April 10, 2020
FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES, NOT SURF THE INTERNET.
“Study to show thyself approved to God [not to men], a workman that needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim. 2 :15.
The word “dividing” is translated from the Greek which means “to dissect or expound correctly.” David said, “The entrance of Thy word giveth life, it giveth UNDERSTANDING to the simple (humble).” After that he pleads, “Order my steps in Thy Word.” Ps. 119: 130,133. Then tell us why: “Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might NOT sin against Thee.”(verse 11).
Jesus instructs us to: “Search the Scriptures….for they are they which TESTIFY OF ME.” John 5:39.
“To search means to look diligently for something which has been lost. Search yourself for the hidden treasure. Do not leave this work to the minister. You cannot afford to be ignorant of the Word of God. Study the difficult passages, comparing verse with verse [not Bible versions], and you will find that Scripture is the KEY which unlocks Scripture. Those who PRAYERFULLY study the Scriptures go from their study WISER than when they opened the Bible.” MS 12, Feb. 7, 1901.
“Only those who read the Scriptures as the VOICE of God speaking to them are learners. They tremble at the Word of God, for to them it is a LiVING reality. They study, they search for the hidden treasure. They open their understanding and heart to RECEIVE, and pray for heavenly grace, that they may obtain a preparation for the future, immortal life.” MS 67, June 9, 1898.
“The mere hearing of sermons Sabbath after Sabbath, the reading of the Bible through and through, or the explanation of it verse by verse, will not benefit us or those who hear us, UNLESS we bring the truths of the Bible into our INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCE. The understanding, the will, the affections must be yielded to the CONTROL of the word of God. Then, through the work of the Holy Spirit, the precepts of the Word will become the principles of the life.” Ministry of Healing. 514.
May you use this day as the Creator designated to be, a whole day to prepare your heart, mind and body as “a living sacrifice” unto the Lord of the Sabbath whom we will meet in worship tomorrow, wherever you are. Remember: whatever social-distancing and stay-at-home orders to help mitigate the spread of this infectious coronavirus, “nothing can separate us from the love of God.”
If we serve a living, omnipotent Savior, then “of whom shall I be afraid!?”
Meet you tomorrow at the same time and the same website for Sabbath worship! NMF