Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus)

JUST TO SPEAK HIS NAME…

Posted on January 9, 2019 by randscallawayffm

Psalms – Prayers of Honesty and Praise

There are mornings, in the middle of journaling my prayers to God that I just sit still for a while and really think about Who I’m talking to as I pray. Because of Jesus opening the door to heaven for us because of his work on the cross, we can walk right in and talk with the God who created us, loved us first, cares about us and wants HIS best for us. Hallelujah, indeed!

In those “sit still” moments I am obeying God’s word for us to do just that…”Be still and KNOW me”, says God. “Don’t just talk about it, psalm 113 be still

really get to know Me”. “Feel My Presence with you.” “Understand and know from the inside out how much I love you.” I hear all of these words and more when I just sit still.

The Psalmist must have felt the same.

Psalm 113, The Message

1-3 Hallelujah!

You who serve God, praise God!

Just to speak his name is praise!

Just to remember God is a blessing—

now and tomorrow and always.

From east to west, from dawn to dusk,

keep lifting all your praises to God!

4-9 God is higher than anything and anyone,

outshining everything you can see in the skies.

Who can compare with God, our God,

so majestically enthroned,

Surveying his magnificent

heavens and earth?

He picks up the poor from out of the dirt,

rescues the wretched who’ve been thrown out with the trash,

Seats them among the honored guests,

a place of honor among the brightest and best.

He gives childless couples a family,

gives them joy as the parents of children.

Hallelujah!

HEART CHECK:

God says…(Psalm 46:10)

BE still and know that I am God.

BE still and know.

BE still.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you, thank you, thank you for these precious moments of talking to you and then spending time to LISTEN and just BE with you. Life is doable only when we are with you first. Life becomes powerful when we see You at work. Life is blessed when we follow You. Yes, blessed is your Name. There is indeed no one like You. You love us more deeply than we can love…but we will try. I love you, Lord, with all that is in me. To You be all the glory, honor and praise! Speak to my heart. I’m listening.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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UNFAZED, HEART READY!

Posted on January 8, 2019 by randscallawayffm

Psalms – Prayers of Honesty and Praise

What does it mean to be blessed? Does it mean that all is going well in our lives? Does it mean we are liked and loved by all? Does it mean generally that life is going well without any speed bumps along the way. Mm, I don’t think so. Being and feeling blessed might have a lot to do with the stage of our maturity and growth in following God and obeying His commandments.

Our next psalm of praise begins with “Blessed man, blessed woman, who fear God, who cherish and relish his commandments.” So, God’s blessings come when we obey with enthusiasm and joy knowing that God will be pleased. Not only that, we cherish His guidance knowing God wants His best for us. Blessed is an attitude in us as God gives His best generously to us who believe and follow Him.

Blessings and growing in maturity in following God seem to be related. Maturity has many facets as we grow more and more in love with God, our Father, who loved us first. How do we know we are maturing in His love? We see evidence of maturity emerging in our lives when:

*Our concern for others outweighs our concern for ourselves. (Phil 2)

*The presence of evil or danger is detected before it is obvious.

*We have more than high ideals; we have discipline to carry them out.

*Emotions are tempered by responsibility and thoroughness.

*Awareness of needs are matched by compassion and involvement.

*There is not only an understanding of a task, but also the fortitude to stay at it until it is done.

*There is a willingness to change.

*There is the ability to joyfully grow spiritually.

*Maturity is the ability to do a job whether or not you are supervised, finish a job once it’s started, and carry money without spending it.

*And last, but not least, it’s the ability to bear an injustice without wanting to get even.

So, if we evaluate ourselves by these few defined moments of maturity and growing in Christ, are we, like the psalmist writes, “unfazed by rumor and gossip, heart ready, trusting in God, spirit firm, unperturbed, ever blessed, relaxed among enemies”?

Yeah, I’m not completely there yet, either. But we keep striving to do all that pleases God in each of our journeys knowing God will help us to grow….and be blessed. You can count on Him! His power will make you what you ought to be!

Psalm 112, The Message

1-10 Hallelujah!

Blessed man, blessed woman, who fear God,

Who cherish and relish his commandments,

Their children robust on the earth,

And the homes of the upright—how blessed!

Their houses brim with wealth

And a generosity that never runs dry.

Sunrise breaks through the darkness for good people—

God’s grace and mercy and justice!

The good person is generous and lends lavishly;

No shuffling or stumbling around for this one,

But a sterling and solid and lasting reputation.

Unfazed by rumor and gossip,

Heart ready, trusting in God,

Spirit firm, unperturbed,

Ever blessed, relaxed among enemies,

They lavish gifts on the poor—

A generosity that goes on, and on, and on.

An honored life! A beautiful life!

Someone wicked takes one look and rages,

Blusters away but ends up speechless.

There’s nothing to the dreams of the wicked. Nothing.

Dear Heavenly Father,

You have proven over and over to us that You are everything to us and for us. The enemy is nothing and has nothing to offer that will help us. Thank you for this Word of encouragement to us this morning. Thank you for your daily manna of your word, help, encouragement, guidance and care. Thank you for your forgiveness. Thank you for not giving up on us, but staying with us as you continue to transform us to be more and more like You. Yes, make me holy, unfazed, heart ready today!

In Jesus Name, Amen

Just thought of an old hymn that is ringing in my heart and head….(Written a few years back by Cyrus S. Nusbaum, 1898)

Would you live for Jesus, and be always pure and good?

Would you walk with Him within the narrow road?

Would you have Him bear your burden, carry all your load?

Let Him have His way with thee.

His pow’r can make you what you ought to be;

His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free;

His love can fill your soul, and you will see

’Twas best for Him to have His way with thee.

Would you have Him make you free, and follow at His call?

Would you know the peace that comes by giving all?

Would you have Him save you, so that you need never fall?

Let Him have His way with thee.

Would you in His kingdom find a place of constant rest?

Would you prove Him true in providential test?

Would you in His service labor always at your best?

Let Him have His way with thee.

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NO EXPIRATION DATE!

Posted on January 7, 2019 by randscallawayffm

Psalms – Prayers of Honesty and Praise

Randy and I have been on our own, so to speak, without kids or my dad living in our home for quite awhile now. Because there are only two to cook for and eat, I have discovered that items begin to build in our fridge and cabinets. I have also discovered that I must look at expiration dates before using those products again. When precious time goes by quickly, especially when we are busy, we don’t realize that some products have expired. SO, my new habit is to look at the dates before using any product these days. And how long have I had this bread?

As I read our next prayer song of praise, I am especially grateful that God and His promises NEVER go out of date, never gives up on me, never becomes obsolete or goes out of style. He proves this over and over and over again. He proved His promises to me this morning…without me checking the expiration date…because there isn’t one!!

Enjoy and be encouraged!

Psalm 111, The Message

1-10 Hallelujah!

I give thanks to God with everything I’ve got—

Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation.

God’s works are so great, worth

A lifetime of study—endless enjoyment!

Splendor and beauty mark his craft;

His generosity never gives out.

His miracles are his memorial—

This God of Grace, this God of Love.

He gave food to those who fear him,

He remembered to keep his ancient promise.

He proved to his people that he could do what he said:

Hand them the nations on a platter—a gift!

He manufactures truth and justice;

All his products are guaranteed to last—

Never out-of-date, never obsolete, rust-proof.

All that he makes and does is honest and true:

He paid the ransom for his people,

He ordered his Covenant kept forever.

He’s so personal and holy, worthy of our respect.

The good life begins in the fear of God—

Do that and you’ll know the blessing of God.

His Hallelujah lasts forever!

HEART CHECK:

This prayer tells us about who God is and what He has done, is doing and will do in Jesus. All for us who believe and have a healthy fear of God which is to say we are in awe of the One and Only who created us and loves us so much He gave a ransom for our very lives.

What parts of this Psalm of Praise speak to you this morning?

What is our response to all that God has done for us…right now, today?

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your promise to be with us, to teach us, to challenge us and to love us with no expiration date. You are God of creation and we are not. You have higher thoughts that we will never understand completely but we know this…You have our best in your heart. Wow. Thank you, Lord for paying for my sin. Thank you for your grace, mercy and unconditional, limitless love that is never out of date! Speak to my heart, I’m listening now for you. I’m ready to walk with you knowing you a little bit more. I am in awe of You, fear You, because of Your greatness and knowledge of all. Thank you for bending down to hear us.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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THE ONE AND ONLY KING!

Posted on January 6, 2019 by randscallawayffm

Psalms – Prayers of Honesty and Praise

A David Prayer about Jesus, King Forever!

1-3 The word of God to my Lord:

“Sit alongside me here on my throne

until I make your enemies a stool for your feet.”

You were forged a strong scepter by God of Zion;

now rule, though surrounded by enemies!

Your people will freely join you, resplendent in holy armor

on the great day of your conquest,

Join you at the fresh break of day,

join you with all the vigor of youth.

4-7 God gave his word and he won’t take it back:

you’re the permanent priest, the Melchizedek priest.

The Lord stands true at your side,

crushing kings in his terrible wrath,

Bringing judgment on the nations,

handing out convictions wholesale,

crushing opposition across the wide earth.

The King-Maker put his King on the throne;

the True King rules with head held high!

HERE ARE SOME FACTS:

Jesus and Peter both stated that David wrote this psalm (Matt. 22:43; Mark 12:36; Luke 20:42; Acts 2:33-35), and since David was a prophet, he wrote it about the Messiah (Acts 2:30; 2 Sam. 23:2).

David certainly did not write about any of his own descendants, for no Jewish king was ever a priest, let alone a priest forever (v. 4; 2 Chron. 26:16-23).

Also, no Jewish king ever conquered all the rulers of the whole earth (v. 6). The psalm is quoted or alluded to in the New Testament more than any other psalm, verse 1 at least twenty-five times and verse 4 another five times. Ten of these quotations or allusions are in the book of Hebrews alone.

Jesus used verse 1 to prove His deity and silence the Pharisees (Matt. 22:41-46) and also to answer the high priest during His trial (Matt. 26:64).

The psalm presents two pictures of Messiah from the past–His exaltation as King (vv. 1-3) and His consecration as Priest (v. 4)–and a third picture from the future, His victory over the enemies of God (vv. 5-7).

Colossians. Hebrews. 1 Peter. Psalm 110.

SO…David wasn’t just a shepherd boy who became God appointed leader of God’s people on earth for awhile, he was also God’s prophet who herald the coming of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord! Jesus, King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus the One and Only who would pay the debt of our sin on a cruel cross. Jesus, Son of God, whose mission to seek and to save lost people, came to earth to help humanity come back to God, know God and worship Him as their first love once more. Jesus, perfect in every way, showed humanity how to treat each other with love and respect, telling us that the way we treat others is in direct proportion to the way we treat God.

Yes…“The King-Maker put his King on the throne; the True King rules with head held high!” This King is Jesus!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for Your Word that gives us a glimpse of You, teaches us about what you require and expect from those whose hearts are fully yours. Thank you for a way to come back to you through Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. We repent of all that we have done or said that does not please you. Help us live life knowing you have come into our hearts and taken up residence there. May every thought and behavior be led by You. You are my King, my Lord and Savior. I am yours.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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INJUSTICE

Posted on January 5, 2019 by randscallawayffm

Psalms – Prayers of Honest and Praise

It is a bad place to be when we are judged harshly for something we did not do. I’ve been there. Many who stand for what is right will experience a backlash of accusations by those who want life as is. Our first thought is anger. We are indignant and want to fight back or run from the injustice. Our righteous anger then turns to fright as we consider the possible outcomes of the punishment that may come as the accuser builds his/her case on lies. Do we just take it even though we did nothing wrong? Or do we stand and defend ourselves, going over every detail of the alleged “crime”?

David goes to God. He tells God ALL that his accusers and mockers are saying to him and about him. He is gut honest with his words. He does not hold anything back. He even tells God what God can do to bring justice to his situation. He also tells God how to punish his accusers.

Mm…is David going too far? Do we go too far in our talk with God? Have we stopped to consider just WHO we are talking to? God is God and we are not. Can we talk to God honestly? Yes. But do we tell God what to do? I think God knows what to do. David talks all things over with God. He is the kind of person (like me) who figures out a problem by talking it out, laying it all out and then coming to a conclusion about what he should do. God is the best Someone to go to, not humans. God knows Him. David knows God.

So before we judge David’s harsh prayer, like our crying out at times, let’s read this next psalm of prayer for injustice knowing the intimate relationship between God and David.

Another thought…Compare this prayer to what Jesus prayed on the cross…”Forgive them for they know not what they do”. David was human with human reactions. Jesus was God in human form who came to put us right with God. Jesus never did anything wrong in the sight of God. He was perfect so therefore made the perfect sacrifice for our sin. He was mocked and accused with lies and false witness statements. He was beaten, mocked and beaten repeatedly. Jesus went silent for he knew is mission to save us trumped his comfort and defense.

Now, let’s read and see what God puts in our hearts…

Psalm 109, The Message

A David Prayer

1-5 My God, don’t turn a deaf ear to my hallelujah prayer.

Liars are pouring out invective on me;

Their lying tongues are like a pack of dogs out to get me,

barking their hate, nipping my heels—and for no reason!

I loved them and now they slander me—yes, me!—

and treat my prayer like a crime;

They return my good with evil,

they return my love with hate.

6-20 Send the Evil One to accuse my accusing judge;

dispatch Satan to prosecute him.

When he’s judged, let the verdict be “Guilty,”

and when he prays, let his prayer turn to sin.

Give him a short life,

and give his job to somebody else.

Make orphans of his children,

dress his wife in widow’s weeds;

Turn his children into begging street urchins,

evicted from their homes—homeless.

May the bank foreclose and wipe him out,

and strangers, like vultures, pick him clean.

May there be no one around to help him out,

no one willing to give his orphans a break.

Chop down his family tree

so that nobody even remembers his name.

But erect a memorial to the sin of his father,

and make sure his mother’s name is there, too—

Their sins recorded forever before God,

but they themselves sunk in oblivion.

That’s all he deserves since he was never once kind,

hounded the afflicted and heartbroken to their graves.

Since he loved cursing so much,

let curses rain down;

Since he had no taste for blessing,

let blessings flee far from him.

He dressed up in curses like a fine suit of clothes;

he drank curses, took his baths in curses.

So give him a gift—a costume of curses;

he can wear curses every day of the week!

That’s what they’ll get, those out to get me—

an avalanche of just deserts from God.

21-25 Oh, God, my Lord, step in;

work a miracle for me—you can do it!

Get me out of here—your love is so great!—

I’m at the end of my rope, my life in ruins.

I’m fading away to nothing, passing away,

my youth gone, old before my time.

I’m weak from hunger and can hardly stand up,

my body a rack of skin and bones.

I’m a joke in poor taste to those who see me;

they take one look and shake their heads.

26-29 Help me, oh help me, God, my God,

save me through your wonderful love;

Then they’ll know that your hand is in this,

that you, God, have been at work.

Let them curse all they want;

you do the blessing.

Let them be jeered by the crowd when they stand up,

followed by cheers for me, your servant.

Dress my accusers in clothes dirty with shame,

discarded and humiliating old ragbag clothes.

30-31 My mouth’s full of great praise for God,

I’m singing his hallelujahs surrounded by crowds,

For he’s always at hand to take the side of the needy,

to rescue a life from the unjust judge.

THINK ABOUT IT…

David praises God in the end of his rant because he knows God knows. He knows God is with him. David knows God will “rescue a life from the unjust judge”. Life gets hard when we are accused unjustly but let God take care of it. He will rescue you, pull you out, or change the hearts of the accusers in the situation. God might even use us in His work of turning the lives of the unjust back to Him! Yes, this happens!

Don’t underestimate the God of all and who is in all. Let’s remember Who we are talking to. He knows what He is doing. That’s why Jesus taught us to pray for our accusers and “those who persecute us” for we shall receive mercy and peace for doing so, leaving ourselves out of the court of judgement. God is the only judge. Leave judgement to Him. He is also our Defender and help in times of injustice.

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” –Jesus

HEART CHECK:

When you are accused of wrong you did not do, what is your first response?

Who do you pour out your heart to in situations beyond your control?

Spiritual maturity can be measured by our first response to injustice.

God says,

(Deuteronomy 32:35 NIV)

“It is mine to avenge; I will repay.

In due time their foot will slip;

their day of disaster is near

and their doom rushes upon them.”

Romans 12:17-19 NIV)

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

My dad used to say, “You can be right and still be wrong.” This meant you might have done all the right things but to fight back with evil thoughts, words and actions of revenge will be an injustice, too.

Leave it all to God. He knows what He is doing. Talk it over with Him. Be honest, like David, as you bear your soul, but then look up to hear what HE wants you to do next…then do it.

Jesus also prayed for “this cup” to be removed, but when God did not, Jesus carried out His mission to save us. Aren’t you glad Jesus followed God to the completion of His purpose?

Can I get an amen and hallelujah?? Come on, now!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Only by your power and strength can I “act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with You”. You are our hope and peace. May the peace of Christ rule in our hearts in all situations we will face today. Thank you for rescuing me in the past. I know You know what You are doing. All my trust is in You.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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I’M READY, SO READY!

Posted on January 4, 2019 by randscallawayffm

Psalms – Prayers of Honesty and Praise

“I’m so ready for Christmas to be over!” was heard from a friend who is struggling with loss. “I’m so ready for a new year, this past year was hard.” “I’m so ready to leave work and rest for awhile.” “I’m so ready for these kids to grow up.” “I’m so ready for ….” You can probably fill in the blank with your own words. What are you “so ready” for today? What are you longing for and can wait to receive?

David is ready for God to give him the victory. He prays for it, believing he will receive God’s help. And guess what? God is ready to help him because where God guides, He provides all we need to accomplish the work HE invites to to do. David knows this well and puts all his trust and faith in God.

But there is something else that we see if we look a bit closer in the back story of David’s relationship with God. God loved David as the “apple of his eye” from birth. Why, because of David’s devoted love for God. This love began to grow as a young shepherd boy and continued to being the chosen king of God’s people. You see, God saw into David’s heart…as He sees into all our hearts. God saw that David loved God intimately with a grateful, humble heart, with a belief that “God can do anything” mind all wrapped up in a soul who filled himself with God’s love and care for him. David cannot help but praise God with song and dance. He is FULL of the glory of the God who loved him first! Wow.

That’s why David stands ready, so ready to praise God! David saw God before he saw Goliath and all the other challenging battles of his life. He knows the victory will come so he readies himself for praise and worship BEFORE the battle is even fought!! Do you see the implication for us today?

Psalm 108, The Message

A David Prayer

1-2 I’m ready, God, so ready,

ready from head to toe.

Ready to sing,

ready to raise a God-song:

“Wake, soul! Wake, lute!

Wake up, you sleepyhead sun!”

3-6 I’m thanking you, God, out in the streets,

singing your praises in town and country.

The deeper your love, the higher it goes;

every cloud’s a flag to your faithfulness.

Soar high in the skies, O God!

Cover the whole earth with your glory!

And for the sake of the one you love so much,

reach down and help me—answer me!

7-9 That’s when God spoke in holy splendor:

“Brimming over 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.”

10-11 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?

12-13 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.

THINK ABOUT IT…

Being ready for God with praise for what God will do before He does it is not just merely human optimism. This, my friends, is abiding, unswerving FAITH in the God of all, in all, who created all and is in control of all. It is an intimate love who has experience in God loves for him. It is knowing God so well that you begin to see how He works and it fills your soul with joy, peace and calm in good times and tough times.

David does not run FROM battles but runs TO battles that God sends him to fight knowing full well the victory will be God’s through David. David is full of confidence because of his undying trust in God.

LET’S BE HONEST…

We also know that David was not perfect and he fell into temptation that took his eyes off the first love of his life…God. David’s life was turned upside down in reckless turmoil until Nathan the prophet intervened on God’s behalf and brought David’s heart, mind and soul back to God, loving and relying on God instead of his own selfish methods of living life.

Yes David fell. We fall. Fortunately for all of us, God sent His One and Only Son, Jesus to rescue and save us from self that leads to all that is not God. Jesus intervened for us, like Nathan did for David, so that we can come back to God whole again with sins forgiven. When our focus falls from God, remember God did not leave us…we left Him. Eyes first, it seems, then the rest of our frail humanness follows. SO…Come back. Look up. Focus on God. Seek God. Follow God. He will never let us down. Never. That’s not God.

HEART CHECK:

Am I “ready, so ready” for victory instead of whining for challenging events to just be over?

OR….am I ready to live life with gratitude, joy and peace knowing God will fight every battle for me?

Am I ready to praise God now before the battles of challenging times come in my life?

Am I ready to worship God with “head to toe”, (all that is within me), by giving my life to God? See Romans 12 for how to do this daily.

Are you ready, so ready to praise God before the battle has begun?

“I’m thanking you, God, out in the streets,

singing your praises in town and country.

The deeper your love, the higher it goes;

every cloud’s a flag to your faithfulness.”

Dear Heavenly Father,

After being with you in prayer, reading your word, and listening to your Holy Spirit teach me, I can declare, I’m ready, so ready to live knowing your love, grace and mercy for me. This alone readies me for what lies ahead for today. You are here with me. You are with everyone who calls on Your Name. You are God and we are not. No one is like You. Thank you, Father. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Holy Spirit.

I’m ready, so ready!

In Jesus Name, Amen

I’m ready to sing…

Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me

You have been so, so good to me

Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me

You have been so, so kind to me

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God

Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine

I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah

When I was Your foe, still Your love fought for me

You have been so, so good to me

When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me

You have been so, so kind to me

And oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God…

(Cory Asbury – Reckless Love)

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THEN I CALLED OUT TO GOD…

Posted on January 3, 2019 by randscallawayffm

Psalms – Prayers of Honesty

There have been a few really hard, challenging times in my life as I know you have had. I felt I tried to do my best but my best wasn’t good enough. Called to serve, I tried to do what I felt God wanted me to do but the people around me didn’t like it so it was a tough line to walk. Then I called out to God and cried out, “I don’t know how long I can keep doing this” and suddenly He pulled me out…in the nick of time. As a young working mom with caring for my husband and three kids I caught myself trying to do life all by myself with grit and tenacity to prove to the world I would not fail…but I was doing life without God’s guidance and help… then I called out to God and He saved me in the nick of time.

Without God life is meaningless and empty. With God, life is not only doable, it is full of adventure with crazy, wild rides with God steering and looking back over His shoulder with laughter because we are with Him. He loves taking us where He is at work. He loves it when we are trusting fully in Him.

Yes, God pulled me out of various situations in the nick of time that could have destroyed me or at least hindered my faith journey with Him. Instead, when I called out to God, He literally used those times to build my faith and trust in Him. I will never turn back on God and His ways. It’s too scary.

I know you have probably had those moments when you felt all is lost and cried out, “I can’t go on like this, something has got to change, I don’t want to live life like this.” If you call out to God…HE will save you…in the nick of time.

Psalm 107, The Message

1-3 Oh, thank God—he’s so good!

His love never runs out.

All of you set free by God, tell the world!

Tell how he freed you from oppression,

Then rounded you up from all over the place,

from the four winds, from the seven seas.

4-9 Some of you wandered for years in the desert,

looking but not finding a good place to live,

Half-starved and parched with thirst,

staggering and stumbling, on the brink of exhaustion.

Then, in your desperate condition, you called out to God.

He got you out in the nick of time;

He put your feet on a wonderful road

that took you straight to a good place to live.

So thank God for his marvelous love,

for his miracle mercy to the children he loves.

He poured great draughts of water down parched throats;

the starved and hungry got plenty to eat.

10-16 Some of you were locked in a dark cell,

cruelly confined behind bars,

Punished for defying God’s Word,

for turning your back on the High God’s counsel—

A hard sentence, and your hearts so heavy,

and not a soul in sight to help.

Then you called out to God in your desperate condition;

he got you out in the nick of time.

He led you out of your dark, dark cell,

broke open the jail and led you out.

So thank God for his marvelous love,

for his miracle mercy to the children he loves;

He shattered the heavy jailhouse doors,

he snapped the prison bars like matchsticks!

17-22 Some of you were sick because you’d lived a bad life,

your bodies feeling the effects of your sin;

You couldn’t stand the sight of food,

so miserable you thought you’d be better off dead.

Then you called out to God in your desperate condition;

he got you out in the nick of time.

He spoke the word that healed you,

that pulled you back from the brink of death.

So thank God for his marvelous love,

for his miracle mercy to the children he loves;

Offer thanksgiving sacrifices,

tell the world what he’s done—sing it out!

23-32 Some of you set sail in big ships;

you put to sea to do business in faraway ports.

Out at sea you saw God in action,

saw his breathtaking ways with the ocean:

With a word he called up the wind—

an ocean storm, towering waves!

You shot high in the sky, then the bottom dropped out;

your hearts were stuck in your throats.

You were spun like a top, you reeled like a drunk,

you didn’t know which end was up.

Then you called out to God in your desperate condition;

he got you out in the nick of time.

He quieted the wind down to a whisper,

put a muzzle on all the big waves.

And you were so glad when the storm died down,

and he led you safely back to harbor.

So thank God for his marvelous love,

for his miracle mercy to the children he loves.

Lift high your praises when the people assemble,

shout Hallelujah when the elders meet!

33-41 God turned rivers into wasteland,

springs of water into sunbaked mud;

Luscious orchards became alkali flats

because of the evil of the people who lived there.

Then he changed wasteland into fresh pools of water,

arid earth into springs of water,

Brought in the hungry and settled them there;

they moved in—what a great place to live!

They sowed the fields, they planted vineyards,

they reaped a bountiful harvest.

He blessed them and they prospered greatly;

their herds of cattle never decreased.

But abuse and evil and trouble declined

as he heaped scorn on princes and sent them away.

He gave the poor a safe place to live,

treated their clans like well-cared-for sheep.

42-43 Good people see this and are glad;

bad people are speechless, stopped in their tracks.

If you are really wise, you’ll think this over—

it’s time you appreciated God’s deep love.

HEART CHECK:

Are you living in hard circumstances right now? Is it time to call out to God and listen to Him, follow Him and watch Him work? Do you believe He will pull you out in the nick of time? Do you wonder when that time will be? Give up trying to do life on your own. Believe me, that is no life to live.

Don’t, for a minute, think God has left the building of our lives when we go through the storms of life feeling dizzied by confusing situations. God WILL pull you out in His time…in the nick of time. Your sea will become calm again and you will look back and learn as you move forward in God’s love and care. God will never give up on you, not for a minute! Let HIM steer the boat!

Pause to remember how God has helped you in the past, pulled you out when you called out to Him with “God, save me!” Now, praise and thank Him. When we remember and appreciate all God has done, is doing and will do in our lives, what we are presently going through takes on a new perspective of trust in our God. We think, wait, I been at these crossroads in my faith before. We realize, again, WHO God is and how He loves us. We realize HE can do the impossible and is always at work in and through us.

Now we need to tell others what God has done for us, in us and through us. We need to shout our hallelujahs from the rooftops…okay, so at least tell a coworker, family member, or someone, anyone God puts in our path in the marketplace of our lives. Point people to the God, not the storm!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you, thank you, thank you for pulling me out of situations that overwhelmed me. Thank you for saving me from those who wanted to pull me down and destroy my faith in You. Thank you, most of all, for being patient with me until I called on You to save me. Your love truly never runs out and it never ran out on me.

I love you, Lord with all my heart, mind and soul. Continue to take me with You, I’m hanging on for dear life!

In Jesus Name, Amen

And I’m singing…

Higher than the mountains that I face

Stronger than the power of the grave

Constant through the trial and the change

One thing remains

This one thing remains

Your love never fails, and never gives up

It never runs out on me

Your love never fails, and never gives up

It never runs out on me

Your love never fails, and never gives up

It never runs out on me

Because on and on and on and on it goes

Before it overwhelms and satisfies my soul

And I never, ever, have to be afraid

One thing remains

This one thing remains

Your love never fails, and never gives up

It never runs out on me…

(Songwriters: Brian Johnson / Christa Black / Jeremy Riddle)

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HOW QUICKLY WE FORGET AND SLIP…

Posted on January 2, 2019 by randscallawayffm

Psalms – Prayers of Honesty

New Year’s resolutions by well meaning people in all shapes and sizes are the plague of our Y where we have been walking our mile each day. It is almost amusing to see them work so hard knowing that by the end of January they will forget their resolutions and we won’t see them again until next January with a few more pounds added and more determination to make it to February…maybe.

How quickly we forget our pledge to be better, eat better and behave better physically. How quickly we forget our spiritual pledges to God and others, too! We want to be better people so we make promises to God about our behavior, thinking we will have the will power to make it happen. Then one slip causes us to forget the whole thing and go deeper than we were before.

It seems we humans need help. We have short attention spans and even shorter memories of all that God has done, is doing and will do in our lives. Yes, we need help. This help can only come from the One who has the power to transform us. We cannot do it ourselves. Accept that. Say yes to God and ASK for help. Yes, I know it’s hard to ask as independent people, but ask anyway and see what happens. I think you will be surprised. We pray, God works. Herein lies the powerful help to change that we have been seeking.

IT’S LIKE THIS…

I created a beautiful meal one day for the crock pot. Eight hours later I came home from work to an unchanged pot of cold food. It didn’t transform into the wonderful meal I had imagined in my mind, a meal that was going to dazzle my hungry family. Why? I DIDN’T PLUG IT INTO THE POWER SOURCE! Get it, now?

We are not alone in this…it’s been going on for centuries. When we turn our backs on the Power Source, on God, He is not happy. He gets angry because of His love for us! Fortunately for us, His anger doesn’t last a lifetime. His everlasting, relentless, reckless, unconditional love for us trumps his own anger for us when our stupid, sinful behavior is opposite of His best. Get it, “for us”. He is FOR US! Plug into the Power Source and see what God does as He transforms us in the stew pot of life here while we get ready to go there with Him.

Key Verse for Psalm 106:

“You’re one happy man when you do what’s right,

one happy woman when you form the habit of justice.”

Psalm 106, The Message

1-3 Hallelujah!

Thank God! And why?

Because he’s good, because his love lasts.

But who on earth can do it—

declaim God’s mighty acts, broadcast all his praises?

You’re one happy man when you do what’s right,

one happy woman when you form the habit of justice.

4-5 Remember me, God, when you enjoy your people;

include me when you save them;

I want to see your chosen succeed,

celebrate with your celebrating nation,

join the Hallelujahs of your pride and joy!

6-12 We’ve sinned a lot, both we and our parents;

We’ve fallen short, hurt a lot of people.

After our parents left Egypt,

they took your wonders for granted,

forgot your great and wonderful love.

They were barely beyond the Red Sea

when they defied the High God

—the very place he saved them!

—the place he revealed his amazing power!

He rebuked the Red Sea so that it dried up on the spot

—he paraded them right through!

—no one so much as got wet feet!

He saved them from a life of oppression,

pried them loose from the grip of the enemy.

Then the waters flowed back on their oppressors;

there wasn’t a single survivor.

Then they believed his words were true

and broke out in songs of praise.

13-18 But it wasn’t long before they forgot the whole thing,

wouldn’t wait to be told what to do.

They only cared about pleasing themselves in that desert,

provoked God with their insistent demands.

He gave them exactly what they asked for—

but along with it they got an empty heart.

One day in camp some grew jealous of Moses,

also of Aaron, holy priest of God.

The ground opened and swallowed Dathan,

then buried Abiram’s gang.

Fire flared against that rebel crew

and torched them to a cinder.

19-22 They cast in metal a bull calf at Horeb

and worshiped the statue they’d made.

They traded the Glory

for a cheap piece of sculpture—a grass-chewing bull!

They forgot God, their very own Savior,

who turned things around in Egypt,

Who created a world of wonders in the Land of Ham,

who gave that stunning performance at the Red Sea.

23-27 Fed up, God decided to get rid of them—

and except for Moses, his chosen, he would have.

But Moses stood in the gap and deflected God’s anger,

prevented it from destroying them utterly.

They went on to reject the Blessed Land,

didn’t believe a word of what God promised.

They found fault with the life they had

and turned a deaf ear to God’s voice.

Exasperated, God swore

that he’d lay them low in the desert,

Scattering their children hither and yon,

strewing them all over the earth.

28-31 Then they linked up with Baal Peor,

attending funeral banquets and eating idol food.

That made God so angry

that a plague spread through their ranks;

Phinehas stood up and pled their case

and the plague was stopped.

This was counted to his credit;

his descendants will never forget it.

32-33 They angered God again at Meribah Springs;

this time Moses got mixed up in their evil;

Because they defied God yet again,

Moses exploded and lost his temper.

34-39 They didn’t wipe out those godless cultures

as ordered by God;

Instead they intermarried with the heathen,

and in time became just like them.

They worshiped their idols,

were caught in the trap of idols.

They sacrificed their sons and daughters

at the altars of demon gods.

They slit the throats of their babies,

murdered their infant girls and boys.

They offered their babies to Canaan’s gods;

the blood of their babies stained the land.

Their way of life stank to high heaven;

they lived like whores.

40-43 And God was furious—a wildfire anger;

he couldn’t stand even to look at his people.

He turned them over to the heathen

so that the people who hated them ruled them.

Their enemies made life hard for them;

they were tyrannized under that rule.

Over and over God rescued them, but they never learned—

until finally their sins destroyed them.

44-46 Still, when God saw the trouble they were in

and heard their cries for help,

He remembered his Covenant with them,

and, immense with love, took them by the hand.

He poured out his mercy on them

while their captors looked on, amazed.

47 Save us, God, our God!

Gather us back out of exile

So we can give thanks to your holy name

and join in the glory when you are praised!

48 Blessed be God, Israel’s God!

Bless now, bless always!

Oh! Let everyone say Amen!

Hallelujah!

HEART CHECK:

Resolutions? Day by day, resolve to follow the Savior as Lord of your life. Lean into HIS promises and watch God work as you pray for His best for you. You in?

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for bringing us out of the slavery of going our own way. Your ways are always right and good. You are always right and good. We repent of the sins of self and thinking we can do life on our own. We cannot. We ask for your help to be transformed into all you intended for us to be and then do.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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IN JESUS NAME

Posted on January 1, 2019 by randscallawayffm

Psalms – Prayers of Honesty and Praise

It’s the first day of a new year. 365 days of new opportunities to grow our faith in God, our knowledge of God, and in our abilities to hear His Voice speak to our hearts. It is 365 more days, God willing, to thank Him for all He has done, is doing and will do in our very lives. In other words, another whole year to live gratefully and expectantly for the God who saved us through Jesus Christ, His Son.

As I read this next prayer psalm, I am overwhelmingly reminded of just WHO I am talking to each day! It is Yahweh, our God! It is HE who created all we see, feel, touch, hear and smell with wonder and awe. Even In our human frailties, He created ways for us to cope with inabilities in this life. It is God, our Father, who can do what we think is impossible. It is God, who is always at work, never sleeps, knows how life works because He created the patterns and rhythms of life, AND knows my name and who I am on the inside!

Read and be blessed by God’s works in and for His people in the past and then think about how He still works in our own lives. May our lives begin and end here on earth with Hallelujahs!

Psalm 105, The Message

1-6 Hallelujah!

Thank God! Pray to him by name!

Tell everyone you meet what he has done!

Sing him songs, belt out hymns,

translate his wonders into music!

Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs,

you who seek God. Live a happy life!

Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works;

be alert for signs of his presence.

Remember the world of wonders he has made,

his miracles, and the verdicts he’s rendered—

O seed of Abraham, his servant,

O child of Jacob, his chosen.

7-15 He’s God, our God,

in charge of the whole earth.

And he remembers, remembers his Covenant—

for a thousand generations he’s been as good as his word.

It’s the Covenant he made with Abraham,

the same oath he swore to Isaac,

The very statute he established with Jacob,

the eternal Covenant with Israel,

Namely, “I give you the land.

Canaan is your hill-country inheritance.”

When they didn’t count for much,

a mere handful, and strangers at that,

Wandering from country to country,

drifting from pillar to post,

He permitted no one to abuse them.

He told kings to keep their hands off:

“Don’t you dare lay a hand on my anointed,

don’t hurt a hair on the heads of my prophets.”

16-22 Then he called down a famine on the country,

he broke every last blade of wheat.

But he sent a man on ahead:

Joseph, sold as a slave.

They put cruel chains on his ankles,

an iron collar around his neck,

Until God’s word came to the Pharaoh,

and God confirmed his promise.

God sent the king to release him.

The Pharaoh set Joseph free;

He appointed him master of his palace,

put him in charge of all his business

To personally instruct his princes

and train his advisors in wisdom.

23-42 Then Israel entered Egypt,

Jacob immigrated to the Land of Ham.

God gave his people lots of babies;

soon their numbers alarmed their foes.

He turned the Egyptians against his people;

they abused and cheated God’s servants.

Then he sent his servant Moses,

and Aaron, whom he also chose.

They worked marvels in that spiritual wasteland,

miracles in the Land of Ham.

He spoke, “Darkness!” and it turned dark—

they couldn’t see what they were doing.

He turned all their water to blood

so that all their fish died;

He made frogs swarm through the land,

even into the king’s bedroom;

He gave the word and flies swarmed,

gnats filled the air.

He substituted hail for rain,

he stabbed their land with lightning;

He wasted their vines and fig trees,

smashed their groves of trees to splinters;

With a word he brought in locusts,

millions of locusts, armies of locusts;

They consumed every blade of grass in the country

and picked the ground clean of produce;

He struck down every firstborn in the land,

Psalm 105 seek

the first fruits of their virile powers.

He led Israel out, their arms filled with loot,

and not one among his tribes even stumbled.

Egypt was glad to have them go—

they were scared to death of them.

God spread a cloud to keep them cool through the day

and a fire to light their way through the night;

They prayed and he brought quail,

filled them with the bread of heaven;

He opened the rock and water poured out;

it flowed like a river through that desert—

All because he remembered his Covenant,

his promise to Abraham, his servant.

43-45 Remember this! He led his people out singing for joy;

his chosen people marched, singing their hearts out!

He made them a gift of the country they entered,

helped them seize the wealth of the nations

So they could do everything he told them—

could follow his instructions to the letter.

Hallelujah!

GOING DEEPER STILL…

Yes, it is God who set the world in a perfect patterned motion to renew itself. It is God who daily restores and renews us with His compassionate forgiveness. Yes, it is God who, from the beginning, had a plan that would be fulfilled in Jesus, His Son to save us from all sin and bring us back to Him when we walk away. It is God who loves us more than we can imagine or realize, but we try because HIS love is so great and profound. It is God, who made us. It is God who loved us before we born, during and after and forever. Even those who didn’t make it to full term physical birth are in His care! This is our God who unconditionally loves each one of us deeply…all of us.

It is God who does not hide from us but it is plain view of all who believe. It is God who helps us look at life from a different, less confusing, perspective. It is God who is uncomplicated and brings simplistic joy to each day when we trust and obey. It is God who give us His indescribable holy peace of Jesus right in the middle of turmoil and high waves that humans think will take us down. It is God who wants HIS best for us. It is God who sent Jesus to tell us about Him and show us how simplistic life can be when we love God first and love others like He loves us. We don’t have to judge (be God) others, we just love. Again, simple yet profound…all because of Jesus’ intervention work to bring us back to God while showing us God.

So, may all we think, do or say be In Jesus Name in 2019 for it is in the Name of Jesus that causes the eyes and ears of heaven to notice and listen when we pray. It is in Jesus Name we obey the Voice of heaven and earth. It is God who set this all in motion…in and through Jesus. Jesus is God. God is Jesus. His Holy Spirit (also God) lives in us who believe and follow. We cannot fail, we will only grow and learn…In Jesus Name.

“Remember this! He (God) led his people out singing for joy; his chosen people marched, singing their hearts out!”

May God lead us out of all the bondage and entanglement that sin and self creates in our lives…In Jesus Name. May we march out singing our hearts out for joy in knowing God, our God!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Your love for me overwhelms and humbles me at the same time! When no one else is there, You are. You never leave us. You want the best for us. Why do I think I know what is best? I repent of walking ahead of you. May all I think, say or do be in Your Son’s Name, the holy and blessed Name of Jesus, our Savior and Lord. Thank you for loving us so much that you came down to pay our debt of sin in full…forever! Thank you Holy Spirit for teaching me this morning with reminders of the greatness and power of God! Thank you, Father for listening to my simple prayers…In Jesus Name, Amen

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WHAT A WILDLY WONDERFUL WORLD, GOD!

Posted on December 31, 2018 by randscallawayffm

Psalms – Prayers of Honesty and Praise

This is the song I hear while reading the beginning of Psalm 104….

I see trees of green, red roses too

I see them bloom for me and you

And I think to myself what a wonderful world

I see skies of blue and clouds of white

The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night

And I think to myself what a wonderful world

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky

Are also on the faces of people going by

I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do

They’re really saying I love you

I hear babies crying, I watch them grow

They’ll learn much more than I’ll never know

And I think to myself what a wonderful world

Yes I think to myself what a wonderful world

(What a Wonderful World, sung by Louis Armstrong, Songwriters: George Weiss / Robert Thiele)

Then I am overwhelmed by the love of God through the Psalm of Praise for our Creator…

“The glory of God–let it last forever!

Let Yahweh enjoy his creation!”

You have probably been reflecting on this past year, as I have, of all that has happened, good and not so good. Above all, this next prayer of praise. reminds me that God is complete control. He always has been and forever will be…in control. What a glorious thought! Our confidence, not in ourselves, but in God, in control of all, living in us, re-energizes our souls!

“Oh, let me sing to God all my life long,

sing hymns to my God as long as I live!

Oh, let my song please him;

I’m so please to be singing to God!”

Yes, Bless the Lord, O my soul…and all that is in me, bless His Holy Name…

I know of the struggles of friends whose loved ones are struggling right now with terminal cancer. I know of those getting ready for surgeries that hopefully will help them live a more healthy life. I know of those with anxieties that debilitate their daily life. I know of those who mourn the loss of loved ones who have gone on to a better land where there is no more crying and pain. But they still miss them because they loved deeply. I know of many who are lost, who wander around life with no meaning or purpose. I know of of those who are having extreme family relational heartbreak. I don’t know the outcome. Sometimes I don’t know what to pray so I ask the Holy Spirit to help me. But I DO KNOW the God of all who knows all and is in all. HE is God and we are not. And I’m glad I am not Him.

God made us. God create this wild, wacky, wonderful world we live in but as beautiful as this place is, there’s more to come! The writer of psalm 104 is only a glimpse of what will be for those who love and follow the God who created. He loved us first…isn’t that evident?

Psalm 104, The Message

1-14 O my soul, bless God!

God, my God, how great you are!

beautifully, gloriously robed,

Dressed up in sunshine,

and all heaven stretched out for your tent.

You built your palace on the ocean deeps,

made a chariot out of clouds and took off on wind-wings.

You commandeered winds as messengers,

appointed fire and flame as ambassadors.

You set earth on a firm foundation

so that nothing can shake it, ever.

You blanketed earth with ocean,

covered the mountains with deep waters;

Then you roared and the water ran away—

your thunder crash put it to flight.

Mountains pushed up, valleys spread out

in the places you assigned them.

You set boundaries between earth and sea;

never again will earth be flooded.

You started the springs and rivers,

sent them flowing among the hills.

All the wild animals now drink their fill,

wild donkeys quench their thirst.

Along the riverbanks the birds build nests,

ravens make their voices heard.

You water the mountains from your heavenly cisterns;

earth is supplied with plenty of water.

You make grass grow for the livestock,

hay for the animals that plow the ground.

14-23 Oh yes, God brings grain from the land,

wine to make people happy,

Their faces glowing with health,

a people well-fed and hearty.

God’s trees are well-watered—

the Lebanon cedars he planted.

Birds build their nests in those trees;

look—the stork at home in the treetop.

Mountain goats climb about the cliffs;

badgers burrow among the rocks.

The moon keeps track of the seasons,

the sun is in charge of each day.

When it’s dark and night takes over,

all the forest creatures come out.

The young lions roar for their prey,

clamoring to God for their supper.

When the sun comes up, they vanish,

lazily stretched out in their dens.

Meanwhile, men and women go out to work,

busy at their jobs until evening.

24-30 What a wildly wonderful world, God!

You made it all, with Wisdom at your side,

made earth overflow with your wonderful creations.

Oh, look—the deep, wide sea,

brimming with fish past counting,

sardines and sharks and salmon.

Ships plow those waters,

and Leviathan, your pet dragon, romps in them.

All the creatures look expectantly to you

to give them their meals on time.

You come, and they gather around;

you open your hand and they eat from it.

If you turned your back,

they’d die in a minute—

Take back your Spirit and they die,

revert to original mud;

Send out your Spirit and they spring to life—

the whole countryside in bloom and blossom.

31-32 The glory of God—let it last forever!

Let God enjoy his creation!

He takes one look at earth and triggers an earthquake,

points a finger at the mountains, and volcanoes erupt.

33-35 Oh, let me sing to God all my life long,

sing hymns to my God as long as I live!

Oh, let my song please him;

I’m so pleased to be singing to God.

But clear the ground of sinners—

no more godless men and women!

O my soul, bless God!

HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD…sing with me…

How great is our God, and all will see

How great, how great is our God

The song in my mind, playing in the background of this Psalm is…(How Great is our God, by Chris Tomlin)

The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty

Let all the Earth rejoice

All the Earth rejoice

He wraps himself in light

And darkness tries to hide

And trembles at His voice

Trembles at His voice

How great is our God, sing with me

How great is our God, and all will see

How great, how great is our God

Age to age He stands

And time is in His hands

Beginning and the end

The Godhead Three in One

Father Spirit Son

The Lion and the Lamb

How great is our God, sing with me

How great is our God, and all will see

How great, how great is our God

Name above all names

Worthy of our praise

My heart will sing

How great is our God

You’re the name above all names

You are worthy of our praise

And my heart will sing

How great is our God

How great…

Dear Heavenly Father,

Indeed, You are the Great, Almighty, Creator, All Knowing, Caring, Compassionate, Merciful, the ONLY wise Judge, full of Grace. And because Your passionate, unconditional, limitless Love, You implemented THE one and only plan to save us through Jesus Christ, Your Son. There is nothing You would not do to save us.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I’m yours. My life is in Your Hands.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus)

JUST TO SPEAK HIS NAME…

UNFAZED, HEART READY!

NO EXPIRATION DATE!

THE ONE AND ONLY KING!

INJUSTICE

I’M READY, SO READY!

THEN I CALLED OUT TO GOD…

HOW QUICKLY WE FORGET AND SLIP…

IN JESUS NAME

WHAT A WILDLY WONDERFUL WORLD, GOD!

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