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

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

ON THE OTHER SIDE…WORSHIP!

Posted on November 2, 2013 by randscallawayffm

MOSES LEADS PRAISE AND WORSHIP!

“When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the LORD had displayed against the Egyptians, they feared the LORD and put their faith in him and his servant Moses.” Exodus 14, NLT

God displayed HIS power in a mighty and marvelous way! He does the same today! That is even more marvelous to us! That is why we put our total faith and trust in God, the One and Only! When we realize all that God has done and is doing in our lives, worship and awe comes from that deep place in our hearts, minds and souls and we must do something about it! Ever been there? We have!

Imagine God’s leader, Moses, standing high on a rock leading the God’s people in a new song, a song of praise, a song retelling the story of what just happened, a song where all the people join in and they don’t even know all the words to the song until it is sung! 

Imagine others adding verse after verse, out of praise, in unison, in one mind, in “one accord”, in worship together!! Maybe, this might be a taste of heaven? As we read, excitement for worship wells up in us as we are encouraged to worship along with God’s people!

“Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD:
I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; he has thrown both horse and rider into the sea.
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my victory.
He is my God, and I will praise him; he is my father’s God, and I will exalt him!
The LORD is a warrior; yes, the LORD is his name!
Pharaoh’s chariots and armies, he has thrown into the sea.
The very best of Pharaoh’s officers have been drowned in the Red Sea.
The deep waters have covered them’ they sank to the bottom like a stone.
‘Your right hand, O LORD, is glorious in power. Your right hand, O LORD, dashes the enemy to pieces.
In the greatness of your majesty, you overthrew those who rose against you.” Exodus 15

The song goes on…you must “sing” the whole song and your own excitement for what GOD HAS DONE will well up in you, too!

I love the big finish…”Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine and led all the women in rhythm and dance. And Miriam sang this song:

“I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; he has thrown both horse and rider into the sea.” Exodus 15

NOTE: This same Miriam, Moses big sister, who watched over Moses as he was put into the WATERS for protection, then drawn out by Pharaoh’s daughter, nursed first, at Miriam’s suggestion by his birth mother, all because she was “at her post to watch”, then raised in the palace, like a prince. Oh, how God works! Amazing! Let us worship Him with our lives!

Dear Heavenly Father, You ways are definitely higher than our ways or thinking. Our trust is in You. Our One and Only God. Thank you. May we worship every hour with our very lives given back to you in praise!
In Jesus Name, Amen

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

MORE Encouragement!

Posted on November 1, 2013 by randscallawayffm
CONFUSING THE ENEMY, AGAIN!
Who’s in charge here?

The enemy thinks they can have what is given to the people of God without faith, trust, commitment, devotion and love for God. God shows the enemy that is not so…with confusion that leads to destruction.

“Then the Egyptians–all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and charioteers–followed them across the bottom of the sea. but early in the morning, the LORD looked down on the Egyptian army from the pillar of fire and cloud, and he threw them into confusion. Their chariot wheels began to come off, making their chariots impossible to drive. ‘Let’s get out of here!’ the Egyptians shouted. ‘The LORD is fighting for Israel against us!'” Exodus 14, NLT

Enemy, what did you think would happen? Didn’t the miracles of God through the plagues against you give you even a hint?

“When all the Israelites were on the other side, the LORD said to Moses, ‘Raise your hand over the sea again. Then the waters will rush back over the Egyptian chariots and charioteers.’ So as the sun began to rise, Moses raised his hand over the sea. The water roared back into its usual place, and the LORD swept the terrified Egyptians into the surging currents. The waters covered all the chariots and charioteers–the entire army of Pharaoh. Of all the Egyptians who had chased to Israelites into the sea, not a single on survived.” Exodus 14, NLT

NOT ONE of the enemy survived!…The Power of God! Who is in charge here? GOD!

The God who moved the waters back for the Isralites is the SAME GOD who moves the waters back with solutions for our seemingly overwhelming problems of today! Believe it! It’s TRUTH in the form of the person of Jesus Christ, God, the Holy Spirit, the all in One for each one of us! 

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you, thank you, thank you! Help us realize the depth of your love and power! You loved us first. We love You back. May we always come to you first each morning for You are the One and Only with salvation, answers, peace, unconditional love, direction, focus, guidance, grace and mercy. Thank you, just thank you. In Jesus Name, Amen

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What encouragement!

Posted on October 31, 2013 by randscallawayffm

GOD, AT WORK, WHILE THE ENEMY IS CONFUSED!

As I read God’s Story, I am constantly amazed by HOW God works! Aren’t you? We are at the Red Sea (Exodus 14). The cloud became as darkness to the Egyptians who, now, can’t even find the Israelites! This is as amusing as it is amazing! Or is it just me and my sense of humor? Either way, you must read and reread this whole episode of God’s Story and the Power He displays!

THEN, while the enemy is confused in the dark and the Israelites are wondering what will God do to rescue us, God acts! God performs another miracle. He pushes the waters back on both sides of the Red Sea! He does what only HE can do. What does this tell us about God? He CAN do anything and WILL do whatever HE deems necessary and in whatever way HE wants to rescue us…even yet today! I know. I have been a recipient of this act of God in my life. Haven’t you? Stop, and think about it. Really.

“Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the LORD opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. So the people of Israel walked through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!” Exodus 14:21-, NLT

GOD does it! GOD makes a way where there seems to be NO way. And they don’t even get their feet wet! AMAZING! 

If your problems seem to big for you today, they probably are. Admit it to the God who makes a way through it all. Give in and give up. He WILL see you through it. And maybe, just maybe, YOU won’t even get your feet “wet”. My prayer for all us…In Jesus Name, Amen

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Praise from Moses, Man of God

Posted on October 30, 2013 by randscallawayffm

PAUSE TO PRAISE
Psalm 90: A prayer of Moses, the man of God
(NLT)

“Lord, through all the generations you have been our home! Before the mountains were created, before you made the earth and the world, you are God, without beginning or end.”

“You turn people back to dust, saying, ‘Return to dust!’ For you, a thousand years are as yesterday! They are like a few hours!”

“You sweep people away like dreams that disappear or like grass that springs up in the morning. In the morning it blooms and flourishes, but by evening it is dry and withered.”

“We wither beneath your anger; we are overwhelmed by your fury. You spread out our sins before you–our secret sins–and you see them all. we live our lives beneath your wrath. We end our lives with a groan.”

“Seventy years are given to us! Some may even reach eighty. But even the best of these years re filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we are gone.”

“Who can comprehend the power of your anger? Your wrath is as awesome as the fear you deserve. Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom.”

“O LORD, come back to us! How long will you delay? Take pity on your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.”

“Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery! Replace the evil years with good.”

“Let us see your miracles again; let our children see your glory at work.”

“And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!”

Prayer and praise of Moses is our prayer and praise for today!…In Jesus Name, Amen!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

THE ESCAPE!

Posted on October 29, 2013 by randscallawayffm

Miracle upon miracle!

God’s miracle of escape for His people is unbelievable…but we BELIEVE it! God’s Story tells us to “get moving” and then HE does the rest! His Story shows His glory, so their/our faith would be stronger in Him. He loves you. He loves me. Trust Him.

“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Use your shepherd’s staff–hold it out over the water, and a path will open up before you through the sea.” Exodus 14:15-, NLT

I wonder who took the first step and HOW did Moses tell a million people to “get moving”. This is way more than a story line for a movie! AND we see many miracles happening here before the spectacular parting the waters of the Red Sea! Can you imagine just getting a small group of a hundred to get moving at God’s command, in the same direction? Moses gets about a million people moving, at God’s command, in the same direction, right into the overwhelming waters of the Red Sea! It reminds me of the old saying, “God can’t steer a parked car!” But Moses steers God’s people at His command…to get moving! A miracle.

You might say, well, they had no choice! But I have watched others who thought they had no choice when in reality to sit and let the enemy overtake them was a choice. We cannot go back to the “way we were” (never did like that song). We must “get moving”. Back to the miracle of God…

“Then all the people of Israel will walk through on dry ground. Yet I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will follow the Israelites into the sea. Then I will receive great glory at the expense of Pharaoh and his armies, chariots, and charioteers. When I am finished with Pharaoh and his army, all Egypt will know that I am the LORD!” Exodus 14, NLT

God uses the enemy, turning a bad situation to good, so that all will know HE is LORD! He still does that, you know.

“Then the angel of God, who had been leading the people of Israel, moved to a position behind them, and the pillar of cloud also moved around behind them.”

Wow! God is putting a “hedge” between the enemy and His people to protect them and guide them. He still does that for us, you know.

“The cloud settled between the Israelite and Egyptian camps. As night came, the pillar of cloud turned into a pillar of fire, lighting the Israelite camp. But the cloud became darkness to the Egyptians, and they couldn’t find the Israelites.” Exodus 14, NLT

The enemy could not even see their prey! It seems God is giving His people rest just before the next move! God still does that, you know. Do you see all the miracles that are leading up to the “big finish” of the enemy? Yes, God’s Story is always bigger and bolder than we first think. What encouragement, filled with excitement, as we read and meditate on His Story…which is about God and His great power! Whew!

We will stop here, pausing to think about all the miracles God performs for us every day, going from “trapped to escape”. We will STOP to give Him praise. My prayer and praise, In Jesus Name, Amen!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

PANIC!

Posted on October 28, 2013 by randscallawayffm

When faced with an extreme challenge or circumstance, that demands an instant decision or choice, we are washed over with panic first…then, we cry out to the Lord. Every. Time. I wish it were different, but it’s not. When our circumstances completely overwhelm us and flood our thinking, we assume the worst, first. Ugh. 

Why is our trust so small compared to God’s greatness? We say we know, and even sing, “How Great is Our God” or “Great is Thy Faithfulness”…but first, we panic. So, we cannot be too hard on the Israelites. Yes, God performed many miracles in the process of their release from slavery. Yes, the LORD was with them by day and night. But Pharaoh is after them and they are trapped between the wilderness and the sea! Panic!

“As Pharaoh and his army approached, the people of Israel could see them in the distance, marching toward them. The people began to panic, and they cried out to the LORD for help.” Exodus 14:10, NLT

Can you imagine about a million people in sheer panic? Yikes! But in the same sentence, seemingly moments after panic or because of the seemingly hopeless, not humanly possible to get through this moment in time, “they cried out to the LORD for help.”

Psychologists call it “flight or fight” syndrome. Our human bodies were created to quickly assess a situation and make a decision for our own preservation. Our Creator made us this way to protect us. 

It is good they saw the severity of the situation, but even better that the very next thing God’s people did was to cry out to Him for help!

TROUBLE: When the problem is not resolved instantly, we turn on each other. “Then they turned against Moses and complained, ‘Why did you bring us out here to die…?” PEOPLE, don’t fall for that evil trap…stay focused on GOD! I love what Moses said God will do next.

SOLUTION: “But Moses told the people, ‘Don’t be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch the LORD rescue you…The LORD himself will fight for you. You won’t have to lift a finger in your defense.” Exodus 14, NLT (Read this whole exciting passage of God’s Story!)

God is the LORD of all! God makes a way, through the overwhelming waters of our lives, where there seems to be NO possible way in our human thinking. How would our lives be different if we gave up and let God? Are we in the way, sometimes? 

Dear Heavenly Father, We are “fixers”, aren’t we? We want to fix things, people and situations. But that is not our job. You will sometimes use us in the process of resolution, but it is up to You to “fight for us”. May we never forget this as we think more about Your character as we read YOUR STORY, that is about YOU. My prayer today, In Jesus Name, Amen.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

TRAPPED!

Posted on October 27, 2013 by randscallawayffm

Have you ever felt like God sent you headlong into a trap? We have been there. God sent us. No doubt. But it was an experience that was not at all foreseen. We are stronger people for living through it, but more importantly, we knew, without doubt, that God was, is, and always will be in control. We thought we had great trust in our Savior and Lord, and we did have enough to obey and walk into the trap. 

However, after the “trap experience”, our trust in God went way beyond what words can now describe! God is the LORD! HE is the One and Only to be glorified! He knows what He needs to do in and through us so that we (and others around us) will know that HE IS LORD! HIS story and our story intertwines to bring Him praise! It IS all about HIM…and not about us. These are not just words to sell a book! It’s Truth. We are secondary to His purposes but highly important to His Story. We are redeemed for His Story. We are HIS. We are loved unconditionally. We are precious to Him. 

As the prophet, Jeremiah, proclaims…”For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11-)

And Jeremiah reminds us (from the LORD) to pray…”In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. I will be found by you, says the LORD.” (Jeremiah 29, NLT)

So, you see, there is more to God’s Story than sending the people on the scenic route to the promised land. He actually sent them to be trapped between the wilderness and the sea…the Red Sea, to be exact. These were God’s instructions to Moses!

“Tell the people to march toward Pi-hahiroth between Migdol and the sea. Camp there along the shore, opposite Baal-zephon. This Pharaoh will think, ‘Those Israelites are confused. They are trapped between the wilderness and the sea!’ And once again I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after you. I have planned this so I will receive great glory at the expense of Pharaoh and his armies. After this, the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD!’ so the Israelites camped there as they were told.” Exodus 14, NLT

We are stopping here to meditate on this beginning of what God will do next! Think about what God has led you to and through and give HIM glory…in gratitude! That’s what God wants, I think? Don’t you?

Dear Heavenly Father, YOU are awesome and the only One to be praised! Thank you for Your Word that teaches and reminds us! Now may we “chew” on this all day long.
In Jesus Name, Amen

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

GIVE UP! Sometimes it’s the best thing to do!

Posted on October 26, 2013 by randscallawayffm

WE’RE TAKING THE SCENIC ROUTE!

Randy never gets “lost” on a trip. We can travel off the beaten path and see things we have never seen and have experiences that we have never had. I remember some of these times. When our kids would ask, “are we lost?”, the answer was always, “No, we’re taking the scenic route today.”

God takes His people on the “scenic route” when leaving Egypt. Why?

“When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them on the road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest way from Egypt to the Promised Land. God said, ‘If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.’ So God led them along a route through the wilderness toward the Red Sea, and the Israelites left Egypt like a marching army.” Exodus 13, NLT

When God takes us on the “scenic route” in our lives, in ways that do not make sense to us at all, do we still trust Him? Or do we question every turn in the trail? It is human to question, it is divinely wise to trust. God does know what is best for us. He knows us better than we know ourselves. 

As I read this, I also wonder, probably like you, WHY would the people ever want to return to bondage, to slavery in Egypt when faced with a battle or hardship? But don’t we do the same? We leave the bondage of sin and trust in God until we are faced with a “battle” or hardship that happens and we are tempted to return to the sin that enslaves us. 

We all battle the return to our sin. Paul, in Romans 7, said the same, “No matter which way I turn, I can’t make myself do right. I want to, but I can’t. When I want to do good, I don’t. And when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway…Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.” 

“The LORD guided them by a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night. That way they could travel whether it was day or night. And the LORD did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from their sight.” Exodus 13:21, NLT What assurance!!

We can have the Holy Spirit by day and by night as we take the scenic route in our lives! TRUST GOD, HE knows what He is doing in us, for us and through us! When the battle comes, and it will, be controlled by the Holy Spirit! We cannot win the battle alone. Give up control to God’s powerful Holy Spirit! 

“If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace.” Rom 8, NLT

“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as he raised Christ from the dead, he will give life to your mortal body by this same Spirit living within you.” Rom 8, NLT

“All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” Rom 8

When faced with a battle to return to sin, remember this,

“Overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” 
Rom 8, NLT

AND that’s not all…
“Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away.” Romans 8, NLT

Dear Heavenly Father,
We are grieving the loss of life in our family, decisions that need to be made, and other “life stuff”. We desire Your Holy Spirit’s comfort, guidance and peace. We thank You and praise You for ALWAYS and FOREVER loving us. Yes, I give up. Take control Holy Spirit. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment