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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BY THE WAY, I AM DRIVING!

Posted on December 7, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The Story of Jesus

Be completely honest. When your spouse or any other member of your family is driving, do you clinch your fists and flinch at every intersection, when they pass a car, follow too closely, or when they enter the entrance or exit ramp of a major highway? Do you try to “help” them drive by offering impulsive, immediate “suggestions” for bettering their skills at driving. Why do we do this? We humans, by nature, must be in control! No matter how well the person behind the wheel is driving, we flinch and clinch mainly because we are not in control and must rely on someone else to get us from point A to point B. Wow. Guilty.

Jesus has words similar to his disciples…”You have to let me lead”…”You are not in the driver’s seat; I AM”. He is the great I AM and knows the what, why, where, when and how in every situation! Do we really want to be in the driver’s seat? Can we lay down our control and let Him lead in our lives? It’s tough, goes against our human will, but worth it. Jesus tells us it’s a requirement to save our souls! Read on…

Matthew 16, Msg
21-22 Then Jesus made it clear to his disciples that it was now necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, submit to an ordeal of suffering at the hands of the religious leaders, be killed, and then on the third day be raised up alive. Peter took him in hand, protesting, “Impossible, Master! That can never be!”

23 But Jesus didn’t swerve. “Peter, get out of my way. Satan, get lost. You have no idea how God works.”

24-26 Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?

Question for us today: WHAT could we be trading our souls for just so we can stay in control of our lives? Go deep. Come back to this thought throughout the day. Let’s watch ourselves over the next few days to see WHO is in control? Maybe, just maybe we need to unclinch our fists, stop telling Jesus how to drive, lay down our human control and let Him lead. Mm.

Jesus was, again, the supreme example of laying down HIS life for the will of the Father in heaven to complete the mission that Jesus was sent to earth to accomplish…saving us! God was in control of the situation. Jesus was preparing His disciples that the road ahead was not going to be what they expected and they must let Him do the will of the Father in Heaven, no matter what!

27-28 “Don’t be in such a hurry to go into business for yourself. Before you know it the Son of Man will arrive with all the splendor of his Father, accompanied by an army of angels. You’ll get everything you have coming to you, a personal gift. This isn’t pie in the sky by and by. Some of you standing here are going to see it take place, see the Son of Man in kingdom glory.” –Jesus

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Dear Heavenly Father, You drive! We confess and repent of our need to be in control of our lives. We lay it all down. We set aside our wants and ambitions. Lead us to higher ground thinking and behaving. Help us to lay down the need to be in control, relax and let You lead, no matter where You might take us. Let’s go for a drive! In Jesus Name, Amen

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IT’S TESTIMONY NIGHT!

Posted on December 5, 2014 by randscallawayffm

(The Story of Jesus)

As a child growing up in the church, there were times the pastor stood up at the beginning of a Sunday night service, with that look in his eyes, (you know the look if you experienced it many times). You knew that he was going to begin the service with “I feel it is testimony night!” “Who wants to go first?” Many times that “look” meant the pastor was stalling so he could come up with an impromptu sermon for a sparse Sunday night crowd! But still, it was testimony time!

My palms would sweat, the back of my neck would get warm, and my legs would turn to jelly, making it impossible to “stand up for Jesus” if I tried. Grandma always encouraged us to stand up using her twinkling eyes and smile of encouragement. As long as I don’t make eye contact with Grandma Lacquement, maybe I could pass this time. But no, as a new Christian, the pastor called on me to lead the testimony time that night! What???

Many of you who know me now, won’t believe that I was a very shy kid in front of people. But I was! It took every ounce of courage, the smile of Grandma, and her “Amen!” to get me up out of the pew to make that looooong walk up the aisle to the pulpit. If the walk wasn’t enough, the massive pulpit (as a 4’11” kid) was even more daunting to stand behind. I’m sure the people only saw my head peering out over the top.

Then it happened, the fear left, and I began to speak. Words of love for Christ came pouring out of my mouth. I did love Jesus. I loved him as much as an eleven year could love Him. And I said it out loud. And I was glad I did. That was a precursor to saying it out loud, daily, for the rest of my life! Testimony Time…sigh.

I think of that time in my life with a smile as I read this morning of Jesus asking his disciples, who have been with him now for awhile, “Who do you say I am?”

Matthew 16, Msg
13 When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “What are people saying about who the Son of Man is?”

14 They replied, “Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”

15 He pressed them, “And how about you? Who do you say I am?”

16 Simon Peter said, “You’re the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

17-18 Jesus came back, “God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn’t get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I’m going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.

19 “And that’s not all. You will have complete and free access to God’s kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven.”

20 He swore the disciples to secrecy. He made them promise they would tell no one that he was the Messiah.

What?? Tell no one? Maybe this was for protection for now for his students for Jesus’ “time” had not yet come. But when the time did come to “testify”, the disciples did tell the Truth of who Jesus was, is and is to come with power, strength and might, risking their own lives in the process. Wow! I praise God for Jesus. I praise God for those who told and still tell the story of Jesus!

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Dear Heavenly Father,
Your Word provokes us to think for ourselves, “Who do WE say You are?” You are God and we are not. You are our Creator, the One, the Only One, to be worshiped and praised. You are the One we live for every day. You are the great I AM! And we are Yours. You are Emmanuel, God with us. Continue to remind us to remember. In Jesus Name, Amen

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ANOTHER AH-HA  MOMENT

Posted on December 4, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The Story of Jesus

Have you ever fallen for someone’s way of teaching, then later the teaching crosses a line of doubt of what you know God’s Word says? An ah-ha moment happens and you are stunned that you didn’t catch it before. We are human. Jesus disciples were human, too.

We are so easily sucked in to the circus of beliefs of this world that Jesus has to remind all of us, many times, that there is only one way to salvation. There is only one teaching that please God as well. Jesus came to earth to seek and to save lost people and as He did that He trained His disciples to be alert to evil, especially as it works its way through the religious community, Like yeast, a catalyst that makes bread rise up, evil can rise up when we least expect it with teaching that looks and sounds right, but is not of God.

Jesus’ serious warning to his disciples is rather humorous in a way, because the disciples missed the previous conversation Jesus had with some Pharisees and Sadducees that were provoking Jesus to do another performance rather than seek to be saved from their sins. They missed it, but only for a little while…

OOPS, FORGOT THE BREAD! (BIG SIGH FROM JESUS)

Matthew 16, Msg
1-4 Some Pharisees and Sadducees were on him again, pressing him to prove himself to them. He told them, “You have a saying that goes, ‘Red sky at night, sailor’s delight; red sky at morning, sailors take warning.’ You find it easy enough to forecast the weather—why can’t you read the signs of the times? An evil and wanton generation is always wanting signs and wonders. The only sign you’ll get is the Jonah sign.” Then he turned on his heel and walked away.

5-6 On their way to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring along bread. In the meantime, Jesus said to them, “Keep a sharp eye out for Pharisee-Sadducee yeast.”

7-12 Thinking he was scolding them for forgetting bread, they discussed in whispers what to do. Jesus knew what they were doing and said, “Why all these worried whispers about forgetting the bread? Runt believers! Haven’t you caught on yet? Don’t you remember the five loaves of bread and the five thousand people, and how many baskets of fragments you picked up? Or the seven loaves that fed four thousand, and how many baskets of leftovers you collected? Haven’t you realized yet that bread isn’t the problem? The problem is yeast, Pharisee-Sadducee yeast.” Then they got it: that he wasn’t concerned about eating, but teaching—the Pharisee-Sadducee kind of teaching.

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Dear Heavenly Father, Keep us alert to Truth in the person of Jesus Christ and all that He taught us to believe and how to behave. Help us to stand for Truth so that we won’t fall for anything that comes along that sounds “right”. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit. May Your Spirit guide us, convict us, challenge us and keep us focused on Truth. Work Your Way into our hearts, minds and souls. We love you. We want what You want. In Jesus Name, Amen

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THE ORIGIN OF THE CHURCH POT-LUCK!

Posted on December 3, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The Story of Jesus

At the church pot-luck, people say you never know what food will show up. Well, not if you are the pastor and family. You show up every time and you know who will bring what because they always, by habit, do the same thing over and over. But you are grateful for some who do that, because they bring some of your favorite foods! Our kids, the morning of a potluck after church, would say, “Oh, I hope Betty brings her awesome chocolate pie dessert thingy!” (We didn’t know what it’s real name was, we just knew it was fabulous.) The oldest would say, “Of course, she will bring it, she always does!”

Well, Jesus “brings it” again by serving another blessed meal to thousands of people after spending time healing them all day! The people were astonished and let everyone know that God was blazingly alive among them. I love that phrase in Peterson’s Message rendition of the gospel of Matthew. Oh that God would be blazingly alive in our churches, in our homes, in our towns, in our cities, in our world! Even at our potlucks!

Matthew 15, Msg
29-31 After Jesus returned, he walked along Lake Galilee and then climbed a mountain and took his place, ready to receive visitors. They came, tons of them, bringing along the paraplegic, the blind, the maimed, the mute—all sorts of people in need—and more or less threw them down at Jesus’ feet to see what he would do with them. He healed them. When the people saw the mutes speaking, the maimed healthy, the paraplegics walking around, the blind looking around, they were astonished and let everyone know that God was blazingly alive among them.

32 But Jesus wasn’t finished with them. He called his disciples and said, “I hurt for these people. For three days now they’ve been with me, and now they have nothing to eat. I can’t send them away without a meal—they’d probably collapse on the road.”

33 His disciples said, “But where in this deserted place are you going to dig up enough food for a meal?”

34-39 Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?”

“Seven loaves,” they said, “plus a few fish.” At that, Jesus directed the people to sit down. He took the seven loaves and the fish. After giving thanks, he divided it up and gave it to the people. Everyone ate. They had all they wanted. It took seven large baskets to collect the leftovers. Over four thousand people ate their fill at that meal. After Jesus sent them away, he climbed in the boat and crossed over to the Magadan hills.

I am overwhelmed by a God who heals and provides for our every need…”I hurt for these people, I can’t send them away without a meal.” That’s our Jesus, Son of God, who is God in human form who came to earth to seek and to save the lost…all of us. How can we not know Him, believe in Him, and trust Him with all that is within us and all of our “life stuff”? Turn your eyes on Jesus, look full into His wonderful, caring face. Turn away from all other voices that say the opposite. Accept Jesus. Receive peace.

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Dear Heavenly Father, Your Word to us strikes a cord deep in our hearts of the love You have for us. All of us. May we love You and love others more and more each day. Break our hearts of those things that break yours. Guide us by Your Holy Spirit to live it and live it well. In Jesus Name, Amen

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FROM THE HEART OF JESUS!

Posted on December 2, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The Story of Jesus

We can do good just to be understood as good people, but the motive behind the good is as important to Jesus as the deed. God told Samuel the prophet who was to anoint the next king, David, many centuries before Jesus, the Son of God, came to walk the earth, that God sees only the heart. What is on the outside is not as important to God as the inside.

Jesus speaks clearly to the Pharisees who have corrupted all of God’s commandments with their own rules, rules that give them power and make them look good…on the outside. These rules did not come from the heart of God. We must ask ourselves daily, what’s in my heart? What will flow from my heart to others in my talk and walk?

Matthew 15, Msg

What Pollutes Your Life
15 1-2 After that, Pharisees and religion scholars came to Jesus all the way from Jerusalem, criticizing, “Why do your disciples play fast and loose with the rules?”

3-9 But Jesus put it right back on them. “Why do you use your rules to play fast and loose with God’s commands? God clearly says, ‘Respect your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone denouncing father or mother should be killed.’ But you weasel around that by saying, ‘Whoever wants to, can say to father and mother, What I owed to you I’ve given to God.’ That can hardly be called respecting a parent. You cancel God’s command by your rules. Frauds! Isaiah’s prophecy of you hit the bull’s-eye:

These people make a big show of saying the right thing,
but their heart isn’t in it.
They act like they’re worshiping me,
but they don’t mean it.
They just use me as a cover
for teaching whatever suits their fancy.”
10-11 He then called the crowd together and said, “Listen, and take this to heart. It’s not what you swallow that pollutes your life, but what you vomit up.”

12 Later his disciples came and told him, “Did you know how upset the Pharisees were when they heard what you said?”

13-14 Jesus shrugged it off. “Every tree that wasn’t planted by my Father in heaven will be pulled up by its roots. Forget them. They are blind men leading blind men. When a blind man leads a blind man, they both end up in the ditch.”

15 Peter said, “I don’t get it. Put it in plain language.”

16-20 Jesus replied, “You, too? Are you being willfully stupid? Don’t you know that anything that is swallowed works its way through the intestines and is finally defecated? But what comes out of the mouth gets its start in the heart. It’s from the heart that we vomit up evil arguments, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, lies, and cussing. That’s what pollutes. Eating or not eating certain foods, washing or not washing your hands—that’s neither here nor there.”

Again, we must evaluate our hearts the way God would. Are we only keeping the rules or being led by His Holy Spirit to fulfill the intent of God’s commands? The two most important, according to Jesus Christ is to love God and love others the way He loves us…unconditionally, full of mercy and grace. What’s inside counts more than outside. What’s in my heart?

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Dear Heavenly Father, Your Word is convicting and affirming all at the same time. We repent of falling into rule keeping at times without thought to the motivation of our hearts. Cleanse and restore the joy of our salvation…that comes from our hearts and souls then flows to our minds. With a pure heart comes a pure mind and right attitudes. Yes, Lord, yes! In Jesus Name, Amen

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AND IF THAT WASN’T ENOUGH…

Posted on December 1, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The Story of Jesus (One of my favorite parts…)

There is a saying among circus people, from P.T. Barnum himself, that says, “always leave them wanting more!”. It was the idea to put people on the edge of their seats with the performance of a lifetime then stop and hope they but a ticket for the next time they are in town. People always want more and more. It seems to be human nature.

Jesus is more than enough to us! He goes before the Father every time something big happens, (like a miracle no one else can do), and the people want more, expect more, lose faith if there isn’t more. Jesus is God’s Son who was there at the beginning of the world’s existence. But our faith is weak when we are overwhelmed with what we think is the impossible. Our fear of the unknown overrides our complete trust in our known God. It happened to Peter, but think about how Peter learned an important life transforming lesson. He, my friends, at least got out of the boat!

Matthew 14, Msg (After miraculously feeding 5000 plus people!)

22-23 As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night.

24-26 Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. “A ghost!” they said, crying out in terror.

27 But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.”

28 Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.”

29-30 He said, “Come ahead.”

Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!”

31 Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?”

32-33 The two of them climbed into the boat, and the wind died down. The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, “This is it! You are God’s Son for sure!”

Yes, dear Jesus, your are more than enough for me! I have jumped out of the boat at times only to be overwhelmed by the task you called me to do, but there you were, taking my hand and together we completed the task. Thank you, dear Lord. You are more than enough for me. (And thank you, Peter, for jumping out of the boat to walk with the Master!, even if just for a little while on water!)

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Dear Heavenly Father, The Story of YOU in Your Word gets to me every time! You are God and we are not. That’s why we trust you with all that is within us. Forgive our doubts led by fear of the unknown. Put Your Hand on us and lift us up to where You are. Help us think more like You so we will behave more like you in every detail of this journey here. We know You are with us, Emmanuel. In Jesus Name, amen!

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JESUS–GRIEF AND GREAT COMPASSION

Posted on November 30, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The Story of Jesus

Have you seen someone, in their darkest hour, show more love and compassion than ever before? You would think that they would turn inward, to themselves, lick their wounds and generally care less about those around them. Actually, some do turn inward. But many don’t . As my uncle was dying, with no chance of recovery, we all gathered around my aunt in the waiting room. Another family suddenly came in weeping loudly for they were experiencing the same episode with a family member who time had come to leave earth. My aunt, without a second thought, jumped up from her chair and lovingly ministered to the wife of the soon deceased. Yes, when we come to the end, we are generally not as concerned about life stuff but more concerned about people in life and death situations.

The Son of God in human form has been told of the cruel death of John, “the one who prepared the way” for Jesus saving ministry to lost people, His first response is to slip away by boat to an out-of-the-way place by himself. This is God and man, at the same time. Didn’t he know this would happen? Yes, but still the shock of cruel death of God’s servant, John, is felt by Jesus in human form. Does Jesus know this is also a precursor to what will happen to him soon? Is he slipping away to be by himself OR to be with His Father in heaven to discuss the cruelness of this earth in which He came to save? We cannot know, but we do know this…the people saw Him and followed Him and later were cared for in miraculous ways.

Matthew 14, Msg

13-14 When Jesus got the news, he slipped away by boat to an out-of-the-way place by himself. But unsuccessfully—someone saw him and the word got around. Soon a lot of people from the nearby villages walked around the lake to where he was. When he saw them coming, he was overcome with pity and healed their sick.

15 Toward evening the disciples approached him. “We’re out in the country and it’s getting late. Dismiss the people so they can go to the villages and get some supper.”

16 But Jesus said, “There is no need to dismiss them. You give them supper.”

17 “All we have are five loaves of bread and two fish,” they said.

18-21 Jesus said, “Bring them here.” Then he had the people sit on the grass. He took the five loaves and two fish, lifted his face to heaven in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave the bread to the disciples. The disciples then gave the food to the congregation. They all ate their fill. They gathered twelve baskets of leftovers. About five thousand were fed.

We will see, as we continue the story of Jesus, that before every great miracle of compassion and strength, Jesus gets alone to be with His Father. Mm. Jesus turns His grief for John to compassion for hungry people and provides a meal for five thousand (plus women and children) people! Mm. What a great example of what to do with our own grief. But wait! There is more to come…

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Dear Heavenly Father, You came to earth to seek and to save the lost of which we are one of those. But we are now found in You, with You living in us. May we never lose sight of being with the Father continuously, never seeking to do anything by ourselves, for ourselves. May our bad times turn up the compassion within us for lost people, not hinder us. Yet, will I praise you, will always be our cry for there are so many who need you still. Guide our every thought and deed. May we be more like You with every breath we take and every challenging step we climb. Go with us, be with us. Keep us from causing pain to anyone, but help us instead be Your hands and feet to this dying world who is without You.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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