JESUS!

Posted on December 1, 2013 by randscallawayffm
IT’S CURTAINS!

Our oldest daughter was chosen to be in show choir many years ago when she was in middle school. We were so proud of her. Her grandparents and some of our friends came to the first performance. She even had a short solo in one of the songs! Video cameras were running. (We still have it on film!) Curtains! Action! 

Wait a minute, where IS she? The curtain puller could not get the curtains completely pulled back! Throughout the whole performance we could only see her arms moving from behind the curtain during the dance and song routines! I’m laughing out loud as I write this, many years later. I felt sorry for the poor curtain pulling kid who couldn’t allow us to see our daughter.

God designed curtains. Many curtains were built according to God’s specifications in the construction of His Tabernacle where He would reside with His People. The most important curtain of all was the one that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. 

“When the inner curtain is in place, put the Ark of the Covenant behind it. This curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.” Exodus 26, NLT

ONLY the designated high priests, chosen and set apart by God, could enter. Aaron was the first high priest, along with his sons. Very specific garments, each piece with extreme meaning were constructed for him. He was to wear all of it for he would be entering “The LORD”S Presence”. 

“These must be worn whenever Aaron and his sons enter the Tabernacle to approach the altar in the Holy Place to perform their duties.” (Read all of Exodus 28!) 

The people would not be able to go where Aaron and his sons went. They would not be able to see God or go into His Presence.

The curtain. Important. Then Jesus, the Highest of all Priests, came to earth, died for our sins, defeated evil and rose again. The “curtain” was torn in two pieces. The curtain no longer keeps us from God’s Presence among us. Because of what Jesus Christ did for us, we can boldly go, on our knees, before the God of Heaven! No curtain between us! Oh, dear Jesus, THANK YOU!!

“…we have a great High Priest who has gone to heaven, Jesus the Son of God. Let us cling to him and never stop trusting him. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4, NLT

PRAISE GOD! Jesus, His Son is our Perfect High Priest! No curtains, only redemption by the blood of the Lamb!

“…no one can become a high priest simply because he wants such an honor. He has to be called by God for this work, just as Aaron was. That is why Christ did not exalt himself to become High Priest. No, he was chosen by God, who said to him, ‘You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.’ And in another passage God said to him, ‘You are a priest forever in the line of Melchizedek.'” Hebrews 5, NLT

“While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could deliver him out of death. And God heard his prayers because of his reverence for God. So even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him.” Hebrews 5, NLT

No more curtains! We see as much as our hearts accept in obedience to Him!

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for sending Jesus to earth as our eternal High Priest, our advocate. Thank you. Just thank you. We are humbled by what You have done in and for us. Thank you.
In Jesus Name, yes in JESUS Name, Amen.

 

 
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SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED!

Posted on November 30, 2013 by randscallawayffm

SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED!.

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SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED!

Posted on November 30, 2013 by randscallawayffm

FOLLOWING GOD…EXACTLY AS HE SAYS!
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As a teacher, we tell our students to do every assignment with very specific directions. We want them to do it in a predetermined order so that they will do it correctly and more easily, too! When they don’t follow the EXACT directions, they get into trouble, the assignment is not done well, and they are discouraged. We remind students it is not because you are less intelligent, you just need to back up and follow the directions.

“Who needs directions?”, many people will say as they will be putting together all the toys that have “some assembly required” this season. No, by nature, we don’t seem to want to follow the directions. We just want to look at the pictures and guesstimate how it should all go together. In fact, there is a certain pride that comes with assembling something without looking at the directions! Dangerous.

God spends forty days and forty nights with Moses, going over the VERY specific directions of how His new “sacred residence”, His Tabernacle should look. FORTY days and nights! That is not surprising the God knows it will take that long to explain what He wants EXACTLY, in understandable terms, to we humans! ; )

“I want the people of Israel to build me a sacred residence where I can live among them. You must make this Tabernacle and its furnishing exactly according to the plans I will show you.” Exodus 25, NLT

God will not only TELL Moses but will SHOW Him EXACTLY what He wants. So, I am imagining God showing him drawings, pictures, if you will, as well as telling Moses every detail of the construction! Moses apparently “took notes” because Exodus 25 through 27 outlines each specific detail of the construction of this “home for God”.

What so we learn about God in His Story today? When God tells us that we are about to do a “new thing” for Him, are we attentive enough to do EXACTLY as He says. Are we tempted to cut corners, as some students do to get the “assignment” over with quickly without paying attention to detail? When a plan doesn’t come together, is it God’s fault? Where God guides, He provides. He provides the EXACT plan, the resources, and the people IF we follow His plan. We need to ask Him first, listen, trust and obey. 

Dear Heavenly Father, You are God and we are not. Your plans are specific and doable. Our plans are mere folly. We are listening as we hear You speak to us about doing a “new thing”. We want to follow YOUR lead in all ways. We will NOT plan then ask You to bless those plans. We are asking You FIRST, then following Your EXACT instructions. Yes, LORD, what do YOU want done? We are your servants. We are listening. In Jesus Name, Amen

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I’LL BE WITH YOU! –GOD

Posted on November 27, 2013 by randscallawayffm

I’LL BE WITH YOU! –GOD.

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I’LL BE WITH YOU! –GOD

Posted on November 27, 2013 by randscallawayffm

OBEDIENCE BRINGS US CLOSER TO GOD!

I am always amused at young students who ask can we do this or that which is usually a way around the rules of the classroom. Sometimes I will answer, “Yes, you can do that but the consequences are…” It is then that they begin to understand WHY they must obey the rules as stated. But we are not like that, are we? Do we look for ways around what God, in His Law and through Jesus, fulfilling that Law, has taught us? Do we say, “I don’t understand, so I will do this?” And worst of all, are we flippant with thoughts of, “Oh well, Jesus will forgive me so I will do this” because we know we will get away with it? There are always consequences. 

As I read through the chapters in Exodus this morning, another, completely different lesson comes to me about God and His Story. God is explicit in every detail when He explains the Law to Moses. He gives every possible circumstance of infraction of the Law that might occur with the resulting consequences. We laboriously read through all of that and wonder how that applies to us! (Check out Exodus 21-24)

Moses then tells the people ALL that God has told him and the people respond readily with, “We will do everything the LORD has told us to do.” (Exodus 24, NTL) Then Moses writes all the regulations down and READS “the Book of the Covenant” to the people. They respond, again with, “We will do everything the LORD has commanded. We will obey.” 

God and His people. He loves them. They love Him back and are willing to obey. This is good! 

THIS is what impresses me this morning. Because of this love and the attitude of obedience from His people, God allows the leaders to come closer to Him! 

OBEDIENCE brings us closer to God’s Presence! Wow!

“Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the leaders of Israel went up the mountain. There they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there seemed to be a pavement of brilliant sapphire, as clear as the heavens. And though Israel’s leaders saw God, he did not destroy them. In fact, they shared a meal together in God’s presence!” Exodus 24, NLT

As we share a meal of THANKSGIVING with our families tomorrow, we will rejoice and be thankful for God who brings us closer and closer to Him as we love, trust and obey Him more and more. Oh, to be standing in God’s Presence! “Standing on the Promises of God, My Savior!” “Trust and Obey, for there’s NO other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to TRUST and OBEY!” Yes, my heart is overflowing with songs of praise for His Presence AND His Promises of “I’ll be with you”! 

Yes, as we share our meals together, may God be Present! That’s what I will be most thankful for…His Presence!

“And He walks with me and He talks with me…and He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.” (And I’m singing…)

Dear Heavenly Father,
Draw near to us as we love, trust and obey. Thank you.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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WHEN GOD CALLS, GO WHERE HE IS!

Posted on November 26, 2013 by randscallawayffm

WHEN GOD CALLS, GO WHERE HE IS!.

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WHEN GOD CALLS, GO WHERE HE IS!

Posted on November 26, 2013 by randscallawayffm

MOSES ENTERS WHERE GOD WAS

When I go into a classroom as a sub teacher, the first thing I do is establish who I am (former teacher) and what I am going to do for them (teach). I give them only two statements. The first is “When I am talking/teaching, you will listen/learn.” This is followed by the second statement, “We will respect each other.” Then I pull them to a gathering place to explain and give examples of what those statements mean for them, so that we will have a great day together.

As we finish reading God’s spoken commandments in short sentence form, we find that the next thing God does is bring Moses where He is to explain in detail what is meant by the commandments. 

“As the people stood in the distance, Moses entered into the deep darkness where God was. And the LORD said to Moses, ‘Say this to the people of Israel….'” Exodus 20, NLT

God spoke to Moses, His chosen leader, about the details. Moses will spend his lifetime, sharing those details to a stubborn people. God begins with how to worship Him. “Build altars in the places where I remind you who I am, and I will come and bless you there.” Exodus 20, NLT God even tells Moses what the altar should be made of and how it should be used. 

As I read this, I think of how the classroom is a microcosmic version of God’s Story of His Law to help His people Love God, and Love Others. Simple. Every classroom has “laws” which are upfront understandings so that optimal learning can take place. (Those classrooms that are consistent in this form of behavior are the most successful!) God has given His laws with the same understanding so all will go well with us.

God’s churches who love God AND love others as the foundation with Jesus Christ as the Head, the “cornerstone” of that foundation, are the churches God blesses. “Build altars in the places where I remind you who I am, and I will come and bless you there.” Does your church remind you consistently of Who God is? Do we, as God’s church, trust God’s chosen leaders to give us the details of His law, will and purpose each time we meet together? 

Just as the students listen to the teacher, we need to listen to God’s leaders who have entered into the deep darkness with God, then listen to the details of how to be more and more like Jesus and do what please and glorifies His Name! It shows when a leader has been with God first before relaying His message to us. We must consistently pray for our leaders to stay true to God’s Word, His message to us!

God’s Story. Truth made simple by Him for us.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for Your Word that teaches the “details”. Help us to be more like You. Help us to then do what pleases You, what you keep reminding us through your prophets…”to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with You” (Micah 6:8, NLT). Yes, thank you for the details. There is no reason, no defense, if we sin, but when we do, thank you for forgiveness of those sins through Jesus Christ, Your Son, the Only Way back to You. We love you, LORD! 
In Jesus Name we pray, Amen

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FIND, FOCUS, FOLLOW…THEN LISTEN!

Posted on November 25, 2013 by randscallawayffm

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THE TEN – IT’S A WRAP!

God, Himself, came to Moses and God’s people to instruct them of His commandments, the laws that were established to guide and protect us, but the people were trembling in fear as they heard Him speak directly to them.

When God speaks, are we listening? Do we tremble at the still small whisper of His Voice when He guides and answers our prayers? It has been my personal experience, that when God speaks, it does cause me to tremble. That’s how I know it’s Him! I am not afraid of His Words and guidance, but I am in awe when He speaks and humbled that He would speak. To me.

I think of those intimate times with God, those turning points in my life, as I read what the people said after God, Himself, came to speak to them in such a mighty way. When people ask me today, when will we know if it is Jesus when He comes back? I laugh a little inside at the question. God’s Story tells us unequivocally that we all will KNOW when He comes! There will be NO ONE who can duplicate that way He will come. Until then, you can also know when He speaks to your heart.

Yes, if you find, focus and follow Jesus, He will speak to Your heart in a way that you will KNOW it is Him. He promised the Holy Spirit would be His way of speaking to us, guiding us, to know Him more and behave in ways that please Him.

“When the people heard the thunder and the loud blast of the horn, and when they saw the lightning and the smoke billowing from the mountain, they stood at a distance, trembling with fear.” Exodus 20, NLT

“And they said to Moses, ‘You tell us what God says, and we will listen. But don’t let God speak directly to us. If he does, we will die!'” Exodus 20, NLT

Okay, is that not like us today? Out of unhealthy fear of not really wanting to hear what God has to say about our actions, we would rather hear Him speak through someone else so that we don’t deal with God ourselves directly. Somehow, we think that might lessen the power of God’s Words and commandments. I know, silly, isn’t it?
But our human nature is to hide. (Remember Adam and Eve?) Many of us sit in the pews, Sunday after Sunday, to “hear what God has to say” and our first thoughts might be…I hope Harry heard that! I hope Sally takes that to heart!…without considering that God might be speaking directly to us. When we “get it”, we tremble.

“‘Don’t be afraid,’ Moses said, ‘for God has come in this way to show you his awesome power. From now on, let your fear of him keep you from sinning!'” Exodus 20, NLT

What does God’s Story tell us about Him? God desires to move into every part of our lives. He wants to talk with us. He wants us to listen. He gave us a Wonderful Counselor, Jesus Christ, to pay for our sins so we have the awesome privilege to boldly come right into the throne room of God, Himself. Yes, we tremble at the thought. But we are encouraged. God listens.

Dear Heavenly Father, Your Word sent us on a journey of thought that causes us to be completely yielding to You. We tremble. We are humbly thankful for You and all You provide. We tremble at the thought that You love us so much, you died for us. We are in awe that You are so interested in us and that You listen and then You speak to us. Thank you. Just thank you. I’ll be listening, Lord, all day long.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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I WANT!

Posted on November 24, 2013 by randscallawayffm

THE TEN – TENTH COMMANDMENT

Have you ever thought WHY the grass seems to be greener on the other side of the fence? Or why your neighbor’s flowers bloom brighter? As I get older, I realize that is is because they put more work into it and spent more money to get it to look that way…more than I wanted to work or spend my time doing. To admire and appreciate all the work that goes into a project of success is different, much different, than wanting what someone else has, so much so, that we would lie or steal to get it. We can do this, according to Jesus, in our minds, which is as bad as taking what is not ours physically. DO NOT COVET. That’s one definition.

“Do not covet your neighbor’s house. Do not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else your neighbor owns.” Exodus 20, NLT

Does this apply to us today? We do not have servants or donkeys! The whole advertising business relies on our minds willing to want what we do not have and will do anything to get it. The ads force us to think that we “deserve” it, must have it to live life, and “have it our way”. Yikes! Have you really stopped to listen to commercials and hear what the words are saying to you? What would Jesus say about commercials today? They appeal to every part of our human nature that we are trying put under control, “not conforming to this world, but renewing our minds” by the power of God’s Holy Spirit. (See Romans 12)

Jesus teaches from the mountain, the right way to think and behave that pleases Him and is helpful to us to live the “abundant life” He talks about. “You have heard it said….but I say…” Jesus tells us over and over, throughout His sermon, that the world will lie to us, but He is Truth and tells only the Truth. The “better life”, according to Jesus is not to want but to give. AND give in secret so you aren’t tempted to “blow your own horn”. (See Matthew 5 and 6). He tell us to LOVE our enemies. Do good to those who hurt you. Go the extra mile and give him the shirt off your back if necessary. This is all the OPPOSITE of coveting or badly wanting what others have and/or the life they lead. (Even in the Christian world of leadership!)

You can spend a lifetime wanting and working long hours to get or take it and end up with nothing you can present at Jesus feet when this journey is over. Name one thing that you “want” now that will be of any use in your next home. There is no earthly thing that travels with us to Heaven, is there. Mmm, I am convicted. How about you? Yes, we are thankful…but is it for things or people and time spent with them? 

As we approach the season of Christmas, we must keep these thoughts in mind, for giving to our children can even overpower our human nature to want to give more to them from the sin of coveting what others give to their children. Or grandchildren. When maybe what they will remember most is the TIME you spent, not on what you bought for them.

Whew, “do not covet” is much deeper than we thought when we began, but I understand why God wrapped up his commandments with this one. Be careful what we want…that is what God is telling us through His Story today. Oh, be very careful.

Dear Heavenly Father, The world bombards us with opposite thinking and behaving. YOU, TRUTH are indeed counter to this culture. Help us to stay focused on You, wanting what YOU want for us. The best.
In Jesus Name, AmenImage

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LITTLE SINS?

Posted on November 23, 2013 by randscallawayffm

THE TEN – Ninth Commandment

“Do not steal” Exodus 20, NLT

This is another one of those commandments that the everyday person thinks, “Well, I’m covered. I don’t steal cars, take from stores, or hold up liquor stores..so I’m good.” Mm. What about taking supplies from the office, or extra condiments from the restaurant, or everything and more from the hotel your staying in has to offer? As I write this, we are staying in a lovely hotel. 

When I worked in retail a couple of years ago, I learned a very important statistic. Did you know that there is more employee stealing in retail than we would like to know? “Loss prevention” employees are hired to watch over not only the customers who may steal, but from the employees! There is a cost for “the watch” and that cost is passed on the us, we consumers AND to the wages of the employees! So that t-shirt you’re buying costs more because of the “cost for loss” figured into the price.

Yes, sometimes it’s the “little sins” that trip us up. And by the way, there are no little sins…a sin is a sin in God’s eyes. If the Holy Spirit bothers you with it, then take care of it. Sin is sin. There are no “levels” of sin. Guard your integrity. (Integrity = Doing what’s right even when no one is looking!)

“Keep your heart pure, says Paul to young Timothy. This is one of those “keep your heart pure, full of integrity” kind of commandments. “Do not steal.” In any way, shape or form.

Dear Heavenly Father, Convict our hearts of all sin. Help us, by the power of Your Holy Spirit within us, to know immediately the right thing to do. May the world know You more by the way we behave because of our love for You.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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