Not In Darkness

"... whosoever believeth on Me should
not abide in darkness." John 12:46b

There are many things we don't understand
and that is like being in the dark, but
Jesus said, "I am come a light into the
world" (John 12:46a).

He asked that we believe in His light.
He promised that we will not be left in
the darkness. In John 16:12 said that He
had many things to say, but it was too
much for them. Imagine that! Jesus knows
how much you could take. He loves you
that much.

So trust Jesus today!

Dorothy

PS. Song: Sunlight
1. I wandered in the shades of night
Till Jesus came to me,
And with the sunlight of His love
Bid all my darkness flee.
Chorus:
Sunlight, sunlight in my soul today,
Sunlight, sunlight all along the way;
Since the Savior found me, took away my sin,
I have had the sunlight of His love within.
(Judson W. Van de Venter)

Blessed Hope

"So He is able always to save those who
come to God through (Jesus)" (ncv).
Hebrews 7:25a Bread Box 3/30/10

Do you sometimes ever felt like we're
'drowning' with so many things that is
going on in U.S. and in the world?

Sometimes I watch TV news and History
channels. When it became too much for
me to handle the bad news, I turn to
God's Word as my "Blessed Hope."

"Blessed Hope" reminds me to keep my
eyes on the "One who ever liveth to
make intercession for us" (Heb.7:25b).
It means "He always lives, asking God
to help us." He is our Intercessor,
pleading to God for us. He is able
to save me from feeling 'panic' when
things might go wrong.

So let's trust God together!

Dorothy

PS. Chorus: He Lives
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives
today! He walks with me and talks with
me along life's narrow way. He lives,
He lives, salvation to impart! You ask
me how I know He lives? He lives within
my heart. (Alfred Henry Ackley)

Wear A Crown

"Be thou faithful unto death, and
I will give thee a crown of life."
Revelation 2:10d Bread Box

Is suffering really important part of
our Christian walk? Yes, in NCV Jesus
said, "Do not be afraid of what you
are about to suffer" (Rev. 2:10a).

Some of you are suffering with pains
in your bodies or have some heartaches
over some things or with someone. Even
if we haven't seen a miracle, yet Jesus
asked us to be loyal to Him. Be faithful
to Him.

Everything we go through always has a
purpose. He knows your pain. He wants
to give you a crown for the pains and
suffering. Yes, just think, "a crown!"

So I encourage you to keep your trust
in Jesus!

Dorothy

PS. Song: When The Battle's Over
When the battle's over, We shall
wear a crown, We shall wear a crown,
We shall wear a crown, And when the
battles' over, we shall wear a crown
in the new Jerusalem

Wear a crown, wear a crown, wear a
bright and shining crown. And when
the battles' over we shall wear a
crown in the new Jerusalem.
(Author unknown)

Things Are Different

"If anyone is in Christ, he is
(you are) a new creation. . "
2 Cor. 5:17a NKJV Bread Box

What does it feels like ... being a
new creation? Our body doesn't feel
that way. So what is it? Our inner
spirit is a new creation. We are born
again when we accept Christ by faith.

So what happen to our old things?
"Old things have passed away." So
what happen after old things have
passed away? "Behold all things
have become new." (2Cor.5:17)

Scripture says: ". . . the inward
man is renewed day by day"
(2Cor.4:16a).

So trust God today!

Dorothy
PS. Song: Things Are Different
Things are different now, Something
happened to me when I gave my heart
to Jesus. Things are different now;
I was changed, it must be,
when I gave my heart to Him...
Things I loved before have passed away,
Things I loved far more have come to stay.
Things are different now; Something happened
that day When I gave my heart to Him.
(Stanton W. Gavitt)

Called You by Name

Bread Box 3/25/10
Isaiah 43:1c
"I have called thee by thy
name; thou art mine."
Isaiah 43:1c Verse Card
from the Bread Box

The Lord God has made
this a very personal
message to you. "Don't be
afraid, because I have
saved you. I have called
you by name, and you
are mine" Is.43:1bc (ncv).

Tony: God makes this
passage, a very personal
message to you, "YOU
ARE MINE!" Think on this.
It is YOU that God really,
really loves YOU!

So trust God for His love!

Dorothy
PS. Song
He loves me, He loves me,
He loves me this I know.
He gave Himself to die
for me because
He loves me so.
(Author unknown)

A Faithful Man

"A faithful man shall abound with
blessings." Proverbs 28:20a
Bread Box 3/24/10

This Scripture talks about a person
who is being true and loyal to God.

Abound means be plentiful, be rich,
be well supplied and be filled.

God wants to give you blessing
with happiness, success, strength,
and power to become fruitful person.

So is being faithful very important?
Yes, "a faithful person shall be filled
with all these blessings of God."

So trust God today!

Dorothy
PS. Tony works with me on this Bread
Box at Dunkin Donut. By the way,
today is his 73rd B-day! His pager
is tcallies@tmo.blackberry.net.

3/26/10 Note: Tony didn't know I send
this out and suddenly, his pager buzz so
often and he looked at me. "What did you
do?" I smiled. He said to me, "You're
sneaky, but thanks!" It really made his
day when he got so many birthday greetings
all day and even surprised greetings from
the Video Phone. It means so much to him
so thank you for cheering him.

His Great Love

"But God shows His great love for us
in this way: Christ died for us while
we were still sinners." Romans 5:8
Bread Box 3/23/10

Can we earn His love by whipping our
backs like some religious people do?
Martin Luther would say "No!" He
believed Christ's work of salvation
was finished. We trust His work of
salvation by our faith in Him. That
is "we are saved by Christ's work."

So put your trust in God today!

Dorothy

PS. Song: Christ for Me
Christ for me, yes, it's Christ for me;
He's my Savior, my Lord and King:
I'm so happy I shout & sing.
Christ for me, yes, it's Christ for me;
Every day as I go my way
It is Christ - for - me.
(Inspiring Choruses from A/G, Zion, IL)

Another well known chorus:
Thank You, Lord for saving my soul.
Thank You, Lord for making me whole.
Thank You, Lord for giving to me,
Thy great salvation so rich and so free.
(Inspiring Choruses)

New Song

"He put a new song in my mouth, a song of
praise to our God." Psalm 40:3a Bread Box

What is the purpose of a mouth? A mouth is
a place of opening where we could eat and
drink and talk, but sing? No way!

When we open our mouth, we talk. But if a
Deaf person can't talk, our hands open up
and move to speak the language to those that
understand. But sing in sign language? No way!

But God says, yes way! He put a new song, a
fresh song in our inner spirit that brings
forth praise from our mouths (hands).

So let's praise and worship Him!

Dorothy

PS. Chorus
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed
Lord, To Thy precious bleeding side.
(Fanny Crosby was blind and she
wrote many songs)

Weapons of our Warfare 9

“We fight with weapons that are different from those the world uses.
Our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy’s
strong places. We destroy people’s argument and every proud thing
that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We capture every
thought and make it give up and obey Christ.” 2 Cor. 10:4-5 ncv

The King James Version says: “For the weapons of our warfare are
not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong
holds” (2Cor. 10:4). Paul’s fifth weapon is love. Christianity is all
about love one another. Without love, Christianity means nothing.
Paul talked about that love is the greatest gift (1 Cor. 13). His motto
was “Without love, I am nothing.”

What kind of weapon do I need to know about true love for God then?
What God asks of those who believe in Christ and receive His salvation is our devoted love. Our devoted love to God is very important to Him because this will influence us to love our neighbor, including our enemies. Holy Spirit is the one who helps us keep our devoted love to God and keep the love in our character because God is love.

Why is this weapon of God’s love in us so important? Jesus had
predicted that “love of many will become cold” because iniquity
will get worse (Matthew 24:12). What would cause this? “Many false
prophets will come and cause many people to believe lies. There will
be more and more evil in the world, so most people will stop showing
their love for each other” (Matt.24:11-12 ncv). This may be
discouraging, but wait, Jesus has more.

Jesus also said that there will be people who will keep their faith
until the end and we will be saved (Matt.24:13). That is, the presence
of God’s love will be powerfully manifested in our character. By using
this weapon against the enemy, we, the born-again believers will come forth victorious.

Love God Has

"And so we know the love that God
has for us, andwe trust that love"
1 John 4:16a (ncv). Bread Box 3/19/10

Do you ever struggle with a feeling:
"I am not that important?"

The word 'know' is the key we need to
find out. Know means 'to be sure of.
We can be sure of God's love for us.
That is howimportant we are to Him
and we trust that love.

I pray that Christ will live in your
hearts by faith and that your life
will be strong in love and be built
on love (Ephesians 3:17 ncv).

So let's trust that love
He has for us!

Dorothy

PS. Song: Never Failed Me Yet
Never failed me yet, Never failed me yet
Jesus' love never failed me yet.
This one thing I know that wherever I go
Jesus' love never failed me yet.
(Inspiring Choruses)

Not Failed One Word

"There has not failed one word of all
His good promise." 1 Kings 8:56
Bread Box 3/18/10

What should you do when you are not sure
about God's promises? Peter has the answer
to this question. "The Lord is not slow in
doing what He promised the way some people
understand slowness" (2 Peter 3:9a (ncv).

Sarah, Abraham's wife believe that God was
too slow to keep His promises. So she told
Abraham to take Hagar, and have a son for
an heir. Did God give up His promises? No,
He had His plan. Sarah could not see the
future. It takes faith to really trust God.

After 25 years, they finally had a miracle,
a son in their old age. What was the reason
for them to wait so long? God wants the
generations to remember God's miracle and
His promise has never failed.

So keep trusting God!

Dorothy

Song: Keep on Believing
Keep on believing, God will answer prayer;
Keep on believing, never to despair;
Tho' you be heavy laden and burdened
down with care, Remember God still loves
you and He answers prayer.
(Inspiring Choruses)

Mighty Things

"Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and
show thee great and mighty things, which thou
(you) knowest not." Jeremiah 33:3 Bread Box

Is God deaf? No, He heard your cry! "Let your
cry come to Me, and I will give you an answer,
and let you see great things and secret things
of which you had no knowledge"--Bas

Tony said: "Think big! God can do anything, big
or small for you. Why? Because He loves you!"

Let's trust God today!

Dorothy

PS. Christ Is the Answer
Christ is the answer to all my longing;
Christ is the answer to all my need.
Savior, Baptizer, the great Physician,
Oh, hallelujah! He's all I need.
(Emil Balliet)

Good Things

"They that seek the Lord shall not want
any good thing." Psalm 34:10b Bread Box

Strange wordings to try to understand
this verse? Let's learn this: want,
lack, or need means to be without
something or you don't have them.

It is like this: Do you need anything?
"They that seek the Lord shall not be
without any good thing." NCV says:
"Those who look to the Lord will have
every good things" (Psalm 34:10b).

God wants to give us abundance life
as long as we keep in touch with Him.
(See Psalm 34)

Picking up the card verse from the bread
box is one of the few ways for me to keep
in touch with God and His Word. Seeking
God is keeping in touch with Him. Don't
lose Him. Don't forget Him. Don't let
Him go! Hold on to Him!

So today let's continue to stand on
God's promises!

Dorothy

PS. Song of God Promises
Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Thro' eternal ages let His praises ring;
Glory in the highest I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
(Chorus) Stand-ing, stand-ing, Standing
on the promises of God my Savior;
Stand-ing, stand-ing, I'm standing
on the promises of God.
(Russell Kelso Carter)

The Oppressed

"The Lord also will be refuge for the
oppressed." Psalm 9:9a Bread Box 3/12/10

Feeling weigh down? Burden? Weariness?
"The Lord defends those who suffer; He
defends them in times of trouble" Ps.9:9 ncv.

When you rise in the morning, let God comes
to you and becomes your whole armour so that
God can help you stand against the devil. You
and God are mighty together!! (Eph.6:11)

Song: What a mighty God we serve;
what a mighty God we serve;
Angels bow before Him;
Heaven and earth adore Him;
What a mighty God we serve.
(Author unknown)

So let's serve a mighty God today!

Dorothy

PS. Holy Spirit sang the song to me
when I rose out of the bed after 4 a.m.
So I want to share this with you.

Song: "Isn't He wonderful, wonderful,
wonderful? Isn't Jesus my Lord wonderful?
Eyes not seen, Ears not heard, what's
recording in God's Word! Isn't Jesus my
Lord wonderful? (Author unknown)

Faith Comes

"So faith comes from hearing the
Good News, and the people hear the
Good News when someone tells them
about Christ." Roman 10:17 ncv
Bread Box 3/11/10

Romans 14:5-10
Story of Paul who came into the city
to preach. A crippled man heard the
gospel for the first time by hearing
God's Word. The crippled man put his
faith in God's word and he was healed.

The word 'hearing' means continually,
"hear." We allow God's Word to
'continually' wash over our inner
spirit so that our faith can grow.

Faith comes by reading and seeing and
studying and searching His Word and the
healing will flow inside of us.

So let's trust God today!

Dorothy

PS. Prayer song:
Open our eyes, Lord,
we want to see Jesus,
to reach out and touch Him,
and say that we love Him.

Open our ears, Lord,
and help us to listen.
Open our eyes, Lord,
We want to see Jesus.
(Robert Cull)

In His Wings

"Unto you that fear My name shall
the Sun of righteousness arise with
healings in his wings." Malachi 4:2a
Bread Box 3/10/10

Who is the Sun of righteousness?
Jesus Christ! And who arise with
healings in His wings? Jesus Christ!

Some day in God's future kingdom
Jesus Christ's glory and righteousness
will shine like the sun, bringing His
faithful people with blessing and
healing. This is our hope in Him.

So trust God today for your healing!

Dorothy

PS. Rise and Be Healed
Rise and be healed in the name of Jesus.
Let faith arise in your soul! Rise and
be healed in the name of Jesus;
He will make you every. whit (part) whole!
(Milton Bourgeois)

Good Shepherd

Jesus said: "I am the good
shepherd: the good shepherd
giveth His life for the sheep."
John 10:11 Bread Box 3/9/10

Feeling lost and confused
today? The Good Shepherd
will lead His sheep and we
are like His sheep, He will
show us the way.

Jesus illustrates Himself as
a good shepherd is toward
His sheep--caring, watchful
and loving.

Jesus revealed Himself as
a good shepherd is willing
to die for His sheep; His
death on the cross saves
His sheep. Jesus' love for
His sheep is very deep.

So trust the Shepherd to
lead you today!

Dorothy

PS. Song came to me at 3 a.m. so I
found the verse to fit this song.

Savior, like a shepherd lead us;
Much we need Thy tender care;
in Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use Thy folds prepare;
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
(Dorothy Ann Thrupp's
Hymns for the Young, 1836)

Hide Me

In the secret of (God's) tabernacle
shall (God) hide me. Psalm 27:5b
Bread Box 3/8/10

Do you ever feel like you want to
hide somewhere safe from hearing
all the bad news and bad rumors
from others? You can!

Just visualize Heavenly Father's
glorious robe and His arms that
are wide open. You, like a child,
come running into His arms. And
then Heavenly Father put His arms
around you and give you a little
loving squeeze. Then He say to
you, "you are Mine."

So let God hug you today!

Dorothy

PS. Song: He Hideth My Soul

He hideth my soul in the cleft
of the rock
That shadows a dry thirsty land;
He hideth my life in the depths
of His love,
And covers me there with His hand,
And covers me there with His hand.
(Fanny Jane Crosby)

Weapons of our Warfare 8

“We destroy people’s arguments and every proud thing that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:4c-5 NCV

The Scripture says: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal ...” Paul’s fourth weapon is “faith.” The best example I could think of was a story of Martin Luther. Martin was studying the Scripture about putting your faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. He struggled to grasp this deep meaning. Why? Because his church taught him that you have to ‘work’ to earn grace and faith in God.

As a child, my mother and I went to church where they had shown a movie of Martin Luther’s life story. What impressed me the most was Martin’s knee climbed up the stairs, step by steps until it bleed. It was then God spoke to him, “The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17b). This verse ‘hit’ Martin and he finally understood that grace and faith is not being earned by his labor or work. Martin discovered the church’s error and there were arguments among the leaders. So finally, Martin Luther left this church and started his own organization which was called, “Lutheran Church” based on the faith in Jesus Christ alone.

By using this weapon, “The just (Christians) shall live by faith” against the enemy, and we, the born-again believers will come forth victorious.

Weapons of our Warfare 7

“We destroy people’s arguments and every proud thing that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:4c-5 NCV

The Scripture says: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal ...” Paul’s third weapon is a ‘proclamation of the gospel.’ Why was it important to know our weapon of the gospel? Galatians 1:7 tells us that “There are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.” So Paul wanted the Galatians to beware of and react against any disturbance in the “true gospel” that was being preached.

What was the trouble and pervert the gospel? The false teaching was about God granted the acceptance on the basis of their obedience to a set of rules especially circumcision and dietary laws. In short, obedience to the law was needed, apart from faith in Jesus. This false teaching brought disturbance of the truth and Paul told Galatians to react strongly against it. Paul said that anyone preaching a gospel that is not based on grace through faith in Christ alone should be accursed (Gal. 1:8-9).

So it is important to study the Scriptures faithfully so we can detect the false teaching and proclaim the truth of God’s wonderful salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. By using this weapon against the enemy, we, the born-again believers will come forth victorious.

Reference Scripture: Galatians 3:11

The Meek

"The meek will he (God) guide in judgment."
Psalm 25:9a Bread Box 3/5/10

Do you ever lose patience and wish some
things would hurry up?

"He (God) leads the humble in what is right,
and the humble He (God) teaches His way"
(Psalm 25:9 AMP).

The meek is the one who is willing and easily
to accept God's teaching. God can show the meek,
the humble how to do right because the Lord's
ways are loving and true to His promises.

Oh, bless the Lord who helps us to have patience
with ourselves and let Him have His ways.

So let's trust God today!

Dorothy

PS. Prayer song: I Surrender

All to Jesus, I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me.
(Chorus)
I surrender all, I surrender all,
All to thee my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.
(Judson W. Van de Venter)

Sing Songs

"The people I made will sing songs
to praise Me." Isaiah 43:21 ncv
Bread Box 3/4/10

What does singing songs of praise
to God do to us?

Several things! Songs of praise bring
God's Presence. Songs of praise silent
the enemies. Songs of praise calm our
fears. Songs of praise bring victory.
Songs of praise do wonders to our bodies.
Songs of praise often bring healing.

Sing your favorite song unto the Lord
and uplift Him! He loves you!

So sing unto Lord today!

Dorothy

PS. Song or poem:
God Made Me

How wonderful is our God, He loves me too.
And He has power to help me please Him,

How wonderfully God made me! Made my eyes,
to see things on the earth and in the skies.

How wonderfully God made me! Made my feet,
to walk, or run, or skip, along the street.

(Author unknown wrote this song for kids.
I like the words that fit the verse)

If You Can

Jesus said, "If (you) can believe, all things
are possible to (anyone) that (continue to)
believe." Mark 9:23 Bread Box 3/3/10

Do you ever felt tempted to give up believing
God for anything? To increase our faith,
let's read God's Word. (Mark 9:20-27)

Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has
this been happening?" The father answered,
"Since he was very young." Father had a son
that needs healing for a long time. He said
to Jesus, "If You can do anything for him,
please have compassion on us, and help us."

Jesus said to the father, "You said, 'If you
can!' (Then) All things are possible for the
one who believes." Immediately the father
cried out, "I do believe! Help me believe
more!" His son was healed.

So let's believe more in Jesus today for
your needs!

Dorothy

PS. Song collection:
Lord, I believe, Lord I believe!
Savior raise my faith in thee
'till it can move a mountain.
Lord, I believe, Lord, I believe!
All my doubts are buried in the fountain.
(Author unknown)

Poem: I Seek

Seek Me early; Seek Me late.
Seek Me when you enter the gate.

I seek to lift your heavy loads.
I seek to guide your life's roads.

Seek Me in the midst of troubles.
Seek Me first before you stumbles.

I seek to give you My love.
I seek to reach you from above.

Seek Me, first, oh, please, my dear.
Seek Me and I will be very near.

I seek to hold you so very close.
I look at you like I see a rose.

I seek to say, I love you.
I pray you seek and tell Me, too.

Trust in Me in all you do.
Trust Me 'cause I want you to.


Written in February 1982
The Lord spoke to my heart
and I wrote this poem.
By Dorothy M. Callies

Seek Me Early

"Those that seek Me early shall
find Me." Proverbs 8:17b
Bread Box 3/2/10

Other translations:
"And those that seek Me
diligently shall find Me-asv."
"And those that seek Me
earnestly shall find Me-jps."
"And who seek Me eagerly
shall find Me-jerus."

Find Me means look for Him;
get to know Him; and feel
Him like a warm sunshine!

How do you touch God's heart?
Love Him! Prov. 8:17a says:
"I love them that love Me."

So love God today!

Dorothy

PS. Song collection:
Oh how I love Him; (You)
how I adore Him; (You)
my breath, my sunshine,
my all in all.
The great Creator,
became my Savior and
all God's fullness
dwelleth in Him (Jesus).
(Author unknown)

Rich Unto All

"The same Lord over all is rich unto all
that call upon Him."Romans 10:12b
The Verse Card from the Bread Box 3/1/10

"Rich unto all" means God has more than
enough to bless you. Not just a little
blessing, but an overflowing blessings.
God wants to 'shower' you with His
blessings.

When you are in need, what do you do?
"Call upon Him" and "The same Lord is
the Lord of all and gives many blessings
to all who trust Him" (ncv).

After you have taken a shower, how does
that feel? Refreshing! Feels good! Ready
for the day!

So trust God today for shower of blessings!

Dorothy

PS. Song: Showers of Blessing!

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

(Chorus)Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need;
Mercy drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.
(Daniel W. Whittle)