Nothing, Part Three (4/7-9)

07-09 April 2015 – “Nothing” Part Three – Manna by Dorothy Callies

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 KJV, “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.”

Question: How did Paul handle with those Christians who do “nothing” and stay in their idleness in the church? Answer: Paul counseled the church to stop supporting financially and associating with those who persisted in their idleness. Hunger and loneliness can be very effective ways to make the idle person become productive. Paul was not advising coldness or cruelty, but the kind of tough love that a person would show a brother or sister.

Let’s read what Paul wrote on 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 NLT, “Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. 15) Don’t think of them as enemies, but speak to them as you would to a Christian who needs to be warned.

Question: What cause these Christians to think that they didn’t need to work? *Some people in the Thessalonian Church were falsely teaching that because Christ would return any day, people should set aside their responsibilities, quit work, do no future planning, and just wait for the Lord. But their lack” of activity led them into sin. They became a burden to the Church, which was supporting them; they wasted time that could have been used for helping others.

*These church members may have thought that they were being more spiritual by not working, but Paul tells them to be responsible and get back to work. Being ready for Christ means obeying Him in every area of life. Because we know that Christ is coming, we must live in such a way that our faith and our daily practice will please Him when He arrives. [*Notes from QVLAB)

“This should be our ambition: to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we commanded you before. As a result, people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others to meet your financial needs” (1 Thess. 4:11-12 NLT).

This reminds me of Jesus’ words in the “Parable of the Ten Pounds, “Occupy till I come.” What did Jesus do with one of the servant that were lazy and did “nothing” with the pound that the master gave him?

To be continued with Part Four.

SONG: WE’LL WORK UNTIL JESUS COMES

We’ll work … till Jesus comes,

We’ll work … till Jesus comes,

We’ll work … till Jesus comes,

And we’ll be gathered home.

(Elizabeth Mills, Sing His Praise)

Nothing, Part Two (4/4-6)

04-06 April 2015 – “Nothing” Part Two – Manna by Dorothy Callies

2 Thess. 3:13 NLT, “And I say to the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.”

Part two remain the same question from Part one: “What if my work has “nothing” to do with anything “Christian”—How can God be glorified in my work?” Answer:  Christians are commanded to work hard at whatever they do. What did Paul really believe? Paul was writing here about the person who is lazy.

To find out more, let’s read 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 NLT, “And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command with the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from any Christians who lives in idleness and doesn’t follow the tradition of hard work we gave you.

7) For you know that you ought to follow our example. We were never lazy when we were with you. 8) We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9) It wasn’t that we didn’t have the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow.

10) Even while we were with you, we gave you this rule: “Whosoever does not work should not eat.” 11) Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and wasting time meddling in other people’s business. 12) In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we appeal to such people—no we command them: Settle down and get to work. Earn your own living. 13) And I say to the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.”

Again, *Paul was writing about the person who is lazy. Paul explained that when he and his companions were in Thessalonica, they worked hard, buying what they needed rather than becoming a burden to any of the believers. The rules they followed was, “Whoever does not work should not eat.”

*There’s a difference between leisure or pleasure and laziness. Relaxation and recreation provide a necessary and much needed balance to our life; but when it is time to work, Christians should jump right in. We should make the most of our talent and time, doing all we can to provide for ourselves and our dependents. Rest when you should be resting, and work when you should be working. [*Some of the notes are from QVLB]

What does this means to me? Sometimes I wonder if it was okay to play free puzzles in IPAD that I enjoyed very much during my break time. It was amazing that God’s Word would let you know how to balance your life.  

The next question: How did Paul handle with those Christians who do “nothing” and stay in their idleness in the church?

To be continued with Part Three.

Nothing, Part One (4/1-3)

01-03 April 2015 – “Nothing” Part One – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Genesis 2:15 NLT, “The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and care for it.”

The question I found from the Quick Verse Life Application Bible was: “What if my work has nothing to do with anything “Christian”—How can God be glorified in my work? Answer: Our work is anchored in God’s very character; part of being made in His image is sharing the industrious and creative aspects of His nature.

To find out what this really mean, let’s search Genesis 2:1-9, 15 in NLT, “So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. 2) On the seventh day, having finished His task, God rested from all His work. 3) And God blessed the seventh day and declare it holy, because it was the day when He rested from His work of creation. 4) This is the account of the creation of heavens and the earth.”

4) When the Lord God made the heavens and the earth, 5) there were no plants or grain growing on the earth, for the Lord God had not sent any rain. AND NO ONE WAS THERE TO CULTIVATE THE SOIL. 6) But the water came up out of the ground and watered all the land. 7) AND THE LORD GOD FORMED A MAN’S BODY from the dust of the ground and breathed into it the breath of life. AND THE MAN BECAME A LIVING PERSON.

8) Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and HE PLACED THE MAN HE HAD CREATED. 9) “And the Lord God planted all sorts of trees in the garden—beautiful trees that produced fruit. 15) THE LORD GOD PLACED THE MAN IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN TO TEND AND CARE FOR IT.”

Dorothy: What did I learn from this? When God created the earth, there were no plants or grain growing on the earth because no one was there to cultivate the soil. So when God made Adam, God gave Adam a job to do. To cultivate the soil, God need Adam to prepare the land for the raising of crops, to loosen up or break up the soil. God need Adam’s help with labor and to take care of the growing grain and vegetables that it becomes food for Adam.

So we see that Adam was made in God’s image, His character that God likes to work and God gave Adam a job to do … to cultivate the soil, to raise food and to keep busy working six days a week. Then God rested on the seventh day and Adam, like God, rested on the seventh day.

God was glorified when Adam obeyed and he did the work of cultivation on the soil. It is true that cultivation has “nothing” to do with anything “Christian,” but still God put Adam to work. When God worked, Adam worked too. So there’s more to this.  

To be continued to Part two, “Nothing.”  

Wisdom of Solomon (3/30-31)

30-31 March 2015 – Greater Than Solomon is Here – Manna by Dorothy

Matthew 12:42 KJV, “… she (the queen of south, Sheba) came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the Wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.”

We read story about how the Queen of Sheba traveled a thousand miles to learn God’s wisdom from Solomon. She was amazed at the Wisdom of Solomon in all his glory. She was breathless. “And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts, and of thy wisdom. Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes have seen it: and behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard” (1 Kings 10:6-7 KJV).

She said, “Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom. Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the Lord loved Israel for ever, therefore (He made) thee king, to do judgment and justice” (1 Kings 10:8-9 KJV).  

Now Jesus said, “… … behold, a greater than Solomon is here.” Why did Jesus say this? The Scribes and the Pharisees demanded that Jesus gives them a sign of miracle to prove that He was the Messiah. They had already decided not to believe in Him. Who would be greater than Solomon? Jesus Christ is greater than Solomon.

Jesus had done miracles of healing people, even He raised Lazarus from the dead. Because of their unbelief, Jesus declared that “On the Judgment Day, the Queen of the South will stand up with you people who live today. She will show that you are guilty, because she came from far away to listen to Solomon’s wise teaching …” (Matt. 12:42 NCV).

So now, I want to focus on the “Wisdom of Solomon” which is a type of Christ, who would one day reign as a King of Israel on the earth for a thousand year. We look forward to that day and we will hear the “Wisdom of Christ.” He will do greater things than Solomon. I believe we will be “breathless” and say to our future King: “How happy these people must be! What a privilege for your officials to stand here day after day, listening to Your wisdom!” (1Kings 10:8 NLT).

SONG: WE SHALL SEE THE KING

There’s a blessed time that‘s coming, coming soon,

It may be evening, morning or at noon,

The wedding of the bride, united with the groom,

We shall see the King when He comes.

Chorus:

We shall see the King, We shall see the King,

We shall see the King when He comes;

He is coming in power, we’ll hail the blessed hour,

We shall see the King when He comes.

(James B. Vaughan, Sing His Praise)

What Wisdom is Not! (3/28-29)

28-29 March 2015 – What Wisdom is Not! – Manna by Dorothy Callies  

James 3:15 NLT, “For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom.”

Questions: What wisdom that are not the kind of God’s wisdom? And what is a true wisdom from heaven? Let us study each verse from James 3:13-18 NLT.

13) “If you are wise and understand God’s ways, live a life of steady goodness so that only good deeds will pour forth. And if you don’t brag about the good you do, then you will be truly wise!” James 3:13 KJV say, “Who is a wise man and endued (has good quality) with knowledge among you? Let him show out of a good conversation (life of action) his works with meekness of wisdom.”

Have you ever known anyone who claimed to be wise, but act foolishly? True wisdom can be measured by a person’s character. It’s the same idea that you can identify a tree by the type of fruit it produces. You can evaluate your wisdom by the way you act. Foolishness leads to disorder, but wisdom leads to peace and goodness. (Evaluate means to find the value of or worth of after study) In another words, study yourself by the way you act if you are using wisdom or not.

14) “But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your hearts, don’t brag about being wise. That is the worst kind of lie. 15) For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and motivated by the Devil. 16) For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every kind of evil.” [James 3:14-16 NLT]

So jealousy, selfishness, earthly, unspiritual, lies, disorder and every kind of evil are not from above. These kinds are not God’s wisdom. KJV tells us “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish” [James 3:14-15 KJV]

“For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work” (Js.3:16 KJV). “Strife” is related to being envy and it leads to evil habits of selfish ambition that causes them to move up in position of their own interest. They see that others have this and that, they want it, they desire it, and they envy it. So selfishness and greed are motivated by the Devil.

So how do the Christians be set free from this? Seeking God’s wisdom delivers us from the need to compare ourselves to others and to what they have. I repeat this: To be set free and to be delivered, SEEK GOD’S WISDOM. So what is a true wisdom, God’s kind of wisdom? Let’s continue with James 3:17-18 NLT:

17) “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality (favoritism) and is always sincere. 18) And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.”

Prayer: Oh heavenly Father, deliver us from evil. Now we understand why we pray the Lord’s Prayer: Our Father who are in heaven, holy be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will (plan) be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive our sins as we forgive those who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. So that is it Lord, DELIVER US FROM EVIL. Help us to seek Your wisdom that leads us to make peace with others. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory belongs to You in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen! Thank You Holy Spirit!

Use Wise Words (3/25-27)

25-27 March 2015 - Use Wise Words – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger.”

Have you ever tried to argue in a whisper? It is equally hard to argue with someone who insists on answering gently. On the other hand, a rising voice and harsh words almost always trigger an angry response. To turn away wrath and seek peace, choose gentle words.

Tony got this internet story from his brother, Mike and I thought this verse fits well to share this with you the story called, “NAILS IN THE FENCE.”

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.

The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down.

He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all.

He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.

The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, “You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same.

When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. But it won’t matter how many time you say I’m sorry, the wound will still be there.

A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one. Remember that friends are very rare jewels indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share words of praise and they always want to open their hearts to us.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for showing us your words and the story, the nails in the fence. It reminds me of Jesus whose hands were nailed to the cross. He was wounded for our transgression. He was bruised for our iniquity. Surely He bore our sorrows. And by His stripes we are healed. Father, I pray that my friends would forgive me if I ever hurt them. Teach me to choose gentle words through the help of Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!

Job's Friends' Opinion on Wisdom (3/22-24)

22-24 March 2015 - Job's Friends' Opinion on Wisdom - Manna by D.C. 

Job 28:28 NTL, “And this is what he says to all humanity: “The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.”

Question was: Where can wisdom be found? Job and his friends differed in their ideas of how people become wise. I thought it would be good to share this from the commentary and read how they discussed with Job in his time of trial. It was more of their opinions where can wisdom be found. Job’s three friends name were: Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar.

First, Eliphaz’s opinion, how wisdom is learned by observing and experiencing life. He based his advice to JOB on his confident, firsthand knowledge. It is found in Job 4:7,8; 5:3, 27. Eliphaz’s attitude toward God, “I have personally observed how God works and have figured him out.”

Secondly, Bildad’s opinion, how wisdom is inherited from the past. Trustworthy knowledge is secondhand. He based his advice to JOB on traditional proverbs and sayings that he frequently quoted. It is found in Job 8:8,9; 18:5-21. Bildad’s attitude toward God, “Those who have gone before us figured God out, and all we have to do is use that knowledge.”  

Thirdly, Zophar’s opinion, how wisdom belongs to the wise. He based his advice on his wisdom that had no other source than himself. It is found in Job 11:6; 20:1-29.

Zophar’s attitude toward God, “The wise know what God is like, but there aren’t many of us around.”

Finally, Job gave the best answer and explained that God is the source of wisdom, and the first step toward wisdom is to fear God. It is found in Job 28:20-28. Job’s attitude toward God, “God reveals His wisdom to those who humbly trust Him.”

How did God respond to all of these discussion among Job’s friends about where can wisdom be found? Job 38:1-2 NLT, Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind: “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?” In another words, Job’s friends thought they knew the answer to where wisdom can be found. God was not pleased with their opinions about Him.

From Job 38:3 through 42:6 NLT, God asked so many questions to Job about His creations and finally Job realized who God is. Job repented. Then God turned to Job’s friends and said to Eliphaz, “I am angry with you and with your two friends, for you have not been right in what you said about Me, as My servant Job was.” (Job 42:7) God had Job to offer bulls and rams for burnt offering for his friends and to pray for them that God will accept their forgiveness for having the wrong opinions against God and Job.

It is good to be reminded that Job’s attitude toward God was right that “God reveals His wisdom to those who humbly trust Him.” James said, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.” (James 4:10).

God bless you!