YOU HAVE TO KNOW THIS!

Posted on November 12, 2013 by randscallawayffm

YOU ARE MY SPECIAL TREASURE! –GOD

When Randy proposed marriage to me, he told me he loved me so much that he needed to spend the rest of his life with me. My love for him was growing at a rapid pace during those previous months of dating. But, I felt so unworthy to be this happily in love with another person. I thought I was the only one “in love”. I couldn’t believe that HE would love me back and love me back so much that I would be included in his life..forever. Wow, to be loved back is a treasure in itself. To be called a treasure, something of value in God’s eyes goes over the top in my thinking! But that’s what God is telling His people through Moses….

“The LORD called out to him from the mountain and said, ‘Give these instructions to the descendants of Jacob, the people of Israel: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I brought you to myself and carried you on eagle’s wings. Now, if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the nations of the earth; for all the earth belongs to me. And you will be to me a kingdom of priests, my holy nation.’ Give this message to the Israelites.'” Exodus 19, NLT

“They all responded together, ‘We will certainly do everything the LORD asks of us.’ So Moses brought the people’s answer back to the LORD.” Exodus 19, NTL

My answer to Randy was a resounding YES! after I said, are you sure? Me? You want me? Forever? He assured me that very day, that he would love me for the rest of our lives. Over 40 years later, we are still loving each other as treasures, precious treasures. Together, with God in the middle of our marriage, leading and guiding us, showing us His love for us and through us, we are carried on “eagle’s wings” with His protection and provision. We choose to obey God that comes from our love for Him.

Our love for each other, as a “treasure”, comes from knowing God treasures us. God gave his only Son, Jesus Christ for us. He gave His life for you. YOU are HIS treasure. Believe it. Live it, knowing that You are loved by the God of the ages! People will notice! The same God that carried Moses and the people, carries us…today, NOW! What encouragement!

Dear Heavenly Father, We love You because You first loved us. Thank you! Now we will meditate on this all day long…
In Jesus Name, Amen

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ATTENTION ALL LEADERS!

Posted on November 11, 2013 by randscallawayffm

WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO DO ALL THIS ALONE?

I have a confession to make. When Randy left the ministry of classroom teaching to become pastor of our church, I remained in teaching for awhile so we could “stabilize our economy”. Suddenly I was now a “pastor’s wife”, coach, leader, teacher, etc. I was already overseeing the ministry to our youth and children as well as the worship service. Now that Randy was pastor, we planned the worship service, too.

One Sunday, exhausted, God made me realize what I had done that Sunday morning. I had planned the lessons for Sunday School, taught the lessons, then moved the kids out to the sanctuary for worship. After I led worship from the piano, I ushered the kids/youth to the classrooms and taught children’s church! THEN, I left them in the hands of my older daughter (the only helper at the time) to return back to the sanctuary to lead the final worship song after the sermon! I KNOW! So lacking in wisdom at the time, as I thought I was “helping” the people by serving them. This was a “church start over”, so all our people were new, but still, that is no excuse!

Do you see how many times I said “I”. I was reprimanded by God’s Spirit that Sunday afternoon with “why are you doing this alone?”, just as Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, said the same thing to him while watching him work. I changed my life immediately and began to train others to do what I did better than the way I did it. I took JOY from doing just that! Training others became my passion and mantra then and still is to this day! I was also robbing many people of the blessings they deserved in serving our LORD with their gifts and talents! No more!

Moses gets the same lesson from his wise father-in-law, Jethro:

“When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, ‘Why are you trying to do all this alone? The people have been standing here all day to get your help.” Exodus 18, NLT

“Moses replied, ‘Well, the people come to me to seek God’s guidance.'” “I am the one…”

If you are the only one doing the work, then something is wrong! You are not the only one who can do the work! And guess what, we need to realize that God doesn’t really NEED us to get His work accomplished…but he invites us to HIS work so that we will go and teach others. Mm.

“This is not good!” his father-in-law exclaimed. ‘You’re going to wear yourself out–and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. Now let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before god, bringing him their questions to be decided. You should tell them God’s decision, teach them God’s laws and instructions, and show them how to conduct their lives. BUT find some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as judges over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.'” Exodus 18, NLT

BAM, problem solved! Go and teach others! Replicate yourself! Who are you mentoring, teaching to take your place? And who is mentoring You to take their place someday? Divide and conquer the tasks that God gives us. It’s His plan to share the work, for…”the yoke” He gives us is light and not meant to overburden us.

Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and followed his suggestions. Can we do the same? Are we afraid that if we train someone to do our job, that we are out of a job? How ludicrous is that thinking?…God will always have something for us to do, but I think the best job of all is teaching and training leaders to train leaders to train leaders!

Dear Heavenly Father, We know it is not good to constantly try to carry the whole load of Your work. It is not good for us. Sometimes we even become bitter and tired of the work instead of just being tired in the work. It is our fault. Sometimes we even think we are helping others more if we just “take care of it” ourselves. And that is not what You want. Help us to divide Your work into as many pieces as possible to use all the gifts You have given Your people in the place where we serve. In Jesus Name, Amen!

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WHOSE side are YOU on?

Posted on November 10, 2013 by randscallawayffm

DON’T MESS WITH GOD!

We learn three important lessons about God in His Story today. 

First lesson: Whoever dares to come against God and His People will not win. Ever.
Second lesson: When we are tired IN the work, not of the work, God provides help for us. When we allow others to help us, God blesses everyone in the work.
Third lesson: Give glory and praise back to the God!

Let the scripture speak…

“The warriors of Amalek came to fight against them. Moses commanded Joshua, ‘Call the Israelites to arms, and fight the army Amalek. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.'” Exodus 17, NLT

“So Joshua did what Moses had commanded. He led his men out to fight the army of Amalek. Meanwhile Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of a nearby hill. As long as Moses held up the staff with his hands, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites gained the upper hand. Moses’ arms finally became too tired to hold up the staff any longer. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side, holding up his hands until sunset. As a result, Joshua and his troops were able to crush the army of Amalek.” Exodus 17, NLT

“Then the LORD instructed Moses, ‘Write this down as a permanent record, and announce it to Joshua: I will blot out every trace of Amalek from under heaven.'” Exodus 17, NLT

“Moses built an altar there and called it ‘The LORD Is My Banner.’ He said, ‘they have dared to raise their fist against the LORD’s throne, so now the LORD will be at war with Amalek generation after generation.” Exodus 17, NLT

DONE! and DONE! If God is for us, who can be against us?
It is important to know, without doubt, whose side we are on.

Dear Heavenly Father, Your Story is so amazing! Your lessons of truth so encouraging! Thank you for saving us. Thank you for always being with us. I will meditate on this all day long.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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LIVING WATER GUSHES OUT!

Posted on November 9, 2013 by randscallawayffm

THE ROCK

“Take me to the Rock of my Salvation”, “The Rock that is Higher than I”, “Jesus is the Rock”, “Rocka my soul in the bosom of Abraham”, and my all time favorite song with “Rock” in the title…sing it with me…as praise and commitment to the “ROCK of all Ages”:

On Christ, the Solid Rock I Stand

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ Name

When darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil

His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my Hope and Stay

When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless to stand before the throne

Chorus:
On Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

Okay, back to the Desert sand…and no water for Moses’ traveling band of Israelites. (It could be the name of a Christian Band, you think?) So, what do the people do first when not at maximum comfort? We whine. Yes, I said “we”. We have all done it. We lose trust in the Solid Rock of our salvation when placed in a situation that scares us, and we whine. “We’re going to die!” said the people of Israel to God’s appointed leader, Moses. Moses, again, takes their complaints straight to the Source…God.

“Moses pleaded with the LORD, ‘What should I do with these people? The are about to stone me!” Exodus 17, NLT This a “rock concert” in which Moses wants NO part! (Smiling.) 

Interestingly, God uses a ROCK to solve their thirst problem. (Mm, hold that thought.)

“The LORD said to Moses, ‘Take your shepherd’s staff, the one you used when you struck the water of the Nile. Then call some of the leaders of Israel and walk on ahead of the people. I will meet you by the rock at Mount Sinai. Strike the rock, and water will come pouring out. Then the people will be able to drink.'” Exodus 17, NLT

God MEETS THEM at the “rock” with the solution! This reminds me of Jesus’ meeting the woman at the well, telling her I will give you water that will last forever! You will thirst no more! (“But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:14, NLT) 

Yes, Jesus, our Rock, where Living Water that quenches our thirst FOREVER, gushes out, when we come to Him in love and obedience.

“Moses did just as he was told; and as the leaders looked on, water gushed out.” 

Look what happens when we trust and obey the ROCK of our Salvation. God provides where He guides!

“Moses named the place Massah–‘the place of testing’–and Meribah–‘the place of arguing’–because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the LORD by saying, ‘Is the LORD going to take care of us or not?'” Exodus 17, NLT

Yikes. Are we, as God’s people, like this? Whining and complaining, testing God when we are faced with difficulty? Be honest. Ouch.

Dear Heavenly Father, WOW, what lessons You are reminding us of today through Your Story! Instead of complaining, help us to come to You, The Rock, first for solutions. We know it will save a lot of time to come to You first. But we need Your help. We cannot do this alone. THANK YOU for Living Water. My thirst is quenched!
In Jesus Name, Amen.

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GOD FIRST…and then the rest

Posted on November 8, 2013 by randscallawayffm
REST…IN THE LORD! IT’S ABOUT GOD!

God’s Story is all about HIM! We cannot make that point any clearer as we read, with this passion to know more about HIM each day. His Story is about His power, unconditional love, grace, mercy, protection, healing, and provision while “setting the stage” for the coming of His Son, Jesus Christ, our LORD. Our Redeemer.

With these thoughts in mind, we are excited, us as we think about the manna that fell from heaven each morning, fresh as the dew, NEW every day as the mercies of God are NEW each day for us! It’s about GOD providing for us…DAILY!

There is a reason the people were to REST on the seventh day. A double portion of manna was sent on the sixth day so the people didn’t even have to gather food on the seventh. THIS day was to be set aside for rest and to think about the blessings and provision and power of their God. God’s people questioned it with “WHY?” Why is there more food on the sixth and no food on the seventh?

“The LORD has appointed tomorrow as a day of rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. On this day we will rest from our normal daily tasks.” Exodus 16, NLT

BUT some of God’s people went out anyway to collect food on the Seventh day. There was none. “How long will these people refuse to obey my commands and instructions?” the LORD asked Moses. “Do they not realize that I have given them the seventh day, the Sabbath, as a day of rest?”

Maybe, just maybe the LORD, God of Heaven is asking us the same question this morning. WHY are you not taking a Sabbath to rest, and in the rest think about ME? Ouch. 

Yes, the world, by example through behavior believes in working, non stop around the clock. There is little reverence for a “Sabbath”, one day a week to gather for worship of our LORD. 

His Story is all about Him. What will we do about Him? Is God first in our lives? And then the rest of life follows…? I used to work in a store that was open for quite a few hours each day, including Sundays, of course. Many of the workers are now expected to work on Thanksgiving DAY, even taking that day from their families. Some are refusing for reasons of family and that is noble. It’s part of the reason I quit this second job. The dollars were not worth time away, working at odd hours, never knowing when or if I could be with family. But what about GOD? And our time with HIM?

God is not just part of our lives. He IS our life, in all parts of it! Put Him first, obey His commands and then see what comes next. We will be glad we did! We might not be able to change the world’s view of thinking, but we can begin to change our view back to a Biblical view of believing and behaving. My prayer for all of us, In JESUS Name, Amen.

 

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DON’T BE GREEDY!

Posted on November 7, 2013 by randscallawayffm
GOD, THE PROVIDER

We cry out to God for our needs. He provides. Then our human selfishness, since the fall of man, takes over and we allow greed to set in, WANTing more than what God thinks we NEED. From the beginning of mankind, God provided. He provided Adam and Eve everything they needed to eat…with specific instruction for their own good. “Don’t eat from that tree in the middle of the garden”, but they did, convinced they needed more. Are we like that?

Moses, God’s spokesperson, gives very specific directions about the manna to be collected each morning, the food that will meet their NEED for hunger. (Manna in Hebrew is translated the “what is it?”) Sometimes we don’t even know what we need…I relate to calling it the “what is it?”. 

“Moses told them, ‘It is the food the LORD has given you. The LORD says that each household should gather as much as it needs. Pick up two quarts for each person.'” Exodus 16:16, NLT Yes, pretty specific directions, easy to follow, but does everyone obey? Nope. 

“But, of course, some of them didn’t listen and kept some of it until morning. By then it was full of maggots and had a terrible smell. And Moses was very angry with them.” Exodus 16, NLT

“The people gathered the food morning by morning, each family according to its need.” Everyone “gets it” now and is on track with what God’s best for them. Yes!

Now you must REMEMBER what the LORD, God has done for you…God directs Moses to “Take two quarts of manna and keep it forever as a treasured memorial of the LORD’s provision. By doing this, later generations will be able to see the bread that the LORD provided in the wilderness when he brought you out of Egypt.” 

“Moses said to Aaron, ‘Get a container and put two quarts of manna into it. Then store it in a sacred place as a reminder for all future generations.’ Aaron did this, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. He eventually placed it for safekeeping in the Ark of the Covenant. So the people of Israel ate manna for forty years until they arrived in the land of Canaan, where there were crops to eat.” Exodus 16, NLT

What does His Story tell us about Him? God is our Provider. He gives us what we need in a way that is best for us in our current circumstance. He also wants us to declare His Glory by remembering all those times that He provided and retell of His times of provision, so others will know who God is and what He has done and will do for them. One last lesson in His story that jumps off the page is, don’t be greedy. Take only what is needed. Jesus, who called Himself the Bread of Life, reminded us to give away what has been given to you. (Example, if a man asks for your cloak…give him your shirt, too! Luke 6:30) The LORD will still provide for you. Simple obedience. 

Dear Heavenly Father, Your Word speaks volumes to us, again, today! Thank you for these reminders, this conviction, and this encouragement to live simply in pure obedience to your specific directions. You know what is best for us. We believe. By your power living in us, may we live what we say we believe today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

 

 
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IF GOD SAYS REST,…REST!

Posted on November 6, 2013 by randscallawayffm

Meanwhile, after the complaining, God provides. God feeds His people with “manna” by morning which tasted like honey cakes and meat by evening in the form of vast amounts of quail landing in their camp! Amazing miracles! 

With these miracles are more instructions to follow. Is God teaching His people to be responsible? With our lives? We live a short time on this earth on this temporary journey until we reach our forever home in heaven. What is it so hard to follow God’s instructions for doing what is best for us? We are a stubborn people, but we are learning.

Manna, meat and rest is the theme of God’s Story today! Rest on the seventh day says the LORD. Work six days then rest on the seventh! I will provide for you! But humanity’s curiosity had to test God’s instructions. They were told specifically to gather enough for that day only. God was showing that HE is LORD and is our daily PROVIDER, but the people didn’t trust Him quite enough. They gathered more than needed and it turned sour, full of maggots. Ew.

The only day they could gather more (twice as much) was on the sixth day so they could REST on the seventh. 

“On the sixth day, there was twice as much as usual on the ground–four quarts for each person instead of two. The leaders of the people came and asked Moses why this had happened. He replied, ‘The LORD has appointed tomorrow as a day of rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. On this day we will rest from our normal daily tasks.” Exodus 16, NLT

REST. God’s design for all humans. Work six. Rest on the seventh. Our world no longer seems to work that way and we have forgotten the reason to rest. Rest is a time to give thanks and glory to God for all He has done. When we do this, it revives our minds, hearts and souls. When our minds, hearts and souls are in tune and focused on God, our physical health is also rejuvenated. We are then ready to go with Him into the next week’s work, on mission with Him, with purpose and vitality. Rest makes us stronger…it really does! 

REST. It’ God’s gift to you. Receive it with gratitude. Without guilt.

Dear Heavenly Father, Your Story speaks volumes about Who You are and what You want from us. Teach us to rest. For what the world thinks is noble to work until you drop, is not what You designed. Speak to our hearts, minds and souls when we do rest. And thank you! For rest.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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NAVIGATING NEGATIVE THINKING! SHED IT!

Posted on November 5, 2013 by randscallawayffm

Don’t you love hanging out with negative thinking people? Aren’t they pleasant to be with as they put others down or make fun of the way they do ministry? And the complaining about the leadership? Oh, that’s fun to hear, too. Okay, have you caught the sarcasm? Even sarcasm is negative, mind-controlling nastiness that does not belong in God’s vocabulary for His people! 

Moses, the leader of God’s desert bound people, handles it well. He sheds it. Moses clearly tells the people who the complaints are leveled against. God! Not him. Can we do that?

Moses calls a meeting and tells God’s people,
“He has heard your complaints, which are against the LORD and not against us.” Exodus 16:7, NLT I wonder how many people caught that? Then he goes on to tell them what the LORD will do:

“The LORD will give you meat to eat in the evening and bread in the morning, for he has heard your complaints against him. Yes, your complaints are against the LORD, not against us.” 

How many times does Moses have to say this? Is he trying to convince the people or himself? Both, maybe.

“Then Moses said to Aaron, ‘Say this to the entire community of Israel: ‘Come into the LORD’s presence, and hear his reply to your complaints.'” Exodus 16, NLT

I don’t know about you, but if I was the complainer, I would be a bit afraid to come into the Lord’s Presence at this time. Think about it. Where do we think our complaining ends up? With the LORD, God! Ouch.

Instead of punishment, God provides. “Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.” Exodus 16:12, NLT

Yes, God’s Story…always about HIM!

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29, NIV

Dear Heavenly Father, We are surrounded by negative thinking people and sometimes we are the complainers, ourselves. As Your people, help us shed it as Moses did and name it…complaints against You. We repent for complaining. We repent for the times we don’t shed it. Fill us now with Your Holy Spirit’s power to live life to the full to bring You Glory and to encourage others seeking you. Keep us from causing pain to anyone. In Jesus Name, Amen

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DAILY MANNA

Posted on November 4, 2013 by randscallawayffm
THE DESERT EXPERIENCE

We’ve all been there. We feel dried up and unappreciated. We fall for the negative thinking that plagues us when we are not at “maximum comfort”. We are thirsty for the blessings of God, or at least a word from Him, Who we think has abandoned us. Has HE left? Or have we fallen for self. Again. And left Him?

After about a month, and only a month of what would be forty years on this trek through the desert, the people turn on Moses and Aaron and “the whole community of Israel spoke bitterly” against them. Ugh. This still happens, wearing some leaders out. But the good ones go straight to God, they don’t wear out! They shed the criticism and go to the Source of what’s next and follow HIS leading.

God’s people cry out…

“‘Oh, that we were back in Egypt,’ they moaned. ‘It would have been better if the LORD had killed us there! At least there we had plenty to eat. But now you have brought us into this desert to starve us to death.’ Exodus 16, NLT

As you and I read this we wonder why God didn’t just let the whiners starve. Of course, we don’t whine like that, do we? We don’t cry out, LORD this work is too hard, why did you take me from where I was successful and put me where I am not…and force me to depend on YOU! Oops, did we just answer our own question, LORD? Ahh…

“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. The people can go out each day and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether they will follow my instructions.'” Exodus 16, NLT

Ah, DAILY manna. We need that, too! The Manna, the Bread of Life, comes in daily doses for us for THIS day’s purpose and for His Glory! Lord, give us THIS day, our daily Bread…as Jesus taught us to pray.

I love how Moses explained the process with these words…”In the evening you will realize that it was the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt. In the morning you will see the glorious presence of the LORD.” Exodus 16, NLT Meditate on this “manna” all day long. Evening – Gratitude for what God has done. Morning – Realize His Presence with you! WOW!

Dear Heavenly Father, Your daily Manna of Your Word is so vital to our spiritual health, so important to realize what Your Presence means to us, and to give You praise all day long. THANK YOU! Just thank you.
In Jesus Name, Amen

 

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FREE FROM EGYPT! Free of problems? Not so much.

Posted on November 3, 2013 by randscallawayffm

The people rejoiced, sang jubilantly, praising God for His Power over their enemy. “I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously…The LORD will reign forever and ever!” God is the LORD is what God wanted the people to understand. His Story is about HIM! Now what? The people came down from their mountain top experience to the reality of following God on the daily journey through the desert. They get thirsty. The beginning of the endless whining begins. The first thing they do is turn against their leader. “What are we going to drink?” Exodus 15

Why are we humans so quick to whine at the first bad rut in the road to where God is taking us? I don’t know. But we do.

“So Moses cried out to the LORD for help, and the LORD showed him a branch.” 

A great leader will not sit and take the abuse of whining, but turn to the LORD immediately for help in what to do next. For it is not about the leader but about the LORD. The LORD provides. The branch is used as God’s tool to show His Power once again and makes a pool of water turn from bitter to clean. This first “test” came with…

It was there at Marah that the LORD laid before them the following conditions to test their faithfulness to him: ‘If you will listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and laws, then I will not make you suffer the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the LORD who heals you.’ After leaving Marah, they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees. They camped there beside the springs.” Exodus 15, NLT

The first leg of the journey complete. The first test expressed. Now rest. There will be more “tests” to come.

Dear Heavenly Father, Your Story reminds us that YOU are in control and in charge through all our circumstances and situations, small and large. Our job is to listen and obey. You will heal, restore and even renew us in rest, if we obey. I’m yours, LORD!
In Jesus Name, Amen

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