HERE WE GO!!

Posted on October 10, 2013 by randscallawayffm

At the beginning of anything we do for God, He seems to pump this powerful adrenalin through us that give us a burst of strength at the beginning of the task. Later, when tensions flair from outside people and those who whine, saying “this will NEVER work” gets to you, that “power” seems to wane. Does it for Moses? YES, over and over. But Moses and Aaron keep being and doing what God wants and the result is that God frees the people…all His whiny, regular people who are full of doubt but going along for the ride anyway, people who said it couldn’t happen and surprised it did, people who doubted their leaders many times, along with those who simply trusted. As I read the beginning of the plagues I wonder…what category am I in? Yikes.

Exodus 7 – Introduction of what’s ahead…
“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Pay close attention to this. I will make you seem like God to Pharaoh. Your brother, Aaron, will be your prophet; he will speak for you. Tell Aaron everything I say to you and have him announce it to Pharaoh. He will demand that the people of Israel be allowed to leave Egypt. But I will cause Pharaoh to be stubborn so I can multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt.”

God will not make it easy on Moses. If He did, it might be all about Moses instead of all about GOD! Wonder why our “calling” isn’t easy. Here’s an example. It’s not about us. Mm. Pause for meditation here and a personal evaluation of our own hearts. Simply put…God does not need us to do His work, but He does anyway so HIS power and glory can be seen, leading people to HIM, not us.

Stopping here to think, repent, and move our lives forward in this vein of what God expects of us.

Dear Heavenly Father, Your Word is Bread to our souls, the daily manna we so desperately need to navigate this temporary journey on earth. Thank you for the lessons, the reminders and the corrections. It IS all about YOU, dear LORD, God of heaven and earth. Help us. Save us. Grow us. 
In Jesus Name, Amen

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THE CAST OF PLAYERS

Posted on October 9, 2013 by randscallawayffm

Randy and I returned from Oklahoma last night. We took a few days to visit with family members who gathered at a state park to reminiscence the days of our youth with laughter and joy. Everyone God places in our lives plays a part in our story which is a small part of God’s Story. No matter the outcome of these relationships, our lives are affected by all who come and go in this journey.

God’s Story takes a “time out” to list the clans of some of the tribes of Israel, the ancestors of Moses and Aaron, before moving on with the events that lead to the freedom of God’s people from Egypt. We read this and wonder why the listing? Do we need to know where Moses and Aaron came from in the line of ancestors? Yes, apparently we need to be reminded that Moses and Aaron come from the line of Levi…the priests.

“The Aaron and Moses named in this list are the same Aaron and Moses to whom the LORD said, ‘Lead all the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt, division by division.’ There are the ones who went to Pharaoh to ask permission to lead the people from the land of Egypt.” Exodus 6, NLT

“At that time, the LORD had said to them, ‘I am the LORD! Give Pharaoh the message I have given you.’ This is the same Moses who had argued with the LORD, saying, ‘I can’t do it! I’m no orator. Why should Pharaoh listen to me?'” Exodus 6, NLT

As I read this, I recall many of of who gathered at the family reunion this past weekend, beginning every story with, “Remember (family member), the one who (what they did and who they were)?”

I hear God saying, “Remember Moses, the one who said he can’t…and I said I can?”

Yes, everyone in our lives affects us, challenges us and helps us to become who we are today. Maybe this “list of cast members” in God’s Story is helping us remember that everyone is important to His Story as it relates to our story. Maybe God is telling us, once again, that Moses was the one who said, I can’t, but God accomplished His purpose anyway. How will our families remember us? Are we a good influence? Are we helpful to them as they live their part of God’s Story? I pray we are.

Dear Heavenly Father, You teach us all the time, even in a list of people. We get it. We all are important to You in accomplishing Your purpose in us and through us…even when we say, I can’t. Thank you for reminding us that it is all about You. Help us to continually grasp and understand the depth of Your love for us.
In Jesus Name, Amen

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I CAN’T DO THIS!

Posted on October 3, 2013 by randscallawayffm

God had given me a seemingly impossible task. It was bigger than me. So, as most humans do at the beginning of any God-given project, I cried out from the overwhelming sea of doubt, “God, I can’t do this!” 

A definite whispered response from the Lord, the God of all, said to me, “Of course you can’t. But I CAN!”

Been there? Then we can understand Moses as he cries out to God when told to tell his own people, who would not listen, out of discouragement over more work, and then to go back to Pharaoh with “Let My people go!” Overwhelming.

“At that time, the LORD had said to them, ‘I am the LORD! Give Pharaoh the message I have given you.’ This is the same Moses who had argued with the LORD, saying ‘I can’t do it! I’m no orator. Why should Pharaoh listen to me?'” Exodus 6, NLT

Then God reminds Moses that it is God who will do this through him. Moses is right. He can’t. But God will!

“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Pay close attention to this. I will make you seem like God to Pharaoh. Your brother, Aaron, will be your prophet; he will speak for you. Tell Aaron everything I say to you and have him announce it to Pharaoh.'” Exodus 7, NLT

What does GOD’S STORY tell us about HIM this morning? HE is GOD! And we are not. HE CAN. We can’t…on our own. With God all things are possible! Really. That’s the Truth. If God guides you, He will provide for you…even the words to say. Wow! 

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for this reminder and encouragement this morning. When we are overwhelmed, it is when we fall prey to doing it ourselves. We repent of this. Who do we think we are? More importantly, Who do we think YOU are? Thank you for stopping us dead in our tracks to think about WHO You are and the great things YOU have done in us and through us…when we finally gave up and said, “I can’t”, so I AM can take over. 
In Jesus Name, Amen.

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NOW TELL THE PEOPLE…

Posted on October 2, 2013 by randscallawayffm

The little boy got exactly what he wanted for his birthday. Breathlessly, he held on to it tightly, close to his heart. Others at the party said, “Show us what it looks like!!” “Can we hold and touch it?” 
The boy said, “NO!” “IT”S MINE!” “I got what I wanted and you can’t take it from me!” 

As you read this, you are are probably thinking, what a spoiled brat! We, who have received the good news of Jesus Christ and know of His greatness and Power, sometimes act like the little boy with his Gift. We don’t pass on what God has so richly has given to us. For that, I am ashamed and repent of missed opportunities to “show and tell” of the Gift of Jesus Christ to me to be shared with everyone! 

Moses has taken a deep breath after being lashed with words from Pharaoh on the first “pass” of getting God’s people freed. Now, God has drawn near to Moses, again, and has given him a fresh look at His Promise to His people. God has given him Blessed Assurance that He will do what He says He will do, with the next command…”Therefore, say to the Israelites…” Exodus 6, NLT GO and tell…sounds like the command Jesus gave to us, doesn’t it?

It is imperative that the message of God be passed on to His people! To just give the message to Moses will not get the job done. The people need to hear of the impending redemption! It is imperative for us to pass on the Good News in this troubled world that overrides, literally saves us, from all that this world dishes out. Jesus Christ. The same yesterday as He is today! These are the thoughts today as we read God’s Word and what He might be reminding us about through the words to His people then. It applies NOW.

“‘Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will free you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with mighty power and great acts of judgment. I will make you my own special people, and I will be your God. And you will know that I am the LORD your God who has rescued you from your slavery in Egypt. I will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It will be your very own property. I am the LORD!'” Exodus 6, NLT

Dear Heavenly Father, As you have given to us, we must give to others. We get that. You have spoken very clearly through Your Word today. Thank You! Thank you for redeeming us, setting us free, from the bondage and slavery we put ourselves under. May we now serve You, even today, with a renewed Spirit…Your Holy Spirit.
In Jesus Name, Amen.

POWERFUL words from an ALL POWERFUL GOD!

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GOT JESUS? SHARE!

Posted on October 2, 2013 by randscallawayffm

NOW TELL THE PEOPLE…

The little boy got exactly what he wanted for his birthday. Breathlessly, he held on to it tightly, close to his heart. Others at the party said, “Show us what it looks like!!” “Can we hold and touch it?” 
The boy said, “NO!” “IT”S MINE!” “I got what I wanted and you can’t take it from me!” 

As you read this, you are are probably thinking, what a spoiled brat! We, who have received the good news of Jesus Christ and know of His greatness and Power, sometimes act like the little boy with his Gift. We don’t pass on what God has so richly has given to us. For that, I am ashamed and repent of missed opportunities to “show and tell” of the Gift of Jesus Christ to me to be shared with everyone! 

Moses has taken a deep breath after being lashed with words from Pharaoh on the first “pass” of getting God’s people freed. Now, God has drawn near to Moses, again, and has given him a fresh look at His Promise to His people. God has given him Blessed Assurance that He will do what He says He will do, with the next command…”Therefore, say to the Israelites…” Exodus 6, NLT GO and tell…sounds like the command Jesus gave to us, doesn’t it?

It is imperative that the message of God be passed on to His people! To just give the message to Moses will not get the job done. The people need to hear of the impending redemption! It is imperative for us to pass on the Good News in this troubled world that overrides, literally saves us, from all that this world dishes out. Jesus Christ. The same yesterday as He is today! These are the thoughts today as we read God’s Word and what He might be reminding us about through the words to His people then. It applies NOW.

“‘Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will free you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with mighty power and great acts of judgment. I will make you my own special people, and I will be your God. And you will know that I am the LORD your God who has rescued you from your slavery in Egypt. I will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It will be your very own property. I am the LORD!'” Exodus 6, NLT

POWERFUL words from an ALL POWERFUL GOD!

Dear Heavenly Father, As you have given to us, we must give to others. We get that. You have spoken very clearly through Your Word today. Thank You! Thank you for redeeming us, setting us free, from the bondage and slavery we put ourselves under. May we now serve You, even today, with a renewed Spirit…Your Holy Spirit.
In Jesus Name, Amen.

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STOP, TAKE A DEEP BREATH, MOSES…

Posted on October 1, 2013 by randscallawayffm
As I was reading over this passage of Moses’ first plea to Pharaoh to let God’s people go and Pharaoh response to increase the quota while taking away all their resources, it hit me, with this thought. I’ve actually done this on a very small scale.

Funding was tight in public education in Oklahoma that year, where I taught first grade. (Okay, I know that is not new, hear me out.) We lost some teachers making our class sizes even larger than before. If that were not enough, the larger class sizes also meant not enough resources. There were not enough books to go around. 

I had an idea. (Dangerous, I know!) To prove this point, with a visual, I invited the principal into my classroom. As we stood at the door, I related my predicament to him, asking for his advice…in this way, “You are my leader, so I am coming to you. I have 25 math books with 30 kids. Would you look over my classroom and tell me which kids will not be taught. I have tried and this decision is too much for me.” He walked away. The next day, I had enough resources for all my students.

Pharaoh has increased their quota and taken away their resources. But God knew it would happen. Even though his people and their leader, Moses is distraught over the situation. God stops and reminds them of His promise to them. Sometimes, we just need to stop, take a deep breath, listen to God and remember why we are doing what we are doing.

“‘I am the LORD. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty, though I did not reveal my name, the LORD, to them. And I entered into a solemn covenant with them. Under its terms, I swore to give them the land of Canaan, where they were living. You can be sure that I have heard the groans of the people of Israel, who are now slaves to the Egyptians. I have remembered my covenant with them.'” Exodus 6, NLT

What is God telling us this morning? YOU CAN BE SURE! The great, in control of all, Creator of all, I AM will be with you as He promised. God goes before us. He surrounds us. He has our backs. Yes, God’s got this! Tomorrow…Moses reminds God’s people of Who He is and what He has promised, while preparing to go back to Pharaoh!

In times like these, I have a Savior
In times like these, I have an anchor
I’m very sure, I’m very sure
My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock! 

Dear Heavenly Father, Your word reminds us of all the times You have been with us and will always be with us. Thank you, just thank you for this time to take a deep breath and just relax with blessed assurance. In Jesus Name, Amen!

 
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Throw it down. See what God does!

Posted on September 26, 2013 by randscallawayffm

The LORD asked him, ‘What do you have there in your hand?'”

“‘A shepherd’s staff,’ Moses replied.”

“Throw it on the ground,’ the LORD told him. So Moses threw it down, and it became a snake! Moses was terrified, so he turned and ran away.”

“Then the LORD told him, ‘Take hold of its tail.’ So Moses reached out and grabbed it, and it became a shepherd’s staff again.”

“‘Perform this sign, and they will believe you,’ the LORD told him. ‘Then they will realize that the LORD, the God of their ancestors…really has appeared to you.'”  Exodus 3, NLT

God takes what Moses has carried over the years to tend sheep, a very important tool of his trade, as well as a security, something to lean on, for him. God has asked him to throw it down!

What is God’s Story saying to us? Right now? Is there something He is asking us to “throw down” so that God may transform it for HIS purpose? For HIS glory? And could it be used for our own transformation to be what He wants us to be? Oooh, this is something to meditate on today!

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Focus, Only takes seconds to lose it!

Posted on September 25, 2013 by randscallawayffm

First graders are notorious for their lack of focus, some more than others.  One of those others came to my desk seconds after I had given them a simple task to do while I wrote down the lunch count and absentees for the office.  She stood there staring at me.  I looked up, called her name and asked what she needed.  She stared and said, “I don’t know”.  “I forgot.” She forgot what she wanted on the short trip from her desk to mine!  

I told this little one to stay near me until she remembered.  While i was finished my task of paperwork for the office, I could feel her concentrated stare on me.  I finally made suggestions as to why she might be there.  “Do you need help with the work I gave you?” Nope.  “Do you need supplies to do it?”  Nope.  Then it occurred to me, as she began to fidget, I leaned in and asked, “Do you need to use the restroom?”  “YES!  That’s it!”  And off she went.  But we’re not like that are we?

Sometimes we come to God’s “desk” in prayer this way.  We lose focus with thoughts of the day. But God is God and understands.  He says, “Come to me and I will give you rest.” And maybe…He says, “Stay near me until you remember why you came.”  Aren’t we glad God is so patient with us?

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