Hope 25 Job's Hope 11/28-30/20

28-30 November 2020 - Hope Series 25 – Manna by Dot & Tony Callies
Theme: Job's Hope in God

Job 38:1 - The Lord answered Job from the whirlwind, "Who is this that questions My wisdom with such ignorant words."

Here are the few things I notice of how God deals with the situation with Job. This shows me that God was aware of all kind of conversations between Job and his four friends. It was when Job and his four friends were finally at silence for the lost of words at the end of chapter 37. Then "BOOM" . . .  God entered the scene with a grand opening with His appearance of whirlwind to Job. Whoa! That must be something! We would love this, won't we? The Lord answered Job from the whirlwind, "Who is this that questions My wisdom with such ignorant words" (Job 38:1).

Surprisingly, God didn't answer any of Job's questions; Job's questions were not at the heart of issue. Instead, God used Job's ignorance (lack of knowledge, education, and awareness) of the earth's natural order to reveal Job's lack of education on God's creation in natural order. If Job did not understand the workings of God's amazing creation, how could Job possibly understand what God had in mind and His character on what God is?

So God asked Job questions. "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? (38:4). Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? (39:1a). Take a look at the mighty hippopotamus. I made it, just like I MADE YOU (39:15).  God asked Job several questions about the animal kingdom in order to demonstrate how limited Job's knowledge really was. God was not seeking answers from Job. Instead, He was getting Job to recognize and submit to God's power and sovereignty (His Supreme Rule). Only then could Job hears what God has to say to Job. .

Then the Lord said to Job, "Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You (Job) are God's critic, but do you have the answers?" (40:1-2). We could reply with Job to the Lord and say, "I am nothing--how could I ever find the answers? I will put my hand over my mouth in silence. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say." (40:3-5 QVLAB)

Then Job replied to the Lord. "I know that You can do anything, and no one can stop You. You ask, 'Who is this that questions My wisdom with such ignorance?' It is I. And I was talking about things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me. I have heard about You before, but now I have seen You with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance" (Job 42:1-3, 5-6 QVLAB).

Job humbled himself to the Lord and because Job trusted God, God rewarded Job. Job lived to be 140 years.  After that, Job lived to see four generations of his children and grandchildren. He died an old man who had lived a long good life (Job 42:16-17).

You will be rewarded when you keep your HOPE in God and keep trusting Him! He loves you that much!

 Dorothy 

 

Hope 24 Job's Patience 11/25-27/20

25-27 Nov. 2020 – Hope Series 24 – Manna by Dot & Tony Callies
Theme: Job's Patience
James 5:8 "You, too, must be patient. DO NOT GIVE UP HOPE because the Lord is coming soon."

In the New Testament, James introduced Job as an example of encouragement. James 5:11a "You have heard about Job’s patience, and you know the Lord’s purpose for him in the end. You know the Lord is full of mercy and is kind" (NCV).  James 5:8 “You, too, must be patient. DO NOT GIVE UP HOPE because the Lord is coming soon."

When Job was in grief, he wanted to give up, to be freed from his discomfort, and to die. Do you ever felt like that? Know something? God did not grant Job's request. Maybe that’s why God did not always grant our wishes. God had a greater plan for Job so God has a plan for you as well.  Job trusted God when things were easy and he had everything. But when difficult times came, Job was tested and often beyond his limits.

So I would like to share a few things I noticed of how God dealt the situations with Job. Job’s friends tried to figure out "why Job was suffering." After many days of speeches from his four friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar, and Elihu to Job, they had came to the end when they could not find the "word of wisdom" to comfort Job's suffering. Job was miserable and despair and he began to lose hope. Sometimes we might felt like Job and questioned, "Does God care when I am suffering?" Surprisingly, the Bible will tell us that. (The next Manna on Hope 25 will lead to deeper subject).

Suddenly, the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind, "Who is this that questions My wisdom with such ignorant words" (Job 38:1).  Out of a whirlwind, God spoke! He cares! Oh yes He cares! There's a song called, "Does Jesus Care?"

 Chorus: Does Jesus Care?
O yes, He cares; I know He cares;
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary,
the long night dreary,
I know my Savior cares. . . .
(Lyrics: Frank E. Graeff)

Yes, God is a caring God. Believe this!

Dorothy

Hope 23 Lively Hope 11/22-24/20

22-24 Nov. 2020 - Hope Series 23 – Manna from Nov. 23 2013
By Dorothy & Tony Callies
Theme: Lively & Living Hope

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a LIVELY HOPE by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you." 1 Peter 1:3-4 KJV

Tony and I were reading Billy Graham's book, "Nearing Home," and he wrote about the closing part on "Don't live without hope." There is a short story about a young man who wrote to Billy that he believed that once you are dead, that's it. Life after death is just a myth.

Billy's reply came from his heart. "Your letter deeply saddened me," he wrote, "because it means you are living without hope--hope for this life, and hope for the life to come. Have you honestly faced how empty and meaningless this will make your life?" Then Billy urged the young man to turn to Jesus Christ and put his life into His hands, for He alone can give us hope for the future. What would our lives be like without any hope of life beyond the grave? (Note from page 167, Nearing Home by Billy Graham)

it is good to repeat the scriptures and read it again, the "living hope" from NCV: 1 Peter 1:3-4: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In God’s great mercy he has caused us to be born again into a LIVING HOPE, because Jesus Christ rose from the dead. 4Now we hope for the blessings God has for his children. These blessings, which cannot be destroyed or be spoiled or lose their beauty, are kept in heaven for you."

It reminds me of the words in song: "My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand; All other ground is sinking sand." It is written by Edward Mote from Sing His Praise, "The Solid Rock."

May the Lord bless our lively hope because Jesus Christ rose from the dead!
Dorothy

Hope 22 Hope Glory 11/19-21/20

19-21 Nov. 2020 – Hope Series 22 by Dorothy & Tony Callies

Theme: Hope of Glory and Songs from Nov. 2012

Colossians 1:27 ". . . Christ in you, the HOPE of glory."

            Christ's living in me is my HOPE and my assurance of future glory and eternal life. It is only through His indwelling (living in my heart) and my continual close communion with Him can remove my doubts about my home in heaven. To have Jesus in my heart is to have life in Him. That is my hope of glory, hope of my heavenly home. I like the songs that give me "hope of glory, my heavenly home" with Christ.

Song: I Feel Like Traveling On
1. My heavenly home is bright and fair,
I feel like traveling on.
Nor pain, nor death can enter there,
I feel like traveling on.
Chorus: Yes, I feel like traveling on,
I feel like traveling on;
My heavenly home is bright and fair,
I feel like traveling on.

2. The Lord has been so good to me,
I feel like traveling on.
Until that blessed home I see,
I feel like traveling on.
Chorus: Yes, I feel like traveling on,
I feel like traveling on;
My heavenly home is bright and fair,
I feel like traveling on.
(Lyrics: William Hunter, Sing His Praise)

I remember Johnny Berry, Rev. Bea Berry's husband who loves to sing that song, "I Feel Like Traveling On" during my time in 1960's in the former Calvary Deaf Church in Riverside, California (the deaf church moved in different town where Rev. Tom and Joyce Mathers are now the pastors. They build a new deaf church.)

May the Lord bring hope of glory in your heart today!

Dorothy

 

 

Hope 21 Not Moved 11/16-18/20

16-18 November 2020 - Hope Series 21 - Manna by Dorothy & Tony Callies  

Theme: Moved Not Away from Hope. 

             Colossians 1:23 " . . . be not moved away from the HOPE of the gospel . . . "

             The second topic that impressed me was, "be not moved away from the hope of the gospel." Colossians 1:23 "If ye continued in the faith grounded and settled, and not be moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I, Paul am made a minister."

            What would that be which might cause us to "be moved away from the hope of the gospel?" What was Paul, the Epistle writer, talked about? Let's search the scriptures.
            There are two words, grounded and settled. Paul used those words that our faith can be grounded and settled with the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And that our faith would not be shaken so easily when someone comes to us with the different kind of teachings. It is important to "be grounded and settled" with the "doctrines of Jesus Christ."  Jesus said, “I am the truth.” Jesus is telling the truth.
            "... He (you) that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he (you) have both the Father and the Son" (2 John 1:9b).  Where do we find the doctrines or the teachings of Jesus Christ? The four books of the gospel are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. And the book of Acts which was the evidence of the gospel.
            For example: Someone comes to you and say, "There is another kind of gospel …” which has a different kind of teaching that are not from Christ’s.

            What would you do? I would search the scriptures like Galatians 1:7-12. These verses explained that the Bible clearly affirms (support) that there is only one gospel, "the gospel of Christ".  It has to come through "the revelation of Jesus Christ" and "the inspiration of the Holy Spirit". 2 Peter 1:21 said, “… they were moved by Holy Ghost.” 

            Also John, the Beloved said, "Whosoever transgresseth, (broke the law & sin) and abideth (live) not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God" 2John 1:9a.  From NLT, “For if you wander beyond the teaching of Christ, you will not have fellowship with God.”
            When you know there's only one way to heaven is through Jesus Christ. Then let us not be moved away from our hope of the gospel which is our Savior and Redeemer! Without Him, we would be lost like a ship without a sail!

So let us be true to our Lord Jesus Christ!
Dorothy

 Song: Without Him

1. Without Him I could do nothing,

Without Him I’d surely fail;

Without Him I would be drifting

Like a ship without a sail.

Chorus:

Je-sus, O Je-sus!

Do you know Him today?

Do not turn Him away,

Oh, Je-sus, Oh, Je-sus!

Without Him, how lost I would be.

(Mylon R. LeFevre, Sing His Praise)

Hope 20 Gospel 11/13-15/20

13-15 Nov. 2020 - Hope Series 20
Theme: Hope of Gospel

"… be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard …" (Col; 1:23)

Do you remember when you first heard the gospel of Jesus  Christ? What did you used to believe before? For me, I used to believe that I, automatically, was a Christian when I went with my family to church while I was growing up being deaf/hard of hearing, depending on gesture and lip-reading. The theme, "the gospel of Jesus Christ" did not have any impact on me. I wore hearing aid, but the words were not always clear to my concept of understanding through lip-reading. I didn't learn sign language then.

I went to California School for Deaf at Riverside in January 1956 and there I learned sign language at the age of 13. On the weekend of Labor Day in September 1956 I went to Deaf Family Camp at Pinecrest, California. There was a lady evangelist, Sister Essie, who preached in sign language, came to me in person, "Have you asked Jesus to come into your heart"? I respond that I go to "church" and I thought I was a “Christian.”

 She asked me same question three times until I realized that I had not asked Jesus to come into my heart. Then Sister Essie said, “You better get on your knee, and ask Jesus to come into your heart.” So there on my knee, I invited Jesus to come into my heart. My life changed and He called me to preach to the Deaf when I was 13. After water baptism, I felt more new life inside of me. This was like a resurrection experience. This open my understanding about "the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ”

So the question is, "Have you truly invite Jesus to come into your heart?" Revelation 3:20 Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock . . ." Where would Jesus knocked? At your heart’s door! So when you open your heart to Jesus, you would say, "Come into my heart!" Jesus said, "I will come in . . ." and He will fellowship with you.

This is our hope of the gospel when we first heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and invited Him into our life. This is my favorite song, "Come into My Heart." It is a refreshing experience when I sing this. I would sense Jesus’ Presence even more.

Song: Into My Heart
Into my heart, into my heart
Come into my heart Lord Jesus;
Come in today, come in to stay.
Come into my heart Lord Jesus.
(Inspiring Choruses)

So let's invite Him today!

Dorothy
PS. If someone say: Well, Jesus already lives in my heart. Yes, that is true! This is just a simple reminder of how we have asked Jesus into our hearts. I just love to do this because this inspired me again and again just to feel closer to Him. And just so I don't lose out with Him when we might easily forget. Like Communion, Jesus said, "Do this often to remember Me." Communion refreshed our memory of why Jesus died on the cross.

Hope 19 Lost Hope? 11/10-12/20

10-12 Nov. 2020 – Hope Series 19 – Manna by Callies

Theme: Cursed Those who Lost Hope in God.

Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose HOPE the Lord is” (NKJV).  “But the person who trusts in the Lord will be blessed. The Lord will show him that He (God) can be trusted” (NCV).

What would happen if a person decided not to put his or her hope in God? Sometimes there might be questions: "Is it worth to keep our hope in God? What if I decided that it would be easier just to give it up?" Give up hope? Huh? Surprise that God has something to say to us about those who give up hope!

"This is what The Lord says: Cursed are those who put their trust in mere (only) humans and turn their hearts away from the Lord. They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, WITH NO HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. They will live in the barren wilderness on the salty flats where no one lives." Jeremiah 17:5-6 NLT.

What would we as a person be like when we keep on trusting the Lord and keep our hope in God?

"But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They shall be like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they go right on producing delicious fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8 NLT.

This should encourage us that we did the right thing to keep on trusting the Lord and our hope is in God who promised to meet our needs.

So let us keep trusting the Lord!
Dorothy

Prayer Song: Keep Me True
Keep me true, Lord Jesus, keep me true;
Keep me true, Lord Jesus, keep me true;
There's a race that I must run,
There are victories to be won.
Give me power, every hour, to be true.
(Inspiring Choruses)

Hope 18 Hope Salvation 11/7-9/20

07-09 Nov 2020 Hope Series 18 – Manna by Callies
Theme: Hope of Salvation

Ephesians 6:17 "And take the helmet of salvation . . ."  

1 Thessalonians. 5:8 “which is “the hope of salvation.”

Are you struggling with problems within yourself? What are you thinking of? Sometimes our minds are open to any thought that comes our ways unexpectedly.  Even if you may wonder, "Where did those thoughts came from?"

Paul, the Epistle writer, knows this so well which he advised us to take the helmet of salvation. The word salvation means, saving a person from danger or evil or even sins. Saving us from whom? Our fight are against the devil's tricks (Eph. 6:11). How do we do something about it?  

If you know the powerful word, TAKE. It means to lay hold of. It is like 'grasp' such as 'take my hand'. Another meaning for TAKE is to capture every thought and put it under the helmet of saving us from downfall with wrong thoughts.

So Holy Spirit is encouraging us to TAKE "the helmet of salvation”, which is “the hope of salvation” (1 Thess. 5:8). When we struggle with our thoughts, we have the power to speak God's word, "I put on the helmet which is the hope of salvation for me." It feels good to know that God's Word is there for us.

So praise the Lord, we have helmet of hope!

Dorothy