Love and Prayer 2/26-28

26-28 Feb. 2017 Love and Prayer – Short Devotion by Dorothy Callies

            We went with a deaf group and we had a good time when we were at Museum of Titanic in Peoria last Friday the 24^th of February, 2017 in honor to celebrate a month early 80^th birthday of Tony Callies for March 24^th.  If you want to wish him a happy 80^th birthday, his email is tonycallies75@icloud.com.

            Yeah! Tony will be 80 soon and how time flies! It made me think of what have we truly done?  I read the verse that God had led me to share: “They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing.—Psalm 92:14 (NKJV).  What an encouragement from the Lord who spoke to us through His word!

            When we were younger we were able to do great many things, but now when we became older, we do things differently.  Most of all, love is the very best gift we could give to God and to others.  We could still bear fruit of love in old age and it’s always fresh and flourishing through the power of the Holy Spirit.

            To me, that is a miracle that our love for one person may seem to be a small action, but love is the greatest gift of all (1 Cor. 13:13).  Our love fulfill our whole duty to God and to our neighbor whether you’re young or whether you are older.

            It is like love never dies ... for God is love and love is God (1John 4:7).  The Scripture tells us to “keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 1:21).

            And we can pray.  Paul encouraged the Colossians to “continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant (be alert) in it with thanksgiving” (Col. 4:2).  Our prayers are a powerful force in the universe!

            Love and prayer are mighty works indeed, the mightiest works for any of us. Why? Because our God, who wants to use us, is an all-loving and all-powerful God. God pours His love into our hearts that it might flow out to others.  Praise the Lord for that!

            Now I would like to share one more comment from friends:

                       

                        Christine and Len from Winnipeg Canada 2/22/17

Rise and Shine, such a glorious Morning!! So much to be thankful for His goodness in all His ways in our lives😊 we appreciated you in all you do for His glory regarding to all those encouraging words you shared your manna and songs of praise. Your manna has always been well defined for us to understand. We thank God for you and His blessings in all you do. May the Lord be with you always in coming in and going out ❤️. We love you both Wavvvvvy Hands!!   Christine and Len

Now for the song, there are many songs about the “love,” but one thing impressed me:

Song: This is My Commandment … (Jesus said)

This is My commandment that you love one another,

That your joy may be full.

This is My commandment that you love one another,

That your joy may be full,

That your joy may be full, that your joy may be full.

This is My commandment that you love one another,

That your joy .. may.. be.. full….

(Inspiring Choruses)

May God bless you today!!

Dorothy Callies

Sharing Comments & Songs 2/19-25

19 to 25 - February 2017 - Sharing Comments & Songs – By Dorothy Callies

Psalm 111:1 “Praise the Lord!  I will thank the Lord with all my heart in the meeting of His good people. V2. The Lord does great things; those who enjoy them seek them. V3. What He does is glorious and splendid, and His goodness continues forever. V4. His miracles are unforgettable.  The Lord is kind and merciful.”

Bill from Edmonton Canada

That is a good verse to share and thank you for letting us know the precious God has spared your lives when you were in an accident.  I learned from a hearing Christian friend who once said to me not to worry about the car because it is only a metal thing.  Rejoice because your names are [still] written in the Book of Life.  A car doesn’t.  Have a good day! [Comment from Feb. 16-18, 2017 God will strengthen]

Lucy from Wisconsin

Beautiful news and manna. Grateful to our God gave you strength and protected not destroy u or Tony life. Praise HIM. I miss you so much. Love to read manna! 
[Comment from Feb. 16-18, 2017 God will strengthen]

Dorothy and Tony from Illinois

I really appreciate words of encouragement in the past that some of you have given us from time to time.  I just want to thank you for your time with Manna.  Your comment means a lot to Tony and me.  When you send me an email of comment or song and with your permission, I would like to add to the blog.  Please use dotcallies@hotmail. com.                       
           Song: Nothing But the Blood

1. What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus;

What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Chorus: Oh! Precious is that flow That makes me white as snow;

No other fount (way) I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

2. For my pardon this I see, Nothing but the blood of Jesus;

For my cleansing this my plea, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. (Chorus)

3. Nothing can for sin atone, Nothing but blood of Jesus;

Naught of good that I have done, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. (Chorus)

4. This is all my hope and peace, Nothing but the blood of Jesus;

This is all my righteousness, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. (Chorus)

(Lyrics and Music by Robert Lowry, Sing His Praise)

God Will Strengthen 2/16-18

16-18 February 2017 - God Will Strengthen – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Colossians 1:11 NCV “God will strengthen you with His own great power that you will not give up when troubles come, but you will be patient.”

On Monday the Feb. 13^th, we were enjoying our day off with breakfast at Carmela’s and then to Bergner’s Mall just to walk through, but somehow we ended up looking for Tony’s shirt and vest were on sales. A little walk was enough for us so we left to do other errands.  Our car entered the Eastland Ave, and came to stop at a red traffic lights facing a busy freeway, Veterans Parkway. Tony’s car was on right lane, and he couldn’t see the oncoming cars from north. So he moved a little … BAM!  The van hit us. [We were okay.]

The man drove too fast really damaged our left rear end to where we could not open our trunk. The damaged was worth $4,000 so starting next Monday, Feb. 20^th, we will take our car to Auto Body shop and it will take nine days to fix it. Meanwhile, man’s insurance covered the damaged and the rental car.  The reason for waiting is that they have to order part for our Mitsubishi Galant white car.

The damaged was bad enough to see black bumper and I was “tempted” to buy a baby diaper to cover the rear ended car.  Since Monday, we had to wait seven days, seeing this. I was concerned and the man who checked it, assured us that it was okay to drive it. 

It was like Satan was so angry seeing God doing great things and that he just had to do little more damaged to our car to pacify his anger.  Seeing the news that many people are left homeless due to the crisis weather, and other reasons.  I found the index card, 3x5” that says “. . . you will not give up when troubles come, but you will be patient.”

“So God will strengthen you with His own great power.” I repeat this several times until we felt His strengthen. Even though we are vulnerable which means we are being capable of being physically or emotionally wounded and open to attack or damage, God will make sure that His strengthen will help us through the rough times. 

I was looking for chorus and saw this.  I felt that looking at Calvary, remembering Jesus on the cross, so willingly, so generously, so freely given us His blood, His redeeming blood flowing . . . it brought tears to my eyes to realize that our troubles are ‘small.’

Song: Calvary’s Stream is Flowing

(Inspiring Choruses)

Calvary’s stream is flowing,

Calvary’s stream is flowing;

Flowing so free …

    for you and for me …

Calvary’s stream is flowing.

May God touch you that Calvary’s stream of Jesus’ redeeming blood is flowing so freely!

Dorothy

Joyful Sound! 2/13-15

13-15 February 2017 - Joyful Sound! – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Psalm 86:9, 10 KJV:  “All nations whom thou (God) hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. For thou art great, and does wondrous things: thou art God alone.”

You know, after I had written the Manna for Feb. 10-12^th, a story about William Cameron Townsend, the page became full to 8x11 inches.  There’s no room for a song.  Then a friend chatted with me and asked, “Where’s the song with the Manna?”  I replied, “No room.”  “Ah, I like the song with the Manna!” She said.

That got me thinking … There was a song I thought of to go with the previous Manna, so why not for this Manna.  Why I choose “Joyful Sound” theme for the song?  The first line always thrilled me, “We have heard the joyful sound.” Really, it means “we have heard the joyful news.” I would use that for ASL. “Spread the tidings all around.”  It means “tell everyone the gospel story.”  It is a missionary song, but it’s a good feeling to be aware of what our missionaries have been going through.  It is a song of oneness in spirit with all other missionaries for the deaf.  So let us sing the joyful song!

Song: Jesus Saves!

[Lyrics by Priscilla Jane Owens, Sing His Praise]

We have heard the joyful sound (news)!

Jesus saves!  Jesus saves!

Spread the tidings (good news) all around;

Jesus saves!  Jesus saves!

Bear (bring) the news to every land;

Climb the steeps (mountains) and cross the waves (sea);

Onward! ‘tis the Lord’s command:

Je - sus saves!  Je - sus saves!

Give the winds a mighty voice (sign):

Jesus saves!  Jesus saves!

Let the nations now rejoice:

Jesus saves!  Jesus saves!

Shout salvation full and free,

Highest hills and deepest caves;

This our song of victory:

Je - sus saves!  Je - sus saves!

      Pray for:

Julie Reis of Oregon is asking for prayers for Burkina Faso’s team planning and preparing for the trip to Deaf BF 2018.  Many things to do before the final trip. They had a successful ministry team the last time when they were there. So please pray for Julie Reis who will work with Esther who is a missionary in Burkina Faso.

June Ault of PA’s older brother has just passed away last Thursday night (Feb. 9) when he was in the choir singing in the church.  Pray for the comfort for June.  Thank you.  

Dorothy 

An Encouragement! 2/10-12

10-12 February 2017 - An Encouragement! – Manna by Dorothy Callies

John 12:26c Jesus said, “If any man serve Me, him (you) will My Father honor.”

          I had already marched seven times around my center kitchen adjourning to dining room, a "Jericho march."  It came from the devotion, Victory Ahead Feb. 7-9.  This is the fourth day I have done it. I was claiming victory for my friends.  I felt good.  Now I sat down at my desk in the dining room . . . Looking at my index card of James 1:5-6 if you need wisdom, ask God.  Sigh!  I need an encouragement, Lord!

            I looked at the book, *Heaven’s Heroes by David Shibley.  Maybe one story will encourage me.  I turned to the title called, “Does God Speak My Language?” William Cameron Townsend (1896-1982).  After I read it, “Wow, what a great story!”  I will get to the point of the story that really encouraged me. His nick name was Cam.

            *Cam’s trip to Guatemala was the beginning of a missionary career that would last more than 50 years. What he found in Guatemala troubled him. He saw that the Spanish Bibles he was trying to sell were not understood by the Indians of the rural areas.  They could neither read nor speak Spanish.

            *Cam settled among the 200,000 Cakchiquel Indians.  Their confusing language had never been reduced to writing, so Cam embarked (begin some project) on the task (work).  For the next 13 years, he lived among the people, learning and writing their language.  In 1929, after ten years of hard work, Cam completed the New Testament in the Cakchiquel language.

            *He knew he had found his life’s calling.  He felt that the people throughout the world who had no Bibles were asking, “Does God speak my language?”  He would search them out and work to get God’s Word to them.  Cam finally decided to do something about his burden to train others to take the Bible to those without it. The Bible has been translated into less than half of the 6,800 languages in the world.  Cam’s prayer was to reach all people of all languages to know the Bible, God’s Word.

            Dorothy: Why would that interest me?  The word, translator means to change from one language into another.  The day I was studying the Christian Life New Testament with Master Outlines & Study Notes compiled by Porter Barrington.  I had troubled understanding the language of the notes. David, the deaf guy came to me with this. I could not help him “translate” from the notes into our language.

            So David spend his time praying for God to open my mind to understand the English languages and with Holy Spirit’s help to translate these 15 master outlines into writing “my own languages.”  I thought it was only for me personally.  It turned out that many Deaf who read it and saw the teachers sign it and said, “This is my language.”

            Then I was reading Cam’s story “Does God speak my language?” Wow! Yes, God does speak our sign language through preachers, workers, interpreters, and helpers to the Deaf people.  Truly, this is a big encouragement to me. Maybe for you, too?

            Thank You Lord for making us realize that truly our heavenly Father is honoring us because we are serving You, Lord Jesus Christ.  You are truly the center of our lives. Thank You Holy Spirit for your big encouragement in Jesus’ name! Amen! 

Victory Ahead! 2/7-9

07-09 February 2017 - Victory Ahead – Manna by Dorothy Callies

I Chronicles 29:11 “Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.”

Song: Victory Ahead

(Lyrics & Music: William Grum, Sing His Praise)

When the hosts of Israel, led by God,

Round the walls of Jericho softly trod;

Trusting in the Lord, they felt the conqueror’s tread,

By faith they saw the victory ahead.

Chorus:

Victory ahead!  Victory ahead!

Through the blood of Jesus, victory ahead;

Trusting in the Lord, I hear the conqueror’s tread,

By faith I see the victory ahead!

What was the secret of Israel’s victory over Jericho? Joshua met the captain of the host of the Lord.  “And the Lord said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour” (Joshua 6:2).  And then He gave the strategy plan of how to overcome Jericho (Joshua 6:3-5).  Here Joshua is made aware of the presence of God and His heavenly army prepared to battle alongside His faithful people.  

*The city of Jericho covered about eight acres.  It was a fortress city not just for its residents, but also for the inhabitants of the nearby countryside.  The walls may have been as much as thirty feet high and twenty feet thick.  Jericho was considered to be invincible (cannot be conquer), being protected by the gods of the Canaanites. 

*The capture of Jericho was the key to Joshua’s whole war strategy, for it would demonstrate that Israel’s God was superior to the Canaanite gods; hence the defeat of Canaanites was certain.  The wall fell down flat was quoted by the Lord from verse 6:5 and it was fulfilled by 6:20 that the wall fell down flat, so that they people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.   [*Notes from Full Life Study Bible]

*The walls collapsed by a direct act of God. The city was taken because of Israel’s obedience to God’s Word and faith in His miraculous power.  Since the city was not rebuilt for several hundred years, very little of the remains of this level of the destroyed city have been found.  Most of what was left weathered away.

The story of Canaanites is a type of foreshadowing the true Joshua which is Jesus Christ, who will return in righteousness with the armies of heaven to wage war against those who tried to destroy the state of Israel completely.  “Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eyes shall see Him . . .” (Rev. 1:7).  This is victory ahead, trusting in the Lord!

This devotion inspired my faith to claim the victory that God has given to us so I claimed the healing power for you and me in Jesus’ name. By His stripes, we are completely healed in Jesus’ name. Amen! 

Let us trust Him today!

Dorothy 

Unqualified? 2/4-6

04-06 February 2017 - Unqualified? – Manna by Dorothy Callies

1 Timothy 1:12 “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who enabled (strengthened) me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.”

            Paul (the former Saul) was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and injurious (rude in speech and conduct) person.  Paul was on the way to Damascus to capture runaway Christians from Jerusalem and suddenly there shined a light from heaven around Paul. He fell down from riding a horse (Acts 9:2-3).

            Paul was shocked when he heard a voice of Jesus and Paul asked, “Who are you?” Jesus introduced Himself to Paul and said, “I am Jesus whom you have persecuted.”  Paul trembled and astonished that he had met Christ in a vision.  And at that moment Paul felt unqualified (not fit) and asked Jesus, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” (Acts 9:4-12).  Paul became helpless and frightened.

            Jesus gave instruction to Paul what to do.  Paul stayed in Damascus until the Lord send for Ananias.  Ananias said to the Lord that Paul had done so much evil to the Christians at Jerusalem. Ananias already ‘branded’ Paul as “unqualified” person to work with (Acts 9:13-14).

            But the Lord Jesus told Ananias to go to Paul since He had a plan for Paul to be a chosen vessel and to bring His name to the Gentiles, kings, and to Israel. Also how Jesus will show him that Paul must suffer for His name’s sake.  Ananias obeyed and blessed Paul (Acts 9:15-20).  Paul preached Christ that He is the Son of God.

            Paul testified how his life was changed by the revelation of Jesus Christ (Gal. 1:12).  And that it pleased God to choose him and called Paul by His grace. Paul said, “To reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen” (Gal. 1:16).  Paul often spoke of God’s amazing grace upon his life throughout the years.

             Has anyone ever faced “unqualified” to work for Him?  Gladys Aylward of London, England did.  She went to Christian missionary organization and applied to be a missionary to China. After being reviewed, they decided that she was “unqualified.”

            Gladys was a maid in the early part of the 20^th century and at the age of 28, she used her life savings to purchase a one-way ticket to Yangcheng, a remote village in China.  There she established an inn for trade caravans where she shared Bible stories.  Gladys served in other villages as well and became known as Ai-weh-deh, Chinese for “virtuous one.”  Gladys went from “unqualified” by the organization to “virtuous one” by the people she worked with.  She became a very valuable person among people of China.

            Dorothy:  Not all of us are called to endure hardship to spread the gospel in distant lands. But we are called to become prayer warriors for those who really depend on our prayers for their works to become successful. 

Truly, we are worthy of His grace!

            Song: UNWORTHY

           (Author: Ira F. Stanphell, 1750.)

Unworthy am I of the grace that He gave,
Unworthy to hold to His hand;
Amazed that a King would reach down to a slave,
This love I cannot understand.
Chorus:

Unworthy, unworthy, a beggar;
In bondage and alone;
But He made me worthy and now by His grace,
His mercy has made me His own.

Pray for Great Leaders 2/1-3

01-03 February 2017 – Pray for Great Leaders – Manna by Dorothy Callies

1 Timothy 2:2 [Pray] for kings and all who are in authority.

            Paul encouraged us very strongly that we need to pray for our great leaders who are leading our nation. We may not always understand things that are happenings around us, but one thing we need to do, “Men ought always to pray” (Luke 18:1).  Jesus’ word branded my heart, “Men ought always to pray.”  When a person pray . . . it brings God into the situation.

            There’s a story about 95-year-old Emma Gray who passed away in June 2009. For 24 years she had been the cleaning lady in a big house. Each night as she did her work, she prayed for blessings, wisdom, and safety for the man she worked for.

            Over the years, Emma offered her nightly prayers for six US Presidents: Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford and Carter.  She followed the instruction we read in 1 Timothy 2 to pray for “all who are in authority.”

            Because God “hears the prayer of the righteous” (Prov. 15:29), who knows how He used Emma’s faithful prayers?  In Proverbs 21:1, we read: “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water: He turns it wherever He wishes.”

            Like Emma, let us pray for our leaders.

Song: Pray, Pray

(Authors: Lizzie DeArmond; Composers: Charles H. Gabriel, 1912)

1. Pray, pray when things go wrong,

And gloomy fears around you throng;

The loving God your voice will hear,

Look up to Him, He's always near.

Chorus:

Pray, pray though your eyes grow dim,

Go with your troubles straight to Him;

Pray, pray for God understands;

Have faith, leaving all in His dear hands.

2. Pray, pray be calm and still,

Whatever comes must be His will;

His promises like bud unfold,

Naught that is good will He withhold.

3. Pray, pray till faith grows strong,

And in your heart rings heaven's song;

Till self shall die in pure desire,

And every thought to Him aspire.

So let us pray . . .

Dorothy