Give Thanks 6/28

28 June 2017 - Give Thanks – Manna by Dorothy Callies

1 Thess. 5:18 “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” To me in ASL “the will of God” is more like “God has a plan.”

The theme, “God has a plan” has always been clear to me of what God was working on. I remember a vision of God’s office what it looks like . . . bee hives designed with so many scroll of papers inside the hives. When I was praying and fasting at that time in 1973, I saw God’s hand pulled out the scroll of paper from one of the bee hives and opened them. He looked at me as if this was a plan that He had already set up.  I wanted to take a peek at the scroll. God nodded His head as "no" and said, “Huh, huh, trust Me . . .”

From what I understood that it was through prayer and fasting that enable God to do the work He has called me and Tony to do.  Looking back those 50 years of our marriage (1967) brought memories what God had done with Tony and me.  I started reading the book called, “God Chosen Vessel” to Tony yesterday (June 27). I would read a small part at a time each time we meet in the morning and in the evening.

The story that Tony wrote when he born and he had umbilical cord around him and they had to cut it before birth. This made me realized that Satan must have tried to destroy Tony and God had spared Tony because God had a plan for him. So I pray each time, I would read the part of the book to Tony, it will stir inside of his spirit, the gift of God. As Paul said from . . .

2 Timothy 1:6, “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou “stir up the gift of God,” which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.” Also Verse seven, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (strong mind).

In that book, Tony talked a lot about miracles of God that has happened throughout ten years of our ministry from 1967 to 1977.  I pray that this will stir our hearts to give thanks to our God for miracles that we had forgotten about. I remember the song that came from Oral Robert’s Crusade that my mother and I had attended. It was something like this from memory when I was young in my teen.

Expect a miracle … when you pray …

Expect a miracle … every day …

When you expect a miracle, God will find a way …

To perform a miracle … for you each day …

I look for a miracle even in the fresh of the morning … to me a miracle was the earth is hanging in the space of universe. And also I have seen a tiny miracle of improvement in Tony each time I saw him. Yesterday, I saw a note someone had written on the white board to Tony, “You are doing real good.” God promised from Ruth 4:15 that He will restore Tony of his life and a nourisher of his old age.  

I am learning to thank God in tiny things that I often overlooked. Paul said, “In everything, give thanks …” It makes me feel good to trust God that “God has a plan.” I love that phrase, “God has a plan.”  Thank you for praying for Tony and me. 

Dorothy 

Count It All Joy 6/11

11 June 2017  Count It All Joy – Manna by Dorothy Callies

James 1:2 NLT, “Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy.” KJV, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (trials).”

On June 8^th, after riding with Tony in the mobility van to his Orthro Doctor and coming back to Rehab Nursing Home, the driver took Tony’s wheelchair and going back into the building, and I said “goodbye to Tony” and would see him later in the evening.  I was so tired and I had a little car accident when I backed my car left rear-ended to the other car who parked on no parking zone. [Wonderful news from the Doctor at the end of Manna]

I went into the building to find out who parked on that ‘no parking zone’ area. After exchanged information, I went back to my car and suddenly, Holy Spirit spoke to me, “Count it all joy … count it all joy when you comes into trials …” Suddenly I felt the joyful spirit. I understood why this happened to me.

So I said to the Lord, “I see why You do not want me to become so overly anxious of my car and other cars.  I see that You did not want me to become so anxious or worried about getting hit or how I would I hit other car.” After the little accident, I felt different as if I had been delivered by entering into the joy of the Lord. So I went to State Farm and asked the staff for help to make a claim through their computer and they automatically contacted Paul’s Auto Body shop and gave me claim number and rented Hertz so everything went smooth when the appointment was set up to fix the car.  

So I put my sticker post written, “count it all joy …” in my car where I could see and remind myself whenever I got into my car … And also “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” Colossians 3:2.  I had more peace than I had before.  It is amazing how powerful the Scripture take control of my life.  Thank You, Holy Spirit.

News of Orthro Doctor took x-ray of Tony’s right shoulder, arm and his hip. The Doctor said that it was good and Tony didn’t need the sling arm. The Doctor asked Tony if he had walked before.  He did and said, “By next month, I expect you out of wheelchair and using walker to be able to walk again. We’ll decide when you are ready to go home.” So the next day, therapist started working with Tony using walker since both of his arms could hold the walker now. Tony has go through all kinds of therapy to re-build his muscle and be able to walk through bars, etc. This is a good news and thank you for your prayers.

Also, maybe you had in mind and want to donate something to Tony and me. You could use the gift cards such as Panera, Bob Evans, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, and better yet, Visa card would be a blessing since it’s easier to use it. You could mail to: Tony and Dorothy Callies, 1003 Arlene Court, #5, Bloomington, IL 61701.   

Tony and I will also be celebrating our ‘Mini-50^th Anniversary’ joining with Illinois Statewide Deaf Churches Picnic at Normal Assembly of God on Saturday, July 8^th, 10 minutes before lunch time and cards are welcome.  It would be a sight for all of us to see Tony up and around. Truly, God had plan for Tony and me.

So I remind myself and say, “Count it all joy when we went through a lot of trials.”  Thank You, Lord for your love and prayers from all our friends.  God bless you!

Dorothy

Deny Myself 6/2

02 June 2917-Deny Myself – Revision 6/3/17 Manna

I came across this verse, Luke 9:23 Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” I often wondered what exactly does it means? Deny himself meaning deny yourself or actually deny myself.  After studying on the word, deny and I realized it something more like this: 1. “Go against” (what? Your flesh). 2. “To refuse to grant (give in) your flesh’s desire.

From what I understood for me personally, "to take up my cross" is when my flesh don’t really want to do that. Jesus challenged me and  said, “You want to be like Me? Take up your cross daily and keep in touch with Me …”

I said, "But Jesus my flesh cannot really handle that." He said, "Then work on “forcing” your own flesh. Just like I did at the Garden of Gethsemane. I prayed three times, asking My Father in heaven to remove that cup of suffering.  My flesh could not take it.  Still My Father said, “Take it.”"

Jesus said, “I ‘deny’ My flesh, I ‘forced’ My flesh to drink that cup of suffering. I sweat great drop of blood and prayed through until I was able to endure it.  Angels came to strengthen me, and comfort Me to go through against my flesh in pain.”

What Jesus said to me has really hits me. That's when I understood why sometimes I am awake exactly at 3 a.m. but often I ignore it because I wanted to sleep more. I just felt too tired to pray.  I was challenged to start praying at 3 a.m. when I felt the Spirit of God came upon me on May 30th and June 1st, just to pray at least one hour.

There's a personal story to why this devotion was written because at Nursing Home, this week Tony was waking up early in the morning has challenged me to start praying in the Spirit . . .  The truth is, I cannot pray alone and I am thankful that many of you are supporting me in prayer. So thank you for joining with me in prayers.   

Tony is improving, but still waiting for therapists to help him walk.  By faith, we are thanking God for already healed Tony’s shoulder/arm which he sorely need to use his both hands on walker to be able to walk freely. Or by miracle, Isaiah 40:29 ". . . to them that has no might, He increaseth strength . . ." (no might means no power, no strength). Tony needs strength on his right hip, thigh and his right leg to be able to stand and walk.

Song: Jesus, I come

Out of my bondage, sorrow and night,

Je-sus, I come, Je-sus I come;

Into Thy freedom, gladness and light,

Je-sus, I come – to Thee;

Out of my sickness into Thy health,

Out of my want and into Thy wealth,

Out of my sin and into Thyself,

Je-sus, I come – to Thee.

(William True Sleeper, Sing His Praise)

Dorothy 

Storm Warrior 5/25

25 May 2017 - Storm Warrior – Manna by Dorothy Callies

1 Timothy 6:12 “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life . . .”

Paul encouraged Timothy when he was in the ministry, to fight the good fight of faith …” Why was Paul able to share with Timothy to fight the good fight of faith? Because Paul shared himself in 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought a good fight … I have kept the faith.”

What did Paul went through?  The apostle Paul demonstrates this storm warrior life-style. His testimony through shipwrecks and arrests and hunger and prison was not just a story of personal survival or ministry success. Paul’s goal was to spread the Gospel and to stay with God’s mission until it was fully accomplished.

Let us put ourselves in Paul’s shoes in just ONE of his many amazing stories—his journey to Rome as a prisoner, told in Acts 27. Paul was a passenger on a Roman freighter, headed for trial under the care of the centurion who kept Paul alive throughout the storms, shipwrecks and swam to an island. God was with Paul.

Reading the story of Paul’s going through the shipwrecks … and how Paul remained peaceful and in complete trust in God to handle all the little details . . . really encouraged me to realize that many of us may be “storm warriors” so that we would keep in touch with the Holy Spirit and keep in the praying spirit, intercession as well.

So God has called every Christian to be salt and light in the world.  Storm warriors of Jesus like you are to hold fast to this goal and stay focused on the mission of God—to proclaim Christ’s Kingdom and His coming to all our friends.  Storm warriors are the ones who really prayed through. There is no “smooth sailing” for us.

So my friend, if you are going through the storms, then considered yourself a “STORM WARRIOR” and fight the good fight of faith and you, hold on to the eternal life.  Jesus said, “Be of good cheer! I have overcome the world! I am with you always.”

Song: I Just Keep Trusting My Lord

I just keep trusting my Lord as I go along,

I just keep trusting my Lord and He gives me a song;

Though the storm clouds darken the sky

Over the heavenly trail (road),

I just keep trusting my Lord, He will never fail.

He’s a faithful friend, such a faithful friend

I can count on Him to the very end;

Though the storm clouds darken the sky

Over the heavenly trail (road),

I just keep trusting my Lord, He will never fail.

            [Inspiring Choruses]

Dorothy: This is an encouragement to me to stay strong in the Lord! Tony is improving very slowly. Thanks for the cards and your prayers supports. I suggest to send card to: 1003 Arlene Ct., #5, Bloomington, Illinois 61701 since he is no longer at Heritage Home. He moved to a different Nursing Home. It is five minutes’ drive to my home. 

God bless you!

Abba Father 5/13

13 May 2017 - Abba Father – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Mark 14:36 Jesus said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You.”

Jesus began to be sorrowful and very heavy. He said, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful …”  In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus knelt in front of the big rock and fold His hands in prayer, He prayed, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You.”

Jesus experienced great time of distress and grief.  Jesus turned to God in prayer, called Him, “Abba, Father . . .” Jesus was very close to His Father.  Jesus knew that His Father really loves Him . . . still Jesus was offered a cup of suffering that He struggled with . . . and finally He was able to carried out the plan of salvation for all of us.

In Romans 8, Paul brings the picture of being very close to God as our Father, and having a warm friendship that developing through a long association.  Association means to join or come together as friends or companions, close feeling of being united with someone we could trust.

Paul, the Epistle of Roman 8 even bring God closer, “God’s Spirit lives inside of us.” Romans 8:26 tells us that when we do not know how to pray, “The Spirit Himself will pray and intercede inside of us.”  To intercede (intercession) the Holy Spirit will act as a go-between for us and against the work of Satan. Holy Spirit knows how to find words when we groan or having a deep moan of pain, grief, or irritation (bothersome).

Roman 8:15 tells us we can cry out, “Abba, Father.”  If we couldn’t pray, we need only to call out “Abba, Father” and when we simply groan. God has come that close to us. I am thankful that God’s Spirit lives inside of us, pray for us, and intercede for us.  We only need to believe . . . that all things are possible. Jesus prayed, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You.”

Song: Only Believe

[Robert Harkness, Singspiration, Inc.]

Only believe, only believe;

All things are possible, only believe;

Only believe, only believe;

All things are possible, only believe.

Jesus said, “Believe in God, believe also in Me.”  

Dorothy

The Wrath of Man 5/12

12 May 2017, The Wrath of Man Shall Praise – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Psalm 76:10 “Surely the wrath of man shall praise You . . .” (Other translation).

Augustine said that God “judged it better to bring good out of evil, than not to permit any evil to exist.” So God takes the worst evil that men and women can do to us and turns it into good. “Even the wrath of ungodly men brings praise to Him” (Ps. 76:10).

God has not promised that your life will be easy—indeed it may not be. But He has promised to sustain (support) you in your struggle and uphold you with His mighty arm. If you trust Him, He will empower you to make your way bravely through extraordinary difficulty with faith, hope, and love.

The trials God permits in your life will lead to His praise and glory, if only you will abide in Him. [Dorothy: This is where the song, Abide with Me, brought to my memory, even though some of the words are difficult to grasp. You could use the imagination to really turn it into ASL song].

God will use men’s wrath to bring glory and praise to Himself, but when that purpose is fulfilled, He will then restrain it [hold them back from doing things worse].

God will not allow you to be pressed beyond endurance. That is His sure promise. When we have experience the lesson God wants us to learn, and when God’s revelation of glory is complete in us, God will raise His hand against evil and say, “No more.”

Dorothy: I was reading this devotion about God’s Restraint from the Daily Bread written by David Roper. What impressed me was “Even the wrath (violent anger) of man shall praise You.”  I use my imagination to understand what this meant. Many people might be angry with God for allowing things to happen, but soon people will realize that God is a Sovereign God who rules … yet He gave men (people) … a will to choose, God or Satan.

I was thinking of Pearly Gates which is only for the “suffering Christians” who will enter heaven.  Paul said, “We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). So let us endure the suffering like Christ has endured suffering for us. Christ has done so much for us and let our hearts be filled with love of Christ that they may see God in our lives. Through that, they might invited Jesus Christ into their hearts. That's the best testimony we could do for Him.

 Prayer Song: Abide with Me

Abide with me: fast fall the even-tide;

The darkness deepens; Lord with me a-bide!

When other helpers fail and comforts flee,

Help of the helpless, Oh a-bide with me.

I need Thy Presence every passing hour;

What but Thy grace can foil the temper’s power?

Who, like thyself my guide and stay can be?

Thro’ cloud and sunshine, Lord, a-bide with me.

[Lyrics: Henry Francis Lyte]

 
 May the Lord blessed you! 

Dorothy 

Sooner or Later 5/6

06 May 2017 – Sooner or Later – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Psalm 95:2 “Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and

                        make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms.”

To me it is more of a poem:

Sooner or Later

1. Sooner or later the skies will be bright;

Tears will be all wiped away;

Sooner or later, then cometh the light,

Night will be turn into day (glad day).

Chorus:

Sooner or later cares will have flown;

Shine and gladness we’ll see;

Sooner or later God calleth His own,

With Him forever to be.

2. Sooner or later, our Lord knows the hour,

He’ll send His beloved Son;

Sooner or later, in His might and power,

Our battles all will be won.

3. Sooner or later, yes sooner for some,

Dark will all then be past;

Sooner or later our Savior will come;

With Him will your lot be cast?

(Lyrics: Lula W. Koch, Sing His Praise) 

God bless you!

Dorothy