IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS!

Posted on October 28, 2018 by randscallawayffm
Psalms – Prayers of Honesty
 
We all experience times when we cry out to God and ask why, what just happened, how can that be and where do I go next and who is for me on the journey. The bottom line is WHO doing we look for in the messiness of life. WHO do we focus our thoughts on as we cope with a new normal? WHO do we ask for help? WHO do we count on no matter what is happening around us? WHO is always with us and guides us over and through the barriers and entanglements of life? WHO is the Light in the dark?
 
Psalm 43, The Message
 
1-2 Clear my name, God; stick up for me
against these loveless, immoral people.
Get me out of here, away
from these lying degenerates.
I counted on you, God.
Why did you walk out on me?
Why am I pacing the floor, wringing my hands
over these outrageous people?
 
Psalm 43 God3-4 Give me your lantern and compass,
give me a map,
So I can find my way to the sacred mountain,
to the place of your presence,
To enter the place of worship,
meet my exuberant God,
Sing my thanks with a harp,
magnificent God, my God.
 
5 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?
Why are you crying the blues?
Fix my eyes on God—
soon I’ll be praising again.
He puts a smile on my face.
He’s my God.
 
Psalm 43 3.JPGSOMETHING TO CHEW…
The repeated refrain (42:5, 11; 43:5) and the general theme of these two psalms would indicate that the two psalms were no doubt originally one, but nobody seems to know why they were separated. Korah was a grandson of Kohath and was killed for rebelling against the Lord (Num. 16). However, his sons escaped judgment (Num. 16:11) and became worship leaders in the sanctuary (1 Chron. 9:19ff.; 26:1-19).
 
The psalms are intensely personal, containing over fifty personal pronouns; and the writer fluctuated between faith and despair as he wrestled with the Lord. He questions the Lord eleven times as he wonders why God doesn’t do something for him. Through worship, however, with focus back on God he finds victory and peace.
 
HEART CHECK:
 
Think of a recent bad time in your life when you thought all was lost? Who did you turn to first? How did worship pull you through it?
 
In this honest prayer-psalm, the landscape changes as the dawn announces the morning and reminds the psalmist of God’s light and truth (v. 3). What reminds us of God’s Truth, Light and Love when going through hard times? Does it prompt praise?
 
NOTICE: The “living God” (42:2) became “the God of my life” (42:8), and now He is “God my exceeding joy … God, my God” (43:4 nasb). His focus is no longer on himself, his disappointments, or his circumstances, but on the Lord his God; and that makes all the difference.
 
The refrain in 43:5 must not be read with the same dejected voice as 42:5 and 11, for faith in Jehovah has changed everything. The New King James Version translates verse 5, “Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance.” The word help can be translated “health.” When by faith we see the face of God smiling upon us (Num. 6:22-27), our own countenance brightens up and becomes spiritually healthy. We know that God is for us, that God will set us free and guide us to His Holy City, where we shall worship Him and sing His praises. “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (30:5 nkjv).
 
Psalm 43 lyre
Sing a new song of joy for the Lord, Our God is for us, not against us!
 
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are God and we are not. When life becomes difficult you do not leave us, you help us. You are for us, not against us. You will lead us through the waters and help us climb mountains! Thank you, Lord. We can do nothing without You. With You, nothing is impossible! I will praise you in good times and bad.
In Jesus Name, Amen
 
And I’m singing…
 
In everything give Him thanks
Give Him thanks
In everything give thanks
Give Him thanks
In the good times praise His name
In the bad times do the same
In everything give the King of kings
All the thanks
 
With all the good things
That had come His way
It’s no wonder
You could hear Job say
The Lord giveth and He taketh away
I’ll give Him thanks
But when the tables were all turned around
And Job’s world came crashing down
His faith in God caused Job to say
I’ll still give Him thanks
When trouble comes
And there’s no one around
Satan tries to tell me
That God’s let me down
Through ev’ry dark hour
The best thing I’ve found
Is to give God the thanks
For He has never
Failed me yet
So why should I start now
To worry or fret
In eve’rything I won’t ever forget
To give God the thanks
 
(By Donna Alley)
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AS THE DEER…I, TOO, THIRST FOR YOU!

Posted on October 27, 2018 by randscallawayffm
Psalms – Prayers of Honesty
 
Psalm 42 longs for youAs the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after Thee
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship Thee
 
You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship Thee
 
This chorus was sung in my growing up years and beyond. It speaks peace to our hearts when we are broken-hearted and beaten down by the world’s ways of relating to each other. This prayer song to God are words of self reflection as the writer asks, “Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues?” Sometimes we allow the power of people’s feelings and actions control our thoughts. When that happens, we fall deeper into a depression that is physically, emotionally and spiritually unhealthy and unproductive.
 
Psalm 42, The Message
A psalm of the sons of Korah
 
1-3 A white-tailed deer drinks
from the creek;
I want to drink God,
deep draughts of God.
I’m thirsty for God-alive.
I wonder, “Will I ever make it—
arrive and drink in God’s presence?”
I’m on a diet of tears—
tears for breakfast, tears for supper.
All day long
people knock at my door,
Pestering,
“Where is this God of yours?”
 
Psalm 42 114 These are the things I go over and over,
emptying out the pockets of my life.
I was always at the head of the worshiping crowd,
right out in front,
Leading them all,
eager to arrive and worship,
Shouting praises, singing thanksgiving—
celebrating, all of us, God’s feast!
 
5 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?
Why are you crying the blues?
Fix my eyes on God—
soon I’ll be praising again.
He puts a smile on my face.
He’s my God.
 
Psalm 42 deep calls to deep6-8 When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse
everything I know of you,
From Jordan depths to Hermon heights,
including Mount Mizar.
Chaos calls to chaos,
to the tune of whitewater rapids.
Your breaking surf, your thundering breakers
crash and crush me.
Then God promises to love me all day,
sing songs all through the night!
My life is God’s prayer.
 
9-10 Sometimes I ask God, my rock-solid God,
“Why did you let me down?
Why am I walking around in tears,
harassed by enemies?”
They’re out for the kill, these
tormentors with their obscenities,
Taunting day after day,
“Where is this God of yours?”
 
Psalm 42 smile on my face11 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?
Why are you crying the blues?
Fix my eyes on God—
soon I’ll be praising again.
He puts a smile on my face.
He’s my God.
 
SOMETHING TO CHEW ON…
This prayer-song repeats a chorus of redemption and restoration of joy for us all with a declaration of Who God is and how He helps us see life as He sees it. Here is the prescription outlined by the Healer:
 
“Fix my eyes on God–soon I’ll be praising again.
He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God.”
 
Psalm 42 respect God
This might be good to memorize and repeat when we fall into the blues because of what life hands out. Focus is the key. Focus on God…Fix our eyes on God without looking away. When the smile leaves our faces for whatever reason, the first people to notice are usually those who taunt you for what you believe, who criticize every move you make and spend most of their time looking for your mistakes. Don’t let mere humans have power over you like that. Let God’s power rule. Let the peace of Christ in you rule. How? Focus on God. Remember all He as done, is doing and will do in our lives.
 
This chorus will be repeated in our next Psalm as well. Look for it. Better still, look and focus on God, Let us fix our eyes on God as a servant would his master waiting for the nod of His head with our marching orders. Fix means to adhere, to be attached, to never look away. Let our eyes be stuck on God! The smiles will return, our joy restored with minds to think more like Christ.
 
I want You more than gold or silver
Only You can satisfy
You alone are the real joy giver
And the apple of my eye
 
HEART CHECK:
 
Worship with thanksgiving and praise is the antidote for depression and anxiety. The Psalmist knew it. We know it. When we fix our minds, hearts and souls on the One who loved us first, loves us still and always will, we are lifted to higher thoughts–the “whatevers”, I call them:
 
Philippians 4:8 (The worship book of praise and rejoicing!)
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
 
If you are struggling with life stuff, illness, broken hearts, failed relationships, fix your eyes on God who created you, loves you and is always with you.
 
List the ways God has pulled you through other challenging seasons of life. What do you learn about God then? What do you know about God now?
 
Remember the Giver of Life when the world tries to suck the life from you.
 
Psalm 42 smile
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for always being with us. Thank you for loving us when we don’t love ourselves. Thank you for helping us get back on our feet by taking us by the hand and lifting us up by your power working in us. Thank you for the inner desire to praise and worship You alone. We do thirst for you, long for you and love you with all that is in us. Thank you for saving us. Thank you for forgiving our repentant hearts. Thank you for restoring the joy of YOUR salvation. You put the smile on our faces! I love you, Lord.
In Jesus Name, Amen
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DIGNITY – DON’T LOOK DOWN!

Posted on October 26, 2018 by randscallawayffm
Psalms – Prayers of Honesty
 
Have you ever felt less than dignified? Who makes you feel that way? What makes you feel as if you have nothing to live for in this life? When did you lose your dignity or self worth? What can we do about this situation?
 
Psalm 42 dignity and worth
First, what IS dignity? It is the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect. “A man of dignity and unbending principle”. Mm, it has to do with what we believe and how we express it. It is also a composed or serious manner or style. “He bowed with great dignity”. So it is our posture when coming into the presence of another. Finally, it is also how we feel about our own self worth. Dignity is a sense of pride in oneself; self-respect. “It was beneath his dignity to shout” out at the event. When our dignity is lost we do not feel of any value to anyone.
 
David sends another prayer to God that teaches us where our dignity or self worth lies. It is God who gives us the dignity to live life to the full. It is God who created us and gives us value and worth because we are His and He is ours. When the world tries to take away our worth, God steps in and gives us the dignity to rise above those who put us down. Our work is to dignify those who are down on their luck…like God does for us. That’s loving God and loving others.
 
Psalm 41, The Message
A David Psalm
 
Psalm 41 21-3 Dignify those who are down on their luck;
you’ll feel good—that’s what God does.
God looks after us all,
makes us robust with life—
Lucky to be in the land,
we’re free from enemy worries.
Whenever we’re sick and in bed,
God becomes our nurse,
nurses us back to health.
 
4-7 I said, “God, be gracious!
Put me together again—
my sins have torn me to pieces.”
My enemies are wishing the worst for me;
they make bets on what day I will die.
If someone comes to see me,
he mouths empty platitudes,
All the while gathering gossip about me
to entertain the street-corner crowd.
These “friends” who hate me
whisper slanders all over town.
They form committees
to plan misery for me.
 
8-9 The rumor goes out, “He’s got some dirty,
deadly disease. The doctors
have given up on him.”
Even my best friend, the one I always told everything
—he ate meals at my house all the time!—
has bitten my hand.
 
10 God, give grace, get me up on my feet.
I’ll show them a thing or two.
 
Psalm 41 integrity11-12 Meanwhile, I’m sure you’re on my side—
no victory shouts yet from the enemy camp!
You know me inside and out, you hold me together,
you never fail to stand me tall in your presence
so I can look you in the eye.
 
13 Blessed is God, Israel’s God,
always, always, always.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
 
SOMETHING TO CHEW…
Before we can claim God’s promises, we must examine our own hearts to see if we have sincerely met the conditions the Lord has laid down. David knew that he had no right to claim mercy from the Lord if he himself had not shown mercy to others.
 
“How blessed is he who considers the helpless; The Lord will deliver him in a day of trouble. 2 The Lord will protect him and keep him alive, And he shall be called blessed upon the earth; And do not give him over to the desire of his enemies.” (ASV)
 
The helpless, people in misery, whose lot was difficult and who depended on the help of others is to whom David is referring. To “consider” these pitiable (KJV) people meant being attentive to their needs and assisting them. It also meant not judging and blaming them, as Job’s friends blamed him and the disciples blamed the blind man (John 9:1-4). We have every reason to believe that David sought to care for the poor and needy in his kingdom and therefore was praying with integrity, asking God to help him help them.
 
When we are walking on the tight rope of life, trying to keep our balance, the last thing we should do is look down! We look up. We look from side to side, we look forward not back, but we do not look down or we will fall!
 
Psalm 41 God keeps themHEART CHECK:
God in His mercy doesn’t give us what we do deserve, and God in His grace gives us what we don’t deserve, and He does this because of Jesus Christ His Son, who died for us on the cross.
 
Do we pray for mercy? Do we ask God for His grace? Do we pray mercy and grace for those who are down and out? How? What are the words? (See also the Publican and the Sinner story, Luke 18: 9-14).
 
The last verse reminds us that the main thing in our lives must be the eternal praise and glory of the Lord. “Hallowed be thy name” is the first request in the Disciples’ Prayer (Matt. 6:9), and it governs all the other requests.
 
God answers prayer, not to make His people more comfortable, but to bring glory to His name. The Lord still had more work for David to do, particularly the preparation for the building of the temple, and His glory would one day move into that holy sanctuary (1 Kings 8:1-11).
 
Can we honestly say “Amen and amen!” to the prayer in verse 13? Think about it. Take all the time you need.
 
David’s prayer presents us with four inward, thought provoking questions:
 
Dignity and Integrity: How do we treat others?
Treachery: How do others treat us?
Mercy: How does God treat us?
Glory: How do we treat God?
 
Has a trusted friend disappointed you, perhaps even betrayed you? How do we know the Lord will never disappoint or betray us?
 
Psalm 41 help the weakDear Heavenly Father,
Forgive us for comparing ourselves to others as a way to gain worth and dignity. That is NOT of You. Help us to look up to You first for mercy and grace because of our own sin. Then guide us to others who are hurting and in need of your saving grace, too. May we look up to You. May we refrain from every looking down on others. May Your glory be seen in and through us. You are God and we are not. Our worth is only in You, our Creator and Father. Help us to point the way to You. Thank you for your mercy and grace. Thank you for Life.
In Jesus Name, Amen
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GOD’S WORD BECOMES OUR VERY BEING

Posted on October 25, 2018 by randscallawayffm
Psalms – Prayers of Honesty
 
I am reminded of an old hymn this morning as I read the Psalmist prayer of seeking God and hearing His voice.
 
When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way;
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey,
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.
 
As this song runs through your mind, read David’s prayer of seeking, asking, repenting, and praising.
 
Psalm 40, The Message
 
A David Psalm
Psalm 40 God hears1-3 I waited and waited and waited for God.
At last he looked; finally he listened.
He lifted me out of the ditch,
pulled me from deep mud.
He stood me up on a solid rock
to make sure I wouldn’t slip.
He taught me how to sing the latest God-song,
a praise-song to our God.
More and more people are seeing this:
they enter the mystery,
abandoning themselves to God.
 
4-5 Blessed are you who give yourselves over to God,
turn your backs on the world’s “sure thing,”
ignore what the world worships;
The world’s a huge stockpile
of God-wonders and God-thoughts.
Nothing and no one
comes close to you!
I start talking about you, telling what I know,
and quickly run out of words.
Neither numbers nor words
account for you.
 
6 Doing something for you, bringing something to you—
that’s not what you’re after.
Being religious, acting pious—
that’s not what you’re asking for.
You’ve opened my ears
so I can listen.
 
Psalm 40 87-8 So I answered, “I’m coming.
I read in your letter what you wrote about me,
And I’m coming to the party
you’re throwing for me.”
That’s when God’s Word entered my life,
became part of my very being.
 
9-10 I’ve preached you to the whole congregation,
I’ve kept back nothing, God—you know that.
I didn’t keep the news of your ways
a secret, didn’t keep it to myself.
I told it all, how dependable you are, how thorough.
I didn’t hold back pieces of love and truth
For myself alone. I told it all,
let the congregation know the whole story.
 
11-12 Now God, don’t hold out on me,
don’t hold back your passion.
Your love and truth
are all that keeps me together.
When troubles ganged up on me,
a mob of sins past counting,
I was so swamped by guilt
I couldn’t see my way clear.
More guilt in my heart than hair on my head,
so heavy the guilt that my heart gave out.
 
Psalm 40 protect13-15 Soften up, God, and intervene;
hurry and get me some help,
So those who are trying to kidnap my soul
will be embarrassed and lose face,
So anyone who gets a kick out of making me miserable
will be heckled and disgraced,
So those who pray for my ruin
will be booed and jeered without mercy.
 
16-17 But all who are hunting for you—
oh, let them sing and be happy.
Let those who know what you’re all about
tell the world you’re great and not quitting.
And me? I’m a mess. I’m nothing and have nothing:
make something of me.
You can do it; you’ve got what it takes—
but God, don’t put it off.
 
 
SOMETHING TO CHEW…
The Psalmist feels like he has been waiting for God for longer than is necessary, but maybe God is waiting on him. From whatever experiences led to the writing of this psalm, David learned some valuable lessons and gave us three important instructions to follow in the difficult times of life;
1. Praise God for All He Has Done (vv. 1-5)
2. Give God All That He Asks (vv. 6-10)
3. Trust God for All That Remains (vv. 11-17)
 
When we follow God, abandoning everything else, we realize HE is all we needed in the first place. So, give Him first place!
 
Psalm 40 new song
“He taught me how to sing the latest God-song, a praise-song to our God.” (Reckless Love of God)
 
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,
 
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
 
There’s no shadow You won’t light up
Mountain You won’t climb up
Coming after me
There’s no wall You won’t kick down
Lie You won’t tear down
Coming after me
 
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine
And I couldn’t earn it, I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God,
 
(Songwriters: Caleb Culver / Cory Asbury / Ran Jackson)
 
HEART CHECK:
 
What has impressed you most about the way the Lord has worked in your life?
 
Why are sacrifices no substitute for obedience?
 
What motivates you to obey the Lord?
 
Psalm 40 Gods Word
Dear Heavenly Father,
We learned early on in our lives that it is not the sacrifice of our time or our hard work that pleases you, but it is the abandon of all that is in us to you. It is giving you our hearts, minds and souls. It is obeying your commands to love you first and to love others like you love us. When we lose sight of You and look to ourselves or others, we fall down slippery slopes to pits of depression, worry, feelings of being unloved and devalued. When we look up, see your love, you lift us up from our mess and set us on higher ground. You cleanse us and set us free because of your reckless love that knows no limits or bounds. Thank you, Lord. Your child is listening. Your Word is my very being.
In Jesus Name, Amen
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WHAT AM I DOING IN THE MEANTIME?

Posted on October 24, 2018 by randscallawayffm
Psalms – Prayers of Honesty
 
Psalm 39 save me
When we try to do all the right things, determined to watch our steps and our tongues carefully so we won’t cause trouble for anyone it might be more of a chore than we thought. When we see evil get the upper hand in people who put down others by making fun of them, how long can we hold our thoughts back? When evil tears down the good being accomplished, how long can we say nothing and do nothing? It’s hard. WHAT do we do in the meantime?
 
Psalm 39, The Message
A David Psalm
 
psalm-39-prayer-for-wisdom.jpg1-3 I’m determined to watch steps and tongue
so they won’t land me in trouble.
I decided to hold my tongue
as long as Wicked is in the room.
“Mum’s the word,” I said, and kept quiet.
But the longer I kept silence
The worse it got—
my insides got hotter and hotter.
My thoughts boiled over;
I spilled my guts.
 
4-6 “Tell me, what’s going on, God?
How long do I have to live?
Give me the bad news!
You’ve kept me on pretty short rations;
my life is string too short to be saved.
Oh! we’re all puffs of air.
Oh! we’re all shadows in a campfire.
Oh! we’re just spit in the wind.
We make our pile, and then we leave it.
 
Psalm 39 hope in You7-11 “What am I doing in the meantime, Lord?
Hoping, that’s what I’m doing—hoping
You’ll save me from a rebel life,
save me from the contempt of dunces.
I’ll say no more, I’ll shut my mouth,
since you, Lord, are behind all this.
But I can’t take it much longer.
When you put us through the fire
to purge us from our sin,
our dearest idols go up in smoke.
Are we also nothing but smoke?
 
12-13 “Ah, God, listen to my prayer, my
cry—open your ears.
Don’t be callous;
just look at these tears of mine.
I’m a stranger here. I don’t know my way—
a migrant like my whole family.
Give me a break, cut me some slack
before it’s too late and I’m out of here.”
 
SOMETHING TO CHEW…
 
Both 38 and 39 record David attempting to remain silent in a time of trial, for fear he would say something that would offend believers or give ammunition to unbelievers. It appears that the wicked (“the dunces,” v. 8) were blaspheming God and maligning David in his affliction, and he was greatly concerned. He did not want the name of the Lord to be offended and brought down with him.
 
David wanted to retaliate and say something to defend God, but he deemed it best to keep quiet. But this restraint only made his heart burn with intense pain until finally he had to speak out. There is “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak” (Eccl. 3:7), and wise is the person who knows the difference. David didn’t argue with God (v. 9) or with those who reproached him, but he did pray to the Lord.
 
We can learn from David. First be silent, pray to God, listen for His words in difficult, painful situations. Be wise, follow God’s lead. Say nothing until God says to speak at the right time, in the right Spirit, with His words.
 
Psalm 39 my only hopeHEART CHECK:
 
Hurt people hurt people. When we see others put down and maligned, what do we do first? If it is prayer to God, what do we pray? What do we ask God?
 
AND what do we do in the meantime while we wait on God’s wisdom?
 
“Hoping, that’s what I’m doing…” We hope in the wisdom of the Lord. He will save us. He will resolve and restore life issues. Our hope in the Lord will strengthen us in the trial and the wait. Our hope will see the reason that the Lord is putting us through fires to knock off all the rough edges of our being so that we will be all He intended for us to be. Trials of fire purifies our dull hearts and souls and helps us to shine more brightly…until God sees His own glory as a reflection of His love and care in us. Tough, yes, but necessary.
 
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for listening to the cries of my own heart this morning. Continue to do what you must in me, but be gentle. Help me to love more, extend more grace, have mercy, walk justly with You guiding my every thought, word and action.
In Jesus Name, Amen. My hope is in You, Lord.
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CONFESSION LEADS TO FREEDOM!

Posted on October 22, 2018 by randscallawayffm

Psalms – Prayers of Honesty

Psalm 38 attentionThis next prayer of David’s is not as joyful. It doesn’t make us “feel good” but instead causes us to consider our own lives and wonder if we are holding tightly to something that stands between God and ourselves. We want God to transform us, to work on and in us. But we must know that transformation to be all that pleases God requires confession, seeing our sin for what it is and asking God to save us. Without confession and repentance we will continue to be imprisoned in guilt and shame. Without waiting on God to do what he must in us hastens our own freedom to run in wide open spaces with God.

Psalm 38 confessRelax, wait on God’s best work in you to be done. Is it painful? Yes, it can be, but the reward is greater than the bondage of sin unconfessed and the maturity that must take place. I am reminded on the old hymn that rings in my heart this morning…“Let Him Have His Way With You” as I read David’s cry to God.

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.

When God calls, say yes. When God begins His work in you, embrace Him. Let Him have His way with you. You will not regret it. It might be painful (probably will) because we hold tight to that which we think we can control.

Psalm 38, The Message

Psalm 38 help me.jpgA David Psalm
38 1-2 Take a deep breath, God; calm down—
don’t be so hasty with your punishing rod.
Your sharp-pointed arrows of rebuke draw blood;
my backside smarts from your caning.

3-4 I’ve lost twenty pounds in two months
because of your accusation.
My bones are brittle as dry sticks
because of my sin.
I’m swamped by my bad behavior,
collapsed under gunnysacks of guilt.

5-8 The cuts in my flesh stink and grow maggots
because I’ve lived so badly.
And now I’m flat on my face
feeling sorry for myself morning to night.
All my insides are on fire,
my body is a wreck.
I’m on my last legs; I’ve had it—
my life is a vomit of groans.

Psalm 38 sigh9-16 Lord, my longings are sitting in plain sight,
my groans an old story to you.
My heart’s about to break;
I’m a burned-out case.
Cataracts blind me to God and good;
old friends avoid me like the plague.
My cousins never visit,
my neighbors stab me in the back.
My competitors blacken my name,
devoutly they pray for my ruin.
But I’m deaf and mute to it all,
ears shut, mouth shut.
I don’t hear a word they say,
don’t speak a word in response.

What I do, God, is wait for you,
wait for my Lord, my God—you will answer!
I wait and pray so they won’t laugh me off,
won’t smugly strut off when I stumble.

Psalm 38 hope17-20 I’m on the edge of losing it—
the pain in my gut keeps burning.
I’m ready to tell my story of failure,
I’m no longer smug in my sin.
My enemies are alive and in action,
a lynch mob after my neck.
I give out good and get back evil
from God-haters who can’t stand a God-lover.

21-22 Don’t dump me, God;
my God, don’t stand me up.
Hurry and help me;
I want some wide-open space in my life!

Psalm 38 run to God

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for listening our honest heart cries. Thank you for saving us. Thank you for the painful but needful lessons in my life that allowed me to run in the wide open spaces of your love and care. Thank you for honing and shaping us to be more and more like you intended for us to be. Do what you must, but be gentle. I wait for you, Lord. Your servant is listening and ready to obey.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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LIFE ASSURANCE

Posted on October 21, 2018 by randscallawayffm
Psalms – Prayers of Honesty
 
You need life insurance, after care and extended care insurance, insurance for your car, insurance for car repair, insurance for home and all your belongings, insurance for travel, insurance for every time you buy an appliance, insurance for pets…wait, what?…yes, even pets! If you sit and listen to daytime TV long enough and take what is said to heart, you would be scared into buying insurance you don’t need for anything and everything under the sun. Some insurance is good, some or most is not needed to live in this world.
 
I want more. I want Life Assurance. Life Assurance is knowing God, being still before God, listening to God and obeying what He says. He will always be with us. He will protect us and guide us through rough waters. He will be our strength. He will save us forever.
 
“Get insurance with God and do a good deed, settle down and stick to your last. Keep company with God and get in on the best.”
 
“When we run to him, he saves us.”
 
David had life assurance. Jesus provided Life Assurance for us by dying for our sins and rising again to prepare a forever home for all those who believe. I believe. Are you in?
 
Psalm 37, The Message
A David Psalm
1-2 Don’t bother your head with braggarts
or wish you could succeed like the wicked.
In no time they’ll shrivel like grass clippings
and wilt like cut flowers in the sun.
 
3-4 Get insurance with God and do a good deed,
settle down and stick to your last.
Keep company with God,
get in on the best.
 
5-6 Open up before God, keep nothing back;
he’ll do whatever needs to be done:
He’ll validate your life in the clear light of day
and stamp you with approval at high noon.
 
Psalm 37 be still.png7 Quiet down before God,
be prayerful before him.
Don’t bother with those who climb the ladder,
who elbow their way to the top.
 
8-9 Bridle your anger, trash your wrath,
cool your pipes—it only makes things worse.
Before long the crooks will be bankrupt;
God-investors will soon own the store.
 
10-11 Before you know it, the wicked will have had it;
you’ll stare at his once famous place and—nothing!
Down-to-earth people will move in and take over,
relishing a huge bonanza.
 
12-13 Bad guys have it in for the good guys,
obsessed with doing them in.
But God isn’t losing any sleep; to him
they’re a joke with no punch line.
 
14-15 Bullies brandish their swords,
pull back on their bows with a flourish.
They’re out to beat up on the harmless,
or mug that nice man out walking his dog.
A banana peel lands them flat on their faces—
slapstick figures in a moral circus.
 
16-17 Less is more and more is less.
One righteous will outclass fifty wicked,
For the wicked are moral weaklings
but the righteous are God-strong.
 
18-19 God keeps track of the decent folk;
what they do won’t soon be forgotten.
In hard times, they’ll hold their heads high;
when the shelves are bare, they’ll be full.
 
20 God-despisers have had it;
God’s enemies are finished—
Stripped bare like vineyards at harvest time,
vanished like smoke in thin air.
 
21-22 Wicked borrows and never returns;
Righteous gives and gives.
Generous gets it all in the end;
Stingy is cut off at the pass.
 
Psalm 37 trust.jpg23-24 Stalwart walks in step with God;
his path blazed by God, he’s happy.
If he stumbles, he’s not down for long;
God has a grip on his hand.
 
25-26 I once was young, now I’m a graybeard—
not once have I seen an abandoned believer,
or his kids out roaming the streets.
Every day he’s out giving and lending,
his children making him proud.
 
27-28 Turn your back on evil,
work for the good and don’t quit.
God loves this kind of thing,
never turns away from his friends.
 
28-29 Live this way and you’ve got it made,
but bad eggs will be tossed out.
The good get planted on good land
and put down healthy roots.
 
30-31 Righteous chews on wisdom like a dog on a bone,
rolls virtue around on his tongue.
His heart pumps God’s Word like blood through his veins;
his feet are as sure as a cat’s.
 
32-33 Wicked sets a watch for Righteous,
he’s out for the kill.
God, alert, is also on watch—
Wicked won’t hurt a hair of his head.
 
Psalm 37 rest.png34 Wait passionately for God,
don’t leave the path.
He’ll give you your place in the sun
while you watch the wicked lose it.
 
35-36 I saw Wicked bloated like a toad,
croaking pretentious nonsense.
The next time I looked there was nothing—
a punctured bladder, vapid and limp.
 
37-38 Keep your eye on the healthy soul,
scrutinize the straight life;
There’s a future
in strenuous wholeness.
But the willful will soon be discarded;
insolent souls are on a dead-end street.
 
39-40 The spacious, free life is from God,
it’s also protected and safe.
God-strengthened, we’re delivered from evil—
when we run to him, he saves us.
 
Psalm 37 details
Dear Heavenly Father,
We hold nothing back. We all of you working in and through us. We bless You on this day of corporate worship through praise and thanksgiving to you. May your glory be seen in and through us. I love you, Lord with all that is in me. I love those around me who love you, too. May those who have not yet said yes to you, say yes today!
In Jesus Name, Amen
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EXQUISITE LOVE

Posted on October 20, 2018 by randscallawayffm
Psalms – Prayers of Honesty
 
Who loves us well? Who loves us better than we love ourselves? Who protects, guides, rescues and saves us for eternity? Who will love us forever? Who loves us now? How can we measure this exquisite love of God?
 
David’s words express the extreme difference between what God has to offer versus what the world throws in our face by God rebels. Read. See the difference. Choose the exquisite love of God. That is my prayer for all of us today.
 
Psalm 36, The Message
A David Psalm
 
Psalm 36 sin1-4 The God-rebel tunes in to sedition—
all ears, eager to sin.
He has no regard for God,
he stands insolent before him.
He has smooth-talked himself
into believing
That his evil
will never be noticed.
Words gutter from his mouth,
dishwater dirty.
Can’t remember when he
did anything decent.
Every time he goes to bed,
he fathers another evil plot.
When he’s loose on the streets,
nobody’s safe.
He plays with fire
and doesn’t care who gets burned.
 
Psalm 36 your love5-6 God’s love is meteoric,
his loyalty astronomic,
His purpose titanic,
his verdicts oceanic.
Yet in his largeness
nothing gets lost;
Not a man, not a mouse,
slips through the cracks.
 
7-9 How exquisite your love, O God!
How eager we are to run under your wings,
To eat our fill at the banquet you spread
as you fill our tankards with Eden spring water.
You’re a fountain of cascading light,
and you open our eyes to light.
 
Psalm 36 justice
10-12 Keep on loving your friends;
do your work in welcoming hearts.
Don’t let the bullies kick me around,
the moral midgets slap me down.
Send the upstarts sprawling
flat on their faces in the mud.
 
Psalm 36 light of GodDear Heavenly Father,
Keep us loving you and your friends while doing your work that you have invited us to be and do. May our hearts be welcoming, desperately seeking your Holy Spirit. Deliver us from all evil and evil’s schemes to bring us low. Lift us up by Your Presence to see the world as you see it. Come Holy Spirit. Dwell in us. Cleanse every dark spot and fill those spots with all of you as we empty all of us before you.
In Jesus Name, Amen
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BUT LET ME CELEBRATE YOU!

Posted on October 19, 2018 by randscallawayffm
Psalms of Honesty
 
Psalm 35 freeIf you step out, with God leading you, to be and make a difference in this life with a heart’s desire to want God’s best for all, you will have bullies who will try to hinder your walk to a slow molasses pace at times. Bullies will sometimes be jealous of what is being done and thwart your efforts in the details by scrutinizing every move you make. Bullies will not come to you to talk over your differences, they talk to anyone but you. That is the mark of the bully. Gossip is their greatest weapon to tear you down. Bullies hit you where it hurts most…in your spirit.
 
We become prisoners of bullies when we take to heart what they are saying, when we slow down the progress of our work because of their criticism or spend countless, precious minutes worrying over what they are doing and plotting next.
 
David prays a very honest prayer to God, asking him to “punch his bullies in the nose”! I have never asked that of God, have you? But I have ask God to help ME in my response to the bullies in my life. David eventually does the same in this sincere prayer. He actually has people out to kill him physically. He is king and kings have enemies. Most of our bullies what to just maim or kill the Spirit of God in us. But they can’t. God won’t allow it. I know this from God’s work in and through my own life.
 
Psalm 35, The Message
A David Psalm
 
1-3 Harass these hecklers, God,
punch these bullies in the nose.
Grab a weapon, anything at hand;
stand up for me!
Get ready to throw the spear, aim the javelin,
at the people who are out to get me.
Reassure me; let me hear you say,
“I’ll save you.”
 
4-8 When those thugs try to knife me in the back,
make them look foolish.
Frustrate all those
who are plotting my downfall.
Make them like cinders in a high wind,
with God’s angel working the bellows.
Make their road lightless and mud-slick,
with God’s angel on their tails.
Out of sheer cussedness they set a trap to catch me;
for no good reason they dug a ditch to stop me.
Surprise them with your ambush—
catch them in the very trap they set,
the disaster they planned for me.
 
Psalm 35 free to run9-10 But let me run loose and free,
celebrating God’s great work,
Every bone in my body laughing, singing, “God,
there’s no one like you.
You put the down-and-out on their feet
and protect the unprotected from bullies!”
 
11-12 Hostile accusers appear out of nowhere,
they stand up and badger me.
They pay me back misery for mercy,
leaving my soul empty.
 
13-14 When they were sick, I dressed in black;
instead of eating, I prayed.
My prayers were like lead in my gut,
like I’d lost my best friend, my brother.
I paced, distraught as a motherless child,
hunched and heavyhearted.
 
15-16 But when I was down
they threw a party!
All the nameless riffraff of the town came
chanting insults about me.
Like barbarians desecrating a shrine,
they destroyed my reputation.
 
17-18 God, how long are you going
to stand there doing nothing?
Save me from their brutalities;
everything I’ve got is being thrown to the lions.
I will give you full credit
when everyone gathers for worship;
When the people turn out in force
I will say my Hallelujahs.
 
19-21 Don’t let these liars, my enemies,
have a party at my expense,
Those who hate me for no reason,
winking and rolling their eyes.
No good is going to come
from that crowd;
They spend all their time cooking up gossip
against those who mind their own business.
They open their mouths
in ugly grins,
Mocking, “Ha-ha, ha-ha, thought you’d get away with it?
We’ve caught you hands down!”
 
22 Don’t you see what they’re doing, God?
You’re not going to let them
Get by with it, are you? Not going to walk off
without doing something, are you?
 
23-26 Please get up—wake up! Tend to my case.
My God, my Lord—my life is on the line.
Do what you think is right, God, my God,
but don’t make me pay for their good time.
Don’t let them say to themselves,
“Ha-ha, we got what we wanted.”
Don’t let them say,
“We’ve chewed him up and spit him out.”
Let those who are being hilarious
at my expense
Be made to look ridiculous.
Make them wear donkey’s ears;
Pin them with the donkey’s tail,
who made themselves so high and mighty!
 
27-28 But those who want
the best for me,
Let them have the last word—a glad shout!—
and say, over and over and over,
“God is great—everything works
together for good for his servant.”
I’ll tell the world how great and good you are,
I’ll shout Hallelujah all day, every day.
 
SOMETHING TO CHEW…
 
Yes, David is very honest in this prayer. He even suggests what God can do to his bullies. Don’t lie, we’ve all had ideas for what God can do to our bullies. But then the prayer changes to what God can do IN David. David’s ultimate request is to be free from worrying about the bullies and their attacks so he can worship and celebrate God again.
 
“But let me run loose and free,
celebrating God’s great work,
Every bone in my body laughing, singing, “God,
there’s no one like you.
You put the down-and-out on their feet
and protect the unprotected from bullies!”
 
David knows God. He realizes he must leave all the bullies and tormentors to God. There is NO ONE like God of Creation to do what is best for us and in us. We must let God do what He does best.
 
HEART CHECK
Let’s go a bit deeper, into our own hearts’ desire for our bullies. Jesus took us farther in our walk with Him by teaching us a powerful lesson about what we should pray and how we should respond to bullies. Check THIS out:
 

Psalm 35 enemiesLuke 6, NIV

27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
 
Psalm 35 love32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
 
How do we pray for our bullies?
 
Do we realize that our bullies are humans created by God?
 
It is the evil in them that we need to pray to God to defeat so they can be free to come to God, too. Right?
 
How does repaying evil for good works help? How can we actually do that?
 
How can we completely “run loose and free, celebrating God’s great work?
 
Psalm 35 love your enemiesPray for the evil in our bullies to be defeated. While God works, we pray for our enemies and do good to them. That attitude comes from knowing God, letting go and allowing God to do what is best without our input. Our actions speak louder than words. Leave the evil to God to defeat.
 
There is no one like our God! Be free to worship. Let the peace of Christ rule! Go be a difference in this world again!
 
“God is great—everything works
together for good for his servant.”
I’ll tell the world how great and good you are,
I’ll shout Hallelujah all day, every day.”
 
Psalm 35 Luke challengeDear Heavenly Father,
We pray for those who hurt us with words and behind the scenes actions. We forgive them like you forgave us, even without their knowledge of our forgiveness. We pray while you defeat the foe that is guiding them. Thank you for protecting us. Thank you for developing a loving spirit in us toward our enemies who are in bondage to evil. Thank you for the freedom to run free, worship you with all that is in us and to love where there is hate. Thank you for teaching us and transforming us from the inside out. Continue to do what you must in all of us.
In Jesus Name, Amen
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WORSHIP OPENS DOORS

Posted on October 18, 2018 by randscallawayffm

 

Psalms – Prayers of Honesty

Psalm 34 doors“Let’s Make a Deal” is a game show that offers doors to choose at the end of the game. As you play and win, you earn the right to choose what is behind Door #1, #2 or #3. Behind two of the doors are fabulous prizes. Behind the remaining door is not much of a prize but a joke. You probably have seen the show many times with Monty Hall as the host who tries to help people decide what to choose.

Psalm 34 decisionsWhat if you were given a door to open that was, without doubt the best prize ever? AND, what if you were told which door it is so you cannot lose? AND what if, when the door is opened it brought you all that is best for you forever? Wait, what???

Psalm 34 God's goodness

Yes! All we have to do to open this door is worship the One and Only God Who opens the door to all His goodness and benefits of knowing and following Him! I know, right?

Read and look for all the ways God provides for us when we worship Him who created us and knows us by name…

 

Psalm 34, The Message
A David Psalm, When He Outwitted Abimelech and Got Away

Psalm 34 ever praiseI bless God every chance I get;
my lungs expand with his praise.

2 I live and breathe God;
if things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy:

3 Join me in spreading the news;
together let’s get the word out.

4 God met me more than halfway,
he freed me from my anxious fears.

5 Look at him; give him your warmest smile.
Never hide your feelings from him.

6 When I was desperate, I called out,
and God got me out of a tight spot.

7 God’s angel sets up a circle
of protection around us while we pray.

Psalm 34 blessed8 Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—
how good God is.
Blessed are you who run to him.

9 Worship God if you want the best;
worship opens doors to all his goodness.

10 Young lions on the prowl get hungry,
but God-seekers are full of God.

Psalm 34 cry out11 Come, children, listen closely;
I’ll give you a lesson in God worship.

12 Who out there has a lust for life?
Can’t wait each day to come upon beauty?

13 Guard your tongue from profanity,
and no more lying through your teeth.

14 Turn your back on sin; do something good.
Embrace peace—don’t let it get away!

15 God keeps an eye on his friends,
his ears pick up every moan and groan.

16 God won’t put up with rebels;
he’ll cull them from the pack.

17 Is anyone crying for help? God is listening,
ready to rescue you.

Psalm 34 crushed18 If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there;
if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.

19 Disciples so often get into trouble;
still, God is there every time.

20 He’s your bodyguard, shielding every bone;
not even a finger gets broken.

21 The wicked commit slow suicide;
they waste their lives hating the good.

22 God pays for each slave’s freedom;
no one who runs to him loses out.

SOMETHING TO CHEW…

Psalm 34 everythingDid you get the last line…”NO ONE who runs to Him loses!” Open the door to God’s protection in emotional and spiritual battles with the evil one. Open the door to encouragement when broken into pieces by life. Open the door to provisions when you have run out of all options. Open the door to value and significance because Jesus died for our sin and redeemed us for a forever life with Him. Open the door to keeping it together through good times and rough times.

“Worship God if you want the best;
worship opens doors to all his goodness!”

HEART CHECK:

“If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there;
if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.”

Worship of God even when we don’t “feel” like it, (especially when we don’t feel like it) brings God into our life stuff with peace and a joy that cannot be stolen from us. Why, because He’s been there all the time. We just need to acknowledge Him and lean on Him so we can catch our breath and feel His strength running through our veins once more.

Are you going through a time like this right now? Is you heart broken? Are you ready to open the door to God with worship of Him and let Him restore the joy of HIS salvation in you? Worship God. Open the door to all His goodness. You won’t regret it. You will only wonder why you didn’t worship Him with an open door to your own heart sooner.

“Come, children, listen closely;
I’ll give you a lesson in God worship.”

Open doors to God’s goodness depend on the open door to our hearts. How sincere and honest are we when we worship the God of all? When God is all we have, God is all we need. Worship God. Open door #1! The Only One!

Psalm 34 thank you

 

Dear Heavenly Father,
YOU are God and we are not. You alone are the Giver of life abundant. You are all I need. You are the One and Only I trust with all of life. You are my Redeemer, Deliverer, and Lord. Thank you, thank you, thank you. 
In Jesus Name, Amen

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