CONTENT AND HOPEFUL

Posted on February 18, 2019 by randscallawayffm
Psalms – Prayers of Honesty and Praise
 
Psalm 131 content
Contentment comes when hope is healthy. When our hope is in the Lord, He gives peace and contentment like no other person can. When we are content to wait in our hope of what the Lord will do next and not run ahead of Him with our own plans, we are content.
 
Has contentment and peace escaped from your being? What do you hope for? Who are you waiting for? In whom do you place all your hope? Are you hopeless? These are questions for reflection as we read our next psalm on this journey called life here, in preparation for eternal life with God.
 
Psalm 131, The Message
 
A Pilgrim Song
God, I’m not trying to rule the roost,
I don’t want to be king of the mountain.
I haven’t meddled where I have no business
or fantasized grandiose plans.
 
2 I’ve kept my feet on the ground,
I’ve cultivated a quiet heart.
Like a baby content in its mother’s arms,
my soul is a baby content.
 
3 Wait, Israel, for God. Wait with hope.
Hope now; hope always!
 
FROM THE HEART…
 
Being content leads to restored hope. Over the past few years I’ve come to the conclusion that our society lives in a constant state of discontentment. We’re not happy with our leaders, with our spouse, our children, or the things that we have. Our house is too small, our TV is an older model and our smartphone doesn’t have the latest 4G technology. So what’s a person to do in order to find contentment in such a restless world, and why can’t we seem to find the contentment that we’re looking for?
 
Many of us are trying to fill a void of some kind in our lives, and unfortunately we try to fill that void with things that can’t satisfy. We look to fill the void with possessions or money, but we only end up wanting more. We try to fill it with relationships, but we end up feeling even more empty and depressed than when we started.
 
All of these things we try to fill our lives with aren’t necessarily bad things, but when they become the end goals, and the reason for our being, we end up being discontent because those things were never meant to fulfill us. Then we become hopeless. Discontentment leads to hopelessness.
 
The only place that we can really find true fulfillment and contentment is in Christ. True contentment isn’t something that we find in things, people or circumstances, it can only be discovered in our convictions.
 
The Bible calls us to allow our convictions, not our circumstances, to govern our sense of contentment. True, biblical contentment is a conviction that Christ’s power, purpose and provision is sufficient for every circumstance. We are to learn how to walk through all kinds of adversity believing in and experiencing Christ’s sufficiency. We have to choose to rest on God’s good promises despite what may be going on in our lives.
 
Yes, true contentment comes from accepting Christ, and having faith that in Him you will have everything you need. Christ is sufficient, and his promises are enough. Hope is restored because of the expectation of knowing Christ is enough.
 
Here are some verses that speak to how to find true contentment in Christ.
 
Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
 
1 Timothy 6:6-12 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
 
2 Cor. 12:9-10 “And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” …Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
 
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
 
Job 36:11 If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.
 
Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the LORD leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
 
Psalm 34:10b Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
 
Romans 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
 
Proverbs 30: 7-9 Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
 
Luke 3:14 And some soldiers were questioning him, saying, “And what about us, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages.”
 
Proverbs 14:30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
 
So, we see that our hope is based on Jesus Christ. Nothing more and nothing less.
 
Return to life of contentment and healthy hope in the One who loved you so much He died for you and lives again in You by His Spirit.
 
Dear Heavenly Father,
My hope is You and You alone.. You are my everything and everyone. I am content to watch you work, join you in your work when invited and not run ahead of you. Thank you for all you have done, are doing and will do. I wait expectantly for You. You are King of kings and Lord of lords. I’m Yours. I’m listening.
In Jesus Name, Amen
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FORGIVENESS IS YOUR HABIT

Posted on February 17, 2019 by randscallawayffm
Psalms – Prayers of Honesty and Praise
 
Psalm 130 redeem
We are beginning week two of our mission work here in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. We are still in the “honeymoon period” where all is well. We have nested into our new home. We have renewed relationships with friends we met the first time we came to this place together a year ago. We met and taught art to our elementary students for a full week. We are being trained to take over teaching Bible to 11th graders in the fourth quarter. It has been a good start to accomplishing God’s purposes for bringing us here.
 
We enjoyed planting flowers in pots on our front porch of the mission house yesterday. We purchased everything we needed at the wonderful outdoor/indoor marketplace where throngs of Bolivians gather to buy and sell. Wow, what a great experience! What a time to hear the language we are trying to learn and watch the exchanges between the people in another culture other than our own.
 
Psalm 130 GodThere will be a time, I am sure, when it might feel as if the “bottom is falling out” of this plan. Satan loves to get in the way, throw up roadblocks to our obedience to God. He loves to dig into people’s hearts and cause discord. What will we do? Will we be alert to who the real enemy is when relationships are tested? Will forgiveness, like God to us, be OUR habit?
 
“If you, God kept records on wrongdoings, who would stand a chance? As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit, and that’s why you’re worshiped.”
 
psalm-130-habit.jpgDid you get that? “FORGIVENESS IS YOUR HABIT”. This phrase, these words that describe the Creator who knows our names, our hearts, minds and souls, leaps from the page of this passage this morning and begs reflection…Is forgiveness my habit, my way of life? When others back home or in business offend, cheat, put me down, say what I’m doing is crazy, or who I follow isn’t real…is immediate and complete forgiveness MY habit as God’s is for me?
 
Psalm 130, The Message
A Pilgrim Song
 
1-2 Help, God—the bottom has fallen out of my life!
Master, hear my cry for help!
Listen hard! Open your ears!
Listen to my cries for mercy.
 
Psalm 130 full redemption3-4 If you, God, kept records on wrongdoings,
who would stand a chance?
As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit,
and that’s why you’re worshiped.
 
5-6 I pray to God—my life a prayer—
and wait for what he’ll say and do.
My life’s on the line before God, my Lord,
waiting and watching till morning,
waiting and watching till morning.
 
7-8 O Israel, wait and watch for God—
with God’s arrival comes love,
with God’s arrival comes generous redemption.
No doubt about it—he’ll redeem Israel,
buy back Israel from captivity to sin.
 
FROM THE HEART…
 
All I am and all I have I owe to God. He has brought me through thick and thin, hard times and good times, challenging and easy tasks on the journey to knowing Him more and more. I’ve messed up many times with saying or doing the wrong thing at the wrong time, but because of the work of Jesus Christ, His Son, on the cross for our sins…ALL sin past, present and future has been taken care of and paid in full. Forgiveness is God’s habit. Let’s develop God’s habit of forgiving, even when other’s don’t ask for it. THIS is the byproduct of God’s forgiveness to us. It is mandatory. Love God. Love Others. Forgive Others as God forgave us. Experience complete freedom having the holy habit of forgiveness. Be a revolutionary!
 
Psalm 130 must learnMatthew 6:14-15 (NIV)
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. –Jesus
 
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your holy habit of forgiveness to us. You are God and we are not but You are willing to forgive us completely. You are also willing to teach us how to develop your habit of forgiveness for others. Thank you for your patience, love, mercy and grace for us. Thank you for this lesson today.
In Jesus Name, Amen

 

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WE BLESS YOU!

Posted on February 16, 2019 by randscallawayffm
Psalms – Prayers of Honesty and Praise
 
Psalm 129, The Message
A Pilgrim Song
 
Psalm 129
1-4 “They’ve kicked me around ever since I was young”
—this is how Israel tells it—
“They’ve kicked me around ever since I was young,
but they never could keep me down.
Their plowmen plowed long furrows
up and down my back;
Then God ripped the harnesses
of the evil plowmen to shreds.”
 
Psalm 129 bless you5-8 Oh, let all those who hate Zion
grovel in humiliation;
Let them be like grass in shallow ground
that withers before the harvest,
Before the farmhands can gather it in,
the harvesters get in the crop,
Before the neighbors have a chance to call out,
“Congratulations on your wonderful crop!
We bless you in God’s name!”
 
What We Need to Know…(Commentary, Warren Wiersbe)
 
The destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians was described by the prophets as “plowing” (vv. 3-4; Isa. 51:23; Mic. 3:12; Jer. 26:17-18), so this psalm was probably written after the exiles returned to the land. There they were surrounded by enemy peoples who hated them, so the theme was appropriate.
 
The psalmist speaks for the nation and states that, no matter how severe the persecution, nothing can destroy the people of Israel. But God’s church has also suffered severe persecution throughout the centuries, and faithful individual Christians face personal hostility. “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12 nkjv). The psalm gives three instructions that we should follow when we find ourselves suffering for Jesus Christ.
 
ACCEPT IT (vv. 1-2)
Israel has suffered more than any nation in history, yet Israel has not been destroyed!
 
Egypt tried to drown the Jews (Ex. 1:15-22), but the Lord drowned Egypt’s crack troops (Ex. 14:19-31). The Assyrians tried to starve them into surrender, but God wiped out the Assyrian army (Isa. 37–38). Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylon, tried to burn them up, but the Lord delivered them (Dan. 3). Belshazzar blasphemed the God of Israel and defiled the holy vessels of the temple, but that very night, the Medes and Persians killed him. The Persian soothsayers tried to throw Daniel to the lions, but God rescued him, and the beasts killed the soothsayers instead (Dan. 6).
 
Hitler killed over six million Jews in his gas chambers, but he was soundly defeated, and the nation of Israel was born a few years later. The church of Jesus Christ has experienced persecution, but it still stands and will stand until Jesus returns (Matt. 16:18). Every true believer can identify with Paul’s testimony in 2 Corinthians 4:7-12. When it comes to suffering for the sake of the Lord, we must first of all accept it.
 
Psalm 129 plowingBENEFIT FROM IT (vv. 3-4)
As you read these verses, you can almost feel the sharp cutting edges of the plow. Their enemies treated Israel like dirt and walked on them! (See Josh. 10:24; Isa. 51:23.) Some students see in the plowing image a picture of prisoners being whipped, leaving long, deep gashes on their backs. If that is a part of the picture, then our Lord endured the same suffering–and yet His stripes bring spiritual healing to those who trust Him (Isa. 50:6; 53:5)!
 
The nation of Israel has been plowed long, deep, and often, but what a harvest of blessing it has brought to the world! The day came when God cut the cords that tied the oxen to the plow, and then Israel was free (see 124:7). The exiles returned to their homes wiser and better people because they had felt the pain of the plow. Instead of blaming God for their suffering, they confessed, “The Lord is righteous.”
 
The plowing image is a good one for believers today, for it reminds us that there can be a glorious harvest, but it depends on the seeds that we plant. Of itself, suffering does not produce blessing. If we plant seeds of hatred and resentment, then suffering will produce bitterness. But if we plant faith, hope, love, and the precious promises of the Word, then the harvest will bless us and help others, and it will bring glory to God. (See 1 Peter 4:12-19.) God permits people to treat us like dirt, and we must accept it, but we have the privilege of transforming it by the grace of God into character that honors the Lord.
 
COMMIT TO THE LORD (vv. 5-8)
Psalm 129 grass on roofThe harvest image continues, but moves from the fields to the housetops. Roofs were flat and usually composed of a mixture of mud and mortar, wood, and thatching. It would be easy for wind-blown seeds to settle on the roofs, take root in the shallow soil, grow quickly, but not last. Jesus used this image in His parable about the sower (Matt. 13:5-6, 20-21). Where there has been no plowing, you will not get much of a harvest.
 
The psalmist prayed that those who hated Zion would perish quickly like the useless grass on the roof. But why would anybody want to hate the Jews? Is this hatred born of envy? The most logical answer is that Satan hates Israel and has always been at war with her (see Rev. 12). Satan is also at war with the church (John 15:18-25; 17:14; 1 John 3:13).
 
Jewish harvesters often blessed one another as they worked in the fields (Ruth 2:4), but no blessing would be given to Israel’s enemies, for they were rebelling against the God of Israel. First, these enemies would be turned back in disgrace because they could not eradicate Israel, then they would wither away, and finally they would be mowed down and used for fuel. But the people of Israel can always say to the world, “We bless you in the name of the Lord,” because Israel has brought to the world the knowledge of the true and living God, the Scriptures, and the Savior. “Salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22).
 
When people treat you like dirt because you belong to Jesus, remember the ABCs of this psalm: accept it, benefit from it, commit it to the Lord.
 
FROM THE HEART…
 
How hard is it to bless those who persecute us? How should believers respond to unbelievers’ taunts?
 
How can we benefit from suffering?
 
 
Psalm 129 heartDear Heavenly Father,
We love you with all our heart, mind and soul. We know many do not love you back as you love us. Lord, it’s hard to love and bless our enemies. We realize our true enemy is satan who seeks to destroy our relationship with You. We will be on guard for this evil. With your help we will stay true to You and what we know to be Truth. Our benefit in suffering is knowing you more and more while feeling your Presence with us and knowing the suffering will only last for a little while until you come for us all on that glorious day. In the meantime, I’m yours, Lord. I’ll go where You lead.
In Jesus Name, Amen
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HOW BLESSED WE ARE!

Posted on February 15, 2019 by randscallawayffm

Psalms – Prayers of Honesty and Praise

psalm-128-reflect.jpgOnce in a while we must stop in our daily routine to look up and say, “I know these blessings come from You, God!  All the good in my life is because of You.  You are God and You know all that is needed for doing Your will.  You teach me gently and pull through rough times of not knowing what to do.  You are always with me.  Your love fills my soul.  Your mercy and grace come like healing salves to my troubled heart.  You give me wisdom.  You are my strength.  On top of all that you have blessed me with children who are good people and grandchildren who are my delight.  Yes, Father God, I am blessed all because of You.  I am enjoying the blessing of You in my life, directing my life and giving me Life eternal.”

The Psalmist stops on his pilgrim journey to remember that Life is what God creates for us as we obey Him.  Life is full of His blessings.  It is okay for us to thank Him then ENJOY those blessings!  That’s what puts the smile on our faces–Knowing God is the Creator of blessings!

Psalm 128, The Message

A Pilgrim Song

128 1-2 All you who fear God, how blessed you are!
how happily you walk on his smooth straight road!
You worked hard and deserve all you’ve got coming.
Enjoy the blessing! Revel in the goodness!

3-4 Your wife will bear children as a vine bears grapes,
your household lush as a vineyard,
The children around your table
as fresh and promising as young olive shoots.
Stand in awe of God’s Yes.
Oh, how he blesses the one who fears God!

5-6 Enjoy the good life in Jerusalem
every day of your life.
And enjoy your grandchildren.
Peace to Israel!

psalm-128-walk.jpgDear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for all you have done to bring us here to this very day.  Thank you for what you are doing in our lives right now.  Thank you for what you will do in future days.  You are God and we are not.  To you be all glory, honor and praise.  Thank you for strength, wisdom, mercy, love, salvation, grace and blessings on top of blessings as only You provide each day.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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IT’S ALL ABOUT GOD!

Posted on February 14, 2019 by randscallawayffm
Psalms – Prayers of Honesty and Praise
 
Psalm 127 nailsWe get confident in doing life until something happens that is out of our control. It is those times that remind us that we were never in control. We should, like Jesus said about the Father, only do what the Father does and say
what the Father tells to say. We are not as perfect as Jesus so we tend to go our own way for awhile until we realize once more that it is all about God.
 
Our Psalm is the perfect reminder of all God is and what He does. He builds a place for Himself in our hearts, minds and souls if we let Him. If we don’t our “house” will fall. He guards us from the enemy whose desire is to keep us from God while destroying our faith, trust and hope in God. When we don’t let God be the guardian of our souls, the enemy comes in while we are napping. When we work to please only humans we grow weary. When we work to please our Father, He gives us strength, wisdom, insight, understanding AND rest! His work is for His glory. He knows when we need to rest and we must follow His prompting to do so. Our passage says he ENJOYS giving rest to those he loves! Wow.
 
He gives us children to birth, to teach, to adopt, to care for in every way. Children are God’s best gift to us. Yes, indeed. It’s our responsibility to give them what the Father gave us…unconditional love and care, always pointing them to God, our Father and Creator. How blessed we are to have Our Father in Heaven! We are his children. We are cared for and protected from the enemy. Yes, life is all about God…when we let Him have His way with us!
 
Psalm 127, The Message
A Pilgrim Song of Solomon
 
127 1-2 If GOD doesn’t build the house,
the builders only build shacks.
If GOD doesn’t guard the city,
the night watchman might as well nap.
It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late,
and work your worried fingers to the bone.
Psalm 127Don’t you know he enjoys
giving rest to those he loves?
3-5 Don’t you see that children are GOD’s best gift?
the fruit of the womb his generous legacy?
Like a warrior’s fistful of arrows
are the children of a vigorous youth.
Oh, how blessed are you parents,
with your quivers full of children!
Your enemies don’t stand a chance against you;
you’ll sweep them right off your doorstep.
 
Psalm 133 God with us
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed and holy is Your Name. May YOUR Kingdom come and reign in us and all around us today. May YOUR will be done in everything we think, say and do. Give us this day a revelation of Who you are and what you want us to be and do. Show us the way and we will follow. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who hurt or offend us. Lead us not into temptations to follow the enemy, but deliver us from all evil and evil’s schemes to bring us down. For you have all power. Life is all about You who gives Life abundant to all who believe in You. So to You be all glory, honor and praise! You are God and we are not!
In Jesus Name, Amen. I believe.
 
And we’re singing….Great Are You Lord
 
You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope, You restore
Every heart that is broken
Great are You, Lord
 
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise to You only…
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DO IT AGAIN!

Posted on February 13, 2019 by randscallawayffm
Psalms – Prayers of Honesty and Praise
 
Psalm 126 6
There are set backs in life along with all that God provides for us. Jesus said there would be trouble so we need not be surprised, but sometimes we are. Along with armloads of blessings there will be times of wondering why, when all was going so well. That is life. We learn to live it well with wisdom from the lessons learned in times of setbacks and sufferings. God did not design evil, create bad times or thrust trials on us just so He could teach us these powerful lessons. But He uses what this imperfect world (since the fall of Adam and Eve) presents to us as ways to teach us wisdom and dependency on Him. God works ALL things into good to those who love and follow Him. (Romans 8:28). AND there’s blessings galore on top!
 
Our next Psalm reminds us that God’s people have suffered greatly at the hands of other nations. But God intervened and brought His people back to where they needed to be…home with Him. A nightmare turned into a dream of blessings. God has done it many times in the past, is doing it now and He will continue to do it until Jesus comes for all of us someday.
 
“Like a dream, too good to be true”, God will do it again, and again and again…”armloads of blessings”!
 
God has done it for Randy and I many times. He will do it in you and for you and through you, too!
 
Psalm 126, The Message
A Pilgrim Song
Psalm 126 11-3 It seemed like a dream, too good to be true,
when God returned Zion’s exiles.
We laughed, we sang,
we couldn’t believe our good fortune.
We were the talk of the nations—
“God was wonderful to them!”
God was wonderful to us;
we are one happy people.
 
4-6 And now, God, do it again—
bring rains to our drought-stricken lives
So those who planted their crops in despair
will shout hurrahs at the harvest,
So those who went off with heavy hearts
will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.u
 
Dear Heavenly Father,
Psalm 126 5
Thank you for Who you are to us. You are God and we are not. We cannot out give You. We cannot be You. We cannot do what You do or be who You are. We are not alone because of You. You guide us through setbacks, high water and storms. You grow us, mature us and help us to live this life with skills beyond us. You give us life eternal on top of all this. You give us abundant life now. When we are ready to give up, you make a way through all the trials. You do it again and again. I am forever grateful to You!
In Jesus Name, Amen
 
And I’m singing…Do It Again by Elevation Worship
 
Walking around these walls
I thought by now they’d fall
But You have never failed me yet
Waiting for change to come
Knowing the battle’s won
For You have never failed me yet
 
Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence, You’ve never failed me yet
 
I know the night won’t last
Your Word will come to pass
My heart will sing Your praise again
Jesus, You’re still enough
Keep me within Your love
My heart will sing Your praise again
 
Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence, You never failed
 
Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence, You never failed me yet…
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RIGHT HEART, TOTAL TRUST

Posted on February 12, 2019 by randscallawayffm
RIGHT HEART, TOTAL TRUST
 
Psalms – Prayers of Honesty and Praise
 
Psalm 125
Our passage begins with “those who trust”. What or who do you trust each day? Do you trust your place of work to always be there? Do you trust the people you work with completely? Do you assume your vehicle will get you to work, to school, to church? Do you trust in your routine, assuming your home to be there when you come back?
Do you trust in what you believe to be true? Our behavior tells others what we trust and who we follow. Maybe we should pause and reflect on our “routine” of life.
 
There are so many things and people we say we trust in today and believe they will be there for us but they are human. They don’t have the power to be there for us 24/7 like God can. HE is the one in whom we put total trust. Not our government, our work, the economy, not even church people. Our trust is in God alone Who never changes. Our faith in Him Alone for he is “the rock-solid mountain” you can always depend on. Are we as rock solid in our trust and faith in Him? Can we depend on what we read in God’s Word? Do we take what God’s Word to heart? Do we behave like we say we believe?
 
Psalm 125, The Message
A Pilgrim Song
1-5 Those who trust in GOD
are like Zion Mountain:
Nothing can move it, a rock-solid mountain
you can always depend on.
Mountains encircle Jerusalem,
and GOD encircles his people—
always has and always will.
The fist of the wicked
will never violate
What is due the righteous,
provoking wrongful violence.
Be good to your good people, GOD,
to those whose hearts are right!
GOD will round up the backsliders,
corral them with the incorrigibles.
Peace over Israel!
 
Psalm 125 reflectionFROM THE HEART
As I pause to reflect, I must ask, is my heart right with God? Am I going my own way? Am I missing out on His goodness? Is God waiting on me to surrender to all that is God so He can do what He does best—His Good in us, for us, with us and through us?
 
Our Father,
You are so good to us. Our hearts are indeed completely yours. We will follow You where You lead even when it is uncomfortable and against our “routine” of life. Your way of life is more adventurous. We grow in your way of Truth and Life. We grow stale in our own routines. Yes, You are Life! Thank you for being with us always. Thank you for your unchanging love. Thank you for providing for all our needs. It is You, Lord, we trust with all we are and all we have. I count on You. Every day.
In Jesus Name, Amen
 
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IF GOD HADN’T BEEN FOR US…

Posted on February 11, 2019 by randscallawayffm
Psalms – Prayers of Honesty and Praise
 
Psalm 124 8Think about a time that was challenging, maybe even horrible, for you as a believer. Say this out loud, “If God hadn’t been for us, we ________. Think about how God walked you through the high waters of worry, right through the enemy’s clutches, out of the trouble with a solution. Think about how He grew your faith in the process. Think about how His rescue was unforgettable. This is God’s story of power and majesty in us! NOW, praise God with all that is in you! SING it out loud like the Psalmist!
 
“God’s strong name is our help, the same God who made heaven and earth.”
 
Don’t forget WHO we are talking to, relying on, looking to with faith and trust in the ONE and ONLY who makes all things work together for good. Yes, God is good. He is God and we are not. We follow Him. If God hadn’t been for us…yikes, I shuddered to think about that!
 
Psalm 124, The Message
A Pilgrim Song of David
 
1-5 If God hadn’t been for us
—all together now, Israel, sing out!—
If God hadn’t been for us
when everyone went against us,
We would have been swallowed alive
by their violent anger,
Swept away by the flood of rage,
drowned in the torrent;
We would have lost our lives
in the wild, raging water.
 
6 Oh, blessed be God!
He didn’t go off and leave us.
He didn’t abandon us defenseless,
helpless as a rabbit in a pack of snarling dogs.
 
7 We’ve flown free from their fangs,
free of their traps, free as a bird.
Their grip is broken;
we’re free as a bird in flight.
 
8 God’s strong name is our help,
the same God who made heaven and earth.
 
Psalm 124 journeyOur Father,
If you hadn’t been for YOU, we would not be here now, serving in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. We would not have raised all our funds in 3 weeks to afford living here without worry. We would not have conquered all the details that had to happen so that we could leave our home in the states for four months. If were not for you, we would have not had supportive family and friends who rallied around us, praying and giving financially. If it were not for You working in us our joy would not be complete. BECAUSE of You, our hearts, minds and souls know that we are exactly where YOU want us to be. Thank you, thank you, thank you! To YOU be all glory, honor and praise! Blessed be Your Holy Name.
In Jesus Name, Amen
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ALERT AND FOCUSED

Posted on February 11, 2019 by randscallawayffm
Psalms – Prayers of Honesty and Praise
 
Here we are in Santa Cruz, Bolivia where we will live and work for the next few months. I must say that our Father has our complete attention. We are alert and focused as we look to God for strength, creativity to teach and learn, for wisdom, insight and understanding of our new surrounding culture. We are in God’s hands. Our hearts are His. We look to Him as we take each step forward. We are focused on His commands and what He wants next.
 
Psalm 123 zeros in on that laser intensity of desire to please God by being alert to what He says and where He sends.
 
Psalm 123, The Message
A Pilgrim Song
 
Psalm 123 praise1-4 I look to you, heaven-dwelling God,
look up to you for help.
Like servants, alert to their master’s commands,
like a maiden attending her lady,
We’re watching and waiting, holding our breath,
awaiting your word of mercy.
Mercy, God, mercy!
We’ve been kicked around long enough,
Kicked in the teeth by complacent rich men,
kicked when we’re down by arrogant brutes.
 
FROM THE HEART…
 
This “pilgrim song” also shows us that we need God’s mercies each day. And, praise God, His mercies are fresh and new each day we live!
 
“We’re watching and waiting, holding our breath, awaiting your word of mercy.”
 
In the wait we praise God for all He has done, is doing and will do with complete confidence in the One who knows what He is doing. When it come time to act, we do so at His command. How do we know? By staying focused on God. Look up, listen and lean forward as He beckons to come to Him.
 
If you have been “kicked around” by various negative people in your lives, held back by your own needs to satisfy self first or stopped by circumstances which made you feel unworthy or inadequate to do what God wants and go where God leads, then take heart! Look up! Give all of you to all of God. Be alert and ready! You are where God wants you to be when you stop and look up and focus on what HE wants. Lay aside how you feel about yourself. Read His Word, accept what He says, believe in His Son, Jesus, rely on His Holy Spirit to enlighten You. When you do, You are right where God wants you to be.
 
May God’s mercies fall fresh on us this morning as we look up, give praises to One who knows us best and has a plan for us that will grow us so we can help others find and follow Him, too.
 
Our Father,
Thank you for your faithfulness to us. “Morning by morning new mercies, I see” just like like another songwriter penned. I ready, alert and listening for what’s next, Father God.
In Jesus Name, Amen
 
And I’m singing…
 
Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
And all I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness
Lord unto me
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LIVE IN PEACE

Posted on February 9, 2019 by randscallawayffm
Psalms – Prayers of Honesty and Praise
 
Psalm 122 peace
Peace. We all want it. No one wants to be unsettled if you asked humans to be honest. Is this a utopia that can never be achieved? Is it not in the cards for people to live in peace?
 
What IS peace? According to man’s definition it is freedom from disturbance; tranquility. There are many synonyms for peace: tranquility, calm, calmness, restfulness, quiet, quietness, quietude, silence, hush, noiseless, stillness. It is a a state or period in which there is no war or a war has ended.
 
Jesus said the peace I give you is not like the world’s definition. It is a gift from God through Jesus delivered by His Holy Spirit who lives in each believer and follower. It is peace of mind no matter what is going on around us. Jesus said, ” I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27, NLT)
 
Psalm 122 peace of Christ
Paul reminds us to “Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Is being thankful just thrown in for good measure? I don’t think so. When we are grateful to God for all He has done, is doing and will do, peace comes knowing God is in control…no matter what.
 
NOW we come to our next Psalm, a pilgrim song of David’s that tells of God’s greatness. It tells of how much David loves God. David longs to worship God where He is for Who He is. Then David prays for peace. Friends and family of God…”get along!” “For the sake of my family and friends, I say it again; live in peace!”
 
Psalm 122, The Message
A Pilgrim Song of David
 
Psalm 122 11-2 When they said, “Let’s go to the house of God,”
my heart leaped for joy.
And now we’re here, O Jerusalem,
inside Jerusalem’s walls!
 
3-5 Jerusalem, well-built city,
built as a place for worship!
The city to which the tribes ascend,
all God’s tribes go up to worship,
To give thanks to the name of God—
this is what it means to be Israel.
Thrones for righteous judgment
are set there, famous David-thrones.
 
6-9 Pray for Jerusalem’s peace!
Prosperity to all you Jerusalem-lovers!
Friendly insiders, get along!
Hostile outsiders, keep your distance!
For the sake of my family and friends,
I say it again: live in peace!
For the sake of the house of our God, God,
I’ll do my very best for you.
 
Psalm 122 not pieces“Do all that you can to live in peace with
everyone.” Romans 12:18, NLT
 
We can only live in peace when the peace of Christ rules our hearts, minds and souls. Live peace, the gift of God’s love by inviting Jesus into your hearts. Peace from God is the gift that keeps on giving!
 
Psalm 122 God is peace
Dear Heavenly Father,
Real peace is your wonderful gift that takes through good times and bad and delivers Your promise to always be with us…so why be afraid of the unknown that is clearly known by you? You are peace. Thank you for this gift delivered by Your Holy Spirit living in us.
In Jesus Name, Amen
 
And I’m singing…
 
There comes to my heart one sweet strain,
A glad and a joyous refrain;
I sing it again and again–
Sweet peace, the gift of God’s love.
Chorus:
Peace, peace, sweet peace!
Wonderful gift from above!
O wonderful, wonderful peace!
Sweet peace, the gift of God’s love!
 
Thro’ Christ on the cross peace was made,
My debt by His death was all paid;
No other foundation is laid
For peace, the gift of God’s love. (Chorus)
 
When Jesus as Lord I had crowned,
My heart with this peace did abound;
In Him the rich blessing I found–
Sweet peace, the gift of God’s love. (Chorus)
 
In Jesus for peace I abide,
And as I keep close to His side,
There’s nothing but peace doth betide–
Sweet peace, the gift of God’s love. (Chorus)
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