Through It All 12/28-31/19

28-31 Dec 2019 – Through It All – Manna by Dorothy and Tony Callies

Mark 13:13 “. . . he that endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”

NIV: “. . . he (you) who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

We are coming to the end of December 31, 2019 for the last time. What do I remember the year of 2019 that stands out in my mind at this moment? I thought about it  . . . “God!” I couldn’t remember any details of events, but I do remember that God was there from time to time. That was a precious memory that just strengthen my faith, “God!”    

Since I couldn’t remember details, I looked into my calendar of 2019 and scan through it month by month.  I could not believe so many challenged things had happened. Then the quote came to me, “Through it all.”  I found the song.   

Song: Through It All

Through it all, through it all,

I’ve learned to trust in Jesus,

I’ve learned to trust in God!

Through it all, through it all,

I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.

(Andrae Crouch, Sing His Praise)

So the key was to trust in Jesus! And to trust in God and to depend upon His Word! That’s when I remembered. Depending on His Word encouraged my soul through the year of 2019. I want to share a part of devotion I had read.

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. (Heb. 6:19)” In difficult times, how can we have hope when we would face with challenge situations? Those who put their faith in God’s promises knows that:

            *God is good.

            * God’s love endures.

            * God’s promised the gift of eternal life.

            * God keeps His promises.

John Eldredge quotes, “Faith looks back and draws courage; hope looks ahead and keeps desire alive.”

God bless you! 
Dorothy

Heavenly Host 12/24-27/19

24-27 Dec 2019 - Heavenly Host – Manna by Dorothy & Tony Callies

Luke 12:13-15 “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away . . . into heaven . . .”

Somehow the song echo in my heart: “Hark the Herald Angels sing” meaning “pay attention to the good news what Angels sing about.”  Imagine, angels suddenly appeared out of the sky singing . . . “Glory to the newborn King . . .” That would have been awesome!

Song: Hark the Herald Angels Sing

1. Hark! The herald angels sing

“Glory to the newborn King!

Peace on earth and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled!”

Joyful, all ye nations, rise,

Join the triumph of the skies,

With an-gel-ic host proclaim,

“Christ is born in Bethlehem.”

(Charles Wesley, Sing His Praise)

Christmas time is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus! It always seem like Christ being born brings excitement to everyone especially with the angels who had announced the birth of Jesus Christ to the lowly shepherds who were tending to their sheep.

The shepherds came to see Mary, Joseph and the baby lying in a manager. The shepherd were so excited that they shared what they had seen the angels appeared to them from the heavenly host singing to them of Christ’s birth. "But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19). Mary was amazed and cherished the thought of what God has done by sending the heavenly host of angels to the lowly shepherds. 

So like Mary, let us also cherished this wonderful story of Christ's birth into our hearts. And we wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Tony and Dorothy 

A Cheerful Heart 12/21-23/19

21-23 Dec. 2019 - Cheerful Heart – Manna by Dorothy & Tony Callies

Proverbs 15:15b “. . . the cheerful heart has a continual feast.” NIV

Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart does good, like medicine . . .” NKJV

What’s the difference between cheerful and merry heart? Really almost no difference except that merry has good sense of humor comes from disposition of a mind while being cheerful is more like a good spirits. I was just pondering those meanings.

Merry= full of good humor and good spirits like Merry Christmas!

Cheerful= full of good spirits 2. Pleasantly bright like “a sunny cheerful room”

You might ask what start all this? Well, while I was at the desk, I noticed my different translation Bibles were piled up.  So I reorganized the piles and noticed the Character devotional book was hidden at the bottom. I just felt like to open the Character Devotional book on page 98 and read the above verse of NIV, the cheerful heart . . .

Then it asked questions: What is your attitude today? Are you fearful, angry, bored, or worried? Perplexed (confused)? Frown? (Some places, I summarized to my language instead) To me it was a strange question to ask myself, what is my attitude today? In another words, what am I like? Huh?  Then it says: “If so, God wants to have a little talk with you.”

I thought, “oh, oh. God wants to talk to me through this devotion.” I read on to what it says: “God created you in His own image and He wants you to experience joy, contentment, peace and abundance. God has given you free will, including the ability to influence the direction and the tone of your thoughts.”

I was thinking of Tony and what his attitude was. He often has a sense of humor and laughed a lot.” I have seen him teased the interpreters and they laughed with Tony and his face just glow with joy. Tony has a “cheerful disposition.” I am a serious person.

Then I read on to what it says, “Here’s how God wants you to direct those thoughts.”  Philippians 4:8 in NIV. “Finally, my brothers and sisters, whatever is true . . . noble . . . right . . . pure . . . lovely . . . admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Charles Kingsley quotes, “The people I have seen succeed best in life have always been cheerful and hopeful people who went about their business with a smile on their faces.”

Lord, I thank You for showing me this devotion and that You have spoken to my heart. Now I am asking You, Father for help to turn my thoughts to those verse, Philippians 4:8 and to experience four things: Joy, contentment, peace and abundance. Help me to share my faith and my hope with others through Manna. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen!

May the Lord richly bless you!

Dorothy

Step By Step 12/16-20/19

16-20 Dec. 2019 - Step by Step – Bread Box from May 2015 by Dorothy & Tony Callies

Psalm 37:23 KJV, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” NLT: “The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every details of their lives.”

The word, step means a rest for the foot in going up and down like a stair. 2: a movement made by raising the foot and bringing it down elsewhere 3: a way of walking.

The person in whom God delights is one who follows God, trust Him, and tries to do His will. God watches over and makes firm every step that person takes. The word, delighted means highly pleased; to take great pleasure; to give joy or satisfaction to; please greatly. Can you imagine that God is very happy to work with us?  Yes, very happy!

1 Samuel 2:9 NLT, “He will protects his godly ones, but the wicked will perish in darkness. No one will succeed by strength alone.”

Psalm 40:2-3 NLT, “He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. 3) He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done and be astounded. They will put their trust in the Lord.”

Psalm 147:11 NLT, “Rather, the Lord’s delight is in those who honor Him, those who put their hope in His unfailing love.”

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You so much for Your words tells us that You delights in every details of our lives. Even when we have problems You taught us to keep our eyes on You. You taught us to trust Your promise that You will do the work inside of us, something we don’t see that needs to be changed to receive the fruits of the Spirit. Thank You that you are with us every step of the way. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Song: Step by Step

Step by step I’ll follow Jesus,

Hour by hour I’m in His care,

Day by Day He walks beside me,

Thru the year I’ll know He’s there.
He can still the mighty tempest (storm),

He can calm the troubled sea,

He the waters trod (walk),

He’s the Son of God,

He’s the One who always walks with me.

(Percy Crawford, Let’s Sing)

Dec. 13, 2019 Dorothy: My testimony: “Many will see what He has done and be astounded. They will put their trust in the Lord.”  Be astounded means to be fill with puzzled wonder, something extraordinary and surprised. Something we never dream how God has planned details of our lives. Step by step is a daily details of our lives.

May the Lord bless you so much!

Dorothy

God's Wisdom 12/11-15/19

11-15 December 2019 - God’s Wisdom – Manna by Dorothy & Tony Callies

Theme: World’s Wisdom vs God’s wisdom.

“… the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men” 1 Cor. 1:25 KJV.

“This ‘foolish’ plan of God is far wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is far stronger than the greatest of human strength” 1 Cor. 1:25 NLT.  “Even the foolishness’ of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength” 1 Cor. 1:25 NCV.

I would like to share the commentary from the Bible on “the wisdom of this world” in my own words. “The wisdom of this world is a wisdom that leaves God out. The world emphasizes human self-sufficiency … means to meet one’s need. It’s like “I can do it by myself. I don’t need God. I get help from other sources. I get help from someone else, but not from God. ”  

The wisdom of this world makes man the highest authority … meaning, they have the power to do whatever they want or need to do.  The wisdom of this world refuses to recognize God’s revelation in Jesus Christ.  This wisdom God calls foolishness (1 Cor. 3:19-20). Humans (people of the world) have failed to find the truth or come to know their Creator (v.21). They don’t want to admit that there is a Creator of Universe.

Paul emphasizes that God’s standards and values are different from those accepted by the wisdom of this world. God is working on overthrowing their false standards and their own wisdom. God will bring an end of all the human’s self-sufficiency, human’s own way and philosophies (man’s idea), and all other worldly systems.

Now we have Christ Jesus … (1:30).  It is through Christ, in Christ, and with Christ that we, the believer receives wisdom from God and experiences righteousness, sanctification and redemption. (Ref: Rom. 4; 2 Thes. 2:13-15; Rom. 3:24; Eph. 4:30) End of commentary.

Dorothy: My point in this Manna was “to understand why God has chosen the foolishness” that He considered “wiser” better than man’s wisdom of this world. God said from Isaiah 55:9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” KJV

Prayer: Yes, Heavenly Father, your ways are higher. Teach us to trust You with all our hearts and believe in Your marvelous plans. Thank You for Your grace and kindness towards us through Jesus Christ, our Lord, amen!

Song: Jesus Is the One

Jesus is the One,

Yes, He’s the only One,

Let Him have His way

   until the day is done;

When He speaks, you know –

Dark clouds will have to go

Just because He loves you so.

(Inspiring Choruses)

Dorothy

God Has Chosen 12/6-10/19

06-10 December 2019 - God Has Chosen – Manna by Dorothy & Tony Callies

1 Corinthians 1:27-28 Paraphrases: “God has chosen foolish things . . . God has chosen weak things . . . God has chosen base things . . .” Why? “So that no one may boast before Him” (1 Cor. 1:29).

Let’s read KJV: “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound (confuse) the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound (confuse) the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, has God chosen? Yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought (nothing) things that are” (1 Cor. 1:27-28). In another words, God made something out of nothing. What seems worthless, God made it valuable.

Paul talked about the people of the world who could not accept Christ because they thought that to have Jesus died on the cross was a foolish thing to do. And because the cross was for criminal and Jesus was innocent.  The people of the world thought that was a weak thing for Christ to surrender to the soldiers and allow them to beat Him up. Also to have Jesus Christ being whipped was the despised thing to do.  The base thing is like the lowest and nothing valuable what Christ has to go through. 

Three things to notice what God has chosen:  The foolish things; weak things and base things.  Again, why? NLT quoted: “so that no one can ever boast in the presence of God.” Let us read from NLT 1 Corinthians 1:27-28. God gave the answers to the people of the world why He has chosen three things.

“. . . God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise.  And He chose those who are powerless (weak) to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised (base, no value) by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.” Why? “So that no one may boast before Him” (1 Cor. 1:29).

Then comes the answer from Paul: “God alone made it possible for you to be in Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made Christ to be wisdom itself.  He is the one who made us acceptable to God. He made us pure and holy, and He gave Himself to purchase our freedom. As the Scriptures says, ‘The person who wishes to boast should boast only of what the Lord has done.’ (1 Corinthians 1:30-31 NLT).

Dorothy: What I am trying to say, all those Scriptures made me realized who God is. We have the wisdom of God . . . God has chosen . . . made me realized what we have gone through seemly foolish, weak things and making no sense at all.  Here is what we need to do. TRUST GOD for His wisdom in all things. Often we say, “It made no sense what I am going through!” Again, TRUST GOD for His wisdom in all things. I felt encouraged by the Holy Spirit when I say, “TRUST GOD for His wisdom in all things.”

May the Holy Spirit encouraged us to TRUST GOD,

Dorothy 

Song: How Great is Our God!

How great is our God …

How great is His name …

He is the greatest One …

Forever the same …

He rolled back the wa-ter …

Of the mighty Red Sea!

And He said, “I’ll lead you …

Put your trust in Me”…

(Inspiring Choruses)

God Gives Life 12/1-5/19

01-05 December 2019 – God Gives Life – Manna by Dorothy & Tony Callies

Romans 4:17b “. . . the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were” (NIV).  It means you believe something is there by faith although you have not seen the answer to prayer yet.

Story: “William Carey was a sickly boy, born to a humble family near Northampton, England.  His future didn’t look too bright.  But God had plans for him.  Against all odds, he moved to India, where he brought incredible social reforms and translated the Bible into several Indian languages.  He loved God, and accomplished many things for God.”  (Quote from Our Daily Bread)

This story reminds me of a history on William Carey.  It was a story that was not very pleasant to read especially his family.  His personal life had some terrible crisis, yet he kept at his ministry until it was time for him to go home to heaven. He lived that long in spite of being a sickly boy to begin with. God raised a sickly boy to life!

What he had accomplished was the most amazing story I have ever read.  You could google his story and learn something from it.  In India, they have a statue of William Carey in memory of his great work.   

Why this story does inspired me?  Sometimes I am puzzled at what God was doing with our lives. Sometimes it felt like we are in the wilderness season … and yet I heard one lady testified from TBN saying that the best experience a person could ever have is “to go through the wilderness experience.” It is a character building experience.

I stopped to think. Oh yes, God is there with us whether or not if we feel anything. If we don’t feel anything . . . that is a wilderness of “nothingness” or “empty feeling.”  It is a birth of “our faith” God allows us to go through.  Just like He was with Israel through 40 years of wilderness, His pillar of fire and clouds coverings had shown that His presence was always there. Even today we don’t see them, but this story assured us that GOD IS HERE!  Just as He was with William Carey, God is here with us . . .

Just a thought! “God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.”  Feeling dead? He promised to give life to your dead feelings!  You are to call them that “my feeling give life and inspiring” even though “I feel nothing.” Do you get it?  Feel nothing? Good! Then act in faith as if you had a wonderful feeling with God’s presence.  Know something?  God will do exactly that!!! I remember our favorite song!

Song: How Great is Our God!

How great is our God …

How great is His name …

He is the greatest One …

Forever the same …

He rolled back the wa-ter …

Of the mighty Red Sea!

And He said, “I’ll lead you …

Put your trust in Me”…

(Inspiring Choruses) 

Dorothy