Steward of Grace 4/27-30/20

27-30 April 2020 - A Steward of Grace – Manna by Dorothy & Tony Callies

From Fresh Manna From Heaven Blog on February 28, 2013.

I Peter 4:10 "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (KJV). 

I thought it would be good to know the meaning of the word, steward. 1: a manager of a large home, estate, or organization. 2: a person employed to manage the supply and distribution of food and attend the needs of passengers [as on a train, airplane, or ship]   3: “keeper of the hall, keeper of the sty, ward, guard, and keeper.” The word manifold could mean “great variety.”

From the New Living Translation, “God has given gifts to each of you from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God’s generosity can flow through you.” Peter went on with examples from verses 11, “Are you called to be a speaker? Then speak as though God Himself were speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory in everything through Jesus Christ. All glory and power belong to Him forever and ever. Amen”

Everyone has some gifts that God has given us and God wants to bless the gifts you have. How is God glorified when we use our gifts and abilities? When we use them as He leads, to help others, they will see Jesus in us and glorify Him for the help they received. Peter may have been thinking of Jesus’ words, “Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:16).

Song: To Be Used of God

To be used of God, to sing, to speak, to pray;

To be used of God to show someone the way.

I long so much to feel the touch of His consuming fire;

To be used of God is my desire.

(Audrey Mieir, Sing His Praise)

Song: To Be Like Jesus

To be like Jesus, to be like Jesus

All I ask to be like Him,

All thru life’s journey from earth to glory,

All I ask to be like Him

(Inspiring Choruses)

Dorothy

PS. As of April 27, 2020 what this Steward of Grace means in my own words: “Manage the gifts well so God’s generosity (kindness) can flow through you.” That is when I see the Face Book that was shared by workers who put God’s Words with demonstration into post for us to read or see video. 

In the year of 2013 and 2020, seven years later, I see a new technology of finding your friends to share with. “Every person has received the gift from God, to serve one to another as a good steward (worker) of God’s grace” (Peter 4:10). May God bless you as you reach out to others!!! 

Glad Heart 4/23-26/20

23-26 April 2020 – Glad Heart – Manna by Dorothy & Tony Callies

Up in the morning I woke up with a song, but I interpret in sign language to “Oh tell (announce), me glad.” First English then second ASL song. It felt like the Holy Spirit encouraged me to have a glad heart through singing this song. I remember this song when I was a teenager and my mom would play the piano. 

At that time, I wore hearing aid and could carry the tune pretty good.  My three hearing brother who could not “sing” didn’t believe a deaf sister could carry the tune. Three brothers  showed up when my mother started to play the piano.  They listened to my singing and were shocked.  “Our deaf sister could sing? And we can’t sing a tune? How?” I don’t know but that’s the only one time song I could do that. If someone asked me if I could do that now. My answer is no because as I got older I became completely deaf and cannot hear the music at all. 

I still have the music in my spirit because of so many memories while growing up so Holy Spirit knew to bring up the song He choose to remind me to sing to Him. It often happened during the night while I was asleep.  It’s an awesome experience that Holy Spirit is still active and keeping us in tune with God.

Song: Oh, Say, But I’m Glad

1. There is a song in my heart today,

Something I never had;

Jesus has taken my sins away;

Oh say, but I’m glad!

Chorus:

Oh say, but I’m glad, I’m glad;

Oh say, but I’m glad!

Jesus has come

   and my cup over-run;

Oh say, but I’m glad!

2. Wonderful, marvelous love He brings

Into a heart that’s sad;

Thro’ darkest tunnels the soul just sings,

Oh say, but I’m glad!

(Next Chorus)

(James P. Sullivan, Sing His Praise)

ASL chorus: Oh say= O tell (announced)

O , , tell, me glad, me glad . .

O . . tell, me glad . . .!

Jesus finished come

   and my heart fully flow;

O . . tell, me glad . . . !

[Only intend in ASL)

What was the reason to be glad? Another song gives an answer:

Song: “Twas a Glad Day When Jesus Found Me.”

‘Twas (It was) a glad day when Jesus found me;

When His strong arms were thrown around me,

When my sins He buried in the deepest sea,

And my soul He filled with joy and victory,

‘Twas a glad day, O hallelujah!

‘Twas a glad day He claimed His own;

I will shout a glad hosanna in glory

When I see Him upon His throne.

(Albert Simpson Reitz, Sing His Praise)

Oh, may the Lord bless you today!

Dorothy

Altogether Lovely 4/19-22/20

19-22 April 2020 = Altogether Lovely – Manna revised from July 21 & 22, 2011

 by Dorothy & Tony Callies

Song of Solomon 5:16
"His mouth is most sweet: yea, HE IS ALTOGETHER LOVELY.

This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend ..."

He is altogether lovely means everything about Jesus is precious, desirable, and delightful. Song of Solomon gives the type of Christ's relationship between the future bride, the Church and Himself as the groom. The song, Jesus is altogether lovely and the words help to express our love devotion to Him. You could make it personal to Him. See below …

Thank you Paula Hardy of Canada who send this from July 2011.  

Song: Jesus is Altogether Lovely!
Altogether lovely,
He is altogether lovely,
And the fairest of ten thousand,
This wonderful Friend divine;
He gave Himself to save me,
Now He lives in heaven to keep me,
He is altogether lovely,
Is this wonderful Savior of mine.
(Author: Tim Hughes)

If you are in pain, sing. If you are going through darkest time, praise. For praise open the gate of heaven and God dwells in the heart of praise. Do not forget this. When you praise Him, your praise silent the enemy. When you praise Him, your inner spirit rises to Jesus who is altogether lovely. Only Jesus can heal you and bless you richly.

Personal song to Jesus:
Altogether lovely,
You are altogether lovely,
You’re fairest of ten thousand,
You are wonderful Friend divine;
You gave Yourself to save me,
Now You lives in heaven to keep me,
You are altogether lovely,
You are wonderful Savior of mine.
(For devotion only)

May God bless you richly!

Dorothy

If My People's Hearts 4/16-18/20

16-18 April 2020 - If My People's Hearts – Manna by Dorothy & Tony Callies

On April 13, 2020 Monday during the night in my sleep I pondered over the TV news that the people are feeling despaired, a feeling of hopelessness, and if there are any hope to diminish (make less) the corona-virus all over the world. The question asked: will it ever end? While thinking those incident, immediately I received the song as if God was singing to me, if My people hearts are humbled, if they pray and seek My face …

Immediately, I got up from bed and began to search the song for more words to type them. My heart was touched when I saw the verse that went with the song.  Now the question is: Do we have hope for our nation if we turn to God . . . for help?  I leave this thought for us to pray, and seek His face . . . for our nation.

II Chronicles 7:14 “If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face,  and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Song: If My People’s Hearts are Humbled

1. If My people’s hearts are humbled,

If they pray and seek My face,

If they turn away from evil,

I will not with-hold My grace.

I will hear their prayers from heaven;

I will pardon every sin.

If My people’s hearts are humbled,

I will surely heal their land.

2. Then My eyes will see their sorrow,

Then My ears will hear their plea;

If My people’s hearts are humbled

I will set their nation free.

If My peoples’ hearts are humbled,

If they pray and seek My face;

If they turn away from evil,

I will not with-hold My grace.

(Not find name of writer yet)

May we pray and seek His face,

Dorothy

Prayer: Oh, Lord God of heaven, forgive us our sins of the nation what we have done. Help us to turn to You and plea our case. I pray that our nation will turn away from our wrong doings whatever it is that does not pleased You.  Like Daniel who prayed for his people and confess their sins of disobedient to You. When 70 years of their captivity were up and You cause Your people to return to their homeland to Jerusalem from Babylon. You blessed them when they pray and seek Your face and they turn to You according to Ezra who read Your Word. May our nation do the same and believe in Your Word of promise as we obey Your Word.  Thank You for hearing our prayers and we ask for Your wisdom how we could resolve the things around us. In Jesus’ name I pray . . .

Christ Arose 4/12-15/20

12-15 April 2020 - Christ Arose – Manna by Dorothy & Tony Callies

Song: Christ Arose

Low in the grave He lay,

Jesus my Savior!

Waiting the coming day,

Jesus, my Lord!

Chorus:

Up from the grave He arose,

With a mighty triumph over His foe;

He arose a victor from the dark domain,

And He lives forever with His saints to reign;

He a-rose! . . . He a-rose! . . .

Hallelujah! Christ a-rose! . . .

[Robert Lowry, Sing His Praise]

The Grave Opened
Matthew 27:51-53 “Then the curtain in the Temple was torn into two pieces, from the top to the bottom. Also, the earth shook and rocks broke apart. The graves opened, and many of God's people who had died were raised from the dead. They came out of the graves after Jesus was raised from the dead and went into holy city, where they appeared to many people” (NCV).

Paul brought the Good News to the Christians at Corinth, an ancient city of Greece. He passed on the Good News about Christ died for our sins, as the Scriptures says; that he was buried, and was raised to life on the third day. Christ was seen by Peter, twelve apostles, 500 believers at the same time, James and finally Paul in vision (1 Cor. 15:1-11).

What was the most powerful witness of Jesus' resurrection? I choose Matthew 27:53. Why? Because God's people came out of the graves after Jesus arose and they met many people in Jerusalem, the holy city. I could imagine the great excitement of those who came out of the graves and greet the people who knew them. It might have been a big shock when families and old friends have seen them “alive after being dead in the grave.”

Let us rejoice that our Lord has risen!

Dorothy

PS. (Manna March 28-31, 2013)

April 11, 2020, Saturday night.
He is Risen and Happy Easter!
I could not sleep around 10 p.m. and suddenly a song came to me, starting with the words I know by heart.  "Low in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior" and I went on through the song and Manna. I found them and share them with you. May the Lord richly bless you! Dot

Near the Cross 4/5-11/20

05-11 April 2020 - Near the Cross – Manna by Dorothy & Tony Callies

Matthew 27:32 “As the soldiers were going out of the city with Jesus, they forced a man from Cyrene, named Simon, to carry the cross for Jesus” (NCV).

Dorothy: Two 0r three weeks ago when I got up early morning, the song came to me, Near the Cross. I was so touched because it had been awhile since I remember this song.  I looked up the song and decided to type some of the song because it impressed me so deeply. It seems like Holy Spirit was preparing me to keep my eyes on the cross.

Also I realized it is the week of Jesus’ crucifixion.  The soldiers choose Simon to help carry the cross for Jesus because He was getting weaker and lost a lot of blood.  It was really impossible for Him to walk up to Calvary, but Holy Spirit gave Him the power to complete the work of Salvation on the cross.

As I meditate on Simon, a man who came from Cyrene to attend the annual Passover event, may have been surprised at what was happenings to Jesus.  I believed that much later, Simon might have realized who Jesus really was and felt the privilege of carried the cross for Jesus. It’s a beautiful picture of Simon willingly carried the cross for Jesus.

This reminds me of what Jesus said, “Take up (your) cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). I pray that God, our heavenly Father gives us peace to “bear the cross” of restriction of what was happening to all of us. I pray that God gives us grace to endure day by day. I pray that the song, Near the Cross will keep us close to Jesus. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Song:  Near the Cross

1. Jesus keeps me near the cross,

There a precious fountain,

Free to all a healing stream,

Flows from Calvary’s mountain.

Chorus:

In the cross, in the cross,

Be my glory ever;

Till my raptured soul shall find

Rest beyond the river.

2. Near the cross a trembling soul,

Love and mercy found me;

There the bright and Morning Star

Sheds its beams around me.

3. Near the cross! O Lamb of God,

Bring its scenes before me;

Help me walk from day to day

With its shadows o’er (over) me.

 (Fanny Jane Crosby, Sing His Praise)

May God bless you!

Dorothy

I Will Bless God 4/1/1-4

01-04 April 2020 - I Will Bless Thee – Manna by Dorothy & Tony Callies

Psalm 67:1-7 “God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us. That Your way be known on earth.  Your salvation among all nations.  Let the people praise You, O God; let all the people praise You.  Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy!  For You shall judge the people righteously, and govern the nations on earth.  Let the people praise You, O God; let the people praise You.  Then the earth shall yield her increase; God, our own God, shall bless us.  God shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall far Him” (NKJV).

 Reading devotion, Our Daily Bread on April 28, 2020 inspired me to realize that there are others who set their specific time to thank Christ for His sacrifice on the cross and to pray for others. I thank God for them and for you. I can only do short Manna for time being. I want to thank Marilyn Vickers for sending me this song and I really enjoy this very much.

Song: I Will Bless Thee

With my hands lifted up,
And my mouth filled with praise,
With a heart of thanksgiving,
I will bless thee oh Lord.

I will bless thee oh Lord,
I will bless thee oh Lord,
With a heart of thanksgiving,
I will bless thee oh Lord.

(Song collection by Marilyn Vickers)

May God bless you!

Dorothy