Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus)

THE LIGHT

Posted on April 1, 2018 by randscallawayffm

Galatians – Freedom in Christ!

I rose before dawn this morning to get my mug of coffee and cup of cheerios, like most moms/grandmoms who are preparing a meal for Easter Sunday to be consumed after our celebration of our risen Lord and Savior. I was greeted in the darkness by bright light shining through the trees in our backyard, through the patio doors and into the kitchen. Full moon! Amazing!

I stood there for a moment recalling the song, “Was it a morning like this?” I think of the heavy heart of sorrow Mary carried as she made her way to the tomb of her Friend. I wonder if she felt her Light had gone out in the darkness before the dawn of a new reality? What is the new reality? Her Light has actually risen from the dead, (just as He said)! He speaks to her and tells her to run and tell the others! His Light, once more, fills her heart, floods her soul and is reflected brightly off Mary’s face as she tells the Good News of the empty tomb! I smile knowing that Jesus is my Light, Love, Master, as well as my Savior.

Today I remember that the moon has no light of it’s own. It only REFLECTS the light of the sun. Here is a bit of science for you:

The full moon is the lunar phase when the Moon appears fully illuminated from Earth’s perspective. This occurs when Earth is located directly between the Sun and the Moon (more exactly, when the ecliptic longitudes of the Sun and Moon differ by 180°).

Lunar phases are caused by the position of the moon in relation to the sun. Okay, we get it. The moon has no light. It only reflect the light of the sun

Where am I in relation to the Son? Have I done a “180” so that I fully reflect the Son to others who are groping for the new reality of THE Light in the dark? Like the moon, I only REFLECT The Light. I am not The Light.

That bring us to a very important passage in our journey through Galatians. Paul calls the Galatians crazy for following anyone on earth who talks about anything different than Jesus Christ crucified as our Savior, our Lord…Our Light. The Galatians have fallen back to the old ways of rule keeping instead of building a steady, undying relationship with Jesus Christ. They are trying to “be good” by the rules instead of allowing Christ to transform their lives by shedding His Light on the darkness that lies within.

Let’s pick it up at Galatians 2, verse 19…(The Message)

19-21 What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn’t work. So I quit being a “law man” so that I could be God’s man. Christ’s life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that.

Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God’s grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily.

Paul turned 180 to Christ who is The Light. He isn’t going to turn back to the dark side, that’s crazy. I’m not either.

Dear Heavenly Father,

You are God and we are not. We reflect the Light of Jesus. I have decided to follow Jesus and I’m not turning back. I don’t like the dark. Continue to transform me. Transform Your church. Transform the world.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Posted in Blessings, Christian Living, Christian Perspective, Encouragement, Faith, Forgiveness, Galatians, Grace | Tagged Faith, Family, inspiration, LIfe, ponder, Relationships, Truth, work | Leave a comment

SET FREE!

Posted on March 31, 2018 by randscallawayffm

Galatians – Freedom in Christ!

When men and women get their hands on religion, one of the first things they often do is tun it into an instrument for controlling others, either putting or keeping them “in their place”. The history of such religious manipulation and coercion is long and tedious It is little wonder that people who have only known religion on such terms experience release or escape from it as freedom. The problem is that the freedom turns out to be short-lived.

Paul was religious. He was a rule keeper. Wait, that is understated. Paul was notoriously and radically religious…until He met Jesus. Personally. Before Jesus, he used the rules he learned well from childhood, to intimidate, jail, destroy and maim, bringing down anyone who was disobedient to religion in his eyes.

Then he met Jesus. Jesus took him on a journey of laying down the religion he knew and passionately practiced that persecuted others seeking Him, to a new path of complete freedom in Christ. How did Jesus get Paul’s attention? Paul was strong and formidable before he had a personal encounter with the Son of God, Jesus. Jesus, at just the right time, stopped the madness and brought Paul to his knees on a dusty road. Jesus struck him blind physically. Paul had no place to look but up at Jesus. Then Jesus asked, “Why do you persecute Me?”

“Why do you persecute Me?” That question stops me on my journey at times. It causes me to reevaluate my own behavior. Am I trying to keep rules of religion and traditions that are man made, too? It’s so easy to fall into that behavior with others. Do I persecute brothers and sisters seeking Jesus? Do I want those who have found Jesus to be more like me, to follow all the unwritten rules of our church traditions, to join the groups I belong to or else with an “I can’t be your friend” attitude? Do I look at what others wear and how they behave with rolling eyes of disgust? Do I make snide remarks that make others feel bad? Words maim. Words kill spirits. When we “persecute” others with our behavior, we persecute Christ. One in the same. But I digress.

Through Jesus, Paul learned that God was not an impersonal force to be used to make people behave in certain prescribed ways, but a personal Savior who set us free to live a free life. God did not coerce us from without, but set us free from within.

It was a glorious experience! So Paul set off telling others, introducing and inviting everyone he met into this free life! Churches were founded with Christ as the cornerstone and foundation. Later, after Paul left, the “old guard” of religion seeped back into the churches Paul founded in the province of Galatia. Paul, of course, was furious. He was furious with the old guard for coming in with their strong-arm religions tactics and intimidating the Christians into giving up their free life in Jesus. But he was also furious with the Christians for caving in to the intimidation.

Hence the letter to the Galatians. Paul’s letter helps them, (and us), recover the original freedom. It also give directions in the nature of God’s gift of freedom–most necessary guidance, for freedom is a delicate and subtle gift, easily perverted and often squandered.

Religion versus relationship.

Rules versus the freedom to run in the fields…the wide open spaces of freedom in Christ!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Show us your path to freedom. We love you with all our heart, mind and soul. May our relationships with you go deeper still. Teach us. Give us wisdom. Restore the joy of Your salvation in and through us as we read these words inspired by You. Set us free from ourselves and the religion we sometimes serve to walk out into the wide open spaces of your love. Freedom brings adventure. Your servant is listening…

Transform me. Transform Your church. Transform the world.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Galatians 1, The Message

1-5 I, Paul, and my companions in faith here, send greetings to the Galatian churches. My authority for writing to you does not come from any popular vote of the people, nor does it come through the appointment of some human higher-up. It comes directly from Jesus the Messiah and God the Father, who raised him from the dead. I’m God-commissioned. So I greet you with the great words, grace and peace! We know the meaning of those words because Jesus Christ rescued us from this evil world we’re in by offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins. God’s plan is that we all experience that rescue. Glory to God forever! Oh, yes!

Did you get that? JESUS rescued us! We are free indeed!

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SAY YES! HE’S ALIVE NOW!

Posted on March 30, 2018 by randscallawayffm

Corinthians – Belief and Behavior

Ministry is not easy. It never was and never will be. What keeps those in full time, paid or unpaid, employed or volunteer tenaciously alert without giving in to the world or giving up on people is extreme focus on the Creator of life, the Savior of all, the Holy Spirit who brings intimacy to our relationship with the Three-in-One. We say yes to God from a heart full of desire to please HIM. We say yes because of knowing that Jesus is alive now and is coming back to claim His own. We say yes because His Holy Spirit lives in us, teaching and guiding us to be of help to each other on the journey to know Him and grow in Him. We are all in ministry who believe.

Paul closes his letter to the church gone wild in Corinth with reminders to seriously avoid the return to the old ways of sin that hinders their spiritual growth and destroys their intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. This is an example of loving and caring but difficult ministry of confrontation to carefully build people up, not tear them down. Like a parent to a wild child in the back seat of the car stirring up trouble we can almost hear, “Don’t make me come back there!”

2 Corinthians 13, The Message

He’s Alive Now!

1-4 Well, this is my third visit coming up. Remember the Scripture that says, “A matter becomes clear after two or three witnesses give evidence”? On my second visit I warned that bunch that keeps sinning over and over in the same old ways that when I came back I wouldn’t go easy on them. Now, preparing for the third, I’m saying it again from a distance. If you haven’t changed your ways by the time I get there, look out. You who have been demanding proof that Christ speaks through me will get more than you bargained for. You’ll get the full force of Christ, don’t think you won’t. He was sheer weakness and humiliation when he was killed on the cross, but oh, he’s alive now—in the mighty power of God! We weren’t much to look at, either, when we were humiliated among you, but when we deal with you this next time, we’ll be alive in Christ, strengthened by God.

5-9 Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it. I hope the test won’t show that we have failed. But if it comes to that, we’d rather the test showed our failure than yours. We’re rooting for the truth to win out in you. We couldn’t possibly do otherwise.

We don’t just put up with our limitations; we celebrate them, and then go on to celebrate every strength, every triumph of the truth in you. We pray hard that it will all come together in your lives.

10 I’m writing this to you now so that when I come I won’t have to say another word on the subject. The authority the Master gave me is for putting people together, not taking them apart. I want to get on with it, and not have to spend time on reprimands.

11-13 And that’s about it, friends. Be cheerful. Keep things in good repair. Keep your spirits up. Think in harmony. Be agreeable. Do all that, and the God of love and peace will be with you for sure. Greet one another with a holy embrace. All the brothers and sisters here say hello.

14 The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.

Are WE the church gone wild?

God speaks to us today….(Phrases that leap from the text)

–“Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith”

–“You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you.” It’s not our parents or grandparents faith, it’s our faith…how intimate are we with our Savior?

–“If you fail the test, do something about it.” Don’t wait!

–“Be cheerful.”

–“Keep things in good repair. Keep your spirits up.”

–“Think in harmony. Be agreeable.”

–Jesus IS alive! And He’s coming back, you know!

“The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.”

Today on this “Good Friday”, remember how much God loved…Resurrection celebration begins now! King Jesus is alive! He’s coming back! Are we ready?

Dear Heavenly Father,

We don’t deserve Your unconditional, relentless love but you love anyway. We fall and you pick us up. We fail and you teach us through the failure with love in Your heart unlike all other human love. We sin. We repent. You forgive no matter what the sin was and then you remember it no more! Amazing. Just amazing. Thank you, thank you, thank you! May WE no longer be the church gone wild…Continue to transform me. Transform Your church. Transform the world.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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THE GIFT OF THE THORN

Posted on March 29, 2018 by randscallawayffm

Corinthians – Belief and Behavior

I can tell you from experience that right now, Maundy Thursday before Easter, your pastor, worship leader and many volunteers are working furiously to make sure all is well for all who will come to all services during Holy Week but especially Resurrection Sunday, aka Easter Sunday. Many are praying.

Sermons and order of worship are being scrutinized so that understanding is clear for those coming. The behind the scenes details are gone over with a fine tooth comb to make sure every person and resource is in place. The singers and musicians are meticulously practicing so that worship is not hindered by mistakes and discords. Why? Those with pure hearts and a love for people are excited for the opportunity to tell the story of Jesus’ Resurrection in Word and songs of praise. They pray over the souls of those who will come for the first time or will be visiting just because it is a time to be with family.

Because we are human we get tired. Tiredness can bring out our weaknesses. We become more sensitive to what others say about us and to us. We feel underappreciated for the work God has given us to do. Joy can even dissipate and leave the building…the temple (our body for Christ) when this happens UNLESS we humbly cry out, “Jesus Christ, take over!”

Our weakness then becomes HIS strength in us. I am learning this from Paul as he writes to the Corinthians about what he has endured in his journey to work for Jesus who called him to love and tell The Story of reconciliation. Paul’s words in chapter 11 carried over into chapter 12 sound a bit whiny until we see ourselves in the words and know the feelings of being underappreciated and gossiped about from time to time while serving God with a desire to help others find and follow His Son, Jesus.

We ALL get tired but here is the difference in what makes us tired. Paul is tired IN the work but not tired OF the work. He’s not going to quit. Our behavior indicates what is in our hearts. If we are being and doing who we are and what we do for Jesus Christ, to please Him with what He has called us to do then we might get tired IN the work. If we love people like Jesus loves us it will ignite a fire in us to help them find and follow Jesus, too. We are driven to keep going. We might get tired IN the work.

But if we are tired OF the work we want payback from the people we serve. We seek self adulation and praise from those who benefit from the work we are doing (all by ourselves most of the time, too!). Our hearts are rooted in the “feel good” feeling that comes from seeking personal success and position, of doing for others because you feel you have already arrived and feel sorry for those who haven’t. This is not the example of the humility of Christ! (Phil 2) This motivation of heart and mind will soon fade and many will quit sooner than later. This is being tired OF the work.

I love Paul’s honesty in his testimony of feeling underappreciated, unloved by those he served without pay, and for the gossip and accusations he received. He reminds us that Christ also suffered the same and more. Read chapter 11 straight into chapter 12 and see how Paul “turns the page” from whining (although truthful) about his circumstance to realizing WHO and WHY he does what he does. He even calls himself foolish in relating all this but gains wisdom for us, too, as we read about his weakness…his handicap, given to him by God…as a “gift”…to keep him focused. Other translations use the phrase “thorn in the flesh” to figuratively describe this “gift”.

Let’s pick it up at chapter 12…

2 Corinthians 12, The Message

Strength from Weakness

1-5 You’ve forced me to talk this way, and I do it against my better judgment. But now that we’re at it, I may as well bring up the matter of visions and revelations that God gave me. For instance, I know a man who, fourteen years ago, was seized by Christ and swept in ecstasy to the heights of heaven. I really don’t know if this took place in the body or out of it; only God knows. I also know that this man was hijacked into paradise—again, whether in or out of the body, I don’t know; God knows. There he heard the unspeakable spoken, but was forbidden to tell what he heard. This is the man I want to talk about. But about myself, I’m not saying another word apart from the humiliations.

6 If I had a mind to brag a little, I could probably do it without looking ridiculous, and I’d still be speaking plain truth all the way. But I’ll spare you. I don’t want anyone imagining me as anything other than the fool you’d encounter if you saw me on the street or heard me talk.

7-10 Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,

My grace is enough; it’s all you need.

My strength comes into its own in your weakness.

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

11-13 Well, now I’ve done it! I’ve made a complete fool of myself by going on like this. But it’s not all my fault; you put me up to it. You should have been doing this for me, sticking up for me and commending me instead of making me do it for myself. You know from personal experience that even if I’m a nobody, a nothing, I wasn’t second-rate compared to those big-shot apostles you’re so taken with. All the signs that mark a true apostle were in evidence while I was with you through both good times and bad: signs of portent, signs of wonder, signs of power. Did you get less of me or of God than any of the other churches? The only thing you got less of was less responsibility for my upkeep. Well, I’m sorry. Forgive me for depriving you.

14-15 Everything is in readiness now for this, my third visit to you. But don’t worry about it; you won’t have to put yourselves out. I’ll be no more of a bother to you this time than on the other visits. I have no interest in what you have—only in you. Children shouldn’t have to look out for their parents; parents look out for the children. I’d be most happy to empty my pockets, even mortgage my life, for your good. So how does it happen that the more I love you, the less I’m loved?

16-18 And why is it that I keep coming across these whiffs of gossip about how my self-support was a front behind which I worked an elaborate scam? Where’s the evidence? Did I cheat or trick you through anyone I sent? I asked Titus to visit, and sent some brothers along. Did they swindle you out of anything? And haven’t we always been just as aboveboard, just as honest?

19 I hope you don’t think that all along we’ve been making our defense before you, the jury. You’re not the jury; God is the jury—God revealed in Christ—and we make our case before him. And we’ve gone to all the trouble of supporting ourselves so that we won’t be in the way or get in the way of your growing up.

20-21 I do admit that I have fears that when I come you’ll disappoint me and I’ll disappoint you, and in frustration with each other everything will fall to pieces—quarrels, jealousy, flaring tempers, taking sides, angry words, vicious rumors, swelled heads, and general bedlam. I don’t look forward to a second humiliation by God among you, compounded by hot tears over that crowd that keeps sinning over and over in the same old ways, who refuse to turn away from the pigsty of evil, sexual disorder, and indecency in which they wallow.

Think about it…take all they time you need…I am.

–“I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness.”

–Paul is tired IN the work but not OF the work.

–“Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.”

–You can passionately (root word means to suffer) be and do all that Jesus asks and still be criticized, mocked and gossiped about. Satan uses these limited tools to bring us down. But we learn that bringing us down to our knees before our Savior is exactly where Jesus wants us to be so we will look up and focus purely on HIM! Then Jesus takes our hand and lifts us up to where HE, our Savior and Lord, resides AND abides with us!

Questions to ask ourselves…

–Am I tired IN the work or OF the work?

–Where is my heart? What does my behavior reveal about my heart?

–Have I been driven to my knees?

–Am I letting Christ take over?

–“And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become”…on my knees.

–Do I just need a nap? Seriously. Let go. Let Christ.

Dear LORD, God of all who believe,

Transform me. Transform your church. Transform the world.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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GOD TOOLS

Posted on March 28, 2018 by randscallawayffm

Corinthians – Belief and Behavior

Randy and I have spent the last year remodeling our home for better function and efficiency, for beauty and practicality. It is our investment, our legacy, so we wanted to build what would last. In the process of this major “do it yourself” some things we tried didn’t look or feel right so we changed and adjusted the plan to fit the bigger picture. For construction beyond our abilities we had to call in professional help in some phases of the work.

Many moments came when we would have to stop, take a step back, and evaluate to make sure we were heading in the right direction for completion. Most times, we knew when it fit and when what we were doing did not fit. We were open to redirection and correction of the work to get to our final goal of completion. We still ask ourselves, is the work ever really completed? We still think about what we could improve next!

In doing all of this, we had to purchase more tools. Isn’t that the case every time you do something new? There is always a new tool you need to get the job done well. You try the tools you have and relied on in the past to get by, but you discover quickly that those tools aren’t working. You end up finding and purchasing just the right tool to perfect the work you began.

I think about all of this as Paul writes to the Corinthians about the remodel of life…a life shaped by Christ. Our precious lives are not DYI’s (do it yourself), for we need GOD and HIS tools to shape our lives into the new creations He wants us to be. Paul is committed to helping, not hurting; of building up, not tearing down. Paul passionately proclaims;

“We use our God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.”

“Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.”

In the work of remodeling our very lives, we must often step back and ask the Holy Spirit to help us evaluate and make course corrections. We must allow God and His tools (mercy, unconditional love, grace, compassion, His Word with how to’s, His Holy Spirit’s help, wisdom, insight and understanding to name a few) to work out his salvation in us. We cannot do all the work ourselves. We must rely on God (the Professional) to do the work beyond our human abilities and then step back to see the results! Then we praise Him. We stand in awe of what God does in and through our lives. We are amazed at the work! HE gets all the credit!

“Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.” (Phil 2:12)

2 Corinthians 10, The Message

Tearing Down Barriers

1-2 And now a personal but most urgent matter; I write in the gentle but firm spirit of Christ. I hear that I’m being painted as cringing and wishy-washy when I’m with you, but harsh and demanding when at a safe distance writing letters. Please don’t force me to take a hard line when I’m present with you. Don’t think that I’ll hesitate a single minute to stand up to those who say I’m an unprincipled opportunist. Then they’ll have to eat their words.

3-6 The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.

7-8 You stare and stare at the obvious, but you can’t see the forest for the trees. If you’re looking for a clear example of someone on Christ’s side, why do you so quickly cut me out? Believe me, I am quite sure of my standing with Christ. You may think I overstate the authority he gave me, but I’m not backing off. Every bit of my commitment is for the purpose of building you up, after all, not tearing you down.

9-11 And what’s this talk about me bullying you with my letters? “His letters are brawny and potent, but in person he’s a weakling and mumbles when he talks.” Such talk won’t survive scrutiny. What we write when away, we do when present. We’re the exact same people, absent or present, in letter or in person.

12 We’re not, understand, putting ourselves in a league with those who boast that they’re our superiors. We wouldn’t dare do that. But in all this comparing and grading and competing, they quite miss the point.

13-14 We aren’t making outrageous claims here. We’re sticking to the limits of what God has set for us. But there can be no question that those limits reach to and include you. We’re not moving into someone else’s “territory.” We were already there with you, weren’t we? We were the first ones to get there with the Message of Christ, right? So how can there be any question of overstepping our bounds by writing or visiting you?

15-18 We’re not barging in on the rightful work of others, interfering with their ministries, demanding a place in the sun with them. What we’re hoping for is that as your lives grow in faith, you’ll play a part within our expanding work. And we’ll all still be within the limits God sets as we proclaim the Message in countries beyond Corinth. But we have no intention of moving in on what others have done and taking credit for it. “If you want to claim credit, claim it for God.” What you say about yourself means nothing in God’s work. It’s what God says about you that makes the difference.

REMEMBER…

“What you say about yourself means nothing in God’s work. It’s what God says about you that makes the difference.”

And we’ll know when it fits and is right with the help of God’s Holy Spirit, the best tool for the work!

Dear Heavenly Father,

We have tried many times to do it all ourselves when Your tools are right at hand. You have paid the price. The tools are ready for us to use. We repent of trying to reshape our lives by ourselves. We fall at your feet this morning and ask for help. Take over the work of cleaning the “job site” and remodeling and reshaping our lives to be all you intended for us to be as your new creations. Transform me. Transform Your church. Transform the world.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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DELIGHTFUL GIVING

Posted on March 27, 2018 by randscallawayffm

Corinthians – Belief and Behavior

My Grandma Lacquement was known for listening to a variety of radio preachers while doing her morning chores on the farm. She also saved her egg money earned from selling to local friends and family so that she could give readily when asked. The trouble was that some of these preachers had a sob story that took more time than the sermon. She was found out about her giving. Her oldest daughter used to tell her not to give to those with sob stories but to reserve her hard earned money to those who really needed it…or not at all. Grandma smiled and just kept more quiet about her giving. I’m smiling now remembering Grandma’s smile with that twinkle in her eyes. Some say it looked mischievous. Others say I have that same look at times. People wonder what we are up to when it is God who put it there.

Grandma was a delightful giver. She loved giving of her time, money and gifts of providing meals to strangers as well as friends and family. She got up early to fry chickens to provide a meal for all of us as we gathered at her table after church EVERY Sunday. Seldom were we alone as a family. She would invite those from church who might not have a place to go. She would invite new people, visiting preachers or friends. And she smiled while she did it. Yes, she was a delightful giver, not rich financially, but gave from a heart of passionate love of God. She was, as Paul describes in our passage today;

“She throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon. Her right-living, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out.” (I changed he to she for emphasis.)

Paul also describes the many benefits from delightful giving. Read carefully and prayerfully. How many benefits can you name?

2 Corinthians 9, The Message

1-2 If I wrote any more on this relief offering for the poor Christians, I’d be repeating myself. I know you’re on board and ready to go. I’ve been bragging about you all through Macedonia province, telling them, “Achaia province has been ready to go on this since last year.” Your enthusiasm by now has spread to most of them.

3-5 Now I’m sending the brothers to make sure you’re ready, as I said you would be, so my bragging won’t turn out to be just so much hot air. If some Macedonians and I happened to drop in on you and found you weren’t prepared, we’d all be pretty red-faced—you and us—for acting so sure of ourselves. So to make sure there will be no slipup, I’ve recruited these brothers as an advance team to get you and your promised offering all ready before I get there. I want you to have all the time you need to make this offering in your own way. I don’t want anything forced or hurried at the last minute.

6-7 Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.

8-11 God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,

He throws caution to the winds,

giving to the needy in reckless abandon.

His right-living, right-giving ways

never run out, never wear out.

This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.

12-15 Carrying out this social relief work involves far more than helping meet the bare needs of poor Christians. It also produces abundant and bountiful thanksgivings to God. This relief offering is a prod to live at your very best, showing your gratitude to God by being openly obedient to the plain meaning of the Message of Christ. You show your gratitude through your generous offerings to your needy brothers and sisters, and really toward everyone. Meanwhile, moved by the extravagance of God in your lives, they’ll respond by praying for you in passionate intercession for whatever you need. Thank God for this gift, his gift. No language can praise it enough!

Think About It…

–God gives so we can give.

–God loves to give so we can love to give. That’s why He loves a delightful giver. It gives HIM delight!

–Giving exponentially increases the outflow of our thanksgiving to God!

–Our giving increases our praise to God.

–Giving encourages up to live at our best!

–Giving IS the Message of Christ! Because of great love for us, He gave his very life for us!

–Our gratefulness to Christ shows through our delightful giving to everyone in need.

–“Moved by the extravagance of God in your lives, they’ll respond by praying for you in passionate intercession for whatever you need.” We don’t expect anything in return, but we are prayed for with grateful hearts.

–Thank God for the gift of delightful giving. Praise Him for the privilege!

Mm…I think my Grandma knew this!

Dear Heavenly Father,

I love how you speak volumes to us in the quiet of this hour alone with You. Thank you for the memories of the saints who walked this earth before us with such a great witness of You in their living and giving. Continue to transform me. Transform Your church. Transform the world.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Posted in Blessings, Christian Living, Christian Perspective, Corinthians, Embrace, Encouragement, Faith, Forgiveness, Grace, harvest, heaven, Holy Spirit, Hope, hospitality, hugs, insight, investments, Jesus, joy, Leadership, Listen, lost but found, Love, Macedonian Call, marriage, Mercy, ministry, Praise, Prayer, Salvation, Searching, Teaching, Thanksgiving, Training, Transformation, trust in God, Truth, Unconditional love, waiting on God, wisdom | Tagged Christian, Christian Living, Church, Comfort, Conversation, delightful giving, Depression, encouragement, Faith, Family, Focus, Freedom, Friendship, future, Give life, Go, Gratitude, Happy, Heart, inspiration, joy, Kindness, LIfe, LIfe Lessons, Love, management, Marriage, Ministry, Money, Motivation, Peace, ponder, Power, Praise, prayer, Purpose, Relationship, Relationships, Spiritual, Teaching, Theology, Training, Truth, Understanding, Virtues, work | Leave a comment

DELIGHTFUL GIVING

Posted on March 27, 2018 by randscallawayffm

Corinthians – Belief and Behavior

“She throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon. Her right-living, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out.” (I changed he to she for emphasis.)

Paul also describes the many benefits from delightful giving. Read carefully and prayerfully. How many benefits can you name?

2 Corinthians 9, The Message

8-11 God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,

He throws caution to the winds,

giving to the needy in reckless abandon.

His right-living, right-giving ways

never run out, never wear out.

Think About It…

–God gives so we can give.

–God loves to give so we can love to give. That’s why He loves a delightful giver. It gives HIM delight!

–Giving exponentially increases the outflow of our thanksgiving to God!

–Our giving increases our praise to God.

–Giving encourages up to live at our best!

–Giving IS the Message of Christ! Because of great love for us, He gave his very life for us!

–Our gratefulness to Christ shows through our delightful giving to everyone in need.

–Thank God for the gift of delightful giving. Praise Him for the privilege!

Mm…I think my Grandma knew this!

Dear Heavenly Father,

In Jesus Name, Amen

Posted in Blessings, Christian Living, Christian Perspective, Corinthians, Embrace, Encouragement, Faith, Forgiveness, Grace, harvest, heaven, Holy Spirit, Hope, hospitality, hugs, insight, investments, Jesus, joy, Leadership, Listen, lost but found, Love, Macedonian Call, marriage, Mercy, ministry, Praise, Prayer, Salvation, Searching, Teaching, Thanksgiving, Training, Transformation, trust in God, Truth, Unconditional love, waiting on God, wisdom | Tagged Christian, Christian Living, Church, Comfort, Conversation, delightful giving, Depression, encouragement, Faith, Family, Focus, Freedom, Friendship, future, Give life, Go, Gratitude, Happy, Heart, inspiration, joy, Kindness, LIfe, LIfe Lessons, Love, management, Marriage, Ministry, Money, Motivation, Peace, ponder, Power, Praise, prayer, Purpose, Relationship, Relationships, Spiritual, Teaching, Theology, Training, Truth, Understanding, Virtues, work | Leave a comment

DELIGHTFUL GIVING

Posted on March 27, 2018 by randscallawayffm

Corinthians – Belief and Behavior

“She throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon. Her right-living, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out.” (I changed he to she for emphasis.)

Paul also describes the many benefits from delightful giving. Read carefully and prayerfully. How many benefits can you name?

2 Corinthians 9, The Message

8-11 God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,

He throws caution to the winds,

giving to the needy in reckless abandon.

His right-living, right-giving ways

never run out, never wear out.

Think About It…

–God gives so we can give.

–God loves to give so we can love to give. That’s why He loves a delightful giver. It gives HIM delight!

–Giving exponentially increases the outflow of our thanksgiving to God!

–Our giving increases our praise to God.

–Giving encourages up to live at our best!

–Giving IS the Message of Christ! Because of great love for us, He gave his very life for us!

–Our gratefulness to Christ shows through our delightful giving to everyone in need.

–Thank God for the gift of delightful giving. Praise Him for the privilege!

Mm…I think my Grandma knew this!

Dear Heavenly Father,

In Jesus Name, Amen

Posted in Blessings, Christian Living, Christian Perspective, Corinthians, Embrace, Encouragement, Faith, Forgiveness, Grace, harvest, heaven, Holy Spirit, Hope, hospitality, hugs, insight, investments, Jesus, joy, Leadership, Listen, lost but found, Love, Macedonian Call, marriage, Mercy, ministry, Praise, Prayer, Salvation, Searching, Teaching, Thanksgiving, Training, Transformation, trust in God, Truth, Unconditional love, waiting on God, wisdom | Tagged Christian, Christian Living, Church, Comfort, Conversation, delightful giving, Depression, encouragement, Faith, Family, Focus, Freedom, Friendship, future, Give life, Go, Gratitude, Happy, Heart, inspiration, joy, Kindness, LIfe, LIfe Lessons, Love, management, Marriage, Ministry, Money, Motivation, Peace, ponder, Power, Praise, prayer, Purpose, Relationship, Relationships, Spiritual, Teaching, Theology, Training, Truth, Understanding, Virtues, work | Leave a comment

AUTHENTIC GENEROSITY

Posted on March 26, 2018 by randscallawayffm

Corinthians – Belief and Behavior

Many years ago God invited me to His work with a denomination. Part of that work was to plan at least four mission trips each year for older youth and college age adults. It was a great undertaking to plan and implement the meaningful trips to Haiti, Brazil, Navajo nation, and other places in need for help. It also meant raising funds for the cost of travel and the ministry itself. God provided where He guided. Every time.

There is one particular memory of generous giving that will stay with me forever. I am still blessed by that memory and driven in my own giving by it. I was sitting at my desk, going through the mail that had stacked up between trips out of town. There it was. It was a letter from a Haitian pastor. As you know, Haitians are not known for “wealth” as we Americans see it. This pastor had made a generous donation to the mission ministry because he was blessed because of the ministry. Wow. I sat in my chair for a while tearfully praising God for this man and for how God touches hearts. I then shared his giving with the office staff that day, giving praise to God.

This memory jumps to mind as we read about the generous outpouring of offerings to those in need. Paul is amazed that he can’t wait to tell others, like me, that day. Troubles came to the Macedonian churches. How did they respond? The pressure triggered something totally unexpected: an outpouring of pure and generous gifts. Paul describes the people as “incredibly happy, though desperately poor.” “They gave offerings of whatever they could–far more than they could afford!–pleading for the privilege of helping out in the relief of poor Christians.”

Wow. Do we plead for the privilege to help?

Then Paul explains well where this joy in authentic, no strings attached generosity comes from… “FIRST they had given themselves unreservedly to God and to us (the ministry).” (bold print mine) “The other giving simply flowed out of the purposes of God working in their lives.”

Authentic giving, wanting nothing in return for self, flows from a heart completely committed to God. This puts a smile on God’s face. Oh how He must love it when we help each other because of our love for Him. All that we have is God’s. He trusts us to manage His “wealth” given to us. How are we doing?

“So here’s what I think,” says Paul to the church gone wild but is coming back to God’s ways, “The best thing you can do right now is to finish what you started last year and not let those good intentions grow stale. Your heart’s been in the right place all along. You’ve got what it takes to finish it up, so go to it. Once the commitment is clear, you do what you can, not what you can’t. The heart regulates the hands.”

2 Corinthians 8, The Message

The Offering

8 1-4 Now, friends, I want to report on the surprising and generous ways in which God is working in the churches in Macedonia province. Fierce troubles came down on the people of those churches, pushing them to the very limit. The trial exposed their true colors: They were incredibly happy, though desperately poor. The pressure triggered something totally unexpected: an outpouring of pure and generous gifts. I was there and saw it for myself. They gave offerings of whatever they could—far more than they could afford!—pleading for the privilege of helping out in the relief of poor Christians.

5-7 This was totally spontaneous, entirely their own idea, and caught us completely off guard. What explains it was that they had first given themselves unreservedly to God and to us. The other giving simply flowed out of the purposes of God working in their lives. That’s what prompted us to ask Titus to bring the relief offering to your attention, so that what was so well begun could be finished up. You do so well in so many things—you trust God, you’re articulate, you’re insightful, you’re passionate, you love us—now, do your best in this, too.

8-9 I’m not trying to order you around against your will. But by bringing in the Macedonians’ enthusiasm as a stimulus to your love, I am hoping to bring the best out of you. You are familiar with the generosity of our Master, Jesus Christ. Rich as he was, he gave it all away for us—in one stroke he became poor and we became rich.

10-20 So here’s what I think: The best thing you can do right now is to finish what you started last year and not let those good intentions grow stale. Your heart’s been in the right place all along. You’ve got what it takes to finish it up, so go to it. Once the commitment is clear, you do what you can, not what you can’t. The heart regulates the hands. This isn’t so others can take it easy while you sweat it out. No, you’re shoulder to shoulder with them all the way, your surplus matching their deficit, their surplus matching your deficit. In the end you come out even. As it is written,

Nothing left over to the one with the most,

Nothing lacking to the one with the least.

I thank God for giving Titus the same devoted concern for you that I have. He was most considerate of how we felt, but his eagerness to go to you and help out with this relief offering is his own idea. We’re sending a companion along with him, someone very popular in the churches for his preaching of the Message. But there’s far more to him than popularity. He’s rock-solid trustworthy. The churches handpicked him to go with us as we travel about doing this work of sharing God’s gifts to honor God as well as we can, taking every precaution against scandal.

20-22 We don’t want anyone suspecting us of taking one penny of this money for ourselves. We’re being as careful in our reputation with the public as in our reputation with God. That’s why we’re sending another trusted friend along. He’s proved his dependability many times over, and carries on as energetically as the day he started. He’s heard much about you, and liked what he’s heard—so much so that he can’t wait to get there.

23-24 I don’t need to say anything further about Titus. We’ve been close associates in this work of serving you for a long time. The brothers who travel with him are delegates from churches, a real credit to Christ. Show them what you’re made of, the love I’ve been talking up in the churches. Let them see it for themselves!

Think about it…

Paul talks about the integrity of Titus like we talk about the true integrity in all ways of Billy Graham today. The world sees the difference in integrity, authentic generosity and what is fake. Where are our hearts? Where does our generosity flow from? God first? Does it come from a heart committed to God and His purposes? Mm. I am meditating and evaluating my own heart over this…join me.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We repent of giving our tithes and offerings for less than stellar attitudes of the heart. May our generosity come from a heart that has first been with You, led by Your Holy Spirit. Thank you, Lord for memories and examples of hearts that make you smile.

Transform me. Transform your church. Transform the world.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Posted in Blessings, Christian Living, Christian Perspective, Corinthians, Embrace, Encouragement, Faith, Forgiveness, Grace, Holy Spirit, Hope, hugs, insight, investments, Jesus, joy, Leadership, Listen, lost but found, Love, Macedonian Call, marriage, Mercy, ministry, Praise, Prayer, Salvation, Searching, Teaching, Thanksgiving, Training, Transformation, trust in God, Truth, Unconditional love, waiting on God, wisdom | Tagged Christian, Christian Living, Church, Comfort, Conversation, Faith, Family, Focus, Friendship, Give life, Go, Gratitude, Happy, Heart, inspiration, Kindness, LIfe, LIfe Lessons, Love, management, Ministry, Money, Motivation, Peace, ponder, Power, prayer, Purpose, Relationship, Relationships, Spiritual, Teaching, Theology, Training, Truth, Understanding, Waiting, work | Leave a comment

BE MORE! LESS REGRET

Posted on March 24, 2018 by randscallawayffm

Corinthians – Belief and Behavior

Regrets. We all have them from time to time because of our behavior. We are distressed for a while when someone wiser and more mature brings our bad behavior to our attention. If true and honest confrontations are handled by loving, compassionate people who know us, love us and want God’s best for us, though it is hard to take at first, because of our love for the messenger, we take it to heart.

When I taught school the kids in my classroom where “my kids”. I knew their stories. I loved them. They knew I loved them. I knew their personalities and how to help them because of this love. Time with them had earned the right to correct their behavior when necessary. When another teacher would harshly reprimand one of “my kids”, I would automatically rush to help resolve the situation because of my love for them. It is hard to take criticism from someone who doesn’t know you and assumes the worst in you. But it is wise to listen to those who know and love you well.

Hearing helpful “should’s” with “how’s” from Paul who loves the people at Corinth, the church gone wild because of conforming to the culture around them, teaches us that caring confrontation that drive us back to God is much needed in our world today. But this is tricky. We must earn the right to confront by caring, loving passionately and deeply and knowing that love is reciprocated. It’s doing life with them. Paul had earned that right with the believers at Corinth. He delivers God’s Truth in a Spirit of deep love.

Paul knew his words would cause distress at first but has no regrets in sharing Truth that saves lives and turns people back to God. “Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain. But those who let distress drive them away from God are full of regrets, end up on a deathbed of regrets.”

The believers at Corinth turned around, refocused and looked up into the eyes of God once more. Paul, who passionately loved the church relates these encouraging words to the church today who willingly uses distress in behaviors to repent, correct and realign their lives to focus back on God…”And now, isn’t it wonderful all the ways in which this distress has goaded you closer to God? You’re more alive, more concerned, more sensitive, more reverent, more human, more passionate, more responsible.”

We are MORE in Christ when we listen to correction and allow God to transform our lives…be MORE with less regret.

2 Corinthians 7, The Message

With promises like this to pull us on, dear friends, let’s make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let’s make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God.

More Passionate, More Responsible

2-4 Trust us. We’ve never hurt a soul, never exploited or taken advantage of anyone. Don’t think I’m finding fault with you. I told you earlier that I’m with you all the way, no matter what. I have, in fact, the greatest confidence in you. If only you knew how proud I am of you! I am overwhelmed with joy despite all our troubles.

5-7 When we arrived in Macedonia province, we couldn’t settle down. The fights in the church and the fears in our hearts kept us on pins and needles. We couldn’t relax because we didn’t know how it would turn out. Then the God who lifts up the downcast lifted our heads and our hearts with the arrival of Titus. We were glad just to see him, but the true reassurance came in what he told us about you: how much you cared, how much you grieved, how concerned you were for me. I went from worry to tranquility in no time!

8-9 I know I distressed you greatly with my letter. Although I felt awful at the time, I don’t feel at all bad now that I see how it turned out. The letter upset you, but only for a while. Now I’m glad—not that you were upset, but that you were jarred into turning things around. You let the distress bring you to God, not drive you from him. The result was all gain, no loss.

10 Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain. But those who let distress drive them away from God are full of regrets, end up on a deathbed of regrets.

11-13 And now, isn’t it wonderful all the ways in which this distress has goaded you closer to God? You’re more alive, more concerned, more sensitive, more reverent, more human, more passionate, more responsible. Looked at from any angle, you’ve come out of this with purity of heart. And that is what I was hoping for in the first place when I wrote the letter. My primary concern was not for the one who did the wrong or even the one wronged, but for you—that you would realize and act upon the deep, deep ties between us before God. That’s what happened—and we felt just great.

13-16 And then, when we saw how Titus felt—his exuberance over your response—our joy doubled. It was wonderful to see how revived and refreshed he was by everything you did. If I went out on a limb in telling Titus how great I thought you were, you didn’t cut off that limb. As it turned out, I hadn’t exaggerated one bit. Titus saw for himself that everything I had said about you was true. He can’t quit talking about it, going over again and again the story of your prompt obedience, and the dignity and sensitivity of your hospitality. He was quite overwhelmed by it all! And I couldn’t be more pleased—I’m so confident and proud of you.

AND that’s not all…

–Listen to Paul exuberant words of encouragement to the believers who turned back to God! We cannot encourage each other enough! When right behavior is happening, shout it out!

–All praise and glory goes to God for how He works in our lives to bring us closer and closer to Him Who loves us best.

–Be MORE.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help us to listen to Your Holy Spirit who comforts, cares and convicts us to be more. Help us to listen to those who love us and love you as they come alongside us and help us, too.

Transform me. Transform your church. Transform the world.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Posted in Blessings, Christian Living, Christian Perspective, Corinthians, Embrace, Encouragement, Faith, Forgiveness, Grace, Holy Spirit, Hope, hospitality, hugs, insight, Jesus, joy, Leadership, Listen, lost but found, Love, Macedonian Call, marriage, Mercy, ministry, Praise, Prayer, Salvation, Searching, Teaching, Thanksgiving, Training, Transformation, trust in God, Truth, Unconditional love, waiting on God, wisdom | Tagged Christian, Church, Comfort, Conversation, Faith, Family, Focus, Friendship, future, Give life, Go, Happy, Heart, inspiration, Kindness, LIfe, LIfe Lessons, Love, Marriage, Ministry, Motivation, Peace, ponder, Power, prayer, Purpose, Relationships, Spiritual, Teaching, Theology, Truth, Understanding, Virtues, work | Leave a comment

Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus)

THE LIGHT

SET FREE!

SAY YES! HE’S ALIVE NOW!

THE GIFT OF THE THORN

GOD TOOLS

DELIGHTFUL GIVING

DELIGHTFUL GIVING

DELIGHTFUL GIVING

AUTHENTIC GENEROSITY

BE MORE! LESS REGRET

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