I Saw No Temple - Part 10 (8/30-31)

30-31 August 2014 - I Saw No Temple - Part 10 End – Manna by Dorothy Callies

John 21:22 KJV, “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.”

Reading from KJV Revelation 21:1-3 “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I, John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.”

The New Jerusalem may be the capital of the new earth. The city has gates through which the righteous may enter and leave since the gates are never closed. Rev. 21:25 NCV, “The city’s gates will never be shut on any day, because there is no night there.” Abraham and all of God’s faithful waited for that day when the New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven and of which God is architect and builder (Heb. 11:10).

Revelation 21:22-24 NCV, “I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the city’s temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God is its light, and the Lamb is the city’s lamp. By its light the people of the world will walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.”

Rev. 22:4 KJV, “And they shall see His face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.” The commentary from the Full Life Study Bible states this: This is the final goal of redemptive history: God dwelling in the midst of His faithful people on an earth purged from all evil. On this new earth the saints will see and dwell with Jesus, the Lamb of God, who through love redeemed them by His death on the cross. Their greatest happiness will be: “Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God” (Matt.5:8). O glory to God of heaven!

Song: O That Will Be Glory

O that will be . . glory for me, . .

Glory for me, . . glory for me; . .

When by His grace

I shall look on His face, . .

That will be glory, . .

be glory for me . . .

(Words by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel,

Sing His Praise)

Song: Lord, Keep Me Shining

Lord, keep me shining for Thee,

O keep me shining for Thee.

In a world wrap in night,

keep me pure, keep me white,

Lord, keep me shining for Thee,

O keep me shining for Thee,

until I behold Thy Face.

(Words & Music by Chalvar A. Gabriel)

I Will Build My Church - Part 9 (8/29)

29 August 2014 - I Will Build My Church - Part 9 – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Matthew 16:18 KJV, “And I (Jesus) say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this Rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

In these words Christ promises to build His church on the truth of Peter’s and the others disciples’ confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. On the day of Pentecost when 120 disciples were filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, and Peter stood up and preached the first Gospel of Jesus Christ. The first church Jesus ever build was 3,000 souls who believed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Do you realize that all the focus of worship from Christians was changed from the Temple to Jesus Christ Himself? He, not the building of the Jewish Temple, now represents God’s presence among His people. “He is the head of the body, which is the church. Everything comes from Him. He is the first one who was raised from the dead. So in all things Jesus has first place. God was pleased for all of himself to live in Christ” Col. 1:18-19 NCV.

“And that whole building is joined together in Christ. He makes it grow and become a holy temple in the Lord” Eph. 2:21 NCV. Just as in the Old Testament where God would not tolerate (accept) any defilement of His temple, so He promises to destroy anyone who defiles His church. Not only is the Holy Spirit living in the church, but also in individual believer as His temple (1 Cor. 6:19).

“The believers met together in the Temple every day. They ate together in their homes, happy to share their food with joyful hearts. They praised God and were liked by all the people. Every day the Lord added those who were being saved to the group of believers” Acts 2:46-47 NCV. “… Peter and John went to the Temple at three o’clock, the time set each day for the afternoon prayer service” Acts 3:1 NCV. The early church in Jerusalem often entered the Temple at the hour of prayer.

Jesus had predicted that the beautiful Temple would be destroyed. God allowed His Temple to be destroyed because He, Himself, no longer lives in the building as the Jews would believe it so. Stephen, and later Paul, witnessed that the living God could not be confined (become prison) to a Temple made by human hands.

Stephen said, “But the Most High does not live in houses (temples) that people build with their hands. As the prophet says: ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. So do you think you can build a house for me? Says the Lord. Do I need a place to rest? Remember, my hand made all these things!’” (Acts 2:48-50 NCV)  

Paul said from Acts 17:24, 28 “The God who made the whole world and everything in it is the Lord of the land and the sky. He does not live in temples built by human hands.  28) ‘We live in Him. We walk in Him. We are in Him.’ Some of your own poets have said: ‘For we are His children’ NCV. Awesome God! From the Old Testament to the New Testament, God revealed His great plan for His people, a Glorious Church! To be continued!

A Glorious Church, chorus: ‘Tis a glorious Church without spot or wrinkle, Washed in the blood of the Lamb; ‘Tis a glorious Church, without spot or wrinkle, Washed in the blood of the Lamb.’ Words by Ralph E. Hudson, Sing His Praise.

Destroy This Temple - Part 8 (8/28)

28 August 2014 – Destroy This Temple – Part 8 – Manna by Dorothy Callies

John 2:19 Jesus answered and said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

This is the most powerful message that Jesus had spoken about Himself. I had not thought of this until now to bring this to our attention. When Jesus drove them out of the temple, the sheep and the oxen: and overthrew the tables with money changer. This made the Jews angry because they were losing their profits by renting out a space or booth to each person.

This was a Passover time when the business of making profits were huge. Some people made a long trip to Jerusalem for Passover sacrifice. Instead of dragging their own animals with them from the long trip home, it was easier to buy the sacrifice animal.

Reading from John 2:18-23 NCV, “The Jews said to Jesus, “Show us a miracle to prove you have the right to do these things.” 19) Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will build it again in three days.” 20) The Jews answered, “It took forty-six years to build this Temple! Do you really believe you can build it in three days?”

21) (But the temple Jesus meant was His own body. 22) After Jesus was raised from the dead, his followers remembered that Jesus had said this. Then they believed the Scripture and the words Jesus had said.) 23) When Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Passover Feast, many people believed in Him because they saw the miracles He did.”

The Bible dictionary on miracle: “wonderful thing”; a great event which can be done only by God’s help. Miracles are special signs to show God’s power. I noticed there’s more scripture about “destroy the temple.”  When Jesus was captured and being questioned, “This man said, ‘I can destroy the Temple of God and build it again in three days” (Matt. 26:61). Then Jesus was at the cross, the people walked by saying, “You said, you could destroy the Temple and build it again in three days” (Matt. 27:40).

Heb. 8:6 KJV, “But now hath He obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.” Heb. 12:24 KJV, “And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.”

When Jesus said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” What did He mean? Jesus was crucified and He indeed arose! Hallelujah! The book of Hebrews explained the whole idea was that Jesus had taken away the old covenant, and He is the new covenant, much better testament and better promises. Jesus said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill” (Matt. 5:17). Jesus, Himself was destroyed and He died at the cross since the law demands death, and He fulfilled it. He finished it. That’s why Jesus said, “It is finished.”

Now Jesus said, “I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death” (Rev. 1:18). Hallelujah! He is alive!

Jesus in the Temple - Part 7 (8/27)

27 August 2014 – Jesus in the Temple – Part Seven – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Psalm 69:9 “My strong love for your Temple completely controls me. When people insult you (God), it hurts me.” Luke 19:47 “And He taught daily in the temple …”

Reading from NCV John 2:13-17 “When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover Feast, Jesus went to Jerusalem. 14) In the Temple He found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves. He saw others sitting at tables, exchanging different kinds of money. 15) Jesus made a whip out of cords and forced all of the, both the sheep and cattle, to leave the Temple. He turned over the tables and scattered the money of those who were exchanging it. 16) Then he said to those who were selling pigeons, “Take these things out of here! Don’t make my Father’s house a place for buying and selling!” 17) When this happened, the followers remembered what was written in the Scriptures: “My strong love for your Temple completely controls me.” (Ps. 69:9)

Reading from KJV Matthew 21:12-13 “And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of them that sold doves. 13) And said to them, “It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.”

*Jeremiah 7:11 “Is this house, which is called by My name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 56:7 “… mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.” Jesus cited this verse when He drove the moneychangers out of God’s temple.

Mark 11:17 “And he taught, saying unto the, “Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? But ye have made it a den of thieves.” *Jesus makes clear that God’s house was meant to be a “house of prayer,” a place where God’s people could meet with Him in spiritual devotion, prayer, and worship. It must not therefore be profaned by making it the means of social advancement, money gain, entertainment, or showmanship. Whenever God’s house is so used by worldly-minded people, it once again becomes “a den of thieves.”

*The cleansing of the temple was the first great public act of Jesus’ ministry (John 2:13-22) and the last great public act of His ministry (Mat. 21:12-17; Mark 11:15-17). In blazing anger, He drove from God’s house the ungodly, the greedy, and those who were destroying its true spiritual purpose. Jesus’ double cleansing of the temple during His three-year ministry shows how important the spiritual lessons are to be learned.

*Sincere love for God and His redemptive purpose among mankind will result in a consuming “zeal” for the righteousness of God’s house and kingdom (John 2:17). That is, true Christ-likeness includes intolerance towards unrighteousness within the church. [*Some of the footnote came from The Full Life Study Bible]

What does this means to me personally? Awesome! I was so overwhelmed with His presence and His Word to see the whole picture from the Old Testament to Jesus’ time how He taught daily in the Temple, His favorite place to teach from. And yet there’s more so it is to be continued.

Temple for Israel - Part 6 (8/25-26)

The Meaning of the Temple for Israel – Part Six - Manna by Dorothy Callies

Psalm 18:6 “In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: He heard my voice OUT OF HIS TEMPLE, and my cry came before Him, even into His ears.”

The meaning of the Temple for the Israelites. In many ways the temple had the same significance (importance) among the Israelites as did the city of Jerusalem. Why is this important? It was a place where the Temple of God was located, in the city of Jerusalem.

If you remember Abraham had met Melchizedek and he was the King of Salem. *The first reference to the city of Jerusalem is probably Gen. 14:18, where Melchizedek is listed as the King of Salem. Melchizedek (meaning, “king of righteousness) was both “king of Salem” (possibly ancient Jerusalem) and “priest of the most high God.” He served the one true God as did Abram. Melchizedek was a Canaanite, and so, like Job as example of a godly non-Israelite. Melchizedek is a type or figure of the royalty and eternal priesthood of Jesus Christ. [*Footnote: The Full Life Study Bible]

*When the Israelites were ready to cross over the Jordan to enter the Promised Land, the city then was called “the Jebusite [city]” (Joshua 15:8) or “Jebus” (1Chr.11:4). It was never captured during Joshua’s conquest of the land of Canaan, and remained in the hands of the Canaanites until David became king. David’s army stormed Jebus and took possession of it, and David made it his capital city (2Sam.5:5-7); 1Chr.11:4-7). Jerusalem served as the political capital of Israel during the United Kingdom and later of the southern kingdom of Judah. Solomon, David’s successor, built the temple to the Lord God in Jerusalem, so that the city also became the religious center for the worship of the covenant God.

The meaning of the Temple for the Israelites was the symbol of God’s presence and protection among His own people. When the temple was dedicated, God came down from heaven, filled it with His glory. God had promised to put His name there. So when God’s people wanted to pray to the Lord, they could do so facing the temple, and God would hear them “out of His temple” (Ps. 18:6).

The Temple represented God’s redemption of His people. They made daily sacrifices for sin on the bronze altar. Once a year, the Day of Atonement, when the high priest went into the Most Holy Place to sprinkle blood on the mercy seat of the ark to forgive the sins of the people. The Israelites were reminded of their redemption and to keep reconciliation with God as long as there is only one God—the Lord, the covenant God of the Israelites.

However, the Israelites had not kept their covenant with God as we read part one through three as to why the Temple had to be destroyed. After 70 years of captivity at Babylon, the Israel came home and rebuilt the Temple. They gave up idolatry worship and learn the true meaning of God’s Temple that His Presence with them was only to keep their part of covenant with their God.

Unfortunately, Malachi revealed that the Israelites did not always pleased the Lord (Mal.1:10). Malachi predicts a time when people from the nations of the world would worship God in sincerity and truth (Mal. 1:11). Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament prophesied, “Someone will come to His temple …” (Malachi 3:1-2).  

To be continued.

Songs: The Name of Jesus (8/25)

Ephesians 5:19-20 “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (20) Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the NAME of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.”  

Dorothy: Sometimes I use the songs while I am praying for someone in need of healing. I use the name of person instead of ‘us’, ‘my’ or ‘me’. While I was doing this, it brought a beautiful feelings of unity. The prayer songs go right into the very throne of God just like a fragrance to Him. The name of Jesus is like a fragrance after the rain. God bless you.

Song: That Beautiful Name

That beautiful Name,

That beautiful Name,

From sin has power to free us!

That beautiful Name,

That wonderful Name,

That matchless Name is Jesus.

(Jean Perry, altered 1916, Sing His Praise)

Song: Jesus, Name Above All Names

Jesus, name above all names,

Beautiful Savior, glorious Lord,

Emmanuel, God is with us,

Blessed Redeemer, Living Word.

(Naida Hearn, 1974, 1978 Scripture In Song,

Administered by Maranatha! Music, Sing His Praise)

Song: Jesus, Lord to Me

Jesus, Jesus, Lord to me;

Master, Savior, Prince of Peace,

Ruler of my heart today,

Jesus, Lord to me.

(Lyrics & Music: Gary McSpadden;

Greg Nelson, Sing His Praise)

God's Judgment - Part 5 (8/22-24)

22-24 August 2014 – The Stories of God’s Judgment – Part Five  

Eph. 2:21 NLT, “We who believe are carefully joined together, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.”

Have I ever seen God’s judgment during my life time? The Lord spoke to my heart to share some of the stories with you. Perhaps we could learn something and share with others as a warning. I summarized five stories and some without names for their protection.

I remembered as a teenager, the night of revival meeting at Riverside, California. We participated with the hearings nightly revival church. There was a man who had walked in the revival church while we were praying at the altar seeking the Lord. He used his bad languages of cursing and insulting the whole church and then he left. Sometime later, someone had reported to us that he was killed by the car right after he had left the church. We realized he had spoken against the temple of God. God’s judgment was pretty swift (fast).  

Once a minister had given Tony a bad name saying that Tony had led “false doctrine.” The District supported Tony and said that it wasn’t false doctrine at all. Some of the Deaf were shocked that they were wrong and became miserable for a long time. We were thankful for God’s grace of forgiveness. Unfortunately, a minister who had given Tony a bad name lost his minister licensed.

Another member accused me of doing Satan’s work. I prayed to Lord out loud (in sign language) to the member. I handed over the accusation to the Lord and wept with a broken heart. I said that my responsibility God had called me to do was handed over to the member to take that responsibility. Soon the member became so miserable and was not able to talk about it. The member went away for three months. I believe it was God’s grace that a member was being spared because many years later, I had met this member and we hugged with love and forgiveness. I was grateful for that.

Another story: Once the Lord had me to work with one minister and this minister was blessed by the Lord. But eventually one deaf friend who rode with this minister had terribly complained against me. This deaf tried to explain that it was the Lord who had revealed the deep things concerning the health problem and to check with the doctor. The doctor encouraged the member to slow down due to the heart problem. The minister moved out of state and soon he died. Was this God’s judgment? I don’t know. The doctor may have told him that his life would be short.

Other state had hired Tony as a full time pastor with 100% vote. Nine months later, one deaf board asked Tony to resign in spite of all evidences proven against the false accusations. God’s judgment fell upon that church average 50 attendance which downsize to only three deaf boards. During our short stay in that area, I had prayed and fasted that there would be a “Deaf Outreach Ministry.” Then we moved to Chicago for another ministry. Many months later, a deaf person wrote a letter that an independent pastor had started a new deaf church called, “Deaf Outreach Ministry.” Five years later, one deaf board deeply apologized and asked Tony if he could come back to pastor the church once again. [End of stories]

  

To be continued.

Defile the Temple - Part 4 (8/19-21)

19-21 August - Defile the Temple of God - Part Four – Manna by Dorothy Callies

1 Cor. 3:17 KJV “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy …”

From the research, I have studied some commentaries and I pray that these might be helpful of what Paul meant from this verse. It was difficult for me to put things in order since I discovered that this verse Paul had covered many issues about how a person can defile the temple of God. Reading from 1 Corinthians Chapter 1 through 6 gives a clear understanding what Paul was referring to about “defiling the temple of God.”

3:17 HIM SHALL GOD DESTROY. Paul presents one of the strongest warnings in the New Testament to anyone responsible for building the church of Christ. This verse has special relation to all those in teaching and in leadership positions.

Here are few examples of how they can corrupt and defile the temple of God by: (1) Adultery or fornication practice (1Cor. 5:1); (2) Practice lies, deceptions, and selfish ambition (Acts 5:1-11); (3) Promoting false doctrine, rejecting apostolic teachings of Jesus Christ, and showing indifference (lack of feeling) to Scriptural truth (1Tim. 4:1; Jude 4);

(4) Practice favoritism and divisions (1Cor. 3:3-9); (5) trying to build the church by worldly wisdom (1Cor. 1:18-2:5); (6) Trying to build distorted (twisted) gospel (Phil. 1:15-16, Gal. 1:6-9). (7) And more of Paul’s writing which tells us how the temple of God can be defiled.

From number two, here is one example of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11. Peter through the power of the Holy Spirit exposed them of lies about how much they gave money to the church and both were instantly destroyed by sudden death. They had defiled the temple of God with lies. “And great fear came upon all the Church, and upon as many as heard these things” (verse 11). This story should encourage us to increase our greater respect to the temple of God which lives in us.

The Corinthian church was being defiled by some. Some had an attitude of disgust, a spirit of ill will (unfriendly feeling), not willing to learn—grumbling, griping, complaining, quarreling, arguing, dividing spirit—destroy the spiritual fellowship of the church.

Now the question we might ask this, “How does God destroy a person if he or she had defiled the temple of God?” From the commentary of the Preacher’s outline: “Church—Judgment: there is the seriousness of defiling the church. The person who defiles the church shall face terrible judgment. Note two words “defile” and “destroy”: they both come from the same Greek word (phtheiro).

The point is striking: the person who troubles the church will suffer the same kind of trouble himself. Whatever he sows, he is definitely going to reap. Troublemaking within the church destroys the spirit of unity and love within the church. To corrupt and destroy the church is to invite God to corrupt and destroy the troublemaker. Note that the punishment is not specifically described. It is simply made clear that he who does such terrible thing as trouble the church will suffer a terrible punishment. He will be destroyed: wrecked, torn apart, ripped, devastated.”

To be continued.

Temple vs Idols - Part 3 (8/16-18)

16-18 August 2014 - The Temple vs Idols - Part Three – Manna by Dorothy Callies

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

I recalled a story about Ezekiel and how God’s glory departed from the Temple, the Jerusalem and stopped at the Mount of Olives. The scripture said, “And the glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city” (Ezekiel 11:23).

God had left the Temple, but why? Here’s a story to begin with: Ezekiel experienced an awesome visitation of God’s presence and power. In the vision, Ezekiel was transported to the temple in Jerusalem. God wanted to show Ezekiel something. God brought Ezekiel to the door of the court and to look through a hole in the wall and to dig through it so he could see what God wanted him to see.

What did Ezekiel see? Inside the Temple, Ezekiel saw all kind of the idols and creeping things on the walls and 70 ancients’ men of Israel worshiping idols. They had censer in their hands and the smoke of incense went up. Now God asked Ezekiel, “Did you see what these ancients’ men did in the dark secret in My Temple? That’s not all. There’s more.” God brought Ezekiel to see 25 men who stood at the back of the Temple, facing east and they worshipped the sun.  Ezekiel was shocked that the Leaders were worshiping idols in secret. God asked, “Should I go far off from my sanctuary?” [Ref. Ez. 8:3, 6, 7-18]

On this part, I finally understood why the Temple had to be destroyed. It had all the creeping things on the walls. I couldn’t imagine this. Plus all the idols? Even the people of Judah didn’t know. The religious leaders had hidden secrets that God had to show to Ezekiel first so he would understand why God had to destroy this Temple. Also why He had to move Himself out of the Temple to Mount Olives.

As for southern kingdom of Judah did have a number of God-fearing kings, such as Hezekiah and Josiah; but because of wicked kings like Manasseh, idolatry became entrenched (surrounded) in the nation of Judah. (ref. 2Ki. 21:1-9) As a result God said through the prophets that He would allow Jerusalem to be destroyed. 

Especially Jeremiah, the weeping the prophet gave many messages of God’s coming judgment. In spite of warnings, idolatry continued until God finally fulfilled His prophecy through King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who captured Jerusalem, burned the Temple, and sacked (capture & loot) the city in 586 B.C. (ref. 2Ki. 25)

It was only after the 70 years of exile from Babylon, Israelite gave up the idolatry and the idolatrous worship of other gods cease among the Jews. Nehemiah and other leaders helped with rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and the Temple. During Ezra’s time, he read the book of the laws, people wept, repented of their sins and bowed down before their God. God forgave them.

Paul said, “Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost and you are bought with a price.” Jesus Christ redeemed us from the bondage of sin. Let us turn our eyes upon Jesus who saved us.

To be continued.

Temple vs Idols - Part 2 (8/14-15)

14 -15 August 2014 - The Temple vs Idols - Part Two – Manna by Dorothy Callies

1 Cor. 3:16-17 “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” Ex. 20:3 “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.”

From 2 Corinthians 6:16a, Paul asked a question about the idols, “What agreement hath the temple of God with idols?” 1 Cor. 8:4 “… we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.” During the research and I came to the part of studies about God’s response to idolatry. I just felt like we need to know and understand more about God and the history involved about the idolatry.  

The history of the Israelite was all too often the history of idol worship. God became very angry with His people for failing to destroy all of the idols in the Promised Land. The history tells why God allows their enemies to gain power over them until they cried to God for help and He delivered them during the time of Judges.

Why was idolatry so attractive to the Israelites? There’s several reasons. The Israelite were surrounded by heathen nations who believed that the worship of several gods was superior to the worship of a single God. In other words, having more than one god was better.

There were several kinds of pagan idols that “promised” the Israelite with their needs that they find it more appealing or desirable. For this reason many were willing to serve these idols. But according to Scripture, these idols worshiper were giving honor to demons.

One history I would like to share that had puzzled me as to why God allowed the army of Assyrians to destroy northern kingdom of Israel. The idolatry of the northern kingdom went on unhindered (giving a chance to repent through the prophets’ warning of coming destruction to their nation) for nearly two centuries. 200 years? That’s a long time to wait. (ref. 2 Ki. 17:6-18)

Finally, God’s patience ran out, and He allowed the Assyrians to destroy Israel’s capital and to scatter the ten tribes. For the rest of the Israelite who remained, the soldiers were allowed to stay on and to rape many women in order to infiltrate their races. This was the reason the Jews would not go through Samaria. There was a mixture of races, Gentile and the Jews. The Pharisees and the religious leaders considered them, “the unclean race.”

Why couldn’t God’s people turned away from idolatry after 200 years of warnings? Micah, for example, criticized the leaders of God’s people for their violence and materialism, while at the same time the leaders were feeling secure that no evil would befall them as long as they had the symbol (Temple) of the Lord’s presence among them. (ref. Micah 3:9-11) Micah prophesied that God would teach them a lesson by destroying Jerusalem with its temple.

This was a warning to the New Testament Christians not to take advantage of God. Paul said, “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” Let us examine our hearts to be true to the Holy One of Israel and ask God for forgiveness and put away any idols that offended God.  

To be continued.

God's Temple - Part 1 (8/11-13)

11-13 August 2014 - God's Temple - Part One – Manna by Dorothy Callies

2 Corinthians 6:16a NLT “What union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God …”

Reading from 2 Cor. 6:16 from KJV “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

Where was God before He came to live inside of us, being the temple of the living God? I would like to share a little bit of history about the Temple so we could appreciate the present verse that said, “We are the temple of the living God.”

After Moses and the Israelites left Egypt and after the Red Sea crossing, God gave them His instruction about the tabernacle. The word, tabernacle was called, “Meeting Tent” or “Holy Tent;” a special tent where the Israelites worshiped God. It was used from the time they left Egypt until Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem.

The Temple took seven years to build. The Israel had brought the Ark of God into the Most Holy Place, a new home for the ark. The Temple began with honoring God and acknowledging His Presence and goodness. After the dedication, the Glory of God filled the Temple with clouds. 

In the same, way, our worship should begin by acknowledging God’s love. Praise God first; then you will be prepared to present your needs to Him. Remembering God’s love and mercy will inspire you to worship Him daily. Psalm 107 is an example of how David recalled (look back about) God’s enduring love.

From Solomon’s time with the new Temple until Jeremiah and Ezekiel time, the Temple was destroyed. About the Temple, it will go to part two for more details why the Temple was destroyed and left for ruined. The exile Israelite came back home from 70 years of captivity from Babylonia. The Temple was rebuilt during Nehemiah and Ezra time.

Until Herod’s time, he was able to fix up the Temple a little more to please the Jews. Jesus was there to see the Temple. The history says that often Jesus taught the people at the Temple. It appeared to be His favorite place to be close to His Father, sensing His Presence right from the Temple.

Then the next thing was while Jesus was on the cross, the veil of the Temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. Nothing was said if God had left the Temple. I may presume that God may have waited until the day of Pentecost to fulfill all the promise that He poured out His Spirit upon all flesh whose hearts were opened to Him.

What impressed me? The veil … was rent. The tearing of the “veil of the temple” signified that a way was open into the presence of God. Through the death of Christ, the curtain was removed and the way into the most holy place, God’s presence was open for all who believe in Christ and His saving Word. Paul said, “We are the temple and that is where God went … in us!” It is through the worship of the song, God becomes real …

To be continued.

The Fragrance (8/8-10)

08-10 August 2014 – The Fragrance – Manna by Dorothy Callies

2 Corinthians 2:14b, 15 NCV. God uses us to spread His knowledge everywhere like a sweet-smelling perfume. Our offering to God is this: We are the sweet smell of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are being lost.”

During the time of Exodus, God gave a special design how to build the Tabernacle. The purpose of the Tent Meeting was for the people to meet their God at the altar of sacrifices. The important part of the Tabernacle, was the altar of incense. Exodus 30:1 “And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon …” (KJV).  And God told Moses what kind of spices He had chosen.

Exodus 30:34, 35a “And the Lord said unto Moses, “Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: 35a) And thou shalt make it a perfume …” (KJV). God gave the recipe for this special incense or perfume which could be used only for Him. (Exodus 30:37-38).

The Israelites often burned incense, but this holy incense could be burned only in the Tabernacle. The sweet-smelling incense or perfume was burned in shallow dishes called incense burners and was used to show honor and reverence to God. It was like prayer lifting up to God.

The Tabernacle, then a Temple during Jesus’ time explained that the Temple would be destroyed, “There shall not be left here one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down” Matthew 24:2b. The next thing, the veil of the Temple was rent from top to bottom while Jesus was at the cross, saying, “It is finished." (Matt. 27:51). In 70 A.D., the Temple was destroyed.

So now, whatever happened to the sweet-smelling perfume God had designed in the Temple? This is going to be interested. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came down upon 120 disciples who spent 10 days of worshiping God. The infilling of the Holy Spirit represented God’s approval of their true sweet-smelling worship.

Their prayer of incense were only a part of “three spices” until Christ represented “the fourth spice, the pure frankincense” was added to their lives. The people, 3,000 of them had heard their first gospel through Peter’s sermon.  To those 3,000 people, it became the fragrance, a sweet-smelling gospel of salvation to their souls.

So Paul said, “But thanks be to God …”  “Now wherever we go He uses us to tell others about the Lord and to spread the Good News like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a fragrance presented by Christ to God …”  “ … to those who are being saved we are a life-giving perfume …” (2 Cor. 2:14-16 NLT).

      Song: Thank You Lord!

Thank you Lord for saving my soul.

Thank you Lord for making me whole.

Thank you Lord for giving to me.

Thy great salvation, so rich and so free.

(From Memory, author, I don’t know)

The Lord is Close (8/6-7)

Psalm 145:18 KJV: “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth.” NLT: “The Lord is close to all who call on Him, yes, to all who call on Him sincerely.”

Some researches I find it enriching and want to share them with you. Deuteronomy 4:7 KJV, “For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh (close) unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon Him for?” We can call upon our lovely God at any time because He is so close to us. I love that thought! More to come!

Reading from Deut. 4:5-7 NLT – Moses urges Israel to obey when the Israel was about to enter the Promised Land. 5) “You must obey these laws and regulations when you arrive in the land you are about to enter and occupy. The Lord my God gave them to me and commanded me to pass them on to you. 6) If you obey them carefully, you will display your wisdom and intelligence to the surrounding nations. When they hear about these laws, they will exclaim, ‘What other nation is as wise and prudent as this!’ 7) For what great nation has a god as near to them as the Lord our God is near to us whenever we call on Him?”

What does this mean? Compare to other nations who worshiped their gods and those nations did not have the Lord God like the Israel had. Israel’s God was far better than their gods who were not close to them at all. Other nations that worshiped their gods were made of stones and woods. Some of their gods were stuck in one place.

God had chosen Israel, a nation to reveal Himself through them. Israel was a great nation because they had worshiped God, the Holy One of Israel.  David, the psalmist wrote that the Israel’s God were always close by whenever Israel call upon Him for help. 

Today like Israel, New Testament believers are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God’s possession—a people whom God wants to proclaim His excellences and Lordship. 1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen people, royal priests, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession. You were chosen to tell about the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light (NCV).

KJV define a peculiar people who should show forth the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. Peculiar people are characteristic of only one kind of thing … Christ in our lives … So what other nations, the world needs is Jesus.

Song: What the World Needs is Jesus

What the world needs is Jesus,

      just a glimpse of Him;

What the world needs is Jesus,

     just a glimpse of Him;

He will bring joy and gladness,

     take away sin and sadness;

What the world needs is Jesus,

     just a glimpse of Him.

      (Inspiring Choruses)

True Commitment (8/4-5)

Luke 14:27 “Whoever is not willing to carry the cross and follow Me cannot be My follower.”

I was looking for something. I want to know what Jesus wants me to read. I kept several old devotions around to read whenever I could.  So I happen to open July 15, 2009, Our Daily Bread and read what true commitment means. After I had completed this Manna, I was blessed when I understood what Jesus was saying about true commitment. So I thought to share this with you.

Reading from Luke 14:25-27 NCV, “Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and He turned and said to them, 26) If anyone comes to me but loves his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, or sisters—or even life—more than Me, he (you) cannot be My follower. 27) Whoever is not willing to carry the cross and follow Me cannot be My follower.”

“Jesus wanted true commitment from His disciples. Luke 14, we read that large crowds joined Him as he traveled toward Jerusalem. Perhaps these casual followers considered themselves to be His true disciples, but Jesus taught that following Him was more than just knowing facts about Him.

He explained what it really meant to be His disciples when He defined (explained the clear meaning of) the cost of discipleship: Nothing, not love for father or mother or even one’s own life, was to take precedence (priority) over loyalty to Jesus. (Luke 14:26-33)

His disciples (then and now) must acknowledge that if God is to be primary (first) in their lives, possessions and even social relationships have to be secondary. Jesus calls His disciples to be absorbed (to hold the interest of) in a single (only one) exclusive (full or complete) thought and passion (love)—Him.” –Marvin Williams.

I interpret this: Jesus called His disciples to put God first in their lives; what they have belong to Him; friends or social life comes in second; to be absorbed was to be swallowed up in Christ just like a sponge absorbs water. Christ has to be first in their lives and in everything they do was for Him. The history had told stories of how disciples were willing to carry the cross for Christ. They followed Him and told the Good News of Jesus Christ. They were even willing to die for Him.

So what will it take to be a true follower of Jesus Christ? What is commitment? It means an agreement or pledge to do something in the future. It is like giving 100% of yourself to Him whatever you were called to do. As for me, I committed my time to study His Word at a certain hours which leads to develop a daily habit. For me, it is costly to get up early in the morning for Him. What helped me to survive this? Eternity! And that it will be worth it all when I see Jesus. When you find what Jesus wants you to do, it will be worth it all! Think eternity with Him! 

Song: It Will Be Worth It All

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,

Life’s trial 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.

   (Inspiring Choruses)

My Father Only (8/1-3)

Matthew 24:36 “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”

Holy Spirit woke me up with this song, “Coming Again, coming again, it may be morning, it may be noon, it may be evening, it may be soon, coming again, coming again …” I couldn’t remember the rest of the words so I found it from the book, Sing His Praise and typed it below. Awesome inspiration! It’s been many years, I have not sang this until now.

You might wonder, what’s up with Matthew 24? There were wars going on in another country so that got me to study Matthew 24. I was refreshing myself to what Jesus was saying about the signs of time. I looked up the **commentaries from Quick Verse Life Application Bible. I choose this because it is short, simple and very impressive.

 **It is good that we don’t know exactly when Christ will return. If we knew the precise date, we might be tempted to be lazy in our work for Christ. Worse yet, we might plan to keep sinning and then turn to God right at the end. Heaven is not our only goal; we have work to do here. And we must keep on doing it until death or until we see the unmistakable return of our Savior. (Matt. 24:36)  [Dorothy: This is a good thought not to be lazy.]

**Christ’s second coming will be swift and sudden. There will be no opportunity for last-minute repentance or bargaining. The choice we have already made will determine our eternal destiny. (Matt. 24:40-42)  [Dorothy: Scaring, isn’t it? Let’s keep in tune with Him.]

**Jesus’ purpose in telling about His return is not to stimulate predictions and calculations about the date but to warn us to be prepared. Will you be ready? The only safe choice is to obey Him today. (Matt. 24:44-46)  [Dorothy: In the past some preachers had set the date of His coming and that’s a big mistake. Let’s guard ourselves with Jesus’ Word, My Father Only.]

**Jesus asks us to spend the time of waiting taking care of His people and doing His work here on earth, both within the church and outside it. This is the best way to prepare for Christ’s return. Knowing that Christ’s return will be sudden and unexpected should motivate us to be prepared. We are to live responsibly—not using His tarrying as an excuse to not do God’s work of building His kingdom or to pursue pleasure, not developing a false security based on someone’s calculations of events. (Matthew 24:45-51)  [Dorothy: Let’s work till Jesus comes and then we’ll be gathered home. Oh, what a wonderful day that will be!]

Song: Jesus Is Coming Again

Marvelous message we bring,

Glorious carol we sing,

Wonderful word of the King;

Jesus is coming again!

Chorus:

Com - ing again; com - ing again;

May - be morning, May – be noon,

May - be evening, and may – be soon!

Com - ing again, Com - ing again;

O what a wonderful day it will be;

Jesus is coming again!

(John Willard Peterson, Sing His Praise)