Christ Loves Righteousness (10/29-31)

Psalm 45:6-7 KJV, “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the scepter of thy kingdom is a right scepter.  V. 7 Thou (Christ) lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God thy God, hath anointed thee (Christ) with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” [Scepter is the same for sceptre]

The Messiah King is called “God” in verse 6 and it is important to recognize the difference from “thy God” which is the Father, Himself as in verse 7. It is like this, God, the Father has anointed God, the Messiah King who will reign forever and ever. The New Testament teach that both Christ and the Father are fully God.

In this psalm, the most important meaning of the character of Christ is described in words of loving and hating. Christ loves righteousness and it is the character of His kingdom. It is Christ’s joy in doing His Father’s will. Heb. 10:7 states, “Then said I, lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.” Who? It is Christ!

As much as Christ loved righteousness, He hated wickedness. Christ made this known by dying on the cross to crush evil and to save His people from their sins (Mat.1:21). Because Christ loved righteousness and hated wickedness, God, the Father anointed God, the Son above all others. This anointing refers to the glory, blessedness, and authority given to Christ by God, His Father. The “oil of gladness” is directly related to His anointing with the Holy Spirit.

These two verses find their most important fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The author of Hebrews applies these verses (Ps. 45:6-7) to exaltation (to praise highly), authority (has power over), and character (represents something) of Christ which is found in Hebrews 1:8-9 NLT, “But to His son He says, “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. Your royal power is expressed in righteousness. You love what is right and hate what is wrong. Therefore God, your God, has anointed You, pouring out the oil of joy than anyone else.”

Christ’s dominion which has the supreme power and control over the nations of the earth and it will be “for ever and ever.” Rev. 1:6 KJV, “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” At the end of age He will return to establish righteousness upon the earth. (Ref. Rev. 19-22) Praise the Lord!

The abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon God’s people will come as they share Christ’s heartfelt love for righteousness. God who made us kings and priests will be based on a Christ-like love for righteousness and a persistent against evil.

What does this mean to me? Righteousness is a big subject. How many of us really, truly, understand the meaning of righteousness and living in it? Holy Spirit just brought this Matthew 25:31-46 to me and it will go to the next Manna. This is about the judgment involves the separation of the wicked from the righteous. So how do we know what is righteous and what is wickedness? So let’s dig until the next Manna.

For now, may God truly bless you as you are anointed by the Holy Spirit to understand the Word of God in Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen! (Hint: I read Manna three times, one each day before I truly understood the whole meaning. That’s why sometimes I used three days of same Manna.)

Messianic Psalm 45 (10/26-28)

Psalm 45:1 NLT, “My heart overflows with a beautiful thought! I will recite a lovely poem to the king, for my tongue is like the pen of a skillful poet.”

Psalm chapter 45 was a poem, a love song to the king (possibly Solomon) on the occasion of his wedding. It was also called messianic psalm because it prophetically describes the Messiah’s future relationship to the church, His body of believers. In Psalm 45:2 KJV, “Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.” This verse 2 expresses God’s abundant blessing on His Messiah so the verse 6 thru 7 find their final fulfillment in Christ (Ref: Heb. 1:8,9; Rev. 19:6-8; 21:2).

Let’s read the whole chapter of Psalm 45:1-17 in NLT: “My heart overflows with a beautiful thought! I will recite a lovely poem to the King, for my tongue is like the pen of a skillful poet. You are the most handsome of all. Gracious words stream from Your lips.

God Himself has blessed you forever. Put on your sword, O mighty warrior! You are so glorious, so majestic! In your majesty, ride out to victory, defending truth, humility, and justice. Go forth to perform awe-inspiring deeds! Your arrows are sharp, piercing your enemies’ hearts. The nations fall before you, lying down beneath your feet.

Psalm 45:6-7 “Your divine throne, O God, endures forever and forever. Your royal power is expressed in justice. You love what is right and hate what is wrong. There God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than anyone else.”

Your robes are perfumed with myrrh, aloes, and cassia. In palaces decorated with ivory, you are entertained by the music of harps. Kings’ daughters are among your honored women. At your right side stands the queen, wearing jewelry of finest gold from Ophir!

Listen to me, O royal daughter; take to heart what I say. Forget your people and your homeland far away. For your royal husband delights in your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord. The princes of Tyre (the daughter of Tyre) will shower you with gifts.  People of great wealth will entreat your favor.”

Psalm 45:13-17. This beautiful section of poetry pictures Christ’s bride, the church, with the richest blessings as she unites forever with Him. “The bride, a princess, waits within her chamber, dressed in a gown woven with gold. In her beautiful robes, she is led to the king, accompanied by her bridesmaids.

What a joyful, enthusiastic procession as they enter the king’s palace! Your sons will become kings like their father. Your will make them rulers over many lands. I will bring honor to your name in every generation. Therefore, the nations will praise you forever and ever.” (End of Psalm 45:1-17).

This would be a beautiful ways to express our feelings to Christ when we enter our worship with Him. May the Lord bless you as you recite these words to your blessed Savior.

William Carey - Part 2 (10/23-25)

Psalm 126:3 “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”

William Carey’s strong theme was “Expect great things for God; attempt great things for God.” Carey went to India as a missionary and I would like to share some of the stories that might inspires us and to be more thankful for what we have today. 

Carey and his family and Dr. Thomas arrived at Calcutta, India in 1793 of November and discovered that the money brought with them was gone. One trusted with the money for the company of missionaries did not spend it wisely. During the first year in Calcutta, the missionaries sought ways to support themselves and a place to establish their mission.

Carey wrote in his journal, “I have God, and His word is sure.” In spite of it all, Carey managed to learn Bengali with the help of a pundit. The word, pundit means a Hindu scholar of any learned man. In a few weeks Carey began translating the Bible into Bengali and preaching to small gatherings.

A friend of Thomas owned two indigo factories and needed managers, so Carey moved with his family north to Midnapore. The word indigo means “a blue dye from indigo plants.” Also indigo means a deep reddish blue.  During the six years that Carey managed the indigo factory, he completed the first revision of his Bengali New Testament in print. His son Peter died of dysentery, which along with other causes of stress, his wife suffered a nervous breakdown from which she never recovered. Later, she died and Carey remarried.

Soon after more missionaries came to teach school, and a printer to help Carey with his work. The East India Company did not want missionaries around in Midnapore so they moved in the Danish colony at Serampore during the year of 1800. After seven years in India, Carey baptized the first Hindu convert, who lived to preach for twenty years afterwards. Carey stopped the Hindu’s practice in sacrificing babies and burning widows alive along with their dead husbands. Carey established schools for children. Carey started a college and Danish King granted charter for college at Serampore.

Carey depended the wonderful work by the Mission Press. They printed 212,000 copies of Scriptures in forty different languages and distributed among three hundred millions of people in India. After 41 years of labor as missionary, professor, and translator, he fell asleep in Jesus in 1834. What impressed me about the story of Carey from the Google?

In India, Carey had learned 44 languages to reach all Indian people of their languages so Carey could spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Now compare this: in America, we have one common language which is English in 50 states. We have a Bible, King James Version in old English. Many other modern translations are still in English. Truly Carey’s faith fit this: “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.”

God used Carey’s talent for India. What is your talent that the Lord could use to help with His kingdom on earth? My talent is writing Manna and here’s my word of encouragement: “Be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you” I Samuel 12:24 NIV.

Great Things Part 1 (10/19-22)

I Samuel 12:24 “Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things He hath done for you.”

The name of the movie was, “Candle in the Dark” and it was about the story of William Carey. It would be well worth watching because Carey went through many obstacles, something that stands in the way of progress or achievement or even hindrance. Carey had many hindrances which could have held him back from doing something great for God.

His theme was strong: “Expect great things; attempt great things.” I was impressed of how William Carey used his faith in God to help him through many things he had done. I had a hard time trying to decide what to write about Carey. So I will write in my own words and choose a few that impressed me the most about William Carey.

When the devotion mentioned that Carey was an ordinary man, my question was, how ordinary was he? He was born in a humble cottage in a little town in England in the year of 1761. While Carey was growing up, he didn’t have much education and he did the best he could to learn. He was an active boy and love the things boys love to do. Carey collected birds, butterflies, and animals. Carey also loved drawing and painting.

While Carey was young, he gave his heart to Jesus Christ, and was sometimes asked to speak in meetings in a little Baptist chapel which he attended. He learned the Latin grammar in six weeks and the Dutch language in a short time. He studied Greek and Hebrews without a teacher. In seven years he could read his Bible in six languages. He bought a French book and read it in three weeks.

For Carey who was an ordinary man, he really had an extraordinary faith to believe that he could do “great things for God” because he found it so easy to learn a new language. Carey ended up knowing 44 languages which included with his missionary work in India. Obviously, God honored his great faith according to Heb. 11:33-34.

There were other things that Carey had faced, he married very young at the age of 20. He had seven children altogether. Some were born in England while in India more babies were born and Carey lost 3 children. He had a job as shoemaker, but he struggled to earn enough to feed his family. His strong calling was to become the first missionary to India. There were people who looked down at him, and made fun of his enthusiastic for God about reaching the “heathen” who needs to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Nothing would stop Carey from wanting to do God’s will. Carey had problem with family issue, but eventually family went together with Carey and it took five months of sailing to reach India while his wife was having a baby. His wife’s sister came along to help. It could not have been easy, but that inspired me how Carey truly put his trust in God.  

This will continue to part two about his missionary works in India and what extraordinary faith has Carey done in the town of Serampore, India? Let’s find out, shall we? Until then, whatever you go through, may this devotion encourage you to trust God today!

Out of Weakness (10/16-18)

Hebrews 11:33-34 “Who through faith . . . were made strong.”

I was reading the devotional book, “Expect Great Things.” William Carey who was an ordinary man with an extraordinary faith. Born in England, into a working-class family in the 18^th century, Carey made his living as a shoemaker. While crafting shoes, Carey read theology and journals of explorers. God used His Word and the stories of the discovery of new people groups to burden him for global evangelism.

He went to India as a missionary and learned Indian dialects into which he translated the Word of God. Carey’s passion for missions is expressed by his words: “Expect great things from God; attempt (try to do) great things for God.” Carey lived out this quote, and thousands have been inspired to do missionary service by his example. His strong belief was in Matthew 28:19-20, Christ’s “Great Commission” was not just to the apostles but to the Christians of all kinds.

I remembered a movie about the story of William Carey, but I don’t remember the title of the movie. When I Google for more information about Carey, I realized it was the same man who had done great things in India. At the Serampore train station there were statues of Ghandi and Carey. The children would learn about Carey in school about great things Carey had done. Carey had great influence and brought inspirations to many.

The Bible tells of many whose faith in God produced amazing results. Hebrews tells of those “who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouth of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong” (Heb. 11:33-34 NKJV).

This devotion inspires me: “Out of your weakness, you can do great things for God!” Together through prayers, we can “attempt (try to do) great things for God and we can expect great things from God.” Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1).

So let us dare to believe that God can do great things among us.  

SONG: LORD, I BELIEVE

Lord, I believe, Lord I believe.

Savior raise my faith in thee

‘till it can move a mountain.

Lord, I believe, Lord I believe.

All my doubts are buried

in the foundation.

(Author, unknown)

Thou Art Very Great! (10/13-15)

Psalm 104:1 KJV, “Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothes with honor and majesty.”

Psalm 104:1-35 GOD, THOU ART VERY GREAT. This psalm is a hymn about God’s creation of all things and His providence care over all His works. It emphasizes His involvement with all He has made, for He dwells in the world and support it.

I brought this up as to why I am writing this Manna. Do you ever felt like that God doesn’t seem to understand our situation enough to get the healing business done once and for all? We become impatient because we are seeing other people getting their healings and we don’t. Then why isn’t God getting down to His business of healing according to all the Scripture as He has promised FOR US? I want to share with you what I learn.

When I read the whole chapter of 104 which the Palmist, David wrote about God, the creator of the earth, this made me realize that God knows what He is doing with us. When God created the heavens and the earth, He did not abandon the world to run on its own. He continues to be involved in the lives of His people and the care of His creation.

Through it all, God is drawing us close to the very heart of God. Have you ever seen a mother who held the baby close to her that precious moment? Have you ever seen a baby’s face when the father’s eyes gazed upon the baby with tremendous love? When the father’s eyes is fixed in a steady intent look upon his baby, did you know that a baby’s voice ‘coo’?

When a baby, ‘coo,’ it is a language that the baby could respond to the feeling of father’s love. The word, coo means to make the low soft cry of a dove or pigeon or a similar sound; to talk fondly or lovingly. When the baby coo, the baby is feeling the love radiant from a person holding him. I might interpret a ‘coo’ from a baby that is to say that his dad is very great in loving him.

David, the Psalmist felt like that. David responded to God in Psalm 104 because David felt God’s great love for him from Psalm 103. David was sort of like a baby ‘coo’ to His creator. David became aware of His creator and a sense of feeling that God is very great. So David found words to write his awareness of God’s loving care (in a very details) for the world He has created.

You might asked me, “How do you know when the baby “coo” since you are deaf?” I didn’t! It is through the captioning of movies that gave the paraphrase [coo] from a baby, from a dove, or from a pigeon the sounds I don’t hear. Throughout the times, I have been impressed that even a baby could responded by a “coo” when held so closely.

I discover that God just simply wants us to draw closer to Him and we visualize ourselves like a baby into the very arms of God until we are able to say, “coo.” So instead of demanding why God isn’t answering prayers for some of us, our Heavenly Father simply wants to look upon us with enjoyment as we learn how to enjoy and savor Him. When we touch the very heart of God, His healing will easily flows into our broken bodies.

So let us trust our Creator who knows what He is doing today!

Magnify the Lord with Me (10/10-12)

Psalm 34:3 KJV: “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.”

Luke 1:46-47 KJV: “And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” In these words Mary recognizes her own need of salvation. Mary was a sinner who needed Christ as “Savior.” Mary the mother of Jesus was part of 120 who continued to pray together until the day of Pentecost and she was filled with Holy Spirit. (Ref. Acts 1:14; 2:4)

From the Luke 1:46-55 was called “The song of Mary.” Mary glorified God in song for what He was going to do for the world through her. Mary’s song shows that God is pictured as a champion of the poor, the oppressed, and the despised.

Luke 1:55 KJV, “He hath helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy. As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham, and to His seed forever.” God kept His promise to Abraham to be merciful to God’s people forever. Mary understood that Christ’s birth would fulfilled God’s promise. Mary was not surprised when her special son eventually announced that He was the Messiah. She had known Jesus’ mission before His birth.

Psalm 35:27b KJV: “Let the Lord be magnified which hath pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” NLT: “Let them continually say, “Great is the Lord, who enjoys helping His servant.” The phrase, “Magnify the Lord” means “Praise the Lord.” In another word, “Let us make our God a great God.” 

God promises great blessings to His people, but many of these blessings require our active faith in God and continue in obedience to His Words. God promise His blessings when we seek Him; when we are brokenhearted and when we cry out to Him, He hears our prayers.  

Remember God is pictured as a champion of the poor who has nothing, the oppressed who face with much pressures, and the despised, those who thought less of them. God does care! So let us trust our God today and like Mary whose soul magnified God!

SONG: MAGNIFY THE LORD WITH ME

Magnify the Lord with me,

Blessed Lamb of Calvary;

For His grace so rich and free,

Magnify the Lord with me.

Magnify the Lord with me,

Blessed Lamb of Calvary;

Jesus gives us liberty –

Oh, magnify the Lord with me.

(Inspiring Choruses)

God Magnify Joshua (10/7-9)

Joshua 3:7 “And the Lord said to Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.” NLT: The Lord told Joshua, “Today I will begin to make you great in the eyes of all Israelites. Now they will know that I am with you as I was with Moses.”

Joshua 4:14 “On that day the Lord magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.” NLT: “That day the Lord made Joshua great in the eyes of all Israelites, and for the rest of his life they revered him as they had revered Moses.” Revered means to show devotion and honor to; to show respect.    

I find this interesting about the word, magnify. I thought it was only for the Lord to magnify Him. But here, the Lord magnify Joshua so what does the word actually mean? The translation made it clear that God will make Joshua great in the eyes of all Israelites. It means that God had a special job for Joshua to take over Moses’ place. It is a big responsibility for Joshua to lead 2 million people which Moses had led them out of Egypt.

Just before crossing over into the Promised Land, Joshua gathered the people to hear the words of the Lord. They were so excited to rush into the Promised Land they had waited 40 years. But Joshua made them stop and listen to the words of the Lord.

So whenever Joshua gave instruction from the Lord to the people, they listened and obeyed Joshua. The priests carried the ark of covenant and touched the Jordan River and the water parted and dried up so all the Israelites were able to cross over just like they crossed over the Red Sea. They camped at Gilgal. Joshua piled up 12 stones taken from the Jordan River. It was the same month that the Israelites had left the Egypt. (Ref. Joshua 4:15-20)

They were making a history. Joshua 4:21-24 Then Joshua said to Israelites, “In the future, your children will ask, ‘what does these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘this is where Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and He kept it dry until you were all across, just as He did at the Red Sea when He dried it up until we had all crossed over. He did this so that all the nations of the earth might know the power of the Lord, and that you might fear the Lord your God forever.”

What does this mean to me? The story of Israelites crossed over the Jordan River was the same month that the Israelites had left Egypt. I could see that God had a perfect timing for 2 million Israelites who had crossed the Jordan on dry ground so He could prove Himself once again! God rolled back the Red Sea 40 years before. Forty years later, God parted the Jordan River. The story in the Bible, His Word has enlighten me to praise Him!

SONG: HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!

How great is our God! How great is His name:

He’s the greatest one, Forever the same.

He rolled back the waters, Of the mighty Red Sea

And He said, “I’m going to lead you, Put your trust in Me.”

(Inspiring Choruses)

Behold My Hands (10/4-6)

John 20:27 NCV, “Then he (Jesus) said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and look at My hands. Put your hand here in My side. Stop being an unbeliever and believe.’”

The story of Thomas who was one of the disciples was not at present when Jesus appeared with other disciples. Excitedly, they told him that they had seen the Lord, but Thomas could not believe their words. Thomas would only believe when he see Jesus in person. Thomas want to see the nail wounds in His hands and His sides and touch them. Then he would believe.

Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly as before, Jesus was standing among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see My hands. Put your hand into the wound in My side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”

How did Thomas acted when he actually saw the Lord? I believe Thomas was shocked that Jesus was actually alive when he saw and touched the nail scarred hands and His wound side! Thomas knelt before Jesus and said, “My Lord and my God!” This part was interested because Jesus knew what Thomas had said to the disciples that he would not believe unless he sees Jesus.

Jesus wasn’t hard on Thomas for his doubts, but Jesus encouraged Thomas to believe. “You believe because you have seen Me. Blessed are those who haven’t seen me and believe anyway.” (Ref. John 20:24-29)

Have you ever wished you could actually see Jesus, touch Him, and hear His words? Are there times you want to sit down and get His advice? Thomas wanted Jesus’ physical presence. But God’s plan is wiser. He has not limited Himself to one physical body; He wants to be present with you at all times.

Even now He is with you in the form of the Holy Spirit. You can talk to Him, and you can find His words to you in the pages of the Bible. The Scriptures declare that Jesus is God. This is the foundation of the Christian faith and it is the most importance of our salvation. There are much Scriptures for us to study that Jesus Christ is alive forevermore.

SONG: OH, I WANT TO SEE HIM

Oh I want to see Him,

look upon His face.

There to sing forever

of His saving grace.

On the streets of glory,

let me lift my voice.

Cares all past, home at last,

Ever to rejoice.

(Inspiring Choruses)

What Is That In Your Hand? (10/1-3)

Exodus 4:2 So the Lord said to [Moses], “What is that in your hand?”

Do you ever have some kind of a thought that you lost hope over the chance that you had missed or that you lost an opportunity to do something for God? We cannot bring back the past and do it right, but we can do something by asking God this question, “What is Your plan for me, Lord?” This is about doing God’s will which really mean God’s plan.

I remember when we thought that we would do great things for the Lord, but eventually we realized God had another plan for us, a simple plan to do few things that we would not have thought of. One of God’s plan when we were living in Carol Stream, Illinois, was to put 7 classics films into four DVDs. Another of God’s plan was for me to get started with Fresh Manna from Heaven in May 2007 before we moved to Bloomington, IL in June 2007.  

This would not have happened if we had stayed in Ohio [2001-2003]. So I looked back and thought that we had lost our opportunity to do something for the Lord. When we moved to Carol Stream, Illinois to work for DVC [2003-2007], I was in the basement cleaning out some storage stuff. I saw several old Super 8 Films, the great films were popular in 1970’s through 1980’s throughout the United States. Then VHS technology came. Then there was another God’s plan to do the VHS Ministry. So I thought about throwing away the old Super 8 Films of movies we had made since the new technology had changed. Suddenly, God spoke to my heart and said, “Don’t you dare throw away the old movies.”  

I said to the Lord, “What can I do with the old classic Super 8 movies.” VHS takes place of it and also DVD. God clearly spoke to my heart, “Convert that Super 8 movies into DVD. Check out around and find out who could do this job.” Soon I learned that Texas deaf man could convert films into DVD. So I had 7 Great Classic Films into 4 DVD. In a few years, Tony and I had sold or donated over 1,000 of them. Who would have ever thought of it?

What we had lost from Ohio, God turned the lost opportunity into great blessings of our old films into DVD technology. One Deaf lady gave out many copies of DVD on “Rapture” to many deaf and they had never heard of the Rapture that Jesus said, “One will be taken and another will be left.” One deaf lady got saved from watching the Rapture. That was a wonderful opportunity that God had used DVD what was in our hand.

When God called Moses to work for Him, Moses was troubled because he was aware of his own weaknesses. Moses had fears. So instead of accusing Moses of his weaknesses, God simply asked Moses a question, “What is that in your hand?” The Lord shifted Moses’ attention away from his anxiety about the future. God suggested that he take notice what was right in front of him—a shepherd’s rod. God showed Moses that He could use this ordinary staff to perform miracles for Him.

So God is asking you a question, “What is that in your hand?” Ask God to show you what you could do for Him. He did to Moses and God will do that for you. God is not going to accuse you of your weaknesses. Just look what you have now and trust Him today!!!