Month: February 2025

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Mid-week Manna

Long-suffering: the Fourth ‘Fruit’ of the Holy Spirit (Part 2) 

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

February 26, 2025

Long-suffering: the Fourth ‘Fruit’ of the Holy Spirit (Part 2) 

Long-suffering is one of the vital virtues that should be added to “faith,” the first rung of “Peter’s Ladder” in the ascent to the height of Christlike perfection. Based on its original Greek, Long-suffering  also means, “long-spirited, i.e., forbearing or patient”; “long patience; patiently endure; fortitude; long-enduring temper.” 

Apostle Paul describes it as a result and evidence that his fellow-workers in the ministry “have not received the grace of God in vain,” as in, “by their fruits ye shall know them.” 

Quoted below is 2 Cor. 6: 3-10, KJV (emphasis mine): 

    “Giving NO OFFENSE IN ANYTHING, that the ministry not be blamed; but IN ALL THINGS approving ourselves as ministers of God, in MUCH PATIENCE, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses. In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings. By pureness, by knowledge, BY LONGSUFFERING, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost(Spirit), by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand on the left [cf. the ‘whole armor of God,’ Eph. 6: 11-18], by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report: as deceivers [falsely accused], and yet true; as unknown, yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” 

To the youngest apostle Paul wrote: “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me, first, Jesus Christ might show forth ALL LONGSUFFERING, for a pattern to them who should hereafter believe on Him to life eternal.” 1 Tim. 1: 15,16. 

Apostle Peter warns procrastinators, the willingly-ignorant, and blasphemous naysayers of these last days that the apparent delay of God’s wrath against sin and wickedness is only because: 

     “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise [to deal with wicked earth as He did with  Noah’s Flood], as some men count slackness: but is LONGSUFFERING to us-ward, NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH [in their sins], but that all should come to [godly] repentance.” . . . And account that the LONGSUFFERING of our Lord IS SALVATION. . . “ 2 Pet. 3: 9, 15. 

To be continued next MWM, God willing, to still mercifully extend our individual probation! Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

Long-Suffering: The Fourth ‘Fruit’ of the Holy Spirit (Part 1)

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

February 19, 2025

Long-Suffering: The Fourth ‘Fruit’ of the Holy Spirit (Part 1)

“Long-suffering” is mentioned only 17 times throughout the 66 books of the Bible. It is used only four times in the OT; two by Moses and one each by David and Jeremiah. It appears 13 times in the NT; 11 by Paul, and thrice by Peter. 

This apparent paucity of the “preponderance of evidence”  and an immature, hasty conclusion that it is thusly minor in importance, is quickly dispelled by the following—that sets the tone of this series. Notice: 

The first mention of “long-suffering” in the Authorized Version (KJV) is in Exo. 34:6. The specific context in which it is cited reveals why this godly virtue, among others specified, must be “added” to the foundation of “faith, etc.” when “climbing Peter’s ladder” of Christian growth of character perfection. 

It is a vital part in the terms and conditions specified in the divine eternal “life insurance policy” stipulated in 2 Pet. 1: 1-12. Examine and review it frequently. Why? “For IF you do these things, you shall NEVER fall [or sin], “even as” Jesus, mankind’s Savior by sacrifice and example, never yielded to any temptation, thus, never fell, redeeming the failure of the first Adam in Eden. Amazing truth indeed! He was long-suffering as Jehovah-Creator, He is longsuffering as Jesus Christ, the incarnated Creator, the great I AM, “yesterday, today, and forever.” 

We first learn of this in the pivotal experience of the prominent spiritual giant of the Bible, Moses, the tenth in the line of godly patriarchs from Adam. He was the first type of Christ in the office, position, and role of leadership, as well as intercessor of the “congregation of Israel.” 

Firstly, read Exo. Chapters 32-34 on your own. Israel, as a tribal congregation of 12 tribes, had just committed the unthinkable abomination of worshipping the golden calf, symbol of the Egyptian sun-god. Moses had just shattered the two tables of stone on which were written the law. After pleading to God as intercessor of Israel, Moses beseeched God, saying, 

      “Show me Thy glory.” God answered, “I will make ALL MY GOODNESS pass before thee, and I will PROCLAIM the name of the Lord before thee. . . . And thou CANST NOT see My face: for there shall no man see Me, and live. 

     “And the Lord said, Behold, there is A PLACE by Me, and thou shalt stand upon a ROCK. And it shall come to pass, while My glory passeth by, that I will put thee upon a cleft of the rock, and I will COVER thee with My hand while I pass by. And I will take away My hand, and thou shalt see MY BACK PARTS: but My face shall not be seen.” Exo. 33:18-23. 

     After Moses, this time with his own hands had hewn two tables of stone and ascended, alone with it up the Mount as commanded, then God showed Moses His “back parts,” in this manner, as “it is written.” 

     “And the Lord descended in the cloud [of angels], and stood with him there, and PROCLAIMED THE NAME OF THE LORD. And the Lord passed by him BEFORE him (Moses), and PROCLAIMED [thereafter; after passing by, or after], The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, LONG-SUFFERING, and abundant in goodness and truth. Keeping MERCY for thousands, FORGIVING iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will BY NO MEANS CLEAR THE GUILTY; visiting the inquiry of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and fourth generation.” Exo. 34:5-7. 

So the “back parts” that God revealed to Moses as he remained protected in the cleft of the rock [symbol of Christ himself]—was not His literal divine backside [He had not yet incarnated into flesh and blood nature] and one can see God in His unveiled glory—-but was a verbal proclamations of HIS GOODNESS, that included His LONG-SUFFERING towards fallen mankind as a whole, the backsliding chosen people in particular, and Moses himself—following after He had passed by in a cloud [of angels] before Moses securely nestled within the cleft of a chosen rock.

That shielding, riven rock is Christ Himself, the Shelter in the times of storm and tempests of the great controversy with Satan! What merciful yet powerful divine-human LONG-SUFFERING! 

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

Peace: The Third ‘Fruit’ of the Holy Spirit (Part 7) : WHY ‘THE GOSPEL OF PEACE’ IS CALLED ‘A SWORD’ 

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

February 12, 2025

Peace: The Third ‘Fruit’ of the Holy Spirit (Part 7) 

WHY ‘THE GOSPEL OF PEACE’ IS CALLED ‘A SWORD’ 

Jesus taught the first Twelve:

    “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.”

Matt. 10:34, see verses 32-42, KJV. 

Now this from the inspired pen (all emphasis and bracketed words mine): 

4SOP 47-48: Persecution In The First Centuries.

    “The early Christians were indeed a PECULIAR people [see 1 Pet. 2:9; Deut. 14:2]. In what way? “Their blameless deportment and unswerving faith were a CONTINUAL REPROOF that disturbed the SINNER’S PEACE. Though FEW in numbers, without wealth, position, of honorary titles, they were a TERROT TO EVIL-DOERS wherever their CHARACTER AND DOCTRINES were known.

    “Therefore they were HATED by the wicked,  EVEN AS Abel was hated by the ungodly Cain [his older brother!]. For the same reason that Cain slew Abel did those who would THROW OFF THE RESTRAINT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, put to death God’s people. 

     “It was for the same reason that the JEWS rejected and crucified the Savior, because the PURITY AND HOLINESS of His character was a constant rebuke to their selfishness and corruption.

    “From the days of Christ UNTIL NOW, His faithful disciples have excited the hatred and opposition of those who love and follow the ways of sin. 

    “HOW, THEN, CAN THE GOSPEL BE CALLED A MESSAGE OF PEACE? When Isaiah [the gospel-prophet] foretold the birth of the Messiah, he ascribed to Him the title, ‘Prince of peace.’ When angels announced to the shepherds that Christ was born, they sung above the plains of Bethlehem, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth PEACE, good will toward men.’ (Luke 2:14). 

     “There is A SEEMING CONTRADICTION between these prophetic and the words of Christ, ‘I CAME NOT TO SEND PEACE, BUT A SWORD.’ Matt. 10:34. But rightly understood, the two are in perfect harmony. 

    “The gospel is a message of peace. Christianity is a SYSTEM,  which, received and obeyed, would spread PEACE, harmony, and happiness throughout the earth. The RELIGION OF CHRIST will unite in close brotherhood all who accept its teachings. It was the mission of Jesus to RECONCILE man to God, and thus to his fellow-man. 

    “But the world-at-large are under the control of Satan, Christ’s bitterest foe. [the central power of the earth is not a nation, a shadowy cabal of  “new world order,” but a demon!]. The gospel presents to them principles of life which are wholly AT VARIANCE with their habits and desires, and they rise IN REBELLION against it. They HATE THE PURITY that reveals and condemns their sins, and they PERSECUTE AND DESTROY those who would urge upon them its JUST and HOLY claims. 

    “It is in this sense—-because the EXALTED TRUTH it brings, occasion hatred and strife—THAT THE GOSPEL IS CALLED A SWORD.” -E.G. White, Vol. 4 Spirit of Prophecy, Review & Herald Publishing, 1884, pp. 47, 48. 

As part of “the whole armor  of God,” the Word is designated as the sole spiritual weapon of offense, called “the sword of the Holy Spirit” (Eph. 6: 17, 10-16), which He “moved the holy men of God to speak and write”  (2 Pet. 1: 21). Christ, mankind’s Savior, Pattern Man, and Example, Himself, “The Word from the beginning” (John 1:1-3), exclusively employed “It is written” to parry and defeat all of Satan’s “fiery darts” of provocations and temptations. 

We cannot do any less the example set before us and expect to “overcome even as Hs overcame.” Furthermore: 

    “For the word of God is quick (living), and powerful, and SHARPER THAN ANY TWO-EDGED SWORD, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do [all will have to stand before the judgement seat of Christ, the Prince of peace and righteous Judge of all the earth].” Heb. 4:12,13, KJV. 

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

Categories
Mid-week Manna

Peace: The Third ‘Fruit’ of the Holy Spirit Part 6) : HOW TO OBTAIN THE PEACE OF THE ‘PRINCE OF PEACE’

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

February 6, 2025

Peace: The Third ‘Fruit’ of the Holy Spirit Part 6) 

HOW TO OBTAIN THE PEACE OF THE ‘PRINCE OF PEACE’

     “Unto US a Child is born, unto US a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called WONDERFUL, COUNSELLOR, the MIGHTY GOD, the EVERLASTING FATHER, the PRINCE OF PEACE.” Isa. 9:6, KJV. 

Read and ponder upon this scripture often to absorb and internalize the astounding, many-splendored truths revealing more of who the Prince of Peace really is, as indicated by His other names and titles! This is He who the Father gave to become one with fallen man in His incarnated nature “yet without sin.” 

Compare this with angel Gabriel’s specific instructions to Joseph and Mary (Matt. 1: 21-23), the dramatic words of the the familiar old-fashioned “Christmas carol” anthem sang by the choir of the angelic host over the hills of Bethlehem, and how the Father addresses His only-begotten Son, who is the “outshining of His glory and the express image of His person” in Heb. 1: 1-3, 8-10). 

Quoted below is the Spirit of Prophecy’s magnification of this wonderful truth of Christ’s “peace that passeth understanding.” (All emphasis and bracketed words mine):

      “Christ is the ‘Prince of Peace’ (Isa. 9:6), and it is His mission to RESTORE to earth and heaven the PEACE that SIN has broken. ‘Being justified by faith, we have peace with God THROUGH our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Rom. 3:1).”

Here’s how to partake of Christ’s peace imparted exclusively through the Holy Spirit, and manifested as one of the nine “fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5: 22, 23). 

     “Whosoever consents to RENOUNCE SIN and open his heart to the LOVE OF CHRIST, becomes a partaker of this HEAVENLY PEACE. 

     “There is NO OTHER ground of peace than this. The grace of Christ, received unto the heart [not merely by assent and lip-service], SUBDUES ENMITY; IT ALLAYS STRIFE and fills the soul with love. 

     “HE WHO IS AT PEACE WITH GOD AND HIS FELLOW MEN CANNOT BE MADE MISERABLE.  Envy will not be in his heart; evil surmising will find no room there; hatred [enmity] cannot exist. 

    “The heart that is in harmony with God is A PARTAKER OF THE PEACE OF HEAVEN [verily the peace of the Prince of Peace] and will diffuse its BLESSED INFLUENCE on all around.  

    “The SPIRIT OF PEACE will rest like dew upon hearts weary and troubled with earthly strife. 

    “Christ’s followers are sent to the world with the MESSAGE OF PEACE. Whoever, by the quiet unconscious influence of a HOLY LIFE, shall reveal the love of Christ; whoever, by word or deed, shall lead another to RENOUNCE SIN [the transgression of God’s law] and yields his heart to God, is a PEACEMAKER. [‘Blessed are the peace makers; for they shall be called the children of God.’ Matt. 5: 9]. 

    “The SPIRIT OF PEACE IS EVIDENCE of their connection with heaven. The sweet savor of Christ surrounds them. The fragrance of the LIFE, the loveliness of the CHARACTER, reveal to the world the fact that they are CHILDREN OF GOD. Men take knowledge of them that they have been with Jesus.” -Ellen G. White, Mount of Blessing, pp. 27, 28. 

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all by being a peace maker, not a trouble-maker, NMF.