back, those who have never been to a church but found Jesus online or from heard about Him from a friend.  The hearts of people are stirred to grow in their relationship with God.  Who will help them on their journey? 

The harvest is great but the workers are few.

God-led leaders see the individuals in the crowds.  We see the need for Jesus.  The world desperately needs a Savior and Jesus is the One and Only who can save them.  We have compassion for them because we were once lost but now found.  We see the eyes of confusion, helplessness and hopelessness without Christ.  We see the lost sheep trying to find their way online, in social media comments, through prayer requests and in person.  We see them in our neighborhoods, at the grocery store where we shop and along the paths on our walks.  “The harvest is great but the workers are few.”

What do we do?  Do what Jesus said, “So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” 

Then ask, is it me, Lord?  Am I who You are calling to help in the harvest that is so great?  Pray, ask God to break your heart of those things that break His heart and see what happens.  Then DO something, anything, everything until you answer the stirring in your heart put there by the Holy Spirit of Jesus who is not only our Savior but our Lord.

The harvest is the responsibility of all who believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord of our lives.  He calls.  We answer.  He sends us into the fields.  He gives us our harvest clothes of humility, gentleness, acceptance, love, mercy, grace, compassion and patience.  These are His character traits that grow beyond our human abiity.  God equips us with all the right tools to help others know, find and follow Him, too.  We are the harvest.  We are also the harvest workers.

“The harvest is great but the workers are few”.  You can almost hear the sigh of Jesus as he says it in this passage from Matthew.  I have done some sighing myself as I recruit teams to serve and connect to people who need Jesus and find there are not enough people to help.  Does it have to be that way for God’s church that grows from inside out and outside in?  God created ALL people.  All people are included and noticed in “His fields”.  “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

But who will go?  Who will help in the harvest of souls?  Who are willing to do the sweaty, arduous, consistent, compassionate work of a harvest hand day after day, week after week?  That is the question that can only be answered by each one of us as God invites us to the work of helping people find and follow Jesus while developing a strong relationship with God, Himself in the process of growing strong right in the middle of the harvest! 

Matthew—The Law Fulfilled

Matthew 9:35-38, NLT

The Need for Workers

35 Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

Abba, Father in Heaven,

You have saved me.  You accepted me where I was but you didn’t keep me there.  You called then equipped me with each obedient step I took.  It’s been a scary, wonderfully exciting adventure with you that I pray others will experience, too.  I pray for workers for the harvest, Lord.  I pray for hearts to be stirred to help as you stirred my heart to help over the years.  I pray for people who know you, love you with all their hearts with a longing to serve you by serving others.  Break our hearts of those things that break yours.  We are humbled at the thought.  May I always be one that follows your call and invitation to work in your harvest no matter what work you give me to do.  There is no greater calling than joining you in your work of your salvation for souls.  Thank you, Lord.  Thank you for saving my soul.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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BUT THE PHARISEES…

Posted on May 17, 2021 by randscallawayffm

One of my long term, full time occupations for God’s church was to plan large events for the denomination.  It was hard and tedious with much research needed in bringing together speakers, musicians, worship leaders, teachers of children and youth as well as specific training for pastors, laymen, and women.  Many interviews along with references went in to acquiring presenters who we felt knew Jesus themselves and who would reach and teach the people with God’s Truth in the best way.  I was at the feet of Jesus daily as I did this task along with teams of beautiful people who helped in this mission.  I tire now thinking of the hours and hours of planning and implementation of this week-long event designed solely so that others would find and learn to follow Jesus.  I praise God for the way He led us through each year of this event.  It was all God!  To God be the glory!

As leaders we gave evaluations to see if the mission of finding and knowing Christ was evident among attenders.  99% of the time it was very evident.  Suggestions were given in process but nearly all told ways the Holy Spirit spoke to their hearts.

But there was this one who missed Him.  Handwritten in all caps (that means shouting to most of us) a person wrote only negative comments about how tea bags and hot water were not offered at adult morning breaks on the coffee tables.  Paragraph after paragraph with words of discrimination of tea drinkers vs coffee drinkers.   NO mention of how the power of the Holy Spirit worked in their life or in the lives of hundreds of people!

So, I “get” this passage.  Jesus has healed two blind men who have acknowledged who Jesus is by calling out, “Son of David”!  With blind eyes, they know He is Messiah who has come through the line of David as prophesied!  Because of their faith and this acknowledgement, Jesus heals them readily.  The now-sighted men cannot not hold back in proclaiming Jesus!  Moments later, Jesus heals a demon-possessed man with the ability to speak.  We can be sure this man now told his story of how Jesus healed him!

BUT THE PHARISEES…

The Pharisees missed it.  Missed Jesus.  Missed who He was.  Missed the point of the miracles.  Missed the message of Truth.  Missed the mission of God.  These elite leaders of religion declared with lies, “He can cast out demons because he is empowered by the prince of demons.”  What they are really saying is Jesus is not one of them!  Praise God he was not one of them!  Jesus has come to serve, not to be serve.  Jesus came to heal the sick and restore the broken.  Jesus has come to seek and to save a lost world with relationship with God!  Jesus did ALL as told by the prophets centuries before He came to earth!  The Pharisees words, although not surprising to Jesus, must have broken the heart of God and the heart of Jesus Christ, His Son. 

Can you hear the sigh of Jesus at the end of the day of healing?

REFLECTION

Ah, but what about ourselves? What do we think, do or say that causes Jesus to sigh? 

How many times do we break the heart of God when we miss the point of the message and miss what we should be and what we should do all because we think only of self?

We break God’s heart in so many ways by gossip which gives birth to the twins named presumption and assumption, demanding our way, throwing fits of “my needs aren’t being met” along with other drama inside and outside His church.  Yikes.  Are we immune to the Pharisaical disease or have we contracted it—like a virus?  Sigh.

Matthew—The Law Fulfilled

Matthew 9:27-34, NLT

Jesus Heals the Blind

27 After Jesus left the girl’s home, two blind men followed along behind him, shouting, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”

28 They went right into the house where he was staying, and Jesus asked them, “Do you believe I can make you see?”

“Yes, Lord,” they told him, “we do.”

29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.” 30 Then their eyes were opened, and they could see! Jesus sternly warned them, “Don’t tell anyone about this.” 31 But instead, they went out and spread his fame all over the region.

32 When they left, a demon-possessed man who couldn’t speak was brought to Jesus. 33 So Jesus cast out the demon, and then the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed. “Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!” they exclaimed.

34 But the Pharisees said, “He can cast out demons because he is empowered by the prince of demons.”

Abba, Father in Heaven,

Lord, help us to be so intently and resolutely focused on you that we cannot miss your Word to us through messages, conversations that build up not tear down, in worship and through acts of kindness and grace.  I don’t want to ever miss it!  I want to please you in all I am and in all I do in your Name, for your glory.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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FAITH WITHOUT RISK IS NOT FAITH

Posted on May 15, 2021 by randscallawayffm

When we finally say, “Yes, I believe you can save me” to Jesus we take our first baby step of faith.  We step away from world thinking and behavior that teaches us to do life completely on our own to make one step closer to Kingdom living.  Kingdom living is not without pain and suffering, however.  Kingdom of God living is risky, wonderful, scary, abundant with eternal life, tedious, and full of the glory of God.  Kingdom faith living is rewarding even with the battle scars of consistently keeping evil at bay by the power of Jesus the Victor! 

Risky faith is stepping from our comfort of knowing to a life of expectant, ongoing adventure of not knowing what will happen next but knowing the One we follow does know.  Sometimes I call it obsessive, determined obedience.  “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey” we sing, but do we really live it?

Do we really believe what we say we believe about God, Jesus, His Son and the Holy Spirit (Three-in-One) really real?  Do live like we say we believe?  What does living faithfully look like?

Desperation, mixed with risky faith, led two people who believed in Jesus enough to seek His touch of glorious healing.  A twelve-year-old girl is dying in the arms of her father, Jairus, one of the religious leaders of a synagogue.  At this point in Jesus’ ministry, most of the religious leaders have gathered in unity to hate Jesus because He speaks with wisdom and authority, not in their traditionally ways of using religion to wield power over people.  Jesus comes and teaches what life is like living as a believing child in the Kingdom of a loving God.  Jairus has heard and believes enough to know that Jesus can raise the dead so he comes and kneels at his feet.  This act of worship and faith brings Jesus to his feet because real faith no matter how small or large moves the heart of God! 

I am reminded of what Matthew records later about faith, “He (Jesus) replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”  (Matthew 17:20)

On the way, a woman who has suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, making her unclean to the community according to Jewish laws, risks her life to make her way through the crowd.  She falls to her knees as Jesus passes by and reaches out to touch the hem of His robe.  This risky act of faith moved the heart of God!  Jesus felt the power of God transfer to this woman providing complete healing! 

Risky faith moves the heart of God while removing our mountain of doubt as we make that first determined step toward the One and Only who is Life.  Pray expectantly.  Live with expectant faith, a faith that knows God hears and responds with His best for us!

“Daughter, your faith has made you well…”  Can you hear Jesus saying this to us when we act in faith, not thinking about what the world thinks?

Before Jesus arrives, He hears the wailing of the mourners.  The first act of Jesus is to tell them to “get out”.  Then the mourning turns to mocking.  There is no faith exhibited among the crowd.  Can you hear the mumbling?  “She’s dead and we’re doing what we are supposed to do.”  “Who does he think he is?”  “Dead is dead.”  I am reminded of the crowd at Jerusalem who praised Jesus as he entered on a donkey’s colt with palm branches and singing, “Hosanna to the King!”  A few days later, their praise words turned to “Crucify Him”.  Sigh.  

Back to the story…Jesus takes the little girl’s hand and brings her back to life.  Luke’s gospel tells us that he told this father of risky faith, “give her something to eat”, to further prove the power God has over life and death.  

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Amazing acts of faith are followed by amazing grace and love from our Savior and Lord!  Yes, faith moves the heart of God in ways our hearts and minds cannot fully grasp but is worth every minute in pursuing!

Matthew—The Law Fulfilled

Matthew 9:18-26, NLT

Jesus Heals in Response to Faith

18 As Jesus was saying this, the leader of a synagogue came and knelt before him. “My daughter has just died,” he said, “but you can bring her back to life again if you just come and lay your hand on her.”

19 So Jesus and his disciples got up and went with him. 20 Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him. She touched the fringe of his robe, 21 for she thought, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.”

22 Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

23 When Jesus arrived at the official’s home, he saw the noisy crowd and heard the funeral music. 24 “Get out!” he told them. “The girl isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.” But the crowd laughed at him. 25 After the crowd was put outside, however, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up! 26 The report of this miracle swept through the entire countryside.

Abba, Father in Heaven,

Just reading your story of those who believe with expectant faith encourages me this morning.  Thank you for saving our souls. Thank you for providing what we need before we know we need it.  Thank you for growing your character traits in us.  Thank you for your patience as our faith grows into full bloom.  Thank you for always being with us.  Thank you for loving us the way you do.  Help us to love like you love us—without conditions.  Thank you for daily miracles of life.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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