THE GREAT REVERSAL…PART TWO

Posted on December 16, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The Story of Jesus

Jesus makes us go deeper still in his upside-down kingdom thinking and behaving by telling his followers another story about the great reversal. He knew his disciples needed more to really get what the “first shall be last and the last shall be first” means and how that is significant to living our lives with humble attitudes that are grateful for what HE decides we need most in this life.

Life is not fair. First of all, get over that. Kids on the playground yell out “that’s not fair”…when they are losing the game. What game are we playing?

Matthew 20, Msg

A Story About Workers

20 1-2 “God’s kingdom is like an estate manager who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. They agreed on a wage of a dollar a day, and went to work.

3-5 “Later, about nine o’clock, the manager saw some other men hanging around the town square unemployed. He told them to go to work in his vineyard and he would pay them a fair wage. They went.

5-6 “He did the same thing at noon, and again at three o’clock. At five o’clock he went back and found still others standing around. He said, ‘Why are you standing around all day doing nothing?’

7 “They said, ‘Because no one hired us.’

“He told them to go to work in his vineyard.

8 “When the day’s work was over, the owner of the vineyard instructed his foreman, ‘Call the workers in and pay them their wages. Start with the last hired and go on to the first.’

9-12 “Those hired at five o’clock came up and were each given a dollar. When those who were hired first saw that, they assumed they would get far more. But they got the same, each of them one dollar. Taking the dollar, they groused angrily to the manager, ‘These last workers put in only one easy hour, and you just made them equal to us, who slaved all day under a scorching sun.’

13-15 “He replied to the one speaking for the rest, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair. We agreed on the wage of a dollar, didn’t we? So take it and go. I decided to give to the one who came last the same as you. Can’t I do what I want with my own money? Are you going to get stingy because I am generous?’

16 “Here it is again, the Great Reversal: many of the first ending up last, and the last first.”

When we think as the world thinks we are jealous of even our Christian brothers and sisters who seem to have more than we have. Our “that’s not fair, we worked hard all these years” thinking has wrong motives. The why of our work got lost somewhere in busyness of doing the work. We wonder what it takes to be that “blessed”?

What can we do more of to be that blessed? Wrong thinking. Maybe we just need to be. Be grateful for what God is doing and will do in your life because of who you are to Him and where He has placed you for this poignant time on your journey. Look for what He is teaching you in the process of maturing you to be all that He knew from the beginning of time that you would be. To God be the glory! He does know what is best for us!

Can I be so bold to say that God doesn’t call us to produce the biggest church ever but he REQUIRES us to live as Micah 6:8 (Msg) states:

But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do,
what God is looking for in men and women.
It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don’t take yourself too seriously—
take God seriously.

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Dear Heavenly Father, Sometimes we claim we don’t understand your word to us because we don’t want to go deeper and live out what your teaching us to live. We repent of whining about how unfair life is. We are grateful for what You are doing in and through us. To You be all glory, honor and praise! Thank you for being with us…Emmanuel. Thank you for giving us more than we deserve. Help us to give more like you give. May we live gracious, humble lives with love for You and others. In Jesus Name, Amen

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THE GREAT REVERSAL

Posted on December 15, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The Story of Jesus

There is even more to following Jesus and His teachings than we can wrap our minds around. Yes, He brings peace and joy to our lives along with salvation for our souls, but can we do even deeper with His “giving up to gain” way of thinking? Jesus takes his disciples deeper by explaining his upside down, laying your own interests aside, kingdom thinking. This is the story of the Great Reversal…from worldly to Kingdom thinking and behaving. Go deeper still…

Matthew 19, Msg

To Enter God’s Kingdom
13-15 One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus intervened: “Let the children alone, don’t prevent them from coming to me. God’s kingdom is made up of people like these.” After laying hands on them, he left.

16 Another day, a man stopped Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

17 Jesus said, “Why do you question me about what’s good? God is the One who is good. If you want to enter the life of God, just do what he tells you.”

18-19 The man asked, “What in particular?”

Jesus said, “Don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t lie, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as you do yourself.”

20 The young man said, “I’ve done all that. What’s left?”

21 “If you want to give it all you’ve got,” Jesus replied, “go sell your possessions; give everything to the poor. All your wealth will then be in heaven. Then come follow me.”

22 That was the last thing the young man expected to hear. And so, crestfallen, he walked away. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and he couldn’t bear to let go.

23-24 As he watched him go, Jesus told his disciples, “Do you have any idea how difficult it is for the rich to enter God’s kingdom? Let me tell you, it’s easier to gallop a camel through a needle’s eye than for the rich to enter God’s kingdom.”

25 The disciples were staggered. “Then who has any chance at all?”

26 Jesus looked hard at them and said, “No chance at all if you think you can pull it off yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it.”

27 Then Peter chimed in, “We left everything and followed you. What do we get out of it?”

28-30 Jesus replied, “Yes, you have followed me. In the re-creation of the world, when the Son of Man will rule gloriously, you who have followed me will also rule, starting with the twelve tribes of Israel. And not only you, but anyone who sacrifices home, family, fields—whatever—because of me will get it all back a hundred times over, not to mention the considerable bonus of eternal life. This is the Great Reversal: many of the first ending up last, and the last first.”

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Dear Heavenly Father, The world fights to be first in line everywhere we go. But You are asking us to move to last position with You in front and move through this life in your holy, unforced rhythms of grace once again. Thank you for this reminder. Help us to walk this day in ways that please you. Bring peace to our hearts with our minds fixed on You. We are listening, Lord. We are listening.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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JESUS SPEAKS TRUTH…ABOUT DIVORCE

Posted on December 14, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The Story of Jesus

I remember my pastor husband coming home for a premarital counseling session to say, “I don’t think they are going to make it with the attitude they have about marriage.” He related that the couple agreed that “if it doesn’t work out, we will move on”. Wow! They are already making plans for bugging out!

Matthew Henry comments on Mark 10:9 that states, “Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

“Wherever Jesus was, the people flocked after him in crowds, and he taught them. Preaching was Christ’s constant practice. He here shows that the reason why Moses’ law allowed divorce, was such that they ought not to use the permission; it was only for the hardness of their hearts. God himself joined man and wife together; he has fitted them to be comforts and helps for each other. The bond which God has tied, is not to be lightly untied. Let those who are for putting away their wives consider what would become of themselves, if God should deal with them in like manner.”
–Matthew Henry

That includes our own idea of each other. Let NO ONE separate us. Be alert to all that would enter into your marriage with desires to end it. In and out of the church the statistics are the same! Over half the marriages in the United States end in divorce. Why? Because there are those praying that all pastor’s families would be destroyed so that the work of Jesus Christ would be hindered and even stopped. It is known that satanists “pray” for this would to happen. If the pastor’s marriage falls apart, then so goes the church, they hope. Think about it.

Matthew 19, Msg Jesus speaks truth:

19 1-2 When Jesus had completed these teachings, he left Galilee and crossed the region of Judea on the other side of the Jordan. Great crowds followed him there, and he healed them.

3 One day the Pharisees were badgering him: “Is it legal for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?”

4-6 He answered, “Haven’t you read in your Bible that the Creator originally made man and woman for each other, male and female? And because of this, a man leaves father and mother and is firmly bonded to his wife, becoming one flesh—no longer two bodies but one. Because God created this organic union of the two sexes, no one should desecrate his art by cutting them apart.”

7 They shot back in rebuttal, “If that’s so, why did Moses give instructions for divorce papers and divorce procedures?”

8-9 Jesus said, “Moses provided for divorce as a concession to your hard heartedness, but it is not part of God’s original plan. I’m holding you to the original plan, and holding you liable for adultery if you divorce your faithful wife and then marry someone else. I make an exception in cases where the spouse has committed adultery.”

10 Jesus’ disciples objected, “If those are the terms of marriage, we’re stuck. Why get married?”

11-12 But Jesus said, “Not everyone is mature enough to live a married life. It requires a certain aptitude and grace. Marriage isn’t for everyone. Some, from birth seemingly, never give marriage a thought. Others never get asked—or accepted. And some decide not to get married for kingdom reasons. But if you’re capable of growing into the largeness of marriage, do it.”

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Dear Heavenly Father, You were badgered with this question of marriage and divorce in order for the religious of the day to trap you in their laws of convenience and power broking. May we see and live Truth as You see it and teach it. Help us to be alert and watchful as we cherish our marriage, “growing into the largeness of marriage.” Give us wisdom, insight and understanding.
In Jesus Name and by His Power working in us, Amen

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A STORY ABOUT FORGIVENESS

Posted on December 13, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The Story of Jesus…Matthew 18, Msg

21 At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, “Master, how many times do I forgive a brother orsister who hurts me? Seven?”

22 Jesus replied, “Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven.

23-25 “The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars. He couldn’t pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market.

26-27 “The poor wretch threw himself at the king’s feet and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt.

28 “The servant was no sooner out of the room when he came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him ten dollars. He seized him by the throat and demanded, ‘Pay up. Now!’

29-31 “The poor wretch threw himself down and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ But he wouldn’t do it. He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid. When the other servants saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king.

32-35 “The king summoned the man and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. Shouldn’t you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?’ The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt. And that’s exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn’t forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy.”

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Dear Heavenly Father, We are not as good at this as You are. We read and understand these words perfectly. We get it. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit’s power and strength to continually, over seventy times seven, to DO IT. May we live a life of forgiveness that forgives. In Jesus Name, Amen

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THE HARD STUFF OF LOVING RELATIONSHIP

Posted on December 12, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The Story of Jesus

“If a professed Christian is wronged by another, he ought not to complain of it to others, as is often done merely upon report, but to go to the offender privately, state the matter kindly, and show him his conduct. This would generally have all the desired effect with a true Christian, and the parties would be reconciled. The principles of these rules may be practiced every where, and under all circumstances, though they are too much neglected by all.

But how few try the method which Christ has expressly enjoined to all his disciples! In all our proceedings we should seek direction in prayer; we cannot too highly prize the promises of God. Wherever and whenever we meet in the name of Christ, we should consider him as present in the midst of us.” –Matthew Henry’s Commentary

This passage of going after a lost brother or sister is quickly followed by the making it right with our friends in an open, sincere, loving way. Where love is, because of Christ, HE will be there with us!

Matthew 18, Msg

Work It Out Between You
12-14 “Look at it this way. If someone has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders off, doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine and go after the one? And if he finds it, doesn’t he make far more over it than over the ninety-nine who stay put? Your Father in heaven feels the same way. He doesn’t want to lose even one of these simple believers.

15-17 “If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you’ve made a friend. If he won’t listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again. If he still won’t listen, tell the church. If he won’t listen to the church, you’ll have to start over from scratch, confront him with the need for repentance, and offer again God’s forgiving love.

18-20 “Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this. When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there.”

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“MAKE A PRAYER OF IT!”
Yes, talk to God first. Then talk to your brother or sister, fellow believers, who have hurt you. Seek peace. It will cost us our pride but what is that really and where does pride get us? Instead our goal is to gain complete restoration of a relationship! So, going after fellow believers, is just as much about the maturity in us as in them. Mm

Dear Heavenly Father, You continue to teach us the “how” along with the “should” for our own good. If we want a great, loving relationship with You, then we must, at all costs to ourselves, have a sincere, loving, restorative relationship with others. Thank you for teaching us. We repent of not relating Your way. Help us to think and behave more like You. In Jesus Name, Amen

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HOW DO WE RANK?

Posted on December 11, 2014 by randscallawayffm

HOW DO WE RANK?.

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HOW DO WE RANK?

Posted on December 11, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The Story of Jesus

In this “dog eat dog” world of grasping for higher position and ranking at work, sometimes church and even volunteer clubs and agencies, what Jesus is about to teach us this morning is counter-culture, simple, and revolutionary! There is no ranking of greatest to least in the eyes of God! How refreshing! How “not of this world” is this thinking!

Matthew 18, Msg
Whoever Becomes Simple Again
18 At about the same time, the disciples came to Jesus asking, “Who gets the highest rank in God’s kingdom?”

2-5 For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, “I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you’re not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s kingdom. What’s more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it’s the same as receiving me.

6-7 “But if you give them a hard time, bullying or taking advantage of their simple trust, you’ll soon wish you hadn’t. You’d be better off dropped in the middle of the lake with a millstone around your neck. Doom to the world for giving these God-believing children a hard time! Hard times are inevitable, but you don’t have to make it worse—and it’s doomsday to you if you do.

8-9 “If your hand or your foot gets in the way of God, chop it off and throw it away. You’re better off maimed or lame and alive than the proud owners of two hands and two feet, godless in a furnace of eternal fire. And if your eye distracts you from God, pull it out and throw it away. You’re better off one-eyed and alive than exercising your twenty-twenty vision from inside the fire of hell.

10 “Watch that you don’t treat a single one of these childlike believers arrogantly. You realize, don’t you, that their personal angels are constantly in touch with my Father in heaven?

This is real, heart to heart, teaching from Jesus to his human disciples who are used to Roman oppression in their own lives. They see a way out, in their eyes, of this oppressive leadership who pulls rank over their people frequently. Along comes Jesus who commands an “upside-down kingdom” way of thinking…for all of us.

Jesus came as a leader who works from the bottom up. The world works from the top down, in other words. Jesus admonishes his followers, in a way, by telling them if you want to rank as the greatest, you must become the least. You must come, ready to serve. Lay down the attitude of expecting to be served.

We also are cautioned not to pull rank on new believers as we come alongside them, helping them as we were helped when we were new to the faith. Be careful that we don’t lift ourselves up to being “greater than” because that, in itself, causes others to feel “less than” when under our care in a discipleship relationship. We are equal, completely equal in the eyes of our Lord.

We are to grow from childish expression of being merely impressed with Jesus to a childlike faith that is simple, growing, with full trust in our Lord.

Mm, these are the simple thoughts over today’s passage. The question that we must ask ourselves, “How do I rank?” Am I seeking position or ways to serve my fellow coworkers, family members, friends and even my enemies? How do I rank?

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Dear Heavenly Father, We get so full of ourselves that we lose You! We repent of seeking position and rank and lean heavily into your thinking, your ways so that we will behave more graciously, full of mercy and unconditional love…like you love us. In Jesus Name, Amen

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TAXES…CAN BE TAXING!

Posted on December 10, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The Story of Jesus

Ben Franklin said only there are only two things that are certain in this life…death and taxes! But Jesus gives life and even provides for a way to pay the taxes. Right? Read on…

Matthew 17, Msg

24 When they arrived at Capernaum, the tax men came to Peter and asked, “Does your teacher pay taxes?”

25 Peter said, “Of course.”

But as soon as they were in the house, Jesus confronted him. “Simon, what do you think? When a king levies taxes, who pays—his children or his subjects?”

26-27 He answered, “His subjects.”

Jesus said, “Then the children get off free, right? But so we don’t upset them needlessly, go down to the lake, cast a hook, and pull in the first fish that bites. Open its mouth and you’ll find a coin. Take it and give it to the tax men. It will be enough for both of us.”

DON’T ROCK THE BOAT NEEDLESSLY…
For the sake of maintaining public identification with their Jewish heritage, Jewish Christians should join non-Christian Jews in paying the tax. The principle is that we must sometimes engage in otherwise unprofitable pursuits for the sake of upholding our witness as citizens of the communities where God has placed us.

JESUS CARES ABOUT OUR SOCIAL OBLIGATIONS

Like a good prophet, Jesus knows in advance Peter’s question. He also does not regard the poll tax as binding on himself or Peter, but recognizes that the tax collectors may. So, He does not rebuke Peter for committing him; he wishes to avoid unnecessary cause for misunderstandings that might turn people away from his gospel unnecessarily. Jesus has offended (literally “caused to stumble”) members of the religious establishment before, but this is an unnecessary “stumbling block” because it addresses one’s own rights rather than the truth of God’s kingdom.

SURRENDERING “RIGHTS” FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOSPEL

Jesus’ point here is similar to Paul’s point in 1 Corinthians 9 and 10:29-33: one should sacrifice one’s own privileges for the sake of the gospel. Head or poll taxes normally listed specific exceptions who would not have to pay. Conquerors subjected conquered peoples, not their own subjects, to taxation. Priests were exempt from the two-drachma tax cited here. Most significant here, dependents of a king were naturally exempt from his taxes.

JESUS SUPPLIES OUR NEEDS AS WELL AS OTHER NEEDS

The four-drachma coin probably is a Tyrian stater, precisely enough to pay two persons’ temple dues. Following an old Greek story, some Jewish stories of uncertain date speak of God blessing pious people by leading them to find precious objects in fish. If Peter knew of such stories, the moral of Jesus’ causing him to find money in a fish would not be lost on him. This is irony of a sort: the King’s children can pay the tax because the King gives them the money to do so. Jesus can take care of his people who walk close to him.

JESUS TRAINS PETER TO BE A PART OF THE MIRACLE

Jesus, the Master Teacher, includes Peter in the process by sending him to use the skill he has as a fisherman, to obtain what is needed to satisfy those in charge, maintaining respect for the current government.

Yes there is more to this little “side story” of Jesus. What do you think?

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Dear Heavenly Father, There is always more to the story of You. You make us think beyond the words to your lesson’s intent and objective. You help us mature in our faith by helping us see things Your way. Continue to teach us, Lord. Forgive our lack of applying your teaching. Help us to repent and move on. Thank you, dear Lord and Savior. In Jesus Name, Amen

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MOUNTAIN, MOVE!

Posted on December 9, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The Story of Jesus

Where is our faith tested to see just how much we have learned to rely on in our lives? I ask myself this question as I meditate on this very familiar passage before the sun is up. It seems the answer is in the first few words of the passage, “At the bottom of the mountain…” Peter, James and John have just experienced the transfiguration, the glory of Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah. They were on the top of the mountain seeing with their own eyes and hearing God speak! “This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of my delight. Listen to him.” Wow!

Then Jesus and the disciples come down to the bottom of the mountain where real life is needy. The disciples attempted to do what Jesus did…heal. Mm. Test of faith. Jesus gives them another booster lesson about an ever growing faith that we all need. Every. Single. Day.

Matthew 17, Msg

14-16 At the bottom of the mountain, they were met by a crowd of waiting people. As they approached, a man came out of the crowd and fell to his knees begging, “Master, have mercy on my son. He goes out of his mind and suffers terribly, falling into seizures. Frequently he is pitched into the fire, other times into the river. I brought him to your disciples, but they could do nothing for him.”

17-18 Jesus said, “What a generation! No sense of God! No focus to your lives! How many times do I have to go over these things? How much longer do I have to put up with this? Bring the boy here.” He ordered the afflicting demon out—and it was out, gone. From that moment on the boy was well.

19 When the disciples had Jesus off to themselves, they asked, “Why couldn’t we throw it out?”

20 “Because you’re not yet taking God seriously,” said Jesus. “The simple truth is that if you had a mere kernel of faith, a poppy seed, say, you would tell this mountain, ‘Move!’ and it would move. There is nothing you wouldn’t be able to tackle.”

Question for us: What would you tackle right now if you KNEW without doubt that God would provide all you needed to make it happen? Then, with all that is within us, by the grace and power of Jesus Christ as Lord, say, Mountain, move!

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Dear Heavenly Father, I get so excited when I read Your Word each morning. Your insight is fresh to us. You give us more than what we can handle so our faith is tested for strength and depth. Thank you for deepening our faith and our FOCUS for today. We get so distracted by making a living that we forget about living LIFE to the full, in Your glorious unforced rhythms of grace! We repent. We are now refocused on You and Your will and mission for us. We say to that current “mountain” in our lives, MOVE, in the name of Jesus Christ! Move! Thank you! In Jesus Name, Amen

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GO TELL IT FROM THE MOUNTAIN!

Posted on December 8, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The Story of Jesus

Wow! What a moment to bask in the glory of God! Think of those times in your lives when God overwhelmed you with His love, mercy and grace. You probably were in such awe, that there were no words or your words just couldn’t fit the moment in time. Because God is God and we are not. It happens when we least expect it because it happens in HIS time, place and reason. It happened to his followers in those last precious days of Jesus walking on earth with them.

Matthew 17, Msg

Sunlight Poured from His Face
17 1-3 Six days later, three of them saw that glory. Jesus took Peter and the brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. Sunlight poured from his face. His clothes were filled with light. Then they realized that Moses and Elijah were also there in deep conversation with him.

4 Peter broke in, “Master, this is a great moment! What would you think if I built three memorials here on the mountain—one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah?”

5 While he was going on like this, babbling, a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and sounding from deep in the cloud a voice: “This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of my delight. Listen to him.”

6-8 When the disciples heard it, they fell flat on their faces, scared to death. But Jesus came over and touched them. “Don’t be afraid.” When they opened their eyes and looked around all they saw was Jesus, only Jesus.

9 Coming down the mountain, Jesus swore them to secrecy. “Don’t breathe a word of what you’ve seen. After the Son of Man is raised from the dead, you are free to talk.”

10 The disciples, meanwhile, were asking questions. “Why do the religion scholars say that Elijah has to come first?”

11-13 Jesus answered, “Elijah does come and get everything ready. I’m telling you, Elijah has already come but they didn’t know him when they saw him. They treated him like dirt, the same way they are about to treat the Son of Man.” That’s when the disciples realized that all along he had been talking about John the Baptizer.

Too many times we, like Peter, want to memorialize the place instead of the Person of Jesus Christ as Lord of our lives. He comes to us, not so we can put up a milestone, marker or monument, but to show us Who He is and What He can do in and through us as His children. Besides that, there are not enough materials on earth to erect monuments commemorating all He has done for us! Praise and glorify God, the Father, Jesus Christ as Lord and be guided by His Holy Spirit living in us.

We are free to talk! Let’s tell the story of Jesus FROM the mountain that is heaped with His unconditional love, mercy and grace! Look full into His glorious face each morning before facing the world. His light in us will draw others to Him!

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Dear Heavenly Father, Your Word energizes our faith and our love for You yet again! We love you, adore Who your are and want what you want for us. Lead and guide us. Don’t let us fall for mere memories but move forward to grow deeper in love with You. We praise and honor You and give You all the glory! In Jesus Name, Amen.

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