Category: Daily Manna

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Daily Manna

THE REWARD OF A FAITHFUL STUDY OF THE WORD

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE REWARD OF A FAITHFUL STUDY OF THE WORD

8T 193, 194: “Christ and His word are in perfect harmony. Received and obeyed, they open a sure path for all who are willing to walk in the light as Christ is in the light. If the people of God would appreciate His word, we should have a HEAVEN IN THE CHURCH BELOW.

CHRISTIANS would be hungry, eager, to SEARCH the word. They would be ANXIOUS for time to compare scripture with scripture and to MEDITATE upon by word. They would be MORE EAGER for the light of the word THAN the morning paper, magazines, or novels [its digitally-multiplied equivalents today through the internet is staggeringly overwhelming!], their GREATEST desire would be ‘eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God’ [not to eat out, party, and become besotted as a celebration of the post pandemic “return to normal”].

And as a RESULT their LIVES would be confirmed to the PRINCIPLES AND PROMISES of the word, its instructions would be to them AS THE LEAVES OF THE TREE OF LIFE [spiritual meaning of ‘for the healing of the nations of the saved’ in Revelation]. It would be to them as well of water, springing up into eternal life. [Physical and spiritual drought is coming!]. Refreshing showers of grace [dispensed by the Holy Spirit] would refresh and revive the soul, causing them to FORGET all toil and weariness. They would be strengthened and encouraged by the WORDS OF INSPIRATION…….

“The Lord’s philosophy [not political agendas, or the world and the churches’ policies] is the rule of Christian life. [We may call ourselves but do we live Christ’s life who we often claim “abides” and “lives” in us?].

The ENTIRE being is imbued with the life-giving PRINCIPLES [not policies] of heaven. The BUSY NOTHINGS that consume the time of many SHRINK info their proper position before a HEALTHY, SANCTIFYING BIBLE PIETY.

“The Bible and the Bible alone, CAN produce this good result. It is the WISDOM of God and the POWER of God, and it works all power in the RECEPTIVE heart.

Oh, what HEIGHTS we might reach if we would conform our WILLS to the will of God! It is the power of God that we need WHEREVER we are [before, during any crisis, pandemic, or after such calamities]. It is the FRIVOLITY that cumbers the Church [its members and worshippers] that makes it weak and indifferent.

The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit [the Godhead] are seeking and longing for CHANNELS through which to communicate to the world the DIVINE PRINCIPLE [not policies] OF TRUTH.

“Artificial lights may appear, CLAIMING to be light from heaven, but they cannot shine forth as the STAR OF HOLINESS, the STAR OF HEAVENLY BRIGHTNESS, to guide the feet of the pilgrim and stranger into the city of God!

“False lights will take the place of the true, and MANY souls will be for a time deceived. GOD FORBID THAT IT SHOULD BE WITH US. The true light [of the doctrinal pillars of present, testing present truth] now shineth, and will light up the souls in which the WINDOWS are opened heavenward [not earthward or even “horizontally”].” – E. G. White, Vol. 8 Testimonies for the Church, pp. 193-195.

Ask yourself, am I honestly “hungering and thirsting for righteousness,” whom Christ promised in His Sermon (that introduced the spiritual kingdom of Christ), that “they shall be filled” with His righteousness?”

If not, can we honestly claim to be His obedient disciples or faithful members of the spiritual “commonwealth of Israel,” His true commandment-keeping remnant church?

Ponder on these things. Bless all, NMF

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Daily Manna

THE TESTING, PURIFYING, CHARACTER-PERFECTING PROCESS (Part 4)

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE TESTING, PURIFYING, CHARACTER-PERFECTING PROCESS (Part 4)

“God’s work of refining and purifying must go [while still alive with a rational mind] UNTIL His servants are so HUMBLED, so DEAD TO SELF, that when called into active service, their ‘eye will be single to His glory’ [Matt. 6:21-23; Luke 11: 34-36].

He will THEN [and only then] their efforts; they WILL NOT MOVE RASHLY, FROM IMPULSE: they WILL NOT RUSH ON and imperil the Lord’s cause, being SLAVES TO TEMPTATIONS AND PASSIONS and followers of their own carnal minds SET ON FIRE BY SATAN.

Oh how fearfully is the cause of God MARRED by man’s perverse will and I subdued temper! How much SUFFERING HE BRINGS UPON HIMSELF by following his own headstrong passions!

“God brings men over the ground AGAIN and AGAIN, increasing the pressure UNTIL PERFECT HUMILITY and a TRANSFORMATION OF CHARACTER bring them
Into harmony with Christ and the spirit of heaven, and they are VICTORS OVER THEMSELVES!” Vol. 4 Testimonies, p. 86.

Indeed! Because ultimate salvation is individual, not corporate, sinful self is our greatest enemy!

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF

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Daily Manna

THE TESTING, PURIFYING, CHARACTER-PERFECTING PROCESS (Part 4)

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE TESTING, PURIFYING, CHARACTER-PERFECTING PROCESS (Part 4)

“God’s work of refining and purifying must go [while still alive with a rational mind] UNTIL His servants are so HUMBLED, so DEAD TO SELF, that when called into active service, their ‘eye will be single to His glory’ [Matt. 6:21-23; Luke 11: 34-36].

He will THEN [and only then] their efforts; they WILL NOT MOVE RASHLY, FROM IMPULSE: they WILL NOT RUSH ON and imperil the Lord’s cause, being SLAVES TO TEMPTATIONS AND PASSIONS and followers of their own carnal minds SET ON FIRE BY SATAN.

Oh how fearfully is the cause of God MARRED by man’s perverse will and I subdued temper! How much SUFFERING HE BRINGS UPON HIMSELF by following his own headstrong passions!

“God brings men over the ground AGAIN and AGAIN, increasing the pressure UNTIL PERFECT HUMILITY and a TRANSFORMATION OF CHARACTER bring them
Into harmony with Christ and the spirit of heaven, and they are VICTORS OVER THEMSELVES!” Vol. 4 Testimonies, p. 86.

Indeed! Because ultimate salvation is individual, not corporate, sinful self is our greatest enemy!

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF

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Daily Manna

THE TESTING, PURIFYING, CHARACTER-PERFECTING PROCESS (Part 3)

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE TESTING, PURIFYING, CHARACTER-PERFECTING PROCESS (Part 3)

To sinful mortals with finite minds, omniscient and omnipotent God “works in mysterious ways” His wonderful plans to perform and accomplish for His glory and our eternal salvation.

One of this “mysterious ways” does not make sense to carnal
minds and unconverted hearts but is familiar to all “who follow the Lamb withersoever He goeth,” and “knows His voice” and “the path of righteousness” of “Him, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30, KJV). What is it?

“God brings His people NEAR by close, testing TRIALS [not promises of peace-and-safety, prosperity gospel, worldly fame, honor, and riches], by showing them their OWN weakness and inability, and by teaching them to LEAN UPON HIM [see Prov. 3:5-7] and their ONLY help and safeguard.

THEN HIS OBJECT IS ACCOMPLISHED. THEY ARE PREPARED TO BE USED FOR EVERY EMERGENCY, to fulfill important positions of trust, and to accomplish the grand purposes for which their POWERS [and talents] were given them.

“God takes men upon trial; He proves them on the right hand and the left, and thus they are EDUCATED, TRAINED and DISCIPLINED. Jesus, our Redeemer, man’s Representative and Head, ENDURED THIS TESTING PROCESS, He suffered MORE THAN we can be called upon to suffer.

He ‘bore our infirmities’ and ‘was tempted in all points as we are tempted. He did not suffer thus on HIS account, but because of OUR sins; and NOW, relying on the MERITS of our Overcomer, we may become VICTORS in His name.” – Vol. 4 Testimonies, p. 86.

As the Amen, and faithful and True Witness said, “To him who overcomes EVEN AS I overcame will I grant to sit with Me in My throne [of the eternal kingdom of glory] even as I am set down with My Father in His throne.” Rev. 3:21.

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.

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Daily Manna

THE TESTING, PURIFYING, CHARACTER-PERFECTING PROCESS (Part 2)

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE TESTING, PURIFYING, CHARACTER-PERFECTING PROCESS (Part 2)

“The purification of the people of God CANNOT be accomplished without their suffering. God permits the fires of affliction to consume the DROSS, to SEPARATE the worthless from the valuable, that the PURE metal may shine forth.

He passes us FROM ONE FIRE TO ANOTHER, testing our true worth. If we CANNOT bear these trials, what will we do in the [coming] TIME OF TROUBLE? If prosperity or adversity discovers FALSENESS, PRIDE, OR SELFISHNESS IN OUR HEARTS, what shall we do when God ‘tries every man’s work as by fire,’ and lays bare the SECRETS of all hearts?”

“TRUE GRACE is willing to be tried: if we are loath to be SEARCHED by God [See Ps. 139: 1. 23, 24, etc.] our CONDITION IS SERIOUS INDEED. God is the true Refiner and Purifier of souls; in the heat of the heat of the furnace the dross is separated FOREVER from the true and silver and gold of THE CHRISTIAN CHARACTER. Jesus watches the test. He knows what is NEEDED that it may REFLECT the RADIANCE of His divine love.” Vol. 4 Testimonies, p. 86.

NOTE: The ROMAN (not “Christian”) Church and the Antichrist uses their “fires” of the absolutely unbiblical “Purgatory” to allegedly purify the “unsaved dead,” after they die, and you pay for the masses and prayers offered for this antichristian doctrine!

What Christ has and continue to do for repentant sinners in the plan of salvation is absolutely FREE of any fees or charges “yesterday, today, and forever!” Double whammy, double jeopardy indeed for Christ and His atoning sacrifice and intercessory work as High Priest are blatantly “made of none effect” and openly counterfeited. If this isn’t blasphemy of the first degree, nothing is!

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.

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Daily Manna

THE TESTING, PURIFYING, CHARACTER PERFECTING PROCESS (The Trial of Faith of the Commandment-keeping Remnant Saints)

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE TESTING, PURIFYING, CHARACTER PERFECTING PROCESS (The Trial of Faith of the Commandment-keeping Remnant Saints)

Please first prayerfully read 1 Pet. 4:12-19; and 2:19-24; 4: 12. After doing so, now this:
4T 84-86: “Our cases are pending in the court of heaven. We’re rendering our accounts there day by day. Everyone will be rewarded according to his works/deeds [not words or professions].

Burnt offering and sacrifices were NOT acceptable to God in ancient times UNLESS THE SPIRIT WAS RIGHT with which the gift was offered. Samuel said, ‘Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as OBEYING the voice of the Lord? Behold, TO OBEY is better than sacrifice, and TO HEARKEN than the fat of rams.’ [1 Sam. 15:22, 1-35]. All the money on the earth cannot buy the blessings of God nor ensure you a single victory.

“Many would make any and every sacrifice BUT the very one which they SHOULD make, which is to YIELD themselves, SUBMIT their wills to the will of God. Said Christ to His disciples, ‘Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall NOT ENTER into the kingdom of Heaven.’ [_____].

Here is a lesson in HUMILITY. We must all become humble AS little children in order to INHERIT the kingdom!

“Our Heavenly Father sees the hearts of men, and He knows their CHARACTERS BETTER than they themselves know them…..He in MERCY reveals their HIDDEN defects, that they may look WITHIN and examine CRITICALLY the complicated emotions and exercises of their OWN HEARTS, and DETECT that which is wrong, that they may MODIFY their dispositions and REFINE their manners.

“The Lord in His providence brings men where He can TEST their moral powers and reveal their MOTIVES of action, that they might IMPROVE what is right in themselves and PUT AWAY that which is wrong. God would have His servants ACQUAINTED with the MORAL MACHINERY of their own hearts.

“In order to bring this about, He often permits THE FIRE OF AFFLICTION to assail them that they may become purified.[Malachi : 2,3 quoted. Read it for yourself pls!].” E. G. White, Vol. 4 Testimonies for the Church, pp. 84, 85, 86.

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF

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Daily Manna

WHO SHALL NOT RECEIVE THE SEAL (or MarK) OF GOD?

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

WHO SHALL NOT RECEIVE THE SEAL (or MarK) OF GOD?

Please first read and review Ezekiel 9 : 1- 11, KJV.

“The class who do not feel GRIEVED over their OWN spiritual declension, nor MOURN over the sins of others, will be left WITHOUT THE SEAL OF GOD. The Lord commissions His messengers [destroying angels, not human agencies], the men with slaughtering weapons in their hands: [Eze. 9: 4-6 quoted; read it please for yourselves!].

“Here we see that the CHURCH—The Lord’s sanctuary— was the FIRST to suffer the stroke of the wrath of God. The ‘ancient men,’ those to whom God had given great light, and who had stood as guardians of the spiritual interests of the people, had BETRAYED their trust. [Judas was among the first Twelve disciples!].

They had taken the position that we need not look for MIRACLES and the MARKED manifestations of God’s power as in FORMER days. ‘Time have changed.’ These words strengthen their UNBELIEF, and they say, ‘The Lord will not do good, neither will He do evil. He is TOO MERCIFUL to visit His people in JUDGMENT.

“Thus ‘Peace and safety’ [1 Thess. 5:3] is the cry from men who will NEVER AGAIN lift up their voices like a trumpet [in reproofs and warnings] to ‘show God’s people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins.’ [Isa. 58:1]. These ‘DUMB DOGS that do not bark’ [Isa. 56: 10, 11]] are the ones who feel the JUST VENGEANCE of an OFFENDED God. Men, women, maidens, and little children all PERISH together’ [Eze. 9: 5,6].” Vol. 5 Testimonies for the Church, p. 211.

I am daily striving and struggling by God’s abounding grace through prayer and study to remain faithful in “giving the “trumpets” of the three angels messages a “certain (with certainty) sound,” to be a “faithful watchman on the wall,” to “cry aloud and spare not and show God’s people their sins and the house of Jacob their transgressions,” and “examining and proving myself daily whether I am really “contending for the faith once delivered to the saints” which today is the present, sealing truths—-all because I love God, His immutable law which is the transcript of His character, and “the truth as it is in Jesus.”

This is the only way I can hope to receive the “mark” or “seal of God in the forehead” revealed Ezekiel in the Old and John in the Revelation. This is also the only way I can avoid being called by a just, righteous, and offended God “a blind, ignorant watchman, a dumb dog that cannot bark, sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber,” Isa. 56: 10, 11].

I can yield to the temptation to indulge “false charity” and fail to “call sin by its right name,” and make people “feel good.” But I choose to heed all the warnings against all undershepherds, including these: “When they shall say, Peace and safety; then SUDDEN destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall NOT ESCAPE.” 1 Thess. 5: 3.

And this: “When I [God] says unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou giveth him not warning, not speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, TO SAVE HIS LIFE, the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity: BUT HIS BLOOD WILL I REQUIRE AT THINE HAND.” Eze. 3: 18 (see verses 17-21).

This is what is also meant by “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who works in you both to will and to do His good pleasure.”

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF

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Daily Manna

I CAN BUT CHOOSE NOT TO ‘COME DOWN’ (Last of 6 Parts)

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

I CAN BUT CHOOSE NOT TO ‘COME DOWN’ (Last of 6 Parts)

“The course of Nehemiah should have a strong bearing upon our minds as to the MANNER of meeting this kind of opponents. Nehemiah made his supplication to God, while his own spirit was HUMBLED. He clung to God with UNWAVERING FAITH. THIS IS THE COURSE THAT WE SHOULD PURSUE.

Time is too precious to be devoted by the servants of God to VINDICATING THEIR CHARACTER, blackened by those who hate the Sabbath of the Lord. We should MOVE FORWARD with unwavering confidence, believing that God will give HIS TRUTH great and precious victories. In HUMILITY, MEEKNESS, and PURITY OF LIFE, RELYING UPON JESUS, we should carry a CONVINCING [not controlling] power with us that we have the truth.

“We do not understand, AS IT IS OUR PRIVILEGE, the faith and confidence that we may have in God, and the GREAT BLESSINGS which [this kind of] faith will give us [as Nehemiah’s faith did].

“An IMPORTANT WORK is before us. We are to obtain a MORAL FITNESS for heaven. Our WORDS and our [life] EXAMPLE are to tell upon the world [around us]. Angels of God are actively engaged in ministering to the children of God.

Precious PROMISES are upon record ON CONDITION of our obedience to God’s requirements [know what they are lest we be deceived by its counterfeits]. Heaven is full of the richest of blessings, all waiting to be COMMUNICATED to us.

If we feel our NEED and COME to God, in SINCERITY [the opposite of hypocrisy] and in EARNEST faith [the opposite of listless, shallow, or merely based on “feelings”], we shall be brought into CLOSE CONNECTION with heaven [not earth!] and shall be CHANNELS of light to the world [fallen, sin-cursed earth].

“The WARNING needs to be often sounded. ‘Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.’ (1 Pet. 5:8, KJV).” E. G. White, Vol. 3 Testimonies for the Church, pp 574-5.

This brief series focusing on Nehemiah’s faithful work and exemplary example in finishing up the rebuilding and repairing the breach of the walls of Jerusalem within the specified time within the 70-week prophecy of Daniel 9, points forward to two antitypical applications:

1) the worldwide work of restoring the Decalogue in its rightful place in the plan of redemption of the everlasting gospel with particular emphasis on creation Sabbath of the fourth commandment as being the seal of God versus the mark of the beast antichrist
2) the individual rebuilding and restoring our sin-devastated characters, fitting it up for eternity, the work of sanctification. The law is written in the hearts and minds, no longer just on two inanimate tables of stone. Justification is our “title” to heaven; sanctification is our “fitness” for heaven, and the seal of God in our foreheads is our “passport” to heaven.

It is my hope and prayer that all of you will join, voluntarily and willingly, the work of rebuilding and restoring these two antitypical “walls” (the institutional and individual) before probation ends, individually at death, or at earth’s close of probation, typified by the closing of the one door to Noah’s literal ark at the end of 120 years and seven days before it started to rain.

As Jesus warned, “As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it in the days before the coming of the Son of man in His glory with all His angels.” Bless all, NMF