THE TWELVE

Posted on June 5, 2017 by randscallawayffm

Source: THE TWELVE

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THE TWELVE

Posted on June 5, 2017 by randscallawayffm

Mark – The Facts.

I have a confession to make. When Randy left teaching to “fill in” for nine years at the church we both grew up with our families, we learned many things about ministry. We had a great mentor coach like the George Weaver who was president of a seminary that Randy would attend later as an advisor. But, for me there was a greater lesson, as I worked alongside my husband, for me to learn. My lesson? We are not blessing or helping people when we do everything for them.

Randy accepted the call to full time ministry and to our home church. Our church was down to only nine devout people. Five of those people were Randy, myself and our three kids. We knew it would be a challenge that was too big for us but not too big for God who called us. So, with only teacher training and a lifetime of studying God’s Word, we began…with enthusiasm, even though we had many skeptics at the time from other church leaders.

We began to call people, visit people, walk the neighborhoods around the church inviting them to come. We held kid days at the church for free. The church grew little by little. Visitors and friends who attended said “you are different, not like regular church”. We kept at it, making mistakes along the way, but with sincere hearts to help others find and follow Jesus.

As we grew, I made the biggest mistakes of all. So that others would be “blessed” (in my small thinking), I did everything for them! Let me describe a typical Sunday. I taught all ages of children and youth in one classroom with fun and games and lots of ways to learn about Christ. Then I would take them to the sanctuary to sing while the adults where coming from their classroom with Randy and an elder.

Because I could play the piano, I would then lead worship. After the songs were sung, I then took the kids back to the fellowship hall for “children’s praise and worship”. When I knew Randy would be finishing up the sermon, I left the kids with my oldest daughter or would bring the kids back into the sanctuary quietly so I could lead the final song of worship with the adults. Does this make you tired just reading it?

I sat down one Sunday after lunch, exhausted, as the Holy Spirit admonished me, “Look around you, there are now others who need to do this with you, then do it themselves. You are doing too much, now that there are others to help. You are not blessing them by doing all things for them!” “Spread the blessing around and discover who God has brought into your fellowship to help you spread my Word of salvation!”

After repenting of diminishing the spiritual growth of others, I got up to make some calls. With Randy’s help we spread the work out among those who were now attending. It was amazing to see God’s people take a leap in their growth as his children. It was amazing the growth and maturity we saw in ourselves!

God knows what He is doing when He calls and equips us along the way for the work He is already doing…

Mark 3, The Message
The Twelve Apostles
7-10 Jesus went off with his disciples to the sea to get away. But a huge crowd from Galilee trailed after them—also from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, across the Jordan, and around Tyre and Sidon—swarms of people who had heard the reports and had come to see for themselves. He told his disciples to get a boat ready so he wouldn’t be trampled by the crowd. He had healed many people, and now everyone who had something wrong was pushing and shoving to get near and touch him.

11-12 Evil spirits, when they recognized him, fell down and cried out, “You are the Son of God!” But Jesus would have none of it. He shut them up, forbidding them to identify him in public.

13-19 He climbed a mountain and invited those he wanted with him. They climbed together. He settled on twelve, and designated them apostles. The plan was that they would be with him, and he would send them out to proclaim the Word and give them authority to banish demons. These are the Twelve:

Simon (Jesus later named him Peter, meaning “Rock”),
James, son of Zebedee,
John, brother of James (Jesus nicknamed the Zebedee brothers Boanerges, meaning “Sons of Thunder”),
Andrew,
Philip,
Bartholomew,
Matthew,
Thomas,
James, son of Alphaeus,
Thaddaeus,
Simon the Canaanite,
Judas Iscariot (who betrayed him).

Mark 3 climb with Jesus

What do we learn…
–Jesus popularity was so wide spread that needy people in search of a Healer, Messiah, Savior and Lord were coming from everywhere. People today are still searching!
–Jesus, almost crushed by the crowds, climbs a mountain and invites those who wanted to climb with Him. Jesus still invites us to climb with Him. The journey is not easy but rewarding.
–“The plan was that they would be with Him, and He would send them out to proclaim the word and give them authority to banish demons.”
–Jesus invites us to join Him in His work still today!
–Jesus invites one who will later betray Him…to be one of “The Twelve”.
–Is it not surprising that evil will try to pull others away from the work today, too? Be aware and alert.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for that lesson taught many years ago that led me to train others for Your work and leave the growing and the results to you. Thank you for helping me to get out of the way and let go so that others might grow. Thank you for inviting me to Your Work and asking me to climb the mountain with You. It has been worth it all to follow You. I’m following still…
In Jesus Name, Amen.

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STAND HERE

Posted on June 4, 2017 by randscallawayffm

Mark – The Facts.

Where do we stand in our attitudes on our chosen Sabbath for rest and doing good? What do we think about? What do church leaders think about as they go about their work to lead people in worship, to read God’s Word and then talk about it. Are we doing it from a heart to help? Where do we stand on this? Do the rules get in the way of helping relationships grow with Jesus and with others?

I ask myself these questions as a read this next passage. Jesus comes to the meeting place. He knows a crippled man is there. The Pharisees know the man is there. They are watching to see if Jesus breaks the rules of the Sabbath by healing the man (“doing work”). Jesus says to the man with crippled hands, “Stand here where we can see you.” Jesus will show the power of God to those gathered there. The man-made rules go out the door and a new healing, restorative relationship is ushered in between God and man.

The next words from Jesus to the angry, frustrated Pharisees are, “What kind of action suits the Sabbath best? Doing good or doing evil? Helping people or leaving them helpless?”

I pray that all church leaders ask this same question each Monday morning as they evaluate their hearts and actions after each weekend of praising God, preaching and teaching. Did we help people or leave them helpless? WHAT did we do to help? How can we help even more? Then go to prayer asking those questions. God will answer! God’s church will grow from the inside out. “STAND HERE” and watch the power of God!

Mark 3 heals

Mark 3, The Message
1-3 Then he went back in the meeting place where he found a man with a crippled hand. The Pharisees had their eyes on Jesus to see if he would heal him, hoping to catch him in a Sabbath infraction. He said to the man with the crippled hand, “Stand here where we can see you.”

4 Then he spoke to the people: “What kind of action suits the Sabbath best? Doing good or doing evil? Helping people or leaving them helpless?” No one said a word.

5-6 He looked them in the eye, one after another, angry now, furious at their hard-nosed religion. He said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” He held it out—it was as good as new! The Pharisees got out as fast as they could, sputtering about how they would join forces with Herod’s followers and ruin him.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Lead us to stand firm on Your Truth. Show us more and more ways to help others find You and follow You. Help us to see around and through the rules man makes and see You. Help us help others because of our love for You. Thank you for helping us. In Jesus Name, Amen

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UNLIKELY

Posted on May 29, 2017 by randscallawayffm

Mark – The Facts.

Why is it that we look upon some people and instantly think, they would never come to Jesus, so there is no use in telling them about Him. Notice that I did not say invite them to church…as is our habit as Christians. I’m trying to change that habit because many people do not like church because of the bad press and past personal hurts by church people.

Non-church goers have many reasons they do not attend. For some people it is because church people have hurt them deeply in their past, so to avoid more hurt, they no longer attend. For others, they see church as a group of imperfect people who seem to act just like they do in their sin, so why go? For others who hate gossip, it runs rampant in God’s church today. Where is the love?, they ask. Outsiders see the insiders as a club they are “unlikely” to belong to or be accepted…unless they become exactly like the club members. Mm. Jesus talked about this. Here is one episode…

Mark 2, The Message
13-14 Then Jesus went again to walk alongside the lake. Again a crowd came to him, and he taught them. Strolling along, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, at his work collecting taxes. Jesus said, “Come along with me.” He came.

15-16 Later Jesus and his disciples were at home having supper with a collection of disreputable guests. Unlikely as it seems, more than a few of them had become followers. The religion scholars and Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company and lit into his disciples: “What kind of example is this, acting cozy with the riffraff?”

17 Jesus, overhearing, shot back, “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? I’m here inviting the sin-sick, not the spiritually-fit.”

Mark 2 called by the Son

Think about it…
–Who are the “unlikely” in your social world?
–Who are the “spiritually fit”?
–Jesus invited the unlikely to follow HIM. He did not invite to the Temple to see the great worship band or hear the local leaders read the Torah and watch the debate over it afterwards.
–Jesus helped others understand the intent of God’s Word. He was God’s Word.
–Jesus loved them in their sin and brought the unlikely to Him because of that unconditional love. “Come follow ME, come along WITH Me” was His mantra.
–So…should we love God first, study His love, walk in His love, follow Jesus example and love the “unlikely” like He did? Mm. I think we are on to something here…

Dear Heavenly Father,
I repent of inviting people to a building of imperfect sinners saved by grace. Transform me. Change me. Help me to live for You, to learn to be more like You and no one else. Help me to love like you love. I was once an unlikely. Thank you for saving me. Now help this lost but found person point others to You.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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WE’VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS!

Posted on May 28, 2017 by randscallawayffm

Mark – The Facts.

Mark 2, The Message
1-5 After a few days, Jesus returned to Capernaum, and word got around that he was back home. A crowd gathered, jamming the entrance so no one could get in or out. He was teaching the Word. They brought a paraplegic to him, carried by four men. When they weren’t able to get in because of the crowd, they removed part of the roof and lowered the paraplegic on his stretcher. Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus said to the paraplegic, “Son, I forgive your sins.”

6-7 Some religion scholars sitting there started whispering among themselves, “He can’t talk that way! That’s blasphemy! God and only God can forgive sins.”

8-12 Jesus knew right away what they were thinking, and said, “Why are you so skeptical? Which is simpler: to say to the paraplegic, ‘I forgive your sins,’ or say, ‘Get up, take your stretcher, and start walking’? Well, just so it’s clear that I’m the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both . . .” (he looked now at the paraplegic), “Get up. Pick up your stretcher and go home.” And the man did it—got up, grabbed his stretcher, and walked out, with everyone there watching him. They rubbed their eyes, incredulous—and then praised God, saying, “We’ve never seen anything like this!”

Mark 2 paraplegic

Something to think about…
–When was the last time we said, “we’ve never seen anything like this!”
–If it’s been awhile, are we too skeptical?
–Is Jesus so impressed with our bold belief that He shows up and asks us to get up, take your stretcher and start walking in faith?
–He still forgives. He still shows up. He still reigns.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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THIS IS WHY I’VE COME

Posted on May 27, 2017 by randscallawayffm

Mark – The Facts.

Have you stopped in the busyness of work to notice and to think about why you do what you do no matter what your job or vocation happens to be at the moment? Do you observe others who work with you and wonder if they know why they work at the same place you do? Is it for the paycheck? Is it working and clawing to get ahead in the world by jockeying to get to the top job in the company? Is it to gain recognition? Is it for self fulfillment? Is it for the fuzzy, feel good feelings it gives you? Or is there something else? Is there something higher and greater that causes you to get up early, have a conversation with the God of all, and then work hard, with enthusiasm to be a difference to someone else, no matter what your job is?

I am stopped in my reading to hear Jesus say, “THIS is why I’ve come.” He knew His mission well. He came for a very specific purpose…so that we might be saved and brought back to God. Yes, He healed the sick, blind, lame and even lepers as in our story today, but he came to seek and to save lost people, in and out of the “church”.

How did He stay so focused? “While it was still night, way before dawn, he got up and went out to a secluded spot and prayed.” What? The Son of God, King of kings and Lord of lords, felt the strong desire to keep in touch with God, the Father? Then why don’t we? Are we above this act constant communication and communion with God?

If we don’t know why we do what we are doing right now, then a little knee time with God might be the answer for us. The Holy Spirit is in us just waiting to guide, heal, restore, transform and lead us to the “why”. Abundant living comes by knowing the “why”. Peace and joy grows when we know the “why”. Knowing the “why” gets us through the tough stuff of life here.

Mark 1, The Message
35-37 While it was still night, way before dawn, he got up and went out to a secluded spot and prayed. Simon and those with him went looking for him. They found him and said, “Everybody’s looking for you.”

38-39 Jesus said, “Let’s go to the rest of the villages so I can preach there also. This is why I’ve come.” He went to their meeting places all through Galilee, preaching and throwing out the demons.

40 A leper came to him, begging on his knees, “If you want to, you can cleanse me.”

41-45 Deeply moved, Jesus put out his hand, touched him, and said, “I want to. Be clean.” Then and there the leprosy was gone, his skin smooth and healthy. Jesus dismissed him with strict orders: “Say nothing to anyone. Take the offering for cleansing that Moses prescribed and present yourself to the priest. This will validate your healing to the people.” But as soon as the man was out of earshot, he told everyone he met what had happened, spreading the news all over town. So Jesus kept to out-of-the-way places, no longer able to move freely in and out of the city. But people found him, and came from all over.

Mark 1 prayer

Think it over…
–In His growing popularity, because of His many acts of mercy, Jesus could have been swayed and drawn from the mission. Do we do that?
–Time alone with the Father and Creator of all is time well spent.
–Jesus said many times, “I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it.” (John 12:49) This knowledge comes from alone time with God.
–If you need help with the why you do what you do, then seek the Father’s help. His Holy Spirit will guide you.
–No matter what job/vocation you are doing right now, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24, NLT
–Jesus was and is “deeply moved” by our circumstances. He will see us through them all.

Thank you, Lord, for this message of “why” and the knowledge that you are with us in our work. Guide our every thought and action today. Keep us focused on You. Show us your will for us and ways to accomplish it all day long. In Jesus Name, Amen

I love the song by Hillary Scott, “Thy Will”…

I know you’re good
But this don’t feel good right now
And I know you think
Of things I could never think about
It’s hard to count it all joy
Distracted by the noise
Just trying to make sense
Of all your promises
Sometimes I gotta stop
Remember that you’re God
And I am not
So

Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Like a child on my knees all that comes to me is
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Thy will

I know you see me
I know you hear me, Lord
Your plans are for me
Goodness you have in store
I know you hear me
I know you see me, Lord
Your plans are for me
Good news you have in store

So, thy will be done
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Like a child on my knees all that comes to me is
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
I know you see me
I know you hear me, Lord

Songwriters
BERNIE HERMS, HILLARY SCOTT, EMILY LYNN WEISBAND

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WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?

Posted on May 26, 2017 by randscallawayffm

Mark – The Facts.

Imagine a meeting room where others have gathered to debate. Men are expressing their opinion about a topic. Others are hearing but not really listening because their minds are forming what they will reply. Those on the peripheral are just wondering when this will be over so they can have lunch. What’s going on here?

Imagine Jesus showing up in the middle of it all to tell the Truth with understanding WITHOUT debate. The scripture is what it is. His teaching is delivered confidently. He is interrupted by the evil that has taken up residence in a man. Evil knows who He is. Others in the room do not…yet. Jesus calls out evil from the man. This incredible act causes raised eyebrows and surprised looks on everyone’s faces. “What is going on here?” All hell breaks loose when Truth/Jesus shows up.

Jesus and his newly called followers, go to Andrew and Simon’s house for lunch after “church” but find Andrew’s mom-in-law ill with fever, so Jesus heals her. Dinner is served by the healed mom. What is going on here?

Word spread quickly about Jesus. Many brought their own sick and evil-afflicted family members and friends to Jesus to be healed. What is going on here? Jesus, Son of God, left the comforts of heaven and moved into the neighborhood of humanity to heal, seek and save the lost who are bullied by the religious, oppressed by the government, and consumed by evil.

Mark 1, The Message
Confident Teaching
21-22 Then they entered Capernaum. When the Sabbath arrived, Jesus lost no time in getting to the meeting place. He spent the day there teaching. They were surprised at his teaching—so forthright, so confident—not quibbling and quoting like the religion scholars.

23-24 Suddenly, while still in the meeting place, he was interrupted by a man who was deeply disturbed and yelling out, “What business do you have here with us, Jesus? Nazarene! I know what you’re up to! You’re the Holy One of God, and you’ve come to destroy us!”

25-26 Jesus shut him up: “Quiet! Get out of him!” The afflicting spirit threw the man into spasms, protesting loudly—and got out.

27-28 Everyone there was incredulous, buzzing with curiosity. “What’s going on here? A new teaching that does what it says? He shuts up defiling, demonic spirits and sends them packing!” News of this traveled fast and was soon all over Galilee.

29-31 Directly on leaving the meeting place, they came to Simon and Andrew’s house, accompanied by James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed, burning up with fever. They told Jesus. He went to her, took her hand, and raised her up. No sooner had the fever left than she was up fixing dinner for them.

32-34 That evening, after the sun was down, they brought sick and evil-afflicted people to him, the whole city lined up at his door! He cured their sick bodies and tormented spirits. Because the demons knew his true identity, he didn’t let them say a word.

Mark 1 Jesus shows up

What is going on here? When Jesus shows up, evil packs up and moves away. When Jesus shows up in our meeting places, awe and wonder, joy and peace, love and goodness flows freely. A new teaching that does what it says…

Dear Heavenly Father, May Your will be done in our lives, in our churches, in our places of work, in our families and with our friends. May Your glory be seen through us, reflected off our faces. Restore the joy of our salvation. We are watching for You to show up today. I saw you at work yesterday, so I know you will show up today. In Jesus Name, Amen

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GOD’S SPIRIT

Posted on May 25, 2017 by randscallawayffm

Mark – The Facts.

As believers, we surprise ourselves when a plan comes together to help others, we react better than we thought we would to a difficult situation, or we do something nice for someone without thinking about it. Those are moments of reflection that make us think, Mm, how did that happen? I hope we give the glory to God and His Spirit that lives within us. When we pray for God’s Holy Spirit to help us, transform us and guide our navigation through difficult, challenging circumstances, HE WILL! That is the work of God’s Spirit.

At Jesus baptism, Mark shares that the sky split open and God’s Spirit came down to rest on Him. Now this same Spirit pushes Jesus into a very challenging circumstance…a battle with evil in the dessert…for 40 days and nights. So, if you are in a difficult situation at the moment, be assured that God’s Spirit is with you and will help you. I am there now. I can testify that God’s Spirit is helping me greatly. I cannot do life or have life abundant without God’s Spirit. I am nothing with God.

Mark 1, The Message
12-13 At once, this same Spirit pushed Jesus out into the wild. For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by Satan. Wild animals were his companions, and angels took care of him.

14-15 After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee preaching the Message of God: “Time’s up! God’s kingdom is here. Change your life and believe the Message.”

16-18 Passing along the beach of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew net-fishing. Fishing was their regular work. Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They didn’t ask questions. They dropped their nets and followed.

19-20 A dozen yards or so down the beach, he saw the brothers James and John, Zebedee’s sons. They were in the boat, mending their fishnets. Right off, he made the same offer. Immediately, they left their father Zebedee, the boat, and the hired hands, and followed.

Mark 1 God's Spirit

Think about it…
–God’s Spirit led Jesus to a place of challenge. He was never completely alone. God’s Spirit led Jesus through it. Then angels took care of Him when the challenge was conquered, the battle won over evil. Round 1.
–God’s Spirit then led him to seek the help of others for his mission to seek and to save the lost of this world. “Come with Me” and “I’ll show you” are words from God’ Spirit to give others confidence in joining God’s Kingdom thinking and behaving.
–God’s Spirit. Holy. Comforting. Challenging. Transforming.

Dear Heavenly Father, We lay our challenging circumstances at your feet today and ask for Your Holy Spirit to lead us through the fire without being burned. In Jesus Name, Amen I believe. My trust is in You.

And I’m singing…

Create in me a clean heart, oh God
And renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from thy presence oh Lord,
And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me, the joy of Thy Salvation,
And renew a right spirit within me.

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PASSION TO SAVE

Posted on May 24, 2017 by randscallawayffm

Source: PASSION TO SAVE

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PASSION TO SAVE

Posted on May 24, 2017 by randscallawayffm

Mark – The Facts.

“Find your passion” speakers say to us, “and do that”. So I ask myself, what is my passion? What is that one thing that gives me the most joy and pleasure? What is IT that drives me to get up every morning, get showered and dressed so I can get to IT with all that is in me? Is IT teaching kids? Is IT being with others who share my passion for teaching kids? Is IT being with my family, loving and serving them? Is IT planting and landscaping my yard with the beauty of God’s creation? Is IT going to the beach to think, rest and set new goals while listening to the guidance of the Holy Spirit? Is IT living in peace?

There are many things I like and will do with passionate enthusiasm. But the greatest passion of all is that my loved ones and friends would find and follow Christ for themselves. God put that passion in my heart, mind and soul many years ago when I accepted Jesus as my Savior and Lord. He doesn’t want us to waste a minute of these precious lives of ours ignorant of this most practical of all matters–that GOD is passionate to save us. Our passion to love Him back comes from God who created us.

We are going to walk through Mark, who gets right to the point with enthusiasm and vigor. You can almost hear the passion in Mark’s heart as he writes. It is almost as if he is running into the room where you are to blurt out the Good News in rapid fire with the message, “God is here, and He’s on our side!” Let’s begin…

Mark 1 Good News

Mark 1, The Message
John the Baptizer
1-3 The good news of Jesus Christ—the Message!—begins here, following to the letter the scroll of the prophet Isaiah.

Watch closely: I’m sending my preacher ahead of you;
He’ll make the road smooth for you.
Thunder in the desert!
Prepare for God’s arrival!
Make the road smooth and straight!

4-6 John the Baptizer appeared in the wild, preaching a baptism of life-change that leads to forgiveness of sins. People thronged to him from Judea and Jerusalem and, as they confessed their sins, were baptized by him in the Jordan River into a changed life. John wore a camel-hair habit, tied at the waist with a leather belt. He ate locusts and wild field honey.

7-8 As he preached he said, “The real action comes next: The star in this drama, to whom I’m a mere stagehand, will change your life. I’m baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. His baptism—a holy baptism by the Holy Spirit—will change you from the inside out.”

9-11 At this time, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. The moment he came out of the water, he saw the sky split open and God’s Spirit, looking like a dove, come down on him. Along with the Spirit, a voice: “You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life.”

And the passion to save us begins…
In Jesus Name, Amen

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