BE

Posted on May 18, 2014 by randscallawayffm

BE

“BE STILL!,” the mom shouted to the little girl who was up and running around the plane, bothering the other travelers. The little girl finally took her seat so the plane could take off. She had a big smile on her face. Her mom leaned down and asked, “Why are you smiling? I just seriously reprimanded you!” The precocious little girl replied, “I might be in my seat, tied down, but in my mind, I’m still running around!”

I am that little girl. I admit it. I try to be still, even at my current age, and my mind is still running around! I need this verse to stop all action and just be.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10, NIV

“Be silent, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” Psalm 46:10, NLT

“Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.” Psalm 46:10, Msg

No matter how you say it, God is shouting to us to BE STILL!

As we worship corporately this morning, I will come with this thought in my mind…

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD!
BE STILL AND KNOW
BE STILL
BE. 

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Dear Heavenly Father, I will stop running around frantically in this busy world to stop and take a long, loving look at You. I will stop running around in my mind and just BE with You, for You, think about You, thank You, and listen to You. I will just be. I am listening expectantly…
In Jesus Name, Amen

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THE LONGEST CHAT WITH GOD! HONESTLY!

Posted on May 17, 2014 by randscallawayffm

THE LONGEST CHAT WITH GOD! HONESTLY!.

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THE LONGEST CHAT WITH GOD! HONESTLY!

Posted on May 17, 2014 by randscallawayffm

 

Yesterday, we wrote the last comments on the last verses of Psalm 119, the longest prayer/chapter in the Bible. And it was a good, long tedious study, wasn’t it? I was convicted, encouraged, and engaged by the chat the Psalmist had with God. The longest prayer displayed the Psalmist’s ever changing mood swings coupled with life transformation, from the inside out, by God Himself, working through him. The Psalmist was lamenting one moment then immediately his words turned to rejoicing. He was honest. We should be so honest. God knows anyway. He is God and we are not.

 

I am also reminded of a childhood of growing up in the church. There was a man in our church that was a LONG pray-er. The kids (and grownups) dreaded it when the pastor would ask him to pray…especially if we were standing up. An eternity seemed to pass by while this man preach-prayed, lamented and blessed everyone he could think of during his prayers.

After a long sermon, with our stomach’s growling, I remember praying myself, “Please God, not today, do not let our pastor call on Brother Tom to pray.” “I am so hungry!” (I was very young.) Pa-leeeeease, Lord, let your people go…home.” God did not answer that selfish prayer that day. Or did He?  After the last song was sung and I’m beginning to smell Grandma’s fried chicken in my mind, just waiting for us, at her farmhouse, satisfied that God would answer my prayer, Brother Tom was called on to pray. What?!

I actually began to listen, in my frustration, at this man’s soulful praying. It sounded pretty much like the Psalmist’s prayer, as I think about it today. Looking back, I remember now in my adult thinking, that this man was a former pastor with hurts in his family life. He had words from God that healed and blessed in his laments. He literally cried out to God in portions of his prayer. This was a man who was honest with God and blessed others as he prayed…”bless the lowly janitor who cleans the church every week”…see, I remember.

So, even though it takes some of us a little longer to express ourselves to God…and to others, we should patiently listen for honesty more than anything else. God does.

Dear Heavenly Father, Cleanse me. Help me to lay down all pretense and just be honest with You…and with myself. I will grow and mature at a better pace when I do. Renew a right spirit within me. And lead me on, moving forward from childhood and childishness to childlike, eternal faith in You. You are my everything! I know Brother Tom is now with you, tell him thank you for me. In Jesus Name, Amen

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“I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 17:10, NIV

He (Jesus) said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.” Luke 16:15, NIV

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I WILL SING OF YOUR LOVE FOREVER!

Posted on May 16, 2014 by randscallawayffm

I WILL SING OF YOUR LOVE FOREVER!.

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I WILL SING OF YOUR LOVE FOREVER!

Posted on May 16, 2014 by randscallawayffm

It’s FRIDAY! It’s the end of my wonderful work week, but not so for others, I realize that. But we also bring to close our wonderful walk through the prayer of Psalm 119, the longest chapter in our Bible, our love letter from God, Himself…just to us. 

What we have learned:
God’s Word is Truth. Period. It always has been Truth. We do not make it suddenly true with our finite understandings. Our discoveries of His nuggets of Truth along our journey do not suddenly appear as if hidden, it’s always been there. It comes to us when we need it most and we are better, closer to Him by absorbing His Word into our being, being transformed by His Word in ways that we cannot go back to our original state of being in our hearts, minds and souls. As we transform from caterpillars to butterflies, we want to fly! We do not and cannot go back to our worm-like status for we have become a new creation in Christ! Yes, I will sing of your love forever! 

Let’s meditate on the closing part of his prayer.

“O LORD, listen to my cry; give me the discerning mind you promised. Listen to my prayer; rescue me as you promised. Let my lips burst forth with praise, for you have taught me your principles.”

“Let my tongue sing about your word, for all yoru commands are right. Stand ready to help me, for I have chosen to follow your commandments.”

“O LORD, I have longed for your salvation, and your law is my delight. Let me live so I can praise you, and may your laws sustain me.” 

“I have wandered away like a los sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten your commands.” 
Psalm 119:169-176, NLT

God’s Truth. Whether I choose to believe it or not. God’s Truth. Always was, always has been, Always will be His Truth.

Here are the same closing verses as expressed by Eugene Peterson in his paraphrase, The Message. I love it!

“Let my cry come right into your presence, Yahweh; provide me with the insight that only come from your Word. Give my request your personal attention, rescue me on the terms of your promise. Let praise cascade off my lips; after all, you’ve taught me the truth about life!”

“And let your promises right from my tongue; every order you’ve given is right. Put your hand out and steady me since I’ve chosen to live by your counsel.” 

“I’m homesick, Yahweh, for your salvation’ I love it when you show yourself! Invigorate my soul so I can praise you well, use your decrees to put iron in my soul. And should I wander off like a lost sheep–seek me! I’ll recognize your voice.” Psalm 119, The Message

These precious verses are my prayer, dear Heavenly Father, for all of us. In Jesus Name, Amen!

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And I’m singing…

Over the mountains and the sea
Your river runs with love for me
And I will open up my heart
And let the Healer set me free
I’m happy to be in the Truth
And I will daily lift my hands
For I will always sing
Of when Your love came down

I could sing of your love forever, 
I could sing of your love forever, 
I could sing of your love forever,
I could sing of your love forever…

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REJOICE…BECAUSE HE KNOWS! EVERYTHING!

Posted on May 15, 2014 by randscallawayffm

REJOICE…BECAUSE HE KNOWS! EVERYTHING!.

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REJOICE…BECAUSE HE KNOWS! EVERYTHING!

Posted on May 15, 2014 by randscallawayffm

There is something comforting about knowing that God knows everything. He knows about every challenge we face. He knows every tear we shed in sorrow or in happiness. He knows what we need before we need it, like a mom or dad knows what their child needs and provides it before the child asks, for sometimes the child does not know what he needs.

God knew we would need His Word. He knew that words on paper for us to carry around, to memorize and meditate on would help us develop a deeper relationship with him. God’s word tells us about Him and about who He is and what He has done and will do. His love letter to us encourages us and then guides us. His Word reminds us of Truth, describes it and then tells the right way to behave that is most beneficial for us. 

“I rejoice in your word like one who finds a great treasure. I hate and abhor all falsehood, but I love your law. I will praise you seven times a day because all your laws are just. Those who love your law have great peace and do not stumble. I long for your salvation, LORD, so I have obeyed your commands. I have obeyed your decrees, and I love them very much. 

“Yes, I obey your commandments and decrees, because you know everything I do.” Psalm 119:162-168, NLT

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Dear Heavenly Father, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Thank you for knowing me well. Thank you for mercy and grace and your unconditional, forever kind of love. In Jesus Name, Amen

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GOT A GOOD LAWYER?

Posted on May 14, 2014 by randscallawayffm

GOT A GOOD LAWYER?.

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GOT A GOOD LAWYER?

Posted on May 14, 2014 by randscallawayffm

Now that I have your attention…(smiling)…let’s think about our Advocate Who sits before on the throne and speaks to God for us. What a grand thought to think about all day long today. Jesus Christ, our Advocate, speaks for us as we pray in His Name. His Holy Spirit guides us to obey, no matter what, as Jesus advocates for us.

“Powerful people harass me without cause, but my heart trembles only at your word. I rejoice in your word like one who finds a great treasure. I hate and abhor all falsehood, but I love your law. I will praise you seven times a day because all your laws are just. Those who love your law have great peace and do not stumble. I long for your salvation, LORD, so I have obeyed your commands. I have obeyed your decrees, and I love them very much. Yes, I obey your commands and decrees, because you know everything i do.” 
Psalm 119:161-168, NLT

A reminder from Paul speaking to the Romans, full of God’s Spirit…

“If God is for us, who can be against us?”

“So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? AND who would dare tangle with God by messing with on of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The ONE who died for us–who was raised t life for us!–is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us.” Romans 8, Msg

“Jesus our Master has embraced us.” Romans 8, Msg

Enough said. 
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Dear Heavenly Father, THANK YOU for being for us through it all and above it all. Thank you, Jesus, for being our lawyer and advocate. To YOU be the glory, honor and praise forevermore! In Jesus Name and because of Jesus, Amen!

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UP BEFORE THE SUN!

Posted on May 13, 2014 by randscallawayffm

UP BEFORE THE SUN!.

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