THE COVENANT DETAILS REVEALED

Posted on October 8, 2024 by randscallawayffm

In the world of law and lawyers, contracts are written between two parties to assure fairness in the workplace, in business and in personal transactions.  Adherence is important in keeping the contract. Contracts have specific “line items” indicating how the contract must be adhered to for a contract is binding and irrevocable—unless you find a “loophole” which seems to be the main work of lawyers today—to find a way out of doing what was originally agreed upon. 

It seems to be human nature to look for loopholes in life with God and others.  There are tasks that we think are highly offensive, take up too much time, or requires just too much from us.  So, we question God with why along with, “God, is this really necessary?”  All because we do not want to do what it takes to fully trust and obey the One who has our best interests at heart. Yikes. I am so grateful that God forgive us when we think we know what is best for us and fail miserably.

God’s covenant with Aram has new “line items” that required of Abram’s adherence of obedience.  The Lord appears to Him.  God then declares who He is with the call to “walk before me faithfully and be blameless.”  No problem for Abram.  He has learned his faith lessons well and has succeed to grow in faith so far. 

But then God asks him to do a specific task as a sign of the covenant between God and Abram and all his descendants after him.  “You want me to do what, now?”  Did Abram look for a loophole in the contract that day?

Genesis 17

The Covenant of Circumcision

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. 2 Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”

3 Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 4 “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. 5 No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. 6 I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. 7 I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. 8 The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.”

9 Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come. 10 This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring. 13 Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant. 14 Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”

15 God also said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. 16 I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”

17 Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” 18 And Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!”

19 Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. 20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. 21 But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year.” 22 When he had finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him.

23 On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or bought with his money, every male in his household, and circumcised them, as God told him. 24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised, 25 and his son Ishmael was thirteen; 26 Abraham and his son Ishmael were both circumcised on that very day. 27 And every male in Abraham’s household, including those born in his household or bought from a foreigner, was circumcised with him.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Real faith doesn’t seek loopholes around God’s call or in the fulfillment of His call. “On that very day Abraham…” Abraham quickly obeyed the covenant promise between them without questioning the why of circumcision.  But, Abram did wonder how a child could be born in their advanced age—with a chuckle.    

Real faith walks humbly with God consistently.  The word “blameless” is sometimes translated “perfect,” but it does not mean “sinless,” for that would be an impossible goal for anyone to reach. It means “single-hearted, without blame, sincere, wholly devoted to the Lord.” It was a call for integrity.  Abraham’s proves his faith is sincere in his prompt obedience to God. God keeps his promises and rewards our obedient faith. When God promises to direct our paths, we can be confident he will carefully lead us.

Real faith is a relationship with God that is sincere as we respond to God.  The phrase “My covenant” is used often in this chapter and defines God’s relationship with Abram.  Imagine Abraham returning to his camp to inform the people of God’s covenant stipulations, (especially the men), that he had a new name with purpose and promise! Some of them must have smiled and said, “Father of a multitude! Why, he and his wife are too old to have children!”

No matter what others said or believed, he looked at the dust beneath his feet or the stars in the heavens, and whenever anyone called him by name, Abraham was reminded of God’s gracious promise to give him many descendants.

God’s covenant with Abraham also includes us! All who trust Jesus Christ as Savior are spiritual children of Abraham (Galatians 3:6–9), and that will be a vast multitude (Revelation 7:9). God’s covenant promises to redeem us and be with us always is accomplished in Jesus, His Son.  Jesus is the promise of salvation delivered by God to us.  God’s love and commitment to His created culminates and is demonstrated through His Son, Jesus. Why?  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”  John 3:16-17

CIRCUMCISION’S DEEPER MEANING—

When God commanded Abraham to circumcise all the males, this wasn’t the shock we all think it was at that time.  Warren Wiersbe, theologian and Bible commentator writes;

“Circumcision was not a new rite, for other nations practiced it in Abraham’s time; but God now gave it new importance and special meaning. For the descendants of Abraham, circumcision was not an option; it was an obligation.”

“Since God’s covenant involved Abraham’s descendants or his ‘seed,’ it was fitting that the mark of the covenant was to be on the male organ of generation. Since all people are conceived in sin (Psalm 51:5), this special mark would remind them that they were accepted by God because of His gracious covenant.”

“The Jewish people eventually made this ritual a means of salvation; circumcision was a guarantee that they were accepted by God. They did not realize that circumcision stood for something much deeper: the person’s relationship to God. God wants to “circumcise our hearts” so that we are totally devoted to him in love and obedience (Deuteronomy 10:16; 30:6; Jeremiah 4:4; Romans 2:28, 29; 4:9–12). This “spiritual circumcision” is accomplished at conversion when the sinner believes in Christ and is baptized by the Spirit into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). This baptism identifies the believer with Christ in his death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, and also in his circumcision (Colossians 2:11, 12; Luke 2:21). It is not ‘the circumcision of Moses’ but ‘the circumcision of Christ’ that is important to the Christian believer.”—Wiersbe, Wiersbe Study Bible

Later, the Jewish leaders were confronted by God’s Son, Jesus on this issue of the circumcision of the heart.  And they had Him killed.  God knew they would.  But through Jesus death AND resurrection, we are made new in our relationship to God!—God’s Plan all along.

Sarai got a new name with a promise, too.  She will now be called Sarah, the mother of many nations.”  How did she respond? –with a chuckle.  More to come…stay tuned!

Lord,

Cleanse our hearts by removing all that offends you by cutting away our sins by your love, mercy, and grace.  Renew our minds with your higher ground thinking.  Refresh our souls with your tender new mercies for today.  Restore the joy of your salvation at work within us as we enjoy a wholly committed relationship with you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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BLESSINGS DERAILED BY IMPATIENCE

Posted on October 7, 2024 by randscallawayffm

There shall be showers of blessing:
  This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
  Sent from the Savior above.

 Showers of blessing,
  Showers of blessing we need;
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
    But for the showers we plead.

How many times have we impatiently jumped in to humanly correct a problem that our Sovereign God has already promised to solve?  What are we thinking?  Do we think that our idea would save God time and move His work along a bit faster?  Maybe we even rationalized that our way is what God wanted all along?  Is this what prompts our arrogant prayers at times with the plea, “Lord, bless our plans;” instead of the humble prayer of, “Lord, what is your plan?”

We must learn to stick to the prayer Jesus taught us to pray believing that God will answer for our good and His glory.  We must pray to God, The Father with honest, sincere, patient hearts and plead, “May your will be done, in your time, in your way.”  Showers of blessings that our Father wants to pour out over us are derailed or postponed at times by our impatient self-will. Impatient living affects everyone around us.  Oh Lord, help us all, In Jesus Name, Amen.

There shall be showers of blessing—
  Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
  Sound of abundance of rain.

Showers of blessing,
  Showers of blessing we need;
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
    But for the showers we plead.

Not too long ago, Abram was assured and reminded by God that He would bless him with offspring.  (Genesis 15) But the aging Abram and Sarai faltered in their faith and just couldn’t see how, so they came up with a plan…a human plan.

Genesis 16

Hagar and Ishmael

16 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; 2 so she said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.”

Abram agreed to what Sarai said. 3 So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian slave Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. 4 He slept with Hagar, and she conceived.

When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. 5 Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my slave in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the Lord judge between you and me.”

6 “Your slave is in your hands,” Abram said. “Do with her whatever you think best.” Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her.

7 The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. 8 And he said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?”

“I’m running away from my mistress Sarai,” she answered.

9 Then the angel of the Lord told her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.” 10 The angel added, “I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count.”

11 The angel of the Lord also said to her:

“You are now pregnant
    and you will give birth to a son.
You shall name him Ishmael,
    for the Lord has heard of your misery.
12 He will be a wild donkey of a man;
    his hand will be against everyone
    and everyone’s hand against him,
and he will live in hostility
    toward all his brothers.”

13 She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” 14 That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; it is still there, between Kadesh and Bered.

15 So Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne. 16 Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael.


WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

There shall be showers of blessing;
  Send them upon us, O Lord!
Grant to us now a refreshing;
  Come, and now honor Thy Word.

Showers of blessing,
  Showers of blessing we need;
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
    But for the showers we plead.

In this story of God, God reveals His love and compassion to Hagar, who was used and abused by Sarai who she served with obedience.  Note that God sought her out and found her.  He saw her hurt and misery and gave her what no one else did—love, attention, and care with a way forward.  This Egyptian, who knew nothing of God except through Abram and Sarai, know knew God for herself— “I have now seen the One who sees me.”  God comes to all who call out for mercy. 

There shall be showers of blessing;
  O that today they might fall,
Now as to God we’re confessing,
  Now as on Jesus we call!

Showers of blessing,
  Showers of blessing we need;
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
    But for the showers we plead.

God gives purpose with a plan for Hagar who has run away.  “Where do you come from and where are you going?” Did that hit your heart?  It did mine.  What a God we have that helps us see the fruitlessness our plan that is no plan at all that can save us!  God gives direction to Hagar that won’t be easy but doable with His help.  “Go back to Sarai and submit to her.”  Wow, go back where the abuse began?  God, there must be a better way!  But Hagar did what “the God who sees her” said to do for she now has a relationship with God.  He is the God who saved her. God changes everything in Hagar.

God rescues those who are caught up in the human, sinful plans of others.  Then God steps in to correct and redirect His humans back to His perfect plan.  God loves us that much! God is unfailing even when we fail Him.  God’s love is unchanging even though we change our minds about how we love Him back.  God is faithful—always—even when we are not.  Our God is amazing!  To God be the glory! 

Abram and Sarai lost patience with God and decided to do life on their own for a time. We learn that life didn’t’ go well for them and all those around them. Peace alluded the household.  The relationship between Abram and Sarai was tense and intense.

But then God stepped in to do what He does best—He made a way through it all.  God displays His perfect patience and delivers what He promises no matter what humans try to do to derail His Plan.  The blessing over Abram is fulfilled.  Stay tuned…there’s more!

There shall be showers of blessing,
  If we but trust and obey;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
  If we let God have His way.

Lord,

Forgive us our sins of impatience that lead to bad behaviors that are not of you. Cleanse our hearts, renew our minds, refresh our souls with your tender new mercies daily, and restore the joy of your salvation at work within us to be and do all that pleases you.  I believe for you have seen me.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Showers of blessing,
  Showers of blessing we need;
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
    But for the showers we plead.

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GOD’S ASSURANCE

Posted on October 6, 2024 by randscallawayffm

It is much easier at the beginning of God’s call on our lives for we have yet to know all that we will need to be, do, provide, give, endure, protect, and conquer as overcomers with God in this world to fulfill His call.  We are giddy with excitement at first, just knowing that God, the Creator of the all, is inviting us to join Him in His work!  But as the days go by in actually doing what He asks; we wonder how will God’s will be accomplished in and through us as opposition builds against us as a response. Spiritual warfare is no “walk in the park” and is unavoidable.   

What if we don’t have what it takes to do all that God asks us to be and do?  The work can become so overwhelming, so incredibly hard to accomplish, with seemingly no way for certain things to happen given certain conditions, that we fall prey, like roadkill for crows, to being eaten alive in the process of fulfilling what God said would happen in and through us. Before it happens; we wonder.  Are we on the right road?  Are we getting closer?  Is it possible to even get there?

Abram is at this place on the journey with God.  Abram’s faith needs reassuring by the God who called him to leave home and all that he knew as “normal” behind him to follow God to a new land that is already occupied by all the “ites” who live there.  The call of God doesn’t make sense at the moment, especially to childless Abram so he asks for assurance—that blessed assurance—that can only come from God who called him.

Genesis 15

The Lord’s Covenant With Abram

15 After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:

“Do not be afraid, Abram.
    I am your shield,
    your very great reward.”

2 But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inheritmy estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.”

4 Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” 5 He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”

6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

7 He also said to him, “I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it.”

8 But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?”

9 So the Lord said to him, “Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon.”

10 Abram brought all these to him, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite each other; the birds, however, he did not cut in half. 11 Then birds of prey came down on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away.

12 As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him. 13 Then the Lord said to him, “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there. 14 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. 15 You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age. 16 In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.”

17 When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. 18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates— 19 the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, 20 Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, 21 Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

God knows our hearts and knows what is on our minds.  Before Abram even asks for assurance, God begins the conversation with; “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” I love that about God, don’t you?  He knows our need before we express it.  He knows what’s on our minds before we say it out loud to Him.  This alone gives us confidence with assurance from our God who never leaves or forsakes us and is with us always—even to the very end of the age!

Our blessed assurance expands exponentially through Jesus.  Jesus, Son of God, came to earth, moved into the neighborhood of humanity, and demonstrated God’s love for us.  He showed the world how to commune, be one with God, listen for direction from God, follow what God says faithfully coupled with His relentless willingness to trust and obey God’s plan to save us!  It’s all verified and clarified in His prayer that Jesus taught His disciples to pray!  “May YOUR Kingdom come, May YOUR will be done…”

Lord,

Thank you for these thoughts that compel us to think beyond the words written to the deeper message of your love for us that prompted your gift of salvation.  Thank you, thank you, thank you for saving us, teaching us, and being with us always. May your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  I’m yours.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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TEST OF CHARACTER

Posted on October 5, 2024 by randscallawayffm

How far would we go to rescue a relative who has been less than fair and helpful to us?  What we believe about God will be known by our first response when trouble comes and a rescue is needed.  God is building His character in Abram.  Abram is a human created in the image of God, just like all of us. Because Abram’s faith is growing, he is now beginning to behave in ways that are like our compassionate God.

War breaks out on the earth as kings fight over power, land, and greater wealth.  Abram gets involved when his nephew, Lot, and his family, have been taken captive.  Abram could have said, “Well, that’s the land he chose, so too bad for him.”  “Lot made his bed and now he must lie in it.”  “This is payback from God because he took the best from me.”  These are all human responses we have heard and maybe said ourselves.  But Abram instead responded like God would have—He left immediately to rescue Lot.  Can we just pitch our tents on that thought for a while?  

Genesis 14

Abram Rescues Lot

14 At the time when Amraphel was king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer king of Elam and Tidal king of Goyim, 2 these kings went to war against Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboyim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). 3 All these latter kings joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Dead Sea Valley). 4 For twelve years they had been subject to Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.

5 In the fourteenth year, Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him went out and defeated the Rephaites in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in Shaveh Kiriathaim 6 and the Horites in the hill country of Seir, as far as El Paran near the desert. 7 Then they turned back and went to En Mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and they conquered the whole territory of the Amalekites, as well as the Amorites who were living in Hazezon Tamar.

8 Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboyim and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) marched out and drew up their battle lines in the Valley of Siddim 9 against Kedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goyim, Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five. 10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell into them and the rest fled to the hills. 11 The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food; then they went away. 12 They also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom.

13 A man who had escaped came and reported this to Abram the Hebrew. Now Abram was living near the great trees of Mamre the Amorite, a brother of Eshkol and Aner, all of whom were allied with Abram. 14 When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. 16 He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people.

17 After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).

18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying,

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
    Creator of heaven and earth.
20 And praise be to God Most High,
    who delivered your enemies into your hand.”

Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.”

22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 23 that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ 24 I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me—to Aner, Eshkol and Mamre. Let them have their share.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Martin Luther King, Jr said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”  Above all, this powerful preacher with a heart for God called on mankind to seek a change of thought that would in turn reflect God’s character in our response and behavior. What King taught was deeper than most people realize, deeper than the insane prejudices, deeper than unfairness and inequality—but in building the character of God in mankind.  It begins with believing God with faith to trust and obey what He says. When we believe and are led by God, we find ourselves responding quickly without thought to our own interests, comforts, and conveniences or to what others around us think. “The time is always right to do what is right.”—MLK

And what does God require of us?

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

Yes, Abram is showing all the signs of God impacting his life by building Godly character within him.  This is the story of God who works through ordinary, flawed humans who humbly walk with Him.  They seek God’s direction and help to do what He requires from all of us; “act justly and love mercy.” 

As we give our lives to Christ and repent of our sins, God’s grace-filled work begins.  After the rescue, we are safely brought into His Presence.  By the power of His Holy Spirit, a transformation of how we think begins take place as we walk humbly with God.  We discover that our decision to follow Jesus changes everything about us—beginning with our character.  We even amaze ourselves with our new response to daily challenges that used to stir anger and cause unwise behavior.

Believing in Jesus and His work on the cross, reconciles (reconnects) us to God, our Father and Creator—the most important relationship we will ever have!  Our new relationship with God is full of love, mercy, and grace as He goes to work on our character.  But it all begins with Jesus who went to hell and back to rescue us!

Abram left the comforts of his established home to go and rescue Lot.

Jesus left the comforts of heaven to come down to earth to rescue us.

This is the character of God.  This story is about God whose character traits form in all who believe and trust in Him.  Abram exercised faith in God and made right decisions. We can count on God to work through the patterns and roles in our lives, too.

Think about it…

Adam and Eve marred the image of God within them; but the good news is that when God redeems an individual, He begins to restore the original image of God, creating a “new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24). That redemption is only available by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior from the sin that separates us from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). Through Christ, we are made new creations in the likeness of God (2 Corinthians 5:17).  Grace wins.

Lord,

Thank you for your rescue, redemption, and restoration.  But I’m not finished yet in my transformation.  Thank you for not giving up on me.  My heart, mind and soul are in your beautiful hands. Thank you for loving us the way you do. May your Holy Spirit lead me to what is true with courage to live what is true.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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DECISION TO SEPARATE

Posted on October 4, 2024 by randscallawayffm

“This town ain’t big enough for the both of us!”  This is the line shouted by the “bad guy” to the “good guy” in most westerns right before a gun battle ensues between them.  The good guy doesn’t want to shoot it out with the bad guy but is ready to do so to protect himself, his town, and his family.  We watched and cheered for the good guy to win the battle. In the old westerns, the war between good and evil was nearly always won by the heroic good guys by the end of the movie.  All the quarreling, harassing, and fighting over possessions was solved when the good guy defeated the bad guy.  The towns people cheered and the world was set right once more—all in an hour and half. 

Truly the area in which Abram and Lot pitched their tents, raised stock, and invested in silver and gold, which provided wealth for their families was becoming too crowded!  But look what God is doing in Abram!  Abram is developing wisdom as he walks in faith with the Lord.  Notice what Abram did first—he went back to the place where he had met the Lord earlier and bows in front of an altar he had built to worship God. Could his prayer to the Lord have been about the overcrowding situation?  Did he ask God for how to solve the issue with his nephew, Lot? Could he have prayed, “Lord, he’s family, what do I do that will be best for all concerned?”

How many times have we bowed in an altar of prayer, asking the Lord to give us wisdom in family issues, quarrels, and misunderstandings?  God will provide help when we ask Him.  The answer might not be what we think should happen, if fact,most times it is not, “for God’s thoughts and ways are higher than our thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

But when we ask for wisdom, with a sincere heart and listening ears, God will answer with the right solution at the right time in the right Spirit.  I can testify of how God has done it over and over for me!

Genesis 13

Abram and Lot Separate

So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, with his wife and everything he had, and Lot went with him. 2 Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.

3 From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier 4 and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the Lord.

5 Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. 6 But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. 7 And quarreling arose between Abram’s herders and Lot’s. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time.

8 So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.”

10 Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: 12 Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. 13 Now the people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord.

14 The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. 15 All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. 17 Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.”

18 So Abram went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he pitched his tents. There he built an altar to the Lord.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

  • Abram consulted God in prayer.  Abram’s relationship with God is growing his faith.  God is pleased and blesses Abram with wisdom for the journey.
  • Abram listens to God’s wisdom with a solution for the overcrowding problem that has cause an outbreak of quarrels among the family who fight for and defend their territory.
  • Abram set aside his own interests and gives Lot the honor to choose.  Lot looked around and chose what was best for him.  “Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom.”
  • Abram is blessed by God for his obedience to God.  “Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever.”  ALL belongs to God.  ALL we need in the eyes of the Lord is given to us by God in His timing for our good. To God be the glory!
  • Abram moves on with God in the lead.  So Abram went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he pitched his tents. There he built an altar to the Lord.

PAUSE TO PRAY AND REFLECT–

What family issue is troubling with seemingly no clear solution?

What financial dilemma looms in the horizon that seems impossible to resolve?

What do we do in the wait for resolution and peace?

Have we cried out for wisdom, insight and understanding—with willing hearts ready to receive it from God?  (take a deep dive into Proverbs 2)

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.  As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

Lord,

Your story strengthens our faith as we read and watch how Abram’s faith and focus on you grew on his journey.  Abram’s faith led Him to seek your wisdom in a troubling family situation.  Abram then willing set aside what he wanted for what you told him to do—give Lot the honor of choice.  When we trust and obey, you provide the way to peace.  Give us wisdom, Lord for our journey today.  Guide us in all we think, say, and do.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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GO—WITH PROMISES!

Posted on October 3, 2024 by randscallawayffm

Father Abraham had many sons
Many sons had Father Abraham
I am one of them and so are you
So let’s just praise the Lord

Admit it, if grew up in church you just sang those words and now the tune will be stuck in your head all day long!  But the truth is, God called Abram, gave him a new name Abraham, and then did exactly what the song said—God made Abraham the Father of the nation of Israel! “Many sons had Father Abraham…”

But first, Abram had to do his part, obey God’s call. Abram had to leave all he knew and go with God.  “So Abram went…”.  God blessed Abram to be a blessing as he trusted and obeyed God. But in his human nature, there were “hiccups” of faith following along the way.  May we learn from Abram as we read with hearts, minds, and souls guided by God’s Holy Spirit who leads us to all that is true.

Genesis 12

The Call of Abram

The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

2 “I will make you into a great nation,
    and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
    and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
    and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
    will be blessed through you.”[b]

4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. 5 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.

6 Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. 7 The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him.

8 From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord.

9 Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev.

Abram in Egypt

10 Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. 11 As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are. 12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. 13 Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.”

14 When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was a very beautiful woman. 15 And when Pharaoh’s officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace. 16 He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels.

17 But the Lord inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarai. 18 So Pharaoh summoned Abram. “What have you done to me?” he said. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her to be my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!” 20 Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Randy and I understand the call of God to leave home and all that you have known.  We have learned that life is harder not doing what God says because HE knows what lies ahead and we do not.  We “fly blindly” into the work if we only answer God’s call but do not consult God at each step of the journey.  The “call” includes surrender to God to trust and obey—wherever HE leads. 

We’ve all heard what other believers have experienced, “God does not call the equipped but equips the called.”  We must be careful not to use this as an excuse when we fail to follow God in all the details of life and throw up our hands with “oh, well”.  These words come from the mistakes we make on the journey of “GO” when we do not allow God to do what God does best—lead the way!  Humbly seek God, as Abram did.

Abram obeyed by faith (Hebrews 11:8). True faith is based on the Word of God and leads to obedience. God would not bless and use Abram and Sarai unless they were in the place of His designed Will for them.  This is still true for us today!  Are we where God wants us to be?

God called Abram out of unrighteous living.  God called and then began to work in Abram’s life. Salvation and rescue from evil to all that is God happens when grace is offered to sinner who respond in faith! (See Ephesians 2:8) God called Abram out of idolatry.  Abram was living in Ur of the Chaldees, a city devoted to Nannar, the moon-god. Abram did not know the true God, and had done nothing to deserve knowing Him, but God graciously called him. “You did not choose Me, but I chose you” (John 15:16).

God called Abram by name to be what he was not—yet!  The remarkable thing about God’s call of Abram and Sarai was that they were childless!  Abram means “exalted father,” but he wasn’t a father at all! They were the least likely candidates to have a family and build a great nation. But God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8, 9), and by calling and blessing a barren couple, the Lord revealed the greatness of His power and His glory. Abram would be named “Abraham,” which means “father of many nations.”

God called imperfect people.  Imperfections do not negate the call of God.  Abram and Sarai were not perfect, but their walk was generally characterized by faith and faithfulness. When they sinned, they suffered for it; and the Lord was always ready to forgive when they repented.  Our imperfect lives are filled with a series of “new beginnings” by our gracious Father who perfectly forgives us in Jesus Name when we repent.  Accept failures as lessons on the journey with God.  Even though we fail him at times, He never fails us.  It is not in His nature or character.

God’s Mission will be accomplished and His Promises fulfilled.  It is not up to us but up to God who is always faithful.  Warren Wiersbe writes; “God did not give Abram reasons or explanations; He simply gave him promises: “I will show you . . . I will make you . . . I will bless you . . . I will bless those who bless you.” God promised to show him a land, to make him into a great nation, and to use that nation to bless the whole world. God blesses us that we might be a blessing to others, and His great concern is that the whole world might be blessed. The missional mandate of the church does not begin with John 3:16 or Matthew 28:18–20. It begins with God’s covenant with Abram. We are blessed that we might be a blessing.” –Wiersbe Study Bible

Abram’s Response to God

There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord.  Abram learned to worship God while seeking His direction.  More than once, when God speaks; Abram learns to stop, listen, trust, and obey. 

When God intervenes in our lives—is it not monumental? When seeking God’s will for the next step, it is not wise to go to an altar of surrender and ask what HE wants, letting go of what we think?  I have found it helpful throughout my life to build a place in our home where I can commune with God.  I cannot do life without Him!  Only then can I stand on the promises of God—the greatest promise being, “I will be with you always.”  Always and forever.

Lord,

There is much to learn about YOU and your character from the life of Abram. Thank you for helping us grow closer in our walk with you reading about the faith of our “fathers”. 

I surrender this morning.  I give all of me to all of you.  Forgive me of my sins as I forgive others who have sinned against me.  Lead me to turn from evil and run to You.  Guide my thoughts by renewing my mind.  Thank you for saving me and setting me free from all that hinders our relationship.  Make me a blessing to others.  To you be the glory!

In Jesus Name, Amen

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THE DANGER OF UNITY

Posted on October 2, 2024 by randscallawayffm

Wait, what?  Yep, if you are lifer in the church, you have seen it happen more than once.  God works within the Body of Christ to grow and mature the people from the inside out and outside in.  People come because they are drawn to the smiling faces who are in awe of what God is doing in their church.  All kinds of people come because of who they first see when they arrive.  They see Jesus on the faces and feel the positive energy of the staff and volunteers—all of God’s work among them.  Let’s admit, there is great strength and encouragement in numbers. With the growing numbers of people attending come more opportunities to join God in the work He is doing among His people.  Lost people find Jesus who bring other lost people who are seeking what they are missing, too. 

The Enemy of God hates it when unity with God and with His people happens.  So, the old tricks of deceit and manipulation of how to think about God are pulled out the bag he continues to use.  Same bag, same tricks.  While God is work doing great things; the people become arrogant and believe the work being done is because of their efforts.  This is the first sign of danger.  Patting each other on the back; leaders think they no longer need God.  “Thank you, Lord God” we sing happily in worship. But later, in our everyday life of serving, we arrogantly think, “we’ve got this, God.”  “Thank you for helping us get started.”  God begins to be put aside to pursue what we want for ourselves—”making a name for ourselves.”  THIS is the danger of unity among a people who leave unity with God. 

We become just a bunch of “babbling” church goers in need of restoring our relationship with God through Jesus.  “Apart from Me, you can do nothing,” (John 15), words of Jesus echo in our minds as churches split because of arrogance, pride, selfish ambition, and greed. God’s work diminishes when His people think they have become God.

Genesis 11

The Tower of Babel

Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2 As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there.

3 They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”

5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. 6 The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.”

8 So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.

From Shem to Abram

10 This is the account of Shem’s family line.

Two years after the flood, when Shem was 100 years old, he became the father[d] of Arphaxad. 11 And after he became the father of Arphaxad, Shem lived 500 years and had other sons and daughters.

12 When Arphaxad had lived 35 years, he became the father of Shelah. 13 And after he became the father of Shelah, Arphaxad lived 403 years and had other sons and daughters.[e]

14 When Shelah had lived 30 years, he became the father of Eber. 15 And after he became the father of Eber, Shelah lived 403 years and had other sons and daughters.

16 When Eber had lived 34 years, he became the father of Peleg. 17 And after he became the father of Peleg, Eber lived 430 years and had other sons and daughters.

18 When Peleg had lived 30 years, he became the father of Reu. 19 And after he became the father of Reu, Peleg lived 209 years and had other sons and daughters.

20 When Reu had lived 32 years, he became the father of Serug. 21 And after he became the father of Serug, Reu lived 207 years and had other sons and daughters.

22 When Serug had lived 30 years, he became the father of Nahor. 23 And after he became the father of Nahor, Serug lived 200 years and had other sons and daughters.

24 When Nahor had lived 29 years, he became the father of Terah. 25 And after he became the father of Terah, Nahor lived 119 years and had other sons and daughters.

26 After Terah had lived 70 years, he became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran.

Abram’s Family

27 This is the account of Terah’s family line.

Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. And Haran became the father of Lot. 28 While his father Terah was still alive, Haran died in Ur of the Chaldeans, in the land of his birth. 29 Abram and Nahor both married. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milkah; she was the daughter of Haran, the father of both Milkah and Iskah. 30 Now Sarai was childless because she was not able to conceive.

31 Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to Harran, they settled there.

32 Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Harran.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

It hasn’t been that long ago that the Enemy used his tricks for the first time to deceive Adam and Eve into thinking they could be God!  Genesis 3:1 “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”  (Read all of Genesis 3 to refresh our memories.) Since it worked the first time, he will keep using them.

But we have help! Jesus reminds us to stay in unity with Him!  “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”—Jesus, John 15:5

Paul mentors Timothy with; “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” 1 Timothy 4:16

Paul warns all church leaders; “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism;one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:1-6

Jesus reveals the outcome of forgetting and leaving behind why we do what we do; “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” –Revelation 2:2-4 (To the Ephesus church)

We can do all the “things” but the main thing is why we do it and for Whom we do it.  We must be in unity with God, seeking Him and His will first, before doing anything of significance for God.  We join God; He does not join us.  God plans; we trust and obey His plan.  Jesus, Son of Man/Son of God trusted and obeyed God while staying in complete unity with God as our supreme example. 

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:5-8)

Pause, reflect, be still, let go, allow God’s Holy Spirit to convict, correct, console, comfort, and compel us to stay in unity with Him.

In Jesus Name, we pray, Amen

At the end of this passage, we are introduced to the next cast of characters in the story of God!  Abram and Sarai faithfully believe in God.  They will demonstrate a few wonders and doubts for they are human but they stay in unity with God.  God will work through this beautiful couple in ways that will amaze those around them.  But that’s how God works!  God—always at work on the behalf of those who believe, trust, and obey because of their unity with God.

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JUST DOING WHAT GOD SAID—MULTIPLY!

Posted on October 1, 2024 by randscallawayffm

This chapter is known as “The Table of Nations” and is unique in the annals of ancient history. The purpose of the chapter is given at the beginning in verse one and at the end in the last verse to explain how the earth was repopulated after the flood by the descendants of the three sons of Noah. There is a similar (but not identical) listing in 1 Chronicles 1.  I took a class in ancient history when I was in high school. Fortunately, the class was taught by a believer so we referred to the Bible often as we compared ancient writings to the information given to us by God in His Word.

Genealogies have sparked an increased interest in humans in the last few decades.  My mom began a study on her own of her family roots out of curiosity.  Be careful, it can be addicting! The more she discovered the more information she desired!  Now there are programs and aps such as Ancestry.com to do all the research for us.  If you are searching for a unique boy’s name, look no farther, this passage has many suggestions!  (Smiling)

We are all descendants of Adam and Eve; created in the image of God.  God preserved the original by saving Noah and his family.

Genesis 10

The Table of Nations

This is the account of Shem, Ham and Japheth, Noah’s sons, who themselves had sons after the flood.

The Japhethites

2 The sons of Japheth:

Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshek and Tiras.

3 The sons of Gomer:

Ashkenaz, Riphath and Togarmah.

4 The sons of Javan:

Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittites and the Rodanites.5 (From these the maritime peoples spread out into their territories by their clans within their nations, each with its own language.)

The Hamites

6 The sons of Ham:

Cush, Egypt, Put and Canaan.

7 The sons of Cush:

Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah and Sabteka.

The sons of Raamah:

Sheba and Dedan.

8 Cush was the father of Nimrod, who became a mighty warrior on the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; that is why it is said, “Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the Lord.” 10 The first centers of his kingdom were Babylon, Uruk, Akkad and Kalneh, in Shinar. 11 From that land he went to Assyria, where he built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah 12 and Resen, which is between Nineveh and Calah—which is the great city.

13 Egypt was the father of

the Ludites, Anamites, Lehabites, Naphtuhites, 14 Pathrusites, Kasluhites (from whom the Philistines came) and Caphtorites.

15 Canaan was the father of

Sidon his firstborn,[g] and of the Hittites, 16 Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites, 17 Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, 18 Arvadites, Zemarites and Hamathites.

Later the Canaanite clans scattered 19 and the borders of Canaan reached from Sidon toward Gerar as far as Gaza, and then toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboyim, as far as Lasha.

20 These are the sons of Ham by their clans and languages, in their territories and nations.

The Semites

21 Sons were also born to Shem, whose older brother was Japheth; Shem was the ancestor of all the sons of Eber.

22 The sons of Shem:

Elam, Ashur, Arphaxad, Lud and Aram.

23 The sons of Aram:

Uz, Hul, Gether and Meshek.

24 Arphaxad was the father of Shelah,

and Shelah the father of Eber.

25 Two sons were born to Eber:

One was named Peleg, because in his time the earth was divided; his brother was named Joktan.

26 Joktan was the father of

Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, 27 Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, 28 Obal, Abimael, Sheba, 29 Ophir, Havilah and Jobab. All these were sons of Joktan.

30 The region where they lived stretched from Mesha toward Sephar, in the eastern hill country.

31 These are the sons of Shem by their clans and languages, in their territories and nations.

32 These are the clans of Noah’s sons, according to their lines of descent, within their nations. From these the nations spread out over the earth after the flood.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Why bother listing all the names, you might be asking?  God wants us to know: 

The list of names and places in chapter 10 carries with it some important theological truths, not the least of which is that Jehovah God is the Lord of the nations. God gave the nations their inheritance (Deuteronomy 32:8) and “determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings” (Acts 17:26).

Despite tryants Nimrod, Jehovah is the God of geography and of history; He is in control. What God promises, He performs, and Noah’s prophecy about his sons came true.

Despite external differences, all nations belong to the same human family. God made us all “from one man” (Acts 17:26), and no race or people can claim to be superior to any other race or people. While in His providence, God has permitted some nations to make greater progress economically and politically than other nations, their achievements don’t prove that they are better than others (Proverbs 22:2).

God has a purpose for the nations to fulfill. Genesis 9:24—11:32 makes it clear that God’s chosen nation was Israel.  Being with chapter 12; Israel will be center stage in the narrative. But God also used Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, Media-Persia, and Rome to accomplish His purposes with reference to the Jewish people. God can use pagan rulers like Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus, Darius, and even Augustus Caesar to fulfill His Plan.  We must remember as we read, this is the story of God as He relates to mankind, made in His image.

God is concerned for all the nations. We read often through the Psalms, phrases like “all the earth” or “all nations.” Psalms 66:1–8 and 67:1–7 both express this unified vision that all the nations of the earth come to know God and serve Him. The church built on the foundation of Jesus Christ is commanded by Him to go into all the world—the teaching, as did Jesus, has already arrived in the story of God, tying the Old Testament with the New Testament!

“The listing is not a typical genealogy that gives only the names of descendants. The writer reminds us that these ancient peoples had their own clans and languages, territories and national identities. In other words, this is a genealogy, plus an atlas, plus a history book. We’re watching the movements of people and nations in the ancient world.” –Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Study Bible

Buckle your seat belts, the ride through Genesis has only just begun.  The list of characters has been given for “act one.”  The curtains will rise to reveal the continuing story of God that began with “In the beginning, God.”

Lord,

Thank you for reminding us with this list that you know our names and see us for who we are—made in your image!  It is not only names that describe real people but it declares the Truth of your existence as you relate to each one!  In your story, you describe your love, faithfulness, mercy, and grace that is unending!  You also give us the outline of your purpose for us that fits perfectly into your mission for all nations to know you. Thank you for so loving us so much that you included and provided salvation for all you call on Your Name, dear Jesus.  To you be the glory!

In Jesus Name, Amen

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UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

Posted on September 30, 2024 by randscallawayffm

When we see the sign, “Under New Management” on a business that was less than stellar in their former practices; we utter a sigh of relief.  We hope and wonder if the new management will deliver on their promise to be better…

Genesis 9

Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth. 2 The fear and dread of you will fall on all the beasts of the earth, and on all the birds in the sky, on every creature that moves along the ground, and on all the fish in the sea; they are given into your hands. 3 Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.

4 “But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it. 5 And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being.

6 “Whoever sheds human blood,
    by humans shall their blood be shed;
for in the image of God
    has God made mankind.

7 As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it.”

8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: 9 “I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you 10 and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth. 11 I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”

12 And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: 13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. 16 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”

17 So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.”

The Sons of Noah

18 The sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham and Japheth. (Ham was the father of Canaan.) 19 These were the three sons of Noah, and from them came the people who were scattered over the whole earth.

20 Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. 21 When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. 22 Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father naked and told his two brothers outside. 23 But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; then they walked in backward and covered their father’s naked body. Their faces were turned the other way so that they would not see their father naked.

24 When Noah awoke from his wine and found out what his youngest son had done to him, 25 he said,

“Cursed be Canaan!
    The lowest of slaves
    will he be to his brothers.”

26 He also said,

“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Shem!
    May Canaan be the slave of Shem.
27 May God extend Japheth’s territory;
    may Japheth live in the tents of Shem,
    and may Canaan be the slave of Japheth.”

28 After the flood Noah lived 350 years. 29 Noah lived a total of 950 years, and then he died.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

We were all created in the image of God.  We are given minds with the ability to make decisions.  We are given freedom to make choices.   However, whatever we choose, we are held accountable and will live with the consequences of our choice.  We do not live alone in the world.  We live with many other humans also made in the image of God. The choices we make no only affect us but all those around us.  God told those He had saved in The Cleansing; “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.” 

This assignment comes with great responsibility and accountability.  We forget sometimes as we live and respond to the tasks before us that God created all.  As the Creator, God is also the Owner of all He has created.  We are the managers of His Creation as pointed out to Noah in this passage.  It is the same message given to Adam and Eve. 

The world has been given a “do over” in the Cleansing and is now “under new management.”  Noah is not perfect, but faithful as he seeks to do what is right in his walk with God.  When Noah came out of the boat, he was like a second Adam about to usher in a new beginning on earth for the human race. Our knowledge of God and His ways will expand as we read the story of God in the lives of those who will follow God by faith through subsequent generations. Some managed well, some did not.  But everyone will be held accountable.

Concerning human life, those who decide to kill their fellow human beings will have to answer to God for their deeds, for men and women are made in the image of God. To attack a human being is to attack God, and the Lord will bring judgment on the offender. All life is the gift of God, and to take away life means to take the place of God. 

God promised that he would never again destroy the earth with a flood. The first rainbow would follow the first rain that served to cleanse the earth and is a reminder that God keeps his promises. Rainbows are made when the sun shines at just the right angle through the final droplets showing the spectrum of color.  What a demonstration of God’s promise and majesty!  

How did you feel when you saw a rainbow for the very first time?

Mankind is reminded to care for all God has created and generously given to us to manage as part of the covenant. This covenant is a contract between two parties—God and man. God created a special covenant with humans that gave them dominance over the earth yet made them accountable to God for each action.  God promised to never destroy the earth with a flood again.

God makes and never breaks his promises. His irrevocable covenant is “iron-clad”, as lawyers say in the judicial world, and runs like a scarlet thread through the tapestry of Scripture.  That’s why we trust God for all of life because God is Life!

When we look at the rainbow, we know that our Father is also looking at the rainbow, and therefore it becomes a bridge that brings us together.  Jesus is new covenant between God and man that brings us into the Presence of God as a redeemed people “under the new management” of His Holy Spirit!  Believe, repent, and be saved!  Live an abundant life that is full of promise with His glory and grace!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost! Amen!

Lord,

Thank you for your message of promise and care for us. Thank you for reminding us of our part of the covenant with mankind to be responsible caretakers of all you have given to us to manage on earth.  Thank you, Jesus, for saving our souls by your sacrifice once and for all. Thank you, Holy Spirit for teaching us and guiding us to all that is the Truth.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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FLOATING ON A SEA OF WAITING

Posted on September 29, 2024 by randscallawayffm

We wait for the microwave to cook our food in a matter of seconds while leaning on the counter, shifting from one foot to the other, impatiently. Why is it taking so long?  We remove the food and see that it isn’t completely done.  We shove it back in for another minute of so—and grumble.  We grumble, blame and complain as we wait as self-soothers.  We sigh and grumble when we see the line to pay for groceries more than two carts long.  We sigh, roll our eyes, and grumble in any line for that matter.

We even grumble when the food ordered from a restaurant who has that “home cooking taste” we prefer takes longer than when we cook it at home—think about it.  We expect the impossible simply because we don’t like to wait.  We humans abhor waiting. And it shows.  Our mood only lifts when we hear, “no waiting at lane 7”.  But then as we race with others who heard the same message; we realize others who do not like to wait also end up at lane 7.  We become sullen and moody once more; thinking the whole world is against us.   

We also don’t like living in “limbo”.  We feel we “suffer” while waiting on that job we applied for days ago that could change the quality of our lives.  We worry over the wait of medical test results that could affect the way we live in the coming days. Wait comes in all forms and reasons with many kinds of processes to go through in the wait. Some wait over the ruling of a judge, for a rebellious child to come home, or for a word from doctors who are examining their child who has been tested for a possible terminal disease. Some are waiting, even now, at the bedside of their beloved mother or father, sister or brother, husband or wife, son or daughter, and watch them slowly pass from this temporary life on earth into the arms of Jesus.

Noah floated on a sea of waiting—for a year or more with a zoo!  How did he do it and what did he do in the wait?  Noah, along with his immediate family, waited in the ark until he heard from God who shut them inside.  Don’t you love how he sent out “test birds” to see how close they were to depart the ark! 

By faith and obedience; Noah waited until God’s work of Cleansing the earth was complete.  We wonder what was going on in Noah’s mind.  We have lessons to learn in our life of “wait,” don’t we?  Did Noah and his family hear the cries of the lost outside? What did he think when he heard rain fall on the roof of the his safe haven for the very first time?

Genesis 7

But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded. 2 Now the springs of the deep and the floodgates of the heavens had been closed, and the rain had stopped falling from the sky. 3 The water receded steadily from the earth. At the end of the hundred and fifty days the water had gone down, 4 and on the seventeenth day of the seventh month the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. 5 The waters continued to recede until the tenth month, and on the first day of the tenth month the tops of the mountains became visible.

6 After forty days Noah opened a window he had made in the ark 7 and sent out a raven, and it kept flying back and forth until the water had dried up from the earth. 8 Then he sent out a dove to see if the water had receded from the surface of the ground. 9 But the dove could find nowhere to perch because there was water over all the surface of the earth; so it returned to Noah in the ark. He reached out his hand and took the dove and brought it back to himself in the ark. 10 He waited seven more days and again sent out the dove from the ark. 11 When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth. 12 He waited seven more days and sent the dove out again, but this time it did not return to him.

13 By the first day of the first month of Noah’s six hundred and first year, the water had dried up from the earth. Noah then removed the covering from the ark and saw that the surface of the ground was dry. 14 By the twenty-seventh day of the second month the earth was completely dry.

15 Then God said to Noah, 16 “Come out of the ark,you and your wife and your sons and their wives. 17 Bring out every kind of living creature that is with you—the birds, the animals, and all the creatures that move along the ground—so they can multiply on the earth and be fruitful and increase in number on it.”

18 So Noah came out, together with his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives. 19 All the animals and all the creatures that move along the ground and all the birds—everything that moves on land—came out of the ark, one kind after another.

20 Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it. 21 The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.

22 “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

God remembered Noah.  To “remember” means to act on behalf of another. With remembering this implies a previous commitment made by God and announces the fulfillment of that commitment. We can be sure that God never forgets nor forsakes His people, not only because of His promises, but also because of His character. God is love, and where there’s love, there’s faithfulness. He can never deny Himself or His Word, for He’s the faithful God. God never changes; His love never changes.  God is faithful to His created made in His image. 

Noah trusted God.  Noah was a man of faith whose name and story was carried down through the ages and recorded in Hebrews 11.  Noah had the faith to walk with God when the people of the world were ignoring and disobeying God. He had the faith to work for God and to witness for God when opposition to truth was the popular thing. 

Noah’s family trusted God.  Noah’s wife, their three sons, and their three daughters-in-law were also believers; they proved it by standing with Noah while he worked and witnessed, and then by entering the boat in obedience to the Lord.

Noah and his family worshiped God.  I cannot imagine Noah not worshiping in the wait as well.  Even though God was busy cleansing the earth, He remembered Noah and worked on his behalf to keep him safe during the cleansing.  So, it is no wonder for faithful Noah, upon debarking the ark to first build an altar to God, gather his family, offer a sacrifice, with a heart of worship who wanted to please the God who saved his family.

When the wait was over, did their “shaky sea legs” become strong again? Did they give the animals a big send off with a message of “go forth, prosper and reproduce”? Did they notice how quiet the earth had become?  Did their relationships with God and each other grow even stronger because of the experience?  What is for certain is what Noah did first—Noah and his family worshiped the God who saved them.   

Can we be better, more holy, when we wait? Yes, we can—when our hope, faith, and trust is built on Jesus’s blood and righteousness who saved us.  When we same yes to Jesus and repent our sins to Him; we are cleansed—forever!  We do everything better when we love God, walk with Him in His ways and love others like He loves us, without conditions.

Lord,

There are so many lessons to learn as we read your story through the people who faithfully loved you back and walked with you. Continue to teach us to walk with you as we wait on you, let go of all that is not you, and trust in your promises. Thank you for always being with us and “remembering” us by working daily on our behalf.  There is no one like you!  You are absolutely everything we need. 

In Jesus Name, Amen

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.


On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand:
all other ground is sinking sand;
all other ground is sinking sand.

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