JESUS ASKED FOR HIS RESUME!

Posted on November 26, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The Story of Jesus

I have been on both ends of the resume process, writing them to apply for a job and reading them to hire someone to help me in my work. It is sometimes hysterical what people put on resumes to make them sound wonderfully perfect…but not for the job in which they are applying.

Here are a few blunders that I picked up along the way that you might enjoy:

“Finished eighth in my class of ten.”
“Received a plague for Salesperson of the Year.”
“Reason for leaving last job: maturity leave.”
“Failed bar exam with relatively high grades.”
“Am a perfectionist and rarely if if ever forget details.”
“It’s best for employers that I not work with people.”
“Let’s meet, so you can ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ over my experience.”
“I have an excellent track record, although I am not a horse.”
“You will want me to be Head Honcho in no time.”
“I have become completely paranoid, trusting completely no one and absolutely nothing.”
“Personal interests: donating blood. Fourteen gallons so far.”
“Marital status: often. Children: various.”
“I am loyal to my employer at all costs..Please feel free to respond to my resume on my office voice mail.”
“Instrumental in ruining entire operation for a Midwest chain store.”

What to read something even more weird? Jesus is asked for HIS resume! Wow, how bold and ridiculous the Pharisaical church committee was to ask for the resume of Jesus Christ the Son of God! But they did! He loved people, they loved Him! Fear over loss of control and power over people led them to ask for the Son of God’s credentials. Jesus responds by simply taking them back to the Scriptures as a point of reference for the group who thought they knew everything. By the way, when we think we know everything, we are living very dangerously close to knowing nothing and our life shows it.

Matthew 12, Msg:

Later a few religion scholars and Pharisees got on him. “Teacher, we want to see your credentials. Give us some hard evidence that God is in this. How about a miracle?”

39-40 Jesus said, “You’re looking for proof, but you’re looking for the wrong kind. All you want is something to titillate your curiosity, satisfy your lust for miracles. The only proof you’re going to get is what looks like the absence of proof: Jonah-evidence. Like Jonah, three days and nights in the fish’s belly, the Son of Man will be gone three days and nights in a deep grave.

41-42 “On Judgment Day, the Ninevites will stand up and give evidence that will condemn this generation, because when Jonah preached to them they changed their lives. A far greater preacher than Jonah is here, and you squabble about ‘proofs.’ On Judgment Day, the Queen of Sheba will come forward and bring evidence that will condemn this generation, because she traveled from a far corner of the earth to listen to wise Solomon. Wisdom far greater than Solomon’s is right in front of you, and you quibble over ‘evidence.’

43-45 “When a defiling evil spirit is expelled from someone, it drifts along through the desert looking for an oasis, some unsuspecting soul it can bedevil. When it doesn’t find anyone, it says, ‘I’ll go back to my old haunt.’ On return it finds the person spotlessly clean, but vacant. It then runs out and rounds up seven other spirits more evil than itself and they all move in, whooping it up. That person ends up far worse off than if he’d never gotten cleaned up in the first place.

“That’s what this generation is like: You may think you have cleaned out the junk from your lives and gotten ready for God, but you weren’t hospitable to my kingdom message, and now all the devils are moving back in.” –Jesus

So, those who in the church didn’t accept or believe and those outside the church clamored to the feet of the Savior, humbling bowing before him. Even the demons knew who He was.

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Dear Heavenly Father, May we never be so full of ourselves that we ask You for proof of Who You are! We do not need proof of Your love and Your Holy Presence in our lives! We do not need evidence of Your salvation to us. Our eyes have not seen, but we still believe. We are redeemed! There is too much evidence already around us, living in us and through us to be foolish enough not to trust and believe in You. To You be all the glory, honor and praise! We are grateful. We believe. Keep us alert, cleansed and holy before You as we continue to travel this journey with You. Show us Your ways. Your servant is listening. In Jesus Name, Amen

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WHOSE SIDE ARE WE ON?

Posted on November 25, 2014 by randscallawayffm

(The Story of Jesus)

Have you ever had someone in your life that was good to you, complimented you, and told you how much they appreciated you? As long as you were in the room, facing them, the words were kind and made you feel acceptable. Then as soon as you left, the mood and the words about you were completely opposite of the ones you heard before you left. And you wonder, whose side are you on?

Jesus knows whose side the Pharisees are on and he points this out to them very clearly and concisely in the following passage from Matthew 12, (Msg). After their nitpicking and whining that escalates to downright evil accusations of our Lord and Savior, Jesus draws the line in the sand, so to speak. He draws that line for us, too. Whose side are you on? Their are only two choices. Seriously, only two choices. Jesus or evil.

“This is war, and there is no neutral ground. If you’re not on my side; you’re the enemy; if you’re not helping, you’re making things worse.” –Jesus (Matthew 12, Msg)

BITING THE VERY HAND THAT FEEDS YOU!
This is a phrase I grew up with that means you are an enemy of the very one who is trying to help you! Jesus goes on to teach those in earshot and those of us today who may be sitting on the fence of making the choice and sticking with it, that the only clear choice is the one who saves you, nurtures you, bringing health and life to a once dead heart and soul.

“There’s nothing done or said that can’t be forgiven. But if you deliberately persist in your slanders against God’s Spirit, you are repudiating the very One who forgives. If you reject the Son of Man out of some misunderstanding, the Holy Spirit can forgive you, but when you reject the Holy Spirit, you’re sawing off the brand on which you’re sitting, severing by your own perversity all connection with the One who forgives.” –Jesus, Matthew 12, Msg

“If you grow a healthy tree, you’ll pick healthy fruit. If you grow a diseased tree, you’ll pick worn-eaten fruit. The fruit tells you about the tree.” Matthew 12, Msg

JESUS GETS SERIOUS ABOUT OUR HEART CONDITIONS
“You have minds like a snake pit! How do you suppose what you say is worth anything when you are so foul-minded? It’s your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your words, A good person produces good deed and words season after season. An evil person is a blight on the orchard. Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation.”

So, Whose side are we on? Do you talk about Jesus with great words while in church and with other Christians then slander Him with our deeds when we think we are not in His Presence? We need to consistently have heart check-ups. From from the heart flows the condition of our souls.

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Dear Heavenly Father, Your Word, in the Person of Jesus Christ, convicts and nourishes us at the same time. We must choose daily Whom we will follow, worship and adore. It is You, dear Lord and Savior. I choose You. I believe. My trust is in You. This is my story and this is my song. I’m on Your side! There is no other side to be on. Be with us this day to bring Your Light to others, showing them Life over death. Help us to give life, not drain life with our words and actions. Help us to be consistent, season after season. In Jesus Name, Amen

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WHO DO WE THINK WE ARE? AND WHO’S IN CHARGE?

Posted on November 24, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The Story of Jesus

We have a problem before us. As good Christians we go to God in prayer about the problem, having exhausted all efforts on our part. However, we tell God what do to do about the problem and how to solve it our specified satisfaction. In other words, we have to be in charge.

We make plans and rules to carry out those plans. After a gazillion committee meetings, we remember to come before the Lord and ask Him to bless those plans. That way we have “sealed the deal”. In other words, we are still in charge.

We have power as leaders of God’s church and feel we must have others obey our man-made plans, based loosely on Scripture, no matter what. They must “toe the mark” in every way or they are just not “one of us”. If someone asks why or challenges those rules, they are voted off the island. In other words, we need to be in charge with fear of losing that control.

Jesus leaves His throne in heaven and moves into the neighborhood of local, earthly religion. Those in charge do not like it one bit. They bait him into as many provoking situations as possible to see if He will break one of their man-made rules. He trumps them every time by showing the basis and true meaning of the commandments. He is God and they/we are not.

JESUS…IN CHARGE!

“1-2 One Sabbath, Jesus was strolling with his disciples through a field of ripe grain. Hungry, the disciples were pulling off the heads of grain and munching on them. Some Pharisees reported them to Jesus: “Your disciples are breaking the Sabbath rules!”

3-5 Jesus said, “Really? Didn’t you ever read what David and his companions did when they were hungry, how they entered the sanctuary and ate fresh bread off the altar, bread that no one but priests were allowed to eat? And didn’t you ever read in God’s Law that priests carrying out their Temple duties break Sabbath rules all the time and it’s not held against them?

6-8 “There is far more at stake here than religion. If you had any idea what this Scripture meant—‘I prefer a flexible heart to an inflexible ritual’—you wouldn’t be nitpicking like this. The Son of Man is no lackey to the Sabbath; he’s in charge.”

9-10 When Jesus left the field, he entered their meeting place. There was a man there with a crippled hand. They said to Jesus, “Is it legal to heal on the Sabbath?” They were baiting him.

11-14 He replied, “Is there a person here who, finding one of your lambs fallen into a ravine, wouldn’t, even though it was a Sabbath, pull it out? Surely kindness to people is as legal as kindness to animals!” Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” He held it out and it was healed. The Pharisees walked out furious, sputtering about how they were going to ruin Jesus.

IN CHARGE OF EVERYTHING!
15-21 Jesus, knowing they were out to get him, moved on. A lot of people followed him, and he healed them all. He also cautioned them to keep it quiet, following guidelines set down by Isaiah:

Look well at my handpicked servant;
I love him so much, take such delight in him.
I’ve placed my Spirit on him;
he’ll decree justice to the nations.
But he won’t yell, won’t raise his voice;
there’ll be no commotion in the streets.
He won’t walk over anyone’s feelings,
won’t push you into a corner.
Before you know it, his justice will triumph;
the mere sound of his name will signal hope, even
among far-off unbelievers.

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Dear Heavenly Father, THANK YOU for being in charge, over all, and in all, for You are Creator of all! You know what is best. Who are we to tell you what to do? We love, trust and have faith that You will do what is best for all of us. We walk in freedom when we realize your Truth. Thank you for opening our minds this morning. You do it every time! To You be all glory, honor and praise! We are grateful for your leadership, guidance and protection all wrapped up in salvation because of your forever love for us. Go with us this day. In Jesus Name, Amen

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UNFORCED RHYTHMS OF GRACE!

Posted on November 23, 2014 by randscallawayffm

(The Story of Jesus)

If you have to force someone to like you, is it a healthy relationship? If you have to force a situation to be resolved by either bullying people or doing nothing and walking away, is it truly resolved? Does peace reign? If we try to run God’s church like a business, is that what He wants? If we serve so we can get something we want, is that the way Jesus thinks?

All these thoughts come to mind as I read between the lines at Jesus’ frustration with humans then and now. Jesus has to explain who John the Baptist is and his purpose on earth…to prepare the way…and they still didn’t get it, even though Jesus, the Son of God!, is revealing Scripture to them with His own life each day! Are we this dull-headed, too? Sometimes.

Matthew 11, Msg:
“Are you listening to me?” “Really listening?”

“How can I account for this generation? The people have been like spoiled children whining to their parents. ‘We wanted to skip rope, and you were always too tired; we wanted to talk, but you were always too busy.’ John came fasting and they called him crazy. I came feasting and they call me a lush, a friend of the riffraff. Opinion polls don’t count for much, do they? The proof of hte pudding is in the eating.”

“Next Jesus let fly on the cities where he had worked the hardest but whose people had responded the least, shrugging their shoulders and going their own way.”

“Doom to you, Chorazin! Doom, Bethsaida! If Tyre and Sidon had seen half of the powerful miracles you have seen, they would have been on their knees in a minute. At Judgment Day they’ll get off easy compared to you And Capernaum! With all your peacock strutting, you are going to end up in the abyss. If the people of Sodom had had your chances, the city would still be around, At Judgement Day they’ll get off easy compared to you.”

FRUSTRATION LEADS TO PRAYER

“Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer. ‘Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You’ve concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that’s the way you like to work.'”

JESUS’ MOOD SHIFTS AFTER TALKING WITH THE FATHER
(A lesson in itself!)

“Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly. ‘The Father has given me all these things to do and say. This is a unique Father-Son operation, coming out of the Father and Son intimacies and knowledge. No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does. But I’m not keeping it to myself; I’m ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen.”

JESUS SAYS COME WITH ME…LEARN THE RHYTHM OF GRACE!

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me–watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

As a musician of sorts, there is nothing more painful than playing your instrument while the rest of the orchestra is off the beat. Or, maybe I’m off the beat! I cannot force the rhythm, it comes by watching the Conductor and being lead by Him. From Him comes the unforced, rhythm of grace. Then the music is played perfectly.

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Dear Heavenly Father, We have our own frustrations that lead us to cry out. We learn from Jesus that we must come to You first, in the middle, and last to resolve these frustrations. We are off beat in those times and need you to get us back in rhythm. We long for your unforced rhythms of grace to be our lifestyle. We love you. We want what You want, for Your ways are perfect. Lead us on. Our instruments are ready, our eyes fixed on you!
In Jesus Name, Amen

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GOD IS ON YOUR SIDE! IS THAT WHAT YOU EXPECTED?

Posted on November 22, 2014 by randscallawayffm

(The Story of Jesus)

Throughout the rebellious teen years of being “half kid” and “half adult” we struggled and our own kids struggled with self doubt, wonderings of who we are and what are we to do in life, sometime feeling alone while dying to be accepted. This stage of life also points a spotlight heavily on success and failure. Who is on my side?, we cry out. Knowing this, I would sit my own three teens down during times of frustration for them (and myself as mom) and let them know, without a doubt, that we might disagree on life at the moment, but I AM ON YOUR SIDE! I will ALWAYS love you more than you can imagine.

In our next passage, John and his followers need to be reassured that Jesus is the ONE. John is the one who baptized Jesus, so this confuses us a bit. But he is sitting in prison and apparently needs reassurance. Jesus tells John, through his followers, that he is not alone. God is indeed on his side. I AM who you expected. Believe and be blessed…

Matthew 11, Msg:

“John, meanwhile, had been locked up in prison. When he got wind of what Jesus was doing, he sent his own disciples to ask, ‘Are you the One we’ve been expecting, or are we still waiting?'”

“Jesus told them, ‘Go back and tell John what’s going on:
The blind see,
The lame walk,
Lepers are cleansed,
The deaf hear,
The dead are raised,
The wretched of the earth learn that God is on their side.

Is this what you were expecting? Then count yourselves most blessed!”

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Dear Heavenly Father, YOU are the ONE we expect! When we read about You each morning, how can we doubt Who you are? But we do sometimes and need assurance when we sit in our own prisons of doubt and despair. You are with us. Your Word brings us back to the core of our being with “God is on your side!” Wow, Your are God and we are not. We rise up from doubt to bless Your Holy Name! We pray for those, around the world sitting in real, physical prisons because of their faith. Reassure them this day and always, with “God is with you and is on your side. Emmanuel. God with us. We are grateful to be on your side. There is no other way.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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BOOT CAMP FOLLOW-UP

Posted on November 21, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The Story of Jesus

Before we send our kids out the door with all their stuff that we helped them pack for wherever they are going, we still give last minute instructions. These words come from our mouths…”be careful”, “have fun”, “do your best”, “you can do this”. And they might just be going to grandmas for the night! We also end these last minute words with, “I love you!” “Call me if you need me!” “I’m always here for you!”

Jesus’ last minute instructions to his followers before sending them out to do what He was doing is similar. They are words of how much God cares for them, be careful out there, and I’ve got your back! Wow, what a comfort and challenge these words are to us even today.

Boot Camp-Part Two

REMEMBER HOW MUCH GOD KNOWS ABOUT YOU AND CARES FOR YOU!

“What’s the price of a pet canary? Some loose change, right? And God cares what happens to it even more than you do. He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail–even numbering the hairs on your head! So don’t’ be intimidated by all this bully talk. You’re worth more than a million canaries.”
Matthew 10, Msg

STAND UP FOR JESUS!

“Sand up for me against world opinion and I’ll stand up for you before my Father in heaven. IF you turn tail and run, do you think I’ll cover for you?” Matthew 10, Msg

GOD FIRST, IT WON’T BE EASY

“Don’t think I’ve come to make life cozy. I’ve come to cut–make a sharp knife-cut between son and father, daughter and mother, bride and mother-in-law–cut through these cozy domestic arrangements and free you for god. Well-meaning family members can be your worst enemies. If you prefer father or mother over me, you don’t deserve me. If you prefer son or daughter over me, you don’t deserve me.” Matthew 10, Msg

“If you don’t go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don’t deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you’ll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you’ll find both yourself and me.” Matthew 10, Msg

START SMALL, YOU CAN’T LOSE!

“We are intimately linked in this harvest work. Anyone who accepts what you do, accepts me, the One who sent you. Anyone who accepts what I do accepts my Father, who sent me. Accepting a messenger of God is as good as being God’s messenger. Accepting someone’s help is as good as giving someone help. This is a large work I’ve called you into, but don’t be overwhelmed by it. It’s best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice. You won’t lose out on a thing.” Matthew 10, Msg

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Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for attaching our lives to You. Thank you for your love and care for us as we follow your leading. Thank you for helping us see others more clearly through your eyes. Continue to be with us, firmly grafted to you, the Vine, that gives salvation with hope for the future, light for our path and encouragement in our walk. May the world see You in us and be drawn to You, not us. In Jesus Name, Amen

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BOOT CAMP

Posted on November 20, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The Story of Jesus

Jesus has been doing most if not all the “heavy lifting” of ministry in front of his followers. He has now called, recruited and placed into the camp of disciples a very select few who will be trained quickly because “the harvest is great”. Jesus, the Master teacher, shows us how to teach with “watch me do it, do it with me, now you go do it” style of training with excellence and passion for lost people who will still be here on earth after he goes back to be with the Father. So Jesus puts them through a “boot camp” of sorts with the following training. Imagine, if you will, being trained by the King of kings and Lord of lords, himself!

PART ONE

1. START WHERE YOU ARE!
“Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge: ‘Don’t begin by traveling to some faroff place to convert unbelievers. And don’t try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously.'” Matthew 10, Msg

2. KEEP IT SIMPLE!
“Don’t think you have to put on a fund-raising campaign before you start. You don’t need a lot of equipment. YOU are the equipment, and all you need to keep that going is three meals a day. Travel light.” Matthew 10, Msg

“When you enter a town or village, don’t insist on staying in a luxury inn. Get a modest place with some modest people, and be content there until you leave.”

3. BE COURTEOUS…AT ALL TIMES!
“When you knock on a door, be courteous in your greeting. If they welcome you, be gentle in your conversation. If they don’t welcome you, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way. You can be sure that on Judgment Day they’ll be mighty sorry–but it’s no concern of yours now.”

(Mm, the Message is more important than ourselves delivering the message.)

4. BE ALERT, YOU ARE GOING INTO ENEMY TERRITORY!
“Stay alert. This is hazardous work I’m assigning you. You’re going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don’t call attention to yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove.”

“Don’t be naive. Some people will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation–just because you believe in me. don’t be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they’ve done you–and me–a favor, given you a platform for preaching the kingdom news! And don’t worry about what you’ll say or how you’ll say it. The right words will be there; the Spirit of your father will supply the words.”

(Mm. Seems Paul knew this well! And practiced it! How many of his jailers came to know Christ??)

5. PROCLAIM LOVE, EXPECT HATE, BUT DON’T QUIT!
“When people realize it is the living God you are presenting and not some idol that makes them feel good, they are going to turn on you, even people in your own family. There is a great irony here: proclaiming so much love, experiencing so much hate! But don’t quit. Don’t cave in. It is all well worth it in the end. IT is not success you are after in such times but survival. Be survivors! Before you’ve run out of options, the son of Man will have arrived.”

(You WILL experience this if you are doing the will of Father in the name of Jesus! It is happening to me at this moment in time in my family and in the workplace. Remember, be courteous at all times as was previously stated by Jesus…it’s what I cling to.)

6. EXPECT THE SAME TREATMENT THAT WAS GIVEN TO JESUS CHRIST
“A student doesn’t get a better desk than her teacher. A laborer doesn’t make more money than his boss. Be content–pleased, even–when you, my students, my harvest hands, get the same treatment I get. If they call me, the Master, ‘Dungface,’ what can the workers expect?”

7. YOUR SOUL IS SAFE WITH GOD!
“Don’t be intimidated. Eventually everything is going to be out in the open, and everyone will know how things really are. So don’t hesitate to go public now.”

“Don’t be bluffed into silence by the treats of bullies. There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life–body and soul–in his hands.”

Praise God for this boot camp charge to us today as well! This is part one…there’s more to come! Boot Camp, part two, tomorrow, God willing.

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Dear Heavenly Father, Reading and meditating on your precious Word, Your Message and charge to us, reminds us of how loved we really are by You! You go with us, you teach us, you get us ready for battle and you encourage us all along the way. You are God and we are not. You hold our souls, our core being, in the palm of Your hand, close to Your heart, because of your eternal, unconditional love for us. Thank you for Your grace and mercy. We are survivors and more than conquerors, all because of YOU! Continue to help us. Give us THIS day all YOU know we will need.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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A BROKEN HEART, A CRY FOR HELP

Posted on November 19, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The Story of Jesus

You have heard it before and probably experienced it many times. When we come to the end of brokenhearted selves in what seems like an impossible situation, we cry out to God with more passion it seems, simply asking for help without telling God what to do. That’s when He can and will help, for He finally has us where He wants us…humbled, teachable, pliable,

Jesus also cries out to the Father, but His heart is broken for lost people. He also that there “will always be the poor among you” and there will always be confused, lost people. He is God and man. His thoughts are higher than ours.

Jesus also knows that nothing is impossible with the Father. He goes to God in prayer before doing anything on earth with amazing results. “When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke.” (Matthew 9, Msg) His heart was broken for the people. His mission at that moment seemed overwhelming. As God in human form He knew He could help by calling thousands of angels to take away all these earthly problems before Him. He had the answer and he had the power to heal all. However, something else needs to happen, in God’s way and with His Plan.

ON YOUR KNEES!
So, it seems Jesus uses this “teachable moment” as an example of what they will feel and face in the future on THEIR mission after He leaves earth to go back to the Father. He uses this moment in time, with a broken heart, to say, “ON YOUR KNEES and pray for harvest hands!” Wow, my thoughts this morning are not the regular sermon you would hear on this passage. But what a thought! Jesus is brokenhearted for lost people “without a shepherd”, sees his little band of followers, and knows they (and us, later) will need more people to work together to reach and help the lost find Jesus and in doing so, they will learn and grow stronger in faith and deed in the process!

So, Jesus Christ does not heal all the lost with the sweep of His hand. He prays for more people to train to be His hands and feet!

“The prayer was no sooner prayed than it was answered. Jesus called twelve of his followers and sent them into the ripe fields. He gave them power to kick out the evil spirits, and to tenderly care for the bruised and hurt lives. This is the list of the twelve he sent: Simon (they called him Peter, or ‘Rock’), Andrew, his brother, James, Zebedee’s son, John, his brother, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, the tax man, James, son of Alphaeus, Thaddeus, Simon, The Canaanite, Judas Iscariot (who later turned on him).”
Matthew 10, Msg

Jesus sends them out in power and strength, all of them. Even the one who he knew would betray him later. (Mm…another story and lesson.)

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Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the lessons You taught your disciples then and still teach now through Your Word to us. Thank you for Your Living Word, You Son, Jesus, who walked this earth and taught by example to be “on our knees” praying for more harvest hands to help a confused people find and follow You. Continue to break our hearts of those things that break yours. Keep us alert, to be ready to help and ready to serve by Your power, in Your Holy Spirit, in Your time, in Your way.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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FROM APPLAUSE TO THE SLAP!

Posted on November 18, 2014 by randscallawayffm

(The Story of Jesus)

Have you ever worked hard at trying to be and do all that God wanted you to be and do…and it was accomplished, to the crowd’s delight, helping others, and to the glory of God, from your heart? Then, before the “applause of God” and others dies down, the critics run in to give you feed back on every level of the accomplishment while slaying you with unkind, nonconstructive words meant to discredit your very being as a person? Frustrating, isn’t it? Should it stop us? Nope. And we are in good company. It happened to Jesus, too! All the time, at every turn in his ministry!

“Right after that, as the blind men were leaving, a man who had been struck speechless by an evil spirit was brought to Jesus. As soon as Jesus threw the evil tormenting spirit out, the man talked away just as if he’d been talking all his life. The people were up on their feet applauding: ‘There’s never been anything like this in Israel!'”
Matthew 9, Msg

“The Pharisees were left sputtering, ‘Hocus pocus. It’s nothing but hocus pocus. He’s probably made a pact with the Devil.'”
Matthew 9, Msg

JESUS DOES NOT QUIT!
“Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked over the crowds, his heart broke.” Matthew 9, Msg

JESUS UNDERSTANDS EVERYTHING WE GO THROUGH…HE WENT THROUGH IT, TOO! REMEMBER THAT!

So, what keeps us focused? Praying for hearts that break over those things that break the heart of Jesus. From this centered point of being, we will love and serve Jesus well and in turn love and serve others with His leading and by His power flowing through us. We can’t quit! We won’t quit. We might change jobs, locations, circumstances, but we won’t quit believing or being a help to others find Him and serve Him, too.

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Dear Heavenly Father, We live puny lives when we let others ramrod our thinking and behaving in ways that are not in your plan for us. Help us to listen to You, follow You, believe and see with our hearts, our broken hearts for lost people, even when our eyes do not see. Keep us focused on the bigger picture…your plan for our lives…that is so personal, a perfect fit and light enough to carry every day. Thank you, Lord for this lesson in Your Word! Thank you for this encouragement! That is enough “applause” for me, just knowing how much you love us. In Jesus Name, Amen

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BLIND EYES, BELIEVING HEARTS!

Posted on November 17, 2014 by randscallawayffm

(The Story of Jesus)

Are you one of the those persons who has to see it to believe it? Do you expect something great to happen or spend more time thinking what struggle is going to happen next to you. There are two ways to think. We can choose to trust with faith that God will take care of us, even though it might not be easy in process. Or we can live expecting the worst and be surprised if things turn out better than we thought.

I readily and generally choose the first option…to believe and know, without doubt, that God will take care of any circumstance and will bring me through any struggle in His way and in His time. I do have to remind myself of this often because evil in this world works hard to blind us from faith in God and revels when our thinking turns sour and bitter, expecting the worst. What do we choose today? Faith or failure to see and believe?

DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE I CAN DO THIS? –JESUS

“As Jesus left the house, he was followed by two blind men crying out, ‘Mercy, Son of David! Mercy on us!’ When Jesus got home, the blind men went in with him. Jesus said to them, ‘Do you really believe I can do this?’ They said, ‘Why, yes, Master!'”
Matthew 9, Msg

“He touched their eyes and said, ‘Become what you believe.’ It happened. They saw. Then Jesus became very stern. ‘Don’t let a soul know how this happened.’ But the were hardly our the door before they started blabbing it to everyone they met.”
Matthew 9, Msg

Question to begin today..Do I really believe Jesus can do this? Do I really believe? The answer will affect how I will respond and react to everything that happens in this new day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Live expectantly. Worship over worry. No matters what happens, God is there, loving you, without fail.

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Dear Heavenly Father, I believe. Thank you for bolstering my faith with Your Word for today. I give you my life, all of it, for all my trust is in You. Go with us…
In Jesus Name, Amen

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