“LOVE…I’LL SORT THEM OUT LATER” –JESUS

Posted on May 31, 2021 by randscallawayffm

I was given great advice over the years from several sources of God-loving-and-living men and women.  Some were known for their speaking abilities of God’s word along with wisdom for explaining what His word meant for us.  Some were known by their communities for loving like God loves us, unconditionally with forgiveness.   Some of my mentors were within my own family growing up.  I listened and tried to follow what I had learned because on their “best days” it matched what I was learning from God’s Word.

My dad was one of those mentors.  He knew all the “dad jokes” along with his closest brother.  I’m pretty sure that together, they were the origin of most dad jokes you hear today for I have heard them all my life!  When he was quietly serious, bearing his heart for his family and his relationship with them, his advice was golden.  At first, I didn’t understand it fully.  Now that I am much older, going through what he had gone through with faulty family relationships, I “get it”. 

As life-long believers, we long for everyone we know to know Christ and follow His teaching.  We long for our brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, aunts and uncles to know Him intimately, to hear His voice above all other voices and follow His leading to all that is good and right for us.  We want our kids and grandkids to love the One that brought them into this world in growing relationship to God as well as to us.  But, when they do not.  It is devastating.  Our hearts are broken to watch them fall in the weeds the enemy has thrown into the soil along with the wheat.  The enemy has them and we feel at a loss to pull them out.  But we cannot.  The root of our relationships are entangled together in this world. 

All of God’s created have free will to choose good or bad, to have their own way and even turn their backs on their Creator.  As believers, what we do, according to Dad, is to continue a loving relationship with our beloved at all costs.  Without that, there is no hope. Our deep love may or may not pull them out of the weeds, but our love is evident in the way we live before them.  Our love for them does not change.  We will always want God’s generous best for our lost loved ones but we cannot and will not stop our love for them.  That’s how God loved us.  We are to be imitators of God’s love so clearly demonstrated in the life of Jesus Christ, His Son.

Love God.  Love Others.  Jesus states over and over that these two commandments are the greatest.  Love is what causes growth.  Love is the basis of forever relationships that are based on truth and integrity. 

Real, loving, lasting relationships with God and others is what God wants.  To wonder and worry if we see our loved ones in heaven someday is not up to us and is not a healthy activity for us.  Jesus warns us not to “uproot” the weedy relationships we have but to continue to live a life among the weeds with love, care and compassion.  Jesus, the “farmer of our souls” will sort, separate, bundle at harvest.  Those who have believed in the Farmer, lived and loved based on His love in them will be taken to the barn.  I want to go to the barn.  Jesus says He is preparing a place for me there.  How about you?

Dad also said, “We might be surprised when we get to heaven, of who is there and who is not.  God knows our hearts.”  “He decides based on our hearts.”  I know this is not your predictable “sermonette” based on this passage, but it is what God is writing on my heart today as I mourn the losses of my past mentors on this Memorial Day.  I am remembering those who have gone before me who enriched my life.  I also think about the lost among my family and friends who have said no Jesus, our Savior and Lord.  Both are equally heart wrenching but love is stronger still. 

“When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.  Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:11-13, NLT

Matthew-The Law Fulfilled

Matthew 13:24-30, New Living Translation

Parable of the Wheat and Weeds

24 Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. 25 But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. 26 When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew.

27 “The farmer’s workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’

28 “‘An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed.

“‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked.

29 “‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’”

Abba, Father in Heaven,

You are indeed Love, Truth, Mercy and Grace.  You are Forgiveness.  You are the Peace we seek.  You are Wisdom for living as we learn from your Word.  Thank you for all the mentors in my life that you sent to me to help me know you more.  I have always had a desire to trust in you alone for my life because you never fail or leave me.  It is hard for me to see people turn against You so blatantly and fearlessly.  But in my brokenness, you remind me that it is you that will sort it all out and we are to adhere to love for you then love for others.  To know you is to know real love for you ARE love.  Thank you for loving me the way you do.  Help me to love others in rich, growing relationships that stem from my growing, intimate relationship with you!

In Jesus Name, by Your power living in us, Amen

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

WHY STORIES?

Posted on May 28, 2021 by randscallawayffm

I confess.  I am a storyteller.  I loved to tell make-believe stories to console, distract or redirect my own children from doing silly things like fighting with each other or getting into situations that would hurt them.  I especially used storytelling while our family drove many miles on vacations or church trips.  I remember making up a particular story about the legend of the Hubangees.  (No, you can’t google this!  They don’t exist!)  Years ago, when our kids were very young and very active, the idea came from seeing huge grass like plants along the side of the road.  See, that kids?  Those are the tops of the heads of the legendary Hubangees.  You see, they were buried feet first in the ground.  We now only see the tops of their heads.  That got their attention.  Then the story was built, bit by bit, to my wide-eyes very young listeners.  The fighting and messing around in the van stopped for a few moments to really listen to the story of the Hubangees. 

Years, before marriage and children, I was called by God to be completely His.  No matter what vocation or task He might lead me to in life, my desire was to follow Him while doing it.  One of those mission tasks was to be a public school teacher.  As God began to equip me for this, I took cues from Jesus, the Master Teacher, to form my philosophy and practice of teaching along with all that my local University would teach me.  Yes, storytelling was a huge part of the teaching process.  Begin with what they know in their own lives to be real and relevant, form a story around this knowledge, then extend what they know with what they need to know to grow.  Jesus is a storyteller.  I’m in good company.   

Matthew—The Law Fulfilled

Matthew 13:1-15, NLT

Parable of the Farmer Scattering Seed

Later that same day Jesus left the house and sat beside the lake. 2 A large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat there and taught as the people stood on the shore. 3 He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one:

“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. 4 As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. 5 Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. 6 But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. 8 Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! 9 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

10 His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?”

11 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. 12 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. 13 That is why I use these parables,

For they look, but they don’t really see.
    They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.

14 This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says,

‘When you hear what I say,
    you will not understand.
When you see what I do,
    you will not comprehend.
15 For the hearts of these people are hardened,
    and their ears cannot hear,
and they have closed their eyes—
    so their eyes cannot see,
and their ears cannot hear,
    and their hearts cannot understand,
and they cannot turn to me
    and let me heal them.’

16 “But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. 17 I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.

18 “Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: 19 The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. 20 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 21 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. 22 The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. 23 The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM JESUS’ STORY?

  •  “Those who truly listen will be given the understanding” to learn from Jesus about Kingdom of God living. 
  • The more we listen the more knowledge will be given!  YES, it’s true!
  • Prophecy fulfilled once again.  (Thank you, Matthew!) The prophet Isaiah wrote that many will listen but not hear with understanding so they will walk away not knowing God.  They will walk away, turning their backs of God, not knowing the benefits of walking with Him in His Kingdom way of life.  Hard hearts result in harder living.  God cannot heal an unyielding, hard as stone, heart.  We have two choices.  Be wise, gain more wisdom from listening with understanding as we follow God to eternal life or be foolish, refuse to listen, lose what you little you have in understanding, and live foolishly that leads to death. 
  • Life or death? I choose life.  How about you?  Isaiah’s words still describe many.
  • “But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear…”  The disciples were the “seeds” of faith in Jesus, answering the unconditional call to “Follow”, leaving their former lives behind, to learn from the Master Teacher.  These “seeds” were thrown into the fertile soil of the knowledge of God by Jesus the farmer of our souls.  Wow!  What a thought!
  • Jesus shares the results of what the harvest bearing disciples will accomplish later on their journey, “The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”  Wow!
  • Evil is the enemy who wants to take our seeds of faith from wherever we have been planted and destroy our growth.  He will send “angry birds”, those demons who like to work through people of little faith to peck us to death in our walk with God so we will turn away from God.  He will send his demons to work through people to speak lies to us to throw us off from the real work, because Satan is a liar.  He will grow weeds of frustration right next to us as those “thorns in the flesh” of our daily lives.  He will put rocks in our path to make us stumble.  HOWEVER, if we believe in Jesus with ALL our hearts, minds and souls, God will remain with us, feed the soil of our faith, grow us, build our faith, equip us and multiply our faith if we listen to hear and understand what He is really saying.  May our harvest be productive in His Kingdom!

Abba, Father in Heaven,

Hallowed and great are you, Lord, God of all!  You teach us still because we want to learn.  Give us wisdom to hear with understanding as we come to you with Cheerios and Coffee to have “breakfast” with you daily.  I love sitting at your table of grace as I adore you, confess my sin, thank you for all you’re doing in my life and ask for more knowledge to live well with my soul.  Yes, Lord, Feed my soul.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

REAL FAMILY

Posted on May 27, 2021 by randscallawayffm

Every single one of us is on a unique journey on earth.  In challenging times along with life and death moments, we learn very quickly who will stay by us through thick and thin.  These people literally run to us and not away from us.  They listen first, then act or just listen.  They love without condition.  They know us so they know instinctively what to do for us.  And we call them family.  Real family.  They may or may not be “blood kin” but they are those who love, respect and care about what we are thinking and how we are doing with life stuff.  They will come alongside you to cry or laugh with you.  We love, cherish and appreciate them as real family.

Jesus’ mom and brothers are checking up on him.  As any loving, Jewish mom might do, Mary worries if He is eating and getting enough rest.  His brothers, some of whom, have not quite believed Jesus to be the Messiah, have questions.  They want to see him, speak to him, away from the crowd.  I don’t think Jesus is admonishing his mother and brothers as much as He uses this opportunity as yet another teachable moment.  He extended “family” to be anyone who does the will my Father in heaven as brothers, sisters and mother!  “Anyone” means us!  We are brothers and sisters with Christ when we believe in Him, follow in His ways, abandon ourselves to God and listen to what He wants to do in and through us.  This is such amazing news for all of us! 

Paul picks up on this family relationship and explains…

“And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.”  Romans 8:17 NLT

Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase expands the family idea…

“This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!”  Romans 8:17, The Message 

Matthew—The Law Fulfilled

Matthew 12:46-50, NLT

The True Family of Jesus

46 As Jesus was speaking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 47 Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and they want to speak to you.”

48 Jesus asked, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 49 Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. 50 Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!”

This is who we are in Christ!  Believe and be saved.  Believe in Jesus and become children of God.  Believe and follow the will of our Father and we become brothers and sisters with Christ.  We are real family–forever!  This is amazing love, mercy and grace. 

Abba, Father in Heaven,

Thank you for allowing me to be your child for no reason other than by your grace and mercy given freely by what Jesus did for me and for our brothers and sisters who believe.  Thank you for continuing to help us grow in our relationship with you and each other in Your family.

In Jesus Name, Amen 

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

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.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment