Storm Warrior 5/25

25 May 2017 - Storm Warrior – Manna by Dorothy Callies

1 Timothy 6:12 “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life . . .”

Paul encouraged Timothy when he was in the ministry, to fight the good fight of faith …” Why was Paul able to share with Timothy to fight the good fight of faith? Because Paul shared himself in 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought a good fight … I have kept the faith.”

What did Paul went through?  The apostle Paul demonstrates this storm warrior life-style. His testimony through shipwrecks and arrests and hunger and prison was not just a story of personal survival or ministry success. Paul’s goal was to spread the Gospel and to stay with God’s mission until it was fully accomplished.

Let us put ourselves in Paul’s shoes in just ONE of his many amazing stories—his journey to Rome as a prisoner, told in Acts 27. Paul was a passenger on a Roman freighter, headed for trial under the care of the centurion who kept Paul alive throughout the storms, shipwrecks and swam to an island. God was with Paul.

Reading the story of Paul’s going through the shipwrecks … and how Paul remained peaceful and in complete trust in God to handle all the little details . . . really encouraged me to realize that many of us may be “storm warriors” so that we would keep in touch with the Holy Spirit and keep in the praying spirit, intercession as well.

So God has called every Christian to be salt and light in the world.  Storm warriors of Jesus like you are to hold fast to this goal and stay focused on the mission of God—to proclaim Christ’s Kingdom and His coming to all our friends.  Storm warriors are the ones who really prayed through. There is no “smooth sailing” for us.

So my friend, if you are going through the storms, then considered yourself a “STORM WARRIOR” and fight the good fight of faith and you, hold on to the eternal life.  Jesus said, “Be of good cheer! I have overcome the world! I am with you always.”

Song: I Just Keep Trusting My Lord

I just keep trusting my Lord as I go along,

I just keep trusting my Lord and He gives me a song;

Though the storm clouds darken the sky

Over the heavenly trail (road),

I just keep trusting my Lord, He will never fail.

He’s a faithful friend, such a faithful friend

I can count on Him to the very end;

Though the storm clouds darken the sky

Over the heavenly trail (road),

I just keep trusting my Lord, He will never fail.

            [Inspiring Choruses]

Dorothy: This is an encouragement to me to stay strong in the Lord! Tony is improving very slowly. Thanks for the cards and your prayers supports. I suggest to send card to: 1003 Arlene Ct., #5, Bloomington, Illinois 61701 since he is no longer at Heritage Home. He moved to a different Nursing Home. It is five minutes’ drive to my home. 

God bless you!

Abba Father 5/13

13 May 2017 - Abba Father – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Mark 14:36 Jesus said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You.”

Jesus began to be sorrowful and very heavy. He said, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful …”  In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus knelt in front of the big rock and fold His hands in prayer, He prayed, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You.”

Jesus experienced great time of distress and grief.  Jesus turned to God in prayer, called Him, “Abba, Father . . .” Jesus was very close to His Father.  Jesus knew that His Father really loves Him . . . still Jesus was offered a cup of suffering that He struggled with . . . and finally He was able to carried out the plan of salvation for all of us.

In Romans 8, Paul brings the picture of being very close to God as our Father, and having a warm friendship that developing through a long association.  Association means to join or come together as friends or companions, close feeling of being united with someone we could trust.

Paul, the Epistle of Roman 8 even bring God closer, “God’s Spirit lives inside of us.” Romans 8:26 tells us that when we do not know how to pray, “The Spirit Himself will pray and intercede inside of us.”  To intercede (intercession) the Holy Spirit will act as a go-between for us and against the work of Satan. Holy Spirit knows how to find words when we groan or having a deep moan of pain, grief, or irritation (bothersome).

Roman 8:15 tells us we can cry out, “Abba, Father.”  If we couldn’t pray, we need only to call out “Abba, Father” and when we simply groan. God has come that close to us. I am thankful that God’s Spirit lives inside of us, pray for us, and intercede for us.  We only need to believe . . . that all things are possible. Jesus prayed, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You.”

Song: Only Believe

[Robert Harkness, Singspiration, Inc.]

Only believe, only believe;

All things are possible, only believe;

Only believe, only believe;

All things are possible, only believe.

Jesus said, “Believe in God, believe also in Me.”  

Dorothy

The Wrath of Man 5/12

12 May 2017, The Wrath of Man Shall Praise – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Psalm 76:10 “Surely the wrath of man shall praise You . . .” (Other translation).

Augustine said that God “judged it better to bring good out of evil, than not to permit any evil to exist.” So God takes the worst evil that men and women can do to us and turns it into good. “Even the wrath of ungodly men brings praise to Him” (Ps. 76:10).

God has not promised that your life will be easy—indeed it may not be. But He has promised to sustain (support) you in your struggle and uphold you with His mighty arm. If you trust Him, He will empower you to make your way bravely through extraordinary difficulty with faith, hope, and love.

The trials God permits in your life will lead to His praise and glory, if only you will abide in Him. [Dorothy: This is where the song, Abide with Me, brought to my memory, even though some of the words are difficult to grasp. You could use the imagination to really turn it into ASL song].

God will use men’s wrath to bring glory and praise to Himself, but when that purpose is fulfilled, He will then restrain it [hold them back from doing things worse].

God will not allow you to be pressed beyond endurance. That is His sure promise. When we have experience the lesson God wants us to learn, and when God’s revelation of glory is complete in us, God will raise His hand against evil and say, “No more.”

Dorothy: I was reading this devotion about God’s Restraint from the Daily Bread written by David Roper. What impressed me was “Even the wrath (violent anger) of man shall praise You.”  I use my imagination to understand what this meant. Many people might be angry with God for allowing things to happen, but soon people will realize that God is a Sovereign God who rules … yet He gave men (people) … a will to choose, God or Satan.

I was thinking of Pearly Gates which is only for the “suffering Christians” who will enter heaven.  Paul said, “We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). So let us endure the suffering like Christ has endured suffering for us. Christ has done so much for us and let our hearts be filled with love of Christ that they may see God in our lives. Through that, they might invited Jesus Christ into their hearts. That's the best testimony we could do for Him.

 Prayer Song: Abide with Me

Abide with me: fast fall the even-tide;

The darkness deepens; Lord with me a-bide!

When other helpers fail and comforts flee,

Help of the helpless, Oh a-bide with me.

I need Thy Presence every passing hour;

What but Thy grace can foil the temper’s power?

Who, like thyself my guide and stay can be?

Thro’ cloud and sunshine, Lord, a-bide with me.

[Lyrics: Henry Francis Lyte]

 
 May the Lord blessed you! 

Dorothy 

Sooner or Later 5/6

06 May 2017 – Sooner or Later – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Psalm 95:2 “Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and

                        make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms.”

To me it is more of a poem:

Sooner or Later

1. Sooner or later the skies will be bright;

Tears will be all wiped away;

Sooner or later, then cometh the light,

Night will be turn into day (glad day).

Chorus:

Sooner or later cares will have flown;

Shine and gladness we’ll see;

Sooner or later God calleth His own,

With Him forever to be.

2. Sooner or later, our Lord knows the hour,

He’ll send His beloved Son;

Sooner or later, in His might and power,

Our battles all will be won.

3. Sooner or later, yes sooner for some,

Dark will all then be past;

Sooner or later our Savior will come;

With Him will your lot be cast?

(Lyrics: Lula W. Koch, Sing His Praise) 

God bless you!

Dorothy