Chastisement 24 - 6/27-30/19

27-30 June 2019 - Building Character 24 – Manna by Dorothy & Tony Callies

Theme: Chastisement Builds Character – Series 24

Hebrews 12:5-7 NKJV . . . “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked of Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens and scourges every son whom He receives.”  If you endure chastening, God deals with you as sons . . .”   (Chastening means to correct by punishment)

This goes on to where Scriptures compares our heavenly Father to an earthly fathers who chasten their children. Is chastening really a pleasant thing to have? There’s an answer to this from Hebrew 12:11 “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

The best way I could think of what chastisement was all about is to give a few examples. One I remember so well when I was a child, my mom took one long branch off the bushes and used her fingers to slide off the leaves on the switch.  That was the type of chastening on my legs I get so often whenever I do the wrong thing. 

If that didn’t work, the most boring punishment I ever received was my dad put me in the corner on the patio bed with an open air screen windows during his reading newspaper and his nap time. I was really restless, but dad was calm and I was forced to stay there for a whole hour or more.

The name I earned was being called, “The Brat.” Years later I asked why because I was looking at it as negative thing.  My oldest sister, Elise explained to me that it wasn’t intended to hurt me, but that I was into everything.  I gave them headache so many times when I didn’t listen to their scolding or warnings.

When I was a teenager, I asked my mom a question: Why do you punish me more than any other brothers and sisters?  Her answer: I learned the valuable lessons when I did not punish them enough, they got into trouble. So I increase the punishments with you because you need them to become a better person and look how much you have grown. You have improved so much. I am proud of you!

What can I learn from this?  I remember so many chastisements, trials, and disciplines that led me to understand that it was part of building a character.  God loves us so much and He sees the need of chastisement in order for us to become a great and shining people for Him.  Oh, when we see Jesus, all the chastisements will be worth it all because we love Him.

Song: When We See Christ

It will be worth it all

     when we see Jesus;

Life's trials will seem so small

     when we see Christ;

One glimpse of His dear face,

     all sorrow will erase;

So bravely run the race

     till we see Christ.

 (Esther Kerr Rusthoi, Sing His Praise)

God bless you!

Dorothy

PS. I have done a research on the theme “Chastisement” and there’s more to cover them. If the Lord’s willing, I might share them.  

Trials 23 - 6/23-26/19

23-26 June 2019 - Building Character 23 – Manna by Dorothy & Tony Callies

Theme: Trials Builds Character – Series 23

James 1:2-3 NLT, “Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”

Why are trials so important to those who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ when we thought life should be easy?  The answer is in James 1:4, “So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.” Notice the key words: strong in character and hold that thought… strong in character.

Maybe you asked, “But I don’t understand why trials?  Why would God allows trials or trouble time?  So here we lack wisdom … why God does this.  James encouraged us … “If you need wisdom—if you want to know what God wants you to do—ASK HIM, and He will gladly tell you.  He will not resent your asking” (James 1:5). 

So here James who was the half-brother of Jesus Christ, encourages us to ask God for wisdom and God will gladly answer us through His Word. And James also continue to give advice how to ask God the right way from James 1:6-8 on NLT. 

“But when you ask Him, be sure that you really expect Him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.  People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.  They can’t make up their minds.  They waver back and forth in everything they do” (James 1:6-8 NLT).  

So it is important to God that you have faith in Him and do not doubt in your mind about God, Himself.  Hebrew 11:6 tell us that “… Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that there is a God …” (NLT).  What is God’s goal for us? Strong in character like His Son, Jesus Christ (Roman 8:29).  It doesn’t take overnight to build a strong character.  It is a growing process, day by day, continue to depend on Him and trust Him.  I really praise the Lord for His Word has built me up, wow!

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this Manna that remind me of your love, your power, your promises and your Son.  When I am weak, I will turn to you for strength; when I am worried, I will turn to you for comfort, when I am troubled, I will turn to you for patience and see things Your ways.  Thank you for the trials that gives us a chance to grow and learn how to have a joyful and thankful heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Song: The Joy of the Lord is My Strength

The joy of the Lord is my strength and He is my life.

The joy of the Lord is my strength and He is my life.

He gives us the victory

    when my heart is filled with praises to Thee.

The joy of the lord is my strength and He is my life.

(Inspiring Choruses)

God bless you!

Dorothy 

Good Wisdom 22 - 6/19-22/19

19 22 June 2019 Building Character 22 – Manna by Dorothy & Tony Callies

Theme: It Takes a Good Wisdom to Build Character – Series 22

James 3:13 “Who is wise and understanding among you?  Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom” (NIV).

One of my favorite verse is James 1:5 because I often lack wisdom in writing manna so I ask God, the Author for wisdom and He is willing and generous to give wisdom.   The wisdom is to know how it applied to me and help me understand what God’s Word is teaching.  And then to share with you my Manna what I have learned.

When James quoted, “If any of you lack wisdom,” the commentary explain:  Wisdom means the spiritual ability to see and evaluate life and action from God’s point of view.  It involves in making right choices and doing the right things according to both the will of God revealed in His Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit.  We can receive wisdom by drawing near to God and asking for it in faith.” [The Full Life Study Bible, D. Stamps]

James also explained the difference between “good wisdom and carnal wisdom.” So James asked, ‘Who is wise among you?’  Good wisdom is to show it by good life, and good deeds in humility. Carnal wisdom is bitter envy and selfish heart (3:14).  This kind of carnal “wisdom does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic” (3:15).

 “But the wisdom that comes down from heaven is first of all pure; then peace—loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (3:17).  [Impartial means treating all equally]. Wisdom is a person whose heart is pure, peaceful, gentle, thoughtful, meekness, kindness and a good character showing equally and a sincere heart. May the Holy Spirit dwell in our hearts to bring forth good fruits.

Most important of all is to listen to the wisdom of Jesus.  Jesus said, “Whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them.”  Here’s the wisdom Jesus used as an example of one man built his house on the rock.  When the storm came, his house was founded on the rock and it did not fall.  This is the character of a wise man who listen and practice Jesus’ Word (Matthew 7:24-25).

Jesus also add a warning about a foolish man who hears these sayings of Jesus, but a foolish man does not do it.  The foolish man built his house on the sand.  When the storm came, his house was destroyed completely (Matthew 7:26-27).  

Jesus used the comparison between the wise and foolish man in his story.  Jesus explained the result on both sides.  What a difference it makes when one is wise and another is not so wise.  The wise man had wisdom that builds his character.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I want to thank You for showing me what wisdom is like through the book of James and through the Word of Your Son, Jesus. Thank You for helping me to continue to understand the wisdom of Your Holy Word. Thank You for giving me wisdom to love my family and love my friends and help them understand the wisdom of Your Holy Word. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen!

God bless you!  

Dorothy 

Contentment 21 - 6/16-18/19

16-18 June 2019 - Building Character 21 – Manna by Dorothy & Tony Callies

            Theme:  Contentment Builds Character - Series 21

 Philippians 4:11 “… for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (KJV).

This devotion is related to the “Daily Routine Builds Character” and that through daily routine, we are either contented or not contented.  The word, content means satisfy. So I choose Paul, the Apostle of Christ as an example to share his experience how he became contented.  

The Philippian church was a missionary church that ministered to Paul’s needs during his travel. They were concerned for Paul who lack the necessity of things. So they sent gifts to Paul whatever he needs for himself and for traveling. 

Paul thank them for gifts, but Paul did not want them to worry so Paul quoted, “… for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want (need)” (Phil. 4:12-13). Paul’s secret of contentment when he quoted, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

When we choose to honor the Creator with our thoughts, our prayers, and our actions, we keep growing day by day.  God has given me responsibility to take care of Tony, take care of household, take care of daily things and like Paul, the Apostle, quoted, “I am contented whatever God has for me.”  

“The key to contentment is realizing that God has given you in your present circumstances everything you need to remain victorious in Christ [See ref. below]. Your ability to live triumphantly above changing circumstances is Christ’s power flowing in and through you.  This does not come naturally, however; it must be learned through dependence on Christ.”  [Commentary: The Full Life Study Bible, Donald Stamps]

            References and summary:  

            1 Cor. 15:57 Give thanks to God who has given us the victory through Jesus.

            2 Cor. 2:14 Thank God who cause us to triumph in Christ …

            1 John 5:4 Those who are born of God overcomes the world … even our faith.

Again, the key to contentment is to quote Philippian 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Christ’s power and grace are given to us to be able to do that He has asked us to do.  Prayer: Thank You, Holy Spirit for Christ’s power flowing through us that we may shine as the stars whatever work we do. In Jesus’ name!

Song: We Shall Shine As the Stars (Chorus)

We shall shine as the stars of the morning,

With Jesus the Crucified One;

We shall rise (shine) to be like Him forever,

E-ter-nal-ly shine as the sun.

(Judson W. Van DeVenter)

May God bless you!

Dorothy

Daily Routine 20 - 6/13-15/19

13-15 June 2019 Building Character 20 – Manna by Dorothy & Tony Callies

            Theme:  Daily Routine Builds Character - Series 20

Ecclesiastes 1:9 “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again.”

The book opens with the writer complaining about the endless cycles of daily human life as futile, even meaningless because it is repeated, we do it over and over again.  The writer complained that everything we do is vanity and having no success.  It’s useless.

What was the problem with King Solomon when he had experienced wealth, power, honor, fame and sensual pleasure—all in great abundance—everything he ever own, and yet he didn’t seem to be contented or satisfied?  So he studied the life of people from what he wrote from Ecclesiastes 1-12 chapters.  He felt like everything was a waste of time, doing the same thing over and over.

Have you ever felt like that sometimes, wondering what the purpose of living on the earth was for?   In our daily senseless tasks that are laundry, cooking, washing dishes, cleaning the house, fixing things, mowing the lawn, raking the leaves, etc.  Once complete, only to have to be done again and again.   The jobs at work, every day we’re doing the same thing over and over again.

God has a goal in building our character through our daily tasks or daily routine.  Character building never happens overnight.  It takes a life time to build a character and maturity.  When we choose to honor the Creator with our thoughts, our prayers, and our actions, we keep growing day by day.  Yes, we keep growing … that is the key to our daily routine.

As for me, my daily routine is to take care of Tony, take care of household, and take care of many little things.  Every morning, I turned to my Creator and study His Word.  His Word brings life in me.  This is one of my daily routine.

At the end, King Solomon, the writer decided the whole purpose is to fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).  In another words, the whole purpose of man is to “Honor God and obey His Word.”

King Solomon gave advice to young people that it is more important to commit themselves to their Creator (12:1) and to make a decision to fear God and keep His commandments (12:13-14).  This is the only path to meaning in life.

God is speaking to you today about your daily routine and what He meant for you to do. Nothing that you do is ever a “waste of time.”  Remember… it takes a life time to build a character so let God fill you with His wonderful love and peace in your soul.

And God bless you today!

Dorothy

Worship 19 - 6/9-12/19

09 - 12 June 2019 - Building Character 19 – Manna by Dorothy & Tony Callies

            Theme:  Worship Builds Character - Series 19

Psalm 100:2-3 “Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.  Know that the Lord is God.  It is He who made us, and we are His, we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.”

Wise men and women choose to worship God.  When we worship God faithfully and fervently, we are blessed.  Blessed with what?  We are blessed with plentiful harvest of joy, peace, and abundance.

Worship reminds us of the awesome power of God.  So we are encouraged to worship God often.  Even take a moment before you start your car, and thank Him for the day to come. This allow God to work through us every day of the week—not just on Sunday. The best way to worship God is to worship God sincerely and often. 

As for Tony and me, we used the Lord’s Prayer to worship Him for a few moment before we start driving our car.  This helps us to be aware of God as our Creator who wants us to come before Him with thankful hearts.  Every night, by our bed, Tony and I worship Him through Lord’s Prayer, songs, and/or other prayers for friends and families for few minutes. 

Sometimes throughout the day, I felt an urge to spend a few moment to concentrate on our Heavenly Father in silence, and thanking Him, and quoting some verses about how great He is.  When I think of that verse, “Know that the Lord is God,” I felt like something “surge inside of me.”  God moves in me like waves.  God is making me feel alive in my inner spirit, giving me energy, and strength to carry out our daily routine. “Worship does build our character with God in it.”  Thank You, Abba, Daddy!  Awesome Abba!

Song:  Worship Him

Worship Him for who He is;

Let His glory roll (continue);

God of all this universe,

Lover of my soul.

Holy One of Israel,

Lord of hosts is He.

King of kings,

     the righteous Judge,

He my Friend shall be.

Wonderful, Counselor,

Prince of Peace His name.

Rose of Sharon, Morning Star,

Evermore the same.

(Lyrics & Music: Sam Mason, Sing His Praice)

Thank You, Abba, Daddy!  I love You!

Dorothy

Beyond Worry 18 - 6/5-8/19

05-08 June 2019 - Building Character 18 – Manna by Dorothy & Tony Callies

            Theme: Beyond Worry – Series 18

John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled.  You believe in God; believe also in me.”

What interests me to continue this title “Beyond Worry?”  Looking at weather channels, gave report that there were 500 tornadoes area of Midwest throughout USA.  That was very unusual since the weather have been hot and cold temperatures clashed that created tornadoes.  It’s enough for any of us to worry, but yet Jesus quoted, “Let not your hearts be troubled!”  I remind myself: God knows what He is doing, trust Him!

So when Jesus said, “Men ought always to pray.”  I did exactly that.  I constantly plead the blood of Jesus over us, the cities, the states, and the people.  All I could do was to trust Him to take care of us.  Pray that God send help to those who need it.  And He will!

We have the ability to think, and we also have the ability to worry.  Jesus knew this and He continues to speak to us from Matthew 6:25-27, 34.  This beautiful passage reminds us that God still sits in His heaven, and we are His beloved child.  Perhaps we would worry a little less and trust God a little more, knowing that God protected us. 

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matt. 6:25-27, 34 NIV).

Have you ever wondered why we have so many birds all around us, flying, nesting, and looking for foods?  Come to think of it!  They are a constant reminder that we are so much more valuable than the birds!  It’s like Jesus is saying, “So stop worry. Look at the birds!”  Wow!  That is impressive because for me that is a new approach of “Beyond Worry.”  Now I believe that every time, I go out and see the birds, I will remind myself, “Don’t worry!  God will take care of us!”  

There’s a song that I remember:  “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.   I sing because I’m happy; I sing because I’m free; For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.”  Jesus’ word is powerful and it penetrated our deepest soul, even when I think, “I’m not worry!”  Yet Jesus knew, we need to go “Beyond our Worries” and He quoted those words to go deeper into our inner spirit and be set free completely. 

Song: Set My Spirit Free

Set my spirit free that I might worship Thee.

Set my spirit free that I might praise Thy name.

Let all bondage go, and let deliverance flow.

Set my spirit free to worship Thee.

(John Haddock, Sing His Praise)

God Bless you so much!

Dorothy

Because You Prayed 17 - 6/1-4/19

01-04 June 2019 - Building Character 17 – Manna by Dorothy & Tony Callies

Theme: Prayer Builds Character - Series 17

                 Emphasis: Because You Prayed.

Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything . . . . presents your requests to God” (NIV).

In another word, do not worry about anything, just present your needs to God.  That really impressed me.  It takes practice “not to worry.”  I like the devotion when it says: “Because you prayed.”  God spoke, “Because you prayed …” So what happened that cause God to say this?  Let’s look into the history from the Old Testament in Isaiah. 

*When the brutal Assyrian King Sennacherib was preparing to destroy Jerusalem, he sent a message to King Hezekiah saying that Judah would be no different from all the other nations he had conquered.  Hezekiah took this message to the temple in Jerusalem, and “spread it out before the Lord” (Isaiah 37:14).  He then prayed and asked for help from Almighty God.

*Soon afterward Isaiah the prophet delivered this message to Hezekiah from the Lord: “Because you prayed about King Sennacherib of Assyria, the Lord has spoken” (Isaiah 37:21-22 NLT).  Scripture tells us that Hezekiah’s prayer was answered that very night.  God intervened miraculously, conquering the enemy forces outside the city gates.  The Assyrian army didn’t even “shoot an arrow” (v. 33).  Sennacherib would leave Jerusalem, never to return.

*Three words in God’s message to Hezekiah—“Because you prayed”—show us the best place to go with our worries.  Because Hezekiah turned to God, He rescued him and his people.  When we turn our worries into prayer, we discover that God is faithful in unexpected ways!  [*Devotion from James Banks, Our Daily Bread].

Song: Expect a Miracle

Expect a miracle when you pray,

Expect a miracle every day.

If you expect it, God will find a way

To perform a miracle for you each day.

(Inspiring Choruses)

Let’s turn our worries to God and let Him be our God in our lives!

Dorothy

PS. June 3^rd will be our 52 years of anniversary.  Tony is much better. Thank to your prayers.  I am doing well. And happy first month of June 2019.