The Lord is Near

February 11, 2014 - The Lord is Near – Bread Card Box by Dorothy Callies

Psalm 145:18a “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him” (kjv).

When we call upon God with our sincere heart, we can be sure that our God is near. He will hear our prayer, fulfill our desire for help and work for our deliverance. How do I know that? Ps. 145:19 said, “He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them. The Lord will preserveth all them that love Him …” (kjv).

New Living Translation on Psalm 145:

¹⁸The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him sincerely. ¹⁹He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them. ²⁰The Lord protects all those who love him, but he destroys the wicked. ²¹ I will praise the Lord, and everyone on earth will bless his holy name forever and forever.

Let us be encouraged that God is still on the throne, and He hears us when we call on Him. So let us trust our God today! We are near to the heart of God!

Song: Near to the Heart of God

Chorus:

O Jesus, blest Redeemer,

Sent from the heart of God,

Hold us who wait before Thee

Near to the heart of God.

1. There is a place of quiet rest

    Near to the heart of God,

    A place where sin can-not molest,

    Near to the heart of God, (Next Chorus)

2. There is a place of comfort sweet

    Near to the heart of God,

    A place where we our Savior meet,

    Near to the heart of God. (Next chorus)

3. There is a place of full release

    Near to the heart of God.

    A place where all is joy and peace,

    Near to the heart of God. (Next chorus)

       [Cleland Boyd McAfee, Sing His Praise]

All Things New

January 1-5, 2014 All Things New – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Rev. 21:5 “And He that sat upon the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.”

What were the new things that Jesus was referring to? John said, “I saw a new heaven and a new earth. And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem.” “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God” (Rev. 21:3). 

Our God will walk from the New Jerusalem into the new earth just like He used to walk with Adam and Eve in the cool of evening. We all will finally see God face to face and God will walk with us. “He (you) that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his (your) God and he (you) will be my son (children).” (Rev. 21:7 KJV).

What about the people who rejected Christ? Where do they go if they are not invited to a new heaven and a new earth? Rev. 21:8 NLT tells this. “But cowards who turn away from Me, and unbelievers, and the corrupt, and murderers, and the immoral, and those who practice witchcraft, and idol worshipers, and all liars—their doom is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”

The “cowards” are not those who are fainthearted in their faith or who sometimes doubt or question, but those who turn back from following God. The “cowards” are not brave enough to stand up for Christ. The “cowards” are not humble enough to accept His authority over their lives. The “cowards” are put in the same list as the unbelieving, the corrupt (change from good to bad), the murderers, the immoral (bad or evil), the idolaters (person who worship the idol), the liars, and those practicing magic arts. (Some notes are from other resources).

The overcomers are the opposite of cowards. All who are overcomers will inherit all these blessings that God promised: (1) eating from the tree of life, (2) escaping from the lake of fire (the “second death,”) (3) receiving a special name, (4) having authority over the nations, (5) being included in the Book of life, (6) being a pillar in God’s spiritual temple, and (7) sitting with Christ on His throne. [Ref. Mk. 13:13; Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21].  Plus other rewards that Jesus promised (Rev. 22:12).

To me, it is exciting to hear Jesus’ word, “Behold, I make all things new.” It feels like a “fresh” beginning to trust God in all things in the year of 2014. God bless you.

Song: We Shall See the King

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)

Rock Like Our God

Bread Verse by Dorothy Callies

1 Samuel 2:2 

“No one is holy like the LORD! There is no one besides You; There is no Rock like our God.”

Hannah praised God for being a Rock, a God who is firm, strong, and unchanging. In our fast-paced world, friends come and go, and circumstances change. It is difficult to find a solid foundation that will not change. Those who devote their lives to achievements, causes, or possessions have as their security which has some certain limits and often changeable. The possessions that we work so hard to get will all pass away. But God is always present. Hope in Him. He will never fail. [Part of the notes from resources]

Other references are good to share: 

Exodus 15:11 “Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” 

Deuteronomy 4:35 “Unto thee it was showed, that thou mightest know that the Lord he is God; there is none else beside Him.”

Song: Praise the Name of Jesus

Praise the name of Jesus,

Praise the name of Jesus,

He’s my Rock, He’s my Fortress,

He’s my Deliverer, in Him will I trust,

Praise the name of Jesus.

[Roy Hicks, Jr. Psalm 18:1]

Don't Be Afraid

Bread Verse by Dorothy Callies

Isaiah 41:10 “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you” (NLT).

The word, dismayed interest me to search the meaning when God said, “Do not be dismayed.” So God is saying, “Do not let things ‘to cause you to lose courage’ or ‘to feel concern.’” In another word, upset or to feel disturb greatly especially in mind. Do not be upset or feel bothersome in your mind. Do not let your mind trouble you.

The word, afraid also has another meaning that interests me, “having a dislike for something” that we don’t want it there. We don’t want it because it upset us. We want things to be perfect and in harmony. When it isn’t in harmony, we feel “screw up.” Things are not smooth the way we want it.

I remember Jesus’ word: “Let not your heart be troubled. Neither let it be afraid. Believe in God. Believe also in Me.” (Ref. Jn. 14:1, 27) God does not want us to be afraid. God wants us to build our trust in Him. To build our trust means that we are to quote His promises that He will continue His grace and strengthen to face all the circumstances of life. He will help us through times of crises. He quoted, “I am with you. I am your God.”

When we quote the promises of God, it would be like “we are bathing ourselves into His Presence.” Bathing would be like “swimming into the flows of the Spirit,” the rivers of life from the very throne of God. (Ref. Rev. 22:1). Bathing would wash off our being afraid and washing off our dismay in us. He would fill us with peace as Jesus said, “My peace I give it to you.” I pray in the name of Jesus that there would be peace inside of you. Amen!

Song: Wonderful Peace

Peace! Peace! Wonderful peace,

Coming down from the Father above,

Sweep over my spirit forever I pray,

*In fathomless billows of love.

(W.D. Cornell, Sing His Praise)

[*ASL: In plenty deep and much love]

Halted

This devotion was halted because I was taken to emergency hospital 2 nights to be treated for the shortage of breathe. It was due to bronchitis and narrow airway. They gave me medication so that I could breathe easily and rest for 10 days. I just trust God day by day and thank you for your prayers.

Dorothy Callies

Nothing Impossible

Bread Verse by Dorothy Callies

Luke 1:37, NLT “For nothing is impossible with God.”

An angel came to Mary with salutation and good news that Jesus shall be born and be called the Son of God. Impossible! And also Elisabeth, who was barren, shall bring forth a son and named him John. Impossible! Sarah, Abraham’s wife laughed when she heard that she would have a son in her old age. Impossible! Genesis 18:14 NIV asked, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”

Jeremiah 32:17 NIV “Ah, Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and earth by Your great power and outstretched arm, nothing is too hard for You.” Jesus said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matt.19:26 NIV). Again, Jesus said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God” (Lu.18:27 NIV).

Paul talked about Abraham’s faith and that Abraham believed God that he would have a son in his old age. Abraham did not waver through unbelief. Abraham was fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promise (Rom. 4:21 NIV).

Like Abraham, let us trust God that nothing is impossible with Him!

Song: God Can Do Anything but Fail

God can do anything, anything, anything

God can do anything but fail.

He’s the Alpha and Omega,

     the beginning and the end,

He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul;

God can do anything, anything, anything

God can do anything but fail.

(Inspiring Choruses)

How Lovely Tabernacle

Bread Verse by Dorothy Callies

Psalm 84:1 “How lovely is your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts!” (NIV)

“Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young—even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; they will be praising You. For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You!” (Psalm 84:3,4,10,11,12).

“Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee” (Ps.84:4 kjv). Those who go to the house of the Lord seeking His presence will receive His blessing. This blessing includes the nearness of God, a renewed spiritual strength, answered prayer, and grace, glory and goodness.

Song: Reverence My Temple

Reverence my temple,

I am the Lord.

He hath commanded

Thus in His Word.

Help me, dear Master,

Reverent to be;

Make all my service

Pleasing to Thee.

(Inspiring Choruses)