IT’S ALL ABOUT GOD

Posted on March 9, 2021 by randscallawayffm

Psalm 127 is bound together by the overarching theme of God’s sovereignty. No matter what we do or where we are, the Lord is the One who makes things come to pass. We can praise Him for He holds every aspect of our lives in His hands!

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 127, The Message


1-2 If God doesn’t build the house,
    the builders only build shacks.
If God doesn’t guard the city,
    the night watchman might as well nap.
It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late,
    and work your worried fingers to the bone.
Don’t you know he enjoys
    giving rest to those he loves?

3-5 Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift?
    the fruit of the womb his generous legacy?
Like a warrior’s fistful of arrows
    are the children of a vigorous youth.
Oh, how blessed are you parents,
    with your quivers full of children!
Your enemies don’t stand a chance against you;
    you’ll sweep them right off your doorstep.

TRUTH:  We join God in His work.  We pray, listen and obey.  God does ALL the heavy lifting.  We are blessed beyond measure by a God like our God!

Proverb 16:1-9, The Message

Mortals make elaborate plans,
    but God has the last word.

2 Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good;
    God probes for what is good.

3 Put God in charge of your work,
    then what you’ve planned will take place.

4 God made everything with a place and purpose;
    even the wicked are included—but for judgment.

5 God can’t stomach arrogance or pretense;
    believe me, he’ll put those braggarts in their place.

6 Guilt is banished through love and truth;
    Fear-of-God deflects evil.

7 When God approves of your life,
    even your enemies will end up shaking your hand.

8 Far better to be right and poor
    than to be wrong and rich.

9 We plan the way we want to live,
    but only God makes us able to live it.

WISDOM:  Knowing God is in control.  Believing that it is God’s work, not ours.  Realizing that God is in every part of our being to those who believe and follow Him.

Abba, Father,

Help us to live today in ways that bring honor and glory to Your Name.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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GOD, YOU’RE DOING IT AGAIN!

Posted on March 8, 2021 by randscallawayffm

I’ve seen You move, You move the mountains
And I believe I’ll see You do it again
You made a way, where there was no way
And I believe I’ll see You do it again
I’ll see You do it again

On Friday, March 13, 2020 normal routines ceased.  We were on “lock-down” by governmental and medical decrees.  The deadly virus was taking lives by the hundreds.  It didn’t matter what age bracket you were in; you could succumb to this virus and suddenly die or go through much pain and suffering just trying to breathe.  We took breathing for granted until that day.  We took quick runs to the grocery store for granted.  We took our family and friends always being around us for granted.  We considered our lives to be our own.  We were held captive by a virus that researchers fought hard to control. There was no cure. 

Walking around these walls
I thought by now they’d fall
But You have never failed me yet

Waiting for change to come
Knowing the battle’s won
For You have never failed me yet

The medical community fought immediately to find a cure as well as a preventive inoculation while death was all around them.  Life as we knew it on that Friday the Thirteenth was put on pause and came to a grinding halt in most areas around the world.  Hoarders and scalpers took over supplies of daily needs which caused panic and chaos to a degree much more prevalent than the raid before a snow storm or hurricane approaching.  But essential workers still carried on but with greater precautions, more rules, changing daily protocols of preventive measures to stop the wave of death.

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence
You’ve never failed me yet

I know the night won’t last
Your word will come to pass
My heart will sing Your praise again

ALL of this suffering doesn’t quite come close to God’s people forced from their homes, religious traditions, and general way of life to be slaves to the Babylonian empire for years.  But we can relate to the Psalmist who writes of the exiles return to their homelands, the return to Zion!   “It seemed like a dream…” he writes. 

Because most of us obeyed new protocols, we are coming close to a time we can be with our families, go about life as we were used to doing and worship together without restrictions and protocols.  Instead of accusing, denying and defying, we must ask ourselves, what did we learn in our suffering and troubles, our isolation and change of lifestyle?  And most of all, when the virus will no longer be the headliner of all news media stations, we will praise God as His people did?

I’ve seen You move, You move the mountains
And I believe I’ll see You do it again
You made a way, where there was no way
And I believe I’ll see You do it again

God IS doing it again!  He is helping us through these troubling, deep waters.  He is providing for us.  He is always with us.  Our circumstances should not control us or distract us from God’s glorious invention and consistent work in our hearts, minds and souls.  Yes, God uses the things of this imperfect, fallen world to bring beauty from ashes once more.  God is doing it again in each one of us.  Don’t you see it?    

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 126, The Message

1-3 It seemed like a dream, too good to be true,
    when God returned Zion’s exiles.
We laughed, we sang,
    we couldn’t believe our good fortune.
We were the talk of the nations—
    “God was wonderful to them!”
God was wonderful to us;
    we are one happy people.

4-6 And now, God, do it again—
    bring rains to our drought-stricken lives
So those who planted their crops in despair
    will shout “Yes!” at the harvest,
So those who went off with heavy hearts
    will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.

TRUTH: God was, is and always will be God.  And now, God do it again!  Help us to see your glory in all of life and give you praise immediately!  Thank you for doing it again and again and again.

Proverb 3:6-8, GNT

WISDOM:  “Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way. Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; simply obey the Lord and refuse to do wrong. If you do, it will be like good medicine, healing your wounds and easing your pains.”

Abba, Father,

Thank you for helping through these troubled times.  We know it isn’t over but we know You are with us.  I pray Your comfort and strength for the families who have lost loved ones through this pandemic that has affected the whole imperfect world.  I pray for those who lost their jobs to find work that was better than before.  Most of all, I pray that others will find and follow you as a result of turning their attention from daily routines of survival to knowing the One who loves us most.  Yes, Lord, do it again.  Turn the ashes of this life into your beauty.  Your love, mercy and grace aren’t just “dreams” for those who believe, it’s reality for your people who love you back.  I love you, Lord, with all that is in me. Thank you for doing it again.

In Jesus Name, Amen 

I know the night won’t last
Your word will come to pass
My heart will sing Your praise again

Jesus You’re still enough
Keep me within Your love, oh
My heart will sing Your praise again
(Oh, yes, it will)

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence
You’ve never failed

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence
You’ve never failed me yet
Never failed me yet
Oh, oh-oh

I’ve seen You move, You move the mountains
And I believe I’ll see You do it again
You made a way, where there was no way
And I believe I’ll see You do it again

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence
You’ve never failed

Oh, You’ve never failed me yet
And I never will forget
You’ve never failed me yet
And I never will forget

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ALWAYS HAS, ALWAYS WILL

Posted on March 7, 2021 by randscallawayffm

Three kinds of people are mentioned in this psalm: those who trust in the Lord, who are also called righteous and good; those who compromise with the enemy; and those who deliberately go on the wrong path.  Thank God for the faithful who believe God and obey His Word! The psalm names the benefits that faith and faithfulness bring to God’s people.

Our faith keeps us standing, obeying, praying and hoping!  Within us is the joy of freedom from sins forgiven because of Jesus, God’ Son.  God is all around us, “encircling us” with his protection and provisions.  The faithful are not shaken because God is unchanging in His love for us!  Before us is the promise of life eternal.  God is and always will be God, the One and Only we can have complete trust in what He says He will do.  Eternal life is just one of those promises to be with us.  God always has and always will be our strength, hope, joy and peace for all who truly believe He is God.

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 125, The Message


1-5 Those who trust in God
    are like Zion Mountain:
Nothing can move it, a rock-solid mountain
    you can always depend on.
Mountains encircle Jerusalem,
    and God encircles his people—
    always has and always will.
The fist of the wicked
    will never violate
What is due the righteous,
    provoking wrongful violence.
Be good to your good people, God,
    to those whose hearts are right!
God will round up the backsliders,
    corral them with the incorrigibles.
Peace over Israel!

TRUTH: “God encircles His people—always has and always will.”

Proverb 3:3-4, The Message

WISDOM: “Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart. Earn a reputation for living well in God’s eyes and the eyes of the people.”

Our Father in Heaven,

Hallowed is Your Name.  May Your Kingdom come and reign in us and all around us so we recognize you at work and praise you always.  May Your will be done in every detail of our lives on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day all we need to do your work well, leaving nothing undone.  And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.  Lead us not into temptations but deliver us from all evil.  For you have all power, to you be all glory, honor and praise.  In Jesus Name, Amen

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IF GOD HADN’T BEEN FOR US…

Posted on March 6, 2021 by randscallawayffm

The first words of the Psalmist leap off the page for me this morning.  “If God hadn’t been for us…” I stopped, pausing to consider my own life.  For all these years on earth, (yes, I’m a bit more mature than most of you), what if God hadn’t been for Randy and I, for me personally, for my kids and grandkids?  What if God hadn’t been working in our lives protecting us when Randy was sick enough to leave earth and almost did?  What if God was not there when our lives were threatened by evil at every turn? 

What if God hadn’t been for us when we were in dire need financially because of mounting hospital bills?  What if God hadn’t been for us when our hearts were broken by betrayals of people we loved dearly in our family and ministry work?  What if God hadn’t been for us, providing ways to rise above the troubles and setbacks? What if God hadn’t delivered us from evil and fought our spiritual battles for us?  What if I never knew the love of God?  What if God hadn’t been for us in our marriage of fifty years when all others said it would never last?  This list and line of thinking could go on and on.

I shudder at these thoughts. I’m shaking now to consider if God hadn’t been for us…

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 124, The Message


1-5 If God hadn’t been for us
    —all together now, Israel, sing out!—
If God hadn’t been for us
    when everyone went against us,
We would have been swallowed alive
    by their violent anger,
Swept away by the flood of rage,
    drowned in the torrent;
We would have lost our lives
    in the wild, raging water.

6 Oh, blessed be God!
    He didn’t go off and leave us.
He didn’t abandon us defenseless,
    helpless as a rabbit in a pack of snarling dogs.

7 We’ve flown free from their fangs,
    free of their traps, free as a bird.
Their grip is broken;
    we’re free as a bird in flight.

8 God’s strong name is our help,
    the same God who made heaven and earth.

TRUTH:  The same God who made heaven and earth and parted the Red Sea for His people is there for us.  Count on it, believers!  Trust God.  Give God all the glory for all He has done, is doing and will do!

Proverb 5:21, The Message

WISDOM: “Mark well that God doesn’t miss a move you make; he’s aware of every step you take.”

Abba, Father in Heaven, Healer, Provider, Protector, Savior and Lord,

Thank you!  Thank you for always being at work for us.  Thank you for loving us so much you provided your Son to save us for eternity.  Thank you for growing and maturing us through our troubles on earth.  Thank you for creating beauty from the ashes of our burned-out lives.  Thank you for helping us rise like eagles with renewed strength and purpose each day of our lives.  Thank you for your mercy and grace.  Thank you for your gifts of joy and peace no matter what is going on around us.  Thank for not missing a move we make!  Thank you for providing what we need before we know we need it.  You are a mighty God!  Thank you, dear Jesus.  Thank you, Holy Spirit.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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ATTENTION TO SERVE

Posted on March 5, 2021 by randscallawayffm

In the courts of kings and queens, there are many quiet, unassuming people who are listening attentively to every word of command that comes from the mouths of “My Lady or My Lord”.  Servants know their masters so well that even the body language and other behaviors of their masters show foreseen needs of which servants are quick to fulfill before the request is even on the masters’ lips.  Alert servants know how to serve well, leaving nothing undone.  Good servants are protected and cherished in the courts of the King.

It is with this servant thinking that the psalmist approaches God.  “I look to you, God, for help” is a cry from a devoted servant of God, who waits on God and knows God well.  “We’re watching and waiting…” sings this songwriter.  During this writing the Jews are being ridiculed daily, persecuted and maligned in every situation.  God’s servant, attentive to His Master’s commands is asking for mercy that only God can deliver. 

As dedicated servants of God, we find ourselves among the slandered, ridiculed, and persecuted, at times.  Where do we turn for help? The psalm provides great answers to that question:

  1. Look to God by Faith!  Of course, with our human eyes, we cannot see God on His throne, but with the eyes of faith we see Him as we believe the Word. As God’s servant and child, “My eyes are ever toward the Lord” (25:15 nkjv). To look to the Lord means to trust Him and turn our problems over to Him by faith.
  • “Looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2 nkjv), is believing God’s Son is LORD of lords and King of all kings.   The life of faith continues as we keep our eyes of faith on Jesus (Heb. 12:2), and it will climax with faith becoming sight when we’ll see Jesus in His glory (1 John 3:1-2).
  • We Look by Faith to God’s Hand. In Eastern countries, masters often commanded their servants by means of hand signals, so the servants kept their eyes on the master’s hand. This is what gave them direction for their work. But the master’s hand was also the source of their provision, what they needed for their daily sustenance. Finally, the master’s hand protected them in times of danger.  So it is with God’s people today: our direction, provision, and protection all come from our Master’s hand, and His hand never fails.
  • We Look for God’s Mercy and Grace!   The exiles from Israel had spent seventy years in Babylon.  As the Jews tried to rebuild their nations, traditions, and places of worship they were ridiculed and persecuted at every turn.  The surrounding nations of Gentiles (those not of the faith) wanted defeat for the Jewish nation.  Imagine trying to serve God with constant ridicule and shame.  “We have endured much contempt” the psalmist cries out!  But God chooses and uses the despised things of this world (1 Cor. 1:28). After all, our salvation was purchased by One who was “despised and rejected of men” (Isa. 53:3).  The One and Only is Jesus.

AND THAT’S NOT ALL…THINK ABOUT IT…

We are not only subjects of the King and servants of the Master, but we are also the children of a gracious Father who hears the cries of His children and comes to their aid. He has grace and mercy for each situation.

In those postexilic times, God’s chosen people were being maligned, ridiculed, and opposed, but God gave them the grace they needed to finish the temple and restore the worship. The enemy was smug and complacent, but God was at work in their midst.

The nation of Israel continued, and one very special day, the promised Messiah was born into the human race in the little town of Bethlehem. If you find yourself laughed at and criticized because you belong to Jesus Christ, you are part of a very elite group, and you do not have to be embarrassed or start looking for a place to hide! There is grace available at the throne of grace from the God of all grace, so lift your eyes of faith to Him. 

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 123, The Message

1-4 I look to you, heaven-dwelling God,
    look up to you for help.
Like servants, alert to their master’s commands,
    like a maiden attending her lady,
We’re watching and waiting, holding our breath,
    awaiting your word of mercy.
Mercy, God, mercy!
    We’ve been kicked around long enough,
Kicked in the teeth by complacent rich men,
    kicked when we’re down by arrogant brutes.

TRUTH:  God of all love, mercy and grace is ready and willing to come to our aid.

Proverb 3:5-6, The Message

WISDOM: “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.  Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.”

Father in Heaven,

You are God and I am not.  I serve You because I love you.  You protect and provide, with your unconditional love, mercy and grace.  You care for us as a Good Shepherd cares for his sheep.  You love us relentlessly as a Father would a child.  You show us mercy and grace even though we don’t deserve it.  You, dear Jesus, laid down your life for me.  How could I love and serve anyone else but you?  I cannot.  Thank you for all you have done, are doing and will do in my life to bring me closer and closer to You.  I’m watching and waiting, standing at attention, ready to serve.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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GOD’S HOUSE, OUR HEARTS

Posted on March 4, 2021 by randscallawayffm

Long ago, before Jesus came to earth, God’s people made pilgrimages to Jerusalem’s Temple, built for God, to pay tribute to God.  It was tradition.  The Temple was a reverent place, holy dedicated to the God by His People, the nation of Israel.  God’s people would leave daily living, walk miles with others once a year or if they were fortunate, at every feast day to make sacrifices to God in worship.  Yes, if they could afford the trip, to make their way to the Temple, the “house of God”, they did it for God commanded it to be so as a system for the removal of confessed sins. 

Imagine with me, for a moment, if we could only gather in the house of God with other believers in God once a year?  We got close to experiencing this very circumstance through COVID lock down, didn’t we?  Usually, we only drive across town to get to a house of God, of which there are many.  Like the nation of Israel, when the pandemic slowed its pace, we came close to feeling the joy they felt entering the House of God once more!  It’s interesting how we miss something more when we think we can’t have it.  Mm.  It was/is pure joy when we can stop daily life to spend time with God in His House with others!  But is that all there is?

God’s people had to bring or buy sacrifices before going past the Temple courtyard into the Temple.  It would have been vulgar and unwelcome to just walk right into the Temple empty handed.  It was extremely forbidden to go into the holy of Holies where only priests go.  This was deemed the place where God comes to meet with man.  Only designated high priests took their turn to fill this position.

Sins were confessed to the high priests who then took their sins and laid them on the sinners’ purchased sacrificial lambs.  After prayer by the priest to God the lamb was slain.  Sins forgiven in this way until you made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem again.  Sounds complicated?  It was.  Through the centuries, the system not only became more complicated, it became corrupt.  Buying low and selling high in the temple courtyard was big business for local merchants and priests.  Priests could ask anything of God’s people, using their position and manmade power to get it.  They forgot all about why God instituted the system for the forgiveness of sins.  They forgot God.

But God knew they would.  God had a Plan and that Plan was His Son, Jesus.  Jesus was sent to seek and to save a very lost world without God.

“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.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”  John 3:16-17

“Believe that Jesus died for all our sins, and be saved.”  Acts 16:31 is the Good News for the world today!  It’s not complicated.  There are no pilgrimages to a special place, rather it is a humbling of one’s heart, mind and soul, on our knees, wherever we happen to be at the moment, asking Jesus to forgive our sins once and for all.  And He does.

“…God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:8

John the Baptist was the first to recognize who Jesus was and what He was sent by God to do—“The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”  John 1:29

New System:  Jesus is the One and Only, the Sacrificial Lamb of God, perfect and without sin, stood in our place as payment for all our sins!  Jesus is the reason our joy is made complete when we walk in God’s house with thanksgiving in our hearts.  Jesus is the reason we get up each morning in praises of thanksgiving before starting our day!  “Gone, gone, gone all my sins are gone”, we used to sing as children, still rings in my heart! 

It’s not the building we worship.  It’s not the great, live music we worship.  It’s not the pastor who teaches great words of truth we worship.  It’s not the gathering we worship.  We worship God, who doesn’t need a building, but knows we need a place for us to meet, learn, and grow in our love for Him and for each other.  Our joy comes from the Lord and returns to the Lord in praise for all He has provided.  Our hope is in Jesus who is coming back for His own someday.  So—

“…let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25

May our hearts continually leap for joy when we go to the house God provided.  May we leap for joy every time we see God daily at work in our lives and give thanks!  Worship is a lifestyle dedicated to God.

Worship and Wisdom, Psalm and Proverbs

Psalm 122, The Message

1-2 When they said, “Let’s go to the house of God,”
    my heart leaped for joy.
And now we’re here, O Jerusalem,
    inside Jerusalem’s walls!

3-5 Jerusalem, well-built city,
    built as a place for worship!
The city to which the tribes ascend,
    all God’s tribes go up to worship,
To give thanks to the name of God—
    this is what it means to be Israel.
Thrones for righteous judgment
    are set there, famous David-thrones.

6-9 Pray for Jerusalem’s peace!
    Prosperity to all you Jerusalem-lovers!
Friendly insiders, get along!
    Hostile outsiders, keep your distance!
For the sake of my family and friends,
    I say it again: live in peace!
For the sake of the house of our God, God,
    I’ll do my very best for you.

TRUTH: “God, I’ll do my very best for you,”  In Jesus Name and for Your Glory.  Amen.

Proverb 20:5, The Message

WISDOM: “Knowing what is right is like deep water in the heart; a wise person draws from the well within.”

Abba, Father,

I worship You with thanksgiving in my heart this morning in the quiet of this hour.  You are so much more than we can realize and your provisions are more than we can imagine!  You are more than the songs we sing to You, more than the lessons we learn from Your representatives, and your love is deeper than we can go!  I’m Yours.  This is my act of worship to You.  But I’ll need your help.  So, help us to love like you love realizing your great love for us.  Help us to come first to you in worship before doing anything else.  We are learning we need to be still, know you so our worship lifestyle is more authentic to you.  Continue to transform us by your power working in us and through us.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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STRENGTH COMES FROM GOD

Posted on March 3, 2021 by randscallawayffm

Confession Time:  I don’t like to be weak!  I don’t like to be left in the dark in discussions because I don’t know what is going on.  I don’t like stepping into a new situation and feel like all eyes are on me, sizing me up, wondering if I’m worthy to be there.  I don’t like to be afraid of a work that can be challenging most of the time.  I don’t like being fearful or afraid of judgy, arrogant people.  I don’t like being overwhelmed with what is on my plate each week to accomplish, according to me.  I don’t like for others who sit and watch, telling me what to do while I’m doing it.  I don’t like being judged, labeled, and put in a box.  Okay, now I’m done.  I’ve laid open my life to you as a human.  I need help.  Where does my help come from?

Where does my strength come from?  The One and Only, God the Father and Creator

Who do I look up to when I am down and out? God, my Father

Who saved me from myself and my sins?  Jesus, God’s Son, according to His Plan.

Who lifts me up from pits of despair and depression?  God who loves me more than I love myself.

Who picked me up and dusted me off when I fell into troubles that seemed impossible to overcome?  God, again, for He is my Guardian, Healer, Protector, and Provider

Who guards me 24/7 from the enemy?  God who is in front of me, beside me and in back of me.

Who gives me rest when I cannot keep my eyes open another minute?  God, who never sleeps.

Who is the One we fall asleep in the lap of while talking to Him in prayer?  God, and He’s okay with that for He knows our hearts.

Our “song-prayer” brings new life to our souls this morning. 

Read it, and read it again. 

Let it be our prayer this morning. 

Then watch for God at work all day long!

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 121, The Message


1-2 I look up to the mountains;
    does my strength come from mountains?
No, my strength comes from God,
    who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.

3-4 He won’t let you stumble,
    your Guardian God won’t fall asleep.
Not on your life! Israel’s
    Guardian will never doze or sleep.

5-6 God’s your Guardian,
    right at your side to protect you—
Shielding you from sunstroke,
    sheltering you from moonstroke.

7-8 God guards you from every evil,
    he guards your very life.
He guards you when you leave and when you return,
    he guards you now, he guards you always.

TRUTH:  God is my strength.

Proverb 18:10, The Message

WISDOM: “God’s name is a place of protection—good people can run there and be safe.”

Abba, Father,

I run to you this morning to be safe and sound.  I stay with you because you are my blessed assurance of unconditional love, great mercy and unending grace.  Where else would I go but to You?  There is no place I rather be but in your arms of love.  Thank you for loving me the way you do.  Thank you for your Holy Presence all day long.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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DELIVER US FROM EVIL

Posted on March 2, 2021 by randscallawayffm

There is a reason Jesus taught us to pray, “deliver us from evil”.  We live in a broken world full of desperate people who use lies to make themselves look better when they have failed.  “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”, writes Paul.  (Romans 3:23) We use gossip to put others down in efforts to make ourselves feel significant and worthy.  We use manipulation, smoke and mirrors, “fake it ‘til you make it” tricks to get ahead in life for we feel that is the only way to be made known.  These are the age-old tricks of Satan, the opposite of living God’s Way. 

The psalm begins with distress, concludes with war, and in between deals with deception and slander.  When we find ourselves experiencing distress and disappointment, there are three ways to turn our burdens into blessings.

  1.  We Pray.  The writer had prayed in a previous time of trouble, and the Lord had answered him, so now he had confidence to pray again. Instead of complaining about his situation, he shared it with the Lord and, in this psalm, shared it with us. His problem was that people were lying about him and slandering his name. He went to God first.
  2. Trust God.  The writer did not need to attack the enemy, because the Lord would do it for him. There is so much godless speech in our world today that believers must be careful what they hear and how it affects them. We must not only turn away our eyes from self-centeredness but also turn away our ears from hearing foolish, demeaning talk. When we are slandered and lied about, we must leave the matter with the Lord and trust Him to work.
  3. Endure with Patience.  I hear you.  We probably have the most difficulties with these words.  We don’t like to wait for God to act against our enemy.  We don’t like to endure much of anything.  But James tells us that endurance produces maturity.  He writes, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”  James 1:2-5, NIV

Warren Wiersby, Bible scholar and Commentator, gives us this wisdom, “The psalmist was a peacemaker and tried to encourage his godless Jewish neighbors to be peaceable, but they were more intent on making war. His loving words only made them more and more angry. After over fifty years of ministry, I am convinced that most of the problems in families and churches are caused by professed Christians who do not have a real and vital relationship to Jesus Christ. They are not humble peacemakers but arrogant troublemakers. Until God changes them or they decide to go elsewhere, the dedicated believers must be patient and prayerful. This is the way Joseph dealt with his brothers in Canaan and his false accusers in Egypt. It is also the way David dealt with King Saul and Jesus dealt with His enemies.”

If we profess, we must confess our own sin. Jesus said “pray for your enemies, do good to them.”  Think about this:  We might be the enemy of someone else because of our arrogant behavior!  So, be careful to acknowledge the evil one as the true enemy who delights in lying to us about life and how to live it.  Jesus also prayed to God the Father, “Deliver us from evil” because Jesus knew the Liar well.  Pray, Trust God, Endure while God works.

Worship and Wisdom, Psalm and Proverbs

Psalm 120, The Message

 1-2 I’m in trouble. I cry to God,
    desperate for an answer:
“Deliver me from the liars, God!
    They smile so sweetly but lie through their teeth.”

3-4 Do you know what’s next, can you see what’s coming,
    all you bold-faced liars?
Pointed arrows and burning coals
    will be your reward.

5-7 I’m doomed to live in Meshech,
    cursed with a home in Kedar,
My whole life lived camping
    among quarreling neighbors.
I’m all for peace, but the minute
    I tell them so, they go to war!

TRUTH:  I cry out to God and He answers.

Proverb 22:1, The Message

WISDOM:  A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich; a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank.

Abba, Father in Heaven,

Hallowed be Your Name.  May Your Kingdom come and reign in us and all around us, recognized by us.  May Your will be done in every detail of our lives here as it is in heaven.  Give us all you know we will need to live in well with wisdom for this journey called Today.  Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.  Lead us not into temptations, but DELIVER us from all evil and evil’s schemes to distract us from you.  For you have all power, to you be all glory.  Thank you for always working in us, helping us up when we stumble or fall for the tricks of evil’s trade.  Thank you for giving us strength to endure while we wait on You.  Keep us from doing harm but to live in peace with others.  Yes, You are God and we are not.  We need you every hour.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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HIS VOICE

Posted on March 1, 2021 by randscallawayffm

Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me
You have been so, so good to me
Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me
You have been so so kind to me

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the 99
And I couldn’t earn it
I don’t deserve it, still You give yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God

Jesus told stories to help us understand who loves us best, wants the best is us because of the love God has for us.  Jesus uses this particular story to tell us that as “His sheep”, we who follow Him through mountains and valleys, will know His voice.  When we stray, He leaves the flock to come and find us because of His great love for us.  He is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for ours.

When I was Your foe, still Your love fought for me
You have been so, so good to me
When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me
You have been so, so kind to me

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the 99
And I couldn’t earn it
I don’t deserve it, still You give yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending reckless love of God

“The shepherd walks right up to the gate. The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep recognize his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he gets them all out, he leads them and they follow because they are familiar with his voice. They won’t follow a stranger’s voice but will scatter because they aren’t used to the sound of it.”

“Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So, he tried again. “I’ll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep rustlers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.”

“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary.” –Jesus (John 10, the Message)

“I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me. In the same way, the Father knows me and I know the Father.”-Jesus (John 10, MSG)

There’s no shadow You won’t light up
Mountain You won’t climb up
Coming after me
There’s no wall You won’t kick down
Lie You won’t tear down
Coming after me

I am reminded of what Jesus told us about knowing Him and hearing His voice above all others as I read this last passage of Psalm 119.  Because of Jesus, we can “come right into God’s presence”, make our requests known, asking for anything in Jesus Name.  God will listen to our prayers for wisdom, protection, healing, provisions according to His promises to always be with us and help us.  “And should I wander off like a lost sheep”, like the Psalmist prays, we will recognize the Voice of the Shepherd who comes to find us and bring us back all because of His love, mercy and grace!  Wow.

Yes, the song ringing in the background of my mind this morning is Reckless Love by Cory Asbury…

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the 99
I couldn’t earn it, I don’t deserve it, still You give yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending reckless love of God

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Part 22 – Psalm 119, The Message

169-176 Let my cry come right into your presence, God;
    provide me with the insight that comes only from your Word.
Give my request your personal attention,
    rescue me on the terms of your promise.
Let praise cascade off my lips;
    after all, you’ve taught me the truth about life!
And let your promises ring from my tongue;
    every order you’ve given is right.
Put your hand out and steady me
    since I’ve chosen to live by your counsel.
I’m homesick, God, for your salvation;
    I love it when you show yourself!
Invigorate my soul so I can praise you well,
    use your decrees to put iron in my soul.
And should I wander off like a lost sheep—seek me!
    I’ll recognize the sound of your voice.

TRUTH:  And should we wander off, He will seek us if we ask.  We will find and follow Him because we will recognize the sound of His voice! 

EPILOGUE

This is the last stanza of Psalm 119.  It is good that we can revisit it often because of the gift of God’s Word to us.  During the spiritual journey recorded in this psalm, the psalmist had experienced his ups and downs, but he had always stayed himself on the Word of God, and he did this to the very end. He opened the psalm with a benediction, but he closed it with a warning, and both are important to the balanced believer’s life.

God gives us promises and assurances so we will not despair, but He gives us warnings that we might not presume. He was still the servant of God and not the servant of sin, and he still remembered God’s Word, so he would not stray for long. The Good Shepherd would find him and lead him back to the fold. He would anoint his wounds with healing oil and give him a long, refreshing drink of water all because he could hear His Voice and follow Him.

Proverb 2, The Message

Tune your ears to the world of Wisdom;
    set your heart on a life of Understanding.
That’s right—if you make Insight your priority,
    and won’t take no for an answer,
Searching for it like a prospector panning for gold,
    like an adventurer on a treasure hunt,
Believe me, before you know it Fear-of-God will be yours;
    you’ll have come upon the Knowledge of God.

WISDOM: 

And here’s why: God gives out Wisdom free,
    is plainspoken in Knowledge and Understanding.
He’s a rich mine of Common Sense for those who live well,
    a personal bodyguard to the candid and sincere.
He keeps his eye on all who live honestly,
    and pays special attention to his loyally committed ones.

Abba, Father,

We are the sheep of Your Pasture.  We hear Your Voice when you call us.  Help us to listen and obey when you call.  There has never been I time when I trusted You completely that You failed me.  Thank you, Lord for leaving the flock to come and find me.  Thank you for loving all of us the way you do.

In Jesus Name, Amen.  I believe. 

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TRUTH, NO LIE!

Posted on February 28, 2021 by randscallawayffm

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Part 21 – Psalm 119, The Message

161-168 I’ve been slandered unmercifully by the politicians,
    but my awe at your words keeps me stable.
I’m ecstatic over what you say,
    like one who strikes it rich.
I hate lies—can’t stand them!—
    but I love what you have revealed.
Seven times each day I stop and shout praises
    for the way you keep everything running right.
For those who love what you reveal, everything fits—
    no stumbling around in the dark for them.
I wait expectantly for your salvation;
    God, I do what you tell me.
My soul guards and keeps all your instructions—
    oh, how much I love them!
I follow your directions, abide by your counsel;
    my life’s an open book before you.

TRUTH:  My life is an open book before God.  God knows.  God provides what we need to live life according to His Word and Ways.  Expect God to help.  God will—Always.

Proverb 12:22, The Message

“God can’t stomach liars; he loves the company of those who keep their word.”

WISDOM:  Don’t lie, especially to God!  God knows.  God knows our hearts and the motivation of our minds.  God is Truth and hangs out we believers who are truthful.

Abba, Father,

My life is an open book to you, too, like the Psalmist wrote about himself. You made me.   You know my thoughts before I do.  There is nothing to hide for Your knowing.  So, why try?  Help me to know Truth and live it out loud every day of my life.  And when I stumble, take my hand and lead back on the path of Truth.  I will follow you.  I trust you.  You are always Truth.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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