Happy 4th of July Week!

Since it is holiday week, I like to leave the list of ten parts of "The Blood" topics for awhile. If you wondered where in the world did I ever get those topics? Actually, I had watched the Classic Sermon of Billy Graham from TBN last March 2013. "The Blood" topic has a very rich knowledge of God's word. May the Lord bless you as you study them. Dorothy Callies

PS. The next Manna will be on August 1, 2013. I'll be working on new Manna during the month of July. I suggest to review all the past Manna and also check out the "Hope Series" in Deaf Prayer Partners Lifeline and they are very encouraging in time like this. May  God bless you. [July 5, 2013] 

The Blood of Everlasting Covenant

Hebrews 13:20-21 “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

The important thing to notice is that Jesus is the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant and that was signed with His blood. The New Living Translation put together Heb.13:20-21 “And now, may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ all that is pleasing to him. Jesus is the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting covenant, signed with his blood. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Jesus Christ is the One who has established the everlasting covenant between God and man. A covenant is an agreement between two persons. He has provided the way for us to approach to God. What is that covenant? How can we approach to God? The covenant is the blood of Jesus Christ and the blood of Christ is the way we approach God.

What does this mean? It means that Jesus Christ took our sins upon Himself and bore the guilt and judgment for our sins. He died as a Perfect Sacrifice and what He did was acceptable to God, a well pleasing to Him.  He established a new and living way into God’s presence; by His death Jesus Christ has established a new covenant, a new agreement between God and man. It is now the will of God for man to approach Him through the blood of Christ; the everlasting covenant.  

In the Old Testament, the everlasting covenant was mentioned in several places such as Psalm 105:8-11 “He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations. Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant: Saying Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance.” Just think: it has always been Christ from the beginning of the Old Testament, Genesis 3:15, the Promised Seed until the New Testament, the Revelation, He is called, “The Blood of the Lamb” (Rev. 7:14, 12:11). Jesus Christ is the Everlasting Covenant.

Hebrews 13:20-21 is a prayer of the writer for the Hebrew believers. It is a prayer to make you perfect, to grow, and to mature in every good work to do God’s will. It gives us a beautiful picture of God and of Christ. God is a God of peace, the Source of peace. God plants the seed of peace within our soul and the peace just grows and grows. In fact, the more we as a person waters and nourishes our relationship with God, the more seed of God’s peace takes over our lives. The question is: Have we done that? It is our only hope for peace is to come to God. God and God alone can give us perfect peace within our heart.

Prayer for you: "And now, may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ all that is pleasing to Him. Jesus is the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting covenant, signed with His blood. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen" [NLT]. 

May the Lord give us peace since Jesus Christ is our Everlasting Covenant! 

[Footnotes: The Preacher’s outline & sermon Bible; The Full Life Study Bible, Donald C. Stamps]

The Blood of Covenant

Exodus 24:8 “And Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, and said, ‘Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you …’”

What impressed me was that Moses took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. The people responded and said that they would obey the commandment of God. So Moses sprinkled the blood from the basins (bowl) over the people and he said, “This blood confirms the covenant the Lord has made with you …”

The covenant was sealed with Israel through the sprinkling of blood, showing that atoning (make up for the wrong) sacrifices were necessary to keep their relationship with God. The blood is a sign of cleansing and forgiveness made possible by having a life sacrificed to God. Why? This kind of sacrifices opened the way to reconcile with God and the people’s obedience to the faith.

The most important meaning of “the blood of the covenant” was realized when Christ shed His blood on the cross. He had established the new covenant, ‘The Lord’s Supper, the Communion.’ He said, “For this is My blood, which seals the new covenant between God and His people. It is poured out to forgive the sins of many” [Matt. 26:28 NLT].

The importance part of obedience and blood must always be joined together to validate (legal binding) to God’s acceptance of His people and their consecration to Him. Only after the people pledged to obey God through the atoning blood could they participate in the covenant blessings. In a similar way, the apostle Peter states that we are “elect … unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ” (1Peter1:2). It means we are chosen to obey and are sealed by His blood.

Song: Lead Me to Calvary

1. King of my life, I crown Thee now,

Thine shall the glory be;

Lest (if) I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow,

Lead me to Calvary.

Chorus:

Lest (if) I forget Gethsemane;

Lest (if) I forget Thine agony;

Lest (if) I forget Thy love for me,

Lead me to Calvary. (Remind me of Calvary)

2. May I be willing Lord, to bear,

Daily my cross for Thee;

Even Thy cup of grief to share,

Thou hast borne all for me. (Then Chorus)

[Lyrics: Jennie Evelyn Hussey, Sing His Praise]

Dear Holy Spirit, help me to remember that Jesus said: “For this is My blood, which seals the new covenant between God and His people. It is poured out to forgive the sins of many” [Matt. 26:28 NLT].  In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

The Blood of Christ

Hebrews 9:14-15 “How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge (make clean) your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause He is the mediator of the New Testament …”

The blood of Christ is central to the New Testament concept of redemption. At His death on the cross Christ gave His innocent blood in order to remove our sins and to reconcile us with God. By His blood Christ accomplished the following:

1) His blood forgives sins of all who repent and believe.

2) His blood ransoms all believers from the power of Satan and evil powers.

3) His blood justifies all who believe in Him.

4) His blood cleanses the believer’s conscience that he might serve God without guilt in full assurance.

5) His blood sanctifies the people of God.

6) His blood opens the way for believers to come directly before God through Christ in order to find grace, mercy, help and salvation.

7) His blood is a guarantee of all the promises of the new covenant.

8) The saving, reconciling, and purifying power of the blood of Christ is continually appropriated to the believer as he draws near to God through Christ.

1 John 1:7 tell us that “If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanse us from all sin.” Sometimes we don’t realize how much the blood of Christ has done for us until we study His word with the notes and commentaries. It tells me a lot of things that I have come to appreciate Christ more. It just makes me want to love Him and to worship Him. For He alone is worthy! It reminds me of a few song.

Song: O Come, All Ye Faithful [chorus]

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

Christ, the Lord.

[Lyrics: Latin Hymn; Frederick Oakeley, tr., Sing His Praise]

[Music: John Francis Wade’s Cantus Diversi, 1751]

We pick up from others who sang those words:

For He alone is worthy,

For He alone is worthy,

For He alone is worthy,

Christ, the Lord.

We’ll give Him all the glory,

We’ll give Him all the glory,

We’ll give Him all the glory,

Christ, the Lord.

Dear Lord, allow Your Presence to become real to all of us in Jesus’ name!

The Blood of Remission

Matthew 26:28 “For this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Hebrews 9:22 “And almost all things are by the law purged (to make clean) with blood; and without the shedding of blood is no remission.

Now the word, remission means to release from guilt or penalty of: pardon, to excuse the offense without a penalty. The word, forgiveness means to give up resentment of or to stop feeling resentment against. Remission is often translated to forgiveness. Both have the similar meaning.

The author of the Hebrews tried to explain that the old system in the Law of Moses that required the blood of animals to be sprinkled over the book, all the people, both the tabernacle and furniture and the vessels of the ministry. This was the blood of testament which God has made with His people (Heb.9:19-21). All things were required by law to make clean with the blood and without using the blood, there would be no remission, no pardon, and no release from guilt or penalty from sins.

Now Jesus came before disciples and He said, “for this is My blood of the new testament …” fulfilled in Hebrews 10:7 “Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of Me,) to do thy will, O God.” The Old Testament was the volume of the book, the shadow or type of good things to come.

It was the Old Testament time, (the old agreement) when Jesus came and now He declared that His blood was the New Testament, (the new agreement) and He gave His blood for many to be released of their guilt, their penalty and their punishment of sins. How would Christ give His blood? It was through His stripes 39 times and His death on the cross so there would be remissions of our sins. We are now released because He took that punishment for our sins upon His body at the cross.

Song: At the Cross

Was it for crimes that I have done

He groaned upon the tree?

Amazing pity, grace unknown,

And love beyond degree (measure)!

Chorus:

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,

And the burden of my heart rolled away.

It was there by faith I received my sight,

And now I am happy all the day!

[Lyrics: Isaac Watts; Ralph E. Hudson, chorus, Sing His Praise]

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the wonderful words of revelation that you revealed to us. We are your disciples when we continue in the study of your words. Let Thy words become a blessing to our souls and bodies in Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen!

God bless you today and let the healing flows into our bodies!

The Blood of Peace

Colossians 1:20 “And, having made peace through the blood of His cross …”

The word, peace is a very broad subject to write about so I would like to focus on “the blood of peace.”

When did we actually lose the peace of God? It goes back to the time when Adam and Eve listened to the voice of the serpent and ate of the forbidden tree (Gen. 3:1-7), their disobedience introduced sin and disrupted creation’s original harmony. At that time, Adam and Eve experienced, for the first time, guilt and shame before God (Gen. 3:8) and a loss of inner peace. Their sin had destroyed their peaceful harmony relationship with God. Adam and Eve were no longer able to have a wonderful close fellowship with God.

When God began discussing their sin with them, Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent. This was the beginning of the loss of their peaceful harmony between husband and wife. It had carried on into social conflict which led to arguments and violence of the homes. Also it led to the international conflicts and wars. Why wars?

Man is not at peace with God. Man’s soul is restless and disturbed, lonely and empty, without direction and purpose. Man’s soul is separated from God. Man does not know God personally. Man have not experience the peace of God. Man’s heart is not settled.  Man does not know what it means to have the God of peace helping him face the affairs and trials of daily life.

There was a great need of peace between God and man. “For God so loved (a man), the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life” (Jn.3:16). Christ brought man and God together. The only step a man needs to do is to acknowledge what Christ has done for him. It was through the blood of Jesus, who died at the cross and He has brought peace between God and man.

Song: Saved by the Blood

Saved by the blood of the Crucified One!

Now ransomed from sin and a new work begun,

Sing praise to the Father and praise to the Son;

Saved by the blood of the Crucified One!

Chorus:

Saved! … saved! …

My sins are all pardoned,

      my guilt is all gone! …

Saved! … saved! …

I’m saved by the blood

      of the Crucified One!

[Lyrics: S.J. Henderson, Sing His Praise]

The Blood of Forgiveness

Ephesians 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

To speak about Jesus’ blood and His death, it was very important to the early days of Christians during the first-century. His death give us two wonderful points of truths—redemption and forgiveness. Redemption was the price paid to gain freedom for a slave. Through His death, Jesus paid the price to release us from slavery to sin.

Forgiveness was granted in Old Testament times on the basis of the shedding of animals’ blood. Leviticus 17:11 quote, “for the life of any creature is in its blood. I have given you the blood so you can make atonement for your sins. It is the blood, representing life that brings you atonement.”

How does blood make atonement for sin? When offered with the right attitude, the sacrifice and the blood shed from it made forgiveness of sin possible. On the one hand, blood represented the sinner’s life, infected by his sin and headed for death. On the other hand, the blood represented the innocent life of the animal that was sacrificed in place of the guilty person making the offering.

The death of the animal (of which the blood was proof) fulfilled the penalty of death. God therefore granted forgiveness to the sinner. It is God who forgives based on the faith of the person doing the sacrificing. [Notes from Quick Verse Life Application Bible]

Now we are forgiven on the basis of the shedding of Jesus’ blood—He died as the perfect and final sacrifice. God has purchased our freedom with His blood and has forgiven all our sins. This reminds me of a song, “Freely, Freely.”

Song: Freely, Freely

1. God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name;

I’ve been born again in Jesus’ name;

And in Jesus’ name I come to you to share

His love as He told me to.

Chorus:

He said, “Freely, freely you have received;

Freely, freely give.

Go in My name, and because you believe,

Others will know that I live.

2. All power is given in Jesus’ name,

In earth and heaven in Jesus’ name;

And in Jesus’ name I come to you to share

His power as He told me to. [Then Chorus]

[Lyrics & Music: Carol Owens, Sing His Praise]

Wow! May the Lord bless you today!

The Blood of Faith

Hebrews 11:28 “Through faith he (Moses) kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.”

The faith of Moses was a saving faith, a faith that believed God’s message of salvation. This verse refers to the great day of deliverance and salvation of Israel. God had led Moses to prepare Egypt for deliverance of His people. God was now ready to save His people from the bondage of Egypt (a symbol of the world).

God had pronounced judgment (the taking of the firstborn) upon the people of Egypt for their injustices. As He prepared to execute the final judgment, those who believed God were instructed to slay a pure lamb and sprinkle its blood over the door posts of their homes. The blood of the innocent lamb would then serve as a sign that the coming judgment had already been carried out. When seeing the blood, God would pass over that house.

Symbolically, the Passover pictured the coming of Jesus Christ as the Savior. The lamb without blemish pictured His sinless life, and the blood sprinkled on the door posts pictured His blood shed for the believer. [The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” John 1:29 NIV].

Note that God’s method of salvation was the blood of the lamb spread over the door posts. Moses’ great faith is clearly seen. He not only made the proper arrangements for escaping God’s judgment on that dreadful night, but he spelled out that the Passover was to be observed each year thereafter. Moses never doubted that God would fulfill His promises, that He would give to Israel the promised seed and the Promised Land.

“Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him” (Ro.5:9). “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Ro.10:13). “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourself: it is the gift of God” (Eph.2:8). [Notes: The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible]

Song: Look to the Lamb of God

If you from sin are longing to be free, Look to the Lamb of God;

He, to redeem you, died on Calvary, Look to the Lamb of God.

Chorus: Look to the Lamb of God, Look to the Lamb of God,

For He alone is able to save you, Look to the Lamb of God.

[Lyrics: H.G. Jackson, Sing His Praise]

May the Lord bless you today as you receive His Word into your heart.

The Short Glory of God

Romans 3:23 “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

I have pondered about the yesterday’s Manna, “One reason Jesus came into the world was to fill the believers with His glory.” To understand why Jesus did this, we need to go back to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

Adam and Eve were both created in the “image” and “likeness” of God. Because of this image, they reflect His love, glory, and holiness. They lived in a personal fellowship with the glory of God. Ever wonder what the “glory” was all about? It is heavenly bliss and splendor; wonder of all wonders; radiant and beauty; great praise and honor; source of pride and joy. [Ref: Gen.1:26 “God said, Let us make man in our image, in our likeness …”]

Satan had stolen their “glory of God” and Adam and Eve lost that “glory,” the heavenly bliss (complete happiness) was gone. God’s glory in them was gone. Now there were no praise and honor. They lost the pride and joy of being with the Lord God. Their relationship was broken. They can’t fellowship with the Lord God.

Praise God, we can have the “glory of God’ back to us through the blood of Jesus Christ and His blood washed us whiter than snow. This was why Jesus came into the world to fill the believers with the glory of God. So now what do we do with the glory of God? I want to recite Dean Hardy’s devotion from August 23, 2010 Manna.

“Cherubims are angelic being who manifest the holiness and glory of God to humans.”… This reminds me of what the pastor said at Kendra’s graveside. He shared with me that he was thinking of what to say when he looked up and saw all of Kendra’s siblings and cousins in the front of the casket. The Lord gave him this word to say … “Bringing glory to God is to ‘make Him BIG’ to the world around us, just like Kendra, a little five year old girl, did to people around her. She made God really BIG in their eyes. This is what we are called to do, “Bring glory to God … Make Him really BIG!”

Song: We’ve God a Great Big Wonderful God

WE’VE GOT A GREAT BIG WONDERFUL GOD! …

Great big wonderful God … A God who’s always victorious,

always watching over us – Great big wonderful God …

WE’VE GOT A GREAT BIG WONDERFUL GOD! …

Great big wonderful God … A God who loves every one of us,

does do much for all of us, Great big wonderful God …

He never, never, never leave us, .. He’s always standing by …

To pick us up if we stumble, ..we’re the apple of His eye …

WE’VE GOT A GREAT BIG WONDERFUL GOD! …

Great big wonderful God … O what a glory it is to sing,

praises to the coming King, Great big wonderful God …

OUR GREAT .. BIG .. WONDERFUL .. GOD! ….

[Word/Music by Tim Spencer, 100 Country Western Gospel Favorites]

Glory of God Revealed in Christ

Isaiah 40:5 “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it” [KJV].

During the year between 700-680 B.C., this verse prophesies the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. God would reveal His glory and power in even greater way in the person of Jesus Christ. This verse was also prophesied that Israel would see the glory of the Lord in Jerusalem’s Temple when He delivered them from 70 years of captivity from Babylon. This verse has three-fold prophesies: one for Israel’s, second for the coming of Christ’s birth, and third for the coming of Christ’s return from heaven.  

If you have read the Manna on the “Hope, Hope of the Glory of God,” it might help to see the part of the pictures from Zechariah 2:5 about the glory of God in Jerusalem and Isaiah 40:5 about the glory of God revealed in Jesus Christ. Really, the glory of God is a very broad subject if one really study and I choose a few that impressed me to share.

When Isaiah spoke about the coming the Jesus Christ, he prophesied that in Him the glory of God would be revealed for all flesh to see. Both John [John 1:14] and the writer to the Hebrews [Heb.1:3] testified that Jesus Christ fulfilled this prophecy of Isaiah 40:5. Christ’s glory was the same glory that He had with His Father before the world began [John 17:5]. The glory of His ministry far surpassed the glory of the Old Testament’s ministry [2Cor.3:7-18]. Both Paul and James call Jesus “the Lord of glory” [1Cor.2:8; Jas.2:1].

References: John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth”; Heb.1:3 “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high”; Jn.17:5 “And now, O Father, glorify thou Me (Jesus) with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was”; 2Cor. 3:18 “… the glory of the Lord …”; 1Cor.2:8 “… the Lord of glory”; Jas.2:1 “… our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory …”]

One reason Jesus came into the world was to fill believers with His glory. As believers, He is glorified in us. Jesus said, “… I am glorified in them (disciples and us)” [Jn.17:10]. “And the glory which thou (Father) gave Me I have given them …” [Jn.17:22].

What do we do with the glory of God?  “The answer is, if you eat or drink, or if you do anything, do it all for the glory of God” [1 Cor. 10:31 NCV].  I pray, O heavenly Father that we experience the glory of God through the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Help us to believe even though we find it difficult how You with the glory of God could be in us. Even Jesus is glorified in us as He said in John 17:10. (Song) “Lord, I believe. Lord I believe, Savior raise my faith in Thee until it can moved a mountain, Lord, I believe, Lord, I believe, all my doubt are buried in the fountain.” Thank You, Holy Spirit for the song that helps us to believe in Your Word, in Jesus’ name, amen!

God bless you today!

Sing O Daughter of Zion

Zechariah 2:10 “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord.”

“For I, saith the Lord, will be unto her (Jerusalem) a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her” [Zech.2:5].

In the millennial kingdom, the city will not need walls, for the Lord Himself will be a wall of fire around it (Is.4:5). Even more important, God’s glory in the midst of the people will make the whole city a temple filled with His presence (Ezek.43:1-7). Even now, the presence and glory of God in the midst of His people is something the church [the born again believers] must desire and seek above all else. [Note from The Full Life Study Bible, Donald C. Stamps]

“Many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee. And the Lord shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again” [Zech.2:11:12].

“That day” refers to the time when Jesus Christ will reign on earth. Then Zion, the godly remnant of Israel, along with the Gentiles, will all be God’s people. They will have blessing of God’s presence in the midst as well as the blessings of God’s choice of Jerusalem as His holy city. [Note from The Full Life Study Bible, Donald C. Stamps]

Prayer Card: O Lord God of heaven, I want to begin this day You have given to me in worship and dependence on You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!

Song: It Is  Glory Just To Walk with Him

It is glory just to walk with Him,

It is glory just to walk with Him;

He will guide my steps aright,

Thro’ the vale and o’er the height;

It is glory just to walk with Him.

[Avis M. Burgeson, Sing His Praise]

May the Lord bless you today! 

Experience God's Love

Romans 5:4-5 “And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

The fifth result of justification is the continuous experience of God’s love through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Let’s review this: 1) Trials stir patience; 2) Patience stirs experience; 3) Experience stirs hope; 4) Hope never shames.

The word, experience is more accurately translated character. When a justified man endures trials, he comes out of it stronger than before. When a justified man becomes stronger in character, he draws closer to God and the closer he draws to God, the more he hopes for the glory of God. Like the verse 2b says, “rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

God’s love is demonstrated in His justifying us when we truly believe in His Son Jesus Christ. It means that God’s love is shown inside of us because God has made us right standing with Him when we believe in Jesus Christ. “God has shown His love toward us, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” [Ro.5:8].

We have hope in the glory of God because the Holy Spirit sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts. Two words, ‘shed abroad’ means to cause the flow and spread out wider. It is like this: you can’t keep the love of God inside the bottle with a tight lid. It has to come out. The Holy Spirit grows and matures us in the love of God. The Holy Spirit increases our understanding of what God has done and is doing for us.

The Holy Spirit helps us learn more and more about our justification and more and more of the glorious salvation He promises. The Holy Spirit makes us conscious and aware of God’s love. Holy Spirit gives us a deep and intimate sense of God’s love. Holy Spirit helps us to be aware of God’s presence, His care, and His concern for all that is involved in salvation.

Note: the Holy Spirit is “given unto us.” Holy Spirit seals our justification. Holy Spirit seals that God loves us and cares for and looks after us. Holy Spirit helps us to be aware of God’s presence and to experience God’s love. Only the person who is truly justified experiences the love of God. “Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts” [2Cor.1:22].  

Whew! What a study! I have come to love God even more. May the Lord bless you as you come to grow in Christ in Jesus’ name, amen!       

Glory in Trials and Sufferings

Romans 5:3 “… We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulations worketh patience.” [KJV]

Just a reminder: The first result of justification is peace with God; the second result of justification is access into the grace of God; the third result of justification is hope, hope for the glory of God. So now this is the fourth result of justification is glory in trials and sufferings. What? Glory in trials and sufferings? How could this be? Well, that requires studies, doesn’t it? I’m for it, are you? Let’s dig!

From Romans 5:3-5 explains the great benefits of trials and sufferings; it shows exactly how the trials and sufferings of life work good for us. The word, trials or tribulations means pressure, oppression, affliction, and distress. Are you familiar with this experience? We all do, but sometimes we just don’t realize it until we study this.

Trials or tribulations also mean to be pressed together ever so tightly. It means all kinds of pressure ranging (set in a row) from the day to day pressures over to the pressure of facing the most serious afflictions, even that of death itself. There are several verses that would encourage us to know what to expect about the tribulations.

Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulations: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” [Jn.16:33]. “We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” [Acts 14:22]. Like the verse says, “Tribulation worketh patience, and patience, experience; and experience, hope.” When we have trials, it won’t allow us just to sit back and do nothing. When we have trials, our inner spirits are active, working toward our patience.

James 1:2-4 says, “Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything” [NLT].

When trials faced us and we who are truly justified, we would be stirred to arise and face the trials “head on.” We would set out to conquer and overcome them since Jesus wants us to be an overcomer just like Him. Then we could know that God is allowing the trials in order to teach us more and more patience and endurance.

Now, doesn’t this answer our question, “Why is God allowing all kinds of troubles”? God didn’t cause troubles, Satan did. God turned bad things into good and this glorify God even more. We need to watch Holy Spirit at work when bad things happened. He is ready to help and show us how to be an overcomer in all things.

Chorus: When We See Christ
 It will be worth it all when we see Jesus;
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase;
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.
[Lyrics & Music: Esther Kerr Rusthoi, Sing His Praise]

Hope, Hope for the Glory of God

Romans 5:2b “… and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

The third result of justification is hope, hope for the glory of God. The hope of the believer is for the glory of God. When Scripture speaks of the believer’s hope, it does not mean what the world means by hope. The hope of the world is a desire, a want. The world hopes--wants, desires--that something will happen. But this is not the hope of the believer. The hope of the believer is a surety; it is perfect assurance, confidence, and knowledge.

How can hope be so absolute and assured? By being an inward possession. The believer’s hope is based upon the presence of God’s Spirit who dwells within the believer. In fact, the believer possesses the hope of glory only by the Spirit of God who dwells within him.

The glory hoped for by the believer is to abundantly exceed the most wonderful experience we can ask or think. Glory means to possess and to be full of perfect light; to dwell in the perfect splendor and magnificence of God. [Notes from Preacher’s outline & study Bible].

“Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father” [Matthew 13:43]. “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory” [Col.3:4]. “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” [Romans 5:5].

There is some connection of hope that continue from Romans 5:3-5 “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” [KJV].

There’s a lot more that is coming from this Scripture. So Manna will continue the studies. This Manna is kind of deep even for me and I want to understand it. Right now, it is “a seed in my heart” and I pray that the Holy Spirit will “water it” and let this grow until the glory of the God becomes real to me and to you.

Song: He’s the Lord of Glory.

He’s the Lord of glory, He is the great I AM

The Alpha and Omega, The Beginning and the End.

His name is wonderful, The prince of peace is He.

The Everlasting Father,  Throughout eternity.

[Inspiring Choruses].

Access into the Grace of God

Romans 5:2 “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand …”

Let us be reminded that the background of justification is by faith. The second result of justification is an access into the grace, the favor and the presence of God. It is good to remember what grace is. Grace means a gift or a favor, an unmerited and undeserved gift or favor. We cannot earn grace by our work. We do not deserve any gift or favor from God.

In this verse grace is looked upon as a place or a position. Grace is a place to which we are brought, a position into which we are placed. It is the place of God’s presence, the position of salvation. This is what an access is all about.

It is through Christ we have access to this grace. The word, access means to bring to, to move to, to introduce, and to present. The thought is that of being in a royal court and being presented and introduced to the King of kings. Jesus Christ is the One who throws open the door into God’s presence. He is the One who presents us to God, the Sovereign Majesty of the universe.

One thing to take note of is “stand.” We are not bowed down, intimidated, stricken with fear, and humiliated. Christ has justified us, remove our guilt and shame, and given us great confidence before God. Therefore, we take a stand of honor and dignity before Him, standing in the perfect righteousness of the Lord Jesus. [Notes from The Preacher’s Outline and Sermon Bible]

I learn something when I studied and I want to share this with you. Even though it may seem deep, but I pray that the Holy Spirit opens our understanding of this marvelous grace of Jesus that we have an access into God’s presence. It is amazing grace!

 Song:  Amazing Grace

1. Amazing grace! How sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found,

Was blind, but now I see.

2. ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed!

3. Thro’ many dangers, toils, and snares,

I have already come;

‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home.

[Lyrics: John Newton; John P. Rees]

May the Lord bless give you marvelous grace today!

Peace with God

Romans 5:1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The first result of justification is peace with God. Who is the source of peace? Jesus Christ. We can have peace with God only because of Jesus Christ. It is He who reconciles (bring back) men to God. He has made peace by the blood of His cross. Colossians 1:20 tells us that “having made peace through the blood of his cross …” The reason we have peace is the glorious truth of justification.

Man is blessed by God through justification, blessed beyond all imagination. So what do we have when we are justified by faith? There are several results that are gloriously covered in this part of Scripture. Romans 5:1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” So what do we have? Peace with God!

The meaning of peace with God is remarkable. Why? It is because the people of this world do not have peace. Peace with God does not mean we are escaping from the reality of all kinds of daily problems. Peace with God means the sense and knowledge that our relationship has been restored with God. Peace with God means that we no longer are separated from God. Peace with God means that we are now reconciled with God. Peace with God means that we are now accepted by God. And many more!

Isaiah 53:5 “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole” [Amplified Bible]. Jesus went through the chastisement, the punishment so that we could have peace with God and by His stripes we are to claim His healing power flows through our bodies in Jesus’ name. Amen! There are songs about “Peace” so I have chosen a few.

Song: Thou Wilt Keep Him in Perfect Peace [Is. 26:3]

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace

Whose mind is stayed on Thee;

When the shadows come and darkness falls

He giveth inward peace;

For He is the only perfect resting place –

He giveth perfect peace!

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace

Whose mind is stayed on Thee.

[Inspiring Choruses]

Prayer and Worship song unto the Lord:

You will keep me in perfect peace

When my mind is stayed on Thee;

When the shadows come and darkness falls

You give me inward peace;

For You are the only perfect resting place –

You give me perfect peace!

You will keep me in perfect peace

When my mind is stayed on You.

[Translate to sing to the Lord] 

Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth,
give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" John 14:27 

The Blood of Justification

Romans 5:9 “Much more then, being now justification by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him” (KJV).

What is the meaning of the word, justification? It means to count someone righteous. It means to reckon, to credit, to account, to judge, to treat, to look upon as righteous. It means just as if a person had never sinned. This is beyond all imagination!

How do we know how God justifies a man? The word justify (diakioun) is a legal word taken from the courts. It pictures man on trial before God. Man is seen as having committed the most heinous (shocking evil) of crimes; he has rebelled against God and broken his relationship with God. How can he restore that relationship? Within human courts if a man is acquitted (innocent), he is declared innocent, but this is not true within the Divine Court. When a man appears before God, he is anything but innocent; he is completely guilty and condemned accordingly. [Note from QVLAB]

But when a man sincerely trusts Christ, then God takes that man’s faith and counts it as righteousness. By such God counts the man—judges him, treats him—as if he was innocent. The man is not made innocent; he is guilty. A man knows it and God knows it, but God treats him as innocent. “God justifies the ungodly”—an incredible mercy, a wondrous Grace. [Note from QVLAB]

God justifies us because of His Son Jesus Christ. When we believe in Jesus Christ, God takes our faith and counts it as righteousness. We are not righteous, but God considers our faith as righteousness. God is willing to justify us because He loves us that much. Through the blood of Christ we are made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God. This is awesome. It made me want to love Him even more than ever. There is a song called, “Just As I Am” and it helps me understand what this meant.

1. Just as I am, without one plea,

But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee,

O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

2. Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,

Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;

Because Thy promise I believe,

O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

[Lyrics: Charlotte Elliott, Sing His Praise]

May the Lord open our eyes of understanding His Grace upon us!  

Dorothy

The Blood of Redemption

Colossians 1:14 “In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” (KJV)

The word “redemption” is one of the great words of the Bible. It gives the idea of setting a man free by paying a ransom. For me to understand the “redemption” I look up the meaning of the word, redeem. It means to buy back; to free a person from captivity especially by paying a ransom; to free a person from the penalties of sin. Redeem is a verb while redemption is a noun, the act of redeeming. The other translation quoted that “God has purchased our freedom with His blood and has forgiven all our sins” Col.1:14.

To understand what Colossians 1:14 was about, let’s look at KJV, Colossians 1:13 “Who (God) hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated (transferred) us into the kingdom of His dear Son.” I like the other translation: “For He rescued us from the power of darkness, and brought us over into the kingdom of His beloved Son.”

NTL quotes, “For He has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and He has brought us into the Kingdom of His dear Son. God has purchased our freedom with His blood and has forgiven all our sins” Colossians 1:13-14.

When the Colossians feared the unseen forces of darkness, Paul encourages them and says that true believers have been transferred from darkness to light, from slavery to freedom, from guilt to forgiveness, and from the power of Satan to the power of God. We have been rescued from a rebel kingdom to serve the rightful King. Our lives would reflect (show) our new allegiance, meaning, our loyalty and obedience to our heavenly kingdom of God. [Part of the notes from QVLAB]

The study on “The Blood of Redemption” has really encourages me to remember that God is greater than the unseen forces of darkness that may surrounded us from time to time. The study has increased my understanding of the word, redemption and redeem. This reminds me of a song called, “Redeemed” and how I love to proclaim it.

Song: Redeemed

Redeemed how I love to proclaim it!

Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;

Redeemed thro’ His infinite mercy,

His child, and forever I am.

Chorus:

Redeemed .., redeemed ..,

Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;

Redeemed .., redeemed ..,

His child, and forever, I am.

(Lyrics: Fanny Jane Crosby; Music:

William James Kirkpatrick, Sing His Praise)

May the Lord bless you today!

Dorothy

Lead Me to Calvary

[Continue from ‘The Blood of Propitiation’]

It is His blood—His sacrifice, His death, His sufferings, His cross—that causes God to accept Jesus as the propitiation. It is the blood of Christ that God accepts as the sacrifice for our sins; the covering for our sins; the satisfaction for our sins; the payment for the penalty of our sins; and the appeasement of His wrath against sin.

What does the Bible mean by “the blood of Christ”? It means the willingness of Christ to die (shed His blood) for man. It means the supreme sacrifice Christ paid for man’s sins. It means the terrible sufferings Christ went through for man’s sins. It means the voluntary laying down of His life for man’s sins.

What does this mean to me? I cannot find words to express the deep feeling what Christ has done for me. Those written words touched my heart so much that it also reminds me of another song, “Lead Me to Calvary.” I just felt like I don’t ever want to forget this, the propitiation, the sacrifice that Jesus Christ has done. The words, “lest” I use a sign for “if” and “Gethsemane” signs for “garden place.” Sometimes I use “Remind me of Calvary” and “Remember Calvary” when you get into a deep worship song. It is awesome. May the Holy Spirit bring the Presence of Christ to you in Jesus’ name!

Song: Lead Me to Calvary

Chorus:

Lest I forget Gethsemane; Lest I forget Thine agony;

Lest I forget Thy love for me, Lead me to Calvary.

1. King of my life, I crown Thee now, Thine shall the glory be;

Lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow, Lead me to Calvary.

Chorus:

Lest I forget Gethsemane; Lest I forget Thine agony;

Lest I forget Thy love for me, Lead me to Calvary.

2. May I be willing, Lord, to bear, Daily my cross for Thee;

Even Thy cup of grief to share, Thou hast borne all for me.

Chorus:

Lest I forget Gethsemane; Lest I forget Thine agony;

Lest I forget Thy love for me, Lead me to Calvary.

[Lyrics: Jennie Evelyn Hussey, Sing His Praise]

May we be blessed when we sing unto the Lord!

Dorothy

The Blood of Propitiation

Romans 3:25 KJV: “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God”.  NLT: “For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God’s anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us …”

I watched the TBN channel on the Classic of Billy Graham. When he preached about Roman 3:25, the words he used were “The Blood of Propitiation.” I became interested and I decided to do some research and try to put God’s Word into my heart.

After several researches, I came up with what I understood from my own words. The word, propitiation became a puzzled to me for years even though I had read several translations. The studies revealed that Paul uses the Greek word, hilasterion, to try to describe Jesus. This translates to English, ‘to propitiate’ which has to do with sacrifice. In the Old Testament, when a man broke the law, he brought a sacrifice to God at the Brazen Altar. The lamb or some animals became propitiate (sacrifice) for man’s sin.

Propitiation (hilasterion) means to be a sacrifice, a covering, a satisfaction, a payment, an appeasement for sin. God is the One who “set forth” Christ to be the propitiation for man’s sins. God set Christ at the cross before the world that He is definitely the propitiation for the world’s sins.

Take a note of this that it is not His teachings, power, example, or life that makes Christ the propitiation. It is His blood—His sacrifice, His death, His sufferings, His cross—that causes God to accept Jesus as the propitiation. It is the blood of Christ that God accepts as the sacrifice for our sins; the covering for our sins; the satisfaction for our sins; the payment for the penalty of our sins; and the appeasement of His wrath against sin.

What does the Bible mean by “the blood of Christ”? It means the willingness of Christ to die (shed His blood) for man. It means the supreme sacrifice Christ paid for man’s sins. It means the terrible sufferings Christ went through for man’s sins. It means the voluntary laying down of His life for man’s sins. Oh, the wonders of it all that God loves even me!

Song: The Wonder of It All Chorus

O, the wonder of it all! The wonder of it all!

Just to think that God loves me.

O, the wonder of it all! The wonder of it all!

Just to think that God loves me.

[Lyrics and Music: George Beverly Shea, Sing His Praise]

May the Lord touch your heart through His love!

[References: 1Jn.2:1-2; Mt.20:19; Heb.2:17; 1Jn.4:10; Jn.10:17-18]

Be Reconciled

Matthew 5:24 “Be reconciled to your brother.”

One day two men went to a sporting event, they enjoyed watching both the game and the people around them. Then one man was looking for his seat he couldn’t find. As he was looking for it, he stood between them and the field. Another man sitting in front of them also had his view blocked, so he told the guy, “Could you move? We can’t see.”

The lost man responded sarcastically, “Too bad.” Same thing happened twice but he got angry and repeat, “Too bad.” Finally the man moved on. Surprised, the same man came back and said, “Hey, I’m sorry. I was upset that I couldn’t find my seat.” They shook hands and that situation went well.

It takes courage for that man to come back and to say, “I’m sorry.” What he did, he reconciled ‘his brother’ even though they had not known each other. Jesus said, “Be reconciled to your brother.” How important is that? It is very important to God. Why? Our worship, according to Jesus, depends on it. Matthew 5:23-24 from NLT. “So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you. Leave your sacrifice there beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.”

Important thing to remember: we honor God when we make reconciliation with others a priority. After we have been reconciled, we can then fully enjoy communion, with our heavenly Father. The word, reconcile means to make friendly again like reconcile friends who have quarreled. 2) to settle by agreement like reconcile difference. 3) to cause to give in or to accept: make content like reconciled myself to the loss. [Merriam-Webster dictionary]

Tony and I practice saying, “The Lord’s Prayer,” and the important part that says, “Forgive our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” Somehow we felt like our inner spirits seems to clear our unseen situation and our relationship with God was more opened. The Lord’s Prayer is a remarkable pattern for our day to day living. It means a lot to us.

Prayer: Lord, it is not easy to swallow our pride and ask others to forgive us. But You want us to seek reconciliation before we could worship You. Help us to remember to use Lord’s Prayer and help us to seek forgiveness when it is necessary. Thank You for reminding us about the “reconciled.” In Jesus’ name, amen!

May the Lord bless your heart!

Dorothy

Fret Not

Psalm 37:8 “Fret not thyself because of evildoers …” [KJV].

Does it bother you to see how much attention the entertainment stars who get the headlines exposing themselves into immoral music, movies, or programs? Does it bother you to see how the leaders who doesn’t really care about the “right-living standards?” For me, yes, it made me wonder how things could continue in this world. How do we stand to see this again and again? Will it ever stop? The Scripture has the answer to this.

It would be easy to fret or become worried and wring our hands in despair, but Psalm 37 suggests a better way. “Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity” [Ps.37:1]. Why? Because “they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb” [Ps.37:2]. It teaches that the ungodly will eventually be cast down and lose all they get on the earth.

How do we become free from worry then? The Scripture teaches us to: “Trust in the Lord, and do good … Delight thyself also in the Lord … Commit thy way unto the Lord … Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him …” [Ps.37:3,4,5,7]. God promised His presence, His help, and His guidance to our daily living for Him. God promised that “the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace” [Ps.37:11]. That is our “Blessed Assurance” in the present time.

Song: Blessed Assurance

1. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

O what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Chorus:

This is my story, this my song,

Praising my Savior all the day long;

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior all the day long.

[Lyrics: Fanny Jane Crosby, Sing His Praise]

Let us not worry, but trust in the Lord!

Dorothy 

Old Age

Psalm 92:14

"They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing."

A. Psalm 92:14 [note]

Honoring God is not limited to young people who seem to have unlimited strength and energy. Even in old age, devout believers can produce spiritual fruit. There are many faithful older people who continue to have a fresh outlook and can teach us from a lifetime of experience of serving God. Seek out an elderly friend or relative who can tell you about his or her experiences with the Lord and challenge you to new heights of spiritual growth.

NLT:Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.

KJV: They shall bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing [Heb.green].

NCV: When they are old, they will still produce fruit; they will be healthy and fresh.

NLT: Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.

AMP: [Growing in grace] they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap [of spiritual vitality] and [rich in the] verdure [of trust, love, and contentment].

To understand why we have Psalm 92:14, let’s look at:

B. Psalm 92:12, 13 [note]

Palm trees are known for their long life. To flourish like palm trees means to stand tall and to live long. The cedars of Lebanon grew to 120 feet in height and up to 30 feet in circumference; thus, they were solid, strong, and immovable. The psalmist saw believers as upright, strong, and unmoved by the winds of circumstance. Those who place their faith firmly in God can have this strength and vitality.

NLT:But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted into the Lord’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God.

What is the purpose of this devotion? God read my heart that Tony and I were “getting old” and I had wondered if we could still serve God in the ministry of possibly to volunteer the future pastoral work. Somehow I found the devotion about Psalm 92:14. I was surprised how God read my heart at the right time to give me an answer. God, our Father, will flourish us like the palm trees and we will grow strong in the Lord. Boy, was I surprised? You bet I was!

So trust in the Lord with all your heart and He will direct your paths!

Dorothy 

Footnote: From QuickVerse Life Application Bible