Cherish Connections 10/21-23

21-23 October 2016 - Cherish Connections – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Romans 12:5 Paul said, “We, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.”

What is my ‘cherish connections”? First of all, Christ is my ‘cherish connection’ as Christ is the head of the body, the church (Colossians 1:18). Like the song says: I Love Him.

I love Him, I love Him

Because He first loved me

And purchased my salvation

On Calvary’s tree.

(Inspiring Choruses)

What exactly does ‘cherish connections’ means? The word cherish means to hold dear: feel or show affection for such as cherish her friends; to keep with care affection such as cherishes her friendship.  The word affection means a quality or feeling of liking and caring for another.  It seems to give more meaning when it comes to love Jesus and to love one another.

The word connection means to join or link together directly or by something coming between: Unite means come together to form a single unit. Join means to bring or fasten together in close contact.  The more I study the meaning of the words, the more I came to appreciate the thought of the title, “Cherish Connections.”

This helps me to appreciate my daily connection to Christ. The next step are those who know Jesus Christ as their Savior have even stronger ties.  We are forever connected to Him and to one another.  “We, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another,” Paul says in Roman 12:5.  We have been “born of God,” and we love those who are “begotten of Him” (1 John 5:1).

When we get together with other believers, we have the chance to talk about the One we love—Christ—and the love and forgiveness we have experienced in Him because of His death and resurrection.  We can encourage to each other to continue to trust Him and spur* one another on to be faithful in our walk with Him.

*Spur means something that makes one want to do something like rider’s boot has a device fastened to the back of the boot and used to urge a horse on. In a movie, we see cowboy wears spur on the back of the boot. It is like urge others to stay faithful to Him.

Paul says, “… comfort yourselves together, and edify one another …” (1 Thess. 5:11). Another ‘cherish connection’ is to edify one another through prayers. This is a wonderful ‘cherish connection’ we have in being members of one another through Christ.

We appreciate others joining in prayers for those who have problems and their hearts goes out to you, to edify you through their encouragements.  This is a wonderful cherish connections so thank you, partners in prayers for your love one to another.

God bless you real good!

Dorothy

Praying for Opposition 10/18-20

18-20 October 2016 - Praying for the Opposition – Manna by Dorothy

Matt. 5:44 “Love your enemies . . . and pray for those who . . . persecute you.”

For many years since I was a teenager, this verse has been my theme to always quote Matthew 5:44 by memory and whenever I faced the opposition of all kinds. When I have problems, Holy Spirit quote this to me:

“Love your enemies who gives you hard time.  Bless them that curse you and give you a bad name.  Do good to them that hate you and belittle you.  [Belittle means make you feel that you are not important person.]  Really pray for them which looks down on you and pray for them who persecute you, giving you a very bad names. Rejoice because your reward in heaven is so much greater.  You are rich with great blessings.”

Sound impossible?  Holy Spirit is speaking to you and all things are possible with God who believe. I remember in Deaf School, several kids made fun of me for serving Jesus. They tried to upset me, but I was strong in my faith.  I was at peace and they gave up and we all scattered.  As I was walking, two of the Deaf came to me and we walked together. They told me that they hid their faith in Christ because they were afraid to tell them that they believe in Jesus. They admire my courage to stand up for Christ.

Paul wrote that the only way we could really grow in Christ was through much tribulation that we enter heaven (Acts 14:22).  So my friends … be strong in the Lord.  Do not be ashamed that you stand up for Christ and tell them of your faith in Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, help us to be kind to those who hate and turn from You.  Lord, help us to love and pray for them that they will turn to You and find forgiveness for hurting You.  I want to thank You for showing me this verse that You do forgive those who persecute You and that Your heart was so full of love for them.  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit who will show the fruit of love in our lives.  Our true love for You, Jesus will surely win their souls to You.  Thank You and We love you! In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

Song: Lord, I Believe

Lord, I believe, Lord I believe

Savior raise my faith in Thee

‘Till it can moved a mountain.

Lord, I believe, Lord I believe,

All my doubts are

buried in the fountain.

[Inspiration Choruses]

See http://deafprayerpartners.blogspot.com/ 

For Prayer Needs 

Dorothy 

Mercy Seat 10/15-17

15-17 October 2016 - Mercy Seat – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Exodus 25:22, God said, “And there I will meet with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony…”

In the Old Testament, the Ark of the Testimony was a place where God met with His people.  When God said that “He would meet with you” from where? This place was above the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant, under the wings of the two cherubim.

What was the mercy seat covered the Ark with? It has three things: golden pot of manna, two tablets of Ten Commandments and Aaron’s rod. Why would God put them in the Ark?  It was a reminder that His people were rebellion against God over three things: God’s provision of manna for 40 years, God’s standard of living right from Ten Commandments, and God’s authority represent Aaron’s rod to set things in order.

So how could the people be protected from God’s anger for their rebellion against Him? Once a year on the Day of Atonement, the high priest would sprinkle the blood of the sacrificed animal on the mercy seat and so make propitiation for the sins of Israel.

Today, it is not the blood of animals that makes propitiation for our sins, but the holy blood of the Son of God (Romans 3:24-25). The word for “propitiation” in the original Greek text is hilasterion, which actually means “mercy seat.”

So Christ is our mercy seat. His blood speaks for us and puts God on our side.  God does not see our rebellion. God sees the blood of His Son and accepts us!  That is why we can come boldly to Him to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). And because Christ, our mercy seat, covers us with His blood, we are under God’s protection and we are completely healed.

Dorothy: What does this devotion means to me? Propitiation! I struggled with this word every time I see it in the Bible. Until I read Joseph Prince’s Daily Grace Inspiration, Christ is our Mercy Seat. I realized … God had mercy on me and I understood that propitiation, to gain favor from our merciful God, the mercy seat is His grace …”

And there were times I felt a little ‘rebellion’ in me and I wondered why. I was concerned until I read that the mercy seat covered the ark which had three emblems represented man’s rebellion over God’s provision, standard and authority. And that once a year Day of Atonement for were made propitiation for the sins of Israel and to gain favor of God through the blood. The sprinkled blood on His mercy seat!!!

And now I understood that Christ is our Mercy Seat!!!! Jesus interceded for us and covers us with His Blood.  Today I have a fresh start! Thank You Lord for Your grace.

        Song: At Calvary

     (William Reed Newell, Sing His Praise)

Mercy there was great, and grace was free;

Pardon there was multiplied to me;

There my burdened soul found liberty,

At Cal – va – ry.

  

      Song: The Healer

        (Lois Irwin, Sing His Praise)

Price for the healing was paid

As those cruel stripes were made

Within Pilate’s judgment hall.

Now His suffering gives*

            perfect healing for all.

This wonderful Healer is mine.

Chorus:

He was wounded for our transgressions;

He was bruised for our iniquities;

Surely He bore our sorrows,

And by His stripes we are healed.

     (*affords translate gives)

Fresh Start 10/11-14

11-14 October 2016 – Fresh Start – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV “… His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

Some of us made wrong choices in our lives, but our past words and actions are not a failure in God’s eyes for future. There is always a fresh start. When we ask God for His forgiveness, we take a first step toward restoring our relationship with Him and with others.

1 John 1:9 tells us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.  Jesus is our lawyer, He speak to God, the Father and Jesus presented His blood which cleansed us from all the wrong choices we made. 

This is why God’s compassion and God’s faithfulness are new every morning, so we can start afresh each day. Something new we have not experienced before. It is like a new feelings. We have a new beginning to start with. We have a chance to start refresh in spirits or vigor, feel like a new person with a new energy.

Prayer: Thank You Lord for this new day.  Thank You for a fresh start. Thank You for Your blood which cleansed me day by day and make me a new person. Thank You for Calvary.  Thank You for Your grace.  Your mercy are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness!  I love you!

Song: Great Is Thy Faithfulness

    (Thomas Obediah Chrisholm, Sing His Praise)

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Chorus:

“Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!”

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—

“Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!

May God truly bless you and you start fresh with Jesus!

Dorothy

Messiah Exalted Part 2, 10/8-10

08-10 October 2016 - Part 2 The Messiah Exalted – Manna by Dorothy

            Psalm 8:2 (NKJV) “Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants, You have ordained strength (to show strength) because of your enemies, that You may silence the enemy and the avenger.” Ps. 8:2 (NLT) “You have taught children and nursing infants to give you praise.  They silence your enemies who were seeking revenge.”

            Christ is the center and principal (most important; chief) subject of this messianic psalm 8, and it is so interpreted by the Lord Jesus Himself.

            Matthew tells us that, on one occasion (happen one time), He entered the temple and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who sold doves (Matt. 21:12), 

            The religious leaders were the one who allowed this commercial (market place) to make a profit by using the Court of the Gentiles.  The design of the Court system: The Temple has Inner Court, Altar, Court of Men, and the Court of Women which is for the Israelites only. Then next was the large area, the Court of the Gentiles, where all the nations are gathered for one purpose, “A House of Prayer.”

            Jesus said to the religious leaders, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it a den of thieves” (Matt. 21:13 NLT).  After cleansing the temple of the merchants (a buyer and seller of goods for profit), then the blind and the lame came to Him, and He healed them there in the Temple.

            Now when the children saw the miracles, their voices rang out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matt. 21:15).  Hosanna means “Save now” (Ps. 118:25 “Save now, I beseech (to ask earnestly for) thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity (make success for us).

            In other words, the children in the temple were calling upon the Messiah to deliver them now.  The chief priests and scribes looked on in religious silence with contempt (dislike), and ignorant (having no understanding) of the truth that this was the fulfillment of verse 2.

            The religious leaders said to Jesus, “Do you hear what these are saying?”  The religious leaders were shocked because the children proclaimed (announced) Him to be the promised Messiah. Then Jesus quoted verse 2 of Psalm 8: “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise?” (Matt. 21:16 NKJV).

            God used the children in the temple to exalt the Messiah and fulfill this messianic prophecy of Psalm 8:2. Did the religious leaders get this message?  No! Because they were blind that Jesus was truly the coming Messiah.  The children recognized Jesus as their Messiah and sang to Him, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” Praise God for this!

Song: Hosanna, Loud Hosanna

     (Lyrics: Jennette Threlfall, Sing His Praise)

Hosanna, loud hosanna, The little children sang;

Through pillared court and temple, The lovely anthem rang;

To Jesus, who had blessed them, Close folded to His breast,

The children sang their praises, The simplest and the best,

“Hosanna in the highest!” That ancient song we sing,

For Christ is our Redeemer, The Lord of heaven our King.

Oh, may we ever praise Him With heart and life and voice,

And in His blissful presence Eternally rejoice!

Messiah Exalted 10/4-7

04-07 October 2016 - The Messiah Exalted – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Psalm 8:1 “O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens!” (NKJV)

This messianic psalm exalts the name of Jesus.  You can sense David’s excitement as you read the first verse of Psalm 8, “O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens!”

           

The name of Jesus is excellent in all the earth and His glory fills the universe. His name is above every name—every name in heaven, every name on earth, and every name throughout the vast universe (Phil. 2:9-11).

Reading from NKJV: “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to glory of God the Father.”

           

The day will come when every tongue will confess that glorious, excellent name of Jesus Christ as Lord.  For those who are in hell will be too late, but they will confess it nevertheless (Rev. 20:11-15). But those of us who will be in the presence of our Savior will continue to confess and exalt that name throughout eternity (Rev. 21:6,7).

Dorothy: Imagine, David must have seen a vision of Jesus Christ, Himself to say, how excellent is His Name! David loves God and he was greatly inspired to quote this scripture.  I have seen Tony sing this song, “His Name is Higher’ with a great feeling of honoring His Name.  I could feel the Presence of Jesus Christ when Tony signed this song in the beauty of Holy Spirit’s moving.  It’s awesome!

Song: His Name is Higher

    (Collection of songs, author unknown)

His Name is higher than any others.

His Name is Jesus.  His Name is Lord.

His name is higher than any others.

His Name is Jesus.  His Name is Lord.

His Name is Wonderful.

His Name is Counselor.

His Name is Prince of Peace,

     The Mighty God.

His Name is higher than any others.

His Name is Jesus.  His Name is Lord.

May the Lord bless you as you honor His name!

Dorothy

Be Affectionate 10/1-3

01 03 October 2016 Be Affectionate – Verse for the Day by Dorothy Callies

Romans 12:10 “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another” (NKJV).

Affectionate? What in the world could we really be affectionate to some people that doesn’t make our lives so simple? A feeling or showing a great liking for a person or thing. Another meaning of the word is loving.  

Strange … Many times I have read through the famous chapter 12 of Romans for our everyday lives, but today … this one topic, ‘affectionate’ seems to ‘hit’ me.  It never did before … until now.

I asked God if there was anything I should hear from Him through the devotion and this was it.  I felt God was speaking to me personally and also to share this with other Deaf.  The more I pondered this verse, the more I realized that many of us have weakness …

I would need to say in prayer:  Oh, Holy Spirit … this is impossible … so I really need Your help how to really do this.  Maybe say kind words … and be gentle in our attitude toward others.  James 1:5 tells me if I need wisdom, I would ask God for it and that You are generous to give us wisdom.  You will not scold us if we need to ask You many times for wisdom and help how to do this. I thank You for this, in Jesus’ name. Amen!

I searched for a song to match this verse and I couldn’t find it yet. It may be out there, but somehow in my ‘inner spirit’, I heard Holy Spirit singing like this.  And I just love it and want to share this special song with you.

Song: Love One Another

   (Written by Dorothy Callies, inspired by Holy Spirit)

Love one another,

     Love one another,

Love one another as I have loved you.

Be kind to another,

     Be kind to another,

Be kind to another as I’m kind to you.

Honor one another,

     Honor one another,

Honor one another as I have honored you!

Love one another,

     Love one another,

Love one another as I … have loved … you!

May God bless you today!

Dorothy