Category: Devotionals

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Devotionals

SPECIAL INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE: INDEPENDENCE, FREEDOM, AND LIBERTY OF INDIVIDUAL CONSCIENCE FROM DICTATORS OF MORALITY AND RELIGIOUS TYRANNY

SPECIAL INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
July 4, 2022

INDEPENDENCE, FREEDOM, AND LIBERTY OF INDIVIDUAL CONSCIENCE FROM DICTATORS OF MORALITY AND RELIGIOUS TYRANNY

“Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is LIBERTY.” 2 Cor. 3:17. “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because the Lord hath anointed Me to preach good tidings [the plan of salvation] unto the meek, He hath sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim LIBERTY to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.” Isa. 61:1, KJV. (see verses 2, 3)

THE DIVINE RIGHT OF INDIVIDUALITY OF RELIGION (or the core meaning, fundamental principle, and transcendent essence of Biblical Religious Liberty).

All prayerful, truth-seeking, Holy Spirit-dependent, childlike yet diligent searchers of “the deep things of God” and the sacred “treasures” and “mysteries” of the Holy Scriptures, enfolded in its parables and prophecies, are better-equipped in these closing hours of probation, to distinguish Satan’s masterful counterfeits from the genuine. By sharpened spiritual discernment, honed by constant use, they will properly interpret current events by “the law and testimony” of the the interlocking and sequenced prophecies of Daniel and Revelation.

Focus on the specific entities, as revealed through their prophetic symbols, and the end-time final crises over the all-encompassing twin-issues of worship and religion, that they are responsible for, as delineated in Revelation 13. Consider the following enlightening definition of terms so critically relevant to what is rapidly forming right now in the political, legal, and religious institutions. Bone up on the First Amendment and the “Establishment Clause.”‘ To be forewarned is to to be forearmed, but only if we take heed! Now this:

RELIGION is ‘the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it.’

“LIBERTY is ‘the state of being exempt from the domination of others, or from restricting circumstances. In ethics and philosophy, the power in any rational agent to make his choices and decide his conduct for himself, spontaneously and voluntarily, in accordance with reasons or motives.”

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY therefore, is man’s exemption from the domination of others, or from restricting circumstances: man’s freedom to make his choices and decide his conduct for himself, spontaneously and voluntarily: IN HIS DUTY TO HIS CREATOR, and in THE MANNER OF DISCHARGING THAT DUTY.” (emphasis in the original)-Alonzo Trevor Jones, “Individuality of Religion.”

May we assert our freedom and liberty from the bondage of sin and error with the faith of the saints and the courage of the martyrs, by the grace of God in Christ Jesus.

Bless all, NMF.

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Devotionals

THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 54)

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
November 25

THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 54)

The Dying Lamb of God Weeps for the Daughters of Jerusalem

“Not a few women are in the crowd that followed the Uncondemned to His cruel death. Their attention is fixed upon Jesus. Some of them had seen Him before. Some have carried to Him their sick and suffering ones. Some themselves have been healed.

The story of the scenes that had taken place is related. They WONDER at the hatred of the CROWD toward Him for whom their own hearts are melting and ready to break. [This what ‘crowd mentality’ and ‘mob rule’ does with erstwhile rational people].

“And notwithstanding the action of the maddened throng, and the angry words of the PRIESTS and RULERS, these women GIVE EXPRESSIONS TO THEIR SYMPATHY. As Jesus falls fainting beneath the cross, they break forth in MOURNFUL WAILING.

“This was the ONLY THING that attracted the Savior’s attention. Although full of suffering, while bearing the sins of the world, He was NOT INDIFFERENT to the expressions of grief. He looked upon THESE WOMEN with tender compassion. They were NOT BELIEVERS in Him; He knew that they were NOT LAMENTING HIM as One sent from God, but were MOVED by feelings of HUMAN sympathy.

He did NOT DESPISE their human sympathy, but it awakened in His heart a DEEPER sympathy for them. ‘Daughters of Jerusalem,’ He said, ‘Weep not for Me, but weep FOR YOURSELVES, and for YOUR CHILDREN.’ [Luke 23:38]. [Why?].

From that scene before Him Christ looked FORWARD TO THE TIME OF JERUSALEM’S DESTRUCTION [in A.D. 70 by the Roman army led by Titus, forty years after Christ’s prophecy]. In that terrible scene, MANY of those [women] who were now weeping for Him [at Calvary] were to PERISH WITH THEIR CHIlLDREN.

“From the FALL OF JERUSALEM the thoughts of Jesus passed to a WIDER JUDGMENT. In the destruction of the impenitent city [‘Jerusalem is fallen, is fallen’] He saw a SYMBOL of the FINAL DESTRUCTION TO COME UPON THE WORLD. He said, ‘Then shall they shall begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us! For if they do these things to a GREEN TREE, what shall be done to the DRY [tree]? [Luke 23: 28-31].

“By the green tree Jesus represented HIMSELF, the Innocent Redeemer. God suffered His wrath against transgression [sin, the breaking of His law] to fall on His beloved Son. Jesus was to be crucified for the sins of men. WHAT SUFFERINGS then shall the sinner [the dry tree] who CONTINUED IN SIN?

All the impenitent and unbelieving would KNOW A SORROW AND MISERY THAT LANGUAGE WOULD FAIL TO EXPRESS!”- E.G. White, Desire of Ages, pp. 742, 743.

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.

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Daily Manna Devotionals

APPETITE : THE KILLER TEMPTATION (Part 2)

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

APPETITE : THE KILLER TEMPTATION (Part 2)

Temptation is not sin; yielding to it, is. Appetite, desire, and passion are not evil in and of themselves. However, when these are uncontrolled by a carnal mind, unconverted heart, and a compromised conscience, they are the very hotbeds of activity where Satan and his agencies, demons and human beings, bag their greatest success and victims, both willing of duped or coerced.

Appetite, according to Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 5th edition, 1942, means: “To strive for; long for.
1. An inherent or habitual desire of body or mind; craving.
2. Desire for or relish of, food or drink. Synonyms: Longing, hunger, passion.” Now this:

“[See first part]. All these weight of woe and accumulated woe and suffering can be TRACED TO the indulgence of appetite and passion. LUXURIOUS LIVING and the use of wine corrupt the BLOOD, inflame the PASSIONS, and produce DISEASES of every kind. But the EVIL does not end here. PARENTS leave maladies as a LEGACY to their children.

“As a rule, every INTEMPERATE man/woman who rears children TRANSMITS his inclinations to and evil tendencies to his offspring. [“Like father like son; like mother like daughter”]; he gives them disease from his own inflamed and corrupted BLOOD. [Remember, ‘life is in the blood,’ Lev. 17:11].

LiCENTIOUSNESS, DISEASE, IMBECILITY are transmitted as an INHERITANCE OF WOE from father to son [from mother to daughter] FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION, and this brings anguish and suffering to the WORLD, and is no less a REPETITION of the fall of man!” – Vol. 4, Testimonies for the Church, p. 30.

Mankind, and the churches, in general, have not learned, refusing to honestly and thoroughly trace from cause to effect. That is why God, in both in the Old and New Testament times always has a “returning remnant” and a faithful minority who are “rebuilding the walls and repairing the breach” of the moral and physical laws of God’s spiritual kingdom on earth, as their “fitness” preparation for the eternal kingdom of glory.

It is my fervent hope, prayer, desire, and work to help prepare myself and others, who are willing, to be part of this “Lord’s army” and “little flock.”

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF

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Daily Manna Devotionals

APPETITE—THE FIRST TEST OF SINLESS MAN IN EDEN AND THE INCARNATE ‘SON OF MAN’ IN THE WILDERNESS OF TEMPTATION

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

APPETITE—THE FIRST TEST OF SINLESS MAN IN EDEN AND THE INCARNATE ‘SON OF MAN’ IN THE WILDERNESS OF TEMPTATION

Read and compare Gen. 3:1-24 and Matt. 4:1-11, KJV.

“Christ paid a dear price for man’s redemption. In the wilderness of temptation He suffered the keenest pangs of hunger; and while He was emaciated with fasting [40 days/nights without food and water], Satan was at hand with manifold temptations to assail the Son of God, to take advantage of His WEAKNESS and overcome Him, and thus THWART the plan of salvation.

But Christ was STEADFAST. He OVERCAME in behalf of the race, that He might RESCUE them for the DEGRADATION of the Fall. Christ’s experience is for our benefit. HIS EXAMPLE IN OVERCOMING APPETITE POINTS OUT THE WAY [‘This is the way, walk ye in it.’] FOR THOSE WOULD BE HIS FOLLOWERS AND FINALLY SIT WITH HIM ON HIS THRONE.

“Christ suffered hunger in the fullest sense. Mankind generally has all that is needed to sustain life. And yes, like our first parents, they desire that which God would WITHHOLD because it is not best for them.

Christ suffered hunger for NECESSARY FOOD and resisted the temptation of Satan upon the point of APPETITE. INDULGENCE [self-pleasing] of intemperate appetite CREATES in fallen man UNNATURAL desires for the things which will EVENTUALLY prove his ruin.

“Man came from the hand of God PERFECT in every faculty of mind and body, in perfect soundness, therefore in PERFECT HEALTH. It took more than TWO THOUSAND YEARS of indulgence of appetite and lustful passions to create such a state of things in the human organism as would lessen VITAL force.

“Through successive generation the TENDENCY was more swiftly downward [Evolution teaches the exact opposite, contradicting the actual condition of mankind and the earth today, “as it was in the days of Noah”!].

Indulgence of appetite and passion COMBINED led to EXCESS, VIOLENCE, DEBAUCHERY AND ABOMINATION of every kind, weakened the energies and brought upon the race DISEASE of every type, until the vigor and glory of the FIRST GENERATION from Adam, man began to show signs of DECAY.
Successive generations AFTER the Flood degenerated MORE rapidly.” – E. G. White, Vol. 4, Testimonies for the Church, p. 29.

(To be continued). Review Genesis 6, 7 and Matt. 24: 37-39. Then, let all “examine himself and prove whether we are really in the faith” “of Jesus,” our Example.
Bless all, NMF

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Daily Manna Devotionals

I CAN BUT CHOOSE NOT ‘TO COME DOWN’ (Part 2)

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

I CAN BUT CHOOSE NOT ‘TO COME DOWN’ (Part 2)

Based on the application of the type-antitype mechanism, it is quite easy to see that the three main enemies conspiring as a confederacy against Nehemiah and the prophesied sacred work of rebuilding the walls and repairing the breach, namely, Sanballat the Samaritan, Tobiah the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian find their final antitype in the global union of Romanism. apostate Protestantism, and Spiritualism that will unitedly conspire against the antitypical Zerubbabels, Ezras, and Nehemiahs in the “three angels’ messages and work of restoring the downtrodden law of God and repairing the breach on the Sabbath of the fourth commandment by the commandment-keeping remnant church of prophecy.

Nehemiah was undertaking the last leg of the literal restoration of the physical walls started earlier by Zerrubabel, followed by Ezra, the spiritual antitype of which are the last call for repentance, revival. reformation in the restoration of the rightful place of God’s law and His Sabbath in the plan of redemption of the everlasting gospel, incorporating fearful warning against worshipping the beast and his image and receiving the mark of the former, in contrast to receiving the seal or mark of God in the forehead.

“In this case [of the type in Nehemah’s time] a SPIRIT OF HATRED AND OPPOSITiON to the Hebrews formed THE BOND OF UNION and created a mutual sympathy among DIFFERENT BODIES of men who might OTHERWISE have WARRED with one another.

This well illustrates what we frequently witness in our day in the existing union of men of different denominations to OPPOSE PRESENT TRUTH, men whose only bond seems to be THAT WHICH IS DRAGONIC in its nature, manifesting bitterness and hatred against the remnant who keep the commandments of God.

This is specially seen in FIRST DAY, NO DAY, and ALL-DAYS ALIKE Adventists [three classes of second Advent believers who did not keep the fourth commandment Sabbath, at that time] who seem to be famous for hating and slandering one another, when they can SPARE TIME from their efforts to misrepresent, slander, and in every way abuse Seventh-day Adventists.” – E. G. White, Vol. 3, Testimonies for the Church. p. 372.

NOTE: In Christ’s time, the three dominant sects in the religious spectrum of NT Judaism composing the Great Sanhedrin (national Council) were the Pharisees, the orthodox, fudamentalist, “conservative religious sect or party chiefly of the middle class, the Sadducees, a minority religio-political party representing the wealthy, aristocratic, “liberal,” secular-minded wing of Judaism, and the lesser Herodians, usually thought of as “court officials of Herod” or “Herod’s soldiers.”

They did not like each other but temporarily united when they found a common enemy in Jesus Christ!

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF

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Daily Manna Devotionals

I CAN BUT CHOOSE NOT ‘TO COME DOWN’

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

I CAN BUT CHOOSE NOT ‘TO COME DOWN’

“I am doing a great work so that I cannot come down; why should the work cease, while I leave it, and come down to you?” Neh. 6:3, KJV.

Nehemiah’s shining example of having “an eye single to the glory of God” by being consistent, unmovable, steadfast, intellectually and spiritually TRUE to the work of rebuilding the wall and repairing the breach” “as the needle is to the pole,” was a powerful and TIMELY reproof, counsel, encouragement, and vitalizing inspiration for me, personally.

The Holy Spirit led me to additional magnification of its antitypical end-time application in the following SOP quotes which I am sharing with all who are interested and discern present, sealing truth in it (emphasis mine).

“I was shown (Jan. 3, 1875), that God’s people should not for ONE MOMENT RELAX THEIR WATCHFULNESS OF THEIR VIGILANCE. Satan is upon our track. He is determined to overcome God’s commandment-keeping people with his TEMPTATIONS.

If we give NO place to him, but RESIST his devices, steadfast in the faith, we shall have STRENGTH to depart from all iniquity. Those who keep the commandments of God will be a POWER in the land IF THEY LIVE UP to the light and privileges. They may be PATTERNS of piety, holy in heart and conversation.
We shall not have EASE, that we may CEASE WATCHFULNESS AND PRAYER.

As the time draws near for Christ to be revealed in the clouds of heaven, Satan’s temptations will be brought to bear with GREATER POWER upon those who keep God’s commandments, for ‘he knows his time is short’ [Rev. 12:12, last part].

“The work of Satan will be carried out through AGENTS. Ministers who hats the law of God will employ ANY means to lead souls from their LOYALTY to God. Our bitterest enemies will be among the first-day Adventists [those who believe the second coming but keep Sunday in her time and who are going to form the “image of the beast” in our day, Rev. 13].

Their hearts are fully determined to make WAR against those who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus. This class to TALK, WRITE, and ACT OUT the most bitter hatred against us.

“We need not look for fair dealing or for JUSTICE at their hands. Many of them are inspired by Satan with INSANE MADNESS against those who are keeping the commandments of God.

We shall be maligned and misrepresented, all our motives and actions will be misjudged, and our CHARACTERS will be attacked. The ‘wrath of the dragon’ [Rev. 12: 17] will be manifested in this manner. BUT I SAW THAT WE SHOULD NOT BE IN THE LEAST DISCOURAGED.

OUR STRENGTH IS IN JESUS, OUR ADVOCATE. IF IN HUMILITY WE TRUST IN GOD, and hold fast to His promises [know what these specifically are by studying your Bible], He will give us GRACE and HEAVENLY WISDOM to ‘withstand ALL the wiles’ of Satan and come off victors.

“In my recent view I saw that it will NOT increase our influence or bring us into favor with God to retaliate or COME DOWN FROM OUR GREAT WORK TO THEIR LEVEL IN MEETING THEIR SLANDERS.

There are those who will resort to ANY SPECIES of deception and gross falsehood to gain their object and deceive souls, and to cast STIGMA upon the law of God and those who LOVE TO OBEY IT. They will REPEAT the most inconsistent and vile falsehoods, OVER AND OVER, until they MAKE THEMSELVES BELIEVE that they are truth!

These are the strongest arguments they have to use against the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. We should not allow our FEELINGS to control us and DIVERT us from WARNING the world [the last merciful warnings to mankind contained in the three angels messages of Rev. 14 are not “peace-and-safety,” “love only” messages!].

“The case of Nehemiah was presented before me. He was engaged in building the walls of Jerusalem, and the enemies of God were determined that the walls should NOT be built. [Nehemiah 4: 7, 8 quoted].” E.G. White, Vol. 3 “Testimonies for the Church,” pp. 570-1.

(To be continued). Fortify your minds with the testing truths for these last days in preparation for earth’s final and bitterest “winter” hastening upon mankind and the church, specifically. Bless all, NMF

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Daily Manna Devotionals

THE SEAL OF GOD (Part II)

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE SEAL OF GOD (Part II)

“Of the Amorites the Lord said, ‘In the fourth generation they shall come hither again: but the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full’ [Genesis 15:16].

Although this nation was conspicuous because of its idolatry and corruption, it had not yet filled up the cup of its iniquity, and God would not give command for its utter destruction. The people were to see the divine power manifested in a MARKED manner, that they might be left WITHOUT EXCUSE.

The compassionate Creator was willing to bear with their iniquity until the FOURTH GENERATION. Then, when CHANGE was not seen for the better, His judgments were to fall upon them.

“With unerring accuracy the Infinite One still keeps account of all NATIONS. While His mercy is rendered with calls to repentance, the account will remain open: but when the figures reach a CERTAIN AMOUNT WHICH GOD HAS FIXED, THE MINISTRY OF HIS WRATH COMMENCES. The account is closed. Divine patience ceases. There is NO MORE pleading of mercy on their behalf.

“The prophet [Ezekiel] looking down the ages, had this time presented in his visions. The nations of THIS AGE [not the past Reformation] have been recipients of UNPRECEDENTED mercies. The CHOICEST of heaven’s blessings have been given them, but INCREASED pride, covetousness, idolatry, contempt of God, and base ingratitude are WRITTEN against them. They are fast CLOSING UP their account with God.

“But that which CAUSES ME TO TREMBLE is the fact that those who have had THE GREATEST LIGHT AND PRIVILEGES have become CONTAMINATED with the prevailing iniquity. Influenced by the unrighteous around them, MANY, even of those who profess the truth, have become cold and borne down by the STRONG current of evil.

The universal scorn thrown upon TRUE PIETY AND HOLINESS leads those who DO NOT CLOSELY CONNECT with God to lose reverence for His law. IF they were following the light and obeying the truth from the HEART [not in lips and mouth only], this holy law would seem EVEN MORE PRECIOUS to them when thus despised and set aside.

As the DISRESPECT for God’s law becomes more manifest, the LINE OF DISTINCTION between its observers and the world becomes MORE DISTINCT. Love for the divine precepts increases with ONE CLASS according as contempt for them increases with ANOTHER CLASS.” – Vol. 5 Testimonies, pp. 208, 209.

God’s true messengers will preach and teach the LOVE of God only in the context of the LAW of God—-which broken down “walls” have been broken down and are “repairing the breach on the wall” which is the fourth commandment Sabbath!

(To be continued). Bless all, NMF

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Daily Manna Devotionals

THE SOLEMN SEALING WORK OF THE THIRD ANGEL’S MESSAGE REVEALED

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE SOLEMN SEALING WORK OF THE THIRD ANGEL’S MESSAGE REVEALED

“Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Eph. 4:30, KJV.

In the Bible “mark,” “seal,” and “sign” are synonymous. I must share this urgent subject to all who can hear the “still small voice” of the Holy Spirit speaking to their conscience. Harden your hearts! No wonder I could not fall asleep at my usual sleeping time last night. This was suddenly urged upon me. I looked at the time on my phone. It was 9:30. I normally should have been asleep by then. I promptly obeyed and started typing lest I grieve the Holy Spirit!

This urgent message begins with what God revealed to the prophet Ezekiel. Pray that the Holy Spirit will do His appointed work of guiding, convicting and convincing your mind as you read on:
“v 1 He cried also in mid ears with a loud voice [as with the first angel’s message, Rev. 14: 6.7], saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand.
v 2 And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar.
v 3 And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man with linen, which had the writer’s inkhorn by his side;
v 4 And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a MARK upon the FOREHEADS of the men that sigh and cry for the abominations that be done in the midst [of Jerusalem] thereof.
v 5 And go the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity.
v 6 Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom the MARK: and BEGIN in My sanctuary.

Then they began with the ancient men which were before the house.” Eze. 9: 1-6, KJV. Here’s the what the Spirit of prophecy, which is the Testimony of Jesus (Rev. 19:10) says: – 5T 208-9: “Jesus is about to leave the mercy seat of the heavenly sanctuary to put on garments of vengeance and pour out His wrath in judgments upon those who have NOT responded to the light God has given them.

‘Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil’ [Eccl 8:11]. Instead of being SOFTENED by the patience and the long forbearance that the Lord has exercised toward them, those who FEAR NOT God and LOVE NOT the truth STRENGTHEN their hearts in their evil course.

But there are LIMITS even to the forbearance of God, and many are EXCEEDING these boundaries. They have OVERRUN THE LIMITS OF GRACE, and therefore God must interfere and VINDICATE His own honor.” – E.G. White, Vol. 5 Testimonies, pp. 208, 209).

This must be carefully examined in the context of the investigative judgment currently taking place in the most holy in heaven, that begun with the dead who professed faith in Christ, starting with Adam, and will soon pass on to the cases of the living!

Begin reviewing the seven last plagues given in Revelation in “order to know how to avoid it.”

(To be continued). Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation for the spirit may be willing but the flesh is weak! Bless all, NMF