THE CLEANSING

Posted on September 28, 2024 by randscallawayffm

Our family used to go camping when our children were younger.  Years ago, it was an economical way to get our kids out their comfort zones, teach them about working together as we set up camp, with the promise of going swimming every day!  Camping means leaving your home and all the conveniences of home to sleep under the stars, cook over a campfire, and swim in the lake to clean the dirt of camping in the woods from our bodies.  Campground bath houses were less than stellar in those days but we managed for the days we were there. Yes, camping is cool and fun for a while until you are tired of being unclean, unable to get clean, and begin to long for a hot shower at home that brings complete cleansing.

Camping in the woods, experiencing nature, along with the creatures who live there, looks enticing on the ads for camping gear and the vehicles to drive to get there.  But, in reality, camping takes more work than being at home. Yes, there is beauty and peace in nature—until the rains come and create a muddy mess where you are camping. It is then you decide that it’s time to pack up and go home where it is safe and dry.  

But what if there is nothing to go home to, no higher ground reach, and no way to avoid drowning from the high waters that just keep rising?

Genesis 7

The Lord then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation. 2 Take with you seven pairs of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate, and one pair of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate, 3 and also seven pairs of every kind of bird, male and female, to keep their various kinds alive throughout the earth. 4 Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made.”

5 And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him.

6 Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters came on the earth. 7 And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives entered the ark to escape the waters of the flood. 8 Pairs of clean and unclean animals, of birds and of all creatures that move along the ground, 9 male and female, came to Noah and entered the ark, as God had commanded Noah. 10 And after the seven days the floodwaters came on the earth.

11 In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month—on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. 12 And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights.

13 On that very day Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth, together with his wife and the wives of his three sons, entered the ark. 14 They had with them every wild animal according to its kind, all livestock according to their kinds, every creature that moves along the ground according to its kind and every bird according to its kind, everything with wings. 15 Pairs of all creatures that have the breath of life in them came to Noah and entered the ark. 16 The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord shut him in.

17 For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and as the waters increased they lifted the ark high above the earth. 18 The waters rose and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water. 19 They rose greatly on the earth, and all the high mountains under the entire heavens were covered. 20 The waters rose and covered the mountains to a depth of more than fifteen cubits. 21 Every living thing that moved on land perished—birds, livestock, wild animals, all the creatures that swarm over the earth, and all mankind. 22 Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died. 23 Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; people and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark.

24 The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Mankind was doing whatever their deceitful hearts desired—even if that meant taking from each other while destroying whatever or whoever got in their way.  Evil seemed to be in complete control of all the people on earth—except for Noah.  Only Noah remained faithful to God while living his life in ways that pleased God. 

Then God intervened with a flood that cleansed the entire earth.  This dramatic event demonstrated God’s wrath toward sin, but also his mercy toward those who seek him.  God offers a way out to safety in Him—no longer an ark, but simple faith.

“Blame the plague of sin on a godless decision. Adam and Eve turned their heads toward the hiss of the snake and for the first time ignored God. Eve did not ask, “God, what do you want?” Adam didn’t suggest, “Let’s consult the Creator.” They acted as if they had no heavenly Father. His will was ignored, and sin, with death on its coattails, entered the world.  Sin sees the world with no God in it.” –Max Lucado, The Encouraging Word Bible

Sometimes we feel like our unholy world could use another cleansing.  Hate is replacing God’s Love.  This hate gives birth to betrayals, slander, cheating, lying, and stealing—all traits of evil—and form within the hearts of those we love, those we befriend, and those who are trying to take our livelihoods from us to get all they want out of this life.  Does God know what is going on?  Our minds wonder and then wander.  Our own hearts grow cold and doubts come when challenging circumstances plague us or the sins of others overwhelm us and break our hearts. But then we remember and realize once more; “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) No one is good but God.

We don’t need a flood to wipe out humanity.  We need the blood of Jesus Christ for a complete cleansing of our hearts, minds, and souls!

So what can we do? If all have been infected by sin and the world is corrupted because of sin; to whom do we turn? Ask what others before us asked when convicted of sin in their lives; “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). The answer offered then is the answer offered still: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).

God wants us to stand against sin. Sometimes we must do it all by ourselves, but it is always easier to stand with others. But if you must go it alone, remember that you have been saved by Jesus and Jesus is all we need. We also have a Counselor, God’s Holy Spirit who comes immediately to live within all who believe to guide us on our journey. 

Lord,

May we learn from the life of Noah, who was saved from the flood by you because of his unmoving faith.  May we truly believe and live a life of faith because of Jesus, whose blood was shed to save us from our sins.  As you daily lead us to higher ground thinking and behaving may we grow stronger in our faith! 

Cleanse my heart completely, renew my mind, transform my behaviors from unholy to righteous, refresh our soul by emptying all that does not belong there and filling me with all of you.  Restore the joy of you at work within me to make me all you created me to be and do.

In Jesus Name, Amen

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FROM BAD TO WORSE!

Posted on September 27, 2024 by randscallawayffm

One of my parents’ favorite phrases to say when stressed was; “things are going from bad to worse!”  When I heard the words, as they sighed heavily; I would worry, too, picking up on their stressed, furrowed brows, with that look of dread in their eyes. As the oldest child, I knew the signs of stress in my parents.  My heart would be sad for them even though I might not fully understand the challenging circumstance. 

Could this be how Noah felt as he watched the godless world around him grow more so violent and harsh with each passing day?  Was Noah, who “walked faithfully with God” and known as blameless in the community, stressed to live with the wicked?  Was he always on “high alert” at all times just to walk through his community with his family?  Did he hunker down and hide out?  Did he try to convince the wicked that there actions were grieving the heart of God?  Did his sons and daughters in law pick up on the stress and worry caused by an unkind, unpredictable, world of people bent on violence?  We have questions, right?  How bad to worse did it get until God intervened? 

Genesis 6

Wickedness in the World

When human beings began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.”

4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.

5 The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. 6 The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. 7 So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

Noah and the Flood

9 This is the account of Noah and his family.

Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God. 10 Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth.

11 Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. 12 God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. 13 So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. 14 So make yourself an ark of cypress[c] wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. 15 This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide and thirty cubits high.[d] 16 Make a roof for it, leaving below the roof an opening one cubit[e] high all around.[f] Put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle and upper decks. 17 I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. 18 But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you. 19 You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. 20 Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive. 21 You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them.”

22 Noah did everything just as God commanded him.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

We might be thinking that it is time for God’s intervention again.  But God promised to never flood the earth again and God has kept His promise since Noah’s time on earth.  God had a better plan for mankind’s sin problem—Jesus.  We must hold that thought as we read “in the beginning, God” stories of truth showing us how he related to and interacted His perfect creation that was made imperfect when Adam and Eve did not do what God commanded them to be and do—or rather not do!  

God looked over the earth and regretted the creation of those who were extremely violent, cold hearted and abusive to their own and others who came close to them. They had nothing of God within them.  Evil intermarried with God’s created and produced more evil.  As God grieved; He looked over the earth, to see Noah—the only one who stood firmly planted in his belief and faith in Him—no matter what was happening around him.  This passage reveals what breaks the heart of God—His broken relationship with His created who chose to live life without Him.  How does this happen?

We first blame the devil.  “The devil made me do it” or “I was tempted beyond my ability to resist so I did it.”  Some say, “God tempted me so I would make the right choice.”  But this thinking presents us as mindless beings with no choice.  No, we choose.  And we are responsible for the choices we make.  The devil has limited power over us.  He tempts us, makes lies look like the truth of what is best for us. 

God does not tempt us but reveals Truth so that we can make the right choice.  When we call on His Name and ask for help and wisdom; He delivers with wisdom and power beyond human intellect, insight and understanding!  We make a million decisions each day.  Who’s leading us as we make good to better choices as opposed to bad to worse decisions that give birth to more sin?

I am reminded of what James wrote about the temptation to sin;

“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.” James 1:13-17, NIV

God created us to love, trust and obey Him for all that is right, good, and perfect for us—His best for our good and His glory!  Satan, the enemy of God, can only offer a facsimile to entice us based on our own desires within us.  The enemy tempts to lead us from bad to worse—death forever. 

Noah did fall for the enemy.  He didn’t conform to the world around him, even for his own safety and the safety of his family.  He didn’t succumb to the violence, abusive behaviors of others in efforts to merely survive.  Noah chose to walk with God faithfully.  Even those who did know or believe in God gave Noah the reputation as “one who was blameless.”  Noah chose to live for God ready to do exactly what God told him to be and do.  As a result, Noah (and his family) lived to tell the story of God that we read today—all because “Noah did everything just as God commanded him.”

Lord,

We live and work among some whose only answer for life’s problems is self-preservation lived in perverted, violent, murderous ways.  They have fallen for the enemy’s scheme to distract us from you, deceive us with lies about You, while trying to prevent a relationship with you.  All of us have sinned and fall short of your glory—when we choose evil. We reject all that could be. 

I pray for your wisdom and power to seek Your first, surrender to your will, and choose to walk with you daily like Noah did.  I pray that our decision will lead us to do everything that you command us to be and do. Help us to remember that what you have for us are the gifts of love, eternal life, salvation, and freedom from our sins, along with the help to live a life that produces more life which gives birth to more joy and peace in all circumstances.  Yes, I choose you.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen

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LONGEVITY OF MANKIND

Posted on September 26, 2024 by randscallawayffm

It has been said that the most important symbol on the gravestone is the dash.  The dash is chiseled between the year we are born and year we die.  The dash represents the life we lived between.  If you are reading this, then you are still alive, living in the dash of life!  Who we become and what we do matters in the dash. How we live our lives is specifically important to our Creator.  Made is His image, mankind is loved by God and given a purpose for living! 

Adam and his immediate descendants lived a long time! Today’s discussions about extending human life come nowhere near what was common in the early days of the human race. But, like every person born since Adam, each life was punctuated by the words “and he died.” These words occur eight times in chapter 5, emphasizing the fact that death was now reigning over mankind because of Adam’s sin. 

In the “dash” years between birth and death, God had a plan to give life eternal!  Paul explains this miracle produced by God’s love, mercy, and grace in Romans 5.  

Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ

“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—

To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.

But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! Romans 5:12-17

Sin and death still rule today, but through Jesus Christ we can “reign in life”!  As we read Genesis’ “In the beginning God” passages from creation of mankind to the solution for mankind, may we must always remember, Jesus was there, too.  God is over all and in all that He has made.  All was made by God, and nothing was made that Jesus did not observe and be a part of because Jesus is God in the flesh who became the solution to sin.  Jesus is “alpha and omega,” beginning and end.  Jesus is our Hope!

Genesis 5

From Adam to Noah

5 This is the written account of Adam’s family line.

When God created mankind, he made them in the likeness of God. 2 He created them male and female and blessed them. And he named them “Mankind” when they were created.

3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth. 4 After Seth was born, Adam lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 5 Altogether, Adam lived a total of 930 years, and then he died.

6 When Seth had lived 105 years, he became the father of Enosh. 7 After he became the father of Enosh, Seth lived 807 years and had other sons and daughters. 8 Altogether, Seth lived a total of 912 years, and then he died.

9 When Enosh had lived 90 years, he became the father of Kenan. 10 After he became the father of Kenan, Enosh lived 815 years and had other sons and daughters. 11 Altogether, Enosh lived a total of 905 years, and then he died.

12 When Kenan had lived 70 years, he became the father of Mahalalel. 13 After he became the father of Mahalalel, Kenan lived 840 years and had other sons and daughters. 14 Altogether, Kenan lived a total of 910 years, and then he died.

15 When Mahalalel had lived 65 years, he became the father of Jared. 16 After he became the father of Jared, Mahalalel lived 830 years and had other sons and daughters. 17 Altogether, Mahalalel lived a total of 895 years, and then he died.

18 When Jared had lived 162 years, he became the father of Enoch. 19 After he became the father of Enoch, Jared lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 20 Altogether, Jared lived a total of 962 years, and then he died.

21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. 22 After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. 24 Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

25 When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he became the father of Lamech. 26 After he became the father of Lamech, Methuselah lived 782 years and had other sons and daughters. 27 Altogether, Methuselah lived a total of 969 years, and then he died.

28 When Lamech had lived 182 years, he had a son. 29 He named him Noah and said, “He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the Lord has cursed.” 30 After Noah was born, Lamech lived 595 years and had other sons and daughters. 31 Altogether, Lamech lived a total of 777 years, and then he died.

32 After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Today we are blessed to live a life of 70-80 years!  How we live our lives makes a difference to those we share life with daily.  God wanted mankind to relate to each other in the ways He related to them—generous with love, mercy, and grace.  God created family beginning with Adam and Eve.  Sin entered and destroyed family relationships in subsequent generations but God still loved mankind.  Those who “walked with God”, who believed in God and trusted what He said were noticed and blessed by God.

The birth of Methuselah seemed to be a turning point in Enoch’s life, because he then began to live in close fellowship with God. Did the responsibility of raising a son in such a godless world challenge Enoch to realize that he needed God’s help? Or when the baby was born, did God give Enoch insight into the future so that he knew the flood was coming? We don’t know, but we do know that (as history has repeatedly demonstrated) the arrival of this baby changed his father’s life.

Instead of the echoed words “and he died,” Enoch’s life story ends with the statement, “and he was not, for God took him.” It was “by faith” that Enoch was taken to heaven. He believed God, walked with God, and went to be with God, which is an example for all of us to follow. How do we know? The miracle of Enoch is mentioned again in Hebrews 11:5—centuries later!

“By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.”

Instead of a tombstone, there was an epitaph written on the minds of all who knew him: “Enoch was one who pleased God.”  This is the dash account of a life who believed God.  Enoch’s life of faith wasn’t a private thing, for he boldly announced that God would come to judge the world’s sins (Jude 14, 15). Enoch’s life and witness remind us that it is possible to be faithful to God “in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation” (Philippians 2:15).

Still reading?  If you are, then you are alive!  God has given us the gift of today.  We are still living in the “dash” between birthdate and our physical death on earth.  So, what are we going to do in the dash time God has given us?  Do we know and believe in the hope of resurrection with Christ?  Do accept the call of God to all who believe to help others by pointing the Way to salvation through Jesus?  Are we living in dread or joyful expectation?  What we truly believe is reflected in our daily living. 

One final thought from Warren Wiersbe;

“Lamech named his son Noah, which sounds like the Hebrew word for “comfort.” His prayer was that his son would somehow bring to the world the rest and comfort that people so sorely needed. Centuries later, weary people would hear the voice of Jesus say, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).  –The Wiersbe Study Bible

This world is not our home.  We are merely passing through ever so briefly in the dash from birth to death on earth.  To all who believe God and trust in all that He says; the gift of eternal life from God is given.  But there was a cost to God to provide this life.  Jesus Christ, God’s One and Only Son, came to earth to suffer death, gain a victory over death by rising from death. This was the cost of other eternal life.  This cost was willing paid by Jesus.  

“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

Lord,

Thank you for saving us. Thank you for teaching us the value of living for you, walking with you, in the dash between the year of our birth to death on earth.  Thank you for today’s gift of life.  Guide me in all I think, say, and do so I will be pleasing to You and give you glory!

In Jesus Name, Amen

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MOTIVES

Posted on September 25, 2024 by randscallawayffm

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23

From the very beginning of the creation of mankind, “sin crouches at the door” ready to distract, deceive, and destroy our relationship with God along with all other relationships among our family and friends. 

The first man and woman, created in the image of God, give birth to two sons.  These two sons are the first brothers to live on earth together.  They work at tasks that fit their abilities.  They have a relationship with their father and mother as well as with God. The measure of their relationship with God is evident in their offerings to God.  One offering is given from a heart who wants to please God.  The other offering is given merely to appease God. There is a stark difference in the two offerings so God uses this as a teachable moment to help one brother understand that his motivation is wrong.  It is not the gift but the motivation of giving this gift that is the heart of this discussion. 

At times, when all does not turn out well for us, we become depressed and ask, “Why me, Lord?” But the most appropriate question to ask is; “Lord, what are you trying to teach me?”  Our motives tell the story of the condition of our hearts. 

Genesis 4

Cain and Abel

4 Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man.” 2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel.

Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. 4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”

“I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

10 The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. 11 Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.”

13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is more than I can bear. 14 Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”

15 But the Lord said to him, “Not so; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. 16 So Cain went out from the Lord’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

17 Cain made love to his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was then building a city, and he named it after his son Enoch. 18 To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael was the father of Methushael, and Methushael was the father of Lamech.

19 Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah. 20 Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock. 21 His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes. 22 Zillah also had a son, Tubal-Cain, who forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron. Tubal-Cain’s sister was Naamah.

23 Lamech said to his wives,

“Adah and Zillah, listen to me;
    wives of Lamech, hear my words.
I have killed a man for wounding me,
    a young man for injuring me.
24 If Cain is avenged seven times,
    then Lamech seventy-seven times.”

25 Adam made love to his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, “God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.” 26 Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh.

At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

We readily learn how sin gives birth to more sin in the story of Cain and Abel.  The sins of jealousy, pride, and envy build like plaque on a once healthy heart.  This condition of a weak heart is evident when Cain’s offering to appease God is not accepted.  God knows his heart, He created him; but Cain refuses to acknowledge that God knows. 

Sin escalates to arrogance and rage within Cain who has lost control over evil and the character traits of evil.  Evil is feeding the heart of Cain with all that is not of the character of God.  Cain who was also created in the image of God is becoming more like the evil that is consuming him.

God shows His love for Cain with the most important compassionate advice  for all mankind; “if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

Cain does not listen to the advice from God for a disciplined heart.  Instead, raging with the jealousy of comparison, Cain takes the matter in his own hands with premeditated murder.  “Let’s go out in the field.”  Cain sins against his brother Abel and against God.

DATELINE

Cain kills his Abel and then tries to hide the body—like most crime shows we see today or read about in news and social media!  Why anyone thinks they can get away with murder is beyond my thinking.  But one who refuses all warnings and does life completely on their own, relying only their own resources, is easy prey for the enemy. The evil that is “crouching at the door” to our hearts convinces us that we can get away with all sin by deceiving us when we are weak.  It is in our weakness of heart, mind, and soul that we readily listen to the tempter’s lies if we do not “have rule over it.”

Down through the ages, as the family tree grows, the story of Cain and Abel is orally passed down to each generation.  It is the story good and evil.  The story is the story of relationship between God and His Created.  It is the tale of two brothers who worked hard in their chosen professions but with different motivations of the heart.  Both were created in the image of God.  One gave an offering of the first and best to God from a thankful heart for God.  The other brother, not wanting to be seen as doing less than his brother, gathered some fruit (maybe even the leftovers not needed by him) as an offering to merely appease God with his actions.

We see the difference but how do we respond in our lives today?

Pause, pray, reflect, and evaluate the condition of our hearts with a check up daily!

  • Who do we seek to please most?  Do we seek to please others and be seen by our acts of service as good by them?  Or are we driven to please God in all we think, say and do—even if it does not please those we see day to day?  Sin is crouching the door of our hearts, too, as we decide! 
  • Who has the most power over us? Who are we allowing to feed our hearts and minds and fill our souls?  Is it God’s Holy Spirit who leads us to all that is right and true or Evil who tempts to do what will ultimately destroy our relationship with God and others who believe in God? 
  • We have two choices—God or Evil.  All other daily decisions come from the first choice we make with who we choose to rule our hearts.  Choose wisely.  It is a matter of life or death!

Rather than confess his sin, Cain tried to hide it to keep it from God. Consider this truth: Those who keep secrets from God keep their distance from God. Those who are honest with God draw near to God. Secrets erect a fence while confession builds a bridge.  As we evaluate our hearts today, we might ask ourselves: What am I trying to hide from God? Let us confess our sins and our desire to live life independent of God. He wants us to live in full fellowship and communion with him.  What the evil one hates most are believers who humbly fall to their knees, cry out to God, and confess sins in Jesus Name.  Evil flees from people who do exactly that for I can testify to this truth.

Since the Fall; “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” So, run to God who knows our hearts and is ready to forgive and welcome us back into His Presence—In Jesus Name.  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23

Lord,

Cleanse my heart, renew my mind, refresh my sou with your new tender mercies, and restore the joy of your salvation at work within me that strengthens our relationship with you and with others.  Confession is good for the soul who wants to be set free!

In Jesus Name, Amen

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CONSQUENCES OF FALLING OUT OF LOVE

Posted on September 24, 2024 by randscallawayffm

We are created with the ability to make choices. God gave us this freedom to make choices throughout life because it is making choices that learn the clear consequences of the choices we make.  We are also given a Helper from God in decision making but it is ultimately our choice to listen to Him and follow His powerful, righteous advice—or not.  Throughout our lives we choose God or choose something or someone less than Him. God is a gentleman who waits nearby for our choice to be made. God shows us His best. The enemy of God shows us what looks almost the same but presents it being what we want and must have. This choice is opposite of what God gives.  It is wrapped in beautiful, shiny, distracting ways, that draw us toward self-satisfaction which we learn never really satisfies our real need—the love of God.

Why, does He give us a choice?  Why doesn’t God just tell us what to do and make us do it?  He gives us the freedom to choose because of His great love for us.  His love for us is a “not of this world” kind of Love. God’s love originates with Him who is Love.  His love is holy and perfect.  God’s desire, as demonstrated throughout His Word to us, is for His created to love Him back—without coercion or force—just simply love like He loves us!  That is what will please God, the Father most of all! 

Think about it, do you want your children and other loved ones to love you because you demanded love from them or because they decided to love you back because of their love for you?   

How awesome that God’s love never changes for us.  We love Him simply because He first loved us, says John.  (1 John 4:19) God’s love is faithful through all generations.  God’s love sent His One and Only Son who was a part of Himself, to earth to demonstrate this Love that goes beyond all others loves—to save us from our sins.  What kind of love is this, we ask?  Read 1 Corinthians 13 and Philippians 2 for greater understanding of this love of God.  Spend time in 1 John 4 for a definition of God’s complete, unending Love.

As parents who love their children, we know there is no greater blessing than when our children from babies to toddlers reciprocate with their love and trust us without question.  We gave them life. We daily sustained their life with food, shelter, clean clothes, hugs with assurances of our love for them.  We love them by demonstrating our love for them. They learn love from us!  There is no greater expression of this unconditional love than when your child comes running to you, excited to see and be with you. It’s absolutely beautiful to see our trusting children run to us with arms open wide, ready to smear sticky kisses all over our faces.  There is no greater love than when they run to you for help, healing from scraps, and comfort in hurt.  All this is the Love that originates with God and His demonstrated through us as He beloved.  This is real Love, given and received, without conditions.

What happens when Love is tempted to be replaced by the love of the world?  Soon, our children leave your home for eight hours a day to go to grade school, they are introduced to a new world of options.  They soon discover that not all people know real love or express the kindness of love—just the opposite.  (It is during this time that God’s love in you for your children must be affirmed daily!) 

As our children learn to relate to others, they noticed that often love is said and used in ways for self-interest only.  This kind of love keeps records of reciprocation, running records of offenses and wrongs, and rarely forgives unless it serves them.  This is selfish love that teases, mocks, and manipulates people who fall their lies. Selfish love demands that others do their bidding so they can be popular and known as important.  These behaviors of fake love are fine-tuned as they grow into the young adult and later adult years if real love is not caught, taught, and nourished by true believers who seek to know God and His love.  But you probably know this and have experienced it.  “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” when it comes to living the love of God.

Given the knowledge of the Love of God, we are setting up the backdrop as God’s beloved Adam and Eve face the consequences of falling out of love for their Creator as they fall for the fake love and care from the enemy of God.  Before the Fall they enjoyed a pure and holy relationship with their Creator.  Imagine God walking into the beautiful garden “in the cool of the evening” to be with His beloved humans each day.  Imagine the peace and tranquility they had with God in close communion with God.

But after the Fall; they are nowhere to be found. They are hiding from God.  Shame and guilt have now become a part of their inner being which is not of God.   

Genesis 3

The Fall

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’?”

2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

11 And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”

12 The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”

13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”

The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

14 So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this,

“Cursed are you above all livestock
    and all wild animals!
You will crawl on your belly
    and you will eat dust
    all the days of your life.
15 And I will put enmity
    between you and the woman,
    and between your offspring[a] and hers;
he will crush[b] your head,
    and you will strike his heel.”

16 To the woman he said,

“I will make your pains in childbearing very severe;
    with painful labor you will give birth to children.
Your desire will be for your husband,
    and he will rule over you.”

17 To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’

“Cursed is the ground because of you;
    through painful toil you will eat food from it
    all the days of your life.
18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you,
    and you will eat the plants of the field.
19 By the sweat of your brow
    you will eat your food
until you return to the ground,
    since from it you were taken;
for dust you are
    and to dust you will return.”

20 Adam[c] named his wife Eve,[d] because she would become the mother of all the living.

21 The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. 22 And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” 23 So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. 24 After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side[e] of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

I am a former public school teacher who spent many hours over my lifetime watching and monitoring kids at lunch recesses.  I observed the repetitive human response when caught in the act of bad behaviors—and in this order!  The guilty culprits first try to hide as the teacher comes over to evaluate the trouble. The experienced teacher typically knows who is at wrong by this action of hiding.  When the offender is brought forward, they immediately shout these declarations in rapid fire:

“I didn’t do it!”

“He or she told me to do it!”

“Well, everybody was doing it!”

“Yes, I did it.”

“I’m sorry.”

On the playground or in the classroom; all the teacher had to do was keep looking into their eyes until the admission of guilt rose to the top of their thinking. Forgiveness was given. Lessons learned about acceptable behaviors and we moved forward with our lives.

On the playground of life these behaviors can be all too familiar.  Adam and Eve where the first to fall to the blame game!  So, our first response is to hide out, blame others, while trying to avoid honest repentance.  We can face the consequences we fear with the power of God working in and through us.  Learn from mistakes and shortcomings.  Accept the forgiveness of Jesus.  We can learn from the choices we make—good and bad.  We are not perfect but we are perfectly forgiven by the God who so loved us and loves us still.  

God wants us to simply believe, repent of sin in Jesus Name, and receive the newness of life with a transformed attitude—all because of His love taking up residence in our hearts, minds, and souls!

Soul-Talk

God the Creator completed his masterpiece by creating man and woman. God breathed life and spirit into his special handiwork.

Though sin entered the world, God also provided for redemption from sin.  God created people with the freedom to choose or reject him. Our ancestors Adam and Eve chose to disobey God, and the consequences have been handed down to us.

What God gave Adam and Eve, he entrusted to you and me. A soul—the place where God’s Holy Spirit lives when we say yes to Him.

Entrust your soul to God, the Father!  Run to the Father who created the Way for us to reconcile with Him.  The Way is through His Son, Jesus Christ, who demonstrated the Truth of God’s love by willingly laying His life down for ours.  “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

Believe and be saved.  Then live like the redeemed—Free to love like God loves us!

This is my prayer, In Jesus Name, For His Glory, Amen!

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COMPLETE RELATIONSHIP

Posted on September 22, 2024 by randscallawayffm

We have probably all experienced that special joy of elation when a project we have worked diligently on for weeks and months comes to completion.  The project that takes the most time and effort gives us the most satisfaction when finished, right?   We step back, look it over, and smile. Then we might evaluate our work as we look over every detail one last time.  We lean in to make a few more adjustments and apply the final touches until we feel it is all we wanted it to be.

We also can’t wait to tell others so they can share in our joy, too.  That’s how we were made, it’s in our DNA—to share life with others in relationships that are encouraging and helpful.  When we truly listen and encourage each other, God, who created relationship, is pleased with us!  When we encourage each other in the work God has given us; it helps us to continue “without growing weary”!  (Galatians 6:9)

We will see readily how God created relationship between his newly created humans and Himself.  It all began with Adam, then Eve.  God created male and then a female in the image and likeness of God Himself.  We will learn later how God loved to walk and talk with them in the cool of the evening in the perfect paradise He created for them to live.

Genesis 2

Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.

2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

Adam and Eve

4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.

5 Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth[a] and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground, 6 but streams[b] came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. 7 Then the Lord God formed a man[c] from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

8 Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9 The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

10 A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters. 11 The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 (The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin[d] and onyx are also there.) 13 The name of the second river is the Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush.[e] 14 The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east side of Ashur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.

15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

19 Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals.

But for Adam no suitable helper was found. 21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs[g] and then closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

23 The man said,

“This is now bone of my bones
    and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called ‘woman,’
    for she was taken out of man.”

24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.

25 Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND TO OUR CREATOR?

The Rise and Fall of Relationship

Relationship began with Adam and Eve.  We were created to worship God with grateful praise for all He has done for us.  Were Adam and Eve grateful for the garden in which the lived?  Did they enjoy being with their Creator?  What did they talk about when they walked in the garden together?   

Let’s pause and imagine living in a place where evil has yet to distract, deceive, and destroy relationships.  Imagine a pure, holy, and unashamed relationship bond between God and His created humans.  Now, imagine running to meet God in the cool of the day to talk with Him about all news of the garden. Except for that one day when they hid from God. 

One day a choice was presented to them wrapped in deceptive package of evil pride.  They were told to rethink who they were in relationship to God. The cunning and sly Deceiver made them think God was the Liar!  So, they fall for evil.  They chose what the Enemy of God wanted from the beginning—to be God! The relationship between God and mankind will suffer the consequences of their choice. 

God Creates a Helper for Adam

When Adam was created, God knew He would need a suitable Helper.  From Adam, He created Eve.  What an amazing picture of a holy, perfect union created by God!  Adam responds;

This is now bone of my bones
    and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called ‘woman,’
    for she was taken out of man.”

The relationship between Adam and Eve, Male and Female, are united intimately.  “You complete me”, a romantic sentiment in the movies, doesn’t come close to bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh!  God put them together!  They were united as One by God.

God the Father, Jesus His Son, and God’s Holy Spirit are also One in Three.  The Holy Trinity as One is hard for us to understand.  We sing, “One in three persons; blessed Trinity;” but we need to grasp the reality of the relationship between God, Jesus, and His Holy Spirit.  Each One of the Three has a specific purpose but forms one Person.  

God, the Father of all Creation; Jesus, our Savior and Lord; Holy Spirit, our Helper who leads and guides us to be more like Jesus. All are God, in Three Persons, but still God.

Here is an example; consider the apple. The inner core contains the seeds that reproduce others apples.  The “flesh” part is what feeds us.  The skin protects the flesh from intrusion by predators and weather.  Each part is related to the other part.  All three parts make up the apple.  You can separate the parts, but the apple is still an apple.  Still confused?  Grab an apple… and think about it.

God Created Us in His Own Image and Likeness—with Purpose!

God did not create Adam and Eve just to have someone to talk to Him; God created Adam and Eve with a specific purpose.  “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”  God created all and is in all.  We are to take care of all He has so generously created and given to us to enjoy.

We also learn that God created rest after work as an example to us.  Rest comes after work so that our bodies, made in His image, created by Him, could sustain the energy and health needed to live well. God even blessed the rest day and made it holy.  We will soon learn that this “rest day” is a time of celebration each week, reveling in what God has done in and through us as His created!  To God be the Glory! 

Lord,

All these thoughts and wonderings lead us to love you more, praise and thank you more, as we come humbly before you in prayer.  We realize the you not only created the outside; you also created the inside with a very special place reserved especially for you to live as you lead our hearts, minds, and souls.  Cleanse my heart of all that is not of you.  Renew my mind with your purpose for my being.  Refresh my soul with your tender, new mercies for today.  Restore the continual joy of your salvation within me.  May your Kingdom come, Your Will be done, for there is NO ONE like you!

In Jesus Name, Amen 

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“I’M ON MY WAY!”

Posted on September 20, 2024 by randscallawayffm

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”John 1:1-5

“I’m coming home!” is a message from a loved one, gone for a time, that brings tears of joy to our eyes with a gasp of anticipation.  We begin immediately to prepare for when our loved one will come.  It’s in our DNA!

But, there is no greater message from loved one who is coming to see you after a long absence than a text or call saying; “I’m on my way!” Excitement comes over us as we anticipate their soon arrival.  A Nano second later we “Martha’s” with a “Mary” heart wonder if we have done enough to prepare for their arrival. So, we scurry to finish the tasks that will make their arrival all the sweeter in ways that demonstrate our love for them. Our love that prompts even greater, loving service comes from God.  It is a deep love that embeds itself in all believers who trust and obey God. 

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

Excitement builds in my heart as we read the final word from the “WORD made flesh” who came to earth and “dwelt among us” on earth.  John was the one chosen to help us “see and hear” the sounds of all that is promised for believers who will join Jesus in all that has been made new.

The angel who speaks for Jesus testifies about will happen next “when we all see Jesus”!  Are we ready to “sing and shout the victory” to the One who saved us and set us free?  Are we looking forward with loving anticipation for “when He comes, riding on the clouds, shining like the sun, at the trumpets call”?  Are we ready to lay down all that hinders us on earth and proclaim; “Come, Lord Jesus, Come!” “Come and bring healing for the nations.”  “Come and bring us to the River and Tree of Life forever!”

Revelation 22, The Message

1-5 Then the Angel showed me Water-of-Life River, crystal bright. It flowed from the Throne of God and the Lamb, right down the middle of the street. The Tree of Life was planted on each side of the River, producing twelve kinds of fruit, a ripe fruit each month. The leaves of the Tree are for healing the nations. Never again will anything be cursed. The Throne of God and of the Lamb is at the center. His servants will offer God service—worshiping, they’ll look on his face, their foreheads mirroring God. Never again will there be any night. No one will need lamplight or sunlight. The shining of God, the Master, is all the light anyone needs. And they will rule with him age after age after age.

Don’t Put It Away on the Shelf

6-7 The Angel said to me, “These are dependable and accurate words, every one. The God and Master of the spirits of the prophets sent his Angel to show his servants what must take place, and soon. And tell them, ‘Yes, I’m on my way!’ Blessed be the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

8-9 I, John, saw all these things with my own eyes, heard them with my ears. Immediately when I heard and saw, I fell on my face to worship at the feet of the Angel who laid it all out before me. He objected, “No you don’t! I’m a servant just like you and your companions, the prophets, and all who keep the words of this book. Worship God!”

10-11 The Angel continued, “Don’t seal the words of the prophecy of this book; don’t put it away on the shelf. Time is just about up. Let evildoers do their worst and the dirty-minded go all out in pollution, but let the righteous maintain a straight course and the holy continue on in holiness.”

* * *

12-13 “Yes, I’m on my way! I’ll be there soon! I’m bringing my payroll with me. I’ll pay all people in full for their life’s work. I’m A to Z, the First and the Final, Beginning and Conclusion.

14-15 “How blessed are those who wash their robes! The Tree of Life is theirs for good, and they’ll walk through the gates to the City. But outside for good are the filthy curs: sorcerers, fornicators, murderers, idolaters—all who love and live lies.

16 “I, Jesus, sent my Angel to testify to these things for the churches. I’m the Root and Branch of David, the Bright Morning Star.”

17 “Come!” say the Spirit and the Bride.
Whoever hears, echo, “Come!”
Is anyone thirsty? Come!
All who will, come and drink,
Drink freely of the Water of Life!

18-19 I give fair warning to all who hear the words of the prophecy of this book: If you add to the words of this prophecy, God will add to your life the disasters written in this book; if you subtract from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will subtract your part from the Tree of Life and the Holy City that are written in this book.

20 He who testifies to all these things says it again: “I’m on my way! I’ll be there soon!”

Yes! Come, Master Jesus!

21 The grace of the Master Jesus be with all of you. Oh, Yes!

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

The angel’s message comes with a warning label: “Don’t seal the words of the prophecy of this book; don’t put it away on the shelf. Time is just about up. Let evildoers do their worst and the dirty-minded go all out in pollution, but let the righteous maintain a straight course and the holy continue on in holiness.”

Jesus’ final word bring assurance with hope:

“Yes, I’m on my way! I’ll be there soon! I’m bringing my payroll with me. I’ll pay all people in full for their life’s work. I’m A to Z, the First and the Final, Beginning and Conclusion.”

“How blessed are those who wash their robes! The Tree of Life is theirs for good, and they’ll walk through the gates to the City.”

I, Jesus, sent my Angel to testify to these things for the churches. I’m the Root and Branch of David, the Bright Morning Star.”

“Come!” say the Spirit and the Bride.
Whoever hears, echo, “Come!”
Is anyone thirsty? Come!
All who will, come and drink,
Drink freely of the Water of Life!

And we respond; “Come, Lord Jesus, Come!”

Lord,

It is my prayer that all who are lost may not perish but come to you soon because I know you are on your way.  I love you Lord with all my heart, mind, and soul.  I stand on your promises.  I love how you love us and teach us to love each other.  Cleanse my heart, renew my mind, transform my behaviors, refresh me soul with your new mercies delivered daily, and restore the joy of your salvation at work within me. 

May this testimony of you lead others to love, trust and obey you.

In Jesus Name, Amen

When we all get to heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!

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MADE NEW!

Posted on September 19, 2024 by randscallawayffm

Are you hurting and broken within?
Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin?
Jesus is calling
Have you come to the end of yourself?
Do you thirst for a drink from the well?
Jesus is calling

O come to the altar
The Father’s arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ

(Songwriters: Wade Joye / Christopher Brown / Mack Brock / Steven Furtick; O Come to the Altar lyrics © Be Essential Songs)

Randy and I live in a house that was built 25 years ago.  It is now that the original workings of this house are needing to be renewed.  Repairs can no longer fix what is old and broken.  We must buy new or move.  We are choosing to stay in our faithful home that suits our needs.  We look forward to the day when all that is breaking down is made new.  What a glorious day that will be!

We are also getting older.  Our bodies in need of repair.  Imagine our temples (our bodies) created in the image of God, in need of much repair, being made new with bodies that last forever by the our Faithful, All-powerful, All-knowing God who loved us so much He sent His Son, Jesus to save us for eternity.  There will be a Day when it will all come together for His glory. Yes, there are better days ahead!

God will provide the New that will replace the old forever.  Imagine; no more repairs, no more funerals, no more pain, no more war, no more tears, no more of the disappointing circumstances, no more lies and disillusionments from the enemy who taunts us here in a world in need of constant upkeep and repair. And most of all—no more sin for sin is not permitted in the newly created that God has prepared for all who have asked for forgiveness from sin and have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ.  This a new place that has no place for the Deceiver, Tempter, Distractor, and Destroyer.  He has been defeated!  Oh, what a Savior!  Isn’t He wonderful?  Jesus Christ, our Lord!

Leave behind your regrets and mistakes
Come today, there’s no reason to wait
Jesus is calling
Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy
From the ashes, a new life is born
Jesus is calling

O come to the altar
The Father’s arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood

Oh, what a Savior
Isn’t He wonderful?
Sing hallelujah, Christ is risen
Bow down before Him
For He is Lord of all
Sing hallelujah, Christ is risen

The final war has been fought.  God wins—just as He and His Son said they would.  Jesus, His Son, will reign forever as the Victor over death and evil.  Hallelujah!

Revelation 21 2024

Everything New

I saw Heaven and earth new-created. Gone the first Heaven, gone the first earth, gone the sea.

2 I saw Holy Jerusalem, new-created, descending resplendent out of Heaven, as ready for God as a bride for her husband.

3-5 I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: “Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They’re his people, he’s their God. He’ll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone.” The Enthroned continued, “Look! I’m making everything new. Write it all down—each word dependable and accurate.”

6-8 Then he said, “It’s happened. I’m A to Z. I’m the Beginning, I’m the Conclusion. From Water-of-Life Well I give freely to the thirsty. Conquerors inherit all this. I’ll be God to them, they’ll be sons and daughters to me. But for the rest—the feckless and faithless, degenerates and murderers, sex peddlers and sorcerers, idolaters and all liars—for them it’s Lake Fire and Brimstone. Second death!”

The City of Light

9-12 One of the Seven Angels who had carried the bowls filled with the seven final disasters spoke to me: “Come here. I’ll show you the Bride, the Wife of the Lamb.” He took me away in the Spirit to an enormous, high mountain and showed me Holy Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God, resplendent in the bright glory of God.

12-14 The City shimmered like a precious gem, light-filled, pulsing light. She had a wall majestic and high with twelve gates. At each gate stood an Angel, and on the gates were inscribed the names of the Twelve Tribes of the sons of Israel: three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, three gates on the west. The wall was set on twelve foundations, the names of the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb inscribed on them.

15-21 The Angel speaking with me had a gold measuring stick to measure the City, its gates, and its wall. The City was laid out in a perfect square. He measured the City with the measuring stick: fifteen hundred miles, its length, width, and height all equal. Using the standard measure, the Angel measured the thickness of its wall: seventy-two yards. The wall was jasper, the color of Glory, and the City was pure gold, translucent as glass. The foundations of the City walls were garnished with every precious gem imaginable: the first foundation jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate a single pearl.

21-27 The main street of the City was pure gold, translucent as glass. But there was no sign of a Temple, for the Lord God—the Sovereign-Strong—and the Lamb are the Temple. The City doesn’t need sun or moon for light. God’s Glory is its light, the Lamb its lamp! The nations will walk in its light and earth’s kings bring in their splendor. Its gates will never be shut by day, and there won’t be any night. They’ll bring the glory and honor of the nations into the City. Nothing dirty or defiled will get into the City, and no one who defiles or deceives. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will get in.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

The Redeemed inhabitants of the newly created heaven and earth are children of God, brothers and sisters with Christ, whose names are written the Lamb’s Book of Life!  Let respond to God and to each other as the redeemed daily!  We have learned for Jesus that how we respond to each other is the same as responding to Him. 

I pray that as we wait for the newly created that we treat each other as if Jesus were standing in front of us, reading the texts we send, listening to words that come out of our mouths, and the actions we take would please God.  This is living humbly and gratefully as the Redeemed.

O come to the altar
The Father’s arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ

O come to the altar
The Father’s arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ

The Father’s arms are open wide…

Lord,

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you have done, all you are doing currently, and all you will faithfully do as we live in response to your redeeming love, mercy, and grace.  Thank you for forgiveness when we falter.  Thank you for your faithfulness when we are sometimes not as faithful as we should be. Thank you for the revelation of what is to come that keeps us focused on you now.

In Jesus Name, Amen—TO YOU BE THE GLORY, HONOR, AND PRAISE NOW AND FORE

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JUDGEMENT

Posted on September 18, 2024 by randscallawayffm

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”           —Jesus, Matthew 25:31-46, NIV

Revelation 20, the Message

A Thousand Years

20 1-3 I saw an Angel descending out of Heaven. He carried the key to the Abyss and a chain—a huge chain. He grabbed the Dragon, that old Snake—the very Devil, Satan himself!—chained him up for a thousand years, dumped him into the Abyss, slammed it shut and sealed it tight. No more trouble out of him, deceiving the nations—until the thousand years are up. After that he has to be let loose briefly.

4-6 I saw thrones. Those put in charge of judgment sat on the thrones. I also saw the souls of those beheaded because of their witness to Jesus and the Word of God, who refused to worship either the Beast or his image, refused to take his mark on forehead or hand—they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years! The rest of the dead did not live until the thousand years were up. This is the first resurrection—and those involved most blessed, most holy. No second death for them! They’re priests of God and Christ; they’ll reign with him a thousand years.

7-10 When the thousand years are up, Satan will be let loose from his cell, and will launch again his old work of deceiving the nations, searching out victims in every nook and cranny of earth, even Gog and Magog! He’ll talk them into going to war and will gather a huge army, millions strong. They’ll stream across the earth, surround and lay siege to the camp of God’s holy people, the Beloved City. They’ll no sooner get there than fire will pour out of Heaven and burn them up. The Devil who deceived them will be hurled into Lake Fire and Brimstone, joining the Beast and False Prophet, the three in torment around the clock for ages without end.

Judgment

11-15 I saw a Great White Throne and the One Enthroned. Nothing could stand before or against the Presence, nothing in Heaven, nothing on earth. And then I saw all the dead, great and small, standing there—before the Throne! And books were opened. Then another book was opened: the Book of Life. The dead were judged by what was written in the books, by the way they had lived. Sea released its dead, Death and Hell turned in their dead. Each man and woman was judged by the way he or she had lived. Then Death and Hell were hurled into Lake Fire. This is the second death—Lake Fire. Anyone whose name was not found inscribed in the Book of Life was hurled into Lake Fire.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

God seeks those whose hearts are completely devoted and committed to Him.  Jesus taught and demonstrated obedience motivated by our love for God and for others.  We are made “right” only by the love, mercy, and grace of God through Jesus, who came to seek and to save the lost and to teach us how to love and serve each other as He served the world. If we say yes to Jesus, our Name is in the Book!  Our name is also written on the palm of God’s hand!  (Isaiah 49:16)

The Word of God made flesh with the message of salvation was not that complicated; but it requires a change of heart and a transformed mind.  It requires yielding, submitting (which goes against our sinful nature), with simple obedience to God Holy Spirit’s leading in every detail of our lives.  Those who do this are gifted with wisdom when we ask for it, inner eternal joy in all circumstances, with peace the overcomes anxiousness in the middle of raging storms—but we must keep our eyes on the Master. 

Yes, true believers who love and serve their Master, Jesus Christ, long for the day when Jesus comes back to claim his own.  Hearts, minds, and souls centered on Jesus say; “Come, dear Jesus, come.”  In the meantime, we love and help each other know Him more.

True believers who trust and obey long for the day when Jesus welcomes us home and says, “Well done, good and faithful servant, well done!” 

“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.” –Jesus, the promise of God to all who believe and call on His Name. John 3;16

Lord,

You forgave me and set me free to love and serve in the wide open spaces of your love, mercy, and grace!  I live in gratitude for saving my soul.  I love how you lead us.  Your amazing love and the glory of Your Presence is seen in everyday life when I stop to realize how you are always at work within us and around us.  I am one of your “whoever’s” who believe in you.  May your will be done in my life today and always.  I love you with all my heart, mind, and soul.  To you be the glory!

In Jesus Name, Amen

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RAISE A HALLELUJAH!

Posted on September 17, 2024 by randscallawayffm

I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies
I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief
I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody
I raise a hallelujah, heaven comes to fight for me

I’m gonna sing, in the middle of the storm
Louder and louder, you’re gonna hear my praises roar
Up from the ashes, hope will arise
Death is defeated, the king is alive!

(Songwriters: Jake Stevens / Jonathan David Helser / Melissa Helser / Molly Skaggs; Raise a Hallelujah lyrics © Bethel Music Publishing)

THIS is the stuff believers were, are, and forever created to be—worshippers!  We worship God with our brothers and sisters amassed in the unity of praise to God/Jesus/Holy Spirit, the Three in One as one choir in perfect harmony for eternity!

Imagine the church of Jesus Christ devoted solely to God. Imagine the church forever grateful to Jesus who died and rose again to defeat death forever!  Imagine the sound of the choirs singing in tune to the purest of all melodies. All the words are known by the worshipers because the Song was given to them by the Singer, Himself!  What a beautiful sound it is to worship His Name, Jesus—King of kings and Lord of lords! 

What a beautiful Name it is, what a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ, my King
What a beautiful Name it is, nothing compares to this
What a beautiful Name it is, the Name of Jesus

You didn’t want Heaven without us
So Jesus, You brought Heaven down
My sin was great, Your love was greater
What could separate us now?

Death could not hold You, the veil tore before You
You silenced the boast of sin and grave
The Heavens are roaring, the praise of Your glory
For You are raised to life again

You have no rival, You have no equal
Now and forever, God, You reign
Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the Glory
Yours is the Name above all names

What a powerful Name it is, what a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ, my King
What a powerful Name it is, nothing can stand against
What a powerful Name it is, the Name of Jesus

(Songwriters: Ben Fielding / Brooke Ligertwood; What A Beautiful Name lyrics © Hillsong Publishing, Hillsong Music Publishing Australia)

Imagine singing in a place where there is no sin of division, envy, pride, jealousy, arrogance, comparisons, or anxious thoughts!  ALL fear is gone because He lives, indeed!  Pain, tears, gossip, agony of wars, betrayals, sicknesses, along with all our sins– banished. They do not exist in God’s Kingdom of Heaven—only peace, joy unspeakable and full of glory.  Those who know God and love like God so loved us, who have stood the tests of faith and still believe in Him are filled with glorious Hallelujahs!

Revelation 19, The Message

The Sound of Hallelujahs

19 1-3 I heard a sound like massed choirs in Heaven singing,

Hallelujah!
The salvation and glory and power are God’s—
    his judgments true, his judgments just.
He judged the great Whore
    who corrupted the earth with her lust.
He avenged on her the blood of his servants.

Then, more singing:

Hallelujah!
The smoke from her burning billows up
    to high Heaven forever and ever and ever.

4 The Twenty-four Elders and the Four Animals fell to their knees and worshiped God on his Throne, praising,

Amen! Yes! Hallelujah!

5 From the Throne came a shout, a command:

Praise our God, all you his servants,
All you who fear him, small and great!

6-8 Then I heard the sound of massed choirs, the sound of mighty rapids, the sound of strong thunder:

Hallelujah!
The Master reigns,
    our God, the Sovereign-Strong!
Let us celebrate, let us rejoice,
    let us give him the glory!
The Marriage of the Lamb has come;
    his Wife has made herself ready.
She was given a bridal gown
    of bright and shining linen.
The linen is the righteousness of the saints.

9 The Angel said to me, “Write this: ‘Blessed are those invited to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.’” He added, “These are the true words of God!”

10 I fell at his feet to worship him, but he wouldn’t let me. “Don’t do that,” he said. “I’m a servant just like you, and like your brothers and sisters who hold to the witness of Jesus. The witness of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

A White Horse and Its Rider

11-16 Then I saw Heaven open wide—and oh! a white horse and its Rider. The Rider, named Faithful and True, judges and makes war in pure righteousness. His eyes are a blaze of fire, on his head many crowns. He has a Name inscribed that’s known only to himself. He is dressed in a robe soaked with blood, and he is addressed as “Word of God.” The armies of Heaven, mounted on white horses and dressed in dazzling white linen, follow him. A sharp sword comes out of his mouth so he can subdue the nations, then rule them with a rod of iron. He treads the winepress of the raging wrath of God, the Sovereign-Strong. On his robe and thigh is written, King of kings, Lord of lords.

17-18 I saw an Angel standing in the sun, shouting to all flying birds in Middle-Heaven, “Come to the Great Supper of God! Feast on the flesh of kings and captains and champions, horses and their riders. Eat your fill of them all—free and slave, small and great!”

19-21 I saw the Beast and, assembled with him, earth’s kings and their armies, ready to make war against the One on the horse and his army. The Beast was taken, and with him, his puppet, the False Prophet, who used signs to dazzle and deceive those who had taken the mark of the Beast and worshiped his image. They were thrown alive, those two, into Lake Fire and Brimstone. The rest were killed by the sword of the One on the horse, the sword that comes from his mouth. All the birds held a feast on their flesh.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Sing a little louder (in the presence of my enemies)
Sing a little louder (louder than the unbelief)
Sing a little louder (my weapon is a melody)
Sing a little louder (heaven comes to fight for me)
Sing a little louder (in the presence of my enemies)
Sing a little louder (louder than the unbelief)
Sing a little louder (my weapon is a melody)
Sing a little louder (heaven comes to fight for me)
Sing a little louder!

I’m gonna sing, in the middle of the storm
Louder and louder, you’re gonna hear my praises roar
Up from the ashes, hope will arise
Death is defeated, the king is alive!

Lord,

For now, the enemy seems to be winning but I know in my heart that this is not true.  I believe what your Word says and I believe that you came to seek the lost and save us from our sins.  I was lost but now I’m found.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  I’m singing your Hallelujahs now and look forward to raising our hallelujahs in grateful praise forever.  May praise become my lifestyle of choice and habit.  May your love guide and sustain me.  May your forgiveness of me cause me to readily forgive others who sin against me.  May your will be done, Your Kingdom come!

In Jesus Name, Amen

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