PAUSE TO PRAISE THEN LIVE THE SONG!

Posted on December 7, 2020 by randscallawayffm

We must daily pause in our battles with self and evil to give praises to God for all He has done, is doing and will do.  The battles sometimes distract us from the Lord who is fighting for us.  We might not know what God’s provisions and care, purpose and leading will look like tomorrow or the next day, but we know God.  We know God is worthy of all our pauses to recognize Him for Who He is.  God is I AM, the beginning and the end, alpha and omega, along with His Son who saved us from our sin.  We know He loves us and wants the best for us because of His mighty acts of grace to us. 

So, like David is doing in his psalm today, we join him to pause to praise in the middle of it all.  We take time to realize God, our Father, bends down and listens to our praise and prayers.  We trust that God is always at work.  We have faith knowing that nothing gets by the attention of God.  When we pause to truly realize the depth of His love and greatness of His power over all, we humbly bow down, showing gratitude for our Creator who cares to listen to us! 

We learn from David, in this pause to praise, that we need to stand to sing a new created song to God.  Every time we hear and learn from God, we add another verse to our life-song.  This song includes verses of gratitude for saving our souls, dusting us off when we fell, washing us clean from the world’s dirt.  As we realize what we have in God at a much deeper level, the song becomes more compassionate.  We become more passionate about tenaciously LIVING the song with what we know and have learned from His Word and heard from God through His Holy Spirit living in us!  Yes, we want more and more of God and less and less of ourselves. 

Like David, “I’ll be the poet who sings your glory—and live what I sing every day.”

In Jesus Name, and By His power living in me, Amen.  I believe.

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 61, The Message

A David Psalm

61 1-2 God, listen to me shout,
    bend an ear to my prayer.
When I’m far from anywhere,
    down to my last gasp,
I call out, “Guide me
    up High Rock Mountain!”

3-5 You’ve always given me breathing room,
    a place to get away from it all,
A lifetime pass to your safe-house,
    an open invitation as your guest.
You’ve always taken me seriously, God,
    made me welcome among those who know and love you.

6-8 Let the days of the king add up
    to years and years of good rule.
Set his throne in the full light of God;
    post Steady Love and Good Faith as lookouts,
And I’ll be the poet who sings your glory—
    and live what I sing every day.

TRUTH: “You’ve always taken me seriously, God, made me welcome among those who know and love you.”

Pause to thank God.

Proverb 20:12, The Message

Ears that hear and eyes that see—
    we get our basic equipment from God!

WISDOM:  All we are and all we have comes from God!

Pause to thank God for all He has given to help us sing His song.

Abba Father,

Thank you, thank you, thank you!  Hallowed is Your Name.  May Your Kingdom come and reign supremely in us and all around us.  May Your Will be done in all the details of our lives here on earth as it is in heaven.  Yes, give us this day all you know we need to know.  Lead us not into temptations but draw us closer to you.  Deliver us from all evil and evil’s schemes to snatch us away.  We know you can and we know you will.  Thank you for fighting all our battles, growing our minds, loving us deeply and settling our souls with your perfect peace.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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SURPRISE ATTACKS

Posted on December 5, 2020 by randscallawayffm

It happens to all of us.  It happens among friends and family members.  It happens in God’s church, that group of people, collectively, that you thought you could trust.  Surprise!  An attack on your character, your teaching, and on your own family for good measure, surprises you from behind the scenes.  What just happened here?  Why the attack?  And why find out through the gossip mill that finally made its way to you?  That compounds the hurt!  Surprise attacks are painful down to the core of our being. 

What is the best action to take?  Call on God.  Sounds simplistic, I know, but HE is the One and Only to be trusted.  With God all things are possible.  With God is true victory over the evil one who is at war with God.  Our enemy is limited for the only tool he has is to drive a wedge of hurt among his people with deception.  Evil uses deception in all forms and assumptions of character by planting seeds of doubt.  His goal is to demolish the relationships of family members and friends.  His ultimate goal is to destroy God’s church established by His Son, Jesus Christ by attacking each family in the church.  Those reconciled to God through Jesus are under constant, immediate attack.  The best line of defense is to not be surprised with it happens and be prepared for the battle.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”  Ephesians 6:12-13 ESV

David had a surprise attack from the enemy to the south while he was fighting diligently in the north.  He sent his best men to win the victory over the enemy.  But first, David  called on God with immediate honesty, passionately asking for His help.  This “surprise attack” was of no surprise to God.  David’s faith is seen at the end of his request, “In God we’ll do our very best; he’ll flatten the opposition for good.”  David knows that God is with him to the end.  In David’s heart, faith was conquering fear.

David didn’t trust in himself or in his capable officers or his valiant soldiers (v. 11). He trusted fully in the Lord, and the Lord honored his faith. The enemy would be completely defeated.  David looked forward as a leader, not backward.  He encouraged those who fought with him with his extreme faith in God as the ultimate Victor.

All of our attacks, sudden unforeseen changes in our lives, loss of friends or family relationships, are of no surprise to God today.  Go to God for help.  Run to God for the victory over doubt.  We will find He is already at work on our behalf.  Let His Holy Spirit settle our minds with peace in and through each battle for our souls.  No regrets when we do!

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 60, The Message

A David Psalm, When He Fought Against Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah and Joab Killed Twelve Thousand Edomites at the Valley of Salt

60 1-2 God! you walked off and left us,
    kicked our defenses to bits
And stalked off angry.
    Come back. Oh please, come back!

You shook earth to the foundations,
    ripped open huge crevasses.
Heal the breaks! Everything’s
    coming apart at the seams.

3-5 You made your people look doom in the face,
    then gave us cheap wine to drown our troubles.
Then you planted a flag to rally your people,
    an unfurled flag to look to for courage.
Now do something quickly, answer right now,
    so the one you love best is saved.

6-8 That’s when God spoke in holy splendor,
    “Bursting with joy,
I make a present of Shechem,
    I hand out Succoth Valley as a gift.
Gilead’s in my pocket,
    to say nothing of Manasseh.
Ephraim’s my hard hat,
    Judah my hammer;
Moab’s a scrub bucket,
    I mop the floor with Moab,
Spit on Edom,
    rain fireworks all over Philistia.”

9-10 Who will take me to the thick of the fight?
    Who’ll show me the road to Edom?
You aren’t giving up on us, are you, God?
    refusing to go out with our troops?

11-12 Give us help for the hard task;
    human help is worthless.
In God we’ll do our very best;
    he’ll flatten the opposition for good.

TRUTH:  In God we’ll do our very best.  God will fight our battles.

Proverb 20:6-9, The Message

Lots of people claim to be loyal and loving,
    but where on earth can you find one?

7 God-loyal people, living honest lives,
    make it much easier for their children.

8-9 Leaders who know their business and care
    keep a sharp eye out for the shoddy and cheap,
For who among us can be trusted
    to be always diligent and honest?

WISDOM:  Keep a sharp eye out for who can be trusted!  God will help us to see integrity in others if we ask Him.

Abba Father,

When the surprise attacks come, as they have and always will, may we immediately run to you for help.  May our surprise attack be a lesson in living expectantly, faithfully knowing that you are with us always.  Continue to grow your character traits in us.  Change me.  Transform me to be all you created me to be.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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GOD SHOWS UP AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME

Posted on December 4, 2020 by randscallawayffm

As we read the stories about God delivering His people over centuries of time since the very beginning of creation, we learn that He is God and we are not.  God’s love has never changed and will not change.  God’s love and care of His people is eternal.  His love never stops, never changes and never gives up on us!  Since the sin decision of Adam and Eve, our imperfect world, challenges our walk with God every day. 

This daily battle is led by the Prince of Darkness, the fallen angel thrown out of heave because he wanted to be God and take charge.  Satan is tenaciously bent on snatching us away from the One who loves us most—God.  But his powers are limited.  He uses shiny objects of pride, ego and greed as a few of his distracting tricks to take our focus from God to ourselves.  Once we focus on self, the attack becomes stronger still to destroy who we are as children of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Saul is a fallen child of God who seeks to destroy David who has now been called of God and anointed by Samuel, God’s priest, to lead the nation of Israel.  Saul’s pride, ego and greed has affected his mental state leading him to a hunger for the murder of David.  Saul is now the enemy of David.  The Spirit of God has left Saul because for Saul, life is all about Saul and has nothing to do with God.  This is the back story of David’s song today. 

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 59, The Message

A David Psalm, When Saul Set a Watch on David’s House in Order to Kill Him

1-2 My God! Rescue me from my enemies,
    defend me from these mutineers.
Rescue me from their dirty tricks,
    save me from their hit men.

3-4 Desperadoes have ganged up on me,
    they’re hiding in ambush for me.
I did nothing to deserve this, God,
    crossed no one, wronged no one.
All the same, they’re after me,
    determined to get me.

4-5 Wake up and see for yourself! You’re God,
    God-of-Angel-Armies, Israel’s God!
Get on the job and take care of these pagans,
    don’t be soft on these hard cases.

6-7 They return when the sun goes down,
    They howl like coyotes, ringing the city.
    Then suddenly they’re all at the gate,
    Snarling invective, drawn daggers in their teeth.
    They think they’ll never get caught.

8-10 But you, God, break out laughing;
    you treat the godless nations like jokes.
Strong God, I’m watching you do it,
    I can always count on you.
God in dependable love shows up on time,
    shows me my enemies in ruin.

11-13 Don’t make quick work of them, God,
    lest my people forget.
Bring them down in slow motion,
    take them apart piece by piece.
Let all their mean-mouthed arrogance
    catch up with them,
Catch them out and bring them down
    —every muttered curse
    —every barefaced lie.
Finish them off in fine style!
    Finish them off for good!
Then all the world will see
    that God rules well in Jacob,
    everywhere that God’s in charge.

14-15 They return when the sun goes down,
    They howl like coyotes, ringing the city.
    They scavenge for bones,
    And bite the hand that feeds them.

16-17 And me? I’m singing your prowess,
    shouting at cockcrow your largesse,
For you’ve been a safe place for me,
    a good place to hide.
Strong God, I’m watching you do it,
    I can always count on you—
    God, my dependable love.

TRUTH:  God shows up to protect those who love Him.  “I can always count on you”, says David.  We can, too!  God shows up at just the right time.  God knows the time and place to show up.  God knows exactly what we need and when we need it.  We who really believe that God is really real and loves us more than we can imagine can count on this truth!  “God, my dependable love.”

Proverb 20, The Message

Deep Water in the Heart

Wine makes you mean, beer makes you quarrelsome—
    a staggering drunk is not much fun.

2 Quick-tempered leaders are like mad dogs—
    cross them and they bite your head off.

3 It’s a mark of good character to avert quarrels,
    but fools love to pick fights.

4 A farmer too lazy to plant in the spring
    has nothing to harvest in the fall.

5 Knowing what is right is like deep water in the heart;
    a wise person draws from the well within.

WISDOM: “Knowing what is right is like deep water in the heart; a wise person draws from the well within.”  Jesus said, “whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14, NIV 

Jesus is our well of wisdom within to draw real, eternal life.  Jesus has the solutions to all of life’s problems.  “Ask God for wisdom”, says James, and He will give it. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5, NIV

Abba Father,

We are so easily distracted by life stuff.  If we pause to settle too long on things of this world, we lose track of You and Your best for us.  I repent of lingering where my thoughts and actions should not be.  Like David prays, “Cast me not away from Your Presence, Oh Lord, but restore the joy of YOUR salvation in me. Renew a right Spirit in me.”  Cleanse my heart, mind and soul.  Make me holy before you.  Help me to hear YOUR voice above all other voices.  Keep me focused on You, first and only.  I love you, Lord with all that is in me.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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TELL US HOW YOU REALLY FEEL, DAVID!

Posted on December 3, 2020 by randscallawayffm

David is angry as he writes this next song to sing.  This is not a sweet ballad, it is a story of righteous frustration over people who continually lie to him and to God’s people.  It is a righteous anger.  Knowing the back story explains why he is so upset.  Saul’s heart has turned against God.  Lawlessness has set in.  Those in charge left God’s principles and Law in the dust to pursue their own desires along with the pursuit of power. 

During David’s exile years, Saul led the nation down a path of political and spiritual ruin as he disobeyed God’s law and opposed God’s anointed king. Saul was surrounded by a group of fawning flatterers who fed his ego and catered to his foolish whims (1 Sam. 22:6ff.), and he put into places of authority people who used their offices for personal gain and not for the national good. I’m not saying politicians do that today, but I’m not saying they don’t either.

It is frustrating when the leaders who govern us and say they will uphold the law before we elect them and then once in power, ignore their promises and claims to work for the good of all.  The prophets often preached against the lawlessness of the leaders in Israel (Isa. 1:23-28; 5:22-25; 10:1-4; Amos 5:7-13; Mic. 3:1-4, 9-12; 7:1-6). Certainly nations, corporations, and even churches today need to take this kind of leadership crisis seriously.  We cannot see the heart of man like God can, but we can pray to God for guidance and discernment to avoid evil in men and women who aspire to lead.

David tells us what look for and be aware in those who lead. These unjust judges in Saul court were liars. Their words were like venom that poisoned society instead of like medicine that brought health. David compared them to snakes and lions, both of which are images of the Devil ( 2 Cor. 11:3; 1 Peter 5:8). David cries out to God because He knows God vindicates Himself, His law, and His people; and He does it justly. So effective is His judgment that outsiders will say, “Surely there is a God who judges on earth” (v. 11 nasb).

God wins in the end when all is said and done.  Wait on the Lord. 

Worship and Wisdom, Psalm and Proverbs

Psalm 58, The Message

A David Psalm

1-2 Is this any way to run a country?
    Is there an honest politician in the house?
Behind the scenes you brew cauldrons of evil,
    behind closed doors you make deals with demons.

3-5 The wicked crawl from the wrong side of the cradle;
    their first words out of the womb are lies.
Poison, lethal rattlesnake poison,
    drips from their forked tongues—
Deaf to threats, deaf to charm,
    decades of wax built up in their ears.

6-9 God, smash their teeth to bits,
    leave them toothless tigers.
Let their lives be buckets of water spilled,
    all that’s left, a damp stain in the sand.
Let them be trampled grass
    worn smooth by the traffic.
Let them dissolve into snail slime,
    be a miscarried fetus that never sees sunlight.
Before what they cook up is half-done, God,
    throw it out with the garbage!

10-11 The righteous will call up their friends
    when they see the wicked get their reward,
Serve up their blood in goblets
    as they toast one another,
Everyone cheering, “It’s worth it to play by the rules!
    God’s handing out trophies and tending the earth!”

TRUTH: “It’s worth it to play by the rules.”  Even when leaders or others around us do not, we need to stay strong, focused and rely on God’s help through it all.  He wins every time.  Most times, God allows some liars and deceivers enough “rope to hang themselves”.  We reap what we sow, as Jesus told his followers.

What we learn…Leave the judgment and revenge to God.  David had a chance to kill Saul in his sleep but he did not.  David had enough respect for the law and for the leader that he waited and let God take care of Saul.  God did.  See 1 Samuel 24!

Proverb 19:22-29, The Message

It’s only human to want to make a buck,
    but it’s better to be poor than a liar.

23 Fear-of-God is life itself,
    a full life, and serene—no nasty surprises.

24 Some people dig a fork into the pie
    but are too lazy to raise it to their mouth.

25 Punish the insolent—make an example of them.
    Who knows? Somebody might learn a good lesson.

26 Kids who lash out against their parents
    are an embarrassment and disgrace.

27 If you quit listening, dear child, and strike off on your own,
    you’ll soon be out of your depth.

28 An unprincipled witness desecrates justice;
    the mouths of the wicked spew malice.

29 The irreverent have to learn reverence the hard way;
    only a slap in the face brings fools to attention.

WISDOM:  It’s better to be poor than to be a liar.  Fear-of-God (awe and reverence) is Life!  Be a leader of integrity, continually seeking God and maturing in His characteristics.  Be a follower who loves like Jesus loves us. 

Abba Father,

Thank you for your wisdom that gives Life as well as skills for living.  Thank you for the lessons learned in David’s backstory.  Thank you for your Word that teaches us how to live.  You didn’t leave us on our own after saving us.  Your love goes even deeper than that!  You gave us Your Word to help us live in ways that are for our good and declare your glory.  I am eternally grateful.  I haven’t arrived but I know the path to where I’m going.  Thank you for Lighting the way to all that is right and good.  Help me this day to stay focused on that path that leads to Life forever with You!

In Jesus Name, Amen

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THE CAVE OF ISOLATION

Posted on December 2, 2020 by randscallawayffm

Isolation from the world, from your normal routines, from the freedom to do what you want when you want and go wherever you need to go is undesirable.  The minute we are told we cannot do something or have something we then want IT with all that is in us.  We humans who fall back on selfishness in these times seem weirdly wired at those times.  Our social behavior is jaded by isolation, too.  We post sarcastic memes that we laugh at but it doesn’t really help the situation of loneliness and left to our devices…or vices.  What if we turned this isolation time into productive ministry, using all the tech the world has to offer to help people find and follow Jesus who loved us enough to die for us?  What if our isolation turned to praise and thanksgiving with expectancy to see what God will do through it all? 

And, what if, we figured out that this isolation time might be ordained to be “such a time as this” that God will use to explode His love, grace, mercy in the lives of those who never knew Him before the pandemic, the earthquakes, the hurricanes, the tornadoes, and other calamities of this life here?  Mm…

David is hiding out, isolated in a cave from Saul who is trying to kill him. Saul is his personal “virus” he is trying to avoid at all costs because death is the only thing on Saul’s mind.  Maybe our crying out loud prayer should be like David’s prayer while peering out from his cave-home, “Cover the whole earth with your glory!”  Yes, Lord may YOUR glory, power and majesty be seen through all that happens here on earth.  That is my prayer this morning, that no matter what happens, may God’s glory be seen and souls come to Jesus through it all.

We can learn what to pray and praise from David’s song…

“I call out to High God, the God who holds me together.”

“I’m thanking you, God, out loud in the streets, singing your praises in town and country. The deeper your love, the higher it goes; every cloud is a flag to your faithfulness.”

YES!  Praise God from whom ALL blessing flow…great is God’s faithfulness!

Let’s think more about praising God and encouraging His people and avoid the pouting.  Let’s stop whining, “When will this be over?” 

Ask instead, “What can I do that will help others through it, Lord?” 

“What do you want from me today, Lord? 

Then be ready to shout your praises out loud!  Be ready to listen, hear, and obey.

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 57, The Message

A David Psalm, When He Hid in a Cave from Saul

1-3 Be good to me, God—and now!
    I’ve run to you for dear life.
I’m hiding out under your wings
    until the hurricane blows over.
I call out to High God,
    the God who holds me together.
He sends orders from heaven and saves me,
    he humiliates those who kick me around.
God delivers generous love,
    he makes good on his word.

4 I find myself in a pride of lions
    who are wild for a taste of human flesh;
Their teeth are lances and arrows,
    their tongues are sharp daggers.

5 Soar high in the skies, O God!
    Cover the whole earth with your glory!

6 They booby-trapped my path;
    I thought I was dead and done for.
They dug a mantrap to catch me,
    and fell in headlong themselves.

7-8 I’m ready, God, so ready,
    ready from head to toe,
Ready to sing, ready to raise a tune:
    “Wake up, soul!
Wake up, harp! wake up, lute!
    Wake up, you sleepyhead sun!”

9-10 I’m thanking you, God, out loud in the streets,
    singing your praises in town and country.
The deeper your love, the higher it goes;
    every cloud is a flag to your faithfulness.

11 Soar high in the skies, O God!
    Cover the whole earth with your glory!

TRUTH: “The deeper your love, the higher it goes!”  Great and forever is God’s faithfulness!

Proverb 19:20-21, The Message

Take good counsel and accept correction—
    that’s the way to live wisely and well.

21 We humans keep brainstorming options and plans,
    but God’s purpose prevails.

WISDOM:  We make plans but God decides.  Go with the flow of God’s rhythm of grace.  He sees what we do not and cannot.  Listen to God; for what we do know is that God wants the best for us, provides for all our needs, and tenaciously and meticulously works good out of bad situations.

Abba Father,

There is NO ONE like you!  Great are you, Lord!  You know all because you created all.  You are the Master Designer of the universe who knows how all things fit together for our good.  You are our Savior who knew before the beginning of time that we would need to be saved.  You are our ever-present help when we are hiding out from trouble.  You are our Guide through good times and bad.  You are our navigator of rough waters, torrid relationships and other troubling challenges in this imperfect world.  You are the One and Only for me.  You are perfect.  Your ways are perfect.  Why would I trust anyone else?  Thank you for all you have done, are doing and will do in my life.  May your glory cover the whole earth today and be seen by all who need you.  Show me my part and I will obey.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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TAKE MY SIDE, GOD!

Posted on December 1, 2020 by randscallawayffm

Breaking News:  Not everyone will believe in Jesus and agree with God, the Father. 

Not everyone will see life God’s way.  Not everyone will hear God and want to follow in His ways.  As believers, we need to know this and be expectant of those who will not believe with you.  Be ready for those who will oppose the Jesus in you.  For if we are expectantly ready, armed, as Paul writes to the church in Ephesus, we will prevail without losing ground in our growing and maturing, developing the characteristics of God in our walk with God. 

“…be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 

14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” 

Ephesians 6:10-18, NIV

Our daily battle with evil belongs to the Lord!  Notice the verbs in Ephesians that tell us our part in this battle;

Be strong

Put on God, wear God’s best fit armor, proclaim God

Stand your ground, God’s grounded belief and behavior

Stand firm—in Truth who is the Person of Jesus.

Put on right ways of behavior.

Be ready to proclaim the Good News of peace!

Take up the shield of faith that deflects the arrows of hate, gossip, divisiveness and unrighteousness that evil will throw at us.

Cover your head with salvation from Jesus, the One who died for you and won this battle for you.  Develop the mind of Christ.

Take on (lift up) the Sword, God Word, God’s Holy Spirit Handbook for winning the war with evil, not stabbing at others who do not yet know God.  Lift up this “sword” as Truth.

And the greatest battlefield strategy of all—PRAY!  The battle is the Lord’s! 

Nowhere in Paul’s God-inspired strategy does it say to attack at all costs!   

Yes, God’s Word prepares us for this battle between God and evil.  Every Bible hero had to face the opposition.  Every believer in the early church faced opposition along with daily persecution from the government AND the religious elite who crucified Jesus. 

What is important for us is to know God, know our true enemy, Satan, know ourselves and know God Message (His Word).  Our battles are the Lord’s as David pointed out when he fought Goliath in his youth.  Now David is being persecuted for being God’s Person for His people.  David is captured, kicked around, spit on, mocked and thrown into jail–like Jesus, our Redeemer!  Stop and think about that for as long as it takes to sink in. David writes as if he knew Jesus would suffer in the same ways.  

However, Jesus, sent by God, took on all the sins of the world and settled our sin account once and for all.  In this condition, God could not face His Son until the work was finished.  When Jesus cried out, “It is finished” from the cross, the battle was over.  Our debts paid in full.  After going to hell and back, defeating death, rising to Life forevermore, the battle was won.  But evil did not give up.  Evil still throws his limited evil schemes at us.  But Jesus, by the gift of His Holy Spirit living in us, makes us more than conquerors in our daily battles with evil.  Yes, the battle belongs to the Lord.  We pray.  God conquers.  Jesus knows just what we need in our daily battle.  I read the final pages of His Word—we win in the end.  So stand firm, In Jesus Name.

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 56, The Message

A David Psalm, When He Was Captured by the Philistines in Gath

1-4 Take my side, God—I’m getting kicked around,
    stomped on every day.
Not a day goes by
    but somebody beats me up;
They make it their duty
    to beat me up.
When I get really afraid
    I come to you in trust.
I’m proud to praise God;
    fearless now, I trust in God.
    What can mere mortals do?

5-6 They don’t let up—
    they smear my reputation
    and huddle to plot my collapse.
They gang up,
    sneak together through the alleys
To take me by surprise,
    wait their chance to get me.

7 Pay them back in evil!
    Get angry, God!
    Down with these people!

8 You’ve kept track of my every toss and turn
    through the sleepless nights,
Each tear entered in your ledger,
    each ache written in your book.

9 If my enemies run away,
    turn tail when I yell at them,
Then I’ll know
    that God is on my side.

10-11 I’m proud to praise God,
    proud to praise God.
Fearless now, I trust in God;
    what can mere mortals do to me?

12-13 God, you did everything you promised,
    and I’m thanking you with all my heart.
You pulled me from the brink of death,
    my feet from the cliff-edge of doom.
Now I stroll at leisure with God
    in the sunlit fields of life.

TRUTH:  God keeps his promises.  Our confidence is in Him.  Trust in God.  In good times and treacherous times…trust God.  All battles with evil belong to the Lord.  God so loved us; He sent His Son to save us.  

Proverb 19:17-19, The Message

Mercy to the needy is a loan to God,
    and God pays back those loans in full.

18 Discipline your children while you still have the chance;
    indulging them destroys them.

19 Let angry people endure the backlash of their own anger;
    if you try to make it better, you’ll only make it worse.

WISDOM:  God is merciful, loving and kind.  Leave paybacks to God.  We can’t handle revenge, it will only boomerang back and make life worse.  God knows.  Leave the battle to God.

Abba Father,

What a glorious day that will be when the final battle with evil is fought and we see the victory in Jesus for the last time!  Our daily battles do not compare with what you did for us.  We are mere mortals but you are the King of kings and Lord of lords who wins every battle we face.  Thank you for this armor of thinking, being and behaving today.  Thank you for always being at our side, in front of us and behind us in battle.  You are God and we are not.  We pray.  You conquer. 

In Jesus Name, Amen!

And we’re singing…

“The God of angel armies is always by my side!”

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“I SHUDDER AT THE MEAN VOICE”

Posted on November 30, 2020 by randscallawayffm

The pandemic has revealed the true colors of integrity, faith, kindness, gentleness, degrees of anger brought on by the selfishness in all of us.  When our lives are suddenly turned upside down, our routines disrupted and our independence temporarily hindered, we humans push back.  Even though people are dying all around us, (physically and spiritually), we don’t like being told what to do or when and where to do it.  We especially don’t like taking our precioius time to think about how to live life differently so we can cope and adjust to change.  No, we demand everything to be “as it was”, good or bad.  We want to live life on our terms and no one else’s. Anger sets in and takes up residence.

When anger over disappointments in life builds up over time, the result is a growing cancerous virus of bitterness.  One of the symptoms of COVID is the loss of taste.  Anger and bitterness will shade our taste for life, our gratitude for what is and will take away our peace.  Anger comes from fear and previous hurts unresolved and unforgiven.  We fear another hurt so we live expecting hurt.  When we expect hurt, we will get it because what we “sow, we reap” even in our minds.   We begin to think everyone is out to “get us” and wants us to fail.  So, it becomes easy to blame everyone and every situation for our failure.  We become paranoid and live in a state of unrest.  When we are discouraged, fearful and hurt, we begin to hurt others because our thought processes rely only on a negative narrative.  We think the worst, not the best of others while judging their thoughts presumptuously.  

Guess what?  God knows and He is used to this rebellious behavior.  He hears our anger when times get rough.  He grieves over our bitterness and unrest.  Sometimes He waits for us to get the anger out of our systems in our shouting and complaining before come to our aid.  Only when we become humble before Him, ready to listen, willing to trust will God speak.  David knows how to come to God.  He writes our next psalm to illustrate the character of God.

When God is silent, it doesn’t mean He isn’t there.

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 55, The Message

A David Psalm

1-3 Open your ears, God, to my prayer;
    don’t pretend you don’t hear me knocking.
Come close and whisper your answer.
    I really need you.
I shudder at the mean voice,
    quail before the evil eye,
As they pile on the guilt,
    stockpile angry slander.

4-8 My insides are turned inside out;
    specters of death have me down.
I shake with fear,
    I shudder from head to foot.
“Who will give me wings,” I ask—
    “wings like a dove?”
Get me out of here on dove wings;
    I want some peace and quiet.
I want a walk in the country,
    I want a cabin in the woods.
I’m desperate for a change
    from rage and stormy weather.

9-11 Come down hard, Lord—slit their tongues.
    I’m appalled how they’ve split the city
Into rival gangs
    prowling the alleys
Day and night spoiling for a fight,
    trash piled in the streets,
Even shopkeepers gouging and cheating
    in broad daylight.

12-14 This isn’t the neighborhood bully
    mocking me—I could take that.
This isn’t a foreign devil spitting
    invective—I could tune that out.
It’s you! We grew up together!
    You! My best friend!
Those long hours of leisure as we walked
    arm in arm, God a third party to our conversation.

15 Haul my betrayers off alive to hell—let them
    experience the horror, let them
    feel every desolate detail of a damned life.

16-19 I call to God;
    God will help me.
At dusk, dawn, and noon I sigh
    deep sighs—he hears, he rescues.
My life is well and whole, secure
    in the middle of danger
Even while thousands
    are lined up against me.
God hears it all, and from his judge’s bench
    puts them in their place.
But, set in their ways, they won’t change;
    they pay him no mind.

20-21 And this, my best friend, betrayed his best friends;
    his life betrayed his word.
All my life I’ve been charmed by his speech,
    never dreaming he’d turn on me.
His words, which were music to my ears,
    turned to daggers in my heart.

22-23 Pile your troubles on God’s shoulders—
    he’ll carry your load, he’ll help you out.
He’ll never let good people
    topple into ruin.
But you, God, will throw the others
    into a muddy bog,
Cut the lifespan of assassins
    and traitors in half.

And I trust in you.

TRUTH: “Pile your troubles on God’s shoulders—he’ll carry your load, he’ll help you out.  David has been betrayed by his best friend and advisor.  The anger and hurt is very hard to bear.  He needs God to help him.  He “shudders at the mean voice” of hurt and betrayal.  He humbles himself before God in complete trust.  And God is there. 

David reveals four possible approaches to handling the painful problems and battles of life; We can look within at our own feelings, look beyond to run for safe refuge, look only at the circumstances, OR, look to God and trust Him.

What will you choose?

Proverb 19:9-12, The Message

The person who tells lies gets caught;
    the person who spreads rumors is ruined.

10 Blockheads shouldn’t live on easy street
    any more than workers should give orders to their boss.

11 Smart people know how to hold their tongue;
    their grandeur is to forgive and forget.

12 Mean-tempered leaders are like mad dogs;
    the good-natured are like fresh morning dew.

WISDOM:  Smart people know how to hold their tongue; their grandeur is to forgive and forget.

Abba Father,

Our feelings get out of control when we react and respond to changes in negative ways without first coming to you for help.  So, here we are humbly asking for Your help.  Nothing is impossible with You.  Nothing goes unnoticed by you.  We need you every hour.  Every hour of every day we need you.  My faith and trust are in you.  My life is in you.  My hope lies in you alone.  Thank you for always being there for me.  “Yet, will I praise you” in good times and bad.  Help us to adjust and grow in your character in challenging times knowing you are always there to help us through it all.  Thank you, Lord.

In Jesus Name, Amen

*The “mean voice” is the voice of evil and his army.  Let us avoid being the voice for evil.  Be the mouthpiece for God’s voice!

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PANIC TO PRAISE IN AN INSTANT!

Posted on November 28, 2020 by randscallawayffm

Emily Litella is a fictional character created and performed by comedian, Gilda Radner in a series of appearances on Saturday Night Live.  Based on a person in her early life, Emily Litella was a popular character in Radner’s comedy repertoire.

Emily Litella is an elderly woman with a hearing problem.   Attired in a frumpy dress, sweater, wearing low to the nose eyeglasses, Litella was introduced with professional dignity by the news anchors, who could sometimes be seen cringing slightly in anticipation of the rebuttal they knew would follow. These sketches were, in part, a parody of the Fairness Doctrine, which at the time required broadcasters in the United States to present opposing viewpoints on public issues.

Litella would peer through her reading glasses and, in the character’s high-pitched, warbly voice, would read a prepared statement in opposition to an editorial that the TV station had supposedly broadcast. Litella would become increasingly agitated as her statement progressed. Midway in her commentary, it became apparent to the anchor, and the audience, that Litella had misheard or misunderstood the subject of the editorial to which she was responding. A typical example:

What is all this fuss I hear about the Supreme Court decision on a “deaf” penalty? It’s terrible! Deaf people have enough problems as it is!

The news anchor would interrupt Litella to point out her error, along the lines, “That’s death penalty, Ms. Litella, not deaf … death.” Litella would wrinkle her nose, say something like, “Oh, that’s very different,” then meekly turn to the camera and say, smiling, “Never mind!”

I have used “never mind” as a backup to my repertoire when I completely misread a situation in my life.  I have even said it to God when I totally didn’t get life as it was presented.  When I thought God had left me to fend for myself, He came to my aid, already at work on the problem before I asked for a solution. 

This Psalms reminds of a “never mind” moment in David’s life. It makes me smile to read it this morning knowing I have done the same thing…human panic first, then praise!  This little panic is brought on by our inborn “flight or fight” makeup that helps us evaluate quickly the danger that appears suddenly.  To linger in panic is unhealthy.  God also created a place in our souls for Him.  When panic brings us running to Him for help immediately, that is a very wise, healthy place to be.

“Oh, look! God’s right here helping!  God’s on my side”…Never mind!  God was there all the time.  Thank you, God!!

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 54, The Message

A David Psalm, When the Ziphites Reported to Saul, “David Is Hiding Out with Us”

54 1-2 God, for your sake, help me!
    Use your influence to clear me.
Listen, God—I’m desperate.
    Don’t be too busy to hear me.

3 Outlaws are out to get me,
    hit men are trying to kill me.
Nothing will stop them;
    God means nothing to them.

4-5 Oh, look! God’s right here helping!
    God’s on my side,
Evil is looping back on my enemies.
    Don’t let up! Finish them off!

6-7 I’m ready now to worship, so ready.
    I thank you, God—you’re so good.
You got me out of every scrape,
    and I saw my enemies get it.

TRUTH:  We are human.  We panic first then discover quickly that God was there all along.  “I thank you, God—you’re so good.  You got me out of every scrape…”

Proverb 19:7-8, The Message

When you’re down on your luck, even your family avoids you—
    yes, even your best friends wish you’d get lost.
If they see you coming, they look the other way—
    out of sight, out of mind.

8 Grow a wise heart—you’ll do yourself a favor;
    keep a clear head—you’ll find a good life.

WISDOM:  When danger appears suddenly, “keep a clear head—you’ll find a good life.”  God is there helping us when we need it most.  Count on it.  Great is His faithfulness!

Abba Father,

Thank you for your loving kindness and the calm you bring us in our panic.  Thank you for Your Holy Presence that goes before us, stands with us and follows behind us with protection.  Thank you for leading us and never leaving us when we are overwhelmed or the challenge is too great, at first.  Thank you for defeating our real foe that feeds on our panic.  Thank you for your gift of peace, no matter what is going on around us.  Sweet peace, the gift of Your love.  Continue to teach and transform me. 

In Jesus Name, Amen

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STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES

Posted on November 27, 2020 by randscallawayffm

Forrest Gump is a 1994 film about a mentally challenged man’s epic journey through life, meeting historical figures, influencing popular culture, and experiencing first-hand historical incidents while largely unaware of their significance.  Forrest Gump was not stupid.  The quotes are still recognized as simple yet profound to the world. 

“My mama always said, ‘Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” – Forrest

“You have to do the best with what God gave you.” – Mrs. Gump

“Have you found Jesus yet, Gump? – Lieutenant Daniel Taylor

“I didn’t know I was supposed to be looking for him, sir.” – Forrest

“Stupid is as stupid does.” –Forrest

This iconic film presents life lived unredeemed and completely on your own.  God is only “out there somewhere”.  We do stupid things in this life when we try to live life without the Creator of all, who is in all, and above all.  “The fool says in his heart, there is no God”, says the Psalmist, David.  Without God, we do stupid things.  I done my fair share.  With God, we see a new perspective on life.  With God we have wisdom to make better choices.  With God we learn from our mistakes.  With God, we learn how to love unconditionally like He loves.  With God, we are saved and made whole through Jesus, His Son.  With God’s Holy Spirit, we have help to live life expectantly, skillfully, peacefully, and courageously.  A fool lives life without God. 

“God is looking for someone who is not stupid–one man, even, God-expectant, just one God-ready woman.”  Is that you?  Is that me?

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

A David Psalm

1-2 Bilious and bloated, they gas,
    “God is gone.”
It’s poison gas—
    they foul themselves, they poison
Rivers and skies;
    thistles are their cash crop.
God sticks his head out of heaven.
    He looks around.
He’s looking for someone not stupid—
one man, even, God-expectant,
    just one God-ready woman.

3 He comes up empty. A string
    of zeros. Useless, unshepherded
Sheep, taking turns pretending
    to be Shepherd.
The ninety and nine
    follow the one.

4 Don’t they know anything,
    all these impostors?
Don’t they know
    they can’t get away with this,
Treating people like a fast-food meal
    over which they’re too busy to pray?

5 Night is coming for them, and nightmare—
    a nightmare they’ll never wake up from.
God will make hash of these squatters,
    send them packing for good.

6 Is there anyone around to save Israel?
    God turns life around.
Turned-around Jacob skips rope,
    turned-around Israel sings laughter.

TRUTH:  God turns life around.  Be still, let go and let God turn our lives around.

Proverb 19:2-3, The Message

Ignorant zeal is worthless;
    haste makes waste.

3 People ruin their lives by their own stupidity,
    so why does God always get blamed?

WISDOM:  It’s not God’s fault when we go out on our own—and fail.

Abba Father,

You are God and we are not. You created us, know us inside and out.  You know what makes us tick for you knew us in the womb.  Because of your infinite, limitless, unconditional love you redeemed us through Jesus.  Thank you, dear Jesus.  While we were yet sinners, you died for us.  Forgive our fickleness as believers at times when we strike out on our own without you.  We learn that is stupid.  We need you ever hour, every hour we need you.  Cleanse our hearts. Shepherd us.  Change our minds. Fill my soul with Your Holy Spirit. Transform us to be all you had in mind for us from the beginning.  We ask for your wisdom, insight and understanding so we can live life expectantly and fulfilled.  Thank you, Lord.  I’m yours.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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TATTLERS AND BULLIES

Posted on November 26, 2020 by randscallawayffm

There is nothing worse than working with or living around tyrants, bullies and tattlers who want the worst for you, not the best.  It has been said and observed in this life that hurting people hurt people.  This seems to be true but doesn’t resolve the problem of their skewed thinking.  Bullies and tattlers think that hurting someone else by bringing them down with words of criticism and spreading gossip of lies will resolve their own hurt and make them happier people.  But it doesn’t.  God knows our heart of hearts.  He doesn’t tolerate bullies for long.  God also uses bullies to teach us how not to live and how to peacefully cope with them.  See the lessons in our next Psalm along with the wisdom of Proverb 19.

When David wrote this psalm, he was angry, and rightly so. (For the reason, see 1 Sam. 21:1-9; 22:6-23.) Doeg was one of many men around Saul who catered to his whims and inflated his ego in order to gain power and wealth. He typifies all who promote themselves at the expense of truth and justice. Doeg was an Edomite, which means he was descended from Esau, the enemy of Jacob (Gen. 27–28; Heb. 12:16-17). The battle between the flesh and the Spirit still goes on.

However, it’s possible that David was also writing about Saul, who certainly fits the description given of the proud, powerful tyrant. There has always been a certain amount of evil in high places, and God’s people must learn to handle it in a godly manner. David paints for us three contrasting scenes.  See if you can figure it out…

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 52, The Message

A David Psalm, When Doeg the Edomite Reported to Saul, “David’s at Ahimelech’s House”

1-4 Why do you brag of evil, “Big Man”?
    God’s mercy carries the day.
You scheme catastrophe;
    your tongue cuts razor-sharp,
    artisan in lies.
You love evil more than good,
    you call black white.
You love malicious gossip,
    you foul-mouth.

5 God will tear you limb from limb,
    sweep you up and throw you out,
Pull you up by the roots
    from the land of life.

6-7 Good people will watch and
    worship. They’ll laugh in relief:
“Big Man bet on the wrong horse,
    trusted in big money,
    made his living from catastrophe.”

8 And I’m an olive tree,
    growing green in God’s house.
I trusted in the generous mercy
    of God then and now.

9 I thank you always
    that you went into action.
And I’ll stay right here,
    your good name my hope,
    in company with your faithful friends.

TRUTH:  Live in obedience to what God says is true and right.  “I trusted in the generous mercy of God then and now.”  Stay in the company of God and His people.

Do you see the three scenes David is referring to in his ballad? 

  1. The Sinners are Boasting
  2. The Saints are Laughing
  3. The Faithful are Serving

Sinners are Boasting:  The phrase “mighty man” is the equivalent of our “big shot” and was spoken derisively. Doeg and Saul were mighty in their own eyes but insignificant in God’s eyes; David was insignificant in their eyes but important to God. David depended on the mercy of the Lord, while Saul and his men depended on themselves and their own resources. Their words devoured people and destroyed them (see 35:25). It isn’t difficult to find people like Doeg and Saul in our twenty-first-century world.

Saints are Laughing:  Verse 5 is the central verse of the psalm and marks the turning point in David’s experience as he contemplated the wickedness of the human heart. He was confident that God would one day judge Saul, Doeg, and all who follow their evil philosophy of life. Let God take care of your bullies.  He will.  Sinners ultimately fall into the pits they dig for others.  The phrase, “give them enough rope and they hang themselves” applies to bullies and tattlers!

Faithful are Serving:  The contrast is clear: The wicked are like uprooted trees, but the godly are like flourishing olive trees that are fruitful and beautiful. Saul and Doeg would perish, rejected by the Lord, but David and his dynasty would be safe in the house of the Lord! 

David trusted God’s loving-kindness, and the Lord did not fail him, and he never failed to give God the glory. The phrase “I’ll stay right here” (v. 9) means to hope and depend on the character of God as expressed in His great name.

Meanwhile, though evil may seem to triumph, we must continue to obey and serve the Lord and not get discouraged. The “last laugh” belongs to the Lord’s people.  I read the ending of God’s Word…we win in the end!  God is the Victor!  Jesus is King forever and ever, Amen!

Proverb 19:1-8, The Message

Better to be poor and honest
    than a rich person no one can trust.

2 Ignorant zeal is worthless;
    haste makes waste.

3 People ruin their lives by their own stupidity,
    so why does God always get blamed?

4 Wealth attracts friends as honey draws flies,
    but poor people are avoided like a plague.

5 Perjury won’t go unpunished.
    Would you let a liar go free?

6 Lots of people flock around a generous person;
    everyone’s a friend to the philanthropist.

7 When you’re down on your luck, even your family avoids you—
    yes, even your best friends wish you’d get lost.
If they see you coming, they look the other way—
    out of sight, out of mind.

8 Grow a wise heart—you’ll do yourself a favor;
    keep a clear head—you’ll find a good life.

WISDOM: “Grow a wise heart—you’ll do yourself a favor; keep a clear head—you’ll find a good life.”  Avoid being a bully or a tattler, the very kinds of people you run from!  Run to God.  Grow in His character with His help.  Confess your mess.  Learn from life.

Abba Father,

You teach us skills for living from your word that is completely understood.  You don’t mess around with bullies and lie spreaders.  You know our hearts.  You tell us who we are in you, going over it again and again, when the world bullies and tattlers say otherwise.  You lift our thinking up to where you are.  You give hope and more hope when all our emotions feel is hopelessness.  You give mercy in our messes and grace in low places.  You are God and we are not.  There is no one like you.  So, that‘s why I trust you with all that I am and all that I am not—yet.  Continue to grow me as “an olive tree in your greenhouse” as David illustrates so well.   All my hope, faith and trust is in you.  Thank you for saving my soul.  Thank you for protecting me from bullies and tattlers then, now and in the future.  We are more than conquerors with You!

In Jesus Name, Amen

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