WORTH EVERY RISK…FOR THE TOUCH!

Posted on November 16, 2014 by randscallawayffm

(The Story of Jesus)

The following stories come together in God’s Word and at first glance we wonder why they are together. Both are rich in meaning. Both are stories of desperation. What does it take for us to risk it all having the faith to reach out for the touch of Jesus Christ on our lives? What will we do, in spite of what everyone else thinks, to have that touch of the Master? What healing needs to take place in our own lives? This wonderful touch of the Master sets us free, makes us whole and brings us back alive from dead living day to day. Yes, it is worth every risk of our puny thinking lives for His Touch.

Read on and be filled with His Holy Spirit and healed by His Touch on your own life. It is worth it. Believe.

Matthew 9,Msg
“…a local official appeared, bowed politely, and said, ‘My daughter has just now died. If you come and touch her, she will live.’ Jesus got up and went with him, his disciples following along.”

“Just then a woman who had hemorrhaged fro twelve years slipped in from behind and lightly touched his robe. She was thinking to herself, ‘If I can just put a finger on his robe, I’ll get well.’ Jesus turned–caught her at it. Then he reassured her: ‘Courage, daughter. You took a risk of faith, and now you’re well.’ The woman was well from then on.”

“By now they had arrived at the house of the town official, and pushed their way through the gossips looking for a story and the neighbors bringing in casseroles. Jesus was abrupt: ‘Clear out! This girl isn’t dead. She’s sleeping.’ They told him he didn’t know what he was talking about. But when Jesus had gotten rid of crowd, he went in, took the girl’s hand, and pulled her to her feet–alive. The news was soon out, and traveled throughout the region.”

Wow! There are two stand out statements, “You took a risk of faith, now you’re well.” Her risk was exposing herself and her private disease publicly to obtain His Touch.

The second statement is convicting to us today…”They told him (JESUS!) he didn’t know what he was talking about.” Yikes! Does my lack of faith at times actually tell my Lord He doesn’t know what he is talking about?

I would rather go with the response to my struggling with life’s stuff with the faith of both these people, the dad and the woman, who said, “If you come, she will live.” and “If I touch Him, I will be well.” Can I get an amen??

What a beautiful statement of our Lord who loves us unconditionally with merciful kindness, full of grace for every situation who said, “You took a risk, now you’re well.” His touch becomes our courage through anything we will face on this earth. Believe. Be well. Forever.

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Dear Heavenly Father, We are so encouraged by Your Word to us today. We live in a very imperfect world because of our sin natures, but You made a way through it all. “Our trust is built on nothing less that Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus’ Name!” Thank you! Don’t let me ever forget Who You are! You have me, Lord, heart, mind and soul!
In Jesus Name, Amen

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RIDE THAT WAVE!

Posted on November 15, 2014 by randscallawayffm

(The Story of Jesus)

Professional, obsessed surfers actually get on a plane to follow the waves of the ocean. They now use technology to tell them when and where the best, highest and “most excellent” wave will occur. Why? So they can RIDE that wave! When it comes, they’re on it! Riding that wave is the biggest thrill of their life…until the next big wave comes along.

I think of this as I read this small portion of Jesus journey on earth. Some of John’s followers come to Jesus with a question which is more a concern about their tradition. Jesus reveals and clarifies, once more, Who He is. Let’s celebrate His response to them…

“A little later John’s followers approached, asking, ‘Why is it that we and the Pharisees rigorously discipline body and spirit by fasting, but your followers don’t?” Matthew 9, Msg

“Jesus told them, ‘When you’re celebrating a wedding, you don’t skimp on the cake and wine. You feast. Later you may need to pull in your belt, but not now. No one throws cold water on a friendly bonfire. This is Kingdom Come!'” Matthew 9, Msg

“He went on, ‘No one cuts up a fine silk scarf to patch old work clothes; you want fabrics that match. And you don’t put your wine in cracked bottles.'” Matthew 9, Msg

YES, RIDE THAT WAVE!
We pray every day, “May Your Kingdom come, Your will be done”, as Jesus taught us to pray. When Kingdom comes, do we recognize that Wave and ride it out? Do we even make the effort to search Him out so that we are expectantly ready and willing to ride that Wave when He appears? Jesus is Kingdom Come! Jesus is our Wave of growth, our opportunity to tell others, our Teacher, our Master, our Savior and Lord. He goes before us, preparing us for the ride. He is with us, even if we fall. The Wave scoops us up and places us on the beach. (Mm, Jonah suddenly comes to mind…)

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Seek Him, with all that is within you, with the technology invented for you, to find that Wave and ride it out, freely and expectantly, putting all your trust in Him. And when we land on the “beach”, be ready for the next Wave to come and give you the next ride of your life, in His time, His way for His glory! That, my friends is life with Jesus, the Way and the Wave Maker.

Dear Heavenly Father, You taught the followers that celebrating You and Your Presence is more important than anything else. We get that. We praise You for this teaching that encourages us to focus more on You than tradition, while respecting those traditions that truly leads us to You. Thank you for all You are to us and all You have done for us. Give us boldness to ride the next Wave! And in the meantime, give us rest on the beach so we are ready for the next “big one”! In Jesus Name, Amen

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WHISPERY GOSSIPERS!

Posted on November 14, 2014 by randscallawayffm

(The Story of Jesus)

There is nothing more frustrating than a whispering group of bystanders discussing how impossible it is to do something WHILE YOU ARE DOING IT! Has that ever happened to you? Guess what, it happened to Jesus all the time. Jesus came to seek and save those who were lost…those harassed or at the very least intimated by the religiosity of that day and time. His answer to them? “I’m after mercy, not religion.”

Matthew 9, Msg:
“Back in the boat, Jesus and the disciples recrossed the sea to Jesus’ hometown. They were hardly out of the boat when some men carried a paraplegic on a stretcher and set him down in front of them. Jesus, impressed by their bold belief, said to the paraplegic, ‘Cheer up, son, I forgive your sins.’ Some religion scholars whispered, ‘Why, that’s blasphemy!'”

“Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, ‘Why this gossipy whispering? Which do you think is simpler to say, ‘I forgive your sins,’ or ‘Get up and walk’? Well, just so it’s clear that I’m the son of Man and Authorized to do either, or both…’ At this he truned to the paraplegic and said, ‘Get up. Take your bed and go home.’ And the man did it. The crowd was awestruck, amazed and pleased that God had authorized Jesus to work among them this way.”

“Passing along, Jesus saw a man at his work collecting taxes. His name was Matthew. Jesus said, ‘Come along with me.’ Matthew stood up and followed him.”

“Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew’s house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them. When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit, and lit into Jesus’ followers. ‘What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riffraff?'”

(Notice that these gossipy whisperers did not come straight to Jesus with their complaint…because this is the gossiper’s way.)

“Jesus, overhearing, shot back, ‘Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means; ‘I’m after mercy, not religion.’ ‘I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.'”

Discussion ended.

What does God require of us? Micah 6:8 says it well…”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.”

Jesus left earth with more for us… “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28, Msg

Wow, God with us…always! Don’t allow gossipy whisperers deter who God created you to be and do to bring Him Glory and to help others find Him, too.

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Dear Heavenly Father, What a wonder You are to us! What a great and Mighty God who knows all and is in all. You hear all. And You respond. May we listen to your guidance and leading and by Your power continue to walk in Your ways. In Jesus Name, Amen

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MISSING THE POINT

Posted on November 13, 2014 by randscallawayffm

MISSING THE POINT.

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MISSING THE POINT

Posted on November 13, 2014 by randscallawayffm

(The Story of Jesus)

Something is wrong. You think of a way, with all good intentions at heart, to correct the situation. After the deed is done and the situation corrected with good results, there are those who are still unhappy, maybe even angry…because they missed the point of what you were trying to achieve. Has this ever happened to you? Yeah, me too. Well guess what, it even happened to Jesus, the Son of God!

Evil has taken over some men and those men are wreaking havoc in the neighborhood. Fear has gripped the people so long that they have become accustomed to the situation. It’s their new “normal”. Jesus solves the problem and brings peace to the town. But it disrupted the “normal” of how He did it and some of the people were angry…about the hog harvest. Mm. Missed it.

ANOTHER HEALING…VICTIMS OF EVIL MADE CLEAN!
“They landed in the country of the Gadarenes and were met by two madmen, victims of demons, coming out of the cemetery. The men had terrorized the region for so long that no one considered it safe to walk down that stretch of road anymore. Seeing Jesus, the madmen screamed out, ‘What business do you have giving us a hard time? You’re the Son of God! You weren’t supposed to show up here yet!’ Off in the distance a herd of pigs was browsing and rooting. The evil spirits begged Jesus, ‘If you kick us out of these men, let us live in the pigs.'” Matthew 8, Msg

EVIL RECOGNIZES JESUS, AS THE SON OF GOD!
“Jesus said, ‘Go ahead, but get out of here!’ Crazed, the pigs stampeded over a cliff into the sea and drowned. Scared to death, the swineherds bolted. They told everyone back in town what had happened to the madmen and the pigs. Those who heard about it were angry about the drowned pigs. A mob formed and demanded that Jesus get out and not come back.” Matthew 8, Msg

Extreme fail. Missed the point.

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Dear Heavenly Father, You came to earth to seek and to save the lost through your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you! Along the way you also taught us some valuable life lessons of wisdom through your teaching us how to love You back (with our whole heart, mind and soul) and how to love each other. You taught us that we are blessed when we are kind, generous, and loving. Help us to continue, like You did, to keep on loving even when others miss the point of your kindness. They have stuff going on in their lives that only You can know for now. Don’t let me miss the point. In Jesus Name, Amen

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AND YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW HIM!

Posted on November 12, 2014 by randscallawayffm

(The Story of Jesus)

We believers, followers of Christ, think we know Him until a sudden storm brews quickly and hits us all at once. The raging storm knocks us to our knees with a simple prayer of panic as we look up shaking all over. “Dear Jesus, save us!” Just as suddenly as the storm of life’s problems overwhelmed us, a solution presents itself. The solution is nothing we imagined. The storm within us is calmed. Our boat moves on.

We look over the whole situation from beginning to end, from before, during and after the storm, with expressed awe and a new reverence for the One who heals, restores and brings peace to seemingly impossible circumstances. Wow, and we thought we knew him. With each trial Jesus brings us through, we get to know him on a deeper, even more personal level. Yes, “every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before”! (A very old chorus I sang as a mere kid…who believed.)

I think this is what Matthew is trying to describe…

“Then he got in the boat, his disciples with him. The next thing they knew, they were in a severe storm. Waves were crashing into the boat–and he was sound asleep! They roused him, pleading, ‘Master, save us! We’re going down!'” Matthew 8, Msg

“Jesus reprimanded them. ‘Why are you such cowards, such faint-hearts?’ Then he stood up and told the wind to be silent, the sea to quiet down: ‘Silence!’ The sea became smooth as glass.”

“The men rubbed their eyes, astonished. ‘What’s going on here? Wind and sea come to heel at his command!'” Matthew 8, Msg

Yes, this is my Savior! My Redeemer! The One who cares enough to stop the wind and calm the seas! The people, the boat and all their belongings are saved. Faith was bolstered and built stronger. Ministry moves on because the Son of Glory was with them…right there in the boat. Wow. Just Wow. Do you know Him even more now?

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Dear Heavenly Father, You are God and we are not and we are glad. You are in control, truly in control, of all, for You created all. You know how everything works! Help us to know you even more through every blessing and every trial. Even this day.
In Jesus Name, Amen!

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PURSUE LIFE!

Posted on November 11, 2014 by randscallawayffm

(The Story of Jesus)

Have you ever followed God’s call so intently, not knowing until you got there what you would be paid and if it would be enough to support your family? Have you ever stepped up to a challenge You knew came from God for You at that special time and place and wondered what in the world were you going to say or do but you stepped anyway knowing that God would provide those words and actions? When your focus is on Jesus and what He wants, everything, yes everything falls away from your vision. All you see and think about is the Master, beckoning you to take His hand and follow Him. Completely. Yeah, that’s getting closer to what Jesus means when He says to PURSUE LIFE!

“When Jesus saw that a curious crowd was growing by the minute, he told his disciples to get him out of there to the other side of the lake. As they left, a religion scholar asked if he could go along. ‘I’ll go with you, wherever,’ he said.” Matthew 8, Msg

CURIOUS OR COMMITTED?
“Jesus was curt: ‘Are you ready to rough it? We’re not staying in the best inns, you know.'” Matthew 8, Msg

“Another follower said, ‘Master, excuse me for a couple of days, please. I have my father’s funeral to take care of.'”

“Jesus refused. ‘First things first. Your business is life, not death. Follow me. Pursue life.” Matthew 8, Msg

After many years of life, I am still learning to rely, trust, totally have faith in our Lord for every minute of every day for every situation and circumstance He allows me to follow Him into for this is LIfe, real Life with the Master. If I mess up, He lifts me back up and another lesson is learned. But never do I let go of His hand. How many hands can He hold at once? Everyone who believes and trusts in Him and wants their hand to be held. First things first. Jesus, simply Jesus.

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Dear Heavenly Father, Your Word tenderizes our hearts and challenges our minds focus solely on You. Our options for living are always open with You at the lead. You are first and last. Alpha and Omega. You are Master, King of kings and Lord of lords and you love us. You help us. You save us. Thank you! In Jesus Name, Amen

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CARE FOR THOSE IN MINISTRY

Posted on November 10, 2014 by randscallawayffm

(The Story of Jesus)

A former ministry job took me all over the world serving my Lord and Savior. There were times when my family would be sick or in trouble while I was gone, this was hard on my heart. A missionary friend once told me a promise she received from God, “Take care of those who are precious to Me, and I will take care of those precious to you”. I have never forgotten that comforting thought. It came at just the right time for me. It still means a lot to me to know that if we obey God, be and do what pleases Him, he will take care of the rest. Trust Him.

Jesus gives us this example of His compassion and care for us when he heals a family member of one of his disciples, Peter! Read and let this soak in…especially those of you in the trenches of ministry. God has not forgotten YOUR needs as He uses your abilities and the gifts He gave you to minister with others and their needs. Remember, however, at all times…It is God who heals. And it is Jesus who saves. We don’t. We are just there to set the stage for it to take place however God wants it to be. We are merely the Light of Jesus in a dark place so they can see HIM better and find their way to Him, too.

“By this time they were in front of Peter’s house. On entering, Jesus found Peter’s mother-in-law sick in bed, burning up with fever. He touched her hand and the fever was gone. No sooner was she up on her feet than she was fixing dinner for him.” Matthew 8, Msg

THEN MINISTRY MOVES ON…
“That evening a lot of demon-afflicted people were brought to him. He relieved the inwardly tormented. He cured the bodily ill. He fulfilled Isaiah’s well-known sermon:

‘He took our illnesses,
He carried our diseases.’
Matthew 8, Msg

God, Jehovah-rapha, the God who heals.

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Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for these reminders that You will take care of those so precious to us. They are precious to you, too! Continue to be the God Who…provides, heals, comforts, encourages and is always with us. You have many names that describe Who You are. I will call You Father. And I thank You.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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FAITH…AS A MATTER OF FACT

Posted on November 9, 2014 by randscallawayffm

(The Story of Jesus)

Another healing act by Jesus brings us to another action of faith as a matter of fact, of knowing, believing and accepting that Jesus can do anything, His way, in His time. It is no wonder that this scenario is mentioned as one of importance for us.

MATTHEW 8, MSG:
“As Jesus entered the village of Capernaum, A Roman captain came up in a panic and said, ‘Master, my servant is sick. He can’t walk. He’s in terrible pain.'”

“Jesus said, ‘I’ll come and heal him.'”

“‘Oh, no,’ said the captain. ‘I don’t want to put you to all that trouble. Just give the order and my servant will be fine. I’m a man who takes orders and gives orders. I tell one soldier, ‘Go,’ and he goes; to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.'”

“Taken aback, Jesus said, ‘I’ve yet to come across this kind of simple trust in Israel, the very people who are sup[posed to know all about God and how he works. This man is the vanguard of many outsiders who will soon be coming from all directions–streaming in from the east, pouring in from the west, sitting down at God’s kingdom banquet alongside Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Then those who grew up ‘in the faith’ but had no faith will find themselves out in the cold, outsiders to grace and wondering what happened.”

“Then Jesus turned to the captain and said, ‘Go. What you believed could happen has happened.’ At the moment his servant became well.”

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Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for another lesson in faith. You are God, and we are not. We ask without telling you what to do and how to do it. You heal broken hearts, abused temporary bodies, tormented minds and souls, in your time, in your way. I believe…as a matter of fact. Continue to teach us. In Jesus Name, Amen!

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HEALING

Posted on November 8, 2014 by randscallawayffm

(The Story of Jesus)

Jesus and his followers leave the mountain top, descending to the valley below where the dark world collides into the Light and Glory of God. Yes, He walks right into the neighborhood of our lives with healing…all kinds of healing. Our compassionate Savior heals from the outside in and, if we are willing, from the inside out.

“Jesus came down the mountain with the cheers of the crowd still ringing in his ears. Then a leper appeared and went to his knees before Jesus, praying, ‘Master if you want to, you can heal my body.'” Matthew 8, Msg

“Jesus reached out and touched him, saying, ‘I want to. Be clean.’ Then and there, all signs of the leprosy were gone. Jesus said, ‘Don’t talk about this all over town. Just quietly present your healed body to the priest, along with the appropriate expressions of thanks to God. Your cleansed and grateful life, not your words, will bear witness to what I have done.'” Matthew 8, Msg

BEFORE AND AFTER…
This man had a before leprosy life and an after leprosy life. What should we live today? Our life before being saved by the blood of Jesus Christ or live this new life, without looking back, now overflowing with His Holy Spirit, living expectantly, abundantly, full of love for God and others, grateful to be a light! I wonder if Jesus was telling the man to not dwell on the act of the healing, or spend your life “testifying” about the healing, but to MOVE ON to a new life full of the light of God in him. Mm.

People will be drawn to Light of God in us, living free and open through us…without words but behavior. I am discovering (finally) that people respond to my “after” grateful living than my words of what He has done for me. Why? Because sometimes we humans are jealous or at least put off by people expressing repeatedly “what God has done for me” over just living out the gratitude in our daily walk. By dwelling on the “what God has done for me” we (unintentionally most times) come off as proud and worse yet, above others who feel “not as blessed.” Mm.

One of my favorite quotes comes to mind…”Witness for Christ each day, and if necessary use words.” (Conspiracy of Kindness : A Refreshing New Approach to Sharing the Love of Jesus With Others (1993) by Steve Sjogren, p. 120)

Jesus, was this what you were thinking when you told the healed man to focus on living a grateful life?

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Dear Heavenly Father, You are God, the living God of Creation, and we are not. Thank you for teaching us, convicting us, challenging and affirming us with Your Word. Our humble hearts repent and seek to go deeper into our relationship with You. Help us to think beyond what You do for us to living a more grateful life. When necessary give us the words that will be helpful to someone else walking alongside us in the journey. In Jesus Name, Amen

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