Encamped 9/28-30

28-30 September 2016 - Encamped – Verse for the Day by Dorothy Callies

Psalm 34:7 “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” [encamp= to set up and occupy or take place at the camp]

One missionary told a story of how the natives with spears, came upfront and meant to attack the missionary and the family.  The missionary and family prayed earnestly for the Lord to protect them.  Suddenly, the natives ran away.

The missionary was puzzled what caused them to flee.  Later on, one man told a story to the missionary that he and the other natives what they seem to have seen the angels surrounded the missionary’s home. The shining lights from the angels had blinded their eyes which caused them to flee. 

The commentary note from the Bible says that the angel of the Lord probably refers to the angelic hosts of heaven.  They are “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation. God has appointed His angels to protect and rescue His saints from physical and spiritual harm.  The promise of divine intervention is reserved only for those who truly fear God.

Ps. 34:7 NLT: For the angel of the Lord guards all who fear Him, and He rescues them.” Let us trust His word that He will guards those who really loves Him and truly shows great respect to the Lord.  He is able to deliver us from evil.

Song: He Is Able To Deliver Thee

            (William A. Ogden, Sing His Praise)

‘Tis the grandest theme through the ages rung;

‘Tis the grandest theme for a mortal tongue;

‘Tis the grandest theme that the world ever sung,

“Our God is able to deliver thee.”

Chorus:

He is a - ble to deliver thee,

He is a - ble to deliver thee;

Tho’ by sin oppressed,

Go to Him for rest;

“Our God is able to deliver thee.”

Dorothy: It makes me think of a story of Daniel who was delivered from the lions when Daniel was thrown down into the pit.  The angels closed the mouth of the hungry lions who could have eaten him.  Daniel trusted God in peace. So can we, like Daniel trust our God in peace. Our God was able to deliver Daniel so our God is able to deliver us.

Prayer: Thank you Lord for the wonderful message that You want us to trust You with all our hearts especially when we hear of tragic news on TV or newspapers. All our eyes are upon You as our deliverer. You are able to deliver us in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

Blessed Redeemer 9/25-27

25-27 September 2016 - Blessed Redeemer – Manna by Dorothy Callies

            John 5:39 Jesus said, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these and they which testify of Me.”

            In the King James Version this verse reads like a command, “Search the Scriptures”; in the New King James Version and other versions it reads like a statement of fact, “You search the Scriptures.”  Both translations are valid (founded on truth or fact).

            We are to search the Old Testament books; for in them Christ is revealed unto us in the type and prophecy.  He is the theme of the Old Testament from Genesis to Malachi.

            It is a fact that the Jews, scribes, and Pharisees searched the Scriptures; they pored (to read with great attention; study) over them, they diligently (show great effort) investigated them.  However, they were spiritually blind to the Messiah; they saw only the Law, they missed the purpose of the Scriptures.

            They were so legalistic (think only the Law) that they searched the old Scriptures for one purpose: to interpret the Law.  But they were so blinded by the Law that they did not recognize the Lawgiver, who came to fulfill the Law.

            To understand about the Law, you need to know about the ceremonial laws that God command the priest to sacrifice the animals at the altar such as God gave law that they sacrifice the lamb at the altar morning and night.  This was the type of Jesus’ future sacrifice on the cross as the Lamb.

            So when Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets.  I did not come to destroy but to fulfill” (Matt.5:17).  One example: Jesus fulfilled the Law of the lamb sacrificed at the altar and Jesus was sacrificed at the cross. When Jesus said, “It is finished.”  He meant that the natural lamb being sacrificed was finished.  The animals that were being sacrificed was finished.  No more repeated bloody sacrificed. Jesus ended it all. Jesus died once for all.  He completed the law of sacrifices.

            In this verse Matt. 5:17, Jesus speaks of the Law and the Prophets; the reference is not just to specific laws, but rather to the whole of the Old Testament books.  He fulfilled all the ceremonial laws related to the atoning sacrifices, as well as the moral laws, both positive and negative. 

            He fulfilled all the types (biblical objects, persons, and events that illustrate what is to come) and all the prophecies that pertained (related) to His first coming. When He returns, He will fulfill all those related to His second coming.

            If the Jewish rulers had truly understood the types and prophecies of the Old Testament books, they would have recognized the Christ early in His ministry, and accepted Him as their Messiah.

Dorothy: These came from the studies. What impressed me?  Jesus did not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill or to complete the laws.  He came to complete the prophecies about Him while He was on earth.  There were many things that Jesus did in the New Testament were fulfilled from the Old Testament.  This led me to sing the Chorus: Blessed Redeemer written by Avis Burgeson Christiansen, Sing His Praise. God bless you as you sing this to Jesus.

Blessed Redeemer, precious Redeemer!

Seems now I see Him on Calvary’s tree;

Wounded and bleeding, for sinners’ pleading,

Blind and unheeding, dying for me!

Fragrant Living 9/22-25

22-24 September 2016 - Fragrant Living – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Philippians 4:18 NKJV, “I am full, having received … the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma … well pleasing to God.”

I am thankful that God has given me the sense of smell so we can enjoy the many fragrances of life. Some mornings I go out for fresh air to breathe. I think of red smelling roses that I bought for a friend in the hospital.  Sometimes, I walked and smell the fresh-cut grass.    

Fragrant (adjective) means having a sweet or agreeable smell. Fragrance (a noun) means a sweet, pleasant, and often flowery or fruity smell.  Fragrance has the same meaning of aroma, usually pleasant smell like the aroma of red roses. 

What was Paul trying to say to the Christians who lived in Philippi?  The Philippians church was a missionary church that ministered to Paul’s needs during his travels. They were faithful in supporting Paul as a missionary in his work for the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

From verses 15 through 17 explained of Paul’s traveling that no other churches has ever supported him with giving.  The Philippians church was the only one that helped Paul with his personal needs.  When he was in other town, they sent someone to meet his personal needs. What does this mean to Paul?

Paul says that our generous acts of love toward others are like a “sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.”  Paul says that our intentional act of reaching out to meet someone’s need actually fills the throne room of God with a fragrance that brings pleasure to Him.  Imagine that!

KJV quotes, “an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God.” We can please God with the aromas that rise from being a blessing to others! So when we give support to a faithful missionary, it is like an offering was brought to God. 

Jesus said that what is done for one of the least of His brethren is done for the Lord Himself (Matt. 25:40). We can please God with the aromas that rise from being a blessing to others!  So let us be a blessing to someone today!

Song: Make Me a Blessing

     (Ira Bishop Wilson, Sing His Praise)

Give as ‘twas given to you in your need;

Love as the Master loved you;

Be to the helpless a helper indeed;

Unto your mission be true.

Chorus:

Make me a blessing,

Make me a blessing;

Out of my life may Jesus shine;

Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray,

Make me a blessing to someone today.

May the Lord bless you real good today!

Dorothy  

Taking Risks 9/19-21

19-21 September 2016 - Taking Risks – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Acts 15:25-26 “. . . Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (NKJV).

King James Version quoted this: “Barnabas and Paul, men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  The word hazard is an interesting word to me. I have not noticed it when reading through the Bible.  It is through the topic that I could learn from deeper studies and be blessed with God’s word.   

Hazard means a source of danger like <a fire hazard>.  Risk means possibility of loss or injury. Danger means the place of not being protected from injury, harm, or evil. Other meaning of the word danger, hazard, peril, risk mean a threat of loss, injury, or death.

Risk suggests danger that may result from a chance freely taken like <willing to take the risks that come with flying a plane>.  So we see that Barnabas and Paul were chosen to work among the Gentiles.  Paul as a missionary in the Roman Empire, faced hazards that resulted in shipwrecks, beatings, persecution, and imprisonment (2Cor. 11:22-30).

God had been blessing the Gentiles and He opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. But there were conflict over the circumcision that Paul and Barnabas had faced the group of men who believed in legalism, the law or custom of Moses that you must be circumcised first before you accept Jesus Christ and be saved.   

Paul strongly disagreed and often he faced the arguments with those men who were against him very strongly.  Paul took the chance to preach that “you are saved because of the work of Christ and that is grace.  It is not of circumcision or the works that saved you.  It is by putting your faith in Christ and you are saved.” Paul was more than willing to take these risks to make Christ known.

Many believers take risks to spread Jesus’ good news. My prayer is that God will provide His Spirit to empower us and His Word to make the message clear that we are saved by His grace, not of our works (Eph. 2:8-9).  Ask God for the courage to speak up and witness for the Savior.  Taking the risk will be well worth it.  This song is a heart-loving prayer to Jesus.  I believe Holy Spirit will inspires you and you will be blessed through this song.

Song: I Will Serve Thee

I will serve Thee because I love Thee,

You have given life to me;

I was nothing before you found me,

You have given life to me.

Heartache, broken pieces,

Ruined lives are why you died on Calvary;

Your touch was what I longed for,

You have given life to me.

   (By William J. & Gloria Gaither,

                Country Western Gospel Favorites)

A Heart Like Jesus 9/16-18

16-18 September 2016 – A Heart Like Jesus – Manna by Dorothy

Colossians 3:4 “And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all His glory.”

Could we really have a heart like Jesus? That is what God wants! Do we have a Scripture to prove this? Yes, it is in Romans 8:29 in NTL, “For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son . . .” 

I found this prayer song that was next page to the song, I Am Thine, O Lord.  It was in the Manna, Rise in Faith.  I was so impressed with the words and I realized that was a prayer to Jesus, asking Him to give us a heart just like His heart.  I am just learning to sing this. 

Just like His heart, you are revealing this to the whole world and sharing His glory to others who are hungry to see this.  It would be an awesome “operation of God”, meaning the work of God in you. The result of this: God would be glorified when you bear much fruit (John 15:8). NTL: “My true disciples produce much fruit.  This brings great glory to My Father.”  I pray that we revealed His glory to others.

Prayer Song: A Heart Like Your Heart, Lord

            (H. Maurice Lednicky, Sing His Praise)

Give me a heart like Your heart, O Lord, I pray:

A heart that is broken for one who’s gone astray.

Let me never grow calloused by the things I have seen,

But have a heart of compassion for a brother in need.

Give me a heart like Your heart, O Lord, I pray:

A heart ruled by love for there’s no better way.

Let me not remember wrongs that have come my way,

But have a heart of forgiveness for another today.

May the Lord bless you today!

Dorothy

Rise in Faith 9/13-15

13-15 September 2016 - Rise in Faith – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Colossians 2:12 KJV “. . . you are risen with Him through the faith of the operation (work) of God, who hath raised Him from the dead.”

NLT is even clearer in full Scripture of Col. 2:12 “For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized.  And with Him you were raised to a new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.”

Colossians 3:1-4 NLT, “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power.  2) Let heaven fill your thoughts.  Do not think only about things down here on earth.  3) For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.  4) And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all His glory.”

Dorothy:  I felt like a new revelation from Col. 3:4. When Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all His glory.  I felt like an open door of my life since Tony and I went to the Retreat last weekend of Sept. 9-11. 

And from Col. 3:1 “. . . set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand . . .” Just like Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is within you.” Another word, “God’s heaven is right within you.”  Through the power of Holy Spirit, we rise in faith to believe Jesus’ word and bring heaven to the lost souls.  Amen!

Song: I Am Thine, O Lord

  (Fanny Jane Crosby, Sing His Praise)

I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,

And it told Thy love to me;

But I long to rise in the arms of faith

And be closer drawn to Thee.

Chorus:

Draw me near-er, near-er, blessed Lord,

To the cross where Thou hast died;

Draw me near-er, near-er, near-er, blessed Lord,

To Thy precious bleeding side.

Dorothy: Point of this song, “I long to rise in the arms of faith,” means that I just want to believe more than ever that Jesus will reveal Himself in our lives.  I am sure you would want the same thing, believing that Jesus would reveal His glory in you. That other Deaf would see Christ in you and they would open themselves to Him.

This is a glorious experience you could ever receive, my friend.  It is awesome what God could do through you and your life.  Just like Paul said, “When Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all His glory.”

May the Lord bless you today!

Dorothy

America! America! 9/10-12

10-12 September 2016 - America! America! Manna by Dorothy Callies

“America! America! God shed His grace on thee, and crown thy good with brother hood from sea to shining sea!”  That’s what came to me today on Sept. 8th! And I wondered what’s up with that!  I felt a strong spirit of patriot!

Later on, I realized that it has been 15 years ago that the World Trade Center Building has been destroyed on September 11, 2001.  I watched the TV advertised about this … I realized that there’s a spirit of America, being patriot, people who loves our country.  I seem to sense it very strongly and would like to sing this song.

God reminded me that as long as the nation honor God, He will bless the nation. Let us pray to bring God back into our nation since the pilgrims came to America to worship Him freely without any persecution.

Song: America, the Beautiful!

    (Katherine Lee Bates, Sing His Praise)

O beautiful for spacious skies,

     For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties

     Above the fruited plain!

America!  America!

     God shed His grace on thee,

And crown thy good

             with brotherhood

     From sea to shining sea!

Thinking of all the people who died during that time were many heroes who tried to save the lives of others. I saw the words that touched my heart. 

O beautiful for heroes proved

     In liberating strife,

Who more than self their country loved,

     And mercy more than life!

America!  America!

     May God thy gold refine

Till all success

            Be nobleness

And every gain divine!

It makes me think of a verse Jesus said in John 15:13 NLT: “And here is how to measure it—greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends.”

May the Lord bless you as you pray for the nation to turn back to God!

Dorothy

Thou Art Worthy 9/7-9

07-09 September 2016 - Thou Art Worthy – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Rev. 4:11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

Question: What is the Lord worthy of? The Scripture in Revelation tells us that “they sung a new song, saying Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou was slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, tongue, and people, and nation” (5:9).  There are many that the Lord is worthy of.

This morning of September 6, the song came to me, “Thou art worthy.” I just felt impressed to focus the worthiness of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is worthy of our worship. He is worthy to be loved by us.  He is worthy since He is our Creator. He is worthy because He died for us.  He is worthy because . . . oh, He is just simply worthy . . .

Song: Thou Art Worthy

(By Pauline M. Mills; Rev. 4:11: 5:9)

Thou art worthy, Thou art worthy,

Thou art worthy, O Lord,

To receive glory, glory and honor,

Glory and honor and power.

For Thou has created, hast all things created;

Thou has created all things.

And for Thy pleasure they are created,

For Thou art worthy, O Lord.

May the Lord bless you today!

Dorothy

The Name of Jesus 9/4-6

04-06 September 2016 - The Name of Jesus – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Philippians 2:9-11 KJV, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Song: The Name of Jesus

                (Lyrics: W. C. Martin)

I love the name of Him whose heart

Knows all my griefs and bears a part,

Who bids all anxious fears depart;

I love the name of Jesus.

Chorus:

“Je - sus,” oh, how sweet the name!

“Je - sus,” every day the same;

“Je - sus,” let all the saints proclaim

Its worthy praise forever.

Dorothy:  This early waking morning of September 2, I was inspire to sing the name of Jesus, above all names.  I looked up several different songs about the name of Jesus. I came to like this part of the song and I want to memorize this for deliverance, “bids all anxious fears to depart.” Jesus takes part to carry your burden.  He knows your griefs.

All our problems should bow to Jesus’ name, all things in earth that causes problems to our bodies, should bow to the name of Jesus.  At the name of Jesus, He sets the captive free.  Jesus, oh, how sweet the name!  Jesus, every day the same.  Jesus, let all of us tell of Him being worthy of our praise forever.

Song:  My Heart is Stirred

(Collection of songs)

My heart is stirred whenever I think of Jesus

That blessed Name which sets the captive free;

The only Name through which I find salvation

No name on earth has meant so much to me.

Dorothy: Truly, my heart is stirred when I speak the name of Jesus. That blessed name, Jesus sets me free.  That blessed name, Jesus break the power of sickness.  That blessed name, Jesus removed all our diseases.  That blessed name, Jesus comforts our heart.

Song: Jesus is the Sweetest Name I know

(Lyrics: Charles Wesley)

Jesus is the sweetest name I know,

And He’s just the same as His lovely name.

And that’s the reason why I love Him so;

Oh, Jesus is the sweetest name I know.

May the Lord bless you today!

Dorothy

Springs of Living Water 9/1-3

01-03 September 2016 - Springs of Living Water – Manna by Dorothy

Numbers 21:17, 18 NLT, “There the Israelites sang this song: “Spring up, O well! Yes, sing about it! Sing of this well, which the princes dug, which great leaders hollowed out with their scepters and staff.”

What’s the story about this well?  The people were traveling on the wilderness and they were thirsty.  They were hot. They need water to drink so the Lord led the people of Israelites to travel to Beer, which is the well where the Lord said to Moses, “Assemble the people, and I will give them water.

But when they arrived to the well, it was full of sand, rocks and sticks. They could have been discouraged because there was no water to start with.  But the Lord led them to sing to the well and as they continue to sing, at the same time digged out the sand, rocks and sticks. And finally the water came gushing out.  All the Israelites were able to drink the water. 

God had really blessed them because they acted out in faith believing God, “Get the people to come to the well and I will give them water.”  They trusted God to meet their thirst for water. So they took action to sing to the dry well by faith and the water came.

‘Dry well’ full of sand, rocks and sticks could represent problems, sicknesses, money difficultly, difficult relationship with others and many more.  Whatever we have, let us take action to sing to the ‘dry well’ by faith and let the water of the Holy Spirit ‘clean out’ the sand, rocks and sticks out of our lives.  Allow the Holy Spirit to overflow our lives with healing, love, and tenderness.  Let us sing . . .

Song: Springs of Living Water

                (John Willard Peterson, Sing His Praise)

How sweet the living water from the hills of God;

It makes me glad and happy all the way;

Now glory, grace, and blessing mark the path I’ve trod;

I’m shouting “Hallelujah” every day.

Chorus:

Drinking at the springs of living water,

Happy now am I,

My soul they satisfy;

Drinking at the springs of living water,

O wonderful and bountiful supply.

May the Lord bless you today as you receive to answer to your prayers!

Dorothy