Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Yike! It is 2012 and "Happy New Year"!

January First 2012 Bread Box

"This one thing I do: forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead"
Philippians 3:13b (ncv).

"Is there such a thing as a "month with two faces"?
The Roman god Janus who was often shown with two faces since he was the protector of gates and doors. His month, JANUARY, "looks two ways," back to last year and ahead to the new one." (From Scholastic Children's Dictionary).

When one looks back, one learn from many mistakes and failures. One is looking forward to work on having much more success in whatever they would be doing. This was true with one company who was very successful in their business year after year. What's their secret? The company had 99% of failures before they were able to climb into successful business. Why? They learn something from many failures that lead them to try something else. That something else had leaded them to a success.

Paul said, "Brothers and sisters, I know that I have not yet reached the goal, but there's one thing I always do. FORGETTING THE PAST AND STRAINING TOWARD WHAT IS AHEAD, I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through to the life above. All of us who are spiritually mature should think of this way, too" Philippians 3:13-15a.

Paul's desire was to serve Christ. Paul sees himself as a runner in a race (Heb.12:1), using all his strength and pressing on to keep that fellowship with Christ (v8-11). What about you? What is your goal for January 2012? If you lack wisdom, James 1:5 tells us to ask God. He will give you wisdom. He loves doing this so ask Him.

So let's begin with a Happy New Year, friend!

Dorothy

Guest: Song of Ashes

"The Spirit of the Lord has anointed Me . . . to give you beauty for ashes, oil of joy for mourning, garment of praise for heavy heart . . ." (Isaiah 61:1, 3).

A guest, Linda Martin of VA know a song from memory that fits "Beauty for Ashes." Linda doesn't know the author. It is a very old, country western kind of song. I hope you will enjoy this.

The Best of the Trade
1. The Lord gave me beauty for ashes,
For my sorrow He gave to me joy,
I was sad and oppressed, I exchanged that for rest,
And a peace that the world can't destroy.

Chorus: I traded my sin for Salvation,
I traded my load for relief,
I obtained peace for my condemnation,
And the joy of the Lord for my grief.
I traded a life that was wasted
For a temple to dwell in God made.
What I got was so much more than what I had before.
That I'm sure I got the best of the trade.

2. Had He charged me the difference for trading,
Then His grace I could never afford.
But He canceled my debt, and I have no regret,
Though it looks like I cheated the Lord.

Chorus: I traded my sin for Salvation,
I traded my load for relief,
I obtained peace for my condemnation,
And the joy of the Lord for my grief.
I traded a life that was wasted
For a temple to dwell in God made.
What I got was so much more than what I had before.
That I'm sure I got the best of the trade.
(Author: Unknown)

PS. This is really good. May the Lord bless you today!

Call Me!

Good morning! Christmas holidays seem to be a busy time! Really, it depends on who we are. For me, this early morning, taking time out with God is like "breathe of fresh air" to my inner spirit. So I decided to draw a card for Bread Box. Ahhh, it feels so good to have Bread Box back sometimes! (Lately, I have been studying series on "blood sprinkle" and I didn't realize it was going to be a big subject. Yowee!)

"Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shall glorify Me."
Psalm 50:15

Want to glorify Him? Just get into trouble! (me, Dorothy, a little mischief) Huh? Humm? No way? But trouble comes to us anyway! It is often not our choice to have troubles or when trouble time comes. But you know something? God just simply loves to help us. He says, "Call to Me in times of trouble. I will save you, and you will honor Me" (Psalm 50:15 ncv). Actually, our calling to Him makes Him feel honor.

The Lord simply invites all of us faithful believers to call continually upon Him in times of need and trouble. God desires to hear our prayers to help us, and have His name exalted as a God who rescues His people. This is where our testimonies come in to tell others what He has done for us. We made God happy!

So God said, "Trust Me in your times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give Me glory" (NLT Ps. 50:15).

Praise God for His Word to us so trust God today!

Song: I'm Glad I'm A Christian.
I'm glad I'm a Christian,
I'm trusting the Lord;
I'm reading my Bible,
believing each word.
The past is forgiven
From sin I'm set free,
A mansion in heaven
is waiting for me.
(Inspiring Choruses)

Series Five: Figures

Hebrews 9:24 KJV
"For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now appear in the presence of God for us."

Heb. 9:24a NCV tells us that "Christ did not go into the Most Holy Place made by humans, which is only a copy of the real one. He went into heaven itself and is there now before God to help us."

The word, figure mean something that represents a form especially of a person and/or a pictorial illustration. Or the figure could be "picture like this" or "copy like this or "compare like this."

I remember reading one article about "the treasure." A Christmas story of a father who went to the store to find the gifts for his children. The father wrapped the gifts and put them under the tree. The children glee with excitement when at times they watched the gifts day by day. They could hardly wait for that day of Christmas to find out what was inside the gifts. Oh, the excitement was unbearable, but they wait!

Imagine the father had taken the pleasure of watching his own children waiting until that day the gifts were opened and their glowing faces show surprised.

Suppose the father did not wrap the gifts he bought and put under the tree and they had already saw it . . . Was it any thrill? Were there any excitement?

Now you know why our Heavenly Father like to wrap the "gifts" to us and we have to "figure" it out what was in the gifts. That gift is "The Bible" and often it had "figures," "pattern," and "types." We search, study, talk or preach about His Word. Imagine our Heavenly Father delights in us searching "the treasure," "Christ" in the Old Testament. The "sprinkling of blood" was the figure of Christ's blood.

And many more! Let's delight our heavenly Father by searching His Word!

Series Four: Patterns

Hebrews 9:23a KJV
"It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens ..." NCV: "So the copies of the real things in heaven ..."

Why did the Lord tell Moses to build the Tabernacle and everything pertaining (belong) to the Tabernacle? There are several answers to this question. First, there people who want to know what heaven was like? God had brought a little heaven on earth. The Tabernacle, the earthly tent and everything in it--which were copies of things in heaven. Heb. 8:5a tells us that "the work they do as priests is only a copy and a shadow of what is in heaven ..."

Another answer is found in Heb. 9:1-2a in NCV says, "The agreement had rules to worship and a place on earth to worship. The Holy Tent was set up for this."

So the people would come to the Tabernacle as a reminder that God is to be worship. Like Moses who kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood on the door posts to save their first sons of Israelite. Like Jesus who died on the cross and "sprinkling His blood" over us. Today, we have Holy Spirit who reminds us to worship God and ask for the blood of Jesus over us. (Ref: Heb.11:28)

So let's worship God through song of your choice!

Song: When I See the Blood
1. Christ our Redeemer died on the cross,
Died for the sinner paid all his due;
All who receive Him need never fear,
Yes, He will pass, will pass over you.
Chorus:
When I see the blood,
When I see the blood,
When I see the blood,
I will pass, I will pass over you.

2. Oh, what compassion, oh, boundless love!
Jesus hath power, Jesus is true;
All who believe are safe from the storm,
Oh, He will pass, will pass over you.
(Then Chorus)
(John G. F.)

Series Three: Sprinkle

Hebrews 9:14a NCV
"How much more is done by the blood of Christ."

In my own word, "it is far better to have Christ's blood than to have the blood of goats, calves, and bulls that were sprinkled over the people who were unclean and had to be clean again and again every year since Moses' time and until Jesus' time.

Hebrews 9:22 tells us that "the law says that almost everything must be made clean by blood, and sins cannot be forgiven without blood to show death" (NCV). Moses had to sprinkle the blood on the Holy Tent and over all the things used in worship (v21).

From the TV, Joyce Meyer quoted several rituals of sacrifices of the animals from the Old Testament. She said that it was really a lot of blood, a lot of butchering of animals, and a lot of sacrifices every year. She asked the audience, "Are you glad that Christ's death on the cross takes away our sins once and for all? It should makes us really appreciate Christ's sacrifice for just one time." They answered, "Amen" with relief on their faces (TV camera show this).

So how much better that Christ's blood offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice to God one time forever. His blood will make our conscience pure from our useless acts so we may serve the living God.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to the world that through Christ, they might be saved through His precious blood in Jesus' name, we pray. Amen!

So let's trust God today!

Dorothy

Song: Under the Blood.
Lord, keep my soul from day to day,
Under the blood, under the blood,
Take doubts and fear and sin away.
Under the precious blood.
Chorus:
Under the blood, the precious blood.
Under the cleansing, healing flood:
Keep me, Savior, from day to day,
Under the precious blood.
(Author: unknown)

Where's the Line? Guest: Paula

Guest: Paula Hardy from Canada share the Christmas song.

Dorothy, recently I found the most inspiring yet saddened Christmas song and I'd like to share it with you. It is my prayer that everyone who love the Lord will be in the line at His throne, we all will bow down and worship Him.

Song: Where's the Line to see Jesus

Christmas time was approaching, the snow is starting to fall,
Shoppers choosing their presents, people filling the mall
Children waiting for Santa with excitement and glee.
A little boy tugged my sweater, looking up and ask me,
Where's the line to see Jesus? Is He here at the store?
If Christmas time is His birthday, Why don't we see Him more?
As I stood in amazement at this message profound,
I looked down to thank him, he was no where around,
The little boy at the mall might as well have had wings
As the tears filled my eyes, I thought I heard him say,
Where's the line to see Jesus? Is He here at the store?
If Christmas time is His birthday, Why don't we see Him more?
Where's the line to see Jesus? He was born for me.
Santa Claus brought me presents, but Christ gave me His life.
In the blink of an eye, at the sound of His trump,
We'll all stand in line at His throne. Every knee shall bow down,
Every tongue will confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Where's the line to see Jesus? Is He here at the store?
If Christmas time is His birthday, Why don't we see Him more?
Where's the line to see Jesus? He was born for me.
Santa Claus brought me presents, but Christ gave me His life.
Where's the line? Where's the line?
Where's the line for the Lord?
(Author: unknown)

May the Lord touched your today!

Peace 2 Guest: Jane

From December 4th, responding to Bread Box “Peace” from Jane.

Hello Dot,

It was so good to hear from you in spite of being so busy. Funny thing about "Peace". I shared this devotion with the ladies last night (Dec. 3rd) at a Christmas party. It's from "Christmas Prayer", a keepsake devotional for the holiday season. Collected by Renae Brumbaugh.

"Finding Peace"

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

If you ask people at the shopping mall or on the street today to define peace, many of them will tell you it is the absence of conflict. To have peace, we often feel we must remove ourselves for the source of our stress. When we arrive at a place without stress and conflict, we think we'll find peace.

The problem is, no such place exists- at least not here on earth. Oh, we may find temporary peace by changing jobs or changing relationships or planning a beach retreat. But it won't last. It never does.

Jesus offers a different kind of peace. His peace is in spite of circumstances, not because of them. The peace of God travels with us, inhabiting our hearts and minds no matter what is going on around us. When we draw on His peace, we can find tranquility even in the midst of conflict. His peace is there for the taking; all we have to do is claim it, as we call on Him.

Dear Father,

I'm so glad You don't give as the world gives. As I purchase gifts my family and friends this holiday season, I know that my gifts are an imperfect reminder of my love for them. Each gift will grow old or run out, the next year I'll purchase new gifts. But Your gifts are eternal, and they begin the moment we accept them.

Thank you for the gift of Your peace, which I can access any time, simply by calling on You. I'm glad that Your peace can be found even in the most stressful of situations, even in the midst of chaos and conflict. Thank You, Father, for Your peace. Please help me to be a messenger of that peace, carrying it to those I love. Amen.

It was a good one to share. I was the only person that did homework for the party. We were told to share a verse or devotion. The party was nice and relaxing.

May God be with you during this Christmas season.
Jane (from Canada)

Series Two: Sprinkle

Hebrews 9:11a
"But Christ being an high priest of good things to come, by greater and more perfect tabernacle ..."

During the time of Moses, the tabernacle was the foreshadow of Christ. God had spoken to Moses about the coming of Christ. Moses quoted, "There is someone like me, who will come." The word, foreshadow mean a thing, hint or suggestion of beforehand, or plan ahead of time or in advance of time.

God had a plan that the tabernacle was meant to be a "shadow." It means something better than this will come and it is called, "foreshadow" and that "foreshadow" is Christ. When Christ came on earth, He became the real "tabernacle" and after He arose and went to heaven, He became the perfect High Priest in "heavenly tabernacle."

Basically, if we study the type of the tabernacle and all the rituals of "sprinkled blood," that was done so many times, we would come to understand why Christ is the perfect sacrifice once and for all. We have a great High Priest.

So "let us go right into the presence of God, with true hearts fully trusting him. For our evil consciences have been "SPRINKLED WITH CHRIST'S BLOOD" to make us clean ..." Heb.10:22a.

God bless you today!

Dorothy

Series One: Sprinkle

Isaiah 52:15a KJV: "So he (the Messiah) shall sprinkle many nations ..."

At Springfield, Missouri, Central Bible College for the Deaf in 1962-1964, I took the course called, The Typology of Christ, the Tabernacle and learn about the rituals of sprinkles and their purposes. Because of those studies, my heart had grown to love God's Word, and it brought me a new understanding what the "foreshadows" and the "prophecies" about "Christ in the Old Testament" was all about. There are so much mysteries behind those stories and we have yet to discover those "clues" that God had left for us to dig the treasure, "Christ in the Old Testament."

Now three words, "sprinkle many nations," we need to go back to the meaning of ritual on "sprinkle." During Moses' time, God gave him a special instruction about "the sprinkle over different things." One that impressed me was when Moses "sprinkled the blood" of an animal in front of the people, the congregation who were standing before 'The Meeting Place' or in front of 'The Tabernacle.' To sprinkle with the blood mean to bring cleansing and purifying the people who came before God for forgiveness of their sins.

Now this statement, "So he (the Messiah) shall sprinkle many nations" could meant several prophecies and some have yet to come. One: on the Day of Pentecost, 3,000 souls accepted Christ when they heard Peter preached the prophecy of Joel. The Holy Spirit "sprinkled them" when they repented of their sins and accepted Jesus in their hearts. Different people came from several different nations to celebrate Passover and Pentecost Festival.

Two: For several years, some well-known Evangelists went out to other countries and have preached to thousands of people of other nations. These nations have accepted Christ when they heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. So Holy Spirit "sprinkled them with Jesus' blood."

Third: When Messiah will rule "A Thousand Year of Peace," other nations will come to meet Christ at Jerusalem, the Kings and other important people, the Messiah shall "sprinkle His blood" over them as a sign of forgiveness and accepted them. They will be in awe when they get to know the true Messiah that they didn't know before. They will ponder; think in their heart so deeply of who Christ would be.

That would be the day when all will know the Lord like NIRV says: "But many nations will be surprised when they see what he (the Messiah) has done. Kings will be so amazed that they will not be able to say anything. They will know the meaning of things they never heard about."

Song: Isn't He Wonderful?
Isn't He wonderful, wonderful, wonderful?
Isn't Jesus my Lord wonderful?
Eyes have seen, ears have heard,
It's recorded in God's Word,
Isn't Jesus my Lord wonderful?
(Inspiring Choruses)

Sprinkle Many Nations

Isaiah 52:15 KJV
"So he (the Messiah) shall sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and which they had not heard shall they consider."

NIRV left out one sentence on "he shall 'sprinkle' many nations." I like the rest of NIRV translation: "But many nations will be surprised when they see what he (the Messiah) has done. Kings will be so amazed that they will not be able to say anything. They will know the meaning of things they never heard about."

Reading from 52:13-15 of Isaiah, he was writing about the servant of the Lord is Jesus Christ Himself. Also Isaiah 53 foretold Christ's suffering and His glory. What I want to focus on was the prophecy of "sprinkle many nations." This phrase refers to the spiritual cleansing and purification that people from all nations would experience when they received the message of the Servant-Messiah. This cleansing would come by the "sprinkled blood of Christ."

In the Old Testament, there's an instruction from God to Moses about the "sprinkle" issues that this might become a series of "The Sprinkle." This topic has impressed me greatly especially "sprinkle blood." Now there are few things that came to my mind and my heart. It will takes several series of "the sprinkle" to be able to see the whole picture so please bear with me as I share the series of "The Sprinkle" this month.

Right now just a thought of this verse, "Jesus shall sprinkle many nations" lead me to do a lot of research on the "sprinkles" in the New Testament and the Old Testament. The Technology Bible shows about 80 in O.T. and seven in N.T. Mostly in Hebrews and one in Peter. It is going to be interesting because the word, sprinkle has a very important part of God's plan. Somehow it touched my heart and I will be able to share them with you as the Holy Spirit leads.

So trust God and pray for Holy Spirit's leading! It is very helpful! Thank you for caring!

Love and prayers,

Dorothy

Live in Peace!

"Live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you."
2 Cor. 13:11bc

Collection Songs: Peace

(ASL) Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Flowing down from the mountain of God.
Come over my spirit forever I pray,
His love, very deep and like oceans of love.

Peace! Peace! Wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above;
Sweep over my spirit forever I pray,
In fathomless billows of love.
(W.D.Cornell; W.G.Cooper)

Peace give I to thee,
Peace give I to thee,
Not as the world gives,
Give I to thee,
Peace give I to thee.....
(Vic House, Praise Chorus Book)

I've got peace like a river,
I've got peace like a river,
I've got peace like a river in my soul.
I've got peace like a river,
I've got peace like a river,
I've got peace like a river in my soul.
(Author unknown)
(I've got love like an ocean)

Why the verse and the song about "peace"? When I heard the news of Jimmy Schwyhart who had just resigned from NF President, how does that make you feel? I asked Tony this question: "Sad to see a good man to leave, but not depressed. I would encourage everyone to pray for Jimmy and His family." This is the reason we all need peace verse and songs of peace to uplift us for Jimmy and continue to believe God's healing.

"Congratulation to Belinda McCleese who became the first female President of NF" Tony said.

So trust God today!

For more information about Jimmy, log in
http://www.nfdeaf.com/

Reason for Christmas!

A guest from Rhoda Nelson from Minnesota wrote a song.
God bless you. Dorothy Callies

Reason for Christmas. (Song/poem)

I see all the lights in the windows.
I see all the crowds everywhere.
But how many stop to remember
The reason for songs in the reason
for songs in the air?

There Must be a reason for Christmas!
I pray that wherever I go
I'll always remember the reason
And always let others know.

The world sings its gay Christmas music.
The world sings its gay Christmas songs.
But how many stop to remember
The ONE to Whom Christmas belongs?

I KNOW there's a reason for Christmas.
Christ Jesus, Redeemer of men.
Was born as a babe in a manger.
Oh! Tell it again and again.

By Rhoda Nelson