BROKEN AND POURED OUT

Posted on March 7, 2015 by randscallawayffm

The Good News!

We are about to read a very moving passage of God’s Word that tells of a woman who gave up her precious, costly perfumed oil that one saves for their own burial…as we would save a life insurance policy for the costs of our burial and help with expenses when we are gone. She gave it up. She broke the seal by breaking the neck of the bottle that held this precious, protected oil. Once the seal is broken, you have to use it or it will lose it’s potency. She then walked in the room and stood over Jesus who was eating, invited as a guest to a home where He had probably healed His host.

She risked even walking in where she was not invited. Then risked her “life savings” of precious perfume by pouring it over the head of Jesus to anoint him with her deep love, faith and trust in Who would soon be her Savior. Worth the risk? Absolutely. See what Jesus says…and imagine being in the room…see how He handled this risk taking situation.

Mark 14, The Message
14 1-2 In only two days the eight-day Festival of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread would begin. The high priests and religion scholars were looking for a way they could seize Jesus by stealth and kill him. They agreed that it should not be done during Passover Week. “We don’t want the crowds up in arms,” they said.
THE RISK-TAKING WOMAN
3-5 Jesus was at Bethany, a guest of Simon the Leper. While he was eating dinner, a woman came up carrying a bottle of very expensive perfume. Opening the bottle, she poured it on his head. Some of the guests became furious among themselves. “That’s criminal! A sheer waste! This perfume could have been sold for well over a year’s wages and handed out to the poor.” They swelled up in anger, nearly bursting with indignation over her.

6-9 But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why are you giving her a hard time? She has just done something wonderfully significant for me. You will have the poor with you every day for the rest of your lives. Whenever you feel like it, you can do something for them. Not so with me. She did what she could when she could—she pre-anointed my body for burial. And you can be sure that wherever in the whole world the Message is preached, what she just did is going to be talked about admiringly.”

“She did what she could when she could”. This statement is of great importance to me. TIMING is everything when you take a risk. You must be motivated by love, directed by the Holy Spirit, then obedient to God’s timing.

MEANWHILE…
The opening of this passage sets the scene for what is going on behind Jesus’ back. The religious leaders want to kill Him. They are looking for a way to get the job done. They have tried tricking this Perfect One into telling a lie or disputing the Torah, but it just wasn’t happening. They are threatened by His authority and power to influence, heal, and probably most of all His Perfect Love for people that they cannot imagine possessing for themselves.

Finally, among Jesus’ disciples, a man who has traveled with him, took care of the finances along the way and was counting on a bold revolutionary to set up an earthy kingdom, missing the whole point of Jesus’ mission, take a different kind of risk and becomes the Betrayer to Jesus the Christ. Judas, whose name now is used as a descriptor of one who betrays another, took a risk guided by evil, Satan Himself, to betray the One, the Only One, the Perfect One who could have saved Him forever.

Mark 14, The Message
10-11 Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the cabal of high priests, determined to betray him. They couldn’t believe their ears, and promised to pay him well. He started looking for just the right moment to hand him over.

“They couldn’t believe their ears”…Can you imagine the pride, the high fives around the room of those who have spent months trying to get the “dirt” on Jesus so they could finally have Him arrested? One of Jesus’ own followers took the risk to betray Him! They paid Him well…was it worth it? The rest of the story of this risk is to come.

In just eleven verses of this passage, as told by Mark, a concise, quick description of two people taking a risk. One person was full of love. The other person was full of hate, greed, pride, disappointment in what HE wanted Jesus to be and do, disgusted at the expensive risk of the one who loved by pouring out perfume over the head of Jesus.

Which one am I is the question we ask ourselves today. What kind of risk am I willing to take, guided by God’s timing? What am I motivated by when I take a risk? Is it out of deep love and devotion for my Master? Am I willing to be broken and poured out as an offering to my Savior?

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Dear Heavenly Father, What a testimony of this woman’s love for You! We praise You and thank You for this passage that causes us to tremble, reflect, meditate and repent of those times when our “risks” where poorly motivated. We give our lives back to You, to be loved, guided and redirected by You.
Yes, Lord, continue to be with us. Help us to love like You love.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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LORD, GIVE US A SIGN…

Posted on March 6, 2015 by randscallawayffm

The Good News!

Road-Sign-Lost

We are always looking for signs. We strain to see road signs that tell us exactly where to go…even with our friend GPS Sirius to help us! We all want to know exactly what WILL happen BEFORE it happens, so we can be prepared. Jesus’ followers were the same, with the same hearts that we have. They ask Jesus when, where, and how His kingdom will come about. There is peace in our hearts this morning as we read what Jesus told them…and us.

Mark 13, The Message
Doomsday Deceivers
13 As he walked away from the Temple, one of his disciples said, “Teacher, look at that stonework! Those buildings!”

2 Jesus said, “You’re impressed by this grandiose architecture? There’s not a stone in the whole works that is not going to end up in a heap of rubble.”

3-4 Later, as he was sitting on Mount Olives in full view of the Temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew got him off by himself and asked, “Tell us, when is this going to happen? What sign will we get that things are coming to a head?”

5-8 Jesus began, “Watch out for doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities claiming, ‘I’m the One.’ They will deceive a lot of people. When you hear of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don’t panic. This is routine history, and no sign of the end. Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Earthquakes will occur in various places. There will be famines. But these things are nothing compared to what’s coming.

9-10 “And watch out! They’re going to drag you into court. And then it will go from bad to worse, dog-eat-dog, everyone at your throat because you carry my name. You’re placed there as sentinels to truth. The Message has to be preached all across the world.

11 “When they bring you, betrayed, into court, don’t worry about what you’ll say. When the time comes, say what’s on your heart—the Holy Spirit will make his witness in and through you.

12-13 “It’s going to be brother killing brother, father killing child, children killing parents. There’s no telling who will hate you because of me.

“Stay with it—that’s what is required. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry; you’ll be saved.

Run for the Hills
14-18 “But be ready to run for it when you see the monster of desecration set up where it should never be. You who can read, make sure you understand what I’m talking about. If you’re living in Judea at the time, run for the hills; if you’re working in the yard, don’t go back to the house to get anything; if you’re out in the field, don’t go back to get your coat. Pregnant and nursing mothers will have it especially hard. Hope and pray this won’t happen in the middle of winter.

19-20 “These are going to be hard days—nothing like it from the time God made the world right up to the present. And there’ll be nothing like it again. If he let the days of trouble run their course, nobody would make it. But because of God’s chosen people, those he personally chose, he has already intervened.

No One Knows the Day or Hour
21-23 “If anyone tries to flag you down, calling out, ‘Here’s the Messiah!’ or points, ‘There he is!’ don’t fall for it. Fake Messiahs and lying preachers are going to pop up everywhere. Their impressive credentials and dazzling performances will pull the wool over the eyes of even those who ought to know better. So watch out. I’ve given you fair warning.

24-25 “Following those hard times,

Sun will fade out,
moon cloud over,
Stars fall out of the sky,
cosmic powers tremble.
26-27 “And then they’ll see the Son of Man enter in grand style, his Arrival filling the sky—no one will miss it! He’ll dispatch the angels; they will pull in the chosen from the four winds, from pole to pole.

28-31 “Take a lesson from the fig tree. From the moment you notice its buds form, the merest hint of green, you know summer’s just around the corner. And so it is with you. When you see all these things, you know he is at the door. Don’t take this lightly. I’m not just saying this for some future generation, but for this one, too—these things will happen. Sky and earth will wear out; my words won’t wear out.

32-37 “But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven’s angels, not even the Son. Only the Father. So keep a sharp lookout, for you don’t know the timetable. It’s like a man who takes a trip, leaving home and putting his servants in charge, each assigned a task, and commanding the gatekeeper to stand watch. So, stay at your post, watching. You have no idea when the homeowner is returning, whether evening, midnight, cockcrow, or morning. You don’t want him showing up unannounced, with you asleep on the job. I say it to you, and I’m saying it to all: Stay at your post. Keep watch.”

All this to say, we will not know. But know this, says Jesus, Stay tuned. Stay at your post. Keep watch. Stay focused on the One Who will come. We can be sure of this…we WILL recognize Him when He comes, in all His glory…IF we keep watch.

Dear Heavenly Father, In the midst of all the distractions of this world we are reminded to keep focused on You, keeping watch and staying diligent to the mission you gave us. Thank you for peace in knowing that YOU know the time and that is not something more I need to worry about by constantly looking for signs along the way. I just need to stay prepared. Thank you, dear Lord. Go with us today…as we keep watch. In Jesus Name, Amen

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GIVING…WHAT WE’LL NEVER MISS?

Posted on March 5, 2015 by randscallawayffm

The Good News!

Mark 12, The Message

41-44 Sitting across from the offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of the rich were making large contributions. One poor widow came up and put in two small coins—a measly two cents. Jesus called his disciples over and said, “The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. All the others gave what they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all.”

This story has always stopped me to think about my own giving…of time, money, things, and myself. Am I giving my all with a heart of praise for the One who gives me life? I tithe…but is it what I’ll never miss? In times of struggle, when money is tight, do I give with a righteous heart or are my “coins” pried from my fist? In good financial times, is my offering thrown in for people to see and hear rattle around in the collection box?

Jesus observes…and knows. There is nothing to hide. There is nothing, absolutely nothing that get’s past Him.

Honest Questions for self:
Do I give to impress, to get credit, or to be liked more?
Do I give to receive a tax break?
Do I give hoping for more of God’s protection and love?
Do I give with “strings attached” so I will have more of a “say” in my church?
Do I bargain with God thinking if I give He will take care of a problem for me?
Do I cheerfully give with a grateful heart?

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Dear Heavenly Father, We repent of those times when our “sacrifice” revealed a less than grateful heart. No matter what we give, You love us just the same. Your love has no bounds, no favorites, no prerequisites and is not based on our ability to give. Our giving is for us…not to try to pay you back, for that is impossible…but to realize in our giving, all that You have done for us and to grow in obedience to Your Word. Our giving, with a cheerful heart, makes us glad to be able to share in Your Kingdom work in a tangible way. Our giving develops our generosity in all areas of our lives. Our giving is not bargaining and has no strings attached. We give because we love You back. Pure and simple.

And I’m singing this to you this morning, Lord…
Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now let the weak say, “I am strong”
Let the poor say, “I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us”

Give thanks.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS!

Posted on March 4, 2015 by randscallawayffm

The Good News!

Have you ever questioned God? Be honest. I have had questions of why this or that many times, but then I come to realize quickly, who am I to question the Creator of all. Who are we to question the One who sets all in motion and commands all to stay in motion?

“But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?'” (Romans 9:20, NLT)

As believers, our questions most often come from tragic situations or loss. That’s being honest before God, but even then we need to be careful and move on to knowing that God knows, cares and is in control. We live in a fallen world and tragic things will happen. We move on in a positive way when we can stop asking God why.

But when the “religious” of Jesus day came to question God, Himself, their hearts are filled with evil and their minds fixed on trapping the Savior, Lord of all. They receive more answers about eternal life than they bargained for and were willing to accept. Perhaps some “got it”, but many did not.

Mark 12, The Message
Our Intimacies Will Be with God
18-23 Some Sadducees, the party that denies any possibility of resurrection, came up and asked, “Teacher, Moses wrote that if a man dies and leaves a wife but no child, his brother is obligated to marry the widow and have children. Well, there once were seven brothers. The first took a wife. He died childless. The second married her. He died, and still no child. The same with the third. All seven took their turn, but no child. Finally the wife died. When they are raised at the resurrection, whose wife is she? All seven were her husband.”

24-27 Jesus said, “You’re way off base, and here’s why: One, you don’t know your Bibles; two, you don’t know how God works. After the dead are raised up, we’re past the marriage business. As it is with angels now, all our ecstasies and intimacies then will be with God. And regarding the dead, whether or not they are raised, don’t you ever read the Bible? How God at the bush said to Moses, ‘I am—not was—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? The living God is God of the living, not the dead. You’re way, way off base.”

The Most Important Commandment
28 One of the religion scholars came up. Hearing the lively exchanges of question and answer and seeing how sharp Jesus was in his answers, he put in his question: “Which is most important of all the commandments?”

29-31 Jesus said, “The first in importance is, ‘Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And here is the second: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment that ranks with these.”

32-33 The religion scholar said, “A wonderful answer, Teacher! So lucid and accurate—that God is one and there is no other. And loving him with all passion and intelligence and energy, and loving others as well as you love yourself. Why, that’s better than all offerings and sacrifices put together!”

34 When Jesus realized how insightful he was, he said, “You’re almost there, right on the border of God’s kingdom.”

After that, no one else dared ask a question.

And the God of Heaven, working through His Son, wins again. Mankind zero. God takes it all, is in all, is in control of all the Universe. Who are we to question God?

potter's hands

I am reminded of the what the prophet Isaiah said….
(45:9-12, NLT)
“What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator.
Does a clay pot argue with its maker?
Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying,
‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’
Does the pot exclaim,
‘How clumsy can you be?’
How terrible it would be if a newborn baby said to its father,
‘Why was I born?’
or if it said to its mother,
‘Why did you make me this way?’”
This is what the Lord says—
the Holy One of Israel and your Creator:
“Do you question what I do for my children?
Do you give me orders about the work of my hands?
I am the one who made the earth
and created people to live on it.
With my hands I stretched out the heavens.
All the stars are at my command.

Dear Heavenly Father, We repent of our questions that lead to breaking Your heart and making us more depressed. YOU are God and we are not. Go with us this day as we put our complete trust in You. I do love You with all my heart, mind and soul. Help me to love others the way You love me. In Jesus Name, Amen! I believe.

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TAX TIME!

Posted on March 3, 2015 by randscallawayffm

The Good News!

As we gather all our receipts and documents to figure out what we owe to the government who serves us…we grumble. At some point you have to pay, and pay some more. It seems our state wants more and more each year, even with claiming no dependents! We pay in all year and then pay some more April 15. It seems like robbery to us at times, doesn’t it? However, we keep voting these people into office that represent us and decide what we pay.

Jesus tells us, when baited by others who were overtaxed in their day, too, that paying taxes is not really the focus. Money, to Jesus, is never the focus. The religious leaders took a great issue of the day (being WAY overtaxed in a corrupt system) to bait Jesus into becoming a rebel so that they might catch him in the act of “sinning” against the government. Nothing else had worked so they tried this tactic.

Mark 12, The Message
Paying Taxes to Caesar
13-14 They sent some Pharisees and followers of Herod to bait him, hoping to catch him saying something incriminating. They came up and said, “Teacher, we know you have integrity, that you are indifferent to public opinion, don’t pander to your students, and teach the way of God accurately. Tell us: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

15-16 He knew it was a trick question, and said, “Why are you playing these games with me? Bring me a coin and let me look at it.” They handed him one.

“This engraving—who does it look like? And whose name is on it?”

“Caesar,” they said.

17 Jesus said, “Give Caesar what is his, and give God what is his.”

Their mouths hung open, speechless.

Money is never the real issue. Pay what you owe. Obey the government. Obey God AND give God what is his. Give God our very lives and He will provide. Remember when Peter asked how they were going to pay their taxes and Jesus sent him fishing, which is what Peter’s secular job was before following Jesus? Peter obeyed and caught the right fish that miraculously had the coins needed in their mouths. “Now, go pay the tax,” said Jesus. Let’s get this paying taxes thing off our minds and move on the what is really important…is what I hear Jesus saying, too!

Wow. So, give “Caesar” what is owed and give God what He wants most from us…our love, devotion, praise, worship, gratitude, and obedience before sacrifice. What does the Lord require of us? “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8, NIV Money is not the issue. Man created money. Money does not save us. It is not to be worshiped.

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Dear Heavenly Father, There are so many thoughts in this short passage that has me thinking, repenting and refocusing on what is really the most important to You. Thank you for Your Word. Your mercies are new each morning as we come to be with You through Your words of teaching. Help us to stay focused all day long and into the night. Lord, I give you my life.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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WE CANNOT PUT JESUS IN A BOX!

Posted on March 2, 2015 by randscallawayffm

The Good News!

We humans like to organize our lives by putting things in an order, putting them in a box and labeling them. We when try to do that with Jesus who is not part of our lives but should be ALL of our lives, we make a grave mistake. He is not One to be put in a box and labeled. The “church people” of his day tried to do that and failed miserably.

Mark 11, The Message
27-28 Then when they were back in Jerusalem once again, as they were walking through the Temple, the high priests, religion scholars, and leaders came up and demanded, “Show us your credentials. Who authorized you to speak and act like this?”

29-30 Jesus responded, “First let me ask you a question. Answer my question and then I’ll present my credentials. About the baptism of John—who authorized it: heaven or humans? Tell me.”

31-33 They were on the spot, and knew it. They pulled back into a huddle and whispered, “If we say ‘heaven,’ he’ll ask us why we didn’t believe John; if we say ‘humans,’ we’ll be up against it with the people because they all hold John up as a prophet.” They decided to concede that round to Jesus. “We don’t know,” they said.

Jesus replied, “Then I won’t answer your question either.”

They failed. We fail when we think of God, Jesus, Holy Spirit in finite terms. We fail when we limit who God is by merely our own thinking of who God is and what He can do. God is God, no matter what we believe Him to be or how we poorly describe Him to others. He is Truth, in the person of Jesus Christ, no matter what we believe or how we behave. Only Jesus saves. We cannot. Only God creates something out of nothing. Only God. God alone.

Mark 12, The Message
12 1-2 Then Jesus started telling them stories. “A man planted a vineyard. He fenced it, dug a winepress, erected a watchtower, turned it over to the farmhands, and went off on a trip. At the time for harvest, he sent a servant back to the farmhands to collect his profits.

3-5 “They grabbed him, beat him up, and sent him off empty-handed. So he sent another servant. That one they tarred and feathered. He sent another and that one they killed. And on and on, many others. Some they beat up, some they killed.

6 “Finally there was only one left: a beloved son. In a last-ditch effort, he sent him, thinking, ‘Surely they will respect my son.’

7-8 “But those farmhands saw their chance. They rubbed their hands together in greed and said, ‘This is the heir! Let’s kill him and have it all for ourselves.’ They grabbed him, killed him, and threw him over the fence.

9-11 “What do you think the owner of the vineyard will do? Right. He’ll come and clean house. Then he’ll assign the care of the vineyard to others. Read it for yourselves in Scripture:

That stone the masons threw out
is now the cornerstone!
This is God’s work;
we rub our eyes—we can hardly believe it!”

12 They wanted to lynch him then and there but, intimidated by public opinion, held back. They knew the story was about them. They got away from there as fast as they could.

Jesus knows our true heart, mind and soul. Who are we to question the Son of God? Who are we to question His credentials? Who are we to even describe the Creator of the Universe. We do not have enough words in our knowledge and language. But we do know that God is enough for us.

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Dear Heavenly Father, We respect, honor and praise You. We are grateful for Your salvation. We are brokenhearted when we think of what You went through for us. But You are the Victor! So, we rejoice in the victory that is ours by believing, trusting and following You and You alone. Go with us this day. Show us the path and we will walk with You. In Jesus Name, Amen

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CLEANING HOUSE

Posted on March 1, 2015 by randscallawayffm

The Good News

There are two ways I clean house. If I have little time to get accomplish this task with working outside the home all week, then I leave my glasses off. The cleaning goes a lot faster because I don’t see the dirt in the cracks so much. There is much I let slide by so the work can be done quickly, a “once-over” we say. When I have more time to devote, I put my glasses on to see all that I missed on previous “without glasses cleaning”. Wow, the dirt in the cracks can build up before you know it and now you see all the filth, decay, rot and nasty dirt that you have been living with…without glasses on. Mm.

Jesus had arrived late to the temple upon arriving in Jerusalem the night before. Remember, “He looked around, taking it all in.” I wonder what He was thinking when He looked around at this monumental edifice designed to by God’s House? I wonder if the “salespeople” and tradesmen had already left for the day.

But, wait, Jesus, God Son knows everything and all that goes on. He is not blinded by what we are. So, is the sadness, disappoint and anger building as he gets up the next morning and goes back to the Temple to survey in person what He already knows is happening there? Is that why he cursed a fig tree as an example to the disciples to what could happen to people who do not bear fruit and keep His “house of prayer” clean of evil doers?

Let’s read and chew on this awhile…

Mark 11, The Message
11 He entered Jerusalem, then entered the Temple. He looked around, taking it all in. But by now it was late, so he went back to Bethany with the Twelve.

The Cursed Fig Tree
12-14 As they left Bethany the next day, he was hungry. Off in the distance he saw a fig tree in full leaf. He came up to it expecting to find something for breakfast, but found nothing but fig leaves. (It wasn’t yet the season for figs.) He addressed the tree: “No one is going to eat fruit from you again—ever!” And his disciples overheard him.

15-17 They arrived at Jerusalem. Immediately on entering the Temple Jesus started throwing out everyone who had set up shop there, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of the bankers and the stalls of the pigeon merchants. He didn’t let anyone even carry a basket through the Temple. And then he taught them, quoting this text:

My house was designated a house of prayer for the nations;
You’ve turned it into a hangout for thieves.
18 The high priests and religion scholars heard what was going on and plotted how they might get rid of him. They panicked, for the entire crowd was carried away by his teaching.

19 At evening, Jesus and his disciples left the city.

20-21 In the morning, walking along the road, they saw the fig tree, shriveled to a dry stick. Peter, remembering what had happened the previous day, said to him, “Rabbi, look—the fig tree you cursed is shriveled up!”

22-25 Jesus was matter-of-fact: “Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, ‘Go jump in the lake’—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it’s as good as done. That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get God’s everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it’s not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins.”

EMBRACE THIS GOD-LIFE!
We embrace this God-Life by repenting and asking God to clean our own temples in which we declare He abides! We need to clean with our glasses on…with the lens of how He sees us, our temple. He will not stay in unclean temples. He wants to overturn all that is not right in us. Let Him clean! Let Him transform us to be all what HE wants us to be.

We need to embrace God and faith in Him in such a way that makes us solid and unwavering no matter what is going on around us. It is only then we begin to bear fruit…such as gentleness, kindness, goodness, which is not of our doing but what God has transformed us to now be.

Jesus “urges us to pray about everything” and at the top of the list is to pray for and forgive quickly those who hurt you. Let go of the baggage of grudge that we carry around and be set free of it so that our loads we travel with are much lighter. That makes us free to help someone else get rid of their baggage. Yes, embrace this God-life…REALLY embrace Him. “Nothing will be too much for you.”

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Dear Heavenly Father,
I have my glasses on to see all the words you have given to us this morning! I repent of those things that break your heart. Restore us by cleaning our temple. Be gentle as You continue to transform my life to be more and more like what You created us to be. I love you with all my heart, mind and soul. Do what you must, but be gentle. Set us all free in this cleansing of our souls and help us to all be houses of devoted prayer in a pure relationship with you as we listen to you speak to us.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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THE EXPECTED…IN HUMILITY

Posted on February 28, 2015 by randscallawayffm

The Good News!

Jesus, the Christ comes into Jerusalem, destined to suffer greatly for all of us. He, remarkably, shows that he was not afraid of the power and malice of his enemies. This, in fact, would encourage his disciples who were full of fear. Also, it shows us that He was not deterred or slowed down at the thoughts of his approaching sufferings.

The way He came into Jerusalem marked his humiliation; and this example teaches us once more not to focus on rank and high goals of man, but to bow to those of low estate. How lofty and sinful it becomes Christians try to put themselves above others, when Christ was so far from doing this!

The gathering crowd welcomed Jesus. Blessed is he that comes! He that should come, so often promised, so long expected; he comes in the name of the Lord. Let him have our best affections; he is a blessed Savior, and brings blessings to us, and blessed be He that sent him. Praises be to our God, who is in the highest heavens, over all, God blessed for ever.

Entering Jerusalem on a Colt
11 1-3 When they were nearing Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany on Mount Olives, he sent off two of the disciples with instructions: “Go to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you’ll find a colt tethered, one that has never yet been ridden. Untie it and bring it. If anyone asks, ‘What are you doing?’ say, ‘The Master needs him, and will return him right away.’”

4-7 They went and found a colt tied to a door at the street corner and untied it. Some of those standing there said, “What are you doing untying that colt?” The disciples replied exactly as Jesus had instructed them, and the people let them alone. They brought the colt to Jesus, spread their coats on it, and he mounted.

8-10 The people gave him a wonderful welcome, some throwing their coats on the street, others spreading out rushes they had cut in the fields. Running ahead and following after, they were calling out,

Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in God’s name!
Blessed the coming kingdom of our father David!
Hosanna in highest heaven!

11 He entered Jerusalem, then entered the Temple. He looked around, taking it all in. But by now it was late, so he went back to Bethany with the Twelve.

JESUS ENTERS THE TEMPLE…
He enters the heart of the religiosity of His day on earth. He looks around, taking it all in. It’s late so He goes back with the Twelve to the suburb of Bethany. He is probably overwhelmed with what HIS house of prayer and the hearts of those who enter has become. For we who have read His Story know what happens the next day. See you tomorrow…

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Dear Heavenly Father, You teach us a little more each day. You teach us how we need to evaluate our own steps…and repent of the lack of humility, the lack of judgement and those times when we either fall behind You or walk ahead of You. Help us to stay focused this day on being and then doing all that pleases You. May the temple of our hearts, minds, and souls be places of prayer where You abide with us and us with You.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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BLIND, KNOWING, RESTORED!

Posted on February 27, 2015 by randscallawayffm

The Good News

Jesus is resolute on his walk to Jerusalem where His earth mission will be executed. He and his followers stop off on the way to spend some time in Jerico. As they are leaving…

Mark 10, The Message
46-48 They spent some time in Jericho. As Jesus was leaving town, trailed by his disciples and a parade of people, a blind beggar by the name of Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, was sitting alongside the road. When he heard that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by, he began to cry out, “Son of David, Jesus! Mercy, have mercy on me!” Many tried to hush him up, but he yelled all the louder, “Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!”

49-50 Jesus stopped in his tracks. “Call him over.”

They called him. “It’s your lucky day! Get up! He’s calling you to come!” Throwing off his coat, he was on his feet at once and came to Jesus.

51 Jesus said, “What can I do for you?”

The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

52 “On your way,” said Jesus. “Your faith has saved and healed you.”

In that very instant he recovered his sight and followed Jesus down the road.

It is interesting what blind Bartimaeus shouted when he heard that Jesus was near…”Son of David, Jesus!” Bartimaeus had heard of Jesus, so he cries out to Him, knowing he can heal him. Jesus heard his cries and he healed him, not from the man’s repeated cries, but by the man’s inner FAITH.

Bartimeus had heard of Jesus and his miracles, and learning that he was passing by, hoped to recover his eyesight. In coming to Christ for help and healing, we should look to him as the promised Messiah. The gracious calls Christ gives us to come to him, encourage our hope, that if we come to him we shall have what we come for. Those who would come to Jesus, must cast away the garment of their own sufficiency, must free themselves from every weight, and the sin that drags us down and blinds us.

May we all, as sinners and saints imitate blind Bartimeus. Where the gospel is preached, or the written words of truth circulated, Jesus is passing by, and this is the opportunity. It is not enough to come to Christ for spiritual healing, but, when we are healed, we must continue to follow him; that we may honor him, and receive instruction from him. Those who have spiritual eyesight, see that beauty in Christ which will draw them to run after him. (Some excerpts from Matthew Henry Commentary.)

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Dear Heavenly Father, We repent of all that binds us to knowing You and following You. You have restored our sight today. Thank you for your love, mercy and grace that abounds in Your power to heal, restore and encourage as You guide. Thank you for all you have done, are doing and will do in and through our lives as we continue to follow You wherever You take us.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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KING OF THE HILL!

Posted on February 26, 2015 by randscallawayffm

The Good News

Have you ever played “King of the Hill”? As children we would clamor to the top of a hill, pushing and shoving everyone in our path out of the way. The first kid to make their way to the top shouted, “I’m king of the hill!” Their kingdom was short-lived, however, because the other kids who made their way to the top soon knocked the first kid off the top and then shouted, “Now, I’m king of the hill!” When a kids’ game becomes our way of life in the real world of raising a family, working our way to the top in our paid jobs, going to church and just living life, then we need to stop and read what Jesus says about playing this game. reFocus.

Mark 10, The Message

The Highest Places of Honor
35 James and John, Zebedee’s sons, came up to him. “Teacher, we have something we want you to do for us.”

36 “What is it? I’ll see what I can do.”

37 “Arrange it,” they said, “so that we will be awarded the highest places of honor in your glory—one of us at your right, the other at your left.”

38 Jesus said, “You have no idea what you’re asking. Are you capable of drinking the cup I drink, of being baptized in the baptism I’m about to be plunged into?”

39-40 “Sure,” they said. “Why not?”

Jesus said, “Come to think of it, you will drink the cup I drink, and be baptized in my baptism. But as to awarding places of honor, that’s not my business. There are other arrangements for that.”

41-45 When the other ten heard of this conversation, they lost their tempers with James and John. Jesus got them together to settle things down. “You’ve observed how godless rulers throw their weight around,” he said, “and when people get a little power how quickly it goes to their heads. It’s not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage.”

In a nutshell…Want to lead? SERVE with a servant’s attitude and heart, with our eyes fixed on our Master.

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Dear Heavenly Father, We repent of this inner, human urge to get ahead in life. Cleanse us of every impure motive or thought that offends You. Put Your desires for us in our hearts so deeply that they become our desires. Help us behave as we believe in such a way that it is second nature…we serve readily, without thinking twice, without thinking of what it might do for us. My life is Yours. Make me more gracious as I serve. Thank you for setting us free by the blood You shed for our sin. In Jesus Name, Amen

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