Spiritual Birth 2/8-14/21

08-14 February 2021 – Manna by Dorothy & Tony Callies

Theme: Spiritual Birth, the Evidence (proof).

 (From Bible Study revised for Manna) 2/10-11/21                

            1 John 4:7-8 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He (or she) who does not love does not know God for God is love.”

            Everyone born of God has the love of God inside of his/her heart by the Holy Spirit who gave birth into the family of God. Every born-again believer has God’s nature to love. Everyone born of God will bring (bear) the fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal.5:22-23). Everyone born of God is commanded to love his or her brother or sister (1John 4:20-21). Everyone born of God will have no fear. Perfect love casts out fear (1John 4:18).

             The spiritual birth is the work of God the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit helped us to love God first in our hearts when we are spiritually born into the family of God (Gal. 3:26). Only those who have been born from above are able to love God with all their heart, soul, and mind, and loving their neighbor as themselves.

            Spiritual birth is a miracle of God’s grace. It is through the Holy Spirit’s “washing of regeneration (we become family again) and renewing (restore, new again)” inside the spirit of a person. Everyone born of God is transformed, changed completely in composition, structure, or character. Transformed is a change in outward appearance.

            If you are “dead in spirit,” ask Jesus to come into your heart, your inner spirit will become alive and you will feel something new inside. That is the evidence and a proof that you became a “born-again” believer and your life is transformed.

            After you accept Jesus in your heart, all things have become new, including new faith to live by (Rom. 1:17), (1) a new life to enjoy (John 10:10), (2) a new birth that relates us to God the Father (John 3:1-18), (3) a new family to rejoice in (Eph. 3:15), (4) a new name given to us by the Lord (Rev. 2:17), (5) a new hope (1Peter 1:3), (6) a new home to live in (John 14:1-3), and (7) a new power to serve God in this life and in the future (Acts 1:8).  

            Wow! What a wonderful benefits God the Father has given to those who are born-again believer. His mercy is new every morning. Lamentations 3:23 “They are new every morning: great is thy (Your) faithfulness.” “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed (destroyed) because His compassions fail not” (Lamentations 3:22).

            John 3:16 is the most powerful evidence (proof) of His love toward all the people of the world. “For God so loved the world (the people) that He gave His only begotten (birth) Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Calvary, the cross of Jesus is a powerful evidence and a proof to the world how much He loves the sinner to come to Him and to be born-again. John 3:3 Jesus said, “Unless you are born again, you cannot enter heaven.” Listen to His voice, “Come unto Me.” (Matthew 11;25).

            Dorothy: Boy, what a message! This is the richest Bible Study I have ever had. The Salvation is so much clearer when you realized what you have in Christ. So I pray that your eyes be opened in Jesus’ name if you haven’t ask Jesus into your heart. But if you did, bless you!!! The angels in heaven rejoiced when you ask Jesus to come into your heart! Proof? Luke 15:10.

 Song: A New Name in Glory

In the Book ‘tis written, “Saved by grace,”

O the joy that came to my soul!

Now I am forgiven, and I know

By the Blood I am made whole.

Chorus:

There’s a new name written down in glory,

And it’s mine, O yes, it’s mine!

And the white-robed angels sing the story,

“A sinner has come home.”

For there’s a new name written down in glory,

And it’s mine, O yes, it’s mine!

With my sins forgiven I am bound for heaven,

Nev-er-more to roam!

[C. Austin Miles]

I Am Thine, O Lord 2/1-7/21

01-07 February 2021 – Manna by Dorothy & Tony Callies 

Theme: Draw Me Nearer [Inspired on Feb. 3^rd at 3:00 a.m.]

 Song: I Am Thine, O Lord

I am Thine, O Lord

I have heard Thy voice,

And it told Thy love to me;

But I long to rise in the arms of faith

And be closer drawn to Thee. Chorus:

Draw me near-er, near-er, blessed Lord,

To the cross where Thou hast died;

Draw me near-er, near-er,

   near-er blessed Lord,

To Thy precious bleeding side. [Fanny Jane Crosby]

 Dorothy: This early morning when I arose, the chorus came to my heart to sing, “Draw me nearer to the cross where Jesus had died.” So the question arose, “Why God chose the cross that Jesus had to hang on the tree?” Why the cross was called, “The Tree?” and why the tree was “a curse?”  

It is found in Galatians 3:13 KJV: “. . . for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree.” NCV: . . . It is written in the Scriptures, “Anyone whose body is displayed (shown) on a tree is curse.”  Why was it cursed? Let’s look at Genesis 3:17, KJV. 

“And unto Adam he (God) said, Because thou (you) hast hearkened (listen) unto the voice of thy (your) wife. And hast eaten of the tree of which I commanded thee (you), saying, Thou (you) shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy (your) sake; in sorrow shalt thou (you) eat of it all the days of thy (your) life.”

In the Garden of Eden, ‘The tree’ was cursed because of Adam’s sin which he ate of the fruit from a tree.  So the tree that was cursed, need to be redeemed and Jesus, the second Adam, took that curse to the cross with Him. That explained why Galatians 3:13 says, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree.”  

Christ hang on a curse tree. That’s why God chose the “cross.”  So Christ could redeemed us from the curse which means Christ has bought us back through the blood of Jesus Christ. This is so enlightening to see why the Scripture quoted, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law.”

This devotion came from watching one Jewish Rabbi on TBN when he explained why God chose the Cross that Jesus had to die. Because in Genesis, in the Garden of Eden, the tree was cursed to begin with and the cross was from a tree.  This was a mind blowing thought that the Scripture from Galatians 3:13 became clear of its meaning. Oh how rich is God’s Word and how blessed to learn from Him. Thank You, Father!

May God bless you!

Dorothy

 

His Steps 1/22-31/21

22-31 January 2021 – Manna by Dorothy & Tony Callies

Theme: His Steps

1 Peter 2:21 “Christ called us because Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example that you should follow His steps.” (ASL translation)

Song: Step by Step

Step by step I’m following 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 (wind)

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)

 1 Peter 2:21 KJV (ye=you)  “For even to this were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.” NCV: “This is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you and gave you an example to follow. So you should do as He did.”

1 Peter 2:22-25 were written to show us the kind of examples that Jesus had done and for us to follow His steps. (Compare KJV + NCV)

 KJV: “Who did no sin, neither was guile (sly trickery or lie) found in His mouth: Who, when He was reviled (talk back or insult to), reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened (talk back) not; but committed (gave) Himself to him (God) that judge righteously: who His own self bare (patient) our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness by: whose stripes you were healed. For you were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop (watch over) of your souls.”

 NCV clearly shows seven steps as an example to follow:   

1. “He had never sinned, and He never lied.”

2. “People insulted Christ, but He did not insult them in return.”

3. “Christ suffered, but He did not threaten.” (Did not talk or fight back).

4. “He let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of Him.”

5. “Christ carried our sins in His body on the cross so we would stop living for sin and start living for what is right.”

6. “And you are healed because of His wounds.”

7.  “You were like sheep that wandered away, but now you have come back to the Shepherd and Protector of your souls.”     

 Dorothy: I have to say, “Ouch!” It was very deep! I ask Holy Spirit for help.  And keep on singing in faith that Holy Spirit helps us to follow His step day by day. Let us have confidence that we are covered with the blood of Jesus who cleansed us from all sins. Holy Spirit, help us to walk in steps with Jesus. And thank you Holy Spirit. Amen!     

 May God bless you!     

He is Able 1/15-21/21

 15-21 January 2021 – Manna by Dorothy & Tony Callies 

 Song: He’s Able

He’s able, He’s able, I know He’s able

I know my Lord is able to carry me through.

He’s able, He’s able, I know He’s able

I know my Lord is able to carry me through.

For He has healed the broken hearted

And He set the captive free,

He healed the sick, He raised the dead

And He caused the blind to see;

Oh yes, He’s able, He’s able,

     I know He’s able

I know my Lord is able to carry me through.

[Inspiring Song]

 Because of this song, “He’s able” I found reference in Matthew 9:28-30 KJV: “And when he (Jesus) was come into the house, the blind men came to Him: and Jesus said unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto Him, Yea, Lord. Then he (Jesus) touched their eyes, saying, ‘According to your faith be it unto you.’ And their eyes were opened …”

 Dorothy: I was looking for devotion … I came to that song, He is able. I had never seen this chorus before.  While I was singing the song, I felt like the song was putting “air” into my being (body, soul & spirit). I felt like a “low tire of a car” that needs to be filled up with more air. I remember God’s word on hymns so I use this reference to find Ephesians 5:19 “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody into your heart to the Lord.”

 What impressed me more when I found another reference in Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing (encouraging) one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” It inspires me to realize that we are to encourage one another in songs. The song uplift us, release us, heals us and create the unity in Spirit.

 Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I am thankful that You know how to uplift me through the song, He is able, yes You are able. Your Son, Jesus asked me question, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” My answer is “Yes, Lord, You are able to heal me and Tony completely.” I put my faith in Your word that You are able, yes You are able … You are able to carry me through … (sing the song above and using “You” to the Lord).

 May you be blessed!

Dorothy

PS. Still singing … He’s able … You are able …

Tumbleweed or Tree 1/8-14/21

08-14 January 2021 – Manna by Dorothy & Tony

Jeremiah 17:7-8 “The one who trusts in the Lord . . . will be like a tree planted by the water.”

 While living in Chino, California, my parent had a former ranch home that was almost like a desert and we often had tumbleweeds. As a teenager, I walked over to the next house where my deaf sister and her family lived.  One day it happened when there was a high wind as I walked toward the house.  My eyes got wide when sudden appeared was the rolling tumbleweed chasing me until I got out of the way. Then rolling tumbleweed went by. Whew! It scared me because tumbleweed had thistles, prickly, sharp stinging plants. It was about 4 feet high and it came off from their weak root after it became dry.

 We also have two tall trees with full of leaves that cover the back lawn with shade from the sun. One at my mom’s and one at my deaf sister next door neighbor. The trees look strong and both have a very deep roots. They held very well during the high winding days, especially the “sand storm.” Trees were beautiful and enjoyable to look at.  

 *Tumbleweeds and trees both have roots.  Tumbleweeds, however, don’t stay connected to their life-source, causing them to dry out and die. Trees, on the other hand, remain connected to their roots, enabling them to flourish and thrive, anchored to that which will sustain them in times of difficulty.” [*Our Daily Bread, Kirsten Holmberg]

 *Tumbleweeds are what I picture when I read Jeremiah’s description of a person “whose heart turns away from the Lord” (Jeremiah 17:5). Jeremiah says that those who draw their strength from “mere flesh” will be like “a bush in the wastelands” and be unable to “see prosperity when it comes.” In sharp comparison are those who put their trust in God instead of people.  Like trees, their strong, deep roots draw strength from Him, enabling them to remain full of life, even in the midst of drought-like circumstances. [*Our Daily Bread, Kirsten Holmberg]

 Dorothy: Now we see comparison of tumbleweeds are like people who do not put their trust in God. They are lost and have no roots in their lives. On the other hand, the born-again believers are like a tree holding on to God for strength, encouragement and wisdom only found in the Bible. Talking to Him in prayer, we can experience the life-giving and life supporting nourishment that only God provides for us. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

 We have a choice: Tumbleweed or tree?

 Dorothy

 

Jesus, Our Peace 1/2-7/21

02-07 January 2021 - Overwhelm - Manna by Dorothy & Tony Callies

Ephesians 2:14 “For He is our peace …”

 The reason I brought up that subject “overwhelm,” I read ‘Our Daily Bread’ on the “Fireworks of Life” on Dec. 31, 2020. At first, it didn’t make sense to compare ‘fireworks’ with my lives. But after reading several times, I see the writer’s point and it was good. But what does it applies to me personally?  For me, it’s more like ‘overwhelm.’

 Writing Manna was time consuming.  I need time to study my Bible lessons as well. So as time went by until midnight of January 7^th, I woke up with severe cramp on my right lower leg close to ankle. I struggle until I went into tub with a pail of warm water to warm up my leg. Whew! It really helps. I went back to sleep. Then again, cramp on my left lower leg so I kept walking and stretching until the cramp stop. I felt like I was being attack. I decided to read something from devotion and I ask the Lord to talk to me.

 Through the devotion, I realized that God was encouraging me to look to Jesus on Ephesians 2:14 “He himself is our peace.” I question myself, ‘what was I going through?’ Lots of things going on that it was difficult for me to handle. It was like a “multi-tasks,” doing many things that sometimes it overwhelm me. God just wants to remind me that Jesus, Himself is my peace. So I relax and rest in this verse, Jesus is my peace.

 Ephesians 2:14 “For He is our peace …”

Dorothy

 

 

A New Year's Resolution

January First 2021 by Dorothy and Tony Callies

Theme: A New Year’s Resolution!

 Resolution means decide something what you want to do to improve yourself. Instead of thinking for ourselves, start thinking of others, doing something for them.  Some people make a New Year’s resolution. The idea came after my testimony from 26-30 Dec 2020 about being a caregiver to Tony. My thought popped up about Matthew 25:31-40. So I’m using my simple translation on Matthew 25:40.

 The King said, “Truly, I tell you the truth, what you have done it to others, you have done it unto Me.”  This is exactly what I did … wash His feet through washing Tony’s feet. Other list what you do to others, you also do to Jesus. Imagine that!

 1. Food to the hungry people.

2. Water or drink to thirty people.

3. Lonely, visit or invite to your home.

4. No clothes and give clothing to wear.

5. Sick, visit or take care of them until well.

6. Prison, visit them.

 So great reward await for you when you hear the King will say to the people on His right, ‘Come, My Father has given you His blessing. Receive the kingdom of God has prepare for you since the world was made. I was hungry, and you gave Me food.  I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink. I was alone and away from home, and you invited Me to your house. I was without clothes, and you gave Me something to wear.  I was sick, and you cared for Me. I was in prison, and you visited Me.’

 Then the good people will ask Jesus when they really did that to Him. Jesus will simply answer with famous Matthew 25:40. Whatever you do to others, you did it unto Him. There will be another group on the left that Jesus will say to them, ‘Go away from Me. You will be punished. Go into the fire that burns forever that was prepared for the devil and his (demon) angels.’

 Then those people will ask, “When did we see You in any of these things and not do that to You?” In Matthew 25:45 NCV, “Then the King will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, anything you refused to do for even the least of My people here, you refused to do for Me.’”

 The Golden Rule: “Do to others what you want them to do to you” (Matt. 7:12 NCV). To me I think that would be a good “New Year’s Resolution.”

 May the Lord bless you real good.

Dorothy