BELIEVING PRAYER DOES MORE THAN WE CAN IMAGINE!

Posted on June 1, 2016 by randscallawayffm

James: Handling the Hard Stuff of Life

I don’t know much but this one thing I know; God hears the prayers of His passionately praying people who believe HE has the answer and right help for them in His time. As a bonus, when we don’t have all the right words in the right order, His Holy Spirit steps in and, if allowed by us, edits our prayers in a language God understands. God ALWAYS knows and wants what is best for us. ALWAYS. But we must pray, believing He does know and care.

This simple passage packs a punch about praying that propels our hope, encourages more praying and causes us to stop and listen to what God communicates back to us. “Jesus will put you back on your feet” has enormous meaning for me right now at this time in my life. I also have a dear friend/relative who needs to be put back on their feet, too. And I’m praying…BELIEVING…all will happen according to God’s will and timing. Praise God from Whom all blessings, healing, provision, protection and most all salvation flows…right from the heart of God to us!

Let’s get to it…

James 5, The Message

13-15 Are you hurting? Pray. Do you feel great? Sing. Are you sick? Call the church leaders together to pray and anoint you with oil in the name of the Master. Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you’ve sinned, you’ll be forgiven—healed inside and out.

What do we learn?
–Pray, believing.
–Sing, with gratitude.
–Need a Savior, pray and be healed from the inside out.

Hallelujah!

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Dear Heavenly Father, We love talking to you before the sun comes up every morning and a new day begins. Thank you for telling James to write this Truth about Who you are and what you want to do in us and for us. We thank you, thank you, thank you for salvation, provision, protection and healing of all kinds. We also praise you for so many blessings that we do not have the ability to recall and count. Thank you for giving your best to us. Thank you for…forgiving.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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REMEMBER…GOD CARES!

Posted on May 31, 2016 by randscallawayffm

James: Handling the Hard Stuff of Life When something we are working on doesn’t work the first time we have the tendency to give up on it, throw it out with the trash, or just throw it! Confe…

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REMEMBER…GOD CARES!

Posted on May 31, 2016 by randscallawayffm

James: Handling the Hard Stuff of Life

When something we are working on doesn’t work the first time we have the tendency to give up on it, throw it out with the trash, or just throw it! Confess, I can’t be the only impatient one on the planet. We are, by nature, a very impatient people. But James is reminding us to “stay the course and don’t quit”, especially as God works to transform our very own lives. Aren’t we glad HE didn’t give up on us?

We are impatient with ourselves, wanting to be good and right in God’s eyes and then we mess up. Ugh! We become frustrated with ourselves with the thought of giving up. But no, don’t give up…dig in deeper and experience God’s love and care. He DOES care…about every detail. He will bring us through it, grow us in the process and amaze us with gracious fruit in our lives as the outcome. Stay connected to the Vine. Watch, learn, grow and “stay the course.”

Take on the old prophets as mentors, advises James. And don’t complain! Whining only makes matters worse and makes you look all wrinkled and old. Smile, even in the rain. You will feel better, look better and others will wonder what you are up to…you are looking up to God in all His glory. When our faces are turned up toward Him, it is only then can we reflect His glory shining down on us.

James 5, The Message
7-8 Meanwhile, friends, wait patiently for the Master’s Arrival. You see farmers do this all the time, waiting for their valuable crops to mature, patiently letting the rain do its slow but sure work. Be patient like that. Stay steady and strong. The Master could arrive at any time.

9 Friends, don’t complain about each other. A far greater complaint could be lodged against you, you know. The Judge is standing just around the corner.

10-11 Take the old prophets as your mentors. They put up with anything, went through everything, and never once quit, all the time honoring God. What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You’ve heard, of course, of Job’s staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That’s because God cares, cares right down to the last detail.

12 And since you know that he cares, let your language show it. Don’t add words like “I swear to God” to your own words. Don’t show your impatience by concocting oaths to hurry up God. Just say yes or no. Just say what is true. That way, your language can’t be used against you.

What do we learn?
–God cares. He really cares…and “delights in every detail” says the Psalmist. (#37)
–Don’t quit.
–Stay the course, even when it gets rocky.
–In the end, God wins.

Don't panic

Dear Heavenly Father, What a comfort to know You care. You love us and you care for us. You care about us. You even delight in all the details of our lives. We are but a speck on the radar but you see us and know our names. Your love and care is beyond my thinking. I would have thrown me out years ago, but You didn’t. Thank you for consistently working in me to be and do what you intended from the beginning. I not quitting, Lord. I’m not there yet, but on my way!
In Jesus Name, Amen

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DREAM BIG…GOD’S DREAM

Posted on May 30, 2016 by randscallawayffm

James: Handling the Hard Stuff of Life Randy and I have been dreaming about what we will do with out home in the coming days. We struggled with whether to relocate or just stay here and improve our…

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DREAM BIG…GOD’S DREAM

Posted on May 30, 2016 by randscallawayffm

James: Handling the Hard Stuff of Life

Randy and I have been dreaming about what we will do with out home in the coming days. We struggled with whether to relocate or just stay here and improve our own home. We prayed about it for months asking God to make HIS desires be our desires. Suddenly, on a less busy day, we sat and talked and dreamed of what improvements and adjustments to what we already have could be made. It was exhilarating to talk of what’s next in building and improving, but it was also could to wonder about the future. It was also delightful to see God change our minds.

God created the ability to dream and create inside us, however, HE must be take priority for His ways are the best ways for us. His wisdom, our skills for living this life, must also be applied as we dream. Dream big, but do it God’s way. Dream and desire God’s dream and desire, for that thinking will take us farther down the road than our puny dreams will every day. We really don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. But we know the One who does!

James 4, The Message
13-15 And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, “Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we’re off to such and such a city for the year. We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money.” You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, “If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.”

16-17 As it is, you are full of your grandiose selves. All such vaunting self-importance is evil. In fact, if you know the right thing to do and don’t do it, that, for you, is evil.

What do we learn?
–If God desires it and wills it, then relax, it will happen. Let go and let God.
–If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll improve our home, or…whatever else He desires for us to be and do. I trust Him, how about you?
–Be content until He moves You to another step closer to His dream for You.
–We need to get this right, for we are here only for a little while.

tomorrow 2

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the dreams and desire You put within us. You are limitless and we try to put limits on You and ourselves. We repent of that…how ludicrous of us! What would you have us do even this day? Give us this day our daily dose of Your priorities for us today. And tomorrow…that’s all You.
In Jesus Name, Amen

And I’m singing…as I remember the voices of the Kellerby quartet sing…

I don’t know about tomorrow
I just live from day to day
I don’t borrow from the sunshine
For the skies they turn to grey.

And I don’t worry for the future
For I know what Jesus said
And today I’ll walk beside him
For he’s what lies ahead.

Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

Every step is getting brighter
As the golden stairs I climb
Every burden’s getting lighter
Every cloud is silver-lined.

There the sun is always shining
There no tear will ever dim the eye
At the ending of the rainbow
Where the mountains touch the sky.

Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

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WORDS THAT KILL

Posted on May 29, 2016 by randscallawayffm

James: Handling the Hard Stuff of Life “Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me”, we used to shout to the bullies or classmates on the playground who would te…

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WORDS THAT KILL

Posted on May 29, 2016 by randscallawayffm

James: Handling the Hard Stuff of Life

“Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me”, we used to shout to the bullies or classmates on the playground who would tease unmercifully. It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt. Words may not break bones, but undoubtedly crush the spirits to whom they are said. The “victoms” may hide it well. But those words will be written on their memories forever. Teasing words maim and sometimes kill already wounded spirits. Yes, bones can heal…and leave a scar. Words scar beautiful humans whom God has created.

Sarcasm, though a popular sport to get attention and a laugh or two, is just another form of teasing and maiming. Our words carefully thought out, flow from our hearts. So, this must be a heart issue as well. What IS in our hearts that cause us to say things in snarky ways? Who are we hurting, really?

In just a few Words, James tells us:

James 4, The Message

11-12 Don’t bad-mouth each other, friends. It’s God’s Word, his Message, his Royal Rule, that takes a beating in that kind of talk. You’re supposed to be honoring the Message, not writing graffiti all over it. God is in charge of deciding human destiny. Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others?

What do we learn?
–Wow, my snarky, sarcastic words, are like painting graffiti over all that is Holy…God’s Message, His Word to us, ultimately Him.
“Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for Me.”–Jesus
–What we think…will always be less than what God knows.
–We are not in charge. We will never be “in charge”.
–He is God. And we are not.

 

1530351_637797976310391_4886811096710130044_nDear Heavenly Father, We repent of words that flowed from a sad, worried, fearful heart that hurt others instead of helping them. We repent of thinking that was not pleasing to You. Help us by renewing our spirits and transforming us to be all you intended for us to be. Take away all thoughts that lead to actions unbecoming to You. Purify our hearts. Cleanse us from the inside out. May we then reflect You. May others see You in us.
In Jesus Name, Amen

“Oh be careful little eyes what you see…”
“Oh be careful little ears what you hear…”
“Oh be careful little mouths what you say…”

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QUIT DABBLING, GET SERIOUS!

Posted on May 28, 2016 by randscallawayffm

James: Handling the Hard Stuff of Life Before you call me judgmental and prudish because I try to take God’s Word as it is and let Him transform me as I work it into my life, I want to remind…

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QUIT DABBLING, GET SERIOUS!

Posted on May 28, 2016 by randscallawayffm

James: Handling the Hard Stuff of Life

Before you call me judgmental and prudish because I try to take God’s Word as it is and let Him transform me as I work it into my life, I want to remind you I don’t make this stuff up! James, my dad’s favorite book of the Bible, tells it like it is. I don’t need to add anything to the following passage…I just need to repent of my own “dabbling” and stop acting like a spoiled child. I read the Word and write each morning because I am weak and in need of a Savior to be Lord of my life. That is my disclaimer…in case you are wondering about my obsessive habit to write each day. ; )

James 4, The Message
1-2 Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it.

2-3 You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you’d be asking for what you have no right to. You’re spoiled children, each wanting your own way.

4-6 You’re cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn’t care? The proverb has it that “he’s a fiercely jealous lover.” And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you’ll find. It’s common knowledge that “God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.”

7-10 So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.

selfishness 2

Dear Heavenly Father, We repent of our selfish ways and ask you to dig deeper still and root out all that is offensive in us. Make us holy before you. I’m listening, Lord, and ready to shape up as You do Your work in me. In Jesus Name, Amen

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WANT WISDOM? HERE’S WHAT YOU DO…

Posted on May 27, 2016 by randscallawayffm

James: Handling the Hard Stuff of LIfe James 3, The Message 13-16 Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the…

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