DON’T TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD!

Posted on February 9, 2021 by randscallawayffm

EEK!  When the driver takes their eyes off the road to join in conversation with you, it is frightening because their attention is not on road as they try to maneuver a big machine of metal and plastic. When you see the driver of the car in front you look down at their phone, you get out of their way, right?  I do!  I steer clear of them knowing that at any moment they will crash and hurt themselves and anyone close to them.  I am not afraid to remind the driver to watch out when their eyes look at the scenery other than the road ahead.  Anything could happen and generally does when our eyes leave the road we are traveling. 

Our attention is so easily distracted in many ways as we drive.  True story.  I remember being engrossed in conversation with some people I picked up from the airport in Columbus.  We were all so happy to see each other and talk about old times that I drove around the beltway of that city two times before realizing I was never going to get home if I didn’t pay attention to the signs to exit!!

We laugh until it isn’t funny when we get hurt by taking our eyes and our mind’s attention off the road.  Isn’t that the way we are with life in general?  God gives us His Word to teach us.  Jesus gave us His Holy Spirit to guide us as we navigate this life’s journey until He comes back for us for eternity.  AND, because Jesus paid for our sins, we can come straight to God and ask for directions for the right road to follow!  How many times do we go our own way and miss seeing God’s glorious miracles daily?  How many times have we run into obstacles we could have avoided if we had not taken our eyes off His Road? If we take time to really listen, God speaks to our hearts and tells us the best way to go.  Don’t you love our God who bends down to listen and is ready to show us the way?  So, let’s not take our eyes off His Road to His abundant, eternal life!  Be still and know God.  Focus, listen and learn the right way to go. 

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Part Three

Psalm 119:17-24, The Message

Be generous with me and I’ll live a full life;
    not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road.
Open my eyes so I can see
    what you show me of your miracle-wonders.
I’m a stranger in these parts;
    give me clear directions.
My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous!—
    insatiable for your nourishing commands.
And those who think they know so much,
    ignoring everything you tell them—let them have it!
Don’t let them mock and humiliate me;
    I’ve been careful to do just what you said.
While bad neighbors maliciously gossip about me,
    I’m absorbed in pondering your wise counsel.
Yes, your sayings on life are what give me delight;
    I listen to them as to good neighbors!

TRUTH:  Open our eyes, Lord, so we don’t miss the Road of Life! 

Proverb 4:10-15, The Message

Dear friend, take my advice;
    it will add years to your life.
I’m writing out clear directions to Wisdom Way,
    I’m drawing a map to Righteous Road.
I don’t want you ending up in blind alleys,
    or wasting time making wrong turns.
Hold tight to good advice; don’t relax your grip.
    Guard it well—your life is at stake!
Don’t take Wicked Bypass;
    don’t so much as set foot on that road.
Stay clear of it; give it a wide berth.
    Make a detour and be on your way.

WISDOM: Follow the map, stay the course and don’t take your eyes of Righteous Road!

Abba Father,

Open my eyes to see and know you.  Bring me to full attention to see the way you want me to go.  Help me to stay focused on you while avoiding the obstacles.  Draw so close to me that I hear the whisper of your voice above all the racket and distractions of this world.  You have the map; I have the decision to follow.  I choose to follow you!  Guide me, teach me, encourage me in the right way to go.  May your glory be seen each new day.  I don’t want to miss a thing on Righteous Road!

In Jesus Name, Amen

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FOLLOW THE MAP

Posted on February 8, 2021 by randscallawayffm

Jesus, Master Teacher, our Lord and Savior, God’s Son, Messiah, come from heaven to earth to seek and to save the lost who had forgotten God or who had never heard of Him, prayed to the Father for all His instructions, all the words He would say and all the actions He would take on earth. 

Many times, Jesus had to explain to the religious elite who had lost all sight of God, who had lots of rules but no relationship to God, how He lived in complete relationship with God, His Father. 

“Jesus gave them this answer: ‘Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.’”  John 5:19 

“They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. So Jesus said, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.’”  John 8:28-29

“For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So, whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”  John 12:49

“Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.”  John 14:10

This journey through John’s gospel shows that Jesus Christ, who had the power to do anything, went off by Himself to pray, asking God, the Father what HE wanted Him to say and do on earth.  My question for all of us is this, do we really believe in what know of God to be really real?  If the answer is yes, then who do we think we are not to ask our Father, God what He wants from us and for us each day?  Who are we to say we don’t have time to read His Word for direction and wisdom?  Who are we to lazily claim ignorance and blame God after life has gone wrong?  Who are we to think we don’t have time to check in with God before getting our marching orders for each new day?

If we really want to obtain the mind of Christ which give us the peace we seek, a lighter load to carry, and the blessed assurance that He is with us each day giving us direction for life’s journey, then do what Jesus did, pray, asking the Father what HE wants us to say and do each day.

This is clearly the theme of Psalm 119.  Carefully read the map of God’s Word so we won’t get lost.  Pursue God and what HE wants.  Rely on God’s promises to help us, be with us and bless us with His growing character traits so we will live a clean life.  Ask for God’s wisdom. Delight in all God tells us to be and do because what He wants is ultimately the best for us.  He knows us.  Be still and know God. 

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Part Two

Psalm 119:9-16, The Message

How can a young person live a clean life?
    By carefully reading the map of your Word.
I’m single-minded in pursuit of you;
    don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted.
I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart
    so I won’t sin myself bankrupt.
Be blessed, God;
    train me in your ways of wise living.
I’ll transfer to my lips
    all the counsel that comes from your mouth;
I delight far more in what you tell me about living
    than in gathering a pile of riches.
I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you,
    I attentively watch how you’ve done it.
I relish everything you’ve told me of life,
    I won’t forget a word of it.

TRUTH: “I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you’ve done it.”  BE then DO.  Be with the Father before Doing anything.

Proverbs 3:5-7, The Message

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.
Don’t assume that you know it all.
    Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
    your very bones will vibrate with life!

WISDOM: Run to God.  Listen for God’s voice.  Trust God.

Abba Father,

I am shoving my agenda items to the side and asking You for what You want for me and from me today.  You are God and You know what is best and needed for me to live a life worthy of your calling.  I know you will provide whatever I need to be and do what you want for today.  What blessed assurance of your love and promises to us!  I love you, Lord.  I need you every hour of every day.  Thank you for the road map of Your Word that gives us clear directions for growing in your character traits.  Help us to love like you love us.  Make us blessings then to others who need to know you, too. 

In Jesus Name, Amen

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STAY THE COURSE

Posted on February 7, 2021 by randscallawayffm

Cross country running is one of the disciplines under the umbrella sport of athletics and is a natural-terrain version of long-distance track and road running. The course, typically 4–12 kilometers (2.5–7.5 mi) long, may include surfaces of grass, and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road. It is both an individual and a team sport; runners are judged on individual times and teams by a points-scoring method.  The course is clearly marked.  There are judges, as well as coaches, to make sure you stay the course.  Cross country running goes back to prehistoric times.  Before there were vehicles with wheels people walked or ran everywhere.  (Was there road rage back then, too?)

In a cross-country race, runners are expected to stay on the marked path.  If they decide to leave the path, the way will be harder, they might get lost, or worse yet, fall and lose precious to time to finish the race well.  They may have injuries from a fall that may slow the runner down or even tempt them to quit.  But there are coaches that encourage, teach and sometimes run alongside the runner to cheer them on.  

As believers, Paul compels us to “run the race marked out for us”.  We study to learn the course that we will run.  We are “cross” training with our coach, Jesus Christ, the One and Only, to whom we have given our lives.  We must train for the race so that our bodies are ready to endure what lies ahead.  Just like a cross country course, life will include natural, man-made or artificial obstacles.  But, no matter what tries to slow the runner down, cross country courses support continuous running.  Living for Christ also commands continuous running.  Continuous running is key to winning the race.  We don’t quit.  We won’t take short cuts.  We must stay the course.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”  Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV

The emphasis in Psalm 119, the longest psalm, is on the vital ministry of the Word of God in the inner spiritual life of God’s children. It describes how the Word enables us to grow in holiness and handle the persecutions and pressures that always accompany an obedient walk of faith. It is the guide to continuously running the race.  Since it is long, we will learn in bite-size pieces.  Let us begin our “cross” training following the steps of Jesus, our coach for life.

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 119:  The Message


1-8 You’re blessed when you stay on course,
    walking steadily on the road revealed by God.
You’re blessed when you follow his directions,
    doing your best to find him.
That’s right—you don’t go off on your own;
    you walk straight along the road he set.
You, God, prescribed the right way to live;
    now you expect us to live it.
Oh, that my steps might be steady,
    keeping to the course you set;
Then I’d never have any regrets
    in comparing my life with your counsel.
I thank you for speaking straight from your heart;
    I learn the pattern of your righteous ways.
I’m going to do what you tell me to do;
    don’t ever walk off and leave me.

TRUTH:  Blessed to stay the course.  To be blessed is to learn the beautiful rhythmic flow of God’s love, mercy and grace.  To be blessed is to stay focused on God, growing in His character and love–leaving all world thinking and idol worship behind.  Believe in the Lord and realize His love for us—then love like He loves us.  This is being blessed no matter where we live or what our circumstances are—for love never fails.  God’s Presence is always with us. Jesus promised His Spirit will remain in us to guide us until He comes back again.  This is Truth whether we choose to believe it or not.  I choose to believe.  No regrets.

Proverb 28: 20, The Message

WISDOM: “Committed and persistent work pays off”…Run to win the race.

Abba Father,

Hallowed be Your Name.  Blessed are you, Lord.  May Your Kingdom come and dwell in us and through us.  May Your glory be seen all around us.  May Your Will be done in every detail of our lives as it is in heaven.  Help us to run the race well to hear your well done at the finish line.  Your Word challenges me this morning.  Thank you for the lessons of life that keep us continuously running to You with open arms, focused on you with all our mind, heart and soul.  Thank you, Lord for saving us to run.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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HIS LOVE NEVER QUITS!

Posted on February 6, 2021 by randscallawayffm

Playing in the background of our psalm today is the current song, One Thing Remains reminding us of God’s love which is like no other love on earth!  God’s love is perfect, holy and true.  God’s love never has conditions.  God’s love never runs out.  God’s love never quits.  God’s love goes on and on for eternity.  In fact, “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.”  John 3:16-17, The Message

Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
One thing remains, yes, one thing remains

Your love never fails
It never gives up
It never runs out on me

Your love never fails
It never gives up
It never runs out on me…

We are also reminded of Paul’s “Love Chapter”, that we quote often in marriage ceremonies, but do we fully understand the intent of God’s message of how love behaves when it is HIS love in us in action towards each other? 

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.  1 Corinthians 13:4-8

If we want to love like God loves us, then this is it!  As His love for us never fails and never gives up so should our love be for each other!  Jesus gave the extreme example of God’s love for us when he left heaven to come to earth to lay down his life for ours.

Your love never fails
It never gives up
It never runs out on me

Your love never fails
It never gives up
It never runs out on me

In death, in life
I’m confident and covered by
The power of Your great love

My debt is paid
There’s nothing that can separate
My heart from Your great love

Your love never fails
It never gives up
It never runs out on me

Your love never fails
It never gives up
It never runs out on me

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 118, The Message

1-4 Thank God because he’s good,
    because his love never quits.
Tell the world, Israel,
    “His love never quits.”
And you, clan of Aaron, tell the world,
    “His love never quits.”
And you who fear God, join in,
    “His love never quits.”

5-16 Pushed to the wall, I called to God;
    from the wide open spaces, he answered.
God’s now at my side and I’m not afraid;
    who would dare lay a hand on me?
God’s my strong champion;
    I flick off my enemies like flies.
Far better to take refuge in God
    than trust in people;
Far better to take refuge in God
    than trust in celebrities.
Hemmed in by barbarians,
    in God’s name I rubbed their faces in the dirt;
Hemmed in and with no way out,
    in God’s name I rubbed their faces in the dirt;
Like swarming bees, like wild prairie fire, they hemmed me in;
    in God’s name I rubbed their faces in the dirt.
I was right on the cliff-edge, ready to fall,
    when God grabbed and held me.
God’s my strength, he’s also my song,
    and now he’s my salvation.
Hear the shouts, hear the triumph songs
    in the camp of the saved?
        “The hand of God has turned the tide!
        The hand of God is raised in victory!
        The hand of God has turned the tide!”

17-20 I didn’t die. I lived!
    And now I’m telling the world what God did.
God tested me, he pushed me hard,
    but he didn’t hand me over to Death.
Swing wide the city gates—the righteous gates!
    I’ll walk right through and thank God!
This Temple Gate belongs to God,
    so the victors can enter and praise.

21-25 Thank you for responding to me;
    you’ve truly become my salvation!
The stone the masons discarded as flawed
    is now the capstone!
This is God’s work.
    We rub our eyes—we can hardly believe it!
This is the very day God acted—
    let’s celebrate and be festive!
Salvation now, God. Salvation now!
    Oh yes, God—a free and full life!

26-29 Blessed are you who enter in God’s name—
    from God’s house we bless you!
God is God,
    he has bathed us in light.
Adorn the shrine with garlands,
    hang colored banners above the altar!
You’re my God, and I thank you.
    O my God, I lift high your praise.
Thank God—he’s so good.
    His love never quits!

TRUTH:  God’s love never fails and never quits for believers who love Him back as their God, the One and Only God. 

Proverb 8:17, NIV

WISDOM:  I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.

Abba Father,

Thank you for your love that never quits and never gives up on me.  I may give up on me from time to time but it is your extreme love that pulls me up and gives me courage to carry on.  It is your love in me that makes me love others as if my life depended on it…and it does.  For if I don’t love like you love then I act as if I don’t know you.  So, I love you, Lord with all that is in me and my desire is to love others like you love me.  Help me to love no matter what.

In Jesus Name, Amen

“My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can’t know him if you don’t love.” 1 John 4:7-8, The Message

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EVERYBODY!

Posted on February 5, 2021 by randscallawayffm

Psalm 117 begins in verse one with a command to praise the Lord. But the command isn’t just for the original Jewish reader. The psalmist specifically commands Gentiles to also praise Him. This is called a Global Invitation, and it means God is indicating His salvation goes beyond the borders of Israel.

The shortest psalm in the book of songs packs a big punch.  An anonymous writer composed the psalm and in three brief sentences encompassed the whole world. The psalm is an invitation to people everywhere to turn to the Lord and join with believers everywhere in praising Him. A proper understanding of this psalm will help us appreciate at least four privileges that belong to God’s people:  Worship, Share, Love, Assurance.

WORSHIP – The psalm opens and closes with “praise the Lord,” for praising the Lord ought to be a mark of every believer today as it was of the new Christians in the early church (Acts 2:47). The first “praise” translates the familiar Hebrew word hallel, which gives us “hallelujah–praise the Lord.” The second “praise” is shavah, which means “to boast, to extol and laud.” When we praise the Lord, we not only tell Him of His greatness, but we also “brag on Him” to those who hear our songs. Worship and praise are the highest occupations to which we can dedicate our voices, the activities that will occupy us for all eternity!

SHARE – The word translated “nations” is often translated “Gentiles,” that is, all people who are not of Semitic origin. The Hebrew word translated “peoples” refers to the diverse nationalities in the world (Rev. 7:9). You find the phrases “all the earth” and “all peoples” frequently in the book of Psalms.  The Jewish people were supposed to be separated from the Gentiles but not isolated from them, for God called Abraham to found a nation that would bring blessing to all the earth. However, Israel failed and became guilty of imitating the Gentiles instead of illuminating the Gentiles with the light of God’s truth (Isa. 42:6; 49:6). “Salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22; Luke 2:32), for God chose the Jewish people to give the world the knowledge of the true God, the Scriptures, and the Savior.

The church today needs to carry the light of the gospel to the whole world (Acts 13:47). Paul quoted this verse in Romans 15:11 as part of his explanation of the relationship of the church to Israel. The apostles and other early Jewish Christians praised the Lord among both Jews and Gentiles (Rom. 15:9) as recorded in the book of Acts. Through this expanding witness, many Gentiles trusted Christ and praised God with the Jewish believers, for believing Jews and Gentiles were one body in Christ (Eph. 2:11-22).

If we are a worshipping people, praising the Lord, then we will be a witnessing people, telling others how wonderful He is. Like the lepers outside the gates of Samaria, believers today must confess, “We are not doing right. This is a day of good news, but we are keeping silent” (2 Kings 7:9 nasb). May we imitate the apostles who said, “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20 nkjv).  We must SHARE the Good News of Jesus and His salvation!  “For God so loved the WORLD…that means everybody is included!

LOVE – We depend on God and His love to us.  Have we forgotten that “it is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed” (Lam. 3:22)? We have been saved by grace, not by our good works (Eph. 2:8-9), and were it not for God’s merciful lovingkindness, we would still be in darkness and death.

How unfortunate that some of the Jewish leaders became proud of being God’s chosen people and began to look down upon others. They even called the Gentiles “dogs.” But God’s people today are guilty of the same sin. “His lovingkindness is great toward us” (v. 2a nasb) so we have nothing to boast about. “Not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2:9 nkjv).

If we are humble before the Lord, He can use us to reach others, but if we are proud, He will reject us. “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5 nkjv). We are saved by grace and we live by grace, depending wholly on the Lord’s generosity in Jesus Christ. A proud church is a weak church. To enjoy the praise of men is to lose the blessing of God.

DIVINE ASSURANCE – Yes, All God’s people are saved by faith and live by faith, but our faith would mean nothing were it not for His faithfulness that “endures forever.” The word translated “truth” or “faithfulness” means in Hebrew “to be firm, to be unshakable.” 

God’s character cannot change, and His promises will not change, so why are we fretting about the feelings within us and the circumstances around us? Why do we hesitate to obey Him when He abounds in faithfulness (Ex. 34:6)? 

If God calls us to do something, He is faithful to help us do it (1 Thess. 5:24). To rely on our faith is to put faith in faith, but to rely on God’s faithfulness is to put faith in the Lord. Our assurance is in the Word of God and the God of the Word.  He never changes in his love for us and his faithfulness to us.  Never. 

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 117, The Message


1-2 Praise God, everybody!
Applaud God, all people!
His love has taken over our lives;
God’s faithful ways are eternal.
    Hallelujah!

TRUTH:  EVERYBODY is included for God so loved the world—that He sent His Son to save ALL who believe.  So, praise God, everybody!

Proverb 28:13, The Message

WISDOM: “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

Abba Father,

Thank you for your word that causes us to dig deeper and deeper for the meaning of your wisdom, the depths of your love and the purpose for our existence.  Thank you for short passages to meditate on and be filled with the knowledge of your mercy and grace.  Thank you for saving our souls.  Thank you for saving the souls of everybody on this earth who believes in You and calls out to You for your salvation through Jesus.  Thank you, Jesus for completing the work on the cross so all who believe can be saved for eternity.  Thank you, Holy Spirit, for guiding us into all Truth this morning.  You have only made me more grateful for the privileges you have given to me.  Continue to grow and mature me until I meet you face to face.  I am yours.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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I LOVE GOD BECAUSE…

Posted on February 4, 2021 by randscallawayffm

What a motivational hymn of praise to the God we love!  The songwriter lists all the ways he loves God, all the ways God has provided with a promise to do what God tells him to be and do.  What would happen if this was our prayer of thanksgiving, praise with promises to God each morning?  What would God do in our lives if were fully committed to Him?  God looks over the earth His Word tells us, “God is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him. You were foolish to go for human help when you could have had God’s help. Now you’re in trouble—one round of war after another.” (2 Chronicles 16:9, The Message) 

What would happen if we were fully committed to God, seeking Him first each break of day, asking what HE wants and then doing it because we love Him back.  “We love God because He first loved us.”  (1 John 4:19)  Would it be possible with God and our commitment to Him to be a difference in our world?  Would wars cease?  Would His peace prevail?  Would differences dissolve?  Paul says that our faith, hope and love are keys to a committed life of love…God’s love.  He states that the most important is love. 

So, as an exercise of spiritual discipline, let us name all the reasons WE love God this morning.  The Psalmist provides examples with where to begin.  When we do this, our minds will change for the better, our behavior will reflect our faith and belief in God and His Love.  We’ll recognize God’s work of love in us and realize that because of realizing God’s love for us, we are loving others more passionately with less conditions.  We are beginning to love like He loves us.

I love God because…

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 116, The Message


1-6 I love God because he listened to me,
    listened as I begged for mercy.
He listened so intently
    as I laid out my case before him.
Death stared me in the face,
    hell was hard on my heels.
Up against it, I didn’t know which way to turn;
    then I called out to God for help:
“Please, God!” I cried out.
    “Save my life!”
God is gracious—it is he who makes things right,
    our most compassionate God.
God takes the side of the helpless;
    when I was at the end of my rope, he saved me.

7-8     I said to myself, “Relax and rest.
    God has showered you with blessings.
    Soul, you’ve been rescued from death;
    Eye, you’ve been rescued from tears;
    And you, Foot, were kept from stumbling.”

9-11 I’m striding in the presence of God,
    alive in the land of the living!
I stayed faithful, though overwhelmed,
    and despite a ton of bad luck,
Despite giving up on the human race,
    saying, “They’re all liars and cheats.”

12-19 What can I give back to God
    for the blessings he’s poured out on me?
I’ll lift high the cup of salvation—a toast to God!
    I’ll pray in the name of God;
I’ll complete what I promised God I’d do,
    and I’ll do it together with his people.
When they arrive at the gates of death,
    God welcomes those who love him.
Oh, God, here I am, your servant,
    your faithful servant: set me free for your service!
I’m ready to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice
    and pray in the name of God.
I’ll complete what I promised God I’d do,
    and I’ll do it in company with his people,
In the place of worship, in God’s house,
    in Jerusalem, God’s city.
Hallelujah!

TRUTH: “What can I give back to God for the blessings he’s poured out on me?”  I can love others like He loves me.

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.”

Abba Father,

Teach us to love like you love us.  Help us daily to realize the depth of your love and live gratefully expectant because your love never changes, never holds back and always without conditions. Knowing your love for us helps our love for others do deeper still.  Thank you for the assurance that we are, no matter what, loved.  You are Love.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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BLESS GOD!

Posted on February 3, 2021 by randscallawayffm

We ask God to bless us all the time in our prayers.  We want his favor because we want to be His “favorites”, giving us all we want in our lives.  We become doubtful of God when He doesn’t deliver the goods of our fickle desires.  That is the thinking of our tiny human minds that think only of ourselves.  We get ourselves into messes emotionally, mentally, financially and physically because we trust only in ourselves, other people, working hard to obtain the idols of our day.  Wait, what?!  Idols? 

Truly our bank accounts tell the story of what we worship, work hard to get, store, polish and clean.  Our walk reflects our talk.  Our habitual behavior reflects our true belief, especially when backed into corners of frustration of not getting our own way.  What drives us to think and behave the way we do?

The Psalmist is very clear to the people of his day.  “Not for our sake, but for God…”  The idols of our day cannot walk or talk with all the human senses we have but yet we are so proud of them that we talk mostly about the glory of having them.  What if all that attention given to our idols was given solely to God for his glory to be seen by all?  What if our prays for “blessings” were prayers for growing in His character?  To be blessed is to be continually trusting and growing in the ways of the Lord as if our lives depended on it.  Wait, our eternal lives DO depend on his love, mercy and grace!  Think about it.  Take all the time you need. 

“You shall have no other gods before me.” –God  (Exodus 20:3)

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 115, The Message


1-2 Not for our sake, God, no, not for our sake,
    but for your name’s sake, show your glory.
Do it on account of your merciful love,
    do it on account of your faithful ways.
Do it so none of the nations can say,
    “Where now, oh where is their God?”

3-8 Our God is in heaven
    doing whatever he wants to do.
Their gods are metal and wood,
    handmade in a basement shop:
Carved mouths that can’t talk,
    painted eyes that can’t see,
Tin ears that can’t hear,
    molded noses that can’t smell,
Hands that can’t grasp, feet that can’t walk or run,
    throats that never utter a sound.
Those who make them have become just like them,
    have become just like the gods they trust.

9-11 But you, Israel: put your trust in God!
    —trust your Helper! trust your Ruler!
Clan of Aaron, trust in God!
    —trust your Helper! trust your Ruler!
You who fear God, trust in God!
    —trust your Helper! trust your Ruler!

12-16 O God, remember us and bless us,
    bless the families of Israel and Aaron.
And let God bless all who fear God—
    bless the small, bless the great.
Oh, let God enlarge your families—
    giving growth to you, growth to your children.
May you be blessed by God,
    by God, who made heaven and earth.
The heaven of heavens is for God,
    but he put us in charge of the earth.

17-18 Dead people can’t praise God—
    not a word to be heard from those buried in the ground.
But we bless God, oh yes—
    we bless him now, we bless him always!
Hallelujah!

TRUTH:  Bless God!  “You who fear God, trust in God!
    —trust your Helper! trust your Ruler!”

Proverb 3:5-6, NIV

WISDOM:  Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

Abba Father,

How much I think about You and honor You with my life is a question of reflection for today.  I am convinced I need to “clean house” of all that offends you, all that distracts me from you and all that stunts my growth of your maturing character in me.  Show me your ways and I will walk in them is my prayer for today and always.  When I am distracted, snap your fingers so I will turn back to you quickly.  I’m yours, Lord.  All that I am, warts and all, messes and mess ups, I’m yours.  Mold and shape me as a blessing of all that is right and good back to you then to others for your glory.  Not to us, but for You…

In Jesus Name, Amen

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WE’RE IN THE LORD’S PRESENCE!

Posted on February 2, 2021 by randscallawayffm

If the pandemic has taught us anything, and it has if we took notice over whining, it is this:  The Lord never left us to fend for ourselves.  The Lord’s Presence is with us still!  As God’s people, we gather in His Name often and ask how will we cope with this?  We had to change our minds about what is normal and what is better.  We came closer to God as confusion set in.  We asked for wisdom more than ever before.  We humbled ourselves before God.  As God’s people who believe in Him, we have pivoted, adjusted, quarantined, created new strategies to keep people safe while still loving people with help through their troubles.  We never stopped proclaiming God’s Truth for their souls.  We stop what we are doing readily with listening ears, asking God to get through this “Red Sea” experience.  His Presence is with us.

The Lord Presence never left us.  His voice can still be heard if we stop to listen, really listen, with a humbled heart and open mind to hear His kind voice of reason and wisdom, comfort and peace. The Lord’s is Present right now as I write this.  I am reminded of His promise to never leave or forsake us.  I remember in the quiet of this hour that He never has and He never will.  God is like that.  That’s who God is.  Ever present.

My prayer for all of us this day:  May God rescue you, part the waters of your sea and allow you to walk on dry ground into His Holy Presence.  All it takes is a yes, a willing heart, an open mind with a soul eager to be filled…with His Presence.  Be still, let go, know that He is God.

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 114, The Message

1-8 After Israel left Egypt,
    the clan of Jacob left those barbarians behind;
Judah became holy land for him,
    Israel the place of holy rule.
Sea took one look and ran the other way;
    River Jordan turned around and ran off.
The mountains turned playful and skipped like rams,
    the hills frolicked like spring lambs.
What’s wrong with you, Sea, that you ran away?
    and you, River Jordan, that you turned and ran off?
And mountains, why did you skip like rams?
    and you, hills, frolic like spring lambs?
Tremble, Earth! You’re in the Lord’s presence!
    in the presence of Jacob’s God.


He turned the rock into a pool of cool water,
    turned flint into fresh spring water.

TRUTH:  The Lord is Present.  There is no one like our God.  The earth trembles at the sound of His voice.  What is our response to the Lord’s Presence?

Proverb 30:5, The Message

“The believer replied, “Every promise of God proves true;
    he protects everyone who runs to him for help.”

Abba Father,

Thank you for your Holy Presence in this very room today.  Thank you for speaking to my broken heart and wondering mind while filling my soul with all of you in me.  I love you, Lord with all that is in me.  You know that and knowing you know is comforting and gives me peace.  Beyond all that is going on in our world, You are near.  You are Present.  You are God.  Thank you for saving my soul, refreshing my spirit and restoring the joy of your salvation in me today.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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“YOU WHO SERVE GOD, PRAISE GOD!”

Posted on February 1, 2021 by randscallawayffm

It was traditional for the Jewish people to sing 113-114 before they ate their Passover meal, and they closed the meal by singing 115-118 (Matt. 26:30; Mark 14:26). These psalms were also sung in celebration of Pentecost, Tabernacles, the new moon festivals, and the Feast of Dedication. The psalm opens and closes with “hallelujah” (“praise Jehovah”) and gives us three wonderful reasons for praising the Lord:

God’s name is the greatest! 

The psalmwriter addressed the entire nation of Israel, which is often called “God’s servant” (34:22; 69:36; 136:22; Isa. 41:8-9; 54:17). They had the privilege and responsibility of sharing the true and living God with their Gentile neighbors (Isa. 42:6), and Paul applied that verse to his own ministry and the ministry of the church (Acts 13:47; 26:26; and see Luke 2:32).  We are all servants of God and praise His Name for He alone is worthy to be honored and worshiped.

God’s throne is the highest!

Most ancient kings were inaccessible to their people, but our God sees us and knows our every need (138:6; Isa. 57:15). For the believer, God’s throne is not only a throne of glory and authority, but it is also a throne of grace, a topic the psalmist explained in the next three verses.

God’s love is the kindest!

The Lord in His grace not only sees us but also cares for us and helps us. He “stoops down” and condescends to work on our behalf. The picture in verses 7-8 comes from verses 7 and 8 of the song of Hannah (1 Sam. 2:1-10), part of which was borrowed by Mary in her song of praise to God (Luke 1:46-55). Hannah was a barren wife to whom God gave a son, Samuel the judge and prophet. 

The ash heap (“dirt of the poor”) was the gathering place of the outcasts of the city, the unwanted poor, and the diseased (Job 2:8). The sun would warm the ashes during the day and the ashes would keep the people warm at night. It was the one place that people avoided going near, but our God visits rejected people and changes their lives!

The love of God and the grace of God made our God stoop to our level, especially when He sent Jesus Christ to become one of us and die for us on the cross (Phil. 2:1-11). In John 8:6 and 8 and 13:1-11, Jesus stooped to forgive a sinful woman and to wash His disciples’ feet. But His greatest demonstration of grace was when He died for us on the cross. He condescended to become like us that we might become like Him (1 Cor. 1:26-29; Eph. 2:1-10). There can be no greater love (John 15:13). Only Jesus Christ can lift sinners out of the ash heap and put them on the throne! (Eph. 2:1-10). 

No matter how dark the day or impossible the circumstances, our God is able to do the impossible (Eph. 3:19-20)!

Hallelujah! 

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 113, The Message


1-3 Hallelujah!
You who serve God, praise God!
    Just to speak his name is praise!
Just to remember God is a blessing—
    now and tomorrow and always.
From east to west, from dawn to dusk,
    keep lifting all your praises to God!

4-9 God is higher than anything and anyone,
    outshining everything you can see in the skies.
Who can compare with God, our God,
    so majestically enthroned,
Surveying his magnificent
    heavens and earth?
He picks up the poor from out of the dirt,
    rescues the forgotten who’ve been thrown out with the trash,
Seats them among the honored guests,
    a place of honor among the brightest and best.
He gives childless couples a family,
    gives them joy as the parents of children.
Hallelujah!

TRUTH:  God is our rescue.  For God SO loved, He sent His One and Only Son to die for our sins.  Jesus reconciled us to God by believing in Him.  Forever changed life is a life built on Jesus love and righteousness.

Proverb 30:32-33, The Message

 “If you’re dumb enough to call attention to yourself by offending people and making rude gestures, Don’t be surprised if someone bloodies your nose.  Churned milk turns into butter; riled emotions turn into fist fights.”

WISDOM:  Find and follow Jesus.  Hear the voice of the Shepherd who is King of kings and Lord of lords and do what He says for it is the best way for life eternal.

Our Father in Heaven,

We praise your Name!  We praise you for who you are and all you have done for us, in us and through us for your glory, honor and praise!  Thank you, dear Jesus, for completing the mission to save us.  Thank you, Holy Spirit for guiding, correcting, comforting, encouraging and challenging us to obey quickly because of our love for God.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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BLESSED

Posted on January 31, 2021 by randscallawayffm

What does it mean to be blessed?  Too many times we think that blessed means God giving us more than we need, gives us what we want and shows favor to us as believers.  In His Kingdom reality, being blessed is fundamentally growing in God’s character.  God is giving, so we give.  God is merciful, so believers show mercy in their walk humbly knowing that God alone is the ultimate giver of mercy.  God is love.  Because of his love in us we love.  God is generous and full of grace, so we pray to be full of grace and generosity with honors.  God is patient with us so we are patient with others who are learning His character.  God is gentle with us as we learn and grow, so we are gentle with others learning and growing with us.

How do we know this?  Jesus.

Jesus came to earth on a mission to seek and to save the lost of whom there were many.  While on earth He also taught who God is and how we should live in God’s ways.  He was very explicit, giving clarity to his new followers who want to be like Jesus in every way.  This is what He told them about being “blessed”.

Matthew 5, The Message

1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:

3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

4 “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

5 “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.

6 “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.

7 “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.

8 “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

9 “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

10 “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

11-12 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

Wow, right?  We are blessed when our lifestyle is consistent with what we say we believe and matches the way God has clearly shown us to live.  Maturity in growing Godly character comes when we do what God wants without thinking about how it looks to mankind, what we can get from doing right, or seeking recognition or a “good feeling” or “vibe”.  We live this way because we are fully committed to God.  Nothing held back.

Our Psalmist sings, “Blessed man, blessed woman, who fear God and cherish and relish his commandments…”.  To be blessed is to keep growing in His character and love.  THIS is being blessed.  Being blessed and honored by God is to consistently mature in the unforced flow and rhythm of God’s love and grace.  When we do, we ARE blessed to be a blessing back to God and others.

“An honored life.  A beautiful life!” –A blessed life.

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 112, The Message

1-10 Hallelujah!
Blessed man, blessed woman, who fear God,
Who cherish and relish his commandments,
Their children robust on the earth,

And the homes of the upright—how blessed!
Their houses brim with wealth
And a generosity that never runs dry.

Sunrise breaks through the darkness for good people—
God’s grace and mercy and justice!
The good person is generous and lends lavishly;
No shuffling or stumbling around for this one,
But a sterling and solid and lasting reputation.

Unfazed by rumor and gossip,
Heart ready, trusting in God,
Spirit firm, unperturbed,
Ever blessed, relaxed among enemies,
They lavish gifts on the poor—
A generosity that goes on, and on, and on.

An honored life! A beautiful life!
Someone wicked takes one look and rages,
Blusters away but ends up speechless.
There’s nothing to the dreams of the wicked. Nothing.

TRUTH:  Believers are blessed when they walk with God “Unfazed by rumor and gossip, Heart ready, trusting in God, Spirit firm, unperturbed, Ever blessed, relaxed among enemies…Yes, and Amen!

Proverb 30:7-9, The Message

And then he prayed, “God, I’m asking for two things
    before I die; don’t refuse me—
Banish lies from my lips
    and liars from my presence.
Give me enough food to live on,
    neither too much nor too little.
If I’m too full, I might get independent,
    saying, ‘God? Who needs him?’
If I’m poor, I might steal
    and dishonor the name of my God.”

WISDOM:  Pray to grow in Godly character.

Abba Father,

You are blessing me but I still have a long way to go in growing and mature your character traits.  Make me more like you from the inside out and less like my natural self.  I want to be more like Jesus taught is to be.  Thank you for working out your salvation in me.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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