WE ARE RELATED! WE ARE FAMILY!

Posted on April 14, 2015 by randscallawayffm

Luke and the Lost

I will never forget the day I had to tell my parents that Randy and I felt the Lord was leading us to Ohio, about a thousand miles away from Oklahoma where we grew up. It was not pleasant. They knew it might happen for they raised me to be obedient to God, but somehow mom thought God should have gone through her first. Years later, our call from God to minister in a new culture became more acceptable to them. They became involved more in a new local ministry. But there were discouraging messages of “we never see you” that occured often. We all go through a separation of sorts when we lay down everything before the Lord in order to obey Him fully. Missionaries do it. Pastors do it. We must obey or we will not have peace with God.

Jesus went through a similar experience with his earthly family and the results are powerful, resulting in encouragement to us who follow Jesus, in just a few words, tucked between the miracles and the majesty of his message. We have heard it said often in the world the “blood is thicker than water”, meaning that we defend family above all else. But Jesus says, “OBEDIENCE is thicker than blood” meaning that those who give up ALL to obey HIM is now related to HIM! We are brothers and sisters to Jesus Christ! That trumps our earthly family! We still have great respect for those who raised us up in God’s Word, but we belong to Christ ultimately who “hear and do God’s Word” no matter what. We are ALL, family included, brothers and sisters to Jesus Christ who hear and do what He asks.

Luke 8, The Message
19-20 His mother and brothers showed up but couldn’t get through to him because of the crowd. He was given the message, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside wanting to see you.”

21 He replied, “My mother and brothers are the ones who hear and do God’s Word. Obedience is thicker than blood.”

___________

Whew, tough stuff but Truth. Jesus understands! I once read a missionary’s statement that gave me peace many years ago in my separation from our families to obey God’s call in another place. The missionary was having great difficulty with missing loved ones back home. He fell to his knees and then heard God say…”Continue to take care of those things that are precious to me and I will take care of those things that are precious to you.” I have never forgotten those words that were transforming for my own call, my heart, mind and soul while being obedient to Jesus. God took care of mom and dad until I could bring them to where we are and care for them. Mom has passed away but not before she told me she was proud of us for following God. Dad now lives with us. Full circle.

I pray these words will be encouraging to someone today. We do not know who actually reads this each morning, but know that you are in our prayers, on our hearts and in our thoughts often. These writings each morning are simple obedience. It is a call to rise up early before my “day job” and express the love I have for Jesus to You and hope that His Word is as helpful to you as they are to me. Either way, it’s actually just simple obedience.

Be blessed brothers and sisters!

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Dear Heavenly Father, Your Word is timely, refreshing for the soul as well as challenging and powerful. Be with us this day as we obediently carry out the work You have before us with all that is within us. Be our strength, wisdom, insight and understanding. Continue to be with us…
In Jesus Name, Amen

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THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE

Posted on April 13, 2015 by randscallawayffm

Luke and the Lost

“I know something you don’t know” is the mantra of gossips and bad teachers. Hiding the point of the lesson, without giving any instruction or direction frustrates me to no end as a student. I can rarely relate to the arrogant teaching style of “I know it, and you don’t so I have power over you until you somehow get it, too.” Most of these “teachers” use their knowledge as leverage over you as a weird sort of power trip. Could this have been the teaching style of the Pharisees?

I vowed early in life not to be that kind of teacher. Share what you know and let the students take it in. Then give them the tools to take the truth and knowledge even farther. Okay, I will come down off the soap box of teaching before this becomes too long.

Do we do this as Christians? Hide the Truth of what we know?

Jesus brings Truth out into the open early on in His ministry to seek and to save lost people. He shares another story example to remind us that the Light that shines on us must be reflected to the world who is stumbling in the dark. Lost and needy can then use our reflection to find their way to The Light. Don’t hide it! SHINE!

Luke 8, The Message
Misers of What You Hear
16-18 “No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a washtub or shoves it under the bed. No, you set it up on a lamp stand so those who enter the room can see their way. We’re not keeping secrets; we’re telling them. We’re not hiding things; we’re bringing everything out into the open. So be careful that you don’t become misers of what you hear. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes.”

Today…SHINE, reflect the Light that guides you and I so others may see and stop stumbling around in the dark banging their knees and toes on situations and circumstances that badly hurt them. Reflect the Light of God’s love, mercy and grace!

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine…(and I’m singing…and smiling…)

this little light of mine

Dear Heavenly Father,
When Your Light is reflected through our lives we are at peace, knowing we are in Your Holy Presence. Your Holy Spirit urges us to show and tell Your Story. May Your Light be reflected in us today in ways that help someone else find their way from dark places to Light. Continue to be with us…
In Jesus Name, Amen

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ON THE ROAD AGAIN…

Posted on April 12, 2015 by randscallawayffm

Luke and the Lost

WATCH ME while I do it.
Do it WITH ME.
You do it while I watch you.
Now YOU DO IT.

I have always relied on these four steps in training someone else to do what I have been doing. I celebrate when they accomplish the task better than the way I did it! There is extreme joy in my heart watching someone grow in their abilities to accomplish the task. What’s really over the top for me, is to see THEM use the steps to train someone else and take joy in seeing others do it, too! It’s a never-ending round. This teaching tool that should be a standard for training in all areas of life comes from the Master Teacher, Jesus Christ.

In this next passage, Luke now shows us WHY Jesus came and HOW He accomplished so much in only three short years of earthly ministry. He outlines the plan, the support behind the scenes, and how he trained those who joined the traveling band led by Jesus and The Twelve. He trained them as they “traveled along”.

The miraculous healings, the feedings and confrontational control of evil were side ministries compared to the main reason He left his throne in heaven where His Father, God resides. Jesus came to seek and to save lost people, to preach “according to plan” in exponential ways by training His disciples to watch Him, to do it with Him, to do it while He was here on earth to watch over them, and then later commissions them to “GO and TEACH” when He leaves earth. The relentless FOCUS is to spread the news of The Message of God’s Kingdom, His compassion ways, His love and His longing from His people to love Him back and for His people to love each other. Jesus teaches with stories that are engaging, pulls the people in by starting where they are and then taking them where He would like for them to be. Read, listen and understand…this is GREAT stuff!

Luke 8, The Message
8 1-3 He continued according to plan, traveled to town after town, village after village, preaching God’s kingdom, spreading the Message. The Twelve were with him. There were also some women in their company who had been healed of various evil afflictions and illnesses: Mary, the one called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out; Joanna, wife of Chuza, Herod’s manager; and Susanna—along with many others who used their considerable means to provide for the company.

The Story of the Seeds
4-8 As they went from town to town, a lot of people joined in and traveled along. He addressed them, using this story: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. Some of it fell on the road; it was tramped down and the birds ate it. Other seed fell in the gravel; it sprouted, but withered because it didn’t have good roots. Other seed fell in the weeds; the weeds grew with it and strangled it. Other seed fell in rich earth and produced a bumper crop.

“Are you listening to this? Really listening?”

9 His disciples asked, “Why did you tell this story?”

10 He said, “You’ve been given insight into God’s kingdom—you know how it works. There are others who need stories. But even with stories some of them aren’t going to get it:

Their eyes are open but don’t see a thing,
Their ears are open but don’t hear a thing.
11-12 “This story is about some of those people. The seed is the Word of God. The seeds on the road are those who hear the Word, but no sooner do they hear it than the Devil snatches it from them so they won’t believe and be saved.

13 “The seeds in the gravel are those who hear with enthusiasm, but the enthusiasm doesn’t go very deep. It’s only another fad, and the moment there’s trouble it’s gone.

14 “And the seed that fell in the weeds—well, these are the ones who hear, but then the seed is crowded out and nothing comes of it as they go about their lives worrying about tomorrow, making money, and having fun.

15 “But the seed in the good earth—these are the good-hearts who seize the Word and hold on no matter what, sticking with it until there’s a harvest.
________________

“Are you listening to this? Really listening?” –Jesus

Isn’t God’s Word amazing! He personally speaks to our hearts through His Word to us. He brings us back to focus on the main thing of our lives–His salvation. Then He challenges us to do the same as Jesus taught The Twelve to be and do…help others know Him, too. Jesus saves. Only Jesus saves. We are merely His hands and feet, with the power of the Holy Spirit living in and through us who help others to see and know that Jesus saves.

Jesus invites

Dear Heavenly Father, I could spend all day in Your Word, but that is not possible and that is not what you have asked us to be and do. We come each morning to BE with you, then You send us out to a hurting desperate world. We go where we are employed to work, teach, or manage our household, to the grocery store and other places of business. We plant seeds of Your words of kindness in all kinds of soil. We must go and be available to who needs You, Your touch through us, your words of love that speak from us so that they might be encouraged to know you more. Oh Lord, You teach us well. Thank you! Continue to be with us…
In Jesus Name, Amen

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LIVING GRATEFULLY FORGIVEN

Posted on April 11, 2015 by randscallawayffm

Luke and the Lost

Luke 7, The Message

36-39 One of the Pharisees asked him over for a meal. He went to the Pharisee’s house and sat down at the dinner table. Just then a woman of the village, the town harlot, having learned that Jesus was a guest in the home of the Pharisee, came with a bottle of very expensive perfume and stood at his feet, weeping, raining tears on his feet. Letting down her hair, she dried his feet, kissed them, and anointed them with the perfume. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man was the prophet I thought he was, he would have known what kind of woman this is who is falling all over him.”

40 Jesus said to him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Oh? Tell me.”
______

Okay, just the fact that a Pharisee invited Jesus, the religious rebel to Pharisees and other church leaders, over for dinner is already amazing and spurs us to imagine this scene. A noted Pharisee, because of his wealth and importance in the community, probably has many servants who are ordered to put together a lavish meal, pulling out all the best china.

Indeed, Jesus has become very popular as a traveling Teacher with his message of love, mercy and grace. Jesus has performed many miracles of healing. So, this may have been an invite of pulling Jesus into his home for yet another debate or a miracle show. We doubt it was a dinner of “let’s get to know each other over a bite to eat and from a small group Bible study” kind of relationship builder. It was probably more of a probe to get at the truth of who this man, Jesus, was and what He was going to do next. “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer” may have been the motivator of this Pharisee. Mm, or maybe he really wanted to know Jesus?

In the middle of pass the matza, the town harlot comes in, interrupts the elegant dinner, falls humbly to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably, while breaking open a bottle of expensive perfume at Jesus feet. The act is so shocking that others in the room seem to be paralyzed, not knowing what to do, so no one does anything. They just watch..in horror.

While in this humble position on the floor, crouched down, keeping her head down with her eyes on Jesus feet, she pours out which may have been her life savings. She does not have the courage to look at His face for fear of reprimand by this One she loves and has probably watched heal, love and show mercy to so many others. Maybe, just maybe He would show her some mercy in this desperate act to get close to Him. Imagine her then letting down her hair, another revolting act in the presence of the religious, and using her raining tears along with those thick strands of hair tumbling down from her head and neck to wash and dry the dusty, well traveled feet of the Son of God!

Jesus knows what the Pharisee is thinking and tells him a story. (This reminds me of the time Nathan the prophet told David, the adulterer, a story to get him to understand the gravity of his sin.)
____________
41-42 “Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?”

43-47 Simon answered, “I suppose the one who was forgiven the most.”
____________

That “ah-ha” becomes a teachable moment to the Pharisee and all gathered at the scene! And maybe, for us?
____________

“That’s right,” said Jesus. Then turning to the woman, but speaking to Simon, he said, “Do you see this woman? I came to your home; you provided no water for my feet, but she rained tears on my feet and dried them with her hair. You gave me no greeting, but from the time I arrived she hasn’t quit kissing my feet. You provided nothing for freshening up, but she has soothed my feet with perfume. Impressive, isn’t it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal.”

48 Then he spoke to her: “I forgive your sins.”

49 That set the dinner guests talking behind his back: “Who does he think he is, forgiving sins!”

50 He ignored them and said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
______________

The risky faith of coming to a place this woman knew she was not invited becomes a woman welcomed with unconditional love, forgiveness, with compassionate mercy and grace. Jesus did not see a harlot, He saw a lost person who needed what He had to offer…a new life of Peace, set free from all guilt. He forgave her sins. He had the power and authority to do it then. He still does it for us now.

Be set free from all the past sin and the resulting guilt and accept Jesus’ redemptive salvation. Look to Jesus, not the world for acceptance, unconditional love and grace. Only Jesus knows us well and can satisfy our deepest needs. He made us.

Back to the Pharisee. He invited Jesus into his home, his own turf to have the home advantage, but did not welcome Jesus into his heart. He command and coordinated all the details for a great meal, but did not respect Jesus enough to order the servants to wash his feet and see to the simple physical needs to freshen up from the journey which was the custom of the day. A good host still does that for someone they invite to their home. We first show them where our clean and prepared bathrooms are, right? To meet our guest physical needs is a welcoming sign of respect, affection and acceptance.

There are so many thoughts in this passage, so many lessons for us as individuals and as a church together who truly wants to help someone else in their journey to find and follow Jesus. Jesus saves but He uses our hands and feet and everything else He has provided to prepare an environment for lost and alone feeling people to find Him. It’s simple, really. First, tell them where the bathrooms are! Then bring them to your table of goodness with freshly prepared food served with graciousness. It is not expense of the food, but the loving attitude as it is served.

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Dear Heavenly Father,
May we take these ah-ah moments and many others to heart. We repent of those times when we failed to see others as you see them. We repent of not opening our home enough to those who need help to find You. Open our eyes to see more. Break our hearts of those situations that break yours and then show us how to serve more graciously. We are enormously grateful for the forgiveness of our sins. By Your power, transform us to live our gratefulness out loud!
In Jesus Name, Amen

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EXPECTATIONS

Posted on April 10, 2015 by randscallawayffm

Luke and the Lost

When we hear of a good buy, we go see if it really is and if it is we buy, too. When we hear of a good, clean restaurant, we check it out the next chance we get! We still rely more on “word of mouth” than advertisements on TV because real people we know had the experience of the “good deal”. Right?

It seems that the “proof of the pudding is in the eating” as Peterson describes the passage in Luke 7 we are reading to day helps us to understand what Jesus was trying to tell people then and tell us now. What did you expect in a Savior, the Messiah? What did you expect from the one who paved the way for the Messiah who lived simply but boldly in the desert wilderness?

Jesus says, Experience Me. See for yourself Who I AM. Then go and tell. That’s what I am “hearing” as I read. What do you hear?

Luke 7, The Message
Is This What You Were Expecting?
18-19 John’s disciples reported back to him the news of all these events taking place. He sent two of them to the Master to ask the question, “Are you the One we’ve been expecting, or are we still waiting?”

20 The men showed up before Jesus and said, “John the Baptizer sent us to ask you, ‘Are you the One we’ve been expecting, or are we still waiting?’”

21-23 In the next two or three hours Jesus healed many from diseases, distress, and evil spirits. To many of the blind he gave the gift of sight. Then he gave his answer: “Go back and tell John what you have just seen and heard:

The blind see,
The lame walk,
Lepers are cleansed,
The deaf hear,
The dead are raised,
The wretched of the earth have God’s salvation hospitality extended to them.

“Is this what you were expecting? Then count yourselves fortunate!”

24-27 After John’s messengers left to make their report, Jesus said more about John to the crowd of people. “What did you expect when you went out to see him in the wild? A weekend camper? Hardly. What then? A sheik in silk pajamas? Not in the wilderness, not by a long shot. What then? A messenger from God? That’s right, a messenger! Probably the greatest messenger you’ll ever hear. He is the messenger Malachi announced when he wrote,

I’m sending my messenger on ahead
To make the road smooth for you.

28-30 “Let me lay it out for you as plainly as I can: No one in history surpasses John the Baptizer, but in the kingdom he prepared you for, the lowliest person is ahead of him. The ordinary and disreputable people who heard John, by being baptized by him into the kingdom, are the clearest evidence; the Pharisees and religious officials would have nothing to do with such a baptism, wouldn’t think of giving up their place in line to their inferiors.

31-35 “How can I account for the people of this generation? They’re like spoiled children complaining to their parents, ‘We wanted to skip rope and you were always too tired; we wanted to talk but you were always too busy.’ John the Baptizer came fasting and you called him crazy. The Son of Man came feasting and you called him a lush. Opinion polls don’t count for much, do they? The proof of the pudding is in the eating.”

We are blessed when we expect exactly what God’s Word tells us to expect, know, take in and give out. Just as breathing sustains life, God’s Word sustains our Walk with Him. The “proof” of Jesus living in us shows in our lives, too.

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Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for salvation through Jesus, Your Son, that enables us to come to You each morning. You are on my mind throughout the day because of knowing You. Our relationship is sweet and whole again because of the work on the Cross that brought the wall down between us. We praise You for your protection and provision with blessings undeserved. Continue to be with us. Always. This is what we expect. These are the “word of mouth” experiences that we will share with others.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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GOD IS BACK!

Posted on April 9, 2015 by randscallawayffm

Luke and the Lost

God is back! cried the people of Israel when Jesus brought a young man back to life and gave him back to his mother who would have been lost without him. The crowd realized they were in a place of holy mystery. The reaction, God is back, is telling to the condition of the people. God was quiet for a few centuries, but did God move or did His people?

Jesus, God’s Son left Heaven to show how God works, for their faith had faltered over the years. God was silent. But did God leave?

Luke 7, The Message

A Place of Holy Mystery
7 1-5 When he finished speaking to the people, he entered Capernaum. A Roman captain there had a servant who was on his deathbed. He prized him highly and didn’t want to lose him. When he heard Jesus was back, he sent leaders from the Jewish community asking him to come and heal his servant. They came to Jesus and urged him to do it, saying, “He deserves this. He loves our people. He even built our meeting place.”

6-8 Jesus went with them. When he was still quite far from the house, the captain sent friends to tell him, “Master, you don’t have to go to all this trouble. I’m not that good a person, you know. I’d be embarrassed for you to come to my house, even embarrassed to come to you in person. Just give the order and my servant will get well. I’m a man under orders; I also give orders. I tell one soldier, ‘Go,’ and he goes; another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

9-10 Taken aback, Jesus addressed the accompanying crowd: “I’ve yet to come across this kind of simple trust anywhere in Israel, the very people who are supposed to know about God and how he works.” When the messengers got back home, they found the servant up and well.

11-15 Not long after that, Jesus went to the village Nain. His disciples were with him, along with quite a large crowd. As they approached the village gate, they met a funeral procession—a woman’s only son was being carried out for burial. And the mother was a widow. When Jesus saw her, his heart broke. He said to her, “Don’t cry.” Then he went over and touched the coffin. The pallbearers stopped. He said, “Young man, I tell you: Get up.” The dead son sat up and began talking. Jesus presented him to his mother.

16-17 They all realized they were in a place of holy mystery, that God was at work among them. They were quietly worshipful—and then noisily grateful, calling out among themselves, “God is back, looking to the needs of his people!” The news of Jesus spread all through the country.

Jesus is pleasantly surprise at the faith of a Roman captain not considered one of “God’s chosen people”. Because of his faith and humble attitude, Jesus heals his servant from a distance. Jesus also uses this as a teachable moment in trust…”I’ve yet to come across this kind of simple trust anywhere in Israel, the very people who are supposed to know about God and how he works.”

Jesus’ heart breaks at a widow’s grief over the death of her only son and brings him back to life! “God is back!”, proclaim the people, “looking to the needs of his people”.

These two miraculous acts of love were to show the glory of God and how HE works. God has always been at work, is at work and will be at work. He never sleeps. WE are his work, his Masterpieces, who are not quite completely finished. We need to realize that we come to that place of holy mystery when we know God is at work in us, around us and through us…AND in other’s lives, too. Allow God to do His best in you. Look for Him, He will be found. God did not move…but sometimes, we do. Come back.

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Dear Heavenly Father, We come back to You and realize that you have always been at work in us. You are God and we are not. I give you my life. Transform me to be all you intended for me to be. I was lost but now I’m found. Show the way and I will follow. All my trust and faith is in You. Continue to be with us.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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WORMY APPLES AND BAD TEETH

Posted on April 8, 2015 by randscallawayffm

Luke and the Lost

Have you ever picked up a beautiful, luscious looking red apple from the fruit bowl on the table and took a big bite only to see the remains of worm damage after pulling the apple away from your mouth? Eww. Disgusting. Your first thought and subsequent action is to stop chewing and immediately spit the bite out of your mouth into the nearest trash container. Right?

The truth of the health of the apple is in the first bite. Right?

As I read the next passage of Luke, Jesus continues to teach us about working His Truth into our lives. Our spiritual lives need to be free of “worms” from the inside out. We need to live healthy, spiritual lives that reflect His Truth as our foundation. Our actions will reflect our health, most times, but Jesus knows who we are and that’s what counts with Him. Who we are is the question we ask ourselves today. Are we a wormy apple? Do we look good on the outside but full of damage on the inside? We can be a redeemed people if we just ask. What is our foundation? With Whom do we stake our very lives and hang onto for dear life?

Luke 6, The Message
Work the Words into Your Life
43-45 “You don’t get wormy apples off a healthy tree, nor good apples off a diseased tree. The health of the apple tells the health of the tree. You must begin with your own life-giving lives. It’s who you are, not what you say and do, that counts. Your true being brims over into true words and deeds.

46-47 “Why are you so polite with me, always saying ‘Yes, sir,’ and ‘That’s right, sir,’ but never doing a thing I tell you? These words I speak to you are not mere additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundation words, words to build a life on.

48-49 “If you work the words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house, nothing could shake it; it was built to last. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a dumb carpenter who built a house but skipped the foundation. When the swollen river came crashing in, it collapsed like a house of cards. It was a total loss.”

Randy has had bad teeth most of his life. One dentist remarked, “you have probably carried a low grade infection because of these teeth for a long time”. Today begins the process to take care of this unhealthy problem for his body. An oral surgeon will remove half of his teeth this morning beginning at 9am. Because Randy has been on blood thinners, this will be risky. He has been off the thinners for eight days previous to this surgery, but still risky in the process of stopping the bleeding. In four months a second surgery will remove the rest of his teeth and dentures will be inserted quickly.

The infection of Randy’s teeth will be removed and the health of his body will be better.

It is even easier to get rid ourselves of the infection of sin that has riddled our bodies and caused damage that we think is irreversible. We simply need to fall to our knees, bow to the Father in reverence and ask for forgiveness. Jesus shed blood cleared the path to God, the Father. Just ask. In Jesus Name.

We are redeemed! Our debt of sin paid in full. The damage becomes only a scar to match the scars of our Savior. Spiritual health will flood our minds, hearts, bodies and souls. This LOVE, this unconditional Love of Jesus will cover over a multitude of sin and the damage of sin and will cleanse us forever. We will be made new!

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Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for peace that comes when we are overwhelmed with fear of the unknown outcomes of this day. Thank you for your Word of comfort and conviction. Thank you for reminding us that what counts is who we are on the inside. You know our hearts. Be with us, still…all through this day and forever.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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THINGS THAT MAKE YOU QUESTION…

Posted on April 7, 2015 by randscallawayffm

Luke and the Lost

There are times, on our journey through this world, when we have to deal with the bullies in our lives. When we feel we have conquered one bully, another one pops up. This is part of life. How we deal with the bully is what God is more concerned with and sends help for us. He sends Truth in the form of a Person, Jesus Christ.

Our Teacher and Lord gives us encouragement, hope and ways to cope, but not always a way out. Could it be we must learn and grow from the experience? Probably. Life is not fair, Jesus tells us. Life is broken because of sin. It didn’t happen over night. It happened in the Garden with the fall of Adam. Meditate on the next following passage as I will all day today and let us live in Truth that is opposite of what the world expects. It seems we must be reminded often to lay down what we think we want (world thinking) and pick up what God wants (Jesus thinking).

Luke 6, The Message
Give Away Your Life

24 But it’s trouble ahead if you think you have it made.
What you have is all you’ll ever get.
25 And it’s trouble ahead if you’re satisfied with yourself.
Your self will not satisfy you for long.
And it’s trouble ahead if you think life’s all fun and games.
There’s suffering to be met, and you’re going to meet it.

26 “There’s trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular.

27-30 “To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, gift wrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.

31-34 “Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that’s charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.

35-36 “I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.

37-38 “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.”

39-40 He quoted a proverb: “‘Can a blind man guide a blind man?’ Wouldn’t they both end up in the ditch? An apprentice doesn’t lecture the master. The point is to be careful who you follow as your teacher.

41-42 “It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this I-know-better-than-you mentality again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your own part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.

And there we have a huge dose of real Truth!

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Dear Heavenly Father, I repent of those times of wanting to fight back and not laying down my life for the bullies of this world. Help me to live more generously. Lead us and guide us as we learn from You. Help us all to remember that we do not live like the world dictates and expects us to live. Help me to think and then behave more like Jesus in every challenging situation. Be with us, still…
In Jesus Name, Amen

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PULLING AN ALL NIGHTER

Posted on April 6, 2015 by randscallawayffm

Luke and the Lost

It was around midnight. I was still up with a light on studying for a couple of tests. I only had a few more courses to go before obtaining my Masters in education. The road to this accomplishment wasn’t easy, it’s never easy for those of us who have to work all day then go to school after work. Most of us seem to do it that way, right? Decisions to be made were also on my mind. My husband and three kids were asleep. I was trying to be quiet while my mind was all over the place in thought.

All of a sudden, a voice spoke to my heart. The pages of the textbook on my lap with lots of educational words blurred. The question posed to me was this: What if you studied God’s Word with as much fervor as you are studying for a test for a course that will quickly fade away? I shuddered at the thought, knowing that it was a conviction of the Holy Spirit living in me. I put away the heavy textbooks and notes taken in class and rolled over to pick up God’s Word on the nightstand. I read, confessed, prayed and read some more. That obedience was monumental for what I would do later, who I would be and what direction I would soon take. The night was transforming.

I think of that moment in time, many years ago, as I read what our Savior and Lord did before any ministry task on earth of value….He left the crowds, his helpers and followers to get alone to pray to the Father. Our Father. Who are we to think we don’t need to do this, too?

AFTER praying ALL NIGHT before God, he selects The Twelve. Suddenly a crowd gathers and He preaches a message that the world cannot dismiss, the message of your Blessed When and If…

Luke 6, The Message

The Twelve Apostles
12-16 At about that same time he climbed a mountain to pray. He was there all night in prayer before God. The next day he summoned his disciples; from them he selected twelve he designated as apostles:

Simon, whom he named Peter,
Andrew, his brother,
James,
John,
Philip,
Bartholomew,
Matthew,
Thomas,
James, son of Alphaeus,
Simon, called the Zealot,
Judas, son of James,
Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

You’re Blessed
17-21 Coming down off the mountain with them, he stood on a plain surrounded by disciples, and was soon joined by a huge congregation from all over Judea and Jerusalem, even from the seaside towns of Tyre and Sidon. They had come both to hear him and to be cured of their ailments. Those disturbed by evil spirits were healed. Everyone was trying to touch him—so much energy surging from him, so many people healed! Then he spoke:

You’re blessed when you’ve lost it all.
God’s kingdom is there for the finding.
You’re blessed when you’re ravenously hungry.
Then you’re ready for the Messianic meal.
You’re blessed when the tears flow freely.
Joy comes with the morning.

22-23 “Count yourself blessed every time someone cuts you down or throws you out, every time someone smears or blackens your name to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and that that person is uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—skip like a lamb, if you like!—for even though they don’t like it, I do . . . and all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company; my preachers and witnesses have always been treated like this.

So, put everything else away, no matter how important it seems at the time, and pray. Keep up the relationship we have with the Father through Jesus Christ His Son, and just pray…then listen. Then watch as our lives begin to take on new life, restoration, peace and eternal joy no matter what our current circumstances happen to be. Pray, then listen. Even if it takes all night.

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Dear Heavenly Father, You got my attention about prayer and the study of Your Word all those years ago in the quiet of the night. Thank you! My life was never the same after that. And I’m glad, so glad. I praise You and thank You that you want to relate to us. I am in awe of how much you love us. Continue to be with us.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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WAS IT A MORNING LIKE THIS?

Posted on April 5, 2015 by randscallawayffm

Luke and the Lost

I wake every Easter morning with the words of this song ringing in my ears. My legs weaken when I get up. My stomach turns over a bit hearing it on my mind. Then I wake up from my stupor and realize I do not have to sing it in front of people in a sunrise service anymore. I can just enjoy the message of this work of art. Whew!

It was a tradition, every since the song became popular, Randy would have me sing it for Easter sunrise services at the turnaround churches he pastored for twenty five years. He moved on from that ministry years ago, but I still wake up every Easter morning to the song! I love the words and the message. I sang with my heart and soul, but I was not a Sandi Patty, the author and artist who sings it!

Isn’t it weird how some things from your younger days stick with you? After waking to the song, AGAIN this morning, I prayed, Lord, may the message stick with me as well and may I LIVE it, on my face with a smile, with my body and soul in my behavior towards others and help me think more and more like you.

Was it a morning like this
When the Son still hid from Jerusalem?
And Mary rose from her bed
To tend the Lord she thought was dead

Was it a morning like this
When Mary walked down from Jerusalem?
And two angels stood at the tomb
Bearers of news she would hear soon

Did the grass sing?
Did the earth rejoice to feel You again?

Chorus:
Over and over like a trumpet underground
Did the earth seem to pound “He is risen!”
Over and over in a never-ending round
“He is risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!”

Was it a morning like this
When Peter and John ran from Jerusalem?
And as they raced toward the tomb
Beneath their feet was there a tune?

Did the grass sing?
Did the earth rejoice to feel You again?

Repeat Chorus Twice

Was it a morning like this
When my Lord looked out on Jerusalem?
He is risen!
Alleluia!
Alleluia!
Alleluia!

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I can only imagine what the women were thinking and feeling. And I praised God for knowing the whole story! My emotions of gratitude overwhelm me at times. I am that woman who must tell His Story “like a never-ending round”, HE IS RISEN!

“Oh, I’ll guard with my life what you’ve revealed to me, guard it now, guard it ever; And I’ll stride freely through wide open spaces as I look for your truth and your wisdom;
Then I’ll tell the world what I find, speak out boldly in public, unembarrassed. I cherish your commandments–oh, how I love them!–relishing every fragment of your counsel.”
Psalm 119:44-47, Msg

In Jesus Name, Amen

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