Continual Coming

September 30 2013 Continual Coming – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Luke 18:5 “Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me” (KJV).

You know, I had wondered about keeping on asking the Father about the healing for some of my Deaf friends who had ongoing vision problems. Until I read this, I realized Jesus was giving me an instruction. “But this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests” (NLT)! Don’t you love this? Let’s read on. 

Reading from Luke 18:1-8, Jesus gave a parable that we ought always to pray, and not to give up easily. The word “always” means at all times. Jesus told about a judge and the widow who kept coming to him for help. The word “persistent” means continuing and stubbornly determined. Another important word is “persevere” which are often used as “persevere in prayer.” It means to keep at something in spite of difficulties, opposition, or discouragement.

There was the unjust judge. The judge had no fear of God. The idea is that the judge took bribes and gave favors to person who held position and authority. There was the poor widow who had no money to bribe the judge. The widow was all alone with no money to get legal counsel to plead her case. The widow was persecuted, being taken advantage of some adversary or enemy. The widow kept coming to the judge and asked him to help her, to get rid of her adversary.

 The judge ignored her. The judge did not move to help her. The judge was silent. The Scripture quoted, He “would not for a while,” but the poor widow kept on coming and coming, pleading and pleading. She would not let the judge rest. Finally, he gave in to the widow and helped her of her adversary.

Why the judge gave in? Because of her “continual coming.” The judge could not get rid of her. The judge said, “Even though I don’t respect God or care about people, I will see that she gets her rights. Otherwise she will continue to bother me until I am worn out” (NCV).

The Lord said, “Listen to what the unfair judge said.” What Jesus meant was the unfair judge holds a great lesson for believers. Hear, give attention and thought to what He teaches. Then Jesus said, “Shall not God help his own people who cry to Him, day and night?” Jesus used a story of the unjust judge to compare that God is far better because He does listen to the cry and Jesus said, “I tell you, God will help His people quickly” (Luke 18:8a NCV).

Luke 18:1 “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” Jesus’ word was strong and forceful in stressing the believer’s duty to persevere in prayer. The word “ought” means it is absolutely necessary that we persevere in prayer. The word “always” means at all times. The words “not to faint” mean not to lose heart, or give up, give in to evil. To pray is to “Seek the Lord and his strength, seek His face continually" (1 Chron.16:11).

Prayer: Thank You, Lord for this word of encouragement that in spite of what was happening around us, You stress strongly for us to keep on praying and to believe that He does hear our cry and to keep on trusting Heavenly Father. Thank You for the peace inside of us, knowing that You have a plan for us. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen and amen!

May the Lord touch your heart that God does care!

Continued Steadfastly

September 27-29, 2013 - Continued Steadfastly – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Acts 2:42 “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (KJV).

The reason I like to use the King James Version because of the word “continued” while the New Living Translation quoted, “They joined with the other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, sharing in the Lord’s Supper and in prayer.” Sharing in the Lord’s Supper refers to Communion services that were celebrated in remembrance of Jesus and the Last Supper that Jesus had with his disciples before His death (Matthew 26:26-29).

Jesus told Peter, “Upon this Rock, I will build my church.” What did Jesus meant by that? It was on the day of Pentecost when Peter preached about Christ crucified and 3,000 souls were saved. This was the beginning of the Church, the “Born-again Christians” who followed Christ and His teachings. Jesus had blessed them before He was carried up into heaven (Luke 24:50-51).

Soon after, many of the Jews were “kicked out” of their synagogues and had joined “the Church” so they could continue the fellowship and continue to grow spiritually through Jesus’ teaching, continue the Communion and continue in prayers.

 Notice the word, stedfastly, or steadfastly means firmly fixed in place; not subject to change; firm in belief, determination, or allegiance. In another word, they were so faithful, so devoted and having a strong loyalty, affection, or dedication in doing four things. 1) Continue the doctrine or the teaching of Jesus, 2) Continue the fellowship, 3) Continue the Communion, and 4) Continue in prayers. It is something to think about continues steadfastly in doing four things.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the Manna that You reminds us to continue steadfastly in Your Word, fellowship with others, having communion, and having prayers. Your Word enriches us so much and for that I am thankful, dear Father. Bless my friends in Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen!

So let’s bind us together in Christ!

Song: Bind Us Together

Bind us together, Lord; Bind us together

with the cords that cannot be broken.

Bind us together, Lord; Bind us together, Lord;

Bind us together with love.

There is only one God. There is only one King.

There is only one Body, That is why we sing:

Bind us together, Lord; Bind us together

with the cords that cannot be broken.

Bind us together, Lord; Bind us together, Lord;

Bind us together with love.

(Bob Gillman, Sing His Praise)

Continue with His Disciples

September 25-26, 2013 - Continue With His Disciples – Manna by Dorothy Callies

John 11:54 “Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, unto a city called Ephraim, and there continued with His disciples.”

Why was Jesus not able to go freely in public? The answer is found in verse 53 that says: “So from that time on the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus’ death. As a result, Jesus stopped His public ministry among the people and left Jerusalem. He went to a place near the wilderness, to the village of Ephraim, and stayed there with His disciples” [NLT].

It was nearing the Passover time and this was a deliberate plot to kill Jesus. Jesus was so popular with the people and the religious leaders were afraid to arrest Him during the Passover. The religious leaders did not want their actions to cause the riot among the people. It was not time for them to arrest Jesus because He needed to be with His disciples during the Passover time. And having Communion with them was the important part which the disciples had written in the Gospels for us today.

What was the result that Jesus spent time with His disciples out in the wilderness? We have no idea how many days, weeks or months. The disciples’ fellowship with Jesus must have been something. We see some of them wrote the Gospels, wrote letters, and not only that, they would be rewarded with twelve thrones, each one governing one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

This gives you something to think about when you spend time with Jesus and have fellowship with Him, through reading and studying His Word. Singing to Him and worshipping Him would bring results and who knows what He would give you in the future when we will reign with Him. This should encourage you to let Jesus “continue to be with you.”

Song: Friendship with Jesus

1. A friend of Jesus, oh what bliss (bless)

That one so weak as I

Should ever have a friend like this

To lead me to the sky.

Chorus:

Friend-ship with Je-sus,

Fellow-ship divine;

Oh, what blessed sweet communion,

Jesus is a friend of mine.

2. A friend when other friendship cease,

A friend when others fail;

A friend who gives me joy and peace,

A friend who will prevail. (Then chorus)

(J.C. Ludgate, Sing His Praise)

Continued All Night

September 23-24, 2013 Continued All Night – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Luke 6:12 “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.”

Again and again, Jesus sought to be alone with His Father in prayer, especially at times when He needs to make decision. What was the result of His all night earnest prayers? Jesus chose the twelve to become His apostles (Lk.6:13-16). He healed many who were sick (Lk.6:17-19). He preached His most famous Beatitudes (Matt.5:1-12; Lk.6:20-23) and Sermons (Lk.6:24-49).

If Jesus, the perfect Son of God, spent a whole night in prayer to the Father in order to make an important decision, how much more do we need to depend on the Holy Spirit every day to help us to pray and to continue with His word and to make a wise decision?

Matthew 14:23 “And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when evening was come, He was there alone.” While on earth, Jesus often sought time to be alone with God. Time alone with God is very important to the spiritual well-being of every believer.

Mark 1:35 “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.” We need to remember that at any time when we lack desire for time alone with our Heavenly Father would cause our spiritual life to decline (downhill). If this happen to you, I encourage you to turn to the Lord and seek His face and His saving grace. He will lift you up and hug you real good!

 Song: In the Garden

1. I come to the garden alone

While the dew is still on the roses;

And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,

The Son of God discloses (came to me).

Chorus:

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own,

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

2. He speaks and the sound of His voice

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing;

And the melody that He gave to me

Within my heart is ringing. (Then Chorus)

3. I’d stay in the garden with Him

Though the night around me be falling;

But He bids me go thru the voice of woe,

His voice to me is calling. (Then chorus)

(C. Austin Miles, Sing His Praise)

Continue in My Word

September 20-22, 2013 - Continue in My Word – Manna by Dorothy Callies

John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples” [KJV].

It is not enough to put confidence in our past faith or our past experience. It is not enough just to believe on Him. Jesus had spoken to his disciples to continue in His Word. He also speaks to us to continue in His Word. Come to think of it … hum … I am thinking of John first chapter and the first verse. Let’s take a look.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God” [John 1:1-2 KJV]. John begins his Gospel by calling Jesus “the Word.” The Greek word is “logos,” meaning any kind of communication. Here, it means Christ, because Christ was the way God told people about Himself. [Note: New Century Version]

John gave us three main characteristics of Jesus Christ as “the Word.”

1) The Word’s relation to the Father. Christ was with His Father before the creation of the world. Christ was not created; He is eternal and He has always been in loving fellowship with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Christ was divine (“the Word was God”), having the same nature and the same quality as the Father. 

2) The Word’s relation to the world. It was through Christ that God the Father created the world. “For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth …” [Col.1:16]. “… God has chosen his Son to own all things, and through him he made the world” [Heb.1:2 NCV].

3) The Word’s relation to humanity. “The Word was made flesh” (Jn.1:14). In Jesus, God became a human being, having the same nature as man but without sin. John said, “The Word became a human and lived among us. We saw his glory …” [Jn.1:14a NCV]. John witnessed that Jesus was truly the Son of God. Now we have the Bible so Christ revealed Himself from Genesis through Revelation. So let’s read and study “The Word,” the Bible.

So let us continue “The Word” in our hearts and keep Jesus alive!

Song: Wonderful Words of Life

1. Sing them over again to me, Wonderful words of life;

Let me more of their beauty see, Wonderful words of life;

Words of life and beauty, Teach me faith and duty;

Chorus:

Beautiful words, wonderful words,

Wonderful words of life;

Beautiful words, wonderful words,

Wonderful words of life.

(Philip Paul Bliss, Sing His Praise)

Stephen Love for Christ

September 18-19, 2013 Stephen Love for Christ – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Acts 7:8, 56 “Stephen, full of faith and power …”; “Behold, I see heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.”

Stephen had been appointed one of the seven to serve people, was accused falsely, preached the word of God, and he was taken out to be stoned to death yet he was saying, “Lord Jesus take me home and please forgive them for stoning me.” He fell asleep. [Acts7:59-60]

Stephen saw Jesus stood up in order to welcome his first martyr to Himself. Stephen had confessed Christ before men and defended the faith. Now Christ, in honor of His servant, confesses Stephen before His heavenly Father. For all faithful believers near death, the Savior stands ready to receive you as your intercessor and advocate. [Ref: Mark 8:38; Luke 12:8; Rom. 8:34; 1 John 2:1]

Saul who became Paul had witnessed Stephen’s death and later on, he got saved. Paul talked about “the blood of martyr Stephen was shed” [Acts 22:20]. This is an example that Stephen lay down his life for Christ. His love for Christ was so real that it reminds me of a song. “I will serve Thee.”

Song: I Will Serve Thee

I will serve Thee because I love Thee,

You have given life to me;

I was nothing before You found me,

You have given life to me.

Heart-aches, broken pieces,

Ruined lives are why you died on Calvary;

Your touch was what I longed for,

You have given life to me.

[William J. & Gloria Gaither]

God's Love For His Son

September 16-17, 2013 God’s Love for His Son – Manna by Dorothy Callies

John 10:17 “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life …”

Jesus’ sacrificial death was the very reason God loves His Son so much. God naturally loves His Son just as any man loves his child. But God loves Jesus even more, in a much more special way, because Jesus was willing to pay such a price to bring men to God.

The love of God the Father for God the Son is the measure of the love of the Son for believers. How do we measure Jesus’ love for us? John 15:13: “And here is how to measure it—the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends” (NLT). “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (NKJV). Jesus, the Shepherd lay down His life for the sheep.

To lay down His life for us means that Jesus died so that He might arise from the dead. He took the sin of man upon Himself to free man from sin, which is to provide righteousness for man. 1 Peter 2:24 “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye are healed.”

You know sometimes we are not able to grasp what that language was about, “a man lay down his life for his friends.” So we try to figure out how does a person really lay down his life for others? I watched one war movie that shows a part of the  story of how an army man “took a bullet” for his buddy. When he held his dying buddy in his arm and he asked, “Why did you take the bullet that was meant for me?” A buddy in his arms just smiled and died peacefully. That broke his heart. It was beyond his understanding to why his buddy died for him. He would always remember that he lives because of his deceased buddy.

We know what real love is because Christ laid down his life for us. And so we also ought to lay down our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters. How does God’s love be shown in us? We show our love by our actions when our brothers or sisters are in need of help. [1Jn.3:16-17]

Song: This is My Commandment

This is my commandment, that ye love one another,

that your joy may be full.

This is my commandment, that ye love one another,

that your joy may be full.

That your joy may be full, that your joy may be full.

This is my commandment, that ye love one another,

that your joy may be full.

(Author unknown, collection of songs)