OF THE DEVIL? Seriously?

Posted on January 28, 2015 by randscallawayffm

The Good News!

I can’t help but recall a true story from my ministry days with a former organization. I was the director, the one who had to pull off an event for around a thousand people from all kinds of ministry departments. To make the event run smoother and for the youth to get more focused on the mission, a few well thought out changes were made. As soon as the vote was taken to make this move, gossip spread, the mission poorly expressed, the disjointed, self-promoting bad communication of the change hampered the original motive to help not hurt the mission.

Phone calls by “the church” called me “of the devil” and that I “must hate kids” to make this change. Wow! Have you ever experienced that in your ministry efforts? Well, Jesus did. And this is how He explains what happens when the family of God squabbles with slanderous talk instead of coming together in love and unity.

Mark 3, The Message

Satan Fighting Satan?
20-21 Jesus came home and, as usual, a crowd gathered—so many making demands on him that there wasn’t even time to eat. His friends heard what was going on and went to rescue him, by force if necessary. They suspected he was getting carried away with himself.

22-27 The religion scholars from Jerusalem came down spreading rumors that he was working black magic, using devil tricks to impress them with spiritual power. Jesus confronted their slander with a story: “Does it make sense to send a devil to catch a devil, to use Satan to get rid of Satan? A constantly squabbling family disintegrates. If Satan were fighting Satan, there soon wouldn’t be any Satan left. Do you think it’s possible in broad daylight to enter the house of an awake, able-bodied man, and walk off with his possessions unless you tie him up first? Tie him up, though, and you can clean him out.

28-30 “Listen to this carefully. I’m warning you. There’s nothing done or said that can’t be forgiven. But if you persist in your slanders against God’s Holy Spirit, you are repudiating the very One who forgives, sawing off the branch on which you’re sitting, severing by your own perversity all connection with the One who forgives.” He gave this warning because they were accusing him of being in league with Evil.

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Dear Heavenly Father, Jesus was sent to save with a transforming new lifestyle. The “church” at that time would not accept and did not want to believe this could be from You and tried to prove otherwise. They were too set in their ways. They were comfortable with the false power they thought they had. Don’t allow us to fall for that way of life. Ever. For that is exactly where satan wants us to remain. So, we choose this day to remain in You, grafted into The Vine, to forever be nourished by You. Thank you, Lord for saving us. In Jesus Name, Amen

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THEY CLIMBED TOGETHER

Posted on January 27, 2015 by randscallawayffm

The Good News

Mark 3, The Message

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

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

What strike me this morning about this short passage is the climb with the chosen and the plan. Jesus, after praying, gets direction from the Father, God and then chooses who he will spend three important years pouring his life into The Twelve. He will leave them to do what He did to even more people than He reached while he was in human form on earth. That was the plan, that they “would be with Him” and then He “would send them out”.

As we study God’s Word and listen to what God is saying to us the message is clear. BE with me, CLIMB the mountain and LEARN from me. Then I will SEND you out to tell others what I have told you. The authority to do so comes from Jesus.

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Dear Heavenly Father, We like to jump ahead of you, thinking we have the answers, and then we discover that we don’t. We must climb the mountain with You, be with you ourselves and be nourished and filled by You. We will make much better tellers of YOUR story if we do so. Do not ever let us forget to BE so you can then send us out. In Jesus Name, Amen

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NO MORE PUSHING AND SHOVING!

Posted on January 26, 2015 by randscallawayffm

The Good News!

As a former first grade teaching, it was always amazing and a bit disturbing to see kids pushing and shoving with all their might to be first in line to get to where we were going! RELAX, I would say, we are all going to the same place. We will all get there together. It doesn’t matter who is first and who is last. To prove that, I would turn the line around with the last being first and the first being last to prove it to them. Once we reached our destination, I would call out some names of a few at the first, middle and last in line and say, “Are you here? Did you make it with me?” The answer was a quiet, “Yes, teacher.” See you don’t have to push and shove to get there. I will take care of you.

As I read our next passage of Mark, people are pushing and shoving to touch Jesus, to feel His touch, to see his face. Jesus, in human form, had to get into a boat so He wouldn’t be trampled by the crowd! Will Jesus take care of them? Of course.

Mark 3, The Message

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

aggressive-boy

Wow, imagine the scene, with the crowd pushing and shoving to get in line to get near enough to touch Jesus…so they could be healed. Guess what? There is NO MORE pushing and shoving! You can get near to Jesus, our Savior who died for us and rose again, just be calling His name! Jesus, who is the Son of God, our Advocate to the Father and who is God, knows YOUR name. He knows your heart, your mind, and loves your soul. He knows what you need before you ask! He knows what you are going through and understands and offers His gift of peace so you can walk through your troubles and worries with calm and confidence. Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us!

Dear Heavenly Father, Your ways are always perfect! Your love for us is perfect! You plan to seek and to save us through Jesus was perfect and perfectly orchestrated. Who are we to think we have to push and shove to get to You? Who are we to think we don’t need You? Not me! I believe. I need You every hour. It is perfectly wonderful to know I do not have to push and shove to be near You. You are everywhere and for everyone. Only God can do that. Only God. Thank you, Lord. Be with us this day.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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I’M NOT AT CHURCH TODAY! OH, NO!

Posted on January 25, 2015 by randscallawayffm

THE HEART OF THE SABBATH

The Good News!

Because of dad not feeling well and a slight fall he had yesterday, we are staying home from church to watch over him. We love our church. We love worshiping God corporately with our family and friends. But we are one of those “shut-ins” today as we care for our loved one. We will miss this time together, but we won’t miss worship, for God hears our hearts. Our very hearts, minds and souls will be focused on Him this morning…as always. This is the heart of worship. This is the heart of the Sabbath.

That being said, the very next passage in Mark brings peace to my heart this morning! No kidding, I’m not jumping around the scriptures to fit what I’m going through at present! God’s Spirit illuminates what I need for this present time as I read and learn and take comfort in His Word for THIS day! Jesus teaches about the Sabbath…from HIS heart.

Mark 2, The Message

Feasting or Fasting?
18 The disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees made a practice of fasting. Some people confronted Jesus: “Why do the followers of John and the Pharisees take on the discipline of fasting, but your followers don’t?”

19-20 Jesus said, “When you’re celebrating a wedding, you don’t skimp on the cake and wine. You feast. Later you may need to pull in your belt, but not now. As long as the bride and groom are with you, you have a good time. No one throws cold water on a friendly bonfire. This is Kingdom Come!”

21-22 He went on, “No one cuts up a fine silk scarf to patch old work clothes; you want fabrics that match. And you don’t put your wine in cracked bottles.”

23-24 One Sabbath day he was walking through a field of ripe grain. As his disciples made a path, they pulled off heads of grain. The Pharisees told on them to Jesus: “Look, your disciples are breaking Sabbath rules!”

25-28 Jesus said, “Really? Haven’t you ever read what David did when he was hungry, along with those who were with him? How he entered the sanctuary and ate fresh bread off the altar, with the Chief Priest Abiathar right there watching—holy bread that no one but priests were allowed to eat—and handed it out to his companions?” Then Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made to serve us; we weren’t made to serve the Sabbath. The Son of Man is no lackey to the Sabbath. He’s in charge!”

HE’S IN CHARGE! No matter where we are!

And that’s not all…

Mark 3, The Message

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

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

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

So there it is, Jesus is in charge! He is in control of our hearts as we worship wherever we are…if we let Him. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords whether we choose to accept that Truth or not. Jesus..the reason for Sabbath.

“Come, and I’ll give you rest.’ –Jesus

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Dear Heavenly Father, As we watch over our loved one, give him healing and peace. Give us discernment and wisdom as we care for him today. May the worship of our hearts, minds and souls be pleasing to You, for You are the Heart of Worship. You are King of our hearts. Thank you for Your Word. Now, give us power to live it!
In Jesus Name, Amen

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THE UNLIKELY

Posted on January 24, 2015 by randscallawayffm

The Good News!

We all look at something or someone at times and think, “well, that’s not supposed to happen” or “I never thought that person would do that”. We humans cannot help but be guided sometimes by our first impressions. We have “lower than heaven” thinking when it come to the potential of people, too. We make judgments about each other without going deeper.

Often, we just miss the mission totally. We, as God’s church, sometimes overlook the “unlikely” who could be followers and servants in ways we never could have imagined. Why? Our thinking and ways and means are not God’s ways. Sometimes we get too caught up in our programs that bypass the people. The administration of those programs takes all our time away from merely listening to the pain of the sick who need a doctor desperately.

Mark, again, quickly lays down the facts of one incident where Jesus explicitly invites the “unlikely” to not only be healed, but to then follow Him. Read and listen with your heart as I did this morning and be transformed by the message of Jesus, Our Lord.

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

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

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

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Dear Heavenly Father, I feel like I am more the unlikely than the spiritually fit most times. I praise you that you forgave me, the unlikely and made me whole, when others discarded me as unworthy, too much of a mess, or just didn’t see me at all. You gave me worth, love, mercy and grace. You taught me, as my Healer, to show and tell other unlikelys like me that they, too, can be transformed in a process of continual growth, complete with setbacks and all. Thank you, Lord for saving my soul and making me whole. Thank you for the opportunity to go and tell others who are sick where they can find The Doctor. In Jesus Name, Amen

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RAISING THE ROOF!

Posted on January 23, 2015 by randscallawayffm

The Good News!

Raising the roof means something exciting these days, doesn’t it! I wonder if this phrase goes back in time to when all the neighbors would com together in pioneer days to literally raise the roof for another so they could have a home to stay warm? Mm, need to do some Google research on that thought.

Sometimes we use the phrase when our worship songs are upbeat and exciting to sing. Mark tells one of my favorite stories in our next passage for thought. Four friends raise the roof for a friend who needs Jesus. Jesus, in turn, raised the roof of the thinking of the local religious leaders by setting them straight on Who He was and by Whose authority He was working.

Mark 2, The Message

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

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

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

Michael-Scott-and-Dwight-Schrute-Raise-the-Roof

Question for inner reflection and a challenge to pray about…WHO will I raise the roof for today? Will I be ready and willing for the opportunity? Will Jesus be impressed by my own “bold belief”?

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your Word that reminds us Who we believe, follow, love and obey. It’s You. It’s always been about You. Forgive us when we fail to raise the roof, carry the stretcher or simply bring someone to You. Go with us today, help us to see clearly, uncovering our sometimes blinded eyes to the world around us, and use us to raise the roof of our own thinking and behaving. Help us raise the roof for a friend…or enemy. In Jesus Name, Amen
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BUT PEOPLE FOUND HIM…

Posted on January 21, 2015 by randscallawayffm

The Good News!

“Look, there he is!” “I knew if I waited here over night I would catch a glimpse of him!” “Where is he going now?” “I want to go there, too!” “Do you think he will see us?” “OH, if I could only touch him!” “Wouldn’t it be awesome if he talked to me!” These are all possible exclamations of giddy teens over the current pop star of the day. (Even with those who are Christian “stars”.)

As soon as Jesus began his ministry, he began to draw crowds of people, lost people. His love and compassion was evident. His authority easily detected…”We never heard anyone speak like this?” Jesus, like the pop stars of today, could no longer move about freely through the cities. I am struck by imagining Jesus, the Son of God, hiding out in “out-of-the-way” places. But people found him…because the people could NOT stop talking about this man! (The Son of God, Who was God!)

Mark 1, The Message

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

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

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

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

Have you found Him? Do we look diligently for Him with racing hearts and excited souls each day to catch a glimpse of Him at work in circumstances, situations, in people…and in us? Do we tell what He has done in us? We readily tell what God has done for us, but do we tell what God has done IN us? Have we found Him in us? Do we point people to Jesus, those who are drawn to the Jesus living in us, transforming us? People from all over are still looking for Jesus. I pray He may be found in us. Then I pray that once He is found, they too, will point others to Him. It’s all about Jesus. “That’s why I came,” says Jesus…to “seek and to save lost people.” Be found.

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Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for saving our souls for eternity with you someday. Thank you for Your Word that reminds us of Who is living in us. Don’t let us miss an opportunity to live to show and tell the Good News today! May YOU be found by lost people. May You be found in me. Continue your transformation in me.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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OVERWHELMED?

Posted on January 20, 2015 by randscallawayffm

The Good News!

There are times in our lives that it feels like every one you know needs something from you at the same time. Your church wants you to volunteer for a really good work, your family needs you to accomplish some tasks immediately, the bills pile up and need to be paid, your job is requiring more of you, housework is delayed and needs organized, the car needs work, the kitchen faucet needs replaced, and the list goes on and on.

You want to do it all, for everything is a good thing, but we as humans come to a breaking point. Why? We leave no margin in our lives AND we don’t stop to ask God when to say yes and when to say no. We also find ourselves forgetting to pray for HIS direction to decide what to do first, next and last and who to tend to first. We rely on our own strength, when HIS strength is just waiting to be poured into us…if we just ask.

Yes, I find myself overwhelmed. I fall on my knees before the God of heaven and admit that He is God and I am not. Then HE overwhelms me with love, grace and mercy. All is well with my soul after being with the Father.

I think of this with the first sentence in the next passage we read from Mark account. This statement comes BEFORE Jesus gives of Himself to the people to heal, teach, love, and extend mercy and grace. Who are WE not to pray before attempting anything of value to His kingdom?

Mark 1, The Message

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

Do you feel everyone is looking for you??? Have we been with the Father in the quietness just before dawn to ask for His direction which can organize your life in ways that are amazing? Have we asked for His peace? Peace is a sweet gift He loves to give. Have we asked for wisdom is reset our priorities so we are more in sync with what HE wants for us to be, then do and learn?

Jesus got up and went to a secluded spot, by himself, to pray. Who are we to think we don’t need to do this, too?

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Dear Heavenly Father,
Today I want to avoid the sin that often entangles me, and I desire to see clearly the righteous acts that You would have me to do. I pray that you would strengthen my faith as I focus on You, and that You would give me the wisdom to align my priorities properly. I want my heart to be in sync with Your heart, so help me to sow righteousness in all that i do today!

Father, you have given me far more than I deserve. I return thanks to You, and I ask for wisdom and courage to invest wisely. I desire to be found “good and faithful”. Help me see today what I can give, instead of what I can receive!

Lastly Father, today I seek to forgive others as You forgave me. My desire is to have no broken relationships. Open my eyes to see the needs of those around me, and to respond appropriately. Help me to celebrate the beauty fo diversity which brings such harmony into my life.

Overwhelm me, Lord, with Your peace, joy, love, grace and mercy. Do the same for my friends and family. In Jesus Name, Amen.

And I’m singing…

I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed with your love…
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqdnVeeMPR8

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LET THE TEACHING BEGIN!

Posted on January 19, 2015 by randscallawayffm

The Good News! God is passionate to save us!

Mark is getting on with his telling of the story of Jesus showing us how God is passionate to save us. This passion stems from the root of great love for people…all people. Jesus, Emmanuel, “God with us”, is confident as He enters the scene. He offers hope and healing along with confident teaching. He does not apologize for Truth. He is Truth. The demons know who He is before anyone else. Their shouts are hushed by the King of kings and Lord of lords instantly.

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

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

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

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

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

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

“You’ve come to destroy us!” said the demons who spoke through a man. This thought grabs our attention this morning. The demons knew their stronghold over God’s people was going to be no match for the Son of God! The demons knew before the people…the “sheep without a shepherd”. This “new teaching that does what it says” spreads over quickly over the countryside of Galilee. “God with us” is being drawn to Truth in the person of Jesus the Christ! The Good News of salvation has come. Messiah has entered the building!

Has Jesus entered our heart, mind and soul? Is He Lord of our lives? These are questions to ask each day as we turn over all we are AND our agendas to Him.

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life–your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life–and place it before God as an offering.” Romans 12:1, The Message

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Dear Heavenly Father, Today I want to avoid the sin that often entangles me and I desire to see clearly the righteous acts that You would have me to do. I pray that you would strengthen my faith as I focus on You and that You would give me the wisdom to align my priorities properly. I want my heart to be in sync with Your hear, so help me to sow righteousness in all that I do today!

Father, you have given me far more than I deserve. I return thanks to You, and I ask for wisdom and courage to invest wisely. I desire to be found “good and faithful”. Help me see today what I can give, instead of what I can receive!

Lastly Father, today I seek to forgive others as You forgave me. My desire is to have no broken relationships. Open my eyes to see the needs of those around me, and to respond appropriately. Help me to celebrate the beauty of diversity which brings such harmony into my life.

In Jesus Name, Amen! I believe.

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TAG TEAM!

Posted on January 18, 2015 by randscallawayffm

The Good News!

As a teacher/coach I have watched many field sports that include races that involve passing the baton. We gasp as it is passed and pray it is not dropped so our team of runners can win. The crowd groans instinctively and sympathetically when the baton is dropped by any team member.

I get this mental picture as I read the passing of the mission of God from John the Baptist to Jesus and then from Jesus to his followers. His followers do not know they will be taking the “baton of Good News” yet, but they will. The team is being added to daily. They must be taught, trained through practice, and encouraged by the Master Coach before they are sent out to the “field” to race.

Mark 1, The Message

God’s Kingdom Is Here (Let the Game begin!)
12-13 At once, this same Spirit pushed Jesus out into the wild. For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by Satan. Wild animals were his companions, and angels took care of him.

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

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

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

passing the baton

The race is on! Have we accepted the baton or have we dropped it somewhere along the race? I ask that of myself this morning. I know I’m not perfect but I’m perfectly forgiven. God always gives enough grace to jump back into the Race of a lifetime! On Your Mark, Get Set, GO!

In Jesus Name, Amen! I believe.

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