Rose of Sharon 12/28-31/16

28-31 December 2016 - Rose of Sharon – Manna By Dorothy Callies

I am the Rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.
Song of Solomon 2:1

In the land of Israel, Sharon is the coastal plain just south of Mount Carmel. Christ is often compared into the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valleys—common flowers of the field. This expresses His presence with us. There are songs about Christ as the type of the Rose of Sharon and the lily of the valleys. It has brought a close relationship between me and Christ when I sang these songs to Him, ‘Sweet Jesus’ and ‘The Lily of the Valley.’ It just reminds me of what Christ is to me and you.

Song: Sweet Jesus
Sweet Jesus, sweet Jesus, What a wonder You are,
You’re brighter than the morning star;
You’re fairer, much fairer,
Than the lily that grows by the way side,
Precious, more precious than gold.
You’re like the rose of Sharon,
You’re the fairest of the fair,
You are all my heart could e’er desire;
Sweet Jesus, sweet Jesus, What a wonder You are,
You’re precious, more precious than gold.
[Words and Music by Paul Goodwin]

Song: The Lily of the Valley
I have found a friend in Jesus, He’s everything to me;
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul;
The Lily of the Valley, in Him alone I see
All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole.
In sorrow He’s my comfort, in trouble He’s my stay;
He tells me every care on Him to roll.
He’s the Lily of the Valley, the bright and morning Star;
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.
[Lyrics: Charles W. Fry; Music: William S. Hays]

Dorothy: I was checking out my old Manna of 2009 of https://dotcallies.blogspot.com/ and came across this songs that I loved so well.  I decided to share this with you and I plan to memorize ‘The Lily of the Valley’ since I know ‘Sweet Jesus’ by heart.

During the year of 2016 the Lord has truly been good to all of us. Now we looking forward to the year of 2017, Immanuel, God is with us.  Tony and I want to wish you a  Happy New Year!

Dorothy 

Tender in Love 12/25-27

25-27 December 2016 - Tender in Love – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Luke 2:7 “[Mary] brought forth her first born Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger” (NKJV). 

This is an awesome love that God had Mary held His Son, the baby Jesus in her arms so tender in love. This reminds me to sing this song. I hope you would enjoy this from my memory of the song from long ago.

Song: He’s Got the Whole World in His Hand

He’s got the whole . . world . . in His hand,

He’s got the whole . . world . . in His hand,

He’s got the whole . . world . . in His hand,

He’s got the whole world in His hand!

He’s got the little tiny ba - by in His hand,

He’s got the little tiny ba – by in His hand,

He’s got the little tiny ba – by in His hand,

He’s got the whole world in His hand!

(Author unknown, actual songs collection)

He’s got the tiny baby Je - sus in Mary’s arms,

He’s got the tiny baby Je - sus in Mary’s arms,

He’s got the tiny baby Je - sus  in Mary’s arms,

He’s got the whole world in His hand!

(This song creative from Dorothy’s)

He’s got the whole . . world . . in His hand,

He’s got the whole . . world . . in His hand,

He’s got the whole . . world . . in His hand,

He’s got the whole world in His hand!

May the Lord bless you during Christmas holiday!

Love in Christ,

Dorothy and Tony Callies

Awesome in Power 12/22-24

22-24 December 2016 - Awesome in Power – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Psalm 68:35 “You, God are awesome in Your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to His people.  Praise be to God! (NIV).

Song: Oh God, Awesome!

Oh God, awesome in power,

Oh God, tender in love.

Oh God, You are my God,

And I love You.

Oh God, full of compassion,

Oh God, faithful and true.

Oh God, You are my God,

And I love you.

(Collection of songs, author unknown)

Deuteronomy 34:12  “For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel” (NIV).

Psalm 66:3  Say to God, “How awesome are Your deeds!  So great is Your power that Your enemies cringe (shrink in fear) before You” (NIV).

Psalm 145:6  “They tell of the power of Your awesome works—I will proclaim Your great deeds” (NIV).  

God has revealed Himself through Moses of His awesome in power during his time at Egypt.  God also revealed Himself to David, the King of His power during his lifetime. Today God revealed to us through His Word, through the creation and through the universe.

Often in the early mornings when Tony and I would come out of the apartment building, I would look up at the blue sky with a feeling of great respect and great wonder toward God’s creation. Just knowing that God is there as a Creator, it just made me want to love Him!

Tony loves this song from memory and he often sang this from the depth of his heart.  When he sings in sign language, His face just glow from the depth of his inner spirit. It was when one could sense the presence of God so real.  It was an awesome sight!

So I pray that when you are able to really get into the Holy Spirit’s realm (feeling of atmosphere of His Spirit) you would be able to sense that song with tenderness and full of grace and allow Him to bring healing to you.

May you be blessed by His Spirit!

Dorothy and Tony

Set Your Mind 12/19-21

19-21 December 2016 - Set Your Mind – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Colossians 3:2 “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth”.

            Christmas lists check off . . . oh oh . . . I miss something . . . I’m going crazy trying to count down the days of Christmas!  Got a family gathering . . . What kind of food am I going to bring . . . Oh boy! I forgot cookies . . . Can’t live without it . . .  Oh, the presents . . . I got to wrap them . . . Oh, the Christmas cards, I got to mail it . . .

            Our minds are full of things . . . It is a normal thing to do.  Just don’t forget James 1:5, “If any of you lack wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”  Oh, generous God, He’s with you day to day.

            God is a busy God, yet He finds time to help you with little things.  You are a busy person, just simply find time to ask Him to help you to smooth things out.  I did! I had problem with something and blessed Holy Spirit, He got me a help to solve it.

            When we turn our eyes toward Jesus, He becomes a powerful reminder that our old life “died, and [our] life is hidden with Christ in God” (V.3).  Spiritual graces, power, experiences, and blessings are all with Christ in heaven.

            Jesus gives those things upon all who sincerely ask Him, and diligently seek Him. What things on earth are, but a short moment.  What things above us are eternal life. Something worth setting your mind upon.  It means simply ‘just don’t forget Jesus.’  

            A wonderful chorus to remember is to ‘turn your eyes upon Jesus.’

Song: Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus

1.  O soul, are you weary and troubled?

No light in the darkness you see?

There’s light for a look at the Savior,

And life more abundant and free!

Chorus:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus;

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of the earth will

            grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.

2. Through death into life everlasting

He passed, and we follow Him there;

Over us sin no more hath dominion—

For more than conquerors we are!

[Then chorus]

3. His word shall not fail you—He promised;

Believe Him, and all will be well:

Then go to a world that is dying,

His perfect salvation to tell!   [Then chorus]

(Written by Helen Howarth Lemmel, Sing His Praise)

By the way, Merry Christmas to you!

Dorothy

Stay Close 12/16-18

16-18 December 2016 - Stay Close – Manna by Dorothy Callies

1 Thess. 5:11 “Comfort each other and edify one another.”

            Have you ever felt lost and have a moment of loneliness that seems strange to you? Sometimes God allows this to let us know that it’s time to reach out for others. I came to notice the devotion, “Stay Close.” 

            Also I remember the song that a deaf lady, Muriel sang, “Close to Thee” at Flint, Michigan, a Deaf Church in 1970’s or 80’s.  The way she sang in sign language with expressive spirit was really beautiful.  It touched my heart.  

            The devotion from ‘Our Daily Bread’ was written by Anne Cetas: “My friend and I were traveling together, and she seemed a bit frazzled (tired and nervous).  When we got to the airport, she forgot to have her identification available and couldn’t find her reservation confirmation number.

            The ticket agent waited patiently, smiled, and then helped her at the “self” check-in.  After receiving her ticket, she asked, “Where do we go next?”  The agent smiled, pointed at me, and said to her, “Stay close to your friend.”

            That can be good advice for all of us when our lives get frazzled—stay close to your friends.  Although Jesus is our best friend, we also need relationships with other believers to help us survive in this life.

            In his first epistle, Peter was writing to believers who needed one another because they were suffering for their faith.  In a few short sentences in chapter 4, Peter mentioned the need to receive and give “fervent love,” prayer, and hospitality (vv.7-9).  He also included the need for believers to use their spiritual gifts to minister to one another (v.10).

            In another passages, we’re encouraged to comfort each other with the comfort we’ve been given by God (2 Cor. 1:3-4) and to build each other up in love (1 Thess. 5:11). When life get difficult, staying close to our Christian friends will help us to get through.” –Anne Cetas.” (End)

Dorothy:  I looked up the word edify and it literally means building up with encouragement and comfort. The word, comfort means to give strength and hope to and ease the grief or trouble.  This is an awesome reminder what two powerful words could for us and for others, ‘Comfort and edify.’  Like the devotion quoted, “Staying close to godly friends, helps us to stay close to God.”

Song: Close to Thee (words by Fanny Jane Crosby, Sing His Praise)

1. Thou, my everlasting portion, More than friend or life to me;

All along my pilgrim journey, Savior, let me walk with Thee.

Chorus:

Close to Thee . . close to Thee . . Close to Thee . . close to Thee;

All along my pilgrim journey, Savior, let me walk with Thee.

2. Lead me thro’ the vale of shadows, Bear me o’er life’s fitful sea;

Then the gate of life eternal, May I enter, Lord, with Thee.

Chorus:

Close to Thee . . close to Thee . . Close to Thee . . close to Thee;

Then the gate of life eternal, May I enter, Lord with Thee.

Dorothy 

Faithful unto Death 12/13-15

13-15 December 2016 – Faithful unto Death – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Revelation 2:10 “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

The church at Smyrna—a first century congregation that suffered persecution for Christ—was challenged to be faithful unto death.  Their spiritual commitment had not gone unnoticed by the Master (Rev. 2:9). Jesus was aware of their suffering and what they were going through.

And for more suffering that was to come, Jesus offered this encouragement: “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer.  Indeed the devil is about to throw some of you in prison, that you may be tested . . . . Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10).

Our Lord Jesus Christ understands what you are going through. Although there is much suffering in this world, Jesus promises eternal life to His children. In His strength we can be faithful unto death.

Paul said in his suffering, “I know how to live when I am poor, and I know how to live when I have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being happy at any time in everything that happens, when I have enough to eat and when I go hungry, when I have more than I need and when I do not have enough.  I can do all things through Christ, because He gives me strength” (Phil. 4:12-13 NCV).

Dorothy: Yes, I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me! Yes, I believe God’s Word through Christ who has healed me completely!  Yes, I shall be faithful to Jesus until death.  Yes, Jesus promised me a crown of life for being faithful to Him.  These words came to me spontaneously and it’s my favorite memory song:

“Yes, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning.

Jesus to Thee be all the glory given.

Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.

O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,

O come let us adore Him . . . Christ, the Lord!”

   (Lyrics: Frederick Oakeley, O Come, All Ye Faithful,)

May the Lord bless you today!

Dorothy

Rend the Heaven! 12/10-12

10-12 December 2016 – Rend the Heaven! – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Isaiah 64:1 “Oh, that You would rend (tear open) the heavens! That You would come down! That mountain might shake at Your presence” (NKJV).

            The prophet, Isaiah pleaded to God, “Rend the heavens!” and “come down!” Make Your name known by making the mountains shake and the nations tremble, he advised the Lord (Isaiah 64:1-3).

            Isaiah wanted God to “come down” as He had in the past. Isaiah remembered the Scripture about God’s visit on Mt. Sinai, Isaiah wanted that experience again.

            Have you ever prayed like that sometimes? Do you ever want God to “come down” and make the nations tremble before God and that He would solved all the problems of the world right away?  But you know something? God always has a better plan than we do. 

            God had already told Isaiah that God that He would be doing something new. “Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them” (Isaiah 42:9).

            Can you guess what something new that God was telling Isaiah?  That “something new” was Jesus!  God did indeed “come down.” But not in Isaiah’s lifetime.  And not in the dramatic fashion (powerful way) that Isaiah longed for.  God said, “He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street” (Isaiah 42:2).

            He came in the modest form of an infant. He came in a quiet way.  The glory of the Lord did revealed the most dramatic fashion (powerful way) was through the host of angels only to the lowest shepherds who were watching the sheep.

            God did not revealed to the whole world. The lowly shepherds had witnessed that God did “come down” as a babe in the hand of Mary and Joseph. They were to raise Jesus into normal family life until Jesus right time to minister to the people.

            Jesus announced “I am the living Bread which came down from heaven” (John 6:51).  Jesus did something new that has never been done before.  He healed the multitudes, fed thousands of people, raised the dead and preached the greatest gospel.

            Sometimes, like Isaiah, we want God to do the dramatic ways, but God has something else in mind.  Through Jesus, He came to change our hearts, not just our circumstances (things around us).  We can sing this personal song to our souls.

Song: Heaven Came Down and Glory Filled My Soul

            (Words and music by John W. Peterson)

Heaven came down and glory filled my soul,

When at the cross the Savior made me whole;

My sins were washed away—

And my night was turned to day—

Heaven came down and glory filled my soul!

Dorothy: What does that means to me? God has a timing in everything. He will answer prayers at the right time. The book of Revelation revealed that there will be a “surprise visit of Christ’s coming” to the whole world, they shall see Him and tremble.          

            So meanwhile, we continue to pray and to live day by day, trusting the Lord and let heaven come down and we be filled with His glory.  That’s awesome, isn’t it? To be filled with His glory! Amen! And Amen!                        

The Tares 12/7-9

07-09 December 2016 - The Tares – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Matthew 13:24-25 . . . “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.”

This is about the “justice of God” from the Manna called, “Doing Good” from Dec. 4-6.  As I wrote the devotion, I thought about “The Tares” from Jack Chick Publications, chicknews@chick.com.  There’s a connection about “the justice of God” in the parable of the Wheat and the Tares.

Jesus gave the parable of the Wheat and the Tares from Matthew 13:24-30. My impression of this parable was about the Tares and what the enemy had done. During the night when the workers slept, the enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat.  When the grain had grown and produced a crop, then the servants noticed that the tares also appeared.

The servants were alarmed and came to the owner about this “problem with the tares.” “Didn’t you sow good seed in your field? How did the field get the tares?” asked the servants.  The owner simply said, “An enemy has done this.”  The servants want to solve this problem right away and asked him, “Do you want us to go and gather them up?”

Let’s stop right there.  How did the servants know the difference between the tares and the wheat?  Tares are grassy weeds that looks like wheat. Tares are identified as darnel, a weed like corn; black seeds, a weedy rye grass. When its seeds are infested with a certain fungus, they become poisonous. 

The servants were eager to get rid of tares since they could see the difference with the golden wheat. Here is the interesting answer, the owner said, “No, it’s too early. If you tried to get rid of tares, you might also uproot the wheat with the tares because they are almost alike.”  Are you getting the picture idea?  Do we get rid of people who are “the tares?”  The tares are the children of the wicked one.

We have problem with the ‘tares’ yet the owner said, “Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest …” Here’s the answer about when will God judge the “tares?” The harvest is the end of the age …” (Matt. 13:39).  The angels are the reapers, and the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age.

Dorothy: We as the “the Wheat,” the righteous will shine forth as a sun in the kingdom of their Father (Matt. 13:43).  This should encourage us to keep on “doing good” among “the tares,” knowing their end will come.  Therefore, the chorus encourage us to sing:

Thank You, oh, my Father, for giving us Your Son,

And leaving Your Spirit ‘till the work on earth is done.

(Lyrics and music by Melody Green, ‘There is a Redeemer’)

May the Lord bless you today!

Doing Good 12/4-6

04-06 December 2016 – Doing Good – Manna by Dorothy Callies

1 Peter 3:17 “It is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil” (NKJV).

I was reading a story about an army officer who was in prison for 8 years—for doing good. Why was he in prison then?  Some of his superiors, who were corrupt with drugs and took bribes from the drug runners, ordered him to turn his head to let them move their drugs.  So what happened that caused him to be in prison?

An army officer and his troops were deployed or taken into a special place to deal with heavy drug trafficking, and his intention was to bring justice to that area.  He and his troops began dealing with the criminals to protect the people.

That was when an army officer discovered that some of his superiors took a large sum of money so they allowed the drug runners to continue their “business.”  He was arresting the drug runners, but his superior ordered him to let them go.  He repeatedly refused until he was finally arrested and imprisoned for 8 years—for doing good. 

If Apostle Peter was reading this story, Peter would have understood that kind of heartache because he, having also been jailed for doing good.  Peter gave us this verse: “It is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil” (1 Peter 3:17).

As an army officer shared the stories of what God taught him in prison, Bill Crowder quoted, “I learned that the justice of God is not hampered by the evil of men.  Doing good is still pleasing in His sight—even when we’re mistreated by the world for it.”

Dorothy: “The justice of God is not hampered by the evil of men.” I’ll interpret this: Men who have done evil work will not get away with their “wrong doing” because God’s justice will come at the right time against them.  So while we are still on earth, God is pleased that we continue “doing good,” even if we are not treated right by others.

This devotion has impressed me to sing the song of “Standing on the Promises” because I was inspired that the army officer had stood on His Word during his 8 years of prison.  Peter encouraged us to continue “doing good” even if others are not so nice to us.  God knows what they have done, yet He wants us to keep on “doing good.” 

Song: Standing on the Promises

  [Lyrics and Music: Russell Kelso Carter, Sing His Praise]

Standing on the promises that cannot fail,

When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,

By the living Word of God I shall prevail,

Standing on the promises of God.

Chorus:

Stand - ing, stand - ing,

Standing on the promises of God my Savior;

Stand - ing, stand - ing,

I’m standing on the promises of God. 

God bless you as you stand on His promises!

Hide Thou Me 12/1-3

01 03 December 2016 – Hide Thou Me – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Colossians 3:17 NIV, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

I like the story about George MacDonald who wrote the poem called, The Hidden Life.” George as a young Scot (a person born or living in Scotland), was intellectually gifted and he had a very important position in the eyes of other people with a college career. It means that George could have an important permanent occupation or might have a job after he completed the academic studies.  

When George heard that his aging father wasn’t able to handle the family farm himself, George return home to help him out. His friends lamented (expressed sorrow for) what they saw as a waste of George’s talents just by serving or helping his father. George wrote a poem called, “The Hidden Life.” He put together what was called, “ordinary deeds” and “simple forms of human helpfulness.”  

Maybe you may have serve in some unnoticed place, doing everyday deeds and maybe you “feel like” it is a waste of time or even your friends might think that’s a waste. BUT take heed, God wastes nothing.

Every act of love we provide for others, God takes notice of this.  It has eternal rewards. Every place, no matter how small, is very important to Him.  It can be a simple things of human helpfulness like: be there when they need you, listen to them, understanding others, loving them, and praying with them. It brings us closer to God.

This reminds me of a song called, Hide Thou Me. I once sang this in sign language 44 years ago in the hearing church while a young man was singing with his beautiful voice. (I used to wear hearing aid.) There was a deep feeling that comes with a song.

Song: Hide Thou Me

Sometimes I feel discouraged,

     and think my life in vain,

I’m tempted then to murmur,

     and of my lot complain;

But when I think of Jesus,

     and all He’s done for me,

Then, I cry, O Rock of Ages,

     Hide Thou Me.

Chorus:

O Rock of Ages, Hide Thou me,

No other Refuge, have I but Thee,

When life’s dark vale I wander,

Far, far from Thee;

Then, I cry, O Rock of Ages, Hide Thou Me.

(Lyrics and music: L.R. Tolbert & Thoro Harris

                in Melodies of Praise)

May the Lord bless you!

Dorothy