DISARMING LOVE

Posted on December 26, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The Story of Jesus

The gathering of family and friends over the holidays sometimes leads to after dinner discussions over life stuff. We try to avoid talking politics with those we know do not agree with us. We also avoid talking about religion, at times, for the same reasons, don’t we? We do not “want to go there” for we may fall into an abyss of misunderstandings over minor details of religion resulting in a marred relationship. Words and actions matter.

So, it is refreshing to read how Jesus handled those who were trying to trap Him into a discussion to nowhere but evil. What I mean, is their motivation was not to dig deeper for an explanation of God’s Word, it was an attempt to discredit the Truth, the person of Jesus Christ, that was standing right in front of them. He reminds us, in simple, yet profound terms, what is the most important for our hearts, minds and souls to wrap around, take in, and then live it out loud in Spirit and in Truth.

Listen in…

Matthew 22, Msg
34-36 When the Pharisees heard how he had bested the Sadducees, they gathered their forces for an assault. One of their religion scholars spoke for them, posing a question they hoped would show him up: “Teacher, which command in God’s Law is the most important?”

37-40 Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.”

Simply, counterculture, upside kingdom thinking, revolutionary, Jesus’ way…Love God. Love Others. The most important, the main focus.

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Dear Heavenly Father, I love how Your Word speaks volumes to our heart in simple understandable terms. Because of Your love for us, we love you back. Our love grows deeper in You when we love others You put in our path. We see how this could change our world when we love passionately and excellently. Help us to love deeper still. In Jesus Name, Amen

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LOOK FOR HIM, HE WILL BE FOUND!

Posted on December 25, 2014 by randscallawayffm

Consider the invitation. Go with HIm. For He is with us. Emmanuel. Merry Christmas!  You are loved!

Randy and Susan Callaway, Finding Focus Ministries

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YOU’RE INVITED! I’M INVITED!

Posted on December 24, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The Story of Jesus – More Kingdom Stories!

Imagine being invited by royalty to the biggest celebration of all eternity! You have been invited to the royal wedding of the King’s son to His bride! Not only that, but Imagine being told you get a seat at the royal table that is filled with fabulous foods served on the priceless plates of gold, adorned with jewels. The cutlery is of the finest silver. The tablecloths are handwoven of rich colors of the best materials. Thousands of candles are lit. The brightness of their glow conquers every dark place in the room. The light bounces from the precious metals and crystal goblets to form indescribable colors that dance around the room.

You are invited! I am invited!

But, alas, we have others things to attend to like cleaning a closet or weeding a garden or finishing a last minute assignment at work. We say, oh well, maybe another time. We would love to come, but…Yes, we know the King, but…

Jesus is responding to those who want to arrest Him that day with yet another Kingdom story:

Matthew 22, Msg
The Story of the Wedding Banquet
22 1-3 Jesus responded by telling still more stories. “God’s kingdom,” he said, “is like a king who threw a wedding banquet for his son. He sent out servants to call in all the invited guests. And they wouldn’t come!

(Jesus is relating that the gospel of salvation, God’s way back to Him, was first given to the Jews and they did not respond.)

4 “He sent out another round of servants, instructing them to tell the guests, ‘Look, everything is on the table, the prime rib is ready for carving. Come to the feast!’

(Prophets were sent, John the Baptist sent, followed by Christ Himself, and still the Jews, the chosen people of God, did not accept the invitation to come back to God! Most thought they were “good enough” and did not need to be saved.)

5-7 “They only shrugged their shoulders and went off, one to weed his garden, another to work in his shop. The rest, with nothing better to do, beat up on the messengers and then killed them. The king was outraged and sent his soldiers to destroy those thugs and level their city.

(Jesus relates this story only three days before He was beaten and killed.)

8-10 “Then he told his servants, ‘We have a wedding banquet all prepared but no guests. The ones I invited weren’t up to it. Go out into the busiest intersections in town and invite anyone you find to the banquet.’ The servants went out on the streets and rounded up everyone they laid eyes on, good and bad, regardless. And so the banquet was on—every place filled.

(At the Jews rejection, the Gentiles are now invited to the feast. All they have to do is accept the invitation and believe.)

11-13 “When the king entered and looked over the scene, he spotted a man who wasn’t properly dressed. He said to him, ‘Friend, how dare you come in here looking like that!’ The man was speechless. Then the king told his servants, ‘Get him out of here—fast. Tie him up and ship him to hell. And make sure he doesn’t get back in.’

(God will NOT accept hypocrisy into His Kingdom. To say we believe and live like we do not is abominable in God’s eyes. God knows our hearts and how they are “dressed”.)

14 “That’s what I mean when I say, ‘Many get invited; only a few make it.’”

YOU are invited! I am invited!
Our merciful God has not only provided food, but a royal feast, for the perishing souls of his rebellious creatures. There is enough and to spare, of every thing that can add to our present comfort and everlasting happiness, through good times and bad, in the salvation of his Son Jesus Christ. Jesus is the One and Only who can satisfy the heart He created.

“Making light of Christ, and of the great salvation wrought out by him, is the damning sin of the world. They were careless. Multitudes perish forever through mere carelessness, who show no direct aversion, but are careless as to their souls. Also the business and profit of worldly employments hinder many in closing with the Saviour. Both farmers and merchants must be diligent; but whatever we have of the world in our hands, our care must be to keep it out of our hearts, lest it come between us and Christ.” –Matthew Henry – Commentary

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Dear Heavenly Father, I ACCEPT YOUR INVITATION! I am coming quickly to the Feast! No excuses! You are coming soon, as the bridegroom excitedly comes together with his bride, for eternity! Thank you for your stories that speak to our hearts today! Thank you for inviting us to Your Table! Thank you for salvation through Your sacrifice for ours sins. Cleanse us, wash us white as snow, so our hearts will be “dressed” as they ought to be…holy and pure…for today and for that day when You come back for us.
In Jesus Name, Amen!

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KINGDOM STORIES

Posted on December 23, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The Story of Jesus

Sometimes we tell stories or give analogies to our kids so they understand. “It’s like this…” we begin, or “Have you ever…” and sometimes we throw in a “What would happen if…” so we can probe their minds to see what THEY are thinking at the time. Just giving commands in parenting without explanation are merely words that do not teach and help them grow in understanding and mature in their behavior.

A good teacher at home or as a professional uses this form of instruction with examples so children can “see” the point and internalize the lesson. Where do we get this methodology? We get this from Jesus, the Master Teacher, who tells stories so His people “get it” and go with it by living it. Jesus, The Christ, is Savior, Redeemer, King of kings and Lord of lords who has the power to just command and we do it…but He tells stories so we understand what His best is for us. Why? Because of His eternal love for us.

JESUS SETS THE STAGE FOR LEARNING

Jesus begins with the tale of two sons who were asked, one at a time, to go out to work in the vineyard. The first, (probably the oldest), was honest and said, “I don’t want to.” Later he realized he should and did it. The second son, to the Father’s face, said, “Sure, I’ll get right out there.” But never went.

Lesson? Be honest. Don’t tell the Father you want to be His servant and never serve. People like this will not see the Kingdom because you only say you believe but your behavior does not show it. Behave as you say you believe.

Jesus then tells a Kingdom story with a twist that leads back to Him as the Son of God, who received no respect…read for yourself:

Matthew 21, The Message

The Story of the Greedy Farmhands
33-34 “Here’s another story. Listen closely. There was once a man, a wealthy farmer, who planted a vineyard. He fenced it, dug a winepress, put up a watchtower, then turned it over to the farmhands and went off on a trip. When it was time to harvest the grapes, he sent his servants back to collect his profits.

35-37 “The farmhands grabbed the first servant and beat him up. The next one they murdered. They threw stones at the third but he got away. The owner tried again, sending more servants. They got the same treatment. The owner was at the end of his rope. He decided to send his son. ‘Surely,’ he thought, ‘they will respect my son.’

38-39 “But when the farmhands saw the son arrive, they rubbed their hands in greed. ‘This is the heir! Let’s kill him and have it all for ourselves.’ They grabbed him, threw him out, and killed him.

40 “Now, when the owner of the vineyard arrives home from his trip, what do you think he will do to the farmhands?”

41 “He’ll kill them—a rotten bunch, and good riddance,” they answered. “Then he’ll assign the vineyard to farmhands who will hand over the profits when it’s time.”

42-44 Jesus said, “Right—and you can read it for yourselves in your Bibles:

The stone the masons threw out
is now the cornerstone.
This is God’s work;
we rub our eyes, we can hardly believe it!

This is the way it is with you. God’s kingdom will be taken back from you and handed over to a people who will live out a kingdom life. Whoever stumbles on this Stone gets shattered; whoever the Stone falls on gets smashed.”

45-46 When the religious leaders heard this story, they knew it was aimed at them. They wanted to arrest Jesus and put him in jail, but, intimidated by public opinion, they held back. Most people held him to be a prophet of God.

Lesson? “Surely, they will respect my son” leaps off the page and is the point of the story for those who thought they were large and in charge of all kingdom matters at that time that Jesus told this story. But isn’t for us today? Are we “large and in charge”? Do we respect the Son who has come to save us, redeem us and set us free from being “in charge” so that we may serve Him with joy, without worry of the results? “This is God’s work; we rub our eyes, we can hardly believe it!” says the prophets. BELIEVE IT!

You see, it’s really simple. Jesus is the cornerstone and the capstone of the building of our lives. Our lives begin with respecting and accepting His salvation and continues to be built believing and learning from His Kingdom Stories so that our behavior matures and follows honestly what we say we believe.

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Dear Heavenly Father, Your Kingdom stories lead to kingdom living. Thank you for the lessons through your glorious, masterful teaching. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit’s guidance and power to live what we have learned for today. In Jesus Name, Amen. I believe.

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WHO TOLD YOU YOU COULD DO THAT?

Posted on December 22, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The Story of Jesus

As we go about our life, trying to walk in the will of God, sometimes we do something, not in the norm, and are asked, “Who told YOU you could do that? Sometimes we have no answer other than “It seemed right.” You might even have the credentials and the assignment relative to your job description, but are still asked, Who told you you could do that? Because apparently you went over someone’s head or stepped on someone’s toes without knowing it. Frustrating, isn’t it?

Can you imagine Jesus, the Son of God, God in human form, being asked this question? Power struggles were prevalent as Jesus taught boldly the “fulfillment” of God’s law. Jesus, the Christ, Who was there at the creation of the world, had all authority from heaven to earth to speak and to act accordingly. But as He ruffled the feathers of the high priests and leaders who were jealous of His popularity, His love for people, His power to heal broken lives and His wisdom of The Law, they were afraid.

They feared losing their power over God’s people and the bondage that held them there, under their rule. Jesus comes to set the captives free from sin and the bondage that held them from the inside out AND from the silly man-made rules! So, they try to trap him with, “Who gave you authority?” Who do you think you are? Who told YOU you could do this teaching, healing and loving?
Wow, it’s a lot to think about, isn’t it as we read and meditate the True Authority…

Matthew 21, Msg

True Authority
23 Then he was back in the Temple, teaching. The high priests and leaders of the people came up and demanded, “Show us your credentials. Who authorized you to teach here?”

24-25 Jesus responded, “First let me ask you a question. You answer my question and I’ll answer yours. About the baptism of John—who authorized it: heaven or humans?”

25-27 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 him; if we say ‘humans,’ we’re 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 answered.

Jesus said, “Then neither will I answer your question.

Who do WE say Jesus is? Does He have authority over our hearts, minds and souls? Does He have the final answer for us? Is Jesus the TRUE Authority for us? These are questions for thought as we pray for His holiness and purity of intentions of our own actions.

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Dear Heavenly Father, Today, knowing the end of Your Story, we are aghast at the mere question by the religious leaders of the day You walked the earth. “Who authorized you” is a question that was only a trap and You knew it. But we ask ourselves the same question in a different way…Do we accept YOUR authority over our own lives? Do we continue to follow You even though it might ruffle feathers occasionally? We pray that you will help us keep our motivations and intentions pure and always speak in a Spirit of love with Your Truth…with the authority given by You. With Your timing. Followed by Your grace working in us. May our words give life. May our words and deeds be driven by You.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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LAY HOLD OF GOD!

Posted on December 21, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The Story of Jesus

Yesterday Jesus was so fed up with the religiosity of the day, that he showed his disgust by turning over tables in order to make room for the blind and crippled by life to come into His House. Early the next morning, he is hungry (the man part of God on earth), sees a leafy fig tree with no figs, and curses it to death! Is Jesus still sad and angry over yesterday’s insult to greedy people making God’s House of Prayer a mockery, with no room for those who need God? Is He still reeling from seeing The Temple look good on the outside but dingy and dirty with greed on the inside? Maybe.

Jesus uses EVERYTHING in our lives to teach us and to remind us Who to trust as we walk this journey. He keeps us on our toes when it comes to having a solid faith in the One who loves us most and can do anything. Yes, Anything. So, why do we still have doubts? We are human. We allow the waters of life to overwhelm us and we are afraid we will drown. I wonder what would happen if we truly embraced what God has in store for us with NO doubts or fears? Can we tell the mountain of fear, “Go jump in the lake”? Lay hold of God.

What could we accomplish, dear Lord, if there was no fear on my part in doing what You asked? Mm.

Matthew 21, Msg

The Withered Fig Tree
18-20 Early the next morning Jesus was returning to the city. He was hungry. Seeing a lone fig tree alongside the road, he approached it anticipating a breakfast of figs. When he got to the tree, there was nothing but fig leaves. He said, “No more figs from this tree—ever!” The fig tree withered on the spot, a dry stick. The disciples saw it happen. They rubbed their eyes, saying, “Did we really see this? A leafy tree one minute, a dry stick the next?”

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21-22 But Jesus was matter-of-fact: “Yes—and if you embrace this kingdom life and don’t doubt God, you’ll not only do minor feats like I did to the fig tree, but also triumph over huge obstacles. This mountain, for instance, you’ll tell, ‘Go jump in the lake,’ and it will jump. Absolutely everything, ranging from small to large, as you make it a part of your believing prayer, gets included as you lay hold of God.”

Dear Heavenly Father, I ask the same question, What could we accomplish, dear Lord, if there was no fear on my part in doing what You asked? This thought actually excites me! We repent of allowing fear to overcome us for that is evil working to stop your work within us. Continue to teach us to walk the path you have chose for each of us. I don’t want to be a “dry stick”. Thank you, dear Lord. To You be all glory, honor and praise for moving the mountains in our lives.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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NOW THERE WAS ROOM…

Posted on December 20, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The Story of Jesus

When people are angry and act on that anger, we are uncomfortable at the least. Our human nature’s first response is either fight or flight from these situations. For me, it depends on the facts, the truth. Should we be upset by injustice?

The following passage causes us to wonder what our Lord was thinking when he came to the Temple and began to turn over the tables of the vendors. At first, we think of the sermons we have heard over the years about the buying and selling of religion and the the evil in that…to the point where many churches won’t even let you sell a t-shirt for youth group unless the “sale” goes on so many feet from the worship area. Some churches DO NOT allow eating near their places of worship and build another building for “fellowship”. But did we miss the real and deeper point of this thought-provoking action of our gentle, loving Savior?

He was making room for those who needed Him most. There were those who needed healing. They needed to see Jesus! And HE physically made room for them! This reminds me of his birth…no room for Jesus to be born in the guest house…only in a dark cave. Mm.

Read on…see what comes to your mind…

Matthew 21, Msg

He Kicked Over the Tables
12-14 Jesus went straight to the Temple and threw out everyone who had set up shop, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of loan sharks and the stalls of dove merchants. He quoted this text:

My house was designated a house of prayer;
You have made it a hangout for thieves.

Now there was room for the blind and crippled to get in. They came to Jesus and he healed them.

15-16 When the religious leaders saw the outrageous things he was doing, and heard all the children running and shouting through the Temple, “Hosanna to David’s Son!” they were up in arms and took him to task. “Do you hear what these children are saying?”

Jesus said, “Yes, I hear them. And haven’t you read in God’s Word, ‘From the mouths of children and babies I’ll furnish a place of praise’?”

17 Fed up, Jesus turned on his heel and left the city for Bethany, where he spent the night.

What would Jesus see in our churches today? Is there room for the blind and crippled from life to get in the doors? Do our programs take up too much space? Or are we too worried about the “wow” factor to impress people with our stuff of church? Or are they “wowed” by Jesus? Is there room for Jesus to provide what only Jesus can do? Heal them? Heal us? Oh, Lord, keep us alert. Don’t be “fed up” and turn on your heel and leave us, Lord Jesus.

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Dear Heavenly Father, You continually draw us deeper and wider into your thinking as we read Your Word, Your Story, Your Truth in the person of Jesus, Your Son. Thank you for saving us. Thank you for providing healing for all of us who believe in who You are and what You say. Help us to live Truth, Your Truth, out loud, so others will fling open the doors of their hearts and let you heal and consume them as You have consumed me. Thank you, Lord, for coming to earth to teach us as well as save us from ourselves.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES!

Posted on December 19, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The Story of Jesus

As we ready ourselves for the celebration of the birth of our Lord who brings eternal life for us, we are overcome with the next passage of our reading of Matthew. Jesus gets a royal welcome as he rides the new colt (as prophesied many years before the event) into Jerusalem. People are shouting “Hosanna to David’s son!” But where is that affirmation and praise when He is attacked, beaten and nailed to a cross? You see, the crowd is fickle. They are only impressed by Jesus the Christ but He apparently is not their Lord. “The parade crowd answered, “This is the prophet Jesus, the one from Nazareth in Galilee.”

What parade crowd are we following? Who do we say this God/man is? Are we merely impressed with Jesus as a prophet, a teacher and Son of David? Is He our Savior and Redeemer of our lives? He is not only Savior, He is the King of kings and Lord of lords! That’s truth whether we believe it and live this Truth or not. Too many of us, Jesus is Savior, but is He our Lord, the ruler of our lives?

Matthew 21 The Message (MSG)

The Royal Welcome
21 1-3 When they neared Jerusalem, having arrived at Bethphage on Mount Olives, Jesus sent two disciples with these instructions: “Go over to the village across from you. You’ll find a donkey tethered there, her colt with her. Untie her and bring them to me. If anyone asks what you’re doing, say, ‘The Master needs them!’ He will send them with you.”

4-5 This is the full story of what was sketched earlier by the prophet:

Tell Zion’s daughter,
“Look, your king’s on his way,
poised and ready, mounted
On a donkey, on a colt,
foal of a pack animal.”

6-9 The disciples went and did exactly what Jesus told them to do. They led the donkey and colt out, laid some of their clothes on them, and Jesus mounted. Nearly all the people in the crowd threw their garments down on the road, giving him a royal welcome. Others cut branches from the trees and threw them down as a welcome mat. Crowds went ahead and crowds followed, all of them calling out, “Hosanna to David’s son!” “Blessed is he who comes in God’s name!” “Hosanna in highest heaven!”

10 As he made his entrance into Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken. Unnerved, people were asking, “What’s going on here? Who is this?”

11 The parade crowd answered, “This is the prophet Jesus, the one from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Dear Heavenly Father,
May the whole world be unnerved and shaken with the Truth as we celebrate the coming of the Lord of lords into our lives this Christmas! May Truth be royally welcomed in our hearts, minds and souls that others would be drawn to Him. Jesus Christ our Lord. I am overwhelmed. In Jesus Name, Amen.

And I’m singing…

Overwhelmed by Big Daddy Weave (with lyrics)
VIDEO.SEARCH.YAHOO.COM
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A PASSIONATE TOUCH

Posted on December 18, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The Story of Jesus

There are times in our lives that there is so much going on, so much to do in a short amount of time, that our minds, spirits, bodies, and hearts are taxed and sometimes overwhelmed by it all. Then someone needs help. Just one more person needs a hug. Or a child looks at you, with pleading eyes for you to stop the progress you are making on your “to do list”, and just be with them. One more touch, one passionate touch is all it takes. Priorities are rearranged and that one more touch is given. Mercy given. Healing mercy received. It moves us to respond that way as believers because God created us to BE that way. Jesus…is our perfect example of this as we read today.

Matthew 20, Msg

29-31 As they were leaving Jericho, a huge crowd followed. Suddenly they came upon two blind men sitting alongside the road. When they heard it was Jesus passing, they cried out, “Master, have mercy on us! Mercy, Son of David!” The crowd tried to hush them up, but they got all the louder, crying, “Master, have mercy on us! Mercy, Son of David!”

32 Jesus stopped and called over, “What do you want from me?”

33 They said, “Master, we want our eyes opened. We want to see!”

34 Deeply moved, Jesus touched their eyes. They had their sight back that very instant, and joined the procession.

Blind eyes opened by our deeply moved Savior who stopped and extended that passionate touch. Did our Lord have a lot on His mind? YES! He traveling to Jerusalem where He knows much will happen that will affect His followers, yet He stops, another time to extend mercy to a couple of blind men. There hearts were opened as well as their eyes. They followed their Healer.

I am stopped by Jesus question, “What do you want from me?” I am meditating on that question today as I pray, wondering if Jesus is asking the same question of us…”what do you really want from me?” Can you stop your busyness long enough, says Jesus, to evaluate your busyness and just be with me, as I AM with you?

There are two other words that leap from the page as well…”deeply moved”. Do we think Jesus does not care about our every detail on this brief journey here on earth? Well, He does and He is deeply moved. He shows us His love, mercy and grace every day as we lay down our agendas and pick up His unforced rhythms of living.

Think about it. Take a deep breathe. Rejoice in Jesus the Christ being deeply moved by all that is going on in Your life right now and accept His passionate touch of mercy that opens our eyes that are blinded, at times by our “to do lists”. He loves You. He really loves You.

Gods Rescue

Dear Heavenly Father, You are a personal Savior who rescues us before we even know we need it. Yes, You are God and we are not. We praise You and lean into Your way of thinking and behaving that brings peace and joy to our lives, no matter what the circumstances happen to be. Thank you for your passionate touch today! In Jesus Name, Amen

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THE CUP

Posted on December 17, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The Story of Jesus

I was asked this question many times by young adults while serving as director of youth and family ministries for a denomination years ago, “How did you get this job? What do I have to do to be who and where you are?” The first time I was seriously asked this question, it made me stop and think about how that happened. I took these questions to heart, stepped back a little to evaluate the path God took me to end where I was at that time. I remember beginning with I served as a volunteer for over twenty years in youth ministry of some nature, served my church as a teacher and leader, sought God will daily and loved to learn. Basically, I served. I did not “go after this job”, I was merely asked to serve again in a different way and place. I would end with, “So, do you want to serve?” “How is your serve now?”

I am glad for those questions by young adults because maybe that meant I was making my particular ministry job look enjoyable enough for them to do it, too. What they did not see was all the hours of “down on my knees” praying, stepping out of the box and getting hammered with criticism by well meaning churchies, and spending hours away from family on the road to helping others know Christ more and how to teach like He teaches us…with passion, unconditional love, mercy and grace for His students. I made mistakes, but I repented and kept following the Master Teacher with all that was within me. I loved to serve Him by serving others.

Where did I get those responses? From this story. From the story of Jesus telling/teaching His disciples, “I came to serve”.

Are we willing to drink from the cup of Jesus? Your answer matters.

To Drink from the Cup – Matthew 20, Msg

17-19 Jesus, now well on the way up to Jerusalem, took the Twelve off to the side of the road and said, “Listen to me carefully. We are on our way up to Jerusalem. When we get there, the Son of Man will be betrayed to the religious leaders and scholars. They will sentence him to death. They will then hand him over to the Romans for mockery and torture and crucifixion. On the third day he will be raised up alive.”

20 It was about that time that the mother of the Zebedee brothers came with her two sons and knelt before Jesus with a request.

21 “What do you want?” Jesus asked.

She said, “Give your word that these two sons of mine will be awarded the highest places of honor in your kingdom, one at your right hand, one at your left hand.”

22 Jesus responded, “You have no idea what you’re asking.” And he said to James and John, “Are you capable of drinking the cup that I’m about to drink?”

They said, “Sure, why not?”

23 Jesus said, “Come to think of it, you are going to drink my cup. But as to awarding places of honor, that’s not my business. My Father is taking care of that.”

24-28 When the ten others heard about this, they lost their tempers, thoroughly disgusted with the two brothers. So Jesus got them together to settle things down. He said, “You’ve observed how godless rulers throw their weight around, how quickly a little power 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 be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage.”

Are we willing to drink from the cup of Jesus? Your answer matters when it comes to the motive of why you serve.

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Dear Heavenly Father, Your Word takes me back a bit in time to another place of serving that brings me forward to where I serve You now. Your Word, full of reminders of who we are in You is amazing, convicting, challenging and refreshing for our souls. Thank you for Your Word that breathes life to us. We love you. We serve You with gladness and thanksgiving. Keep moving us on to be closer to You, serving in Your Name. We accept the cup. To You be all glory, honor and praise! In Jesus Name, Amen

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