THE PARADE FINALLY BEGINS!

Posted on August 6, 2017 by randscallawayffm

Luke and The Lost

We got up early to get a good spot. We wait on the sidewalk, coffee in hand on a chilly morning, waiting for the parade to begin. We don’t want to miss our grandson as he marches by playing his instrument in the band. Finally, we see him. He only hears us cheering from the sidelines because he is fully focused and concentrated on watching the leader of the band direct their steps. The leader wants the band to do well so he is setting the beat, the tone, making sure everyone is following.

God’s people had waited for centuries for the promised Messiah. He has finally come. He is the Son of God and the perceived son of Joseph, descended from Adam. Jesus describes people has sheep without a shepherd, lost and confused. Jesus steps forward, into public ministry, beginning with baptism by his cousin, John. The Leader has begun the parade of salvation for all people. He now sets the beat, the rhythm and tone for people who were lost but found.

Luke 3, The Message
21-22 After all the people were baptized, Jesus was baptized. As he was praying, the sky opened up and the Holy Spirit, like a dove descending, came down on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: “You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life.”

Son of Adam, Son of God
23-38 When Jesus entered public life he was about thirty years old, the son (in public perception) of Joseph, who was—

son of Heli,
son of Matthat,
son of Levi,
son of Melki,
son of Jannai,
son of Joseph,
son of Mattathias,
son of Amos,
son of Nahum,
son of Esli,
son of Naggai,
son of Maath,
son of Mattathias,
son of Semein,
son of Josech,
son of Joda,
son of Joanan,
son of Rhesa,
son of Zerubbabel,
son of Shealtiel,
son of Neri,
son of Melchi,
son of Addi,
son of Cosam,
son of Elmadam,
son of Er,
son of Joshua,
son of Eliezer,
son of Jorim,
son of Matthat,
son of Levi,
son of Simeon,
son of Judah,
son of Joseph,
son of Jonam,
son of Eliakim,
son of Melea,
son of Menna,
son of Mattatha,
son of Nathan,
son of David,
son of Jesse,
son of Obed,
son of Boaz,
son of Salmon,
son of Nahshon,
son of Amminadab,
son of Admin,
son of Arni,
son of Hezron,
son of Perez,
son of Judah,
son of Jacob,
son of Isaac,
son of Abraham,
son of Terah,
son of Nahor,
son of Serug,
son of Reu,
son of Peleg,
son of Eber,
son of Shelah,
son of Kenan,
son of Arphaxad,
son of Shem,
son of Noah,
son of Lamech,
son of Methuselah,
son of Enoch,
son of Jared,
son of Mahalaleel,
son of Kenan,
son of Enos,
son of Seth,
son of Adam,
son of God.

Luke 3 lost people

What do we learn?
–Jesus ministry begins at about age 30.
–Jesus humbles himself to be baptized and his Father in Heaven affirms Him.
–Luke gives us the family genealogy to help us realize we are all descendant from Adam, but Jesus was the Son of God.
–Jesus will show all people who God really is.
–Jesus ministry has only just begun. His mission to seek and to save the lost must first be refined through a trial of temptation. God’s Holy Spirit was with Him.
–Let the parade of salvation begin! Watch the leader lead the band!

Dear Heavenly Father, You teach so much with a few words. You stir our hearts with Your Holy Spirit’s help and guidance. Continue to be with us as we study who you are up close, getting a glimpse of You as you pass by our lives each day.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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WHAT COUNTS

Posted on August 5, 2017 by randscallawayffm

Luke and The Lost

As we continue the “parade of God’s salvation” from yesterday’s blog, we find ourselves listening to the preaching of John and asking ourselves questions that evaluate the condition of our hearts. I remember a little girl in Sunday School asking me a question that halted the end of the regular lesson, causing me to explain more clearly what salvation really meant. She asked, “Do you just have to be really good to get to heaven?” Sometimes, I think grownups think this way, too. John’s passionate preaching to the people of his day cause our own hearts to be rekindled with what counts.

Are we impressed with God? Are we trying to be good and go to church to impress Him? Is that why we go to church? Do we follow the latest, growing and most popular church in town because it IS the latest bringing the crowds? Are mostly curious about why the crowds are coming? When we go, do we complain about the traffic jams between the multiple services? Do we frown when “our seat” is taken by visitors or people we don’t know? What counts?

Do we go because of the talents of the worship band? Are we impressed with how well the preacher can put together a sermon that is funny and engaging? Do we think about “others” who should have heard the sermon? What counts?

Do we go to a smaller church to make friends only to gossip about who isn’t there? Do we go so we can be the “big fish” in a smaller pond and be recognized for our abilities and talents? Do we go because it feels good to be wanted or needed? What counts? Stop and think. Why do we go to church each week? Are we hungry for a mission or do we just want a snack to keep our impression of God a part of our lives? What counts?

Do we pray before walking into a gathering place of corporate worship, asking God to reveal Himself to us? Do we pray for those who haven’t found Christ to find and follow Him beginning this day? Do we ask Him to change us? Can we walk into any church, large or small, and hear God’s voice speak to us in a quiet hymn, chorus, or rousing rock song of praise? Can we hear Him no matter who is praying? Can we hear and learn from Him no matter who is speaking? Do we give generously, no strings attached, because we know it all belongs to God in the first place? What counts?

The motivation of hearts and habits of the religious leaders of John’s day were found to be detestable to God. John was sent to preach passionately about life-change, preparing the way of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He didn’t sugar coat the message. He spoke Truth directly from God, the Father. He offended many of the leaders. He saw through the hearts of those who came simply because it was the popular thing to do…to be baptized by John…the weird guy in the desert.

John, full of God’s Spirit and discernment, sees through their motivations and tells them what really counts, clarifying who God is. We are taught in ministry to never present a “should” without a “how” and John does that well. Listen…and learn.

Luke 3 John preaching

Luke 3, The Message
7-9 When crowds of people came out for baptism because it was the popular thing to do, John exploded: “Brood of snakes! What do you think you’re doing slithering down here to the river? Do you think a little water on your snakeskins is going to deflect God’s judgment? It’s your life that must change, not your skin. And don’t think you can pull rank by claiming Abraham as ‘father.’ Being a child of Abraham is neither here nor there—children of Abraham are a dime a dozen. God can make children from stones if he wants. What counts is your life. Is it green and blossoming? Because if it’s deadwood, it goes on the fire.”

10 The crowd asked him, “Then what are we supposed to do?”

11 “If you have two coats, give one away,” he said. “Do the same with your food.”

12 Tax men also came to be baptized and said, “Teacher, what should we do?”

13 He told them, “No more extortion—collect only what is required by law.”

14 Soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”

He told them, “No shakedowns, no blackmail—and be content with your rations.”

15 The interest of the people by now was building. They were all beginning to wonder, “Could this John be the Messiah?”

16-17 But John intervened: “I’m baptizing you here in the river. The main character in this drama, to whom I’m a mere stagehand, will ignite the kingdom life, a fire, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He’s going to clean house—make a clean sweep of your lives. He’ll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he’ll put out with the trash to be burned.”

18-20 There was a lot more of this—words that gave strength to the people, words that put heart in them. The Message! But Herod, the ruler, stung by John’s rebuke in the matter of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, capped his long string of evil deeds with this outrage: He put John in jail.

What counts in John’s Message?
–John gave strength and power back to the people.
–Not everyone was pleased. The leaders were offended.
–“If you’re not offending someone, you’re not preaching the Gospel” writes Mike Duran. John preached the gospel well, preparing the way for Jesus whose mission was to seek and to save lost people. ALL lost people.
–Truth of repentance is offensive. Life-change hurts feelings.
Some people leave the Church because they have rightly heard the Gospel and its implications.
–It’s false to assume that if people reject our message, either our presentation is wrong or our message needs modified.
–When truth is lovingly spoken it can potentially hurt people’s feelings. And when people’s feelings are hurt, the messenger can be accused of being an unChrist-like meanie. Which many accuse Christians of being. John did not seem to be afraid of feelings.
–If feelings are so sacred, I’m not sure Jesus got the message either. Yes, He is meek and lowly of heart (Matt. 11:29). He is a friend of sinners (Matt. 11:19). He knows us intimately and loves us deeply. I am incredibly thankful for these things! But He also came to bring a sword and divide households (Matt. 10:34). He came to call sinners to repentance (Lk. 5:32). And He will return to judge the world.
–Jesus loves us so much that He will risk offending us.
–The Apostle Paul said that “we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles” (I Cor. 1:23 NIV). In this sense, one way to know if we’re accurately preaching Christ is if some are offended and others call us a fool.

What counts? Repentance and life-change in our behavior. When we come and ask for repentance, Jesus will transform us into all He intended for us to be. That is The Message. That is what counts. Listen the drum beat of God and stay in step! The parade had just begun!

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your messenger in the desert, who spoke your Truth, risking his life, to prepare the way for You, Our Lord and Savior. We are humbled by his message. We repent of frivolous thoughts as we enter into worship of you daily. May we gather corporately with the right motivations of our hearts no matter where we are. It’s all about You. You are God and we are not. 
In Jesus Name, Amen

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LINING UP FOR THE BIG PARADE

Posted on August 4, 2017 by randscallawayffm

Luke and The Lost

My grandson has joined marching band. Being from a musical family, we are proud of this “step” for him. He is at band camp this week. He is discovering that there will be a ton of steps for him as he learns to march in precision while playing his heavy instrument. He is tired but he is committed. We watched his school’s band march recently in a large parade in downtown Fort Wayne. All the players, lined up, were doing their best to do their part to keep in step with the beat. It was an awesome sight to see.

19948603_10214110549184721_2013541785749422080_n

As we read our next passage in Luke, I am reminded of Jared and his band lining up for their big parade. Everyone takes their place in line. Luke presents us with all the current leaders in charge before introducing us to the work of John who we know as “John the Baptist”. Luke points out that John’s work (assigned and led by God’s Spirit) was prophesied by Isaiah many centuries before it happened. Every player is in place. Let “the parade of God’s salvation” begin.

Luke 3, The Message
1-6 In the fifteenth year of the rule of Caesar Tiberius—it was while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea; Herod, ruler of Galilee; his brother Philip, ruler of Iturea and Trachonitis; Lysanias, ruler of Abilene; during the Chief-Priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas—John, Zachariah’s son, out in the desert at the time, received a message from God. He went all through the country around the Jordan River preaching a baptism of life-change leading to forgiveness of sins, as described in the words of Isaiah the prophet:

Thunder in the desert!
“Prepare God’s arrival!
Make the road smooth and straight!
Every ditch will be filled in,
Every bump smoothed out,
The detours straightened out,
All the ruts paved over.
Everyone will be there to see
The parade of God’s salvation.”

What do we learn?
–John, son of Zachariah who knew, obeyed God’s call to preaching life-change. John is passionate about his call.
–The parade of God’s salvation begins with John but John is not the leader of the band.

More about John tomorrow….we are merely lining up for the parade at this point.

Dear Heavenly Father,
I love reading the story of You. I love thinking about how You work in the lives of Your creation. I love knowing that You know all, are in all and above all. Thank you for being with us. Help me to remember that You are in charge and at work always. Direct and guide my life. Transform me. I’m listening.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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SEARCHING

Posted on August 3, 2017 by randscallawayffm

Luke and The Lost

“Let’s take our grandson to the mall”, I said one day many years ago. It was a beautiful day. Randy and I had an unexpected day off together. So we packed up Joey who was a vivacious, energetic, and very verbal toddler to a very large mall in Toledo. We learned very quickly that our grandson was very mobile for a toddler. We also learned that this toddler thought it was great fun to play hide and seek. It’s all fun and games until you can’t find your precious child in a large bustling place. Within seconds, he was gone and panic set in. We quickly retraced our steps, saying his name over and over. We did quickly find him, but we will never forget that feeling of panic.

Joey will be 23 this month. We can laugh about his incident now. But then, it was no laughing matter. We scolded him, just like any parent or grandparent would do, to remind him of the dangers of wandering off in a crowded place.

Mary and Joseph knew that panic feeling I am describing. How they must have felt when they noticed that they had lost Jesus in the crowd of travelers returning home from Jerusalem from the busy, crowded Feast of Passover event. They searched for him everywhere, retracing their steps, taking a whole day. The longer you cannot find your child, the greater the panic becomes making you physically ill inside. The know what they have to do. They must go against the flow of pilgrims returning home, and walk back to Jerusalem, asking everyone if they have seen him. They finally find him at the Temple, where they probably went to seek help in the search. He is talking with the scholars who are impressed as they listen to him. His parents are not impressed.
He is scolded. As parents, we understand this human reaction.

Jesus is found. He explains why he must be at the Temple. But they are too upset to understand and do not know what lies ahead for their son who is the Son of God. They do not realize that the boy in their care will later save them. Jesus, the boy becoming a man, understands what his parents have gone through and is obedient to his earthly parents who have vowed to care for him. He “lived obediently with them. His mother held these things dearly , deep within herself.” The search was over. Jesus is found. All is calm, all is bright…for now.

“And Jesus matured, growing up in both body and spirit, blessed by both God and people.”

Boy playing hide and seek under the clothes rack at the shop

They Found Him in the Temple

41-45 Every year Jesus’ parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up as they always did for the Feast. When it was over and they left for home, the child Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents didn’t know it. Thinking he was somewhere in the company of pilgrims, they journeyed for a whole day and then began looking for him among relatives and neighbors. When they didn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem looking for him.

46-48 The next day they found him in the Temple seated among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. The teachers were all quite taken with him, impressed with the sharpness of his answers. But his parents were not impressed; they were upset and hurt.

His mother said, “Young man, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been half out of our minds looking for you.”

49-50 He said, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be here, dealing with the things of my Father?” But they had no idea what he was talking about.

51-52 So he went back to Nazareth with them, and lived obediently with them. His mother held these things dearly, deep within herself. And Jesus matured, growing up in both body and spirit, blessed by both God and people.

Dear Heavenly Father, When life throws us a curve and panic sets in, You search for us and find us. Thank you, dear Lord, for seeking us out and saving us. Thank for this small glimpse into your earthly childhood. Deeper thinking reminds us that You came down and lived among your created humans to remind us of Who You are, what You have done, are doing and will do for us. You are God and we are not. Your love for us is amazing, too great for us to imagine. The search is over. You are found for my life. I pray others will find and follow you, too.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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PRAYERFUL EXPECTANCY

Posted on August 2, 2017 by randscallawayffm

Luke and The Lost

We live our lives for God with the best intentions, but then unexpected things happen. For a few moments, we stall in our faith. Our focus becomes dim and confusion sets in about who we are and what we doing. We become wrapped up in the circumstances surrounding our journeys. We worry and fret and wonder when will “this” be over and we can get back on track again. We forget what God is doing in the middle of it all. This is human thinking.

Let me introduce you to two people who are honored for living life with “prayerful expectation”. They never gave up praying for the release of Israel by the Messiah they knew would come…because God said so. Simeon was deemed a “good man”. The Holy Spirit was on him. The Holy Spirit led him. He obeyed God. Anna, a widower for most of her life, turned to God, never leaving the Temple area, “worshiping day and night”, “fasting and praying.” She becomes an evangelist at seeing The Child.

As Simeon prayed blessings, thanksgiving and prophetic warnings over the infant, Jesus is in the arms of his earthly parents. It surprises me that Mary and Joseph are speechless at the words…or are they surprised at Simeon who knew what they knew? Were they encouraged or anxious by the public praises of Anna? Did Mary and Joseph, who were diligent to follow the ritual of God’s Law, need a reminder of Who they held in their arms? Did Mary and Joseph, in the midst of living, need to refocus their mission of caring for the Son of God?

We need to remember that Mary and Joseph are humans. They love God and are obedient to God, but they are humans. They have been through a lot in their young married lives. They have been humiliated and criticized in their community. God sent two people who pray expectantly to encourage and prepare them for what lies ahead. What a mighty God we have. God love us. He prepares those who hearts are completely His. I praise God for His Holy Spirit who leads and guides us with care and compassion still today.

Luke 2 salvation seen

Luke 2, The Message
Blessings
21 When the eighth day arrived, the day of circumcision, the child was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived.

22-24 Then when the days stipulated by Moses for purification were complete, they took him up to Jerusalem to offer him to God as commanded in God’s Law: “Every male who opens the womb shall be a holy offering to God,” and also to sacrifice the “pair of doves or two young pigeons” prescribed in God’s Law.

25-32 In Jerusalem at the time, there was a man, Simeon by name, a good man, a man who lived in the prayerful expectancy of help for Israel. And the Holy Spirit was on him. The Holy Spirit had shown him that he would see the Messiah of God before he died. Led by the Spirit, he entered the Temple. As the parents of the child Jesus brought him in to carry out the rituals of the Law, Simeon took him into his arms and blessed God:

God, you can now release your servant;
release me in peace as you promised.
With my own eyes I’ve seen your salvation;
it’s now out in the open for everyone to see:
A God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations,
and of glory for your people Israel.
33-35 Jesus’ father and mother were speechless with surprise at these words. Simeon went on to bless them, and said to Mary his mother,

This child marks both the failure and
the recovery of many in Israel,
A figure misunderstood and contradicted—
the pain of a sword-thrust through you—
But the rejection will force honesty,
as God reveals who they really are.

36-38 Anna the prophetess was also there, a daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was by now a very old woman. She had been married seven years and a widow for eighty-four. She never left the Temple area, worshiping night and day with her fastings and prayers. At the very time Simeon was praying, she showed up, broke into an anthem of praise to God, and talked about the child to all who were waiting expectantly for the freeing of Jerusalem.

39-40 When they finished everything required by God in the Law, they returned to Galilee and their own town, Nazareth. There the child grew strong in body and wise in spirit. And the grace of God was on him.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Guide our ponderings as we meditate on Who You are and the story of You in Your Word. May Your Holy Spirit lead us. Help us to listen more intently. Help us to focus in the midst of life to see You with clarity. Be thou my vision.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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MARY PONDERED

Posted on August 1, 2017 by randscallawayffm

Luke and The Lost

To ponder is focusing one’s thoughts and attention on something so as to understand it deeply. When something, good or questionable, happens in or around us, it is good to ponder. To think more deeply, asking for God’s wisdom, will help us to grow and learn. To ponder helps us understand how God works in this world around us. Pondering brings focus if we pray for clear minds and listen only to His Holy Spirit.

Healthy pondering is praying for the foe within us to be defeated. The enemy (satan) consistently shouts unhealthy thoughts about yourself and others with motivations to destroy your relationship with God and others. Know this about your enemy. Know God, through Jesus Christ. ” Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Phil 4:8)

Mary pondered about all that was going on around her. She gave birth to the Son of God…in a cave covered in dung and straw. Did she think about her surroundings or her God? Read what is happening and ponder for awhile what is happening behind the scenes. No room in the hotel. No doctor, only Joseph and God at the delivery. Crowds of shepherds come soon after the birth, shouting praises to God. Is this new young mom overwhelmed? No, she quietly thought more deeply, trying to understand, but knowing God was with them….now in the form of a baby in her arms. Her focus was God come down. Her heart at peace.

“Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.”

Luke 2, The Message
1-5 About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.

6-7 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.

An Event for Everyone
8-12 There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”

13-14 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
15-18 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.

19-20 Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!

Luke 2 Joseph and Mary

Sometimes God shares thoughts with you that are just to magnificent to share with others. Ponder. Praise. Peace.

“Be still and know God.” Be still and know. Be still. Be.
Ponder. Good for the soul.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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CLEARLY GOD

Posted on July 31, 2017 by randscallawayffm

Luke and The Lost

We had searched for a home to purchase for our growing family for over a year. We would bid on “just the right house” we thought would suit our needs. Each time the deal would fall through. Our budget was slim so we look mostly at “fixer-uppers” before the show became popular many, many years later. We prayed earnestly but nothing seemed to come together…until we gave up. We prayed for God’s will.

Then one day I caught an obscure ad in the paper for new homes being built for lower income couples in a smaller town outside the area we had been looking. We were intrigued enough to check it out. We fit all the criteria! We moved into a brand new home in a few months, just in time to start our first child in Kindergarten, in the school district where, later I would get my first job as a teacher. Clearly God was in this. Wow.

This is only one small story of God’s Hand on our lives. Our kids are grown with kids of their own. Randy and I taught them to rely on God for all things. I still pray for them daily to clearly see God and His work in and around them. I can testify that there isn’t one challenge in our journey that God’s Hand is not in it. Clearly God is in every day we live, one day at a time, one step at a time, “down the path of peace.” We have to get out of the way sometimes, stand back and watch Him do His work, recognize Him and obey His leading. He is always at work while we worry and fret. He is God and we are not. So, we trust Him. We live for Him. He lives in us. He has never failed us. We follow where He leads because He knows the way, even in the dark.

I love how Luke writes the story of God’s Hand on Elizabeth and Zachariah! What a testimony of the work of God in their lives, in their community and ultimately to the world! They have given birth to the forerunner of Christ! All of the community around them were in awe…of God, not the older couple who just gave birth, exclaiming, “Clearly God has his hand in this.” The focus was back on God! How this must have pleased God!

“What will become of this child?” Zachariah and Elizabeth had tried for years to have a child. In their old age, they gave up this dream. Then God intervenes revealing HIS plan. When God told this mature, childless couple that they were going to give birth to a son, they were skeptical. Because of their doubt, God closed the voice of this priest until the birth. Zachariah got back on track with God’s plan, went against tradition of giving the baby the “family name” and named him John. With obedience to God, his voice returned.

The Holy Spirit comes over him, whose will is now bent toward God completely. Zachariah glorifies God with testimony of His greatness and power. “He (God) set the power of salvation in the center of our lives.” The Holy Spirit speaks through Zachariah, proclaiming the coming of the Messiah! Clearly God.

Read and think about all the moments in time, in our lives, when clearly God had His hand in it. ALL the time, maybe? Mm.

Luke 1 believe

 

Luke 1, The Message
The Birth of John

57-58 When Elizabeth was full-term in her pregnancy, she bore a son. Her neighbors and relatives, seeing that God had overwhelmed her with mercy, celebrated with her.

59-60 On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child and were calling him Zachariah after his father. But his mother intervened: “No. He is to be called John.”

61-62 “But,” they said, “no one in your family is named that.” They used sign language to ask Zachariah what he wanted him named.

63-64 Asking for a tablet, Zachariah wrote, “His name is to be John.” That took everyone by surprise. Surprise followed surprise—Zachariah’s mouth was now open, his tongue loose, and he was talking, praising God!

65-66 A deep, reverential fear settled over the neighborhood, and in all that Judean hill country people talked about nothing else. Everyone who heard about it took it to heart, wondering, “What will become of this child? Clearly, God has his hand in this.”

67-79 Then Zachariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied,

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
he came and set his people free.
He set the power of salvation in the center of our lives,
and in the very house of David his servant,
Just as he promised long ago
through the preaching of his holy prophets:
Deliverance from our enemies
and every hateful hand;
Mercy to our fathers,
as he remembers to do what he said he’d do,
What he swore to our father Abraham—
a clean rescue from the enemy camp,
So we can worship him without a care in the world,
made holy before him as long as we live.
And you, my child, “Prophet of the Highest,”
will go ahead of the Master to prepare his ways,
Present the offer of salvation to his people,
the forgiveness of their sins.
Through the heartfelt mercies of our God,
God’s Sunrise will break in upon us,
Shining on those in the darkness,
those sitting in the shadow of death,
Then showing us the way, one foot at a time,
down the path of peace.

80 The child grew up, healthy and spirited. He lived out in the desert until the day he made his prophetic debut in Israel.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for being with us…always. You are clearly God. There is no one like You. Nothing is too hard for You. Forgive our doubts when You act in incredible ways. Thank you for showing us the path of peace.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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GOD’S GIFT TO MARY…ELIZABETH

Posted on July 30, 2017 by randscallawayffm

Luke and The Lost

There will be times when God will ask you to join Him in a work that will seem awkward and too challenging in other’s eyes for you to do. You are giddy with excitement because of what God is doing in You and leading You to, but others are wary of your walk. It has happened to us many times. What seems foolish to others is often exactly what God might lead you to and through for reasons only He knows. But God never leaves us alone. He is with us. He will also give us the gift of at least one other person who believes in Him and in you. This person will hear you, understand and encourage you. This person is a gift in your walk to answer the call of God.

For Mary, this person was Elizabeth. I revel with tears of joy in their intimacy with God and each other. Elizabeth knew before Mary had to tell her. What a gift to have a friend who intimately knows God and can finish your sentences because of knowing and loving you, too. Mary was God’s gift to Elizabeth as she gave birth to John, the “one who prepares the way of the Lord.”
Read every word of how their circumstances bring them together in joy and praise to our God, the Creator of all.

I also marvel at Mary’s tenacity and Spirit. “Mary didn’t waste a minute.” “I’m bursting with God-news; I’m dancing the song of my Savior God.” How many of us have this attitude of gratitude when God asks us to join Him in a work that will look weird and awkward to the world and even bring criticism with humiliation? God is above all, in all and the Only One who matters. Remember, if God leads us to it, He will see us through it. He loves us that much.

Everyone loves the song by Mark Lowry, “Mary Did You Know”. But Mary DID know. Mary knew her scripture well. The promise of God to bring a Messiah, “exactly as He promised” was embedded deeply in her heart. She might not have understood all that she would encounter in the coming years but Mary knew God. Knowing God is all that matters. Saying yes to God is all that matters.

Luke 1, The Message
Blessed Among Women
39-45 Mary didn’t waste a minute. She got up and traveled to a town in Judah in the hill country, straight to Zachariah’s house, and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby in her womb leaped. She was filled with the Holy Spirit, and sang out exuberantly,

You’re so blessed among women,
and the babe in your womb, also blessed!
And why am I so blessed that
the mother of my Lord visits me?
The moment the sound of your
greeting entered my ears,
The babe in my womb
skipped like a lamb for sheer joy.
Blessed woman, who believed what God said,
believed every word would come true!
46-55 And Mary said,

I’m bursting with God-news;
I’m dancing the song of my Savior God.
God took one good look at me, and look what happened—
I’m the most fortunate woman on earth!
What God has done for me will never be forgotten,
the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others.
His mercy flows in wave after wave
on those who are in awe before him.
He bared his arm and showed his strength,
scattered the bluffing braggarts.
He knocked tyrants off their high horses,
pulled victims out of the mud.
The starving poor sat down to a banquet;
the callous rich were left out in the cold.
He embraced his chosen child, Israel;
he remembered and piled on the mercies, piled them high.
It’s exactly what he promised,
beginning with Abraham and right up to now.

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months and then went back to her own home.

Luke 1 Elizabeth

I love how God works! Don’t you? Think about how He works in your life and all around you in the lives of others.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for these thoughts of You and how you work in our lives…just as You promised!
In Jesus Name, Amen

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GOOD MORNING, BEAUTIFUL!

Posted on July 29, 2017 by randscallawayffm

Luke and The Lost

How do you wake up each morning? Do you groan with each snap, crackle and pop of your bones trying to move? Do you say, “Good Lord, it’s morning.” (No smile) or do you say, “Good morning, Lord!” (Smiling with expectation for the day.) Attitude and gratitude have a lot to do with our walk with God. He notices.

God noticed young Mary’s devotion and attitude toward Him and decided (from the beginning of creation) she would carry His Son by His Spirit placed within her. She was a virgin. She had never been (had intercourse) with a man. (These days I feel the need to explain that.) She was beautiful to God! Her beautiful was from the inside out and the outside in. She was created by God for this very task. Imagine being greeted by God’s messenger with, “Good morning!” “You’re beautiful with God’s beauty, beautiful inside and out! God be with you.”

She was also chosen by Joseph, a hard working carpenter, to be his wife. They were engaged to be married. Joseph was descended from David, “the one after God’s own heart”…perhaps for this very day, for God does nothing “last minute” like we do.

Imagine being greeted with, “Good morning, beautiful!” Mary was thoroughly shaken, caught off guard! “God has a surprise for you! Mary is brought to the edge of her emotions then the second part of the mission is foretold, “You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus.” And it won’t be with Joseph, it will happen by God’s Holy Spirit coming down from heaven to her. God’s Son, who is God, in her.

What would be our response? Have you been given a seemingly impossible mission from God in your lifetimes? I’m sure you have, but was your first response, “Let it be with me just as you say.”? We can say yes to God when He opens our eyes to His vision for us. Mary also said, “Yes, I see it all now: I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve.”

Mary did not count the cost of humiliation that would come from the community. She only saw God. And He encourages her with the story of what He did for her cousin, Elizabeth. She sees that nothing, indeed, is impossible with God. Yes, “good morning, beautiful” fits who Mary is well.

Luke 1, The Message 
A Virgin Conceives
26-28 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David. His name was Joseph, and the virgin’s name, Mary. Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her:

Good morning!
You’re beautiful with God’s beauty,
Beautiful inside and out!
God be with you.

Luke 1 Mary

29-33 She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that. But the angel assured her, “Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus.

He will be great,
be called ‘Son of the Highest.’
The Lord God will give him
the throne of his father David;
He will rule Jacob’s house forever—
no end, ever, to his kingdom.”
34 Mary said to the angel, “But how? I’ve never slept with a man.”

35 The angel answered,

The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
the power of the Highest hover over you;
Therefore, the child you bring to birth
will be called Holy, Son of God.

36-38 “And did you know that your cousin Elizabeth conceived a son, old as she is? Everyone called her barren, and here she is six months pregnant! Nothing, you see, is impossible with God.”

And Mary said,

Yes, I see it all now:
I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve.
Let it be with me
just as you say.
Then the angel left her.

Dear Heavenly Father, 
May we listen well for your “Good morning, I have a surprise for you” and be ready to serve at a moment’s notice. I love you, Lord with all my heart, mind and soul. Thank you for creating us to love, serve, and follow with peace, joy and expectation.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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GETTING READY FOR GOD

Posted on July 28, 2017 by randscallawayffm

Luke and The Lost

What do we pack? What do we need for the trip? What can we leave behind? Are we ready for this? These are all questions for thought as we prepare for a short or long trip away from home and our “stuff of life”. We get ready in various ways. Some of us throw a few things together into a laundry basket and throw it in the car. (Yes, I have a friend who did this many times.) Some meticulously pack for days, ironing everything and folding clothes neatly into suitcases. (That was my mom.) Others think they must take everything from home, even the ironing board! (That was a cousin I have.) We all prepare in different ways.

Luke 1 packingCan we leave at a moment’s notice? It depends on our preparedness through experience and our trust in God’s leading. We got the phone call no one likes to get. A beloved family member dies who lives a thousand miles away. We know we must get there as soon as possible. I must testify that God has a way of preparing you before you know you need it! He knows exactly what we need and will help us.

I was able to leave work within minutes after rearranging tasks. I notified Randy who began packing. I came home to pack my things and we were on the road in two hours! How? It was all God. When you are in sync with God, He prepares you for He knows what happens next in life. Randy was led to get the car’s oil changed that morning so the car would be ready. Laundry was done before that call so everything was clean and ready to throw into a suitcase.

How do we prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of the Lord? Let’s read how God did it the first time…

Luke 1, The Message
1-4 So many others have tried their hand at putting together a story of the wonderful harvest of Scripture and history that took place among us, using reports handed down by the original eyewitnesses who served this Word with their very lives. Since I have investigated all the reports in close detail, starting from the story’s beginning, I decided to write it all out for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can know beyond the shadow of a doubt the reliability of what you were taught.

A Childless Couple Conceives
5-7 During the rule of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest assigned service in the regiment of Abijah. His name was Zachariah. His wife was descended from the daughters of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth. Together they lived honorably before God, careful in keeping to the ways of the commandments and enjoying a clear conscience before God. But they were childless because Elizabeth could never conceive, and now they were quite old.

8-12 It so happened that as Zachariah was carrying out his priestly duties before God, working the shift assigned to his regiment, it came his one turn in life to enter the sanctuary of God and burn incense. The congregation was gathered and praying outside the Temple at the hour of the incense offering. Unannounced, an angel of God appeared just to the right of the altar of incense. Zachariah was paralyzed in fear.

13-15 But the angel reassured him, “Don’t fear, Zachariah. Your prayer has been heard. Elizabeth, your wife, will bear a son by you. You are to name him John. You’re going to leap like a gazelle for joy, and not only you—many will delight in his birth. He’ll achieve great stature with God.

15-17 “He’ll drink neither wine nor beer. He’ll be filled with the Holy Spirit from the moment he leaves his mother’s womb. He will turn many sons and daughters of Israel back to their God. He will herald God’s arrival in the style and strength of Elijah, soften the hearts of parents to children, and kindle devout understanding among hardened skeptics—he’ll get the people ready for God.”

18 Zachariah said to the angel, “Do you expect me to believe this? I’m an old man and my wife is an old woman.”

19-20 But the angel said, “I am Gabriel, the sentinel of God, sent especially to bring you this glad news. But because you won’t believe me, you’ll be unable to say a word until the day of your son’s birth. Every word I’ve spoken to you will come true on time—God’s time.”

21-22 Meanwhile, the congregation waiting for Zachariah was getting restless, wondering what was keeping him so long in the sanctuary. When he came out and couldn’t speak, they knew he had seen a vision. He continued speechless and had to use sign language with the people.

23-25 When the course of his priestly assignment was completed, he went back home. It wasn’t long before his wife, Elizabeth, conceived. She went off by herself for five months, relishing her pregnancy. “So, this is how God acts to remedy my unfortunate condition!” she said.

What do we learn?
–Be prepared to move when God says move and to stay when He says stay. He prepares the way.
–Nothing is impossible with God. Absolutely nothing.
–Get ready for the second coming of the Lord.
–What do we pack and what do we leave behind for this journey with God?
–Be prepared for his coming at any time.

Dear Heavenly Father,
We are more than conquerors with You in the lead. You prepared the way for Jesus. You prepare the way for us.
Thank you for coming and showing us how You work. Thank you for being with us.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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