Your Father Knows (7/30-31)

30-31 July 2014 – Your Father Knows – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Matthew 10:29, 31 NLT “Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 31) So don’t be afraid, you are more valuable to Him than a whole flock of sparrows.”

I woke up in the morning with an inner spirit singing from the Holy Spirit. He encourages me to get up and go to the laptop. As I sat down to do the work with Manna, and I receive an inspiration from the Holy Spirit tenderly singing to you …

Your Father knows … just how you’re feeling …

Your Father knows … just when you’re hurting …

Your Father sees … the birds that fall …

Your Father sees … your tears that roll …

Your Father cares … and He embrace …

Your Father cares … and He sees your face …

Your Father loves … and He lifts you up …

Your Father loves … and fill your cup …

With Father’s love … and overflowing …

With Father’s love … and flows with healing …

(Words written by Dorothy Callies with help of Holy Spirit)

Jesus said that God is aware of everything that happens even to the sparrows. You are far more valuable to Him than they are. You are so valuable that God sent His only Son to die for you (John 3:16). Because God places such value on you, you need never to fear any personal threats or difficult trials. These cannot shake God’s love or dislodge His Spirit from within you. (Dislodge: to force out of a place especially of rest, hiding, or defense)

But this doesn’t mean that God will take away all your troubles.  Jesus said, “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. Be as wary as snakes and harmless as doves” (Matt. 10:16 NLT). Be wary means be very cautious; especially being on guard against danger or trickery; be careful. Be harmless means be free from hurting others.

From Matt. 10:16, Jesus gave a warning about the opposition of the Pharisees, they were like ravaging wolves, they attacked Jesus and often He responded with words of wisdom. He was gentle like a dove, yet strong with God’s Word and His teaching.

He knows the risk of sending you out as a sheep among wolves, meaning the danger of all things around you. But remember this: the real test of value is how well something holds up under the wear, tear, and stress of everyday life. Those who stand up for Christ in spite of their troubles truly have their lasting value and they will receive great rewards.

Matthew 5:11, 12 from NLT quote: “God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are My followers. Be happy about it! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too.”

Strong Hand, Yet Gentle (7/28-29)

28-29 July 2014 - Strong Hand, Yet Gentle – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Isaiah 40:10a-11b “Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him …   and he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom …” [KJV].

Isaiah prophesied the salvation and hope for Israel from the beginning of chapter 40. Why? From chapter 39:6-8, Isaiah prophesied their future captivity with Babylon and that was discouraging for them to hear. It was fulfilled during Jeremiah’s time 585-580 B.C. They may have lost hope that God really care for them. They may have seen only God’s power in punishment for their disobedience and sins.

During 700-680 B.C. Isaiah, the prophet gave a message to the people what God was like from chapter 1 through 39. Isaiah prophesied of God’s judgment and He comes with strong hand. God comes with power. God’s arm shall rule.

Yes, God comes with authority like a mighty ruler, yet Isaiah revealed that His presence was also like that of a caring shepherd tending His lambs. Even Isaiah prophesied the sign of Immanuel, God with us (7:1-25). NLT quote, “He will feed His flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in His arms, holding them close to His heart. He will gently lead mother sheep with their young” (Is.40:11.

What impressed me was like this:

Like a mighty God who comes in His great majestic power … He marched down with all the warring angels … walking along conquering … yet when He sees a child ... sat down by the tree … and heard the crying … He stopped … knelt down … His heart touched … He picked up the child … hold it close to Him … wipe the tears … gently speak to a child, “It’s okay ... I’m here …”

Oh … This is you … God heard your cry … He came down … He said to you, “It’s okay, I’m here for you. Trust me to lead you …”

Song: Love Lifted Me

I was sinking deep in sin, Far from the peaceful shore;

Very deeply stained within, Sinking to rise no more;

But the Master of the sea, Heard my despairing cry;

From the waters lifted me, Now safe am I.

Chorus:

Love lifted me! Love lifted me!

When nothing else could help,

Love lifted me.

Love lifted me! Love lifted me!

When nothing else could help,

Love lifted me.

(James Rowe, Sing His Praise)

Wounded or Broken? (7/25-27)

         Wounded or Broken? – A Letter from Robert B. Fort, Chairman of UEC

There is ample opportunity to be wounded in ministry (as I am sure you are aware) and most ministers have been wounded deeply at least once, if not many times. Sometimes we who desire to minister healing to others are ourselves the walking wounded. Prov. 18:14 says, “The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?”

So what is the difference being wounded and being broken? “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Psalm 51:17). Allow me to share an article with you I believe will minister to your heart.

                                                WOUNDED OR BROKEN?

“Humility, daily dying to self and the world, giving or ourselves – this is a timely word, for greed is the god of this age.  Personal gain and security have consumed our hearts.  Glorifying self is popular even in the church – success has replaced humility. We have drifted so far from the cross! Too often we’re not so much broken as we are wounded.

Here’s a comparison between being broken and being wounded:

When wounded, I focus on myself and on my inner pain.

When broken, I focus on the cross and on Jesus. My pain is secondary.

When wounded, I find it difficult to forgive.

When broken, I accept God’s mercy toward me and, in gratitude, I extend it freely to others.

When wounded, I am too self-absorbed to see others’ need.

When broken, I’m sensitive to others. (Phil.2:3-4)

When wounded, I am self-protecting, avoiding vulnerability (getting hurt).

When broken, I want the best for others, willingly sacrificing for them. (1 Thess. 2:8)

When wounded, “I don’t want to hurt anymore!”

When broken, my goal is Jesus at all costs (Phil. 3:7-10), even if further pain is involved.

Brokenness has to do with giving not getting – It has to do with embracing sacrifice – with emptying ourselves and tenderness before God.

May ministry never become simply a profession or way of life.

I pray it will be a reflection of our character and life with Jesus. Let’s keep it real.”

                                   --Gary Grogan, Lead Pastor, Stone Creek Church, Urbana, IL

And to all of that I say, “Amen,”

United Evangelical Churches

Robert B. Fort

Chairman

[Permission to use his letter and to share with partners in prayer and Fresh Manna Blog]

Draw Me Nearer (7/23-24)

Psalm 73:28 “But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works” (KJV).

Do you ever felt like David quoted, “So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee?” (Psalm 73:22 KJV). “I was senseless and stupid. I acted like an animal toward you” (Ps.73:22 NCV). Next several verses are more encouragement. Psalm 73:23-28 NLT: “Yet I still belong to You; You are holding my right hand. You will keep on guiding me with Your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but You? I desire You more than anything on earth.

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but [You] God remains the strength of my heart: He is mine forever. But those who desert Him will perish, for You destroy those who abandon You. BUT AS FOR ME, HOW GOOD IT IS TO BE NEAR GOD! I HAVE MADE THE SOVEREIGN LORD MY SHELTER, AND I WILL TELL EVERYONE ABOUT THE WONDERFUL THINGS YOU (GOD) DO” (Psalm 73:23-28 NLT).

Interesting how I found Psalm 73:28 from the technology Franklin Holy Bible after I felt lead to sing a song, “Draw Me Nearer” and that came from “I Am Thine, O Lord” theme by Fanny Jane Crosby. I like to call it, “Draw Me Nearer” because I felt a need to draw myself to Him. I found that the Psalm 73:28 “… draw near to God” matched the chorus.

Song: Draw Me Nearer

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.

Oh, the pure delight of a single hour,
That before Thy throne I spend, 

When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,

I commune as friend with friend!

Chorus:

Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,

To the cross where Thou has died;

Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,

To Thy precious bleeding side.

(Lyrics: Fanny Jane Crosby, Sing His Praise)

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for rescue me when I felt foolish for using so much time on other things.  Holy Spirit, help me to set aside my certain time for You. Thank You for finding the verses that match my feelings and I was able to confess and ask for forgiveness. And the beauty of this was that You even lead me to sing a song to draw me to You even before I found this reading of Psalm 73:22-28.

You even forgave me when I haven’t asked You for it. You knew, yet You draw me nearer to You. This humbled my heart how much You loved me and helped me to draw close to You. How amazing God You are! Thank You so much for loving me. Maybe others might have felt that and we thank You for today’s Manna to meet our needs in Jesus’ name, amen!

Be Not Troubled or Alarmed (7/21-22)

Matthew 24:6 NIV, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.”

One deaf man left a Sign Mail on our VP and he told me that he saw TV news about the wars. He named the important people who talked about the wars. “It is terrible,” he said. Also he asked me, “What’s your opinion on this?”

This got me to dig into the Bible to find out what Jesus say about the wars. I read Matthew chapter 24 so many times, but I did not give it a deep thought until a deaf man brought this up. So I pay attention to what “Jesus say about the wars.” So Let us read on.

KJV quote: “And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet” (Matt.24:6). The word, troubled means become disturbed mentally or spiritually: WORRY. The word, disturb means showing signs of emotional.

We become disturbed when things change from peace to hearing the news about rumors of wars. In another meaning, we are feeling uneasy and a sense of confusion. We normally do not like to hear about the wars. We sighed! We worried!

But Jesus has something to say about that. Jesus said, “See that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass.” Jesus is saying that you are not to worry. See for yourself that you do not allow yourself to become so emotional when you hear about the rumors of wars. Let there be peace inside of you!

I repeat from NIV: Jesus said, “See to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen.” Do not be alarmed. Do not become frighten or worry. Do not allow fear in you when you hear the news about the sudden danger from seeing the wars on TV news.

Jesus encourages us to watch and pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to be strong.  Keep your faith in Jesus and keep the fellowship with Him through prayer and songs.  Read His Word and study the devotions. Encourage other Deaf to keep trusting God in all things. I found a song that match this. I was so impressed. Praise the Lord!

Song: I Just Keep Trusting My Lord

I just keep trusting my Lord as I go along,

I just keep trusting my Lord and He gives a song;

Thought the storm clouds darken the sky,

Over the heavenly trail,

I just keep trusting my Lord,

He will never fail.

He’s a faithful friend, such a faithful friend

I can count on Him to the very end;

Though storm clouds darken the sky

Over the heavenly trail

I just keep trusting my Lord,

He will never fail.

(Inspiring Choruses, Author unknown)

God Will Reward You (7/17-20)

Luke 14:14 “Then at the resurrection of the godly, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”

Luke 14:12-14 Reading from NLT: Then He turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a dinner,” He said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will repay you by inviting you back. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14) Then at the resurrection of the godly, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”

Reading from KJV: Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. 13) But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: 14) and thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompensed thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. [The word, recompense means to pay for or pay back or repay]

I want you to notice this: Jesus was speaking to his host who had invited Jesus to his dinner. The word, host means the one who serves and entertains guests socially. The host was rich and he could afford to invite anyone and others would invite him again “to be fair” by taking turns. But Jesus wanted to tell the host how God would reward him better by inviting those who could not pay back to the host.

Jesus used the demonstration of humility by inviting those who have nothing. Jesus’ true meaning of humility is not serving those who can pay you back. Jesus showed that true humility is serving those who are needy & cannot pay you back. Jesus emphasized strongly that true humility shall be rewarded.

When will that be, a rewarding time? At the resurrection of the godly. It means that at any time when the godly or born again believers in Jesus Christ will be caught up in the air to meet the Lord. There will be a rewarding time. He promised to “repay you” for all you have done for helping others who could not pay you back. Imagine that! God is so good!

So let’s trust God today!

Song: If You Would Be Great in God’s Kingdom

If you would be great in God’s kingdom,

Then learn to be servant of all.

If you would be great in God’s kingdom,

Then learn to be servant of all,

Learn to be servant of all,

Learn to be servant of all.

I’ll open up a river, when you are a giver,

Learn to be servant of all

(Song collection, author unknown)

Jesus Noticed ... (7/14-16)

Luke 14:11 KJV: “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”  NLT: “For the proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored.”

The word, exalt means to raise in rank (position), power, or character 2: to praise highly. The word, abase means to lower in rank or position or in place. In another meaning, it is like being in a higher place and some people likes to get the best attention by getting the best seats. To sit at the lower position, they think that they would be less important person to be noticed. Just remember Jesus noticed …

So let us read Luke 14:7-11 with New Century Version of how Jesus noticed the guests choosing the seating positions at the wedding. And why Jesus talked about being exalted and being abased.

Luke 14:7-11 When Jesus noticed that some of the guests were choosing the best places to sit, He told this story: 8) “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, don’t take the most important seat, because someone more important than you may have been invited. 9) The host, who invited both of you, will come to you and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed and will have to move on to the last place. 10) So when you are invited, go sit in a seat that is not important. When the host comes to you, he may say, ‘Friend, move up here to a more important place.’ Then all the other guests will respect you. 11) All who make themselves great will be made humble, but those who make themselves humble will be made great.”

Humility is a broad subject in some ways. The other day, I wrote about “being clothed with humility.” This humility is about our lifestyle. Today’s Manna is about a humble seating position to choose from. I want you to realize that even Jesus noticed this among the guests at the wedding feast. It is about the position, a place to sit. Now think …

Have you ever wondered about this when a group goes out to eat, sometimes a person would choose their favorite person to sit with at all the time? Is there a chance that if we listen to the Holy Spirit to tell us who to sit with time after time? To sit with someone when we don’t really want to? Who knows? We might get something out of it if we listen closely to what He wants us to do. There’s a reward for that. The next Manna will talk about that.

It is very difficult to find a song that match this devotion, however, I found one that seem to be good. I like it myself. May the Lord touched your heart with this Manna and this song, too.

            Song: Only to Be

Only to be what He wants me to be

    Every moment of every day.

Yielded completely to Jesus alone

    Every step of this pilgrim way.

Just to be clay in the Potter’s hands,

    Ready to do what His Word commands;

Only to be what He wants me to be

    Every moment of every day.

          (Inspiring Choruses)

Be Clothed with Humility (7/10-13)

1 Peter 5:5 “… be clothed with humility …”

The word “clothed” [Greek egkomboomai] means to attach a piece of clothing to oneself. In the New Testament times slaves used to fasten a white piece of cloth or apron over their clothing so that others would know that they were slaves and working for their masters.

Peter has seen Jesus’ action of tying on his cloth over his clothing as a servant. Jesus took a towel and knelt down and washed the disciples’ feet (John 13:4-5). So Jesus demonstrated Himself as a servant and taught the disciples to do the same. Soon they would become servants of Jesus Christ.

This was how Peter understood this from Christ to “be clothed with humility.” So Peter encourages us as an example “to tie the cloth of humility on ourselves” so that we would be identified as believers in Christ when we act humbly toward others.

Our humility on our part should be able to identify (notice) as God’s people. Our lifestyle and our conversation should show that we are God’s children. How do we do that? Roman 12:10 tells us to “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.” NCV put it simple: “Love each other like brothers and sisters. Give each other more honor than you want for yourselves.”

What was the problem that sometimes among the Christians who don’t displayed (showed) their “being clothed with humility”? James 4:1 talked about “wars and fightings” among the Christians and how did it started? NCV gave a simple answer. “Do you know where your fights and arguments come from? They come from the selfish desires that war within you.” I say, “Ouch!”

This is the reason why we need to be “clothed with humility.” It is to prevent “wars and fightings” inside of us. The Holy Spirit is a gentle person just like a dove. Holy Spirit could help us to be “clothed with humility” as we surrender our lives to Him.

Once I was faced with this challenged problem that could not be solved so I quoted from memory verse on James 4:10, “Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.” I quoted James 4:10 several times until I could sense the peace from the Lord. This helped me to avoid the “arguments” with others. I presented the situation to the Lord and trust Him to handle it. I have seen the amazing results from the Lord’s work.

The only way to “be clothed with humility” is to let the beauty of Jesus” be seen in you.

Song: Let the Beauty of Jesus

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,

All His wonderful passion and purity;

Oh, Thou Spirit divine, All my nature refine

Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.

(Lyrics: Albert W T Orsborn)

 [Passion=love; purity=pure-clean]

[Nature=character sign N; refine=changed]

Grace to the Humble (7/8-9)

Verse for the Day by Dorothy Callies

                                                         

Proverbs 3:34b, NIV “But (the Lord) gives grace to the humble.”

KJV quote: “… but He giveth grace unto the lowly.” NLT quote: “... He shows favor to the humble.” The word, lowly means in a humble or meek ways; in a low position.  Humble means modest or meek in spirit; not proud or bold. Meek means putting up with wrongs patiently and without complaint.

Other reference I like to share: James 4:6 “… God resists the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” God resists the proud. It should make us realized upon our hearts and minds how much God hates pride. If we ever have pride or proud in spirit, it will cause God to turn from our prayers and withhold His presence and grace from us.

What is pride that would cause God to resist? Pride means too high an opinion of one’s own ability or worth; a feeling of being better than others; to think highly of oneself. This kind of pride shut out the help of God. It means God will not help those who thinks they are better than others.

Jesus gave an example of two men who pray. A Pharisee who was proud of himself.  He compare himself, his own opinion to be better than the lowly sinner. A man bow his head in prayer, asking God for His mercy upon him, a sinner. Which one would God show His mercy to? The lowly sinner who was humble before God. [Ref. Luke 18:9-14]

When we humbly submit ourselves to God and we draw near to Him, God gives us abundant or plenty of grace, mercy, and help in every situation of life. May God gives us His grace when we humble ourselves before Him.  I like this chorus to be a prayer to God.

       “Lord keep your hand on me.”

You laid your hand, mighty Lord, on the range,

    Laid your wonderful hand on the prairie.

Lord, you poured forth the fountains

    And raised up the mountains.

Oh! Lord keep your mighty hand on me.

    You touched your clouds, made them rain,

From the rain made the sea,

    From the sea, formed the clouds

To give us life abundantly;

    You have the earth and the sky in your command,

Lord, please keep your precious hand on me.

                (Inspiring Choruses)

A Refuge in Trouble Times (7/7)

Verse for the Day by Dorothy Callies

Psalm 9:9 “The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed. A refuge in times of trouble.” [A refuge is a shelter or protection from danger or distress (painful situation)]

Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior, my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my strong hold.  Psalm 37:39 The Lord saves the godly, He is their fortress in times of trouble.  Psalm 59:9 You are my strength, I wait for You to rescue me, for you, O God, are my place of safety.

David’s prayer asked God’s protection was from Saul who wanted to kill him. So God was with David wherever He was. It was a long time before Saul was finally gone through the battle of Philistines. So David was able to come out from hiding and He became a king of Israel. God had His timing and plan for David.

Psalm 59:16 But as for me, I will sing about Your power. I will shout with joy each morning because of your unfailing love. For You have been my refuge, a place of safety in the day of distress.

I was thinking of Kim Murphy of what she was going through. Kim said, “My town was hit by a tornado, it wasn't a normal one with the tunnel. It's called a F1 due to high winds and this does as much damage as the tunnel kind.” Our prayers goes out to her. Still we quote Psalm 59:16 that God have been our refuge, a place of safety is in God, in our day of distress. (Read Kim’s news in #22 Prayer Request List).

The word, distress means [noun] great suffering of body or mind: PAIN, ANGUISH 2: a painful situation: MISFORTUNE 3: a condition of danger or desperate need like a ship in distress. [verb] 1: to cause to experience painful difficulties 2: to cause to worry or be troubled: UPSET.

The word, distress is an interesting word and I was curious about this topic in technology Bible and it had 53 references in distress. One impressed me was devotional, “Relief from Distress” Psalm 4:1, NLT “Answer me when I call, O God who declares me innocent. Take away my distress. Have mercy on me and hear my prayer.”

Paul accepted distresses for Christ’s sake. Paul said, “For when I am weak, then am I strong.” [2 Cor. 12:10] Paul said, “... we were comforted over you in our affliction and distress by your faith” [1 Thess. 3:7]. Yet Paul held on to Christ in spite of all things he went through. Paul was comforted when he knew his Christian friends prayed for him.

Prayer: Thank You, God, for Your protecting love. Help us to be able to face those times when we must suffer. In Jesus’ name. So in time like this would be a good song to sing,  

“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.”

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face;

And the things of the earth

     will grow strangely dim –

In the light of His glory and grace.

   (Inspiring Choruses)