WHY DO YOU BOTHER WITH US?

Posted on October 6, 2020 by randscallawayffm

Worship and Wisdom

Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 8

A David Psalm

God, brilliant Lord,
    yours is a household name.

2 Nursing infants gurgle choruses about you;
    toddlers shout the songs
That drown out enemy talk,
    and silence atheist babble.

3-4 I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous,
    your handmade sky-jewelry,
Moon and stars mounted in their settings.
    Then I look at my micro-self and wonder,
Why do you bother with us?
    Why take a second look our way?

5-8 Yet we’ve so narrowly missed being gods,
    bright with Eden’s dawn light.
You put us in charge of your handcrafted world,
    repeated to us your Genesis-charge,
Made us lords of sheep and cattle,
    even animals out in the wild,
Birds flying and fish swimming,
    whales singing in the ocean deeps.

9 God, brilliant Lord,
    your name echoes around the world.

TRUTH:  God is glorious, majestic and brilliant.  He created all and is in all.  He created us to be disciplined stewards of all He brilliantly created.  God also created us to praise Him, giving Him credit for all that He has done for us.  We live for Him by His power and strength in us who believe and trust Him.  The way we treat our beautiful home called Earth is a reflection of the respect we have for God, our Creator and Sustainer of Life.  The way we love each other reflects how much we love God and realize His love for us. 

Why does God bother with us?  He loves us above all He has created.

Speaking of love, don’t take real, precious, unconditional love for granted.  Don’t prostitute God’s love for selfish lust.  God’s love is pure and holy.  God showed us His love by sending His Son, Jesus, to save us from our selfish sins through lack of real love and undisciplined lives.  God freely gives His love to us. 

Marriage is God’s pure unconditional love that forms in two people coming together as one in Him.  Never take this Love for granted for it is the example of how much God loves us.  We love Him because He first loved us. 

Proverb 5:15-23

Never Take Love for Granted

15-16 Do you know the saying, “Drink from your own rain barrel,
    draw water from your own spring-fed well”?
It’s true. Otherwise, you may one day come home
    and find your barrel empty and your well polluted.

17-20 Your spring water is for you and you only,
    not to be passed around among strangers.
Bless your fresh-flowing fountain!
    Enjoy the wife you married as a young man!
Lovely as an angel, beautiful as a rose—
    don’t ever quit taking delight in her body.
    Never take her love for granted!
Why would you trade enduring intimacies for cheap thrills with a whore?
    for dalliance with a promiscuous stranger?

21-23 Mark well that God doesn’t miss a move you make;
    he’s aware of every step you take.
The shadow of your sin will overtake you;
    you’ll find yourself stumbling all over yourself in the dark.
Death is the reward of an undisciplined life;
    your foolish decisions trap you in a dead end.

WISDOM:  God doesn’t miss a move we make. Knowing this truth is the beginning of living a disciplined life with His help, by His power working in us, and for His glory and praise. 

Why does God bother with us?  God’s love for us is so deep that it breaks His heart to see us fall for evil’s schemes and turn from His protection, love, mercy and grace to seek “cheap love” that leads to destruction of all we could be in Him. 

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

God is THE only God, our Father, who is approachable because of Jesus’ work on the cross and resurrection from death to redeem us of all sin.  Jesus, God’s Son, is our advocate in heaven asking God for one more day for all to come to know God, repent of sin and live for Him. 

Why does God bother with us? 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”  2 Peter 3:9

Abba Father, God of all,

Thank you for your love for us.  Thank you for bothering with us so much that you sent your Son to reconcile us back to you.  Thank you for your Love that is not cheap, but pure and holy, unchangeable and unconditional.  Thank you for mercy and grace undeserved.  Thank you for setting us on the right path.  Thank you for picking us up when we stumble and fall.  Thank you for Life.  Thank you for all you have brilliantly created.  Help us all to be great stewards with a life-sustaining disciplined lifestyle that pleases you and gives you glory consistently.  How truly majestic is your Name!

In Jesus Name, Amen

And I’m singing…

O Lord, our Lord
How majestic is Your name in all the earth

O Lord, our Lord
How majestic is Your name in all the earth
O Lord, we praise Your name

O Lord, we magnify Your name
Prince of peace, mighty God
O Lord, God Almighty…

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RUN FOR DEAR LIFE!

Posted on October 5, 2020 by randscallawayffm

If I’m running you better run, too!  If I am running furiously and awkwardly then something is chasing me that is going to hurt me.  I chuckle imagining myself running but I know if I was suddenly chased by something or someone who might do harm, I could probably sprint to find safety. 

Spiritually, we are all running from something it seems.  At times we run from the wisdom of a disciplined life and seek our own way which leads to bad outcomes.  We run from responsibilities to just go have some “fun” and end up in a place we rather not be.  We run to those who seem to have it all together only to find they are in worse shape than we are.  We run to parents who struggle as much as we do.  Often, we just give up and run away from it all.  We have been running to all the wrong people and places!

We discover running away just leads to more regret, more sin, more disillusionment, more sadness and deep depression that is hard to escape.  We thought running away would be our escape!  But it is not.

David is running from enemies who want to physically harm him.  They lie about him to his people and they want him to die.  These psalms are called Messianic Psalms because this is what happened to Jesus.  Remember the One who died and rose again for us as we read and worship God.  Praise God for His saving grace when we run to Him!

RUN, but run to God!  God is the one and only who saves us, protects and provides for us. 

Run to God for dear life…a precious, abundant and full life!

Psalms and Proverbs

Worship and Wisdom

Psalm 7

1-2 God! God! I am running to you for dear life;
    the chase is wild.
If they catch me, I’m finished:
    ripped to shreds by foes fierce as lions,
    dragged into the forest and left
    unlooked for, unremembered.

3-5 God, if I’ve done what they say—
    betrayed my friends,
    ripped off my enemies—
If my hands are really that dirty,
    let them get me, walk all over me,
    leave me flat on my face in the dirt.

6-8 Stand up, God; pit your holy fury
    against my furious enemies.
Wake up, God. My accusers have packed
    the courtroom; it’s judgment time.
Take your place on the bench, reach for your gavel,
    throw out the false charges against me.
I’m ready, confident in your verdict:
    “Innocent.”

9-11 Close the book on Evil, God,
    but publish your mandate for us.
You get us ready for life:
    you probe for our soft spots,
    you knock off our rough edges.
And I’m feeling so fit, so safe:
    made right, kept right.
God in solemn honor does things right,
    but his nerves are sandpapered raw.

11-13 Nobody gets by with anything.
    God is already in action—
Sword honed on his whetstone,
    bow strung, arrow on the string,
Lethal weapons in hand,
    each arrow a flaming missile.

14 Look at that guy!
    He had sex with sin,
    he’s pregnant with evil.
Oh, look! He’s having
    the baby—a Lie-Baby!

15-16 See that man shoveling day after day,
    digging, then concealing, his man-trap
    down that lonely stretch of road?
Go back and look again—you’ll see him in it headfirst,
    legs waving in the breeze.
That’s what happens:
    mischief backfires;
    violence boomerangs.

17 I’m thanking God, who makes things right.
I’m singing the fame of heaven-high God.

TRUTH:  God makes things right.  He is God and we are not.  RUN TO GOD!

Proverb 5

Nothing but Sin and Bones

1-2 Dear friend, pay close attention to this, my wisdom;
    listen very closely to the way I see it.
Then you’ll acquire a taste for good sense;
    what I tell you will keep you out of trouble.

3-6 The lips of a seductive woman are oh so sweet,
    her soft words are oh so smooth.
But it won’t be long before she’s gravel in your mouth,
    a pain in your gut, a wound in your heart.
She’s dancing down the primrose path to Death;
    she’s headed straight for Hell and taking you with her.
She hasn’t a clue about Real Life,
    about who she is or where she’s going.

7-14 So, my friend, listen closely;
    don’t treat my words casually.
Keep your distance from such a woman;
    absolutely stay out of her neighborhood.
You don’t want to squander your wonderful life,
    to waste your precious life among the hardhearted.
Why should you allow strangers to take advantage of you?
    Why be exploited by those who care nothing for you?
You don’t want to end your life full of regrets,
    nothing but sin and bones,
Saying, “Oh, why didn’t I do what they told me?
    Why did I reject a disciplined life?
Why didn’t I listen to my mentors,
    or take my teachers seriously?
My life is ruined!
    I haven’t one blessed thing to show for my life!”

WISDOM:  Stay focused on God’s wisdom, His skills for living a disciplined life.  Turn your eyes to Jesus.

“Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So, he tried again. “I’ll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.”  John 10:6-10, The Message

Abby Father,

Show us your will, purpose and plan for us daily.  Help us to live a life that pleases you and leads to abundant living with no regrets.  I am your servant, teach me about life everlasting.  I’m listening.  In Jesus Name, Amen

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GOD HEARS AND HELPS

Posted on October 3, 2020 by randscallawayffm

Worship and Wisdom

Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 6

A David Psalm

1-2 Please, God, no more yelling,
    no more trips to the woodshed.
Treat me nice for a change;
    I’m so starved for affection.

2-3 Can’t you see I’m black-and-blue,
    beat up badly in bones and soul?
God, how long will it take
    for you to let up?

4-5 Break in, God, and break up this fight;
    if you love me at all, get me out of here.
I’m no good to you dead, am I?
    I can’t sing in your choir if I’m buried in some tomb!

6-7 I’m tired of all this—so tired. My bed
    has been floating forty days and nights
On the flood of my tears.
    My mattress is soaked, soggy with tears.
The sockets of my eyes are black holes;
    nearly blind, I squint and grope.

8-9 Get out of here, you Devil’s crew:
    at last God has heard my sobs.
My requests have all been granted,
    my prayers are answered.

10 Cowards, my enemies disappear.
Disgraced, they turn tail and run.

TRUTH:  God hears our cries for help as we run from evil. 

No matter what is troubling or attacking us, God knows.  No matter what we are thinking about life, God hears our honesty and knows our thoughts.  When we are at the end of our rope, God steps in to pull us out the drama that tempts us to leave our trust and faith in Him.  God answers our prayers for his help, his way in his time when we choose to accept believe he will.

Proverb 4, The Message

Your Life Is at Stake

1-2 Listen, friends, to some fatherly advice;
    sit up and take notice so you’ll know how to live.
I’m giving you good counsel;
    don’t let it go in one ear and out the other.

3-9 When I was a boy at my father’s knee,
    the pride and joy of my mother,
He would sit me down and drill me:
    “Take this to heart. Do what I tell you—live!
Sell everything and buy Wisdom! Forage for Understanding!
    Don’t forget one word! Don’t deviate an inch!
Never walk away from Wisdom—she guards your life;
    love her—she keeps her eye on you.
Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom!
    Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding!
Throw your arms around her—believe me, you won’t regret it;
    never let her go—she’ll make your life glorious.
She’ll garland your life with grace,
    she’ll festoon your days with beauty.”

10-15 Dear friend, take my advice;
    it will add years to your life.
I’m writing out clear directions to Wisdom Way,
    I’m drawing a map to Righteous Road.
I don’t want you ending up in blind alleys,
    or wasting time making wrong turns.
Hold tight to good advice; don’t relax your grip.
    Guard it well—your life is at stake!
Don’t take Wicked Bypass;
    don’t so much as set foot on that road.
Stay clear of it; give it a wide berth.
    Make a detour and be on your way.

16-17 Evil people are restless
    unless they’re making trouble;
They can’t get a good night’s sleep
    unless they’ve made life miserable for somebody.
Perversity is their food and drink,
    violence their drug of choice.

18-19 The ways of right-living people glow with light;
    the longer they live, the brighter they shine.
But the road of wrongdoing gets darker and darker—
    travelers can’t see a thing; they fall flat on their faces.

Learn It by Heart

20-22 Dear friend, listen well to my words;
    tune your ears to my voice.
Keep my message in plain view at all times.
    Concentrate! Learn it by heart!
Those who discover these words live, really live;
    body and soul, they’re bursting with health.

23-27 Keep vigilant watch over your heart;
    that’s where life starts.
Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth;
    avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.
Keep your eyes straight ahead;
    ignore all sideshow distractions.
Watch your step,
    and the road will stretch out smooth before you.
Look neither right nor left;
    leave evil in the dust.

WISDOM:  Leave evil in the dust.

We must keep our eyes on God.  Walk in His ways.  Live His Truth.  Ask for His wisdom in deciding which way to walk, what words to say, with how to behave when relating to the world who does know God.  We cannot live for God and look the other way towards evil.  “Keep a vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts” is a prevalent theme throughout God’s Word.

Paul gave his protégé and apprentice Timothy the same advice;

“Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” 1 Timothy 4:16

What we say and do affects everyone around us.  Our changed life for Christ, led by God’s Holy Spirit will change others’ lives when we “leave evil in the dust”.  That’s a life living to hear God say, “Well done, faithful servant, well done!”

Abba Father,

We live for you because we love you!  We love you because you first loved us.  Evil cannot get the best of us when we are abiding in you in close relationship with You.  Thank you for your wisdom.  You know our enemy better than we do so you battle evil for us.  Thank you, again!  You teach us in these battles to always trust you.  Thank you!  You help us to avoid the next trap set because of lessons learned from the last scheme that brought us to our knees.  Actually, on our knees is where we should begin each day.  You are first in my life.  You are the One I praise all day long and thank at night before going to sleep.  Thank you, Lord, for hearing our cries for help and answering every time.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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FAMOUS FOR WELCOMING!

Posted on October 2, 2020 by randscallawayffm

Worship and Wisdom

Psalms and Proverbs

I don’t know how this is blessing you as you read this each day, but to study Psalms and Proverbs together is reminding me where my help comes from and where my strength and tenaciousness abide.  It is God!  ALL God!  Do you hear God speaking wisdom and truth right the core of your being?  Do you understand that He is God and we are not?  Are we realizing the full extent of His sacrificial, relentless, unchanging love that He has for us? 

As we read, are we gaining new insight as God pours out all He has for us in His Word to nourish our thirsty souls?  Are we gaining ground in our stand against the world’s ways prompted by the enemy?  Are we willing to allow God’s Holy Spirit to challenge, correct, comfort, and critique us in God’s effort to grow and mature us to be all He intended for us to be?  Are we developing the fruits of His Holy Spirit?  Are we more and more becoming in character like His Son, Jesus Christ?

These are all the questions I am asking myself today?  Is what we are reading and applying to our lives worth the time?  YES!  A million times, YES! 

Where would I be without the Lord to guide me?  I don’t even want to know. 

Psalm 5, The Message

A David Psalm

5 1-3 Listen, God! Please, pay attention!
Can you make sense of these ramblings,
my groans and cries?
    King-God, I need your help.
Every morning
    you’ll hear me at it again.
Every morning
    I lay out the pieces of my life
    on your altar
    and watch for fire to descend.

4-6 You don’t socialize with Wicked,
    or invite Evil over as your houseguest.
Hot-Air-Boaster collapses in front of you;
    you shake your head over Mischief-Maker.
God destroys Lie-Speaker;
    Blood-Thirsty and Truth-Bender disgust you.

7-8 And here I am, your invited guest—
    it’s incredible!
I enter your house; here I am,
    prostrate in your inner sanctum,
Waiting for directions
    to get me safely through enemy lines.

9-10 Every word they speak is a land mine;
    their lungs breathe out poison gas.
Their throats are gaping graves,
    their tongues slick as mudslides.
Pile on the guilt, God!
    Let their so-called wisdom wreck them.
Kick them out! They’ve had their chance.

11-12 But you’ll welcome us with open arms
    when we run for cover to you.
Let the party last all night!
    Stand guard over our celebration.
You are famous, God, for welcoming God-seekers,
    for decking us out in delight.

TRUTH: “You are famous, God, for welcoming God-seekers!”

When we are overwhelmed by the life we live, perplexed by what is going on around us or at a loss for how to overcome, God, our Father, welcomes us with open arms.  We take shelter under His care.  As we seek God, we find Him.  We discover that He has been there all along waiting to love, help and teach us through all adversities. 

Are we famous for pointing the struggling to God?

Proverbs 3:21-35

Never Walk Away

21-26 Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life;
    don’t for a minute lose sight of them.
They’ll keep your soul alive and well,
    they’ll keep you fit and attractive.
You’ll travel safely,
    you’ll neither tire nor trip.
You’ll take afternoon naps without a worry,
    you’ll enjoy a good night’s sleep.
No need to panic over alarms or surprises,
    or predictions that doomsday’s just around the corner,
Because God will be right there with you;
    he’ll keep you safe and sound.

27-29 Never walk away from someone who deserves help;
    your hand is God’s hand for that person.
Don’t tell your neighbor “Maybe some other time”
    or “Try me tomorrow”
    when the money’s right there in your pocket.
Don’t figure ways of taking advantage of your neighbor
    when he’s sitting there trusting and unsuspecting.

30-32 Don’t walk around with a chip on your shoulder,
    always spoiling for a fight.
Don’t try to be like those who shoulder their way through life.
    Why be a bully?
“Why not?” you say. Because God can’t stand twisted souls.
    It’s the straightforward who get his respect.

33-35 God’s curse blights the house of the wicked,
    but he blesses the home of the righteous.
He gives proud skeptics a cold shoulder,
    but if you’re down on your luck, he’s right there to help.
Wise living gets rewarded with honor;
    stupid living gets the booby prize.

WISDOM: “Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God’s hand for that person.”  God “blesses the home of the righteous”.  Blessings from God are God’s character traits continuing developing in us.  See Galatians 5 for a description of Godly traits which are the opposites of being a bully as described in this passage!

Abba Father,

Thank you for reminding us daily that this life is not about us but all about you.  We were created to praise you.  We were given specific gifts and abilities to serve You by serving others.  We thank you for maturing us by the daily dive into Your Words of wisdom and honest worship.  Thank you for saving us from ourselves.  Thank you for renewing our spirit and restoring the pure joy of your salvation in us.  I love you, Lord with all that is in me.  I praise your Holy Name today.  I’m listening for what you want from me today.  In Jesus Name, Amen

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MORE THAN ENOUGH

Posted on October 1, 2020 by randscallawayffm

What is enough?  What is too much?  What is not enough?  Our world has different ideas of this word enough, right?  David leads us to Who is enough in his psalm/song of deliverance.  David cries out to God, troubled by the lies told about him and the manipulations of war against him by his enemies.  When all is said and done honestly before God, David realizes in the middle of crisis, at the end of the day, that God is more than enough.  It is God and God alone who puts our lives back together again.

Worship and Wisdom

Psalms and Proverbs

The psalm’s text is a reflection of David speaking to all sinners while addressing himself to Absalom. The message in the psalm is that the victories of sinners are only temporary and meaningless, and that only repentance can bring true happiness. It is a request to God for deliverance from past distresses.

Psalm 4, The Message

A David Psalm

4 When I call, give me answers. God, take my side!
Once, in a tight place, you gave me room;
Now I’m in trouble again: grace me! hear me!

2 You rabble—how long do I put up with your scorn?
How long will you lust after lies?
How long will you live crazed by illusion?

3 Look at this: look
Who got picked by God!
He listens the split second I call to him.

4-5 Complain if you must, but don’t lash out.
Keep your mouth shut, and let your heart do the talking.
Build your case before God and wait for his verdict.

6-7 Why is everyone hungry for more? “More, more,” they say.
“More, more.”
I have God’s more-than-enough,
More joy in one ordinary day

7-8 Than they get in all their shopping sprees.
At day’s end I’m ready for sound sleep,
For you, God, have put my life back together.

TRUTH:  God is more-than-enough.

It’s a wonderful thing that David could turn this distressing experience into song, to the glory of God. His example shows us what our responses ought to be in times of crisis.

Proverb 3:1-20, The Message

Don’t Assume You Know It All

1-2 Good friend, don’t forget all I’ve taught you;
    take to heart my commands.
They’ll help you live a long, long time,
    a long life lived full and well.

3-4 Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty.
    Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart.
Earn a reputation for living well
    in God’s eyes and the eyes of the people.

5-12 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
    don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
    he’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all.
    Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
    your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
    give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
    your wine vats will brim over.
But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline;
    don’t sulk under his loving correction.
It’s the child he loves that God corrects;
    a father’s delight is behind all this.

The Very Tree of Life

13-18 You’re blessed when you meet Lady Wisdom,
    when you make friends with Madame Insight.
She’s worth far more than money in the bank;
    her friendship is better than a big salary.
Her value exceeds all the trappings of wealth;
    nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her.
With one hand she gives long life,
    with the other she confers recognition.
Her manner is beautiful,
    her life wonderfully complete.
She’s the very Tree of Life to those who embrace her.
    Hold her tight—and be blessed!

19-20 With Lady Wisdom, God formed Earth;
    with Madame Insight, he raised Heaven.
They knew when to signal rivers and springs to the surface,
    and dew to descend from the night skies.

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

Trust in the One who signal rivers and springs to the surface, our Creator, our God.  God is indeed more-than-enough to provide, protect and save us from ourselves.  God is more than the anything the world has to offer.  God loves, saves and brings us back to Him.  Trust Him.  He is God and we are not.

Abba Father,

You remind us daily of who you are and that you are more than enough for all that we face.  In good times and not so good times, You reveal your glory, power, and love all around us in the ordinary of each day.  For that alone, I give you praise and thanksgiving with all that is in me.  Thank you for being more than enough for me!  In Jesus Name, Amen

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MOMMA SAID THERE’D BE DAYS LIKE THIS…

Posted on September 30, 2020 by randscallawayffm

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  –Jesus  (John 16:33)

As we continue probing the Proverbs of wisdom coupled with Psalms of honest worship, I would be remiss not to mention that Proverbs 2 was one of my mom’s favorite passages.  She quoted this verse often when she was perplexed but knew God knew the answer.  She quoted this to me when I was confused or needed help with life.  I heard her lead others to this verse when they struggled with life stuff. 

However, her all-time favorite verse came right after the Proverbs 2 passage.  Mom would follow up with this seeking of God’s help for true wisdom in today’s troubles with Proverb 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

It’s a matter of trust.  We must trust God with all of life.  Jesus told us there would be troubles, but he also reminds us that He is in all, nothing gets unnoticed by Him, and He overcomes all the world can throw at us.  HE is peace in troubled times.  Trust Him.

Why then, would we go anywhere else but to God for help?  Beats me.  Let’s continue our journey to wisdom and worship.

Psalms and Proverbs

Worship and Wisdom

Psalm 3

1-2 God! Look! Enemies past counting!
Enemies sprouting like mushrooms,
Mobs of them all around me, roaring their mockery:
“Hah! No help for him from God!”

3-4 But you, God, shield me on all sides;
You ground my feet, you lift my head high;
With all my might I shout up to God,
His answers thunder from the holy mountain.

5-6 I stretch myself out. I sleep.
Then I’m up again—rested, tall and steady,
Fearless before the enemy mobs
Coming at me from all sides.

7 Up, God! My God, help me!
Slap their faces,
First this cheek, then the other,
Your fist hard in their teeth!

8 Real help comes from God.
Your blessing clothes your people!

TRUTH:  Real help comes from God.

Proverbs 2

Make Insight Your Priority

1-5 Good friend, take to heart what I’m telling you;
    collect my counsels and guard them with your life.
Tune your ears to the world of Wisdom;
    set your heart on a life of Understanding.
That’s right—if you make Insight your priority,
    and won’t take no for an answer,
Searching for it like a prospector panning for gold,
    like an adventurer on a treasure hunt,
Believe me, before you know it Fear-of-God will be yours;
    you’ll have come upon the Knowledge of God.

6-8 And here’s why: God gives out Wisdom free,
    is plainspoken in Knowledge and Understanding.
He’s a rich mine of Common Sense for those who live well,
    a personal bodyguard to the candid and sincere.
He keeps his eye on all who live honestly,
    and pays special attention to his loyally committed ones.

9-15 So now you can pick out what’s true and fair,
    find all the good trails!
Lady Wisdom will be your close friend,
    and Brother Knowledge your pleasant companion.
Good Sense will scout ahead for danger,
    Insight will keep an eye out for you.
They’ll keep you from making wrong turns,
    or following the bad directions
Of those who are lost themselves
    and can’t tell a trail from a tumbleweed,
These losers who make a game of evil
    and throw parties to celebrate perversity,
Traveling paths that go nowhere,
    wandering in a maze of detours and dead ends.

16-19 Wise friends will rescue you from the Temptress—
    that smooth-talking Seductress
Who’s faithless to the husband she married years ago,
    never gave a second thought to her promises before God.
Her whole way of life is doomed;
    every step she takes brings her closer to hell.
No one who joins her company ever comes back,
    ever sets foot on the path to real living.

20-22 So—join the company of good men and women,
    keep your feet on the tried-and-true paths.
It’s the men who walk straight who will settle this land,
    the women with integrity who will last here.
The corrupt will lose their lives;
    the dishonest will be gone for good.

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

Abba Father,

I am committed to you.  I know that you know.  I know you know all there is to know.  You are God and I am not.  I will follow you because I love you heart, mind and soul.  Continue to teach me.  I’m listening.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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RUN TO GOD!

Posted on September 29, 2020 by randscallawayffm

Worship and Wisdom/Psalms and Proverbs

The most amusing sight to me is to see a group of kids playing tag on the playground.  There is always a designated “base” that makes you free from anyone tagging you in this running and touching game.  As a former first grade teacher, I would keep my eyes and ears open for one of the players to suddenly yell, “Teacher is base!”  For that meant I need to brace myself for a barrage of little humans running to me all at once with giggling laughter.  They knew Teacher would keep them safe. 

We have a designated “base” to run to when the world is chasing us down, ready to tag us with all that it has to offer.  That “base” is our Master Teacher, Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.  What base are you running to so you can be safe?

We continue in our walk through the Psalms and Proverbs, taking small bites at a time.  We want to take it all in, chew on it while we learn the skills needed to live this life “on earth as it is in heaven” well.  We will pull key thoughts of Truth and directives of Wisdom from these words penned by the ancients while inspired by God.  We will not just apply it to our lives or add it to our lives. Instead, we will use this wisdom to understand more and more what it takes to flesh out and cleanse the dark areas that we have allowed the world to seep into our hearts, minds and souls.  That is the goal of this study. 

Each day one Truth coupled with one nugget of Wisdom to help us:

Know God.  Know Ourselves.  Know our Enemy.  Know God’s Will and Way. 

Psalm 2, The Message

1-6 Why the big noise, nations?
Why the mean plots, peoples?
Earth-leaders push for position,
Demagogues and delegates meet for summit talks,
The God-deniers, the Messiah-defiers:
“Let’s get free of God!
Cast loose from Messiah!”
Heaven-throned God breaks out laughing.
At first he’s amused at their presumption;
Then he gets good and angry.
Furiously, he shuts them up:
“Don’t you know there’s a King in Zion? A coronation banquet
Is spread for him on the holy summit.”

7-9 Let me tell you what God said next.
He said, “You’re my son,
And today is your birthday.
What do you want? Name it:
Nations as a present? continents as a prize?
You can command them all to dance for you,
Or throw them out with tomorrow’s trash.”

10-12 So, rebel-kings, use your heads;
Upstart-judges, learn your lesson:
Worship God in adoring embrace,
Celebrate in trembling awe. Kiss Messiah!
Your very lives are in danger, you know;
His anger is about to explode,
But if you make a run for God—you won’t regret it!

TRUTH:  Leave the world behind.  “Make a run for God—no regrets!”

Proverbs 1:20-33, The Message

Lady Wisdom

20-21 Lady Wisdom goes out in the street and shouts.
    At the town center she makes her speech.
In the middle of the traffic she takes her stand.
    At the busiest corner she calls out:

22-24 “Simpletons! How long will you wallow in ignorance?
    Cynics! How long will you feed your cynicism?
Idiots! How long will you refuse to learn?
    About face! I can revise your life.
Look, I’m ready to pour out my spirit on you;
    I’m ready to tell you all I know.
As it is, I’ve called, but you’ve turned a deaf ear;
    I’ve reached out to you, but you’ve ignored me.

25-28 “Since you laugh at my counsel
    and make a joke of my advice,
How can I take you seriously?
    I’ll turn the tables and joke about your troubles!
What if the roof falls in,
    and your whole life goes to pieces?
What if catastrophe strikes and there’s nothing
    to show for your life but rubble and ashes?
You’ll need me then. You’ll call for me, but don’t expect
        an answer.
    No matter how hard you look, you won’t find me.

29-33 “Because you hated Knowledge
    and had nothing to do with the Fear-of-God,
Because you wouldn’t take my advice
    and brushed aside all my offers to train you,
Well, you’ve made your bed—now lie in it;
    you wanted your own way—now, how do you like it?
Don’t you see what happens, you simpletons, you idiots?
    Carelessness kills; complacency is murder.
First pay attention to me, and then relax.
    Now you can take it easy—you’re in good hands.”

WISDOM:  “FIRST pay attention to me, and then relax. Now you can take it easy—you’re in good hands.”

Abba Father,

We run to you this morning as the first wake up activity of this day!  We are seeking what you want for today.  We want to know where there is to be learned, to be done in your name, along with a time of rest knowing we are in your hands for this day.  Thank you for being patient with us as we hone these skills for living your Truth.  Help us to live well as your Friend and as Your Servant.  Cleanse us of all that is offensive to you.  Shine your piercing light on all the dark places and make us holy.  Show us your ways.  Show your timing. 

In Jesus Name, Amen

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HONEST PRAYER, HOLY WISDOM

Posted on September 28, 2020 by randscallawayffm

Psalms and Proverbs

Who doesn’t love to praise God with grateful hearts for all He has done, is doing and will do in our lives?!  All who know and love God, rely on God and look to God for help, seeking His wisdom in our prayer and praise.  If you are reading this while just getting to know God, then this might help you realize the love God has for you and the help He is ready to provide. 

So, over the next few weeks let’s come to the Lord with honest prayer and glorious praise by reading a Psalm a day coupled with a Proverb a day.  Prayer, Praise and Wisdom.  There just isn’t a better way to learn to live than to seek God’s face with honest prayer and praise on our lips.  Right?

PSALMS – HONEST PRAYER AND GLORIOUS PRAISE

Let me introduce you to the Psalms through the words of Eugene Peterson, theologian and prolific writer and translator of God’s Word into today’s language.  We will be using The Message paraphrase in our scripture references.  He says, “Most Christians for most of the Christian centuries have learned to pray by praying the Psalms.  The Hebrews, with several centuries of a head start on us in matters of prayer and worship, provide us with this prayer book that gives us a language adequate for responding to the God who speaks to us.”

Peterson relates, “The impulse to pray is deep within us, at the very center of our created being, and so practically anything will do to get us started—“Help” and “Thanks!” are our basic prayers.  But honesty and thoroughness don’t come quite as spontaneously.  I am convinced that only as we develop raw honesty and detailed thoroughness in our praying do we become whole, truly human in Jesus Christ, who also prayed the Psalms.” 

Psalm 1

How well God must like you—
    you don’t hang out at Sin Saloon,
    you don’t slink along Dead-End Road,
    you don’t go to Smart-Mouth College.

2-3 Instead you thrill to God’s Word,
    you chew on Scripture day and night.
You’re a tree replanted in Eden,
    bearing fresh fruit every month,
Never dropping a leaf,
    always in blossom.

4-5 You’re not at all like the wicked,
    who are mere windblown dust—
Without defense in court,
    unfit company for innocent people.

6 God charts the road you take.
The road they take is Skid Row.

TRUTH:  “How God must like you…”  “God charts the road you take.”

Hold that thought while we couple this knowing of God’s love and plan for us with the wisdom of Proverbs which are skills for living the Godly life well.  “Many people think that what’s written in the Bible has mostly to do with getting people into heaven—getting right with god, saving their eternal souls.  It does have to do with that, of course, but there’s more, much more.  It is equally concerned with living on this earth—living well, living in robust sanity.” –Peterson

Wisdom is coupled with Jesus’ prayer, “on earth as it is in heaven”, for everyday living.  “Wisdom is the art of living skillfully in whatever actual conditions we find ourselves.  It has virtually nothing to do with information as such, with knowledge as such.  A college degree is no certification of wisdom—nor is it primarily concerned with keeping us out of moral mud puddles, although it does have a profound moral effect upon us.” (Peterson)

Wisdom has to do with becoming skillful in honoring our parents and raising our children, handling our money and conducting our sexual lives, going to work and exercising leadership, using words well and treating friends kindly, eating and drinking healthily, cultivating emotions within ourselves and attitudes toward others that make for peace. 

Threaded through all these items is the insistence that the way we think of and respond to God is the most practical thing we do.  In matter of everyday practicality, nothing, absolutely nothing, takes precedence over God.

Proverbs concentrates on these concerns more than any other book in the Bible.  Attention to the here and now is everywhere present in the stories and legislation, the prayers and the sermons, that are spread over the thousands of pages of the Bible.  Proverbs distills it all into riveting images and aphorisms that keep us connected in holy obedience to the ordinary.

Proverbs 1: 1-20

A Manual for Living

1 1-6 These are the wise sayings of Solomon,
    David’s son, Israel’s king—
Written down so we’ll know how to live well and right,
    to understand what life means and where it’s going;
A manual for living,
    for learning what’s right and just and fair;
To teach the inexperienced the ropes
    and give our young people a grasp on reality.
There’s something here also for seasoned men and women,
    still a thing or two for the experienced to learn—
Fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate,
    the rhymes and reasons of wise men and women.

Start with God

7 Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God;
    only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.

8-19 Pay close attention, friend, to what your father tells you;
    never forget what you learned at your mother’s knee.
Wear their counsel like flowers in your hair,
    like rings on your fingers.

Dear friend, if bad companions tempt you,
    don’t go along with them.
If they say—“Let’s go out and raise some hell.
    Let’s beat up some old man, mug some old woman.
Let’s pick them clean
    and get them ready for their funerals.
We’ll load up on top-quality loot.
    We’ll haul it home by the truckload.
Join us for the time of your life!
    With us, it’s share and share alike!”—
Oh, friend, don’t give them a second look;
    don’t listen to them for a minute.
They’re racing to a very bad end,
    hurrying to ruin everything they lay hands on.
Nobody robs a bank
    with everyone watching,
Yet that’s what these people are doing—
    they’re doing themselves in.
When you grab all you can get, that’s what happens:
    the more you get, the less you are.

WISDOM: “Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God”

Abba Father,

Thank you for loving us so much that you gave us your Son, Jesus to save us from our own sins.  Thank you for loving us so much that you also follow up with teaching us to live well, to live skillfully by your wisdom and strength.  We begin with You, asking You what You want for us, what you want to accomplish in us for today.  We are desperate for your wisdom, insight and understanding for the world we live in now as we prepare for life with your forever.  Thank you, Father for loving us.  Thank you, Lord for saving us.  Thank you, Holy Spirit for guiding us.  I’m listening ready to obey.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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FIX IT, LORD?!

Posted on September 26, 2020 by randscallawayffm

“God is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him. You were foolish to go for human help when you could have had God’s help. Now you’re in trouble—one round of war after another.”  2 Chronicles 16:9, The Message

Wars, riots, despicable acts of rape, pandemics, injustice, differing opinions that lead to dividing countries in civil war are not new in our world and not a surprise to God. ALL of these acts change our lives.  All are affected by the decisions of a few.  The pandemic is just another life altering crisis in the lives of people around the world.  We must do what we have never done before to protect those we love.  We must wash our hands after touching anything that might spread germs.  (Why weren’t we already doing this?)  We must wear masks to protect others from our breath droplets, sneezes and coughs because that seems to be the most critical in the spread of the virus or any other germ that causes the spread of disease. 

But with consistent life changing habits comes fear and blame.  Fear begins to take over as change alters our lifestyles.  We now fear who has it and who will spread it.  We fear going into public places to do our normal errands and gathering of goods.  We fear hugging, handshakes and high fives.  We fear that we might bring home the virus to those we love who are “at risk” at dying if they succumb to it.  Fear without faith soon turns to anger.

As fear and anger develops and builds in our system, we long for the day for this “to be over”.  How many times have we said it?  “I just want this to be over.”  “I want to go back to normal.”  The longer these mandated changes of wearing a mask, washing our hands, sanitizing all that is touched, washing what we bring home, and other aspects of being safe continue, we begin to resist the “new normal” ways of this life.  We begin to blame others for what we now have to do to be safe.  We blame others who do not comply.  We turn on each other, devouring each other with blame and accusations.  We even call into question our measure of Godly faith!  We judge and blame all people in any kind of authority.  We have a problem and we want it fixed as quickly as it takes us to microwave warmed over pizza. 

As humans, we are very comfortable with quick resolve and self-satisfaction. What we want is not happening soon enough.  We have been spoiled in this country.  We think we can fix anything.  That’s why we resist life change of daily habits so violently and arrogantly.  We resist anyone telling us what to do.  We resist compliance.  We resist anything and everything that gets in the way of our way of life the way we want it. 

Oh Lord, I’m beginning to see a trend, an eye-opening awareness, a judgement of who we say we are collectively as Your people.  We are not as committed as we say we are.   We are a very selfish people.  We have not gone to You for help in growing through crisis.  We have not asked for what You want to do in us through trouble and crisis.  Our complete trust and faith has faltered.  We repent of self. 

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

HOLY PAUSE

Are we asking the wrong questions of God?  Are we only wanting God to fix it, whatever “it” might be that is altering life right now?

Have we truly asked God for help?  Have we asked God to help for others struggling with us?

When God looks over the earth He created, will His eyes fall on us as His totally committed? 

Will He see us as fully committed to Him, no matter what is happening to us or around us?

Are we asking God for help to grow and mature in His character as He leads us through the crisis and chaos of this world?

Do we believe, trust, have faith enough to follow where He leads, even if it is not comfortable?

Lord, it is obvious our thinking is not lining up with your thinking. 

Forgive us. Help us.  Heal us.

Abba Father,

I repent of complaining, blaming and the impatience that stems from fear of the unknown.  I repent of selfishness.  I repent of all that is offensive to you.  Create in me a clean heart that is fully committed to you.  Do what you must to show me what YOU want?  But be gentle.  I am weak but you are strong.  Be my strength.  Reveal Your will and ways for me.  Transform me, grow me, renew Your Holy Spirit in me.  

In Jesus Name, Amen.  I believe.   

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GOD’S CALL, HIS WILL, HIS WAY

Posted on September 25, 2020 by randscallawayffm

Many years ago, I remember being involved in a rather challenging discussion in a Christian education leadership meeting about what a disciple is and how to know when people become a disciple.  At first the question stumped those in attendance.  Then after a few moments, the questions were followed by vigorous, discussions that were all over the map in opinions and ideas.  The thinking almost became that of the rule making Pharisees with hierarchies of learning and growing.  In a nutshell, it became complicated.  It made my heart hurt and my mind ache.

My thoughts turned to this scripture and a few others words of Jesus and the prophets before him such as Micah’s “what does the Lord require of you”.  Simplicity took over for me.  That’s how I think.  If I can understand with my limited intelligence then others can understand it, too.  If we, in the church, make it too complicated, then we have defeated the simplicity of Jesus words, “Follow Me.” 

If we want others who are wandering around with no purpose in life other the pleasing the world and themselves, to follow Jesus, we need to come back to the basics.  Jesus command to all who believe and follow Him are summarized in His commission:

  1. Tell the story of Jesus’ saving grace. 
  2. Go and make disciples of all nations.  “For God so loved THE WORLD…”
  3. Go and teach, share what we know, what Jesus taught us, not our opinions, but Truth of how to be saved from sin and walk with God in love and grace. 
  4. Proclaim that our King of kings and Lord of lords will be with those who believe ALWAYS and forever.  What a message of hope, grace, mercy and most of all, love for all who simply believe and follow Jesus.

Matthew 28

The Great Commission

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Discipleship:  Doing the right thing, at the right time, in the right Spirit.  

Let’s break this down in simple terms:

  1. “Follow Me” says Jesus. 
  2. To follow means to obey His Holy Spirit. 
  3. Following means actively imitating both the life and teaching of the Master Jesus Christ.

“And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God.”  Micah 6:8

Walking with God means believing in His Son.  “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16 NLT

Jesus is Truth.  We speak TRUTH with the love of Jesus permeating our being, washing over every thought and word.  We love like Jesus loved us.  We imitate Christ’s humility.

“Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus…”  Philippians 2

Come to Jesus.  Believe in Jesus.  Follow Jesus.  It’s all about Jesus.

Know to whom you belong.  Share what you know.

Abba Father,

Thank you.  Thank you for saving my soul and making me whole.  Thank you for taking all the broken pieces and using this cracked vessel for your glory.  Thank you for providing a way back to you through the redeeming love of your Son. Thank you, Jesus.  Thank you, Holy Spirit for being with us always.  Thank you for giving me simple ways to tell others so they will know and follow you, too.  Thank you for all you have done, are doing and will do in my life to transform me daily to be all you created me to be.  I’m not completing there yet, so keep working on me.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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