Hope 27 - God, My Hope 12/4-6/20

 04-06 Dec 2020 Hope Series 27 – Bread Box from 3/30/10

Manna from Dorothy and Tony Callies

Theme: God, My Blessed Hope

 "So He is able always to save those who
come to God through Jesus" (ncv).
Hebrews 7:25a Bread Box 3/30/10

Do you sometimes ever felt like we're
'drowning' with so many things that is
going on in U.S. and in the world?

Sometimes I watch TV news and History
channels. When it became too much for
me to handle the bad news, I turn to
God's Word as my "Blessed Hope."

"Blessed Hope" reminds me to keep my
eyes on the "One who ever liveth to
make intercession for us" (Heb.7:25b).
It means "He always lives, asking God
to help us." He is our Intercessor,
pleading to God for us. He is able
to save me from feeling 'panic' when
things might go wrong.

So let's trust God together!
Dorothy  

PS. Chorus: He Lives
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)

 

Hope 26 Job's Friends 12/1-3/20

01-03 December 2020 – Hope Series 26 – Manna by Dot & Tony Callies

                                    Theme: Hope for Job's Friends

Job 42:7a - Then the Lord said to Eliphaz, "I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not been right in what you have said about Me, as My servant Job was." 

God made it clear that Job's friends were wrong. Eliphaz and his two friends judged Job and said that Job suffered must have caused by some great sin. God became an advocate to Job against Eliphaz and his two friends. This is a warning for us not to make any rash judgments about a person we "think we know" because God may be working in ways we know nothing about. [Jesus said, “Judge not!” Matt. 7:1]

Does Job’s friends have any hope of forgiveness? Yes, God gave them an instruction what they need to do. They were to take some animals and go to Job for burnt offering. God said for Job to intercede for them.  When Job prayed for his friends, The Lord gave back everything he had lost, but this time, twice as much (Job 42:8-10).

What can we learn from this? When Job received much criticism, Job was still able to pray for his three friends. Is it difficult to forgive someone who had accused us of wrong doing? Job gave us a perfect example that Job forgave his friends. Job prayed for them when they had hurt him. Could we forgive our friends who hurt us?

God called Job a good man and God had Job prayed for them. Their only hope was through Job's intercession for them. If your friends had hurt you and God might be angry with them for hurting you, would you pray to God and ask Him to spare them from His anger and cover them with the blood of Jesus and ask God to save their soul?

The key to all this one verse: "Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up." (James 4:10) I have quoted this so often when I had faced some challenges of criticism. God will reward you when you pray for them. There's peace in forgiveness.

So trust God today!

Dorothy

 

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)