Stop! (2/13-14)

Song: Stop! And Let Me Tell You
Stop! And let me tell you
What the good Lord's done for me;
Stop! And let me tell you
How the good Lord set me free,
     For He has healed my body & saved my soul,
Baptized me and made me whole;
Stop! And let me tell you
What the good Lord's done for me.

[Author unknown, collection of songs]

Dorothy: I could think of one story of Jesus who was walking with many people around Him. Somebody had touched the border of his garment and He stopped walking. He said, “Who touched Me?” Peter was surprised and said, "What? There are people all around touching You."

Jesus said, "No, this was a special touch because I felt the power went out of Me." The woman came to Jesus and told Him what she did. Jesus was impressed and said to her, "Go in peace because it was your faith that made you whole". She was the one that stopped Jesus from walking and she received her healing. [Ref. Luke 8:43-48]

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for this story of hope. And give us strength not to give up believing in Your Son, Jesus whom we could touch Him by faith. Thank you for giving us strength to be like this woman who was determined to be healed. Holy Spirit, help us to remember God's promises of healing power that belong to us, in Jesus' name. Amen! [Some revision from July 2008 Fresh Manna]

My Testimony: There were a few people who have said to me: “You must have worked very hard on Fresh Manna and spent hours on it!” While I appreciate that, but I say, “STOP! And let me tell you!” God’s Word inspires me. It is God that led me day by day. God has taught me many things. He alone receive this glory.

I enjoy writing Manna little at a time and grow with God’s Word. James 1:5-6 is my favorite verses when I lack wisdom. I ask God for help. He enjoys giving me wisdom. I just let the Manna flows in me because God’s word is alive and working inside of me (Heb. 4:12).

It is like a story of Israelites’ 40 years Wanderings in the wilderness and God send them Fresh Manna six days a week. They just go and gathered the Manna for their food. That is what I do. I just get Manna from what God has already provided, the Bible and various devotions to read from. I live by faith day by day. I pray that Fresh Manna will bless us, refresh us, physically and spiritually in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Afflictions? Try song: Farther Along (2/11-12)

Dorothy: This Manna is a blessing to me because when I sang the song: Farther Along, God did something to my soul as if He was comforting me with His grace. It is awesome!

Psalm 34:19a, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous ..."

The word, affliction mean cause of pain, trouble or distress. Many of the Christians are going through some kind of afflictions. I have one and I often pray, “When will this affliction be passed?” Does God even notice it?

Yes, God does noticed our afflictions. It is not that He doesn't care about our afflictions. Even though God promised blessing and prosperity (success) for those who obeyed His Word yet "a righteous man may have many troubles" (Psalm 34:19 NIV).

Paul as a righteous man, had afflictions and he asked God about it. God had an answer for Paul. God’s grace was what Paul needed at that time. Paul was a very famous Missionary in his days, and many of the Christians looked up to him. Paul talked about God’s blessings and Paul still practiced that teachings even though he didn’t get what he wanted. He learned to trust God! Paul was a perfect example for us to follow him. Trust God!!

I watched Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) and I was surprised to see Johnny Cash and his wife June Carter Cash at Billy Graham Classic Crusade. They gave their testimonies how they went through all kind of problems and they didn’t always understand why. They trusted God to help them through it all. The song, “Farther Along,” was a great blessing to Johnny and June as they sang along together.

Chorus: Farther Along
Farther along we'll know all about it,
Farther along we'll understand why;
Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine,
We'll understand it all by and by.
   (Rev. W. B. Stevens, 1937)

1. Tempted and tried we’re oft made to wonder

Why it should be thus all the day long,

While there are others living about us,

Never ‘been bother though’ in the wrong.

2. When death has come and taken our loved ones,

It leaves our home so lonely and drear;

Then do we wonder why others prosper,

Living so wicked year after year.

3. Faithful till death said our loving Master,

A few more days to labor and wait;

Toils of the road will then seem as nothing,

As we sweep thru the beautiful gate.

4. When we see Jesus coming in glory,

When He comes from His home in the sky;

Then we shall meet Him in that bright mansion,

We’ll understand it all by and by.

[Fresh Manna Dec. 2010 Revised]

Surprise? (2/9-10)

Isaiah 55:8 “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor your ways My ways,” says the Lord.

Sometimes when I asked Tony, “What would you like for supper?” Tony would say, “Surprise me!” I thought, groaned, “Why does he do that?” He sometimes like surprise as it often delights him. He told me story of how his mom would makes Christmas really special for four growing boys every year. The boys would be upstairs excitedly waiting to hear their mom to start to play the piano with a Christmas song. It was a signal that they could come running down fast and excitedly opened their Christmas gifts.

Do you like surprises? We do sometimes. What about God? Does God like surprises? Throughout the Bible we read that God delights in doing the unexpected. Sometimes it’s folding back the waters for His people to cross a sea on dry ground (Ex. 14:21-22). Today, it is still an amazing story to hear one of God’s wonder. The song called, “How Great is Our God,” one line says, “He rolled back the waters of the mighty Red Sea.”

When Jesus was on earth, He did amazing events that pointed people to His Father—He turned water into wine, calmed storms, healed the sick and raised the dead. Taught about forgiving and embracing those who repent of their sin (Ps. 130:1-4). The people in Jesus’ days, were often surprised that God’s ways were different than their ways.

Then what kind of God do we serve? You know, sometimes our mind cannot really imagine what God can really do. Our mind thinks God is limited, but God wants to remind us that God’s thought and His ways are not like ours. He wants to bless us with far more wonderful that we ever thought or dream of. Here Isaiah 55:8-9 in KJV tells us that God said:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

What delights God the most? It is His children who trust Him! Again, I say, God delights in His children who trust Him! So let’s trust God today!

SONG: How Great is Our God

How great is our God,

How great is His Name:

He’s the greatest One,

Forever the same.

He rolled back the waters

Of the mighty Red Sea

And He said, “I’m going to lead you,

Put your trust in Me.” (Inspiring Choruses)

Bird Song (2/7-8)

Psalm 104:12 NIV, “The birds of the air nest by the waters; they sing among the branches.”

Why do birds sing? Birds sing because they have syrinx instead of a larynx. The syrinx is the bird’s voice box, an organ that lies deep in a bird’s chest and is uniquely fashioned for song. It is God’s creation for that birds’ gift to sing the special sound-producing pinch. While human beings have larynx that has vocal cord—called also voice box and our voice is different.

It is difficult to explain to those who among us are Deaf and do not hear the birds sing. But someday, in heaven we, who are born-again believers in Christ, will finally get to hear everything that we missed on the earth especially the birds’ songs. Anyway …

Why do birds sing? Birds sing “because they can and they must,” says David Rothenberg, a professor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. “Songs are used to attract mates and defend territories, but the form is much more than function (to serve a certain purpose). Nature is full of beauty, and of music.”

Again, why do birds sing? Because their Creator put a song in their hearts. Each bird is “heaven’s high and holy muse,” said John Donne, created to draw our hearts up to our Creator. They are reminders that He has given us a song that we may sing His praise. (muse=to ponder).

The birds of the air “sing among the branches,” Israel’s poet observes. “[Therefore] I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being” (Ps. 104:12,33).

Even though we, Deaf people don’t hear God’s little hymn-birds singing their hearts out, we can still “sing in sign language,” our own song of salvation. We can lift our voice—hoarse or harsh, or sign language and join with them in praise to our Creator, Redeemer, and Lord!

Song: Birdies on the treetop sang their song.

Angels sang their chorus all day long.

And every day, God’s mercy are brand new!

So why shouldn’t you, why shouldn’t I praise Him, too?

(Author, unknown)

[Footnote: Some of the writings came from RBC Daily Bread, David Roper from June 2008]

His Name is Higher (2/5-6)

Philippians 2:9-11 KJV, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to glory of God the Father.”

This reminds me I once read about Kenneth Hagin’s book on healing and he explained that all demons of all kinds must bow at the name of Jesus and confess that He is Lord of all. When we pray, we need to acknowledge that all kinds of diseases in our bodies must bow at His name.

Come to think of it! The pain must bow at the name of Jesus and confess that He is Lord over the pain. I commanded that the pain that has been bothering us, to come out of us, the pain is nailed to the cross of Jesus. Why? Because Jesus had “tasted” that terrible pain when he was scourged with whip.

The messianic psalms say, “The plowers plowed my back; they made their furrows long” (Ps. 129:3) and “I can count all my bones. They look and stare at Me.” (Ps. 22:17) All His bones were exposed! He was thinking of you when the soldiers tied Him to the scourging post. As they raised their whips, imagine Jesus said, “Let all your pains come on Me!” Oh the pain, He felt for you and me.

Right now the healing is your right because Jesus has paid that pain for your healing. So if the devil says, “You cannot be healed,” just declare, “Jesus has paid that pain for my healing. The pain has no right to be in my body. I am healed in Jesus’ name!” Walk in divine health all the days of your life. The pain has been paid so that you can rise up and get out of your bed of affliction.

Song: His Name is Higher

His name is higher than any other

His name is Jesus, His name is Lord,

His name is higher than any other

His name is Jesus, His name is Lord.

His name is wonderful, His name is counselor,

His name is prince of peace, The Mighty God,

His name is higher than any other

His name is Jesus, His name is Lord.
(Author unknow)

Love Your Neighbors (2/3-4)

Luke 6:36 KJV, “Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”

The word, merciful means having mercy or showing mercy. Now the word, mercy means a kind and gentle treatment of someone. Actually, the word mercy has a very broad subject and I could only choose this one example, “kind and gentle.” Be kind and gentle, just as your Father is also kind and gentle, Jesus said.

When Jesus said, “Show mercy,” what did he meant by that? Show kindness and be gentle just like the story of Samaritan who did to the man who was hurt and in need of help. Jesus also said to the Pharisees “to show mercy and not using judgment toward others.” [Ref. Luke 10:37; Matt. 23:23]  

What does God called us to do? God calls believers to show love by doing good works through “kindness and gentleness” in our attitude toward others. “Since God chose you to be the holy (separated) people whom He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, humility, gentleness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12 NLT).

Paul said, “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted …” Eph. 4:32a. Here’s a few examples: When you see someone sad or grumpy, you could say with a cheery expression, “Good morning, isn’t God wonderful?” Or you could say, “Good morning, God has already blessed you!” May God uses you to help others turn their attention to Him to see His goodness (Ps. 33:5).

Inspiration: Often I asked God to put within me a “merciful spirit” which means a “kind spirit” to others. It just makes you feel good when the Holy Spirit takes over and the feelings were so tender, you couldn’t believe it! So the song of love for our neighbor might be helpful to allow the Holy Spirit to take over and shine through us. Amen? Amen!

Song: I’ve Got Love for My Neighbor

I’ve got love for my neighbor,

love for my neighbor,

I’ve got love for my neighbor in my soul.

I’ve got love for my neighbor,

love for my neighbor,

I’ve got love for my neighbor in my soul.

(Inspiring Choruses)

Songs about Peace (2/1-2/15)

2 Cor. 13:11bc "Live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you."

Collection of Songs on Peace and Love.
I've got peace like a river, peace like a river,
I've got peace like a river in my soul.
I've got peace like a river, peace like a river,
I've got peace like a river in my soul.
(Author unknown)
I've got love like an ocean, love like an ocean,

I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul.

I’ve got love like an ocean, love like an ocean,

I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul.

(ASL) Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Flowing down from the mountain of God.
Come over my spirit forever I pray,
His love, very deep and like oceans of love.

Peace! Peace! Wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above;
Sweep over my spirit forever I pray,
In fathomless billows of love.
(W.D.Cornell; W.G.Cooper)

Peace give I to thee,
Peace give I to thee,
Not as the world gives,
Give I to thee,
Peace give I to thee.....
(Vic House, Praise Chorus Book)

Inspiration: Someone asked, “How can I sing about having love like an ocean in my soul when I don’t feel any love in my heart?” Hebrews 11:1 tells us to have faith in something even if we do not see it. I put my faith in action when I sing about peace and love in my soul. I would ask Holy Spirit to fill me with His peace and love when I sing.

Faith is looking beyond even when you do not see it now. It might be helpful to sing about peace when you worried. Like a song says, “Why worry when you can pray (or sing)? God’s Word tells us to speak the word and it shall be done according to your faith.

Let’s believe His Word and trust God today!