Rejoice in the Lord! 11/10-12

10-12 Nov. 2016 - Rejoice in the Lord! – Share Devotion from Dorothy Callies

Rejoice and exult (very joyful) in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer. - Romans 12:12 (Amplified Bible)

We're to live in hope. We're to rejoice. So, when Satan comes to steal your victory and tell you that God is not going to help you this time, you just think on the Word of God and start rejoicing. Rejoice that you're in Him. Rejoice that heaven is your home. Rejoice that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. Rejoice. Brag on God today. The devil can't stand it!

"Be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation...." Tribulation means "being under pressure." When pressure comes, don't cave in. Don't faint. Instead, go to the throne of grace. Go boldly in the Name of Jesus and get the help you need.

Remember this: When things get hard isn't when you let go of the Word. That's when you double up on it. That's when you are "constant in prayer" so that you are unmovable.

Rejoice. Be patient under pressure. Be constant in prayer. The devil won't be able to steal one thing from you!  [Devotion from Gloria Copeland “Brag on God,” From Faith to Faith]

Dorothy:  This devotion reminds me of a song and a verse to go with it. Paul said in Philippines 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.”  Imagine, Paul in his extreme (very great) suffering, tells us to “Rejoice in the Lord, always.”  

So we, as a believer are encouraged to rejoice in the Lord!  We receive strength when we remember Lord’s grace and His being near to us.  We remind His promises to meet our needs. So, my friend, rejoice in the Lord always! It is a powerful weapon against Satan!

Song: Rejoice in the Lord!

Rejoice in the Lord, always!

Again I say, Rejoice!

Rejoice in the Lord, always!

Again I say, Rejoice!

Rejoice … Rejoice …

Again I say, Rejoice!

Rejoice … Rejoice …

Again I say, Rejoice!

Rejoice in the Lord, always!

Again I say, Re-joice!

(Heard someone sang this song and

   I memorized it, unknown author)   

May the Holy Spirit help us to get into the spirit of rejoicing and use the powerful weapon against Satan in Jesus’ name, amen!

Dorothy

 

Greater Works 11/7-9

07-09 Nov 2016 - Greater Works – Manna by Dorothy Callies

John 14:12 NKJV “Most assuredly, I say to you, he (you) who lives in Me, the works that I do he (you) will do also; and greater works than these he (you) will do, because I go to My Father.”

What did Jesus means when He said that we could do greater works like He did? Actually, if I think of what He did, how many people did He healed?  Many and I don’t think I actually healed that many people like Jesus did.  So how could He expects me to do all those greater works than He does?

Peter knew the answer to this question.  It is found in Acts 10:38 KJV, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.”

The key is “by the anointing and the power of the Holy Spirit.”  Jesus said, “It’s the Father within Me who does the work.”  He said that you, as a believer, would be able to do greater works than He did (John 14:12).  He added that it is through the promise of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit who will do greater work inside of you.

I stop and think. God, the Almighty can do many things, Himself. But it is no fun for God to do that all alone.  God created man in His image and His likeness so God is in all of the human beings (Gen. 1:26). Like Paul said, “In Him we live, and move, and have our being … we are also His offspring (person)” (Acts 17:28). 

It is through the anointing and the power of the Holy Spirit inside of us to do many things. Jesus in His time, didn’t have the computer.  Today we reached people through emails, devotions, YouTube, Face Book, etc. He anointed us with Holy Spirit to reach as many people as we can.  Mine is through Manna, Holy Spirit anointed me to write devotion.  What does Holy Spirit anointed you to do?

Song: Anointing, Holy Spirit

       (Walt Mills, Sing His Praise)

1. Holy Spirit, flow thro’ me;

Holy Spirit flow thro’ me,

And make my life what it ought to be;

Holy Spirit, flow thro’ me.

2. Holy Spirit, rest on me;

Holy Spirit, rest on me,

And use me, Lord, win the lost to Thee;

Holy Spirit, rest on me.

3. Holy Spirit, flow out from me;

Holy Spirit, flow out thro’ me,

That others, Lord, may see You in me;

Holy Spirit, flow out thro’ me.

May the anointing and the power of the Holy Spirit be inside of you!

Dorothy

Crisis? 11/4-6

04-06 Nov. 2016 – Crisis Time? – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Acts 16:26 “Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken.”

There are stories about different earthquakes that had happened around the world, we kept hearing about it.  It can be frightening crisis time especially in Haiti. The hearts of people goes out to them, ready to help in time of crisis. Does this crisis lead people to open their heart to God?  We pray they do.

Now in the book of Acts, we read how God used an earthquake to open someone’s heart to the gospel.  Paul and Silas were in jail at Philippi because they were falsely accused. How did Paul reacted to his crisis when he was falsely accused? Was Paul upset when they ‘had laid many stripes upon them’ and cast him and Silas into the prison? (Acts 16:23).  Let’s find the answer in Acts 16:25.

“And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.”  Here, Paul and Silas were not upset. Instead, they prayed and sang praises to God.  This story shows us how we should react to any crisis time by turning to God in prayer and to praise God for showing us a way through crisis.  Important thing is to be calm and allow God to give us peace and wisdom and guidance.

This was exactly what Paul and Silas had done.  They just prayed and praise God for all things even having stripes on their back which must have been very painful.  Are you going through painful time?  Think about Paul and Silas. What happened when they prayed and sang praises to God? Let’s read Acts 16:26

“Suddenly there was a great earthquake . . . the prison were shaken: and immediately all the door were opened, and everyone’s bands (chains) were loosed.”  God moved when they prayed and sang praises.  In your case, try prayer and sing praises to God and by faith watch God in action what He could do for you.

When the jailer learned that Paul and Silas had not tried to escape, he asked, “What must I do to be saved?” (16:30). Paul responded “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (v.31). The jailer and his family believed and were baptized. And know something? It all started with a crisis, an earthquake.

In crisis time, it is good to reach out and touch the Lord in prayer!

Song: Reach Out and Touch the Lord

            (Inspiring Choruses)      

Reach out and touch the Lord

     as He walks by

You’ll find He’s not too busy

    to hear your heart’s cry.

He’s passing by this moment

     your needs to supply.

Reach out and touch the Lord

     as He walks by. 

May the Lord bless you!

Dorothy 

Messiah as High Priest Part 2 11/1-3

01-03 Nov 2016 - Part 2 - The Messiah as High Priest – Manna by Dorothy Callies

             Psalm 110:1-2 NKJV, The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your *footstool.” The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies!

            (1)  *The footstool is a symbol for dominion, control, and rule. The Messiah will have supreme authority over His enemies, those who opposed to Him. God makes the Messiah, the King to triumph over His enemies, who are then made His footstool. [Holman Bible Dictionary]

            (2)  David prophesied that after the death, burial, and resurrection of the Messiah, He would sit at the right hand of the Father. This is one of the strongest declaration of Christ’s deity (being a God) in the Bible.  God the Father said to God the Son, “Sit at My right hand.” 

            (3)  When Christ as a Messiah will return to the earth, the Messiah will sit upon the throne of David, Jesus’ father by natural descent (one’s line of ancestors by birth and lineage). Jehovah God will say to the Messiah, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter (a baton carried by a ruler as an emblem of authority) of Your kingdom” (Heb. 1:8).

            (4)  Psalm 110:5-7 is a message announcing the Messiah’s reign. These passage foretell what Christ will do during His reign on the earth.  Remember, He was led as a sheep slaughtered (act of killing) to death. He had surrendered Himself to the hand of the enemies who persecuted Him. 

            (5)  Christ, as a “lamb was meek and lowly” and He was the Lamb of God on Calvary.  And then Christ becomes the Lion of Judah and He will rule over His enemies. In the day of battle, He will be victorious as a “Lion who will roar” over the enemies. [Rev. 5:5 “. . . behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David . . .”]

            (6) Let’s read from NLT: “The Lord stands at your right hand to protect you. He will strike down many kings in the day of his anger.  He will punish the nations and fill them with their dead; he will shatter heads over the whole earth. But he himself will be refreshed from the brooks along the way.  He will be victorious” (Psalm 110:5-7).

            Key: In this Messiah’s Psalm 110, the prophet David shows us two great doctrines (teachings): the deity of the Messiah and the priesthood of the Messiah. David shows that the Messiah is God-Man and He is our High Priest. Hallelujah!

        Song: The Lion of Judah

                     (Inspiring Choruses)

The Lion of Judah shall break every chain

And give to us the victory again and again.

The Lion of Judah shall break every chain

And give to us the victory again and again.

The Lord is returning oh, shout hallelujah!

Our blessed Redeemer is coming again.

For soon we shall see Him

     the King in His beauty;

The joyful shouts will then ring out;

     He comes… to… reign …

May the Lord bless you real good today!

Dorothy 

PS. What a rich Manna today! I love this! 

Messiah as High Priest 10/30-31

30-31 October 2016 - The Messiah as High Priest – Manna by Dorothy Callies

            Psalm 110:4 NLT, The Lord has taken an oath and will not break his vow: “You are a priest forever in the Line of Melchizedek.” NKJV, The Lord has sown and will not relent (change his mind), “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”

           

Psalm 110 is the announcement of the Messiah’s reign as a King and a High Priest.  Christ is the Messiah-Priest and God has ordained (decision given by one in authority) Christ.  It means God has made a decision and God has authority to choose and to bless Christ. Jehovah God said to Jesus, “You are a priest forever according to the order Melchizedek.”

The Lord will not relent (change his mind). The Lord will not repent (be sorry about it).  Jehovah is not like a man who change His mind easily.  In KJV Psalm 110:4, “The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, “Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” Christ’s priesthood is eternally unique (special; only one of its kind).  There is no one like Christ as a High Priest. 

           

Melchizedek is mentioned only twice in the Old Testament, here in Psalm 110:4 and in Genesis 14. He was a mysterious priest and king who went out to meet Abraham when the latter returned from battle after rescuing Lot (Gen. 14:17-20). 

           

As a king-priest, Melchizedek is a type of Christ who is our eternal King-Priest (Heb. 7:17).  As priest, He brought bread and wine to Abraham and then received tithes from Him. 

In the New Testament our High Priest, who is “a priest forever according to the order (arrange) of Melchizedek,” served bread and wine to His disciples, instituting (setting up a new ceremony of communion) the Lord’s Supper (Matt. 26:26-30).

           

Dorothy: Why am I sharing this studies? Holy Spirit is reminding me that Jesus knows our every pains.  Jesus knows your every heartache. Jesus knows your deepest agony inside of your spirit that words cannot describe it.  Holy Spirit brought up the verse of Hebrews 4:15-16 in KJV.

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Prayer Song: Precious Lord, Take My Hand

Precious Lord, take my hand,

Lead me on, help me stand;

I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;

Thru the storm, thru the night,

Lead me on to the light,

Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home. 

When my way grows drear,

Precious Lord, linger near,

When my life is almost gone,

Hear my cry, hear my call,

Hold my hand lest I fall;

Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

(Thomas A. Dorsey, 150 of the World’s Greatest Hymn Stories)

May the Lord sustain you in time of trials and comfort your heart.

Dorothy

Messiah Resurrected 10/28-29

28-29 October 2016 - The Messiah Resurrected – Studies by Dorothy Callies

The Messiah Resurrected – Psalm 16:1-11 (Read from the Bible)

            David was a prophet and he was under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, prophesying about Messiah’s future.  David wrote, this psalms reveals the Messiah’s hope, born of His perfect knowledge.  The Messiah said, “My flesh also will rest in hope” (v. 9).  His death, burial, and resurrection were not without hope. The Messiah expressed His hope in glad expectation.  His hope was at the joyful side of Calvary, where He would be seated with the Father (Heb. 12:2).

            Psalm 16:10 “For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.” (God, the Father will not allow His Son, the Holy One to stay in the tomb more than three days and three nights.)

            (1)  The Messiah anchored (held on) in the knowledge that God the Father would not leave His soul in hell. The Messiah also knew that His body of flesh, which would remain (stay in) three days and three nights in the tomb, would not decay (slow loss of healthy body) or undergo (pass through) corruption (rotting).

            (2)  Why? Because it was a perfect, sinless, and a holy body.  Jesus knew that the prophecy would be fulfilled when His soul would returned to His body, and the Father would raise Him and seat Jesus at His right hand.  There Jesus would remain until He returned to earth, to sit on the throne of David.

            (3)  On the day of Pentecost, Simon Peter, under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, preached the crucifixion and resurrection of the Messiah quoting from Psalm 16:8-11 in book of Acts 2:25-28. (For Peter’s partial sermon, you might want to read from the Bible or other translation, Acts 2:25-39).

            (4)  Quoting from the Messiah’s Psalm 16, Peter reminded the people who listened to him, that David was a prophet: “Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him (David) that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, God would raise up the Christ to sit on David’s throne” (Acts 2:30). 

            (5)  Simon Peter final interpreted of this great psalm 16 to the fact (truth) that David could not have been speaking of his own death and burial because his body still lay, decaying, in the tomb.  Instead, David spoke of Jesus Christ, who rose from the dead on the third day and is alive forever. Jesus Christ is the resurrected Messiah of Psalm 16.

Dorothy: I just wants to share this marvelous studies from Psalm 16, the Messiah’s Resurrected chapter with you. It was so inspiring to really see that Christ was able to express Himself in the Old Testament. 

            No wonder Jesus said, “Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.” Heb. 10:7 were quoting from Psalm 40:7 “Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me.” And Jesus also told the religious leaders, “Search the Scriptures; for in them . . . they testify of me” (John 5:39).  Oh, I just felt like singing to you to join with me this rejoicing song, “He Lives!”

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing

Eternal hallelujah to Jesus Christ the King!

The hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find,

None other is so loving, so good and kind.”

Chorus: He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.

He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives?

He lives within my heart.

(Alfred Henry Ackley, Sing His Praise) 

Remind the Believers 10/24-27

24-27 October 2016 - Remind the Believers – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Titus 3:1-2 “Put them in mind . . . showing all meekness unto all men” (KJV).

The devotion was ‘Our Daily Bread’, “Remind your people to . . . show true humility to everyone” (NLT).  And other translation: NCV “Remind the believers . . . to be gentle and polite to all people.”  

What was Paul’s purpose sharing this topic on ‘humility’ with Titus? Paul said “Remind the believers to yield to the authority of rulers and government leaders, to obey them, to be ready to do good, to speak no evil about anyone, to live in peace, and to be gentle and polite to all people” (Titus 3:1-2, NCV).

In Titus 3:3-9 with NCV, Paul continued to remind the believers. “In the past we also were foolish.  We did not obey, we were wrong, and we were slaves to many things our bodies wanted and enjoyed.  We spent our lives doing evil and being jealous.  People hated us, and were hated each other. (Titus 3:3)

“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior was shown, He saved us because of His mercy.  It was not because of good deeds we did to be right with Him.  He saved us through the washing that made us new people through the Holy Spirit. God poured out richly upon us that Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ. Being made right with God by His grace, we could have the hope of receiving life that never ends. (Titus 3:4-7)

“This teaching is true, and I want you to be sure the people understand these things. Then those who believe in God will be careful to use their lives for doing good.  These things are good and will help everyone. But stay away from those who have foolish arguments . . .” (Titus 3:8-9)

When Paul wrote his “papyrus mail” to Titus, to “remind the believers,” Paul had already written about these things . . . he simply wants to “remind the believers” the most important things to do so that they wouldn’t forget to show ‘true humility to everyone.’

Dorothy: What does this means to me? From the TV news media I have seen so much arguments and slandering about the upcoming election and it seems to create a very tense atmosphere everywhere.  Then reading what Paul says about living under the oppressive Roman rule—“to be subject to rulers and authorities.”

Paul was saying that it’s important for our lives to show pleasant attitudes; for doing what is good; for being peaceful and thoughtfulness; and for humility instead complaining.  We could only do this through the Holy Spirit whom He poured out on us through Jesus Christ who helped us to have a good influence toward others. That is a very good reminder we all need today!  Thank You, Lord for reminding us . . .  

Song:  Until Then

But until then my heart will go on singing

Until then with joy I’ll carry on

Until the day my eyes behold that city

Until the day God calls me home.

(Inspiring Choruses)  

God bless you today!  

Dorothy