YOU ARE GOD! and we are not…Day Three 

Posted on June 12, 2014 by randscallawayffm

Land. Solid Rock to stand on. Beaches to play on. Vegetation to enjoy as well as food for our bodies. Trees to be used to build shelters on this land to protect us. It’s all good. It’s all God.

“And God said, ‘Let the waters beneath the sky be gathered into one place so dry ground may appear.’ And so it was. God named the dry ground ‘land’ and the water ‘seas.’ And God saw that it was good.”

“Then God said, ‘Let the land burst forth with every sort of grass and seed-bearing plant. And let there be trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. The seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came.’ And so it was. The land was filled with seed-bearing plants and trees, and their seeds produced plants and trees of like kind. And God saw that it was good. This all happened on the third day.” Genesis 1:9-13, NLT

A God-designed plan continually produces vegetation for the land he created. A circle of life demonstrated of plants to bear fruit then die with seeds to spring forth life in the next season. Never ending. That’s our God. Who else does that for His created? He is God. We are not.
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Dear Heavenly Father, What you have done for us from the simple to the complex in Your design is too much for our minds to comprehend. You love us, that’s for sure. Yes, there is NO ONE like You. Not one. We love you back because You first loved us. You were first and You will have the last Word. Thank you. That’s why we praise You and trust You with all that is within us.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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YOU ARE GOD! and we are not. Day Two

Posted on June 11, 2014 by randscallawayffm

YOU ARE GOD! and we are not.  Day Two.

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YOU ARE GOD! and we are not. Day Two

Posted on June 11, 2014 by randscallawayffm

Water. God created water, divided the “waters” so we would have water to drink to sustain life as well as water to keep the earth growing and healthy, always reviving itself.

“And God said, ‘Let there be space between the waters, to separate water from water.’ And so it was. God made this space to separate the waters above from the waters below. And God called the space ‘sky.’ This happened on the second day. Genesis 1:6-8, NLT

Water. I love to drink it. I cook with it. I love to shower in it. I water my flowers with it. Beauty is made with flowing water in artistic, creative ways by God. We are made clean by it. I was baptized as a show of life-change, my gratitude and praise for my salvation by being submersed in it. Water. Without we would die. 

I will think about this as I take a drink from clean water all day long today. And I will pray that others who do not have this privilege on this earth, will have it soon. 

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Dear Heavenly Father, By walking through creation, one day at a time, we are even more grateful for what You have done for us. Water, simple, yet profound in Your plan of creation. Thank you for water. May we always be grateful for the sustaining life you have given us here as you prepare for us there with you. Wow, it’s beyond my thinking and brings me to my knees in praise, honor and gratitude. Make a way for all to enjoy physically, clean water as well as the eternal, living water of Jesus Christ. 
In Jesus Name, Amen

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YOU ARE GOD, we are not: Day One

Posted on June 10, 2014 by randscallawayffm

YOU ARE GOD, we are not: Day One.

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YOU ARE GOD, we are not: Day One

Posted on June 10, 2014 by randscallawayffm

The more I read God’s Word the more I realize that the ultimate goal is to show us who our God is and what He has done for us through the ages of His time and creation. After a visit to the Creation Museum recently, that walked us through the Bible from beginning to Christ, I am compelled to begin at the beginning again, to remind us of the power and majesty of our Creator. 

Let’s do it.

Day One:

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was empty; a formless mass cloaked in darkness. And the Spirit of God was hovering over its surface. Then God said, ‘Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that it was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. And God called the light ‘day’ and the darkness ‘night’. Together these made up one day.” Genesis 1:1-5, NLT

“First, God. God is the subject of life. God is foundational for living. If we don’t have a sense of the primacy of God, we will never get it right, get life right, get our lives right. Not God at the margins; not God as an option; not God on the weekends. God at center and circumference; God first and last; God, God, God.” (Peterson)Image


Dear Heavenly Father, We are lost without You. You are Creator. You are God. i am not. We praise You, the great I AM, with all our heart, mind and soul as we think and meditate on Who You are and what You have done. Thank you for the privilege to know You more. Thank you dear Jesus for a relationship that is true and right. As get back to basics, overwhelm us with Your wisdom, insight and understanding that will lead to awe and worship of You like never before as we reread “the beginning”.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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TIMOTHY AND TITUS Leadership Principle #19: LOST AND FOUND

Posted on June 9, 2014 by randscallawayffm

TIMOTHY AND TITUS Leadership Principle #19: LOST AND FOUND.

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TIMOTHY AND TITUS Leadership Principle #19: LOST AND FOUND

Posted on June 9, 2014 by randscallawayffm

At the end of a school year many lost hats, scarves, single gloves, pencil sharpeners, toys, pencils, crayons, library books suddenly show up as students are forced to clean out their desks and lockers one last time. It’s like Christmas. Many repeat these words, “Hey, I didn’t know I had that!”

Paul is reminding Titus, one more time, what we all have, but sometimes forget. We also forget how lost we were and now how “found” we are. “Remind the people!” Paul tells Titus. “Take a firm stand”…”Concentrate on the essentials”. 

THE ESSENTIALS:

“God’s people should be bighearted and courteous. It wasn’t long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back.” Titus 3, Msg

“But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God’s gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there’s more life to come–an eternity of life! You can count on this.” Titus 3, Msg

This is the GOOD NEWS that is for everyone! We were LOST but now we are FOUND. God’s Word is all about the glory of God, the majesty and power of God, the saving grace and mercy of God who made a way through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, for His created people to love him back, to be restored fully so we can call him Abba, Father. We were lost but now we are found. Sigh, is there anything else better than this? I think not! 

This is our last lesson and most important as leaders…remind everyone that God saves us from being lost to being found and restored forever and ever, Amen.

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Dear Heavenly Father, We have read and pondered Your Word in letters from one leader to other leaders and we have learned the importance of the continuing message of lost and found. Thank you for your unending, unconditional love that beckons us back to you. It is so good to be “found”.

Thank you for restoring us to full admission into Your Holy Presence to learn from You, to listen and obey. Continue to be with leaders, those on the front lines of ministry and those who are right behind them taking care of all the behind the scenes work of Your Kingdom. Bless us as we continue to thirst for Your Word and then walk Your Word daily with You. In Jesus Name, Amen

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TIMOTHY AND TITUS Leadership Principle #18: TAKE IT ON!

Posted on June 8, 2014 by randscallawayffm

TIMOTHY AND TITUS Leadership Principle #18: TAKE IT ON!.

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TIMOTHY AND TITUS Leadership Principle #18: TAKE IT ON!

Posted on June 8, 2014 by randscallawayffm

Once we were god-less. No peace, no hope, no life. Paul words to Titus are bold and full of enthusiasm for what God was done for us. As leaders, we are put in charge to show and tell who God is and what He has done for us…so that others will know!

“God’s readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation’s available for everyone! We’re being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into his good, pure life, making us a people he can proud of, energetic in goodness.” Titus 2

“Tell them all this. Build up their courage, and discipline them if they get out of line. You’re in charge. Don’t let anyone put you down.” Titus 2

Paul is telling his protege to stand firm on what counts and what’s right because Jesus salvation is for all of us! Hope, peace, unconditional love, eternal light has arrived! We all must take a stand! We can’t be wishy-washy about what we now know. When it is wrong, according to scripture, then say so…but with an energetic, passionate Spirit of love and care in our hearts for the destiny of people. This comes from the center of our being…where Jesus lives. Spread the Love and the Hope! There’s more to come!

Take it on. 

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Dear Heavenly Father, This is hard stuff at times. It is easier to be quiet and not take the abuse. But there are times when we are called to stand up and remind others of what You said in your word. I am reminded of the many times, on the mountain, when you were here on this earth, explaining the Truth and meaning of You…”You have heard it said, but I say unto you…” Help us to help others understand your word by daily teaching us Your Word and the Truth of Who You are. Feed us, so we can share with others. Give us the power to live, with enthusiasm, a God-filled life that honors You.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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TIMOTHY AND TITUS Leadership Principle #17: DYI!

Posted on June 7, 2014 by randscallawayffm

TIMOTHY AND TITUS Leadership Principle #17: DYI!.

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