WALKING WORTHY 

Posted on June 27, 2025 by randscallawayffm

“Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.”—Paul, imprisoned for preaching Jesus, encourages the church.  Ephesians 4:1, NLT

It must have been painful for Samuel to conduct this last meeting as their leader and transfer the civil authority to Saul. The twelve tribes had been governed by judges for nearly 500 years, but times had changed, and the people wanted a king. Before leaving office as judge, Samuel had to set the record straight and bear witness that his hands were clean and the people could find no fault in him.  Even thought his sons took bribes, participated in exhortation as priests, and did not walk worthy; Samuel did.

In recalling Samuel’s life, we remember that Samuel was that young boy given back to God by Hannah.  Hannah who was childless begged God to give her a child.  God answered this prayer of passion in front of the priest, Eli at the Temple.  Later she would indeed give birth to a son who she named Samuel.  Hannah dedicated Samuel back to God who heard and answered.  She took Samuel to the Temple and gave him to Eli to mentor as a servant of the Lord.  As the boy grew in his role as servant with Eli, God spoke to him in the night.  Eli told young Samuel how to answer the Lord; “Speak Lord, for your servant hears.” This was probably the most valuable teaching Eli could have given to young Sameul.  Eli who knew the importance of listening to the Lord speak and doing what He said and he passed that knowledge on to Samuel.  Samuel grew to be a listener.

Sameul listened which made him a wise leader and prophet.  Samuel walked worthy all his life and is now telling God’s people yet again the importance of walking a life worthy is to do what God says.  Trust God. Obey God, for this is the way to please their God listens to them with a desire to bless Israel with all that is good for them and gives God glory.  Forgetting God and ignoring what He says will not go well for Israel and their new king. 

1 Samuel 12

Samuel’s Farewell Speech

12 Samuel said to all Israel, “I have listened to everything you said to me and have set a king over you. 2 Now you have a king as your leader. As for me, I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have been your leader from my youth until this day. 3 Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the Lord and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these things, I will make it right.”

4 “You have not cheated or oppressed us,” they replied. “You have not taken anything from anyone’s hand.”

5 Samuel said to them, “The Lord is witness against you, and also his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.”

“He is witness,” they said.

6 Then Samuel said to the people, “It is the Lord who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your ancestors up out of Egypt. 7 Now then, stand here, because I am going to confront you with evidence before the Lord as to all the righteous acts performed by the Lord for you and your ancestors.

8 “After Jacob entered Egypt, they cried to the Lord for help, and the Lord sent Moses and Aaron, who brought your ancestors out of Egypt and settled them in this place.

9 “But they forgot the Lord their God; so he sold them into the hand of Sisera, the commander of the army of Hazor, and into the hands of the Philistines and the king of Moab, who fought against them. 10 They cried out to the Lord and said, ‘We have sinned; we have forsaken the Lord and served the Baals and the Ashtoreths. But now deliver us from the hands of our enemies, and we will serve you.’ 11 Then the Lord sent Jerub-Baal, Barak, Jephthah and Samuel, and he delivered you from the hands of your enemies all around you, so that you lived in safety.

12 “But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, ‘No, we want a king to rule over us’—even though the Lord your God was your king. 13 Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you asked for; see, the Lord has set a king over you. 14 If you fear the Lord and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the Lord your God—good! 15 But if you do not obey the Lord, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your ancestors.

16 “Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes! 17 Is it not wheat harvest now? I will call on the Lord to send thunder and rain. And you will realize what an evil thing you did in the eyes of the Lord when you asked for a king.”

18 Then Samuel called on the Lord, and that same day the Lord sent thunder and rain. So all the people stood in awe of the Lord and of Samuel.

19 The people all said to Samuel, “Pray to the Lord your God for your servants so that we will not die, for we have added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king.”

20 “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 21 Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. 22 For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own. 23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. 24 But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. 25 Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Be a worthy listener!  A good listener leans in when someone speaks to gain understanding and the intent of the words being spoken.  We misunderstand when we assume what they are saying while saying it and presume their intent in saying it. And even great sin that hampers our listening skills is to form an answer in our minds while the speaker is still finishing a sentence!  We do that with God as well as with our family, friends and people we are meeting for the first time.  Yes, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” in our listening skills.  Pause to ask God for forgiveness with help to develop our listening skills.  I am doing that now.

“Speak Lord, for your servant hears” is a great, first response to God who delights in communion with us.  Prayer is a two-way communication with God. Talking to God and listening for God’s response is such a delightful experience for us as we grow our relationship with God, our Father.  The more we wait and listen for God our listening skills are greater developed.

Samuel had integrity as he served.  He wanted Israel to know that He followed what God said in detail with humility, awe, and respect for the God he revered and worshiped.  It was well known among Israel that Samuel walked worthy with God. His life began with listening! From time to time, churches and other Christian ministries face new situations and decide they must reorganize and adapt. Each ministry needs a Samuel to remind them of the spiritual principles that never change: the character of God, the Word of God, the necessity of faith, and the importance of obedience.

The Apostle Paul, fully committed to Christ as Savior and Lord, lists some of the characteristics of those who walk worthy of their calling;

“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.” Ephesians 4:2-4

Paul also tells the church that every member of God’s family is called with a purpose to fulfill so that His church will continue to grow with healthy habits worthy of the calling!

“Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” Ephesians 4:15-16, NLT

Paul, like Samuel, also gives concise directions with how to walk worthy with God;

“With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:17-32, NLT

Sometimes I wonder what drew the multitudes to stop life and listen to Jesus speak.  I think it was because He truly listened to them as He ministered to their real need!  Ah, lesson learned—it’s all in the listening! To be more like Jesus is to listen to Him and others with a teachable spirit—God’s Holy Spirit.

Samuel listened.  Paul listened to Jesus.  Jesus listened to His Father.  To live a life worthy of our calling; we must learn to listen to God first and then to each other to learn more as we talk less. 

Lord,

Help me to be a listener like you.  Help me to love more and judge less when others speak.  Help me to focus on what is being said by you and others. Listeners are learners and learners are leaders who point the way to you!  Thank you for this teaching today!  Now help me to be and do what I have learned.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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WHEN GOD LEADS A LEADER—

Posted on June 26, 2025 by randscallawayffm

I have lived long enough on earth to serve under various leaders in God’s Church.  When God led the leader; miraculous acts of God happened among the people. When the leader led others leaders with him to listen and do what God says for that will be the best way to live; God is pleased and the outreach of His church phenomenally and exponentially grows!  After the workshops and seminars teaching us how to grow a church are all said and done; it is truly God in us, leading us, to accomplish the real work of pointing people to Jesus.  Most people were drawn to Jesus, hanging on every word He spoke, when he walked the earth and most people are still drawn to Him now when they hear how Jesus demonstrated the love of God in the most humble ways!

Our response to God’s love and leading, whether we lead or we are led, must be complete surrender to what God wants, in His timing, for our good and His glory. This is a discipline of daily offering ourselves to Him. (Romans 12:1-2)  Because, when we know God’s will with a willing heart of trust and readiness to obey; God’s power to accomplish overwhelms us.  It is God’s Holy Spirit living and working in us who drives us to relentlessly and lovingly to accomplish all He has given to us to be and then do.

Saul’s strength and resolve as the first King of Israel chosen by God were tested soon after he was anointed by Samuel. Though some doubted whether Saul, the farmer of animals, should be king, he acted to rescue Jabesh Gilead and united his people against the Ammonites. These events confirmed for the people his place as king and affirmed Saul’s commitment to God. After this first major battle; Samuel reminds all God’s people to stay close to the Lord.  Give God the glory, not the leader!

1 Samuel 11

Saul Rescues the City of Jabesh

Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh Gilead. And all the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will be subject to you.”

2 But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you only on the condition that I gouge out the right eye of every one of you and so bring disgrace on all Israel.”

3 The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days so we can send messengers throughout Israel; if no one comes to rescue us, we will surrender to you.”

4 When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and reported these terms to the people, they all wept aloud. 5 Just then Saul was returning from the fields, behind his oxen, and he asked, “What is wrong with everyone? Why are they weeping?” Then they repeated to him what the men of Jabesh had said.

6 When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger. 7 He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out together as one. 8 When Saul mustered them at Bezek, the men of Israel numbered three hundred thousand and those of Judah thirty thousand.

9 They told the messengers who had come, “Say to the men of Jabesh Gilead, ‘By the time the sun is hot tomorrow, you will be rescued.’” When the messengers went and reported this to the men of Jabesh, they were elated. 10 They said to the Ammonites, “Tomorrow we will surrender to you, and you can do to us whatever you like.”

11 The next day Saul separated his men into three divisions; during the last watch of the night they broke into the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

Saul Confirmed as King

12 The people then said to Samuel, “Who was it that asked, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Turn these men over to us so that we may put them to death.”

13 But Saul said, “No one will be put to death today, for this day the Lord has rescued Israel.”

14 Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingship.” 15 So all the people went to Gilgal and made Saul king in the presence of the Lord. There they sacrificed fellowship offerings before the Lord, and Saul and all the Israelites held a great celebration.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

It is easy and natural to first give pats on the backs of leaders in front of us who look good, talk passionately, stir our hearts to actions while delivering God’s promises without first giving glory to God. But we, too must keep our focus on our God who led them to be His great leaders for our good and His glory!

Samuel was a great leader who lived humbly and spoke only what God told him to say.  When God did what He said, Samuel was revered; even when what God said startled them with severe warnings if they did not follow Him.  Samuel knew the people had sinned, but he still encouraged them to move forward in faith, for God would be with them. Samuel’s consistent reminder to the people then that the Lord alone was their God and that they should worship and follow him alone is just as vital to our relationship with God today!

“Stay focused on God” is the message of all God’s prophets and Spirit-led leaders down through the ages of time!  Why? Because we are the focus of God’s attention who loved us so very much, He sent His One and Only Son to redeem us, pay the debt we owed for all our sins.  Jesus did this willingly and obediently so that our relationship with God could be restored, repaired, reconciled, and reconnected! Living life with God is revitalizing and remarkable in our rebirth that opens our eyes to His glory at work in ways that are beyond our wildest imaginations!

Max Lucado gives this encouraging perspective of God’s focus on us;

“’Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever’ (Psalm 23:6 NKJV).  This must be one of the sweetest phrases ever penned.

Goodness and mercy—the celestial escort of God’s flock. If that duo doesn’t reinforce your faith, try this phrase: “all the days of my life.”  What a huge statement. Look at the size of it! Goodness and mercy follow the child of God each and every day! Think of the days that lie ahead. What do you see? Days at home with only toddlers? God will be at your side. Days in a dead-end job? He will walk you through. Days of loneliness? He will take your hand. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me—not some, not most, not nearly all—but all the days of my life.

And what will he do during those days? (Here is my favorite word.) He will “follow” you.” –Lucado, Encouraging Word Bible

THIS is our God who loved us first before we thought about loving Him back!

THIS is the focus of a faithful and forever focused God on His beloved!

Oh Lord,

Thank you for your faithful teaching with love and encouragement today! Thank you for loving us with focused attention, direction, and always with power to be and do what you say is best for us!  I will follow you as you follow me all the days of my life with your love, mercy, and grace!

In Jesus Name, Yes and Amen!

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GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT CHANGES HIS CHOSEN KING

Posted on June 25, 2025 by randscallawayffm

“Lord, give us what we think we need! Give us what we want—a king!” We shutter when Israel shouts these demands to our Almighty God; but don’t we do that in our prayers in times of sheer frustration and fear, when anxiety overcomes us?  We demand, in Jesus Name to give it more punch, what we think we want most or what we think will fix our current uncomfortable situation.  But our immature, growing faith needs to learn it is God who created us, knows us, knows what happened, is happening, and how all will turn out for our good while declaring His glory through it all!  AND all will be used to build our faith, a faith that lasts! (James 1, Romans 8 for reference)

Merciful, compassionate, faithful God did indeed give His unfaithful people a king but God chose the man, not the people, to become king.  God has not given up His authority and never will.  God revealed Saul to Samuel as the king of His choice.  To confirm God’s Word of revelation; Samuel told Saul he would first meet two men who would tell him that the lost animals had been found, news that Saul had already heard from Samuel. This was a good experience for the young leader, for it assured him that God could solve his problems. One of Saul’s greatest failures as a leader will be his inability to take his hands off situations and let God work.  Mm, but we don’t have that problem, do we?

God knows, right now, at this very moment what is troubling you and I. Nothing escapes His notice of those who call on Him and commune with Him in an intimate relationship with God. We need to acknowledge this truth about God at the very beginning of all our prayers and thank Him for all He has already done and is doing!  The Psalms are full of these kinds of prayers!  So, we have many examples to get us started in talking with God, expressing His majesty and power, along with our love for Him! Then maybe, just maybe, we will bend to His will and humbly learn to complete our talk with God with the words Jesus prayed before going to the cross obediently; “Not my will, but yours will be done.”

We learn that God’s Holy Spirit makes all the difference in the lives of those He has called to serve!  God gave this young, man His Holy Spirit to guide him.  But first His Holy Spirit changed him so he would teachable, trusting, and obedient to God!  This is the story of God through Saul. If Saul listens to God, all is well. Later, when Saul becomes full of pride and arrogance, refusing to listen to God, God’s Holy Spriit leaves him.

Hold this thought as we read…God’s Holy Spirit living in us, guiding us, is our lifeline to God who reconciles us to Him through Jesus, His Son. 

1 Samuel 10

Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, saying, “Has not the Lord anointed you ruler over his inheritance? 2 When you leave me today, you will meet two men near Rachel’s tomb, at Zelzah on the border of Benjamin. They will say to you, ‘The donkeys you set out to look for have been found. And now your father has stopped thinking about them and is worried about you. He is asking, “What shall I do about my son?”’

3 “Then you will go on from there until you reach the great tree of Tabor. Three men going up to worship God at Bethel will meet you there. One will be carrying three young goats, another three loaves of bread, and another a skin of wine. 4 They will greet you and offer you two loaves of bread, which you will accept from them.

5 “After that you will go to Gibeah of God, where there is a Philistine outpost. As you approach the town, you will meet a procession of prophets coming down from the high place with lyres, timbrels, pipes and harps being played before them, and they will be prophesying. 6 The Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person. 7 Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you.

8 “Go down ahead of me to Gilgal. I will surely come down to you to sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, but you must wait seven days until I come to you and tell you what you are to do.”

Saul Made King

9 As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day. 10 When he and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he joined in their prophesying. 11 When all those who had formerly known him saw him prophesying with the prophets, they asked each other, “What is this that has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”

12 A man who lived there answered, “And who is their father?” So it became a saying: “Is Saul also among the prophets?” 13 After Saul stopped prophesying, he went to the high place.

14 Now Saul’s uncle asked him and his servant, “Where have you been?”

“Looking for the donkeys,” he said. “But when we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel.”

15 Saul’s uncle said, “Tell me what Samuel said to you.”

16 Saul replied, “He assured us that the donkeys had been found.” But he did not tell his uncle what Samuel had said about the kingship.

17 Samuel summoned the people of Israel to the Lord at Mizpah 18 and said to them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I brought Israel up out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the power of Egypt and all the kingdoms that oppressed you.’ 19 But you have now rejected your God, who saves you out of all your disasters and calamities. And you have said, ‘No, appoint a king over us.’ So now present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and clans.”

20 When Samuel had all Israel come forward by tribes, the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. 21 Then he brought forward the tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan, and Matri’s clan was taken. Finally Saul son of Kish was taken. But when they looked for him, he was not to be found. 22 So they inquired further of the Lord, “Has the man come here yet?”

And the Lord said, “Yes, he has hidden himself among the supplies.”

23 They ran and brought him out, and as he stood among the people he was a head taller than any of the others. 24 Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the man the Lord has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.”

Then the people shouted, “Long live the king!”

25 Samuel explained to the people the rights and duties of kingship. He wrote them down on a scroll and deposited it before the Lord. Then Samuel dismissed the people to go to their own homes.

26 Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched. 27 But some scoundrels said, “How can this fellow save us?” They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

TRUTH WITH AFFIRMED PROMISES: 

  • God fills us with His Holy Spirit immediately upon believing in His Son who saved us.  Ephesians 1
  • Where God guides us; He provides all we need, (resources and other people who God has changed by His Spirit), to do His will. 1 Samuel 10:26
  • What God’s purpose is for us; His will accomplish. What God starts; He finishes.
  • How God works is for our good while declaring His glory!  Philippians 1:3-6
  • When God calls; we must listen, trust, and obey for God’s desire is to strengthen our maturing faith in Him as we do His good will!  The process is as important as the purpose. James 1

Believers today, who are under the new covenant of salvation in Jesus Christ, have the Holy Spirit who abides within us forever (John 14:16, 17) as God’s seal that we are His children (Ephesians 1:13, 14)!

Later, when the next king, David asked God not to take the Holy Spirit from him (Psalm 51:11), he was thinking especially of what the Lord had done to Saul (1 Samuel 16:14; 28:15). Believers today may grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) and quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19), but they cannot drive Him away.

God’s Holy Spirit is the means by which we stay connected (attached securely) to God through the lifeblood of Jesus, Our Savior who desires to be the Lord and King of our lives! Jesus is The Vine; we are the branches attached to the Vine who gives Life! (John 15)  Jesus tells His disciples (and us) what His Holy Spirit does; leads us to Truth!  I want to know all that is true, don’t you? What a difference His Holy Spirit makes in our lives yielded to Him!

Lord,

Cleanse our hearts, renew our minds, refresh our souls, and continually restore the eternal joy that your Holy Spirit provides while working on us and through us. May Your will be done in all the details of our lives—even today!

In Jesus Name, for our good, and for His glory, Amen

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WE PLAN—GOD DECIDES

Posted on June 24, 2025 by randscallawayffm

“In the beginning, God…” Genesis 1:1

We think that if we have this or that all will go well in our lives therefore, we plan, work hard, save, then obtain that which we think we will make our lives better. Then, when the obtaining is harder than we thought it would be; we cry out for God’s help in succeeding with our plan.  Sometimes we believers expect God to comply with our plan and call it faith in God.  After all, we asked God to bless our plans, right? We didn’t leave Him out of the process.  Later, when a glitch in our plan may cause the whole acquisition to collapse and fail we cry out to God to deliver us and make things right for us. Ah, but friends, how fickle we are as humans and immature in our walk with God to think, from our perspective, that we know what is best for us. But here we are, living our own designed plan, without first consulting the One who designed us.  “In the beginning, God…” 

God knows us from the inside out and outside in. God created us, knew us before we were a twinkle in the eyes of our parents!  God loves us more than we can imagine.  We are always on God’s mind.  God knows our hearts and knows our human hearts choose what is evil.  God did give us the ability to choose good or evil.  God is faithful to us when we are less than faithful to Him in our choices.  God’s people want a king.  Samuel goes to God for answers.  “Give them a king, but tell them what rights this king will demand of them.”  God bends to the wishes of His people who continue begging for a King so they can “be like other king-led nations.” To us, reading the story, we think, how immature!  God gives them a king; but God chooses who that king will be.

We plan but God decides. God has not and will not give up his sovereignty or authority over the world which He has created.  God listens to our puny human aspirations that He knows will cause trouble for us with faithful guidance to what is best.  We must learn to listen with trust and obedience to mature in our walk with God who created us! 

“In the beginning, God…” God was, is, and always will be God. Newsflash: We are not God even though we are made in His image!  We were created for God.  Until we truly believe and understand that we were created to praise, worship, listen, trust, and obey the Supreme Holy God who knows us and knows what is best, His best, for us, we will never be at peace and contentment in this world.  Trust God, He knows what He is doing.

“In the beginning, God…”  God will always be God. 

Read the next passage with God’s Holy Spirit guiding our thoughts. Watch how God works through his servant Samuel who listens to God and has been listening to God since he was a boy in the Temple.

1 Samuel 9

Samuel Anoints Saul

There was a Benjamite, a man of standing, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bekorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. 2 Kish had a son named Saul, as handsome a young man as could be found anywhere in Israel, and he was a head taller than anyone else.

3 Now the donkeys belonging to Saul’s father Kish were lost, and Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the servants with you and go and look for the donkeys.” 4 So he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and through the area around Shalisha, but they did not find them. They went on into the district of Shaalim, but the donkeys were not there. Then he passed through the territory of Benjamin, but they did not find them.

5 When they reached the district of Zuph, Saul said to the servant who was with him, “Come, let’s go back, or my father will stop thinking about the donkeys and start worrying about us.”

6 But the servant replied, “Look, in this town there is a man of God; he is highly respected, and everything he says comes true. Let’s go there now. Perhaps he will tell us what way to take.”

7 Saul said to his servant, “If we go, what can we give the man? The food in our sacks is gone. We have no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?”

8 The servant answered him again. “Look,” he said, “I have a quarter of a shekel of silver. I will give it to the man of God so that he will tell us what way to take.” 9 (Formerly in Israel, if someone went to inquire of God, they would say, “Come, let us go to the seer,” because the prophet of today used to be called a seer.)

10 “Good,” Saul said to his servant. “Come, let’s go.” So they set out for the town where the man of God was.

11 As they were going up the hill to the town, they met some young women coming out to draw water, and they asked them, “Is the seer here?”

12 “He is,” they answered. “He’s ahead of you. Hurry now; he has just come to our town today, for the people have a sacrifice at the high place. 13 As soon as you enter the town, you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not begin eating until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; afterward, those who are invited will eat. Go up now; you should find him about this time.”

14 They went up to the town, and as they were entering it, there was Samuel, coming toward them on his way up to the high place.

15 Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed this to Samuel: 16 “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him ruler over my people Israel; he will deliver them from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked on my people, for their cry has reached me.”

17 When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the Lord said to him, “This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people.”

18 Saul approached Samuel in the gateway and asked, “Would you please tell me where the seer’s house is?”

19 “I am the seer,” Samuel replied. “Go up ahead of me to the high place, for today you are to eat with me, and in the morning I will send you on your way and will tell you all that is in your heart. 20 As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them; they have been found. And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and your whole family line?”

21 Saul answered, “But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?”

22 Then Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the hall and seated them at the head of those who were invited—about thirty in number. 23 Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the piece of meat I gave you, the one I told you to lay aside.”

24 So the cook took up the thigh with what was on it and set it in front of Saul. Samuel said, “Here is what has been kept for you. Eat, because it was set aside for you for this occasion from the time I said, ‘I have invited guests.’” And Saul dined with Samuel that day.

25 After they came down from the high place to the town, Samuel talked with Saul on the roof of his house. 26 They rose about daybreak, and Samuel called to Saul on the roof, “Get ready, and I will send you on your way.” When Saul got ready, he and Samuel went outside together. 27 As they were going down to the edge of the town, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us”—and the servant did so—“but you stay here for a while, so that I may give you a message from God.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

The people failed to recognize that God alone was their King and that their disobedience to him was the reason for their problems.  Not having a physical human king was not going to be the end-all solution. God knew that the Israelites’ desire for a king was based on their reliance on humans rather than divine strength. So, God chose the king who was humble and teachable and faithful to Him. God works through the least likely to accomplish his purposes.  The more we read God’s Story, we learn this truth about God—seeking, trusting and obeying God is far more important than all of the human strengths we may possess.

Paul, once prideful and boastful about his religious position and human power, was brought to his knees by Jesus who humbled him.  Soon Jesus became his Savior and Lord for Life!  Paul’s life was transformed by Jesus who trained him in the art of love, mercy, and grace.  Here is his testimony:

“Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

“It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:30-31

Paul, a learned scholar of God’s Word is quoting the prophet Jeremiah. God’s truth comes full circle for Paul who was lost but now found in Christ and reconciled to God;

“This is what the Lord says:

‘Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,’ declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:23;24

Our response?

Get rid of all arrogance and pride, God helping us. These attitudes of the heart and mind grieve our Creator who always has THE plan that is best for us and makes us weary and sad.

God’s Plan was created from the beginning!  God so loved the world that He gave us a part of Himself, Jesus, His Son.  Jesus was sent from heaven by God to seek and to save the lost without God as He walked among us. “God with us” then laid down His life for us to save us from the burden and bondage of our sins and set us free once and for all. God did for us what we could not do for ourselves. We have no right to be arrogant—we do not deserve nor could we possible earn what Christ did to save us from our sins.  “When I think of all this, I fall to my knees…” says Paul.  All who truly believe, humble ourselves before our God/Jesus/Holy Spirit who loved us before we loved Him.

“In the beginning, God…” and no one else.

Lord,

I pray Paul’s words over all who believe and those who do not yet believe…

“When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you(us) with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your(our) hearts as you(we) trust in him. Your(our) roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you(us) strong. And may you(we) have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you(we) experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you(we) will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.  Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:14-21(Emphasis mine)

In Jesus Name, for your glory and our good, Amen

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IT’S NOT YOU; IT’S ME

Posted on June 23, 2025 by randscallawayffm

In once intimate relationships where trust is growing tenuous, love, based on self-satisfaction is fleeting, and faith in each other is fractured because of envying what other people have in life; trouble is forthcoming.  The judgment hammer falls cruelly when the one breaks the silent tension with; “It’s not you, it’s me.”

We humans use this to avoid further confrontation while ending the relationship. We don’t want rebuttals; we just want to walk away because that is easier. We don’t want to hear what we are doing wrong; nor do we want to list why we don’t want to be with someone any longer. Most times we don’t know what is wrong; we just want to be right. We also don’t want to know the truth. We are lazy in relating. We humans have become weak in our relationships with God and with each other.

But when God says it…Be still and listen!  As Samuel grieves over the request of the elders for a king, God says, It’s not you; it’s Me they are avoiding.  This is a gamechanger of thinking for Samuel who thinks God’s people are only dissatisfied with him because of his disobedient and unruly sons.  But that is only part of the reason for wanting a king.  Yes, Samuel’s son are evil; but God gets to the root of the problem—“Samuel, it’s ME my people are rejecting.”  They want a king they think they will be able to manipulate. They want to be “like other nations” who have kings to rule them without Me. 

God’s final answer:  “Give them a king but tell them what this king will demand of them.”  The people still want what they want—a king.

Truthfully, it’s scary when God gives us what we demand even though God knows exactly what we really need—Him!  Centuries later, God will give His People the King of kings and Lord of lords, His One and Only Son, Jesus who will take away all their sins and supply all their needs. Most will reject Him, too. It’s not you; it’s Me.

“Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”—Jesus, said to his sent-out disciples. Luke 10:16

Read, pause, prayerfully allow God’s Holy Spirit lead us as we continue…

1 Samuel 8

Israel Asks for a King

When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as Israel’s leaders. 2 The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah, and they served at Beersheba. 3 But his sons did not follow his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice.

4 So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. 5 They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”

6 But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 8 As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. 9 Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.”

10 Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. 11 He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. 12 Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. 13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. 15 He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. 16 Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. 17 He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. 18 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”

19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”

21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the Lord. 22 The Lord answered, “Listen to them and give them a king.”

Then Samuel said to the Israelites, “Everyone go back to your own town.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

I have trouble with some of my believing friends who pray with demands to God such as, “I believe it so I will receive it”, meaning “what I want God, you have the power and must give it to me”.  Yes, God has all power, authority, and ability to do the impossible—but it is seems to me we are arrogant to demand it.  I don’t have the right to demand of God what I want but I do have access to the Father to come and humbly bow before Him and ask Him what HE wants—for and from me, in our growing intimate relationship!

Our Perfect Example:

Jesus prayed passionately to God the night before willingly and obediently laying down His life on a cruel cross to die for our sins; “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”—Jesus, Luke 22:42 

Jesus is displaying humility before God:  NOT my will; but YOUR will be done. (See also Philippians 2)

In our walk with God; humility is what is required. (Micah 6:8) Jesus said and did only what the Father told him to say and do, according to the Gospels.  Jesus prayed to God asking what He wanted him to do next; then he obeyed. 

Take notice!  In the verse that follows Jesus’ request of God’s will be done in submission to God; “An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.” Luke 22:43 Where God guides; He provides His strength to complete His work in and through us. This Truth is displayed in Jesus. It’s not you or me—It’s God we love, follow, trust, and obey.

Israel demonstrates that our desire to imitate the world may seem righteous at first, but the final result will be destruction. Pleasing the Lord wasn’t the priority in the people’s minds; they wanted guaranteed protection against their enemies. They wanted someone to judge them and fight their battles; someone they could see and follow. They found trusting an invisible God and obeying His wonderful commandments far too demanding. Do we?  Stay tuned…our education in relating to God and others has just begun!

Are you, like me, growing weary of “they” think and what “they” do around us? Maybe it’s time to quit spending useless time wanting to know more about who “they” are and what they want from us.  Maybe it’s time to take a long, hard, focused look at our King, Jesus who we say is our Savior and Lord!  Who cares what “they” think? What matters is what your Maker thinks!  What matters most is attending to the most important relationship we will ever have and need with humbled thanksgiving for the One who saved us and set us free!  It’s me who is standing in need of the One who loved me first.  It’s me who must realize nothing is hidden from God. God knows all hearts and loves us still.  In fact, “…God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

We will learn later from Samuel more about who God is and how He works.  Samuel seeks God’s will when choosing the next king. God decided on one who others have rejected. “They” will not get their way. Samuel lays God’s truth on them: “The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1Samuel 16:7).

How deeply do we care about fitting in and being like the world? What are the areas of our lives that blend in with those around us and make us feel “less than” holy?  We have full access to the Father for His wisdom, help, and strength!  Let us ask God to give us the courage and conviction to stand apart from “they” who do not.

Lord,

Thank you for telling your story through the life of Samuel who loved you and was born to serve you.  Thank you for his committed heart in relationship to you as our example to follow. Through you, dear Jesus, we have access to the throne to ask for your wisdom.  Because of You, Jesus removing our sins, we now come boldly and confident to you for direction and correction.  May your will be done in my life. May our relationship continue to grow because of your infinite, intimate love for each other.  It’s me who needs you.  It’s You who rescues and delivers me. Thank you, thank you, thank you! You are my King!

In Jesus Name, Amen

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TURNING BACK TO GOD

Posted on June 21, 2025 by randscallawayffm

Come thou Fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace
Streams of mercy, never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise

… Teach me some melodious sonnet
Sung by flaming tongues above
Praise the mount I’m fixed upon it
Mount of God’s redeeming love

… Here I raise my Ebenezer
Here by Thy great help I’ve come
And I hope by Thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home

… Jesus sought me when a stranger
Wandering from the fold of God
He to rescue me from danger
Bought me with His precious blood

… Oh to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be
Let Thy goodness like a fetter
Bind my wandering heart to Thee

… Prone to wander, Lord I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love

… Here’s my heart Lord, take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above

… Here’s my heart Lord, though it’s weakened
Hold me in Your precious arms

This familiar hymn was written by Robert Robinson in 1752 upon his conversion to Christ after hearing George Whitfield preach a powerful sermon about the “wrath to come” with the importance of worshiping and serving God only so we will be ready for Christ’s return.  Now you know the “rest of the story.” I love how God speaks through songwriters. From assigned Temple musicians, through David the famous Psalmist, to now, musicians give us a glimpse of God with a dose of conviction.  Nothing has changed.  Musicians transformed by Jesus still write “some melodious sonnet” as a testimony of their love for God who saved them from their wanderings. 

Knowing Jesus changes us.  Jesus’ redemption reconnects all who believe to God alone, and convicts us to get rid of all that the idols the world has to offer which are fleeting and foolish to cling to for help. Read and watch what happens when God’s people, prone to wander, stop their foolish idol worship and turn wholeheartedly back to God—the God of their salvation who is ready and willing to help! 

“Here I raise my Ebenezer—is the song of Samuel who raised a stone to commemorate the One and Only God who is with us, helps us, and fights our battles for us. Trust in God alone.  Samuel did. The people began to know, truly believe, and trust God because of Samuel’s commitment and example of faith in God alone.

1 Samuel 7

1 So the men of Kiriath Jearim came and took up the ark of the Lord. They brought it to Abinadab’s house on the hill and consecrated Eleazar his son to guard the ark of the Lord. 2 The ark remained at Kiriath Jearim a long time—twenty years in all.

Samuel Subdues the Philistines at Mizpah

Then all the people of Israel turned back to the Lord. 3 So Samuel said to all the Israelites, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” 4 So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the Lord only.

5 Then Samuel said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah, and I will intercede with the Lord for you.” 6 When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the Lord. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.” Now Samuel was serving as leader of Israel at Mizpah.

7 When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. When the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid because of the Philistines. 8 They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. He cried out to the Lord on Israel’s behalf, and the Lord answered him.

10 While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the Lord thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. 11 The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Kar.

12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”

13 So the Philistines were subdued and they stopped invading Israel’s territory. Throughout Samuel’s lifetime, the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines. 14 The towns from Ekron to Gath that the Philistines had captured from Israel were restored to Israel, and Israel delivered the neighboring territory from the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.

15 Samuel continued as Israel’s leader all the days of his life. 16 From year to year he went on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all those places. 17 But he always went back to Ramah, where his home was, and there he also held court for Israel. And he built an altar there to the Lord.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND? YOU DECIDE!

God raised up Samuel from birth to manhood to be His spiritual spokesperson for Israel.  Israel stopped wandering and worshiping the idols of the unbelievers and have turned back to God.  Samuel now advises them IF you are seriously turning to the Lord with all your hearts—commit to serve God only. 

This passage, 1 Samuel 7, provides a good illustration of the results of repentance. Israel’s confession of sin led to the subduing of the Philistines. The end result was peace. When we confess our sins to Jesus, our real enemy is subdued.  The result for us is His peace!  If there is anything Satan hates worse—it’s believers on their knees confessing to Jesus!  So, let’s do that!

Prone to wander, we must daily realize to love God has for us.  We must always remember that our enemy, the Enemy of God, Satan, lost the battle for our souls when Jesus rose from death to life in victory!  Satan cannot win nor will he overcome what Jesus has provided for us: complete forgiveness of sins—all our sins that filled us with shame, forgotten by God—”to be remembered no more”!   Our slate is clean, eternal life secured, when we confess our sins and love God back who first loved us.  His peace and joy floods our souls as we leave the world behind.  Satan cannot take God’s love from us. Satan cannot replace God’s Holy Spirit who comes to live in all who believe and trust Jesus as Savior and Lord.  Our body is His Temple where God’s chooses to reside!  Wow, can I get an amen!? 

Our “Ebenezer” testimony must be raised daily in worship to the One and Only God who saves us and is always with us working on our behalf to help us! God is for us—not against us!  God does not fail. What God says, He does. God does not lie. God’s love for us is everlasting. God has won the battle and also wins the daily skirmishes with evil now and in the end of time on earth.  So, why not, go with God!? There is no one like God!

When we are prone to wander, read and remember what Paul tells believers;

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39

Like Paul, we who are also sinners saved by grace are humbled to our knees!

“When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.” Ephesians 3:14-17, NLT

“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.” John 3:16-17

THIS is my Ebenezer testimony of God who is our Helper.

In Jesus Name, for His glory and for our good, Yes and Amen.

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GIVING BACK TO SAVE THEMSELVES

Posted on June 20, 2025 by randscallawayffm

Afflicted by plagues of rats and tumors, the Philistines returned the ark to Israel. The plagues were like the plagues the Egyptians suffered when they would not bend to God’s command to let His enslaved people go a few centuries earlier.  This miraculous Exodus of God’s People from Egypt was apparently known throughout the world because even the ungodly Philistines knew the story of the God of Israel. 

“You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” James 2:19

The Philistine “spiritual” diviners (magicians) warned their rulers about the God of Israel who was most powerful and the cause of their plagues.  Send it back! And send it with offerings to appease their God, too!  They knew enough to know Israel’s God was greater than their gods.  It is a bit comical that golden rats and tumors were formed to appease our God.  They wanted to send a clear message to God—take away the plague of rats who caused this disease of tumors!

The Holy things of God were held captive by the unholy Philistines. They mocked God by setting the Holy Ark beside Dagon their unholy manmade god. Yesterday, we learned how that worked out for them!  (See 1 Samuel 5)

The Israelites rejoiced to see the Ark of the Covenant come into view.  The Ark was a Holy symbol to remind the Israelites who God is and what He desires of His people. The Covenant was a Holy agreement between God and His people and was safely held inside in the Ark.

1 Samuel 6

The Ark Returned to Israel

When the ark of the Lord had been in Philistine territory seven months, 2 the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the Lord? Tell us how we should send it back to its place.”

3 They answered, “If you return the ark of the god of Israel, do not send it back to him without a gift; by all means send a guilt offering to him. Then you will be healed, and you will know why his hand has not been lifted from you.”

4 The Philistines asked, “What guilt offering should we send to him?”

They replied, “Five gold tumors and five gold rats, according to the number of the Philistine rulers, because the same plague has struck both you and your rulers. 5 Make models of the tumors and of the rats that are destroying the country, and give glory to Israel’s god. Perhaps he will lift his hand from you and your gods and your land. 6 Why do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh did? When Israel’s god dealt harshly with them, did they not send the Israelites out so they could go on their way?

7 “Now then, get a new cart ready, with two cows that have calved and have never been yoked. Hitch the cows to the cart, but take their calves away and pen them up. 8 Take the ark of the Lord and put it on the cart, and in a chest beside it put the gold objects you are sending back to him as a guilt offering. Send it on its way, 9 but keep watching it. If it goes up to its own territory, toward Beth Shemesh, then the Lord has brought this great disaster on us. But if it does not, then we will know that it was not his hand that struck us but that it happened to us by chance.”

10 So they did this. They took two such cows and hitched them to the cart and penned up their calves. 11 They placed the ark of the Lord on the cart and along with it the chest containing the gold rats and the models of the tumors. 12 Then the cows went straight up toward Beth Shemesh, keeping on the road and lowing all the way; they did not turn to the right or to the left. The rulers of the Philistines followed them as far as the border of Beth Shemesh.

13 Now the people of Beth Shemesh were harvesting their wheat in the valley, and when they looked up and saw the ark, they rejoiced at the sight. 14 The cart came to the field of Joshua of Beth Shemesh, and there it stopped beside a large rock. The people chopped up the wood of the cart and sacrificed the cows as a burnt offering to the Lord. 15 The Levites took down the ark of the Lord, together with the chest containing the gold objects, and placed them on the large rock. On that day the people of Beth Shemesh offered burnt offerings and made sacrifices to the Lord. 16 The five rulers of the Philistines saw all this and then returned that same day to Ekron.

17 These are the gold tumors the Philistines sent as a guilt offering to the Lord—one each for Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath and Ekron. 18 And the number of the gold rats was according to the number of Philistine towns belonging to the five rulers—the fortified towns with their country villages. The large rock on which the Levites set the ark of the Lord is a witness to this day in the field of Joshua of Beth Shemesh.

19 But God struck down some of the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh, putting seventy of them to death because they looked into the ark of the Lord. The people mourned because of the heavy blow the Lord had dealt them. 20 And the people of Beth Shemesh asked, “Who can stand in the presence of the Lord, this holy God? To whom will the ark go up from here?”

21 Then they sent messengers to the people of Kiriath Jearim, saying, “The Philistines have returned the ark of the Lord. Come down and take it up to your town.”

1 Samuel 7:1—So the men of Kiriath Jearim came and took up the ark of the Lord. They brought it to Abinadab’s house on the hill and consecrated Eleazar his son to guard the ark of the Lord. 2 The ark remained at Kiriath Jearim a long time—twenty years in all.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

God wins every time, all the time.  Then and now and forever God reigns. God was, is, and always will be God who is above all.  There is nothing on earth or in the heavens that God does not know—even before it happens!  God knows.  While we humans worry and fret; God knows what is troubling us and is at work on our behalf. 

What is our response most often?  “God, could you hurry your work along, I need peace. I need to move on to the next project. I need for this person to cooperate. I need more resources. I need more people to help me get this done” …and the list of our needs that plagues our minds of earthly things are said while God is already at work doing what is best, in His perfect timing, for us until we discover that what we need most is God. We need a faith in God that does not tell Him what to do. We need to love God back with all that is in us. We need to be driven by our love for God that produces immediate, no questions asked, obedience to God.  God is the One and Only who should be our first thought for wisdom, insight and understanding.

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles (nonbelievers) seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” –Jesus, Matthew 6:31-34 (Emphasis mine)

God knows. Trust Him.

Admit it, our first thought is to groan and complain while our faithful Father God does all the heavy lifting to bring us back to focusing on Him and all He has to offer us freely—all the riches of His righteousness!  God uses the unholy things of this world to display His Holy great power, merciful goodness, relentless love, and faithfulness to us.   We were made by God for God, in His own image—no other image—but God’s image.  Until we fully grasp the truth of who God is and truly believe that what He says, has done and will continue to do; His peace alludes us. 

Lord, every hour we need you…

God looks for broken and contrite hearts. (Psalm 51) He is not looking for more sacrifices of our time on more good tasks or more displayed acts of law keeping.  What God truly desires is an intimate, loving relationship with us.  He gave all He had for this relationship!  How do we give? All we are to all of Him.

“God with us,” Emmanel, came down from heaven to prove this truth!  Jesus was part of God who came down, moved into the neighborhood of humanity to “seek and to save the lost”—and we are the lost until we give our lives to Him and ask for forgiveness of our sins.  God forgives and our relationship begins simultaneously.  Oh, what a Savior!

God created humans to love and commune with Him.  Nothing breaks my heart more than to read God’s question after Adam and Eve fell for sin and hid themselves from Him because of doing exactly what God told them not to do. God already knew but asked, “Where are you?”  It was their habit to meet God in the cool of the evening and be with God.  But sin severed their relationship.  But God, faithful in love, mercy and grace made a way for the broken and contrite to come back to Him—through Jesus—the One and Only way back to the Father who restores our relationship with God. 

Something to think about in our passage for today—

The Lord could have withdrawn Himself from His people, but He did not. Instead, He graciously allowed the ark to be led about ten miles to Kirjath Jearim, where it remained in the home of Abinadab. The men of the city consecrated Abinadab’s son Eleazar to guard the ark.  The ark of the covenant represented the presence of the Lord with His people and the rule of the Lord over His people. The Lord had every right to abandon His sinful people, but He graciously remained with them, though not in the special tabernacle He had commanded them to build.

There’s more to come as Samuel becomes God’s spokesperson for Israel! Stay tuned!

Lord,

I love you with all that is in me. Your Word teaches while Your Holy Spirit living in us guides us to truth, the only truth who is You. Thank you for leading us today.  Our relationship with you is most important relationship of our lives—for you are Life!

In Jesus Name, Amen

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HOLY WILL NOT RESIDE WITH UNHOLY

Posted on June 19, 2025 by randscallawayffm

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27

“Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it; shout, O depths of the earth; break forth into singing, O mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and will be glorified in Israel.” Isaiah 44:23 ESV

“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” Colossians 1:17

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Revelation 4:11

God is holy, perfect, and the only one who is good. God is the only One to be praised for it is He who created us, the world, and everything in it!  All our grateful praise must be reserved for all that is Holy—God alone—for there is no one else to be praised but God!

What our loving, compassionate, and merciful God says compels us to do—simply because of who He is—our One and Only Holy God! We are assured that where leads us will always be for our good. When others oppose us because of God in us; God stands with us. As troubles come; God walks with us giving us all we need that will build our faith and resolve in Him. 

Yes, as we praise and follow God, loving Him back with all our hearts, minds, and souls; we declare His glory as we bow before the One who is Holy.  Our Holy God gives us the unique gift to see His glory at work.  Our response is praise! We receive this gift with immediate praise for God because of our love for He who loved us first.

Praise the Lord.

Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
    praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
    praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with timbrel and dancing,
    praise him with the strings and pipe,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
    praise him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.” Psalm 150

When all that is deemed holy by God is placed with all that is unholy; God intervenes.  Holy God will overcome. Always and forever.  Count on it.                                                   

1 Samuel 5

The Ark in Ashdod and Ekron

After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. 2 Then they carried the ark into Dagon’s temple and set it beside Dagon. 3 When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! They took Dagon and put him back in his place. 4 But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained. 5 That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor any others who enter Dagon’s temple at Ashdod step on the threshold.

6 The Lord’s hand was heavy on the people of Ashdod and its vicinity; he brought devastation on them and afflicted them with tumors. 7 When the people of Ashdod saw what was happening, they said, “The ark of the god of Israel must not stay here with us, because his hand is heavy on us and on Dagon our god.” 8 So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and asked them, “What shall we do with the ark of the god of Israel?”

They answered, “Have the ark of the god of Israel moved to Gath.” So they moved the ark of the God of Israel.

9 But after they had moved it, the Lord’s hand was against that city, throwing it into a great panic. He afflicted the people of the city, both young and old, with an outbreak of tumors. 10 So they sent the ark of God to Ekron.

As the ark of God was entering Ekron, the people of Ekron cried out, “They have brought the ark of the god of Israel around to us to kill us and our people.” 11 So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and said, “Send the ark of the god of Israel away; let it go back to its own place, or it will kill us and our people.” For death had filled the city with panic; God’s hand was very heavy on it. 12 Those who did not die were afflicted with tumors, and the outcry of the city went up to heaven.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

At the beginning of the battle, the Philistines were frightened when they heard that the God of Israel was in the camp, but now they were making fun of Him and exalting their own gods. In their mythology, Dagon was the principal god of the Philistines and the father of Baal, the storm god, whose worship brought so much trouble to Israel. 

Israel’s battle leaders decided on their own to bring the Ark of the Covenant, deemed holy by God and placed in holy place, into their battle camp as a good luck charm.  It is then that their worship turned from Holy God to the Ark—the object of their affection and trust.  We may look judgmentally upon this act as such foolishness; however, we fall for this trick of evil when we worship a particular childhood place, book, person, group, lifestyle, or creed.  Things of this world are in constant change; God is Holy and does not change in His faithfulness and love for us.

I heard a believer once remark that a certain church camp where she was first saved held a special place in her heart. We all have good memories of places where God intervened in our lives in ways that began His transformation of us.  But then, she added, “I hope and pray we never change that place (camp) for that it is the only place I feel God’s presence.”  Mm, then I was troubled by her statement.  We then wonder if it is the place or our God we worship? God is with us wherever we go because His Holy Spirit lives in us!  We can so easily be caught up with distractions of unholy worship of objects, people, traditions and procedures in our churches that our focus is shaded from our true and only worship of our Holy God.  Our Enemy knows this about us!  That’s why God desires our complete focus on Him.

When the Philistines captured the ark and arrogantly treated the Lord as though He were just another god, they invited God’s judgment. God vindicated Himself and proved that He was the One who had destroyed the statue of Dagon and had brought affliction to the Philistine people. Nobody could call the eruption of these plagues a mere coincidence.

“You shall have no other gods before me”—God, Exodus 20:3

God is Holy and the Only God to be worshiped. J.I. Packer, Bible theologian, writes;  “the fundamental commandment, first in importance as well as in order, and basic to every other, is ‘You shall have no other gods before me.’ True religion starts with accepting this as one’s rule of life.”

The first commandment sets up the foundation for all the rest. We are to give God our undivided worship, attention, and devotion. The first commandment and second commandment form a strong prohibition against idolatry, the worship of false gods. These commandments were not given because God is arrogant or needy but because He alone is worthy and He alone can actually satisfy the longings of our hearts. We were created to worship the One who made us.

Lord,

Thank you for this lesson that reminds us who you are—all that is Holy. There is no one like you. There is no manmade god or object that deserves our worship. You are God, the One and Only God. I love you with all my heart, mind, and soul.  May Your Holy Spirit lead me to all that is you today.  I am yours.  I am listening.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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WHERE IS GOD?

Posted on June 18, 2025 by randscallawayffm

When we look back on troubles and calamities, it is human nature to evaluate what went wrong. However, in our self-examination we humans explain troubles in ways to gloss over our weaknesses.  We think of good-to-us reasons to explain our defeat.  The thought, “could our moral failure be the cause of defeat” comes much later.  It seems we must exhaust our thinking and come to the end of our abilities and resources of doing life our way before giving up.  When we fail miserably, still our first thought is; “Where is God?” We wonder why our way isn’t working? We are arrogant enough at times in our despair of defeat to ask, “Why isn’t God blessing the plans we made?  We made them in His house!  We’re using His stuff as symbols of our goodness.  And we wonder, where did His glory go? 

At the end of the day, we must ask, “Who left?” God or us? (Mm, it isn’t God!)

God is faithful even when we are not. God is unchangeable, unmovable, and always trustworthy. What God says, He does.  God is God and we are not.  His thoughts and ways are higher than ours. It is foolish to think we have the right way.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.  As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

1 Samuel 4

And Samuel’s word came to all Israel.

The Philistines Capture the Ark

Now the Israelites went out to fight against the Philistines. The Israelites camped at Ebenezer, and the Philistines at Aphek. 2 The Philistines deployed their forces to meet Israel, and as the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand of them on the battlefield. 3 When the soldiers returned to camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the Lord bring defeat on us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Shiloh, so that he may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies.”

4 So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the Lord Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim. And Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

5 When the ark of the Lord’s covenant came into the camp, all Israel raised such a great shout that the ground shook. 6 Hearing the uproar, the Philistines asked, “What’s all this shouting in the Hebrew camp?”

When they learned that the ark of the Lord had come into the camp, 7 the Philistines were afraid. “A god has come into the camp,” they said. “Oh no! Nothing like this has happened before. 8 We’re doomed! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? They are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness. 9 Be strong, Philistines! Be men, or you will be subject to the Hebrews, as they have been to you. Be men, and fight!”

10 So the Philistines fought, and the Israelites were defeated and every man fled to his tent. The slaughter was very great; Israel lost thirty thousand foot soldiers. 11 The ark of God was captured, and Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died.

Death of Eli

12 That same day a Benjamite ran from the battle line and went to Shiloh with his clothes torn and dust on his head. 13 When he arrived, there was Eli sitting on his chair by the side of the road, watching, because his heart feared for the ark of God. When the man entered the town and told what had happened, the whole town sent up a cry.

14 Eli heard the outcry and asked, “What is the meaning of this uproar?”

The man hurried over to Eli, 15 who was ninety-eight years old and whose eyes had failed so that he could not see. 16 He told Eli, “I have just come from the battle line; I fled from it this very day.”

Eli asked, “What happened, my son?”

17 The man who brought the news replied, “Israel fled before the Philistines, and the army has suffered heavy losses. Also your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured.”

18 When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell backward off his chair by the side of the gate. His neck was broken and he died, for he was an old man, and he was heavy. He had led Israel forty years.

19 His daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and near the time of delivery. When she heard the news that the ark of God had been captured and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she went into labor and gave birth, but was overcome by her labor pains. 20 As she was dying, the women attending her said, “Don’t despair; you have given birth to a son.” But she did not respond or pay any attention.

21 She named the boy Ichabod, saying, “The Glory has departed from Israel”—because of the capture of the ark of God and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband. 22 She said, “The Glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

When the Israelites decided, on their own, to take the ark of the covenant from God’s place of worship in Shiloh and use it as their “lucky charm” in battle with the Philistines, they were routed, and the ark was captured. Eli had grown old and lazy in his position.  In despair, he died when he heard that the battle had been lost and his sons killed. The Israelites thought God had abandoned them. However, at the same time, the Philistines endured plagues when they set the ark among their idols!  No, God has not left the building!

May we always remember that God’s power and support for us is not based on a lucky charm or holy object like the ark, but on our constant faithfulness to him.  God’s Word reminds us who God is and who we are not—God!  God is unchanging in his faithfulness and love for us. God does not move away from us; we move away from Him.  Here are a few examples—

  • “Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Psalm 90:1
  • “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” Malachi 3:6
  • “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” Numbers 23:19
  • “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,” Deuteronomy 7:9
  • “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephania 3:17

God does not give up on us when we go our own way and think we can handle life on our own.  In fact, “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,” preaches Paul, saving us from ourselves and our sins. (Romans 5:8) God is faithful even we are not!

Truth: There is nothing that God will not forgive when we come humbly to Him in repentance.  So, we cannot use the gravity of our sins as an excuse, either!  Come to the One and Only whose love is relentless, never-ending, and faithful. It is never God’s desire for anyone to perish but have His offer of eternal life. (2 Peter 3:9) Trust God!

Pause. Take a deep breath, a sigh of relief, in the middle of these thoughts of God.  In the next breath, pause to remember God’s unconditional love, unending mercy, and amazing grace and be glad and rejoice!  Hallelujah! 

God is present, just as He promised!

“I am with you always—even to the end of the age.” –Jesus, (Mattthew 20:28)

God’s Holy Spirit lives in us to guide us to God’s ways and His truth.  We are never alone!

The Israelites worshiped the ark, rather than God himself.

So, what in my life is getting more attention than God Himself?

Lord,

Cleanse my heart, renew my mind with your higher thoughts, refresh my soul with your new mercies for today, and restore the joy of your salvation at work within me.  Fill me with all of you as I give all of me to you as an offering of adoration and praise. You are God—I am not.  I will trust you for you are Life!

In Jesus Name, Amen

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”     —Jesus, Revelation 22:13

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SHH, GOD’S TALKING!

Posted on June 17, 2025 by randscallawayffm

A long time ago there was a commercial that emphasized who to hush and listen to intently with a response to do what this company said concerning our financial investments.  It made such an impact on the populace at that time that the phrase, “Shh, it’s E.F. Hutton, “when he talks, people listen!” was used often in jokes among us.  If a trusted leader, for instance, walked into the room, people were prompted to hush and hear what he/she had to say. “Shh, when he/she talks; people listen,” be quiet!”

Among other beloved mentors in my life, Randy’s dad, my father-in-law was someone I would stop talking long enough to lean in and listen to when he spoke.  Travis was a quiet, Godly man who talked less and listened more.  He was very observant of what was going on around him without others noticing, but I did.  He thought deeply before he spoke.  So, when he spoke, I listened.  His words were concise, brief, and filled with wisdom over criticism.  I loved Travis because he accepted me into his family without judgement but with encouragement for our days ahead in our marriage.

We are drawn to those who are wise, loving, kind, and compassionate.  Why?  Because all these traits come from God who created us in His own image.  When we love and trust God, we will hush and lean in to hear all He has to say with obedient hearts. 

The following passage is a beautiful moment when the boy Samuel is beckoned by God at a time most were not listening to God.  Eli, his mentor taught Samuel to respond to God with; “Here I am, speak Lord for your servant is listening.”

God still speaks and seeks our full focus and attention—what is our response?

1 Samuel 3

The Lord Calls Samuel

The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.

2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel.

Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.

6 Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

“My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”

7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.

8 A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”

Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

11 And the Lord said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle. 12 At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family—from beginning to end. 13 For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons blasphemed God, and he failed to restrain them. 14 Therefore I swore to the house of Eli, ‘The guilt of Eli’s house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.’”

15 Samuel lay down until morning and then opened the doors of the house of the Lord. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision, 16 but Eli called him and said, “Samuel, my son.”

Samuel answered, “Here I am.”

17 “What was it he said to you?” Eli asked. “Do not hide it from me. May God deal with you, be it ever so severely, if you hide from me anything he told you.” 18 So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, “He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.”

19 The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. 21 The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

God’s hand was on Samuel from birth, through his years of adolescence of training by Eli, for God’s purpose and plan in becoming a prophet.  God’s design is for Samuel to speak on His behalf in ways that everyone will stop, listen, with trust what He says through His servant.  Eli has given Samuel that exact right response: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”  Then focused Samul hears all God has to say in silence before Him.  I am reminded of the Psalmist’s words from God; “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46) When God speaks, we must hush and listen!

A prophet is not trusted until what he says happens!  In Samuel’s case; what God said through him happened quickly and concisely.  Eli’s sons committed detestable sins against God, defying all that is holy in sacrifice and worship, in all that God told them to be and do as priests, therefore God dealt with them. Eli’s sons’ hearts were far from God’s heart. They only wanted to profit from their position as priests.

God gives His prophets His power to speak His words.  The prophets of God are called to deliver all that God has to say—the good news and the bad news. Although the boy Samuel was fearful to tell Eli all that God had to say; Eli was wise enough to encourage the boy to tell all regardless.  Eli probably had some idea of what was going to happen to his sons who were out of control.

Contempt, arrogance, and disobedience marked the lives of Eli’s sons. Eli dealt with them poorly by ignoring their sins as he didn’t seem to know what to do or didn’t want to do it. But God did. These major factors contributed to the bleak spiritual climate during Samuel’s childhood. For three centuries no prophet had spoken God’s word until Samuel was chosen.

God honors and wants to use people, such as Samuel, who honor him. But those who arrogantly disobey, such as Eli’s sons, God will judge. God will not fail to keep His promises to His People for our good and His glory.  God is not finished with us, yet. God will finish the work He began in and through us who believe, love, trust, and obey Him wholeheartedly.  God is faithful—even when we are not.  God’s will be done.

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him…” 2 Chronicles 16:9  God knows our hearts!

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 God knows who truly believe and serve Him.

God has created each one of us with purpose! God does not hide His purpose or will from us; He shows us exactly what it is, sometimes in the middle of doing other things, as we serve Him.  Count on it.  When God speaks, stop and listen.

It is God’s delight and desire to be in all the details of our lives.  God use our everyday life to equips us with opportunities to fulfill His purpose while perfecting His will in us as we listen, trust and obey Him.  God wants us to excel in ways that give Him glory so others will know Him, too!  

We can be sure of one thing: God will make us good at something. This is God’s principle expressed through His Son, Jesus who lived, died, and rose again to save us:

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”—Paul to the church, Ephesians 4:11-16

All for God’s glory and His good in and for us!

So, what is our response?  “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.” Trust and obey, for there’s no other way…

Lord,

I just want to linger and listen to you this morning. Focus my thoughts until your desires become mine.  Teach me your Word with how to walk in your ways for you are God. I love you. I am yours. And I am listening.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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