Tag: character

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Mid-week Manna

THE LAW OF LOVE: TRANSCRIPT OF GOD’S CHARACTER

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
April 13, 2022

THE LAW OF LOVE: TRANSCRIPT OF GOD’S CHARACTER

Sharing the top of the list of Christ’s gospel mission on earth, fallen in sin, the transgression of His law of love, Isaiah the gospel prophet, announced: “The Lord is well pleased for His righteousness’ sake; He will MAGNIFY THE LAW and make it honorable” (Isa. 42: 21, KJV. Be sure to read verses 1-22 for fuller context).

When Jesus who saves His people FROM sin, is “Emmanuel, being interpreted, GOD with us” (Matt. 1: 21, 24), the “Word made flesh,” John 1:14, etc.), is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” for “He changest not” and “His word is forever settled in heavens” was asked the question by one of the scribes, “Which is the FIRST COMMANDMENT (or law) of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is ONE Lord. And thou shalt LOVE the Lord thy God with ALL thy heart, and with ALL thy soul, and with ALL thy mind, and with all thy strength (or might); this is the FIRST commandment.

And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt LOVE thy neighbor as thyself. There is no other commandment (or law) greater than these [the first and second].”Mark 12: 28-31.
Jesus simply quoted Moses through whom He spoke through centuries earlier See Deut. 6: 4.

This clearly tells us that God’s love is mirrored and reflected in His law, which is the written transcript of His character of love. Jesus’ familiar declaration is, “If you LOVE Me, keep My commandments (or law of Ten Commandments).” John 14:15.

Apostle Paul faithfully repeated this unchanging truth in these words: “LOVE is the FULFILLING of the LAW.” Rom. 13: 10, last part, Verses 8, 9 refers to last six commandments of the Decalogue which defines our love and duty to our “neighbor,” or fellow men.”

Therefore the mirror image of Rom. 13: 10, according to the spirit and the context is, “Fulfilling the law is love [for God and our fellow men]. The “first of all the commandments,”’ is of course the FIRST four commandments which clearly defines and specifies HOW and in WHAT ways God expects us to LOVE HIM. It is His will and way, not ours. In divine things, we can obey without loving but we cannot love without obeying.

In His gospel message and work, which He revealed to Paul (and all the disciples and apostles) Christ came in order to “MAGNIFY the LAW and make it honorable” (Isa. 42: 22), the word “fulfill” the law is practically the same as “magnify” the law, and since God is love, and His law is love, it can be said without doing violence to the sacred truth that Christ also came “to magnify the Father’s love and make it honorable” for Satan and law-breaking “ungodly men” had cheapened, corrupted, and made it “dishonorable,” turning His divine love and empowering, grace “into lasciviousness” (Jude 4).

“Fulfill” in Matt. 3:15 is translated from the Greek word “pleroo,” meaning “makes replete,” as in cram; furnish, imbue.” In Isa. 42:21 the word “magnify” is translated from the Hebrew “gadal,” meaning “to make large in various senses, as in body, mind, estate of honor; also, in pride; to advance, bring up, exceed, excellent, wax great,” (From Strong’s Hebrew and Greek lexicons).

Till next week’s MWM, God willing. 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

Categories
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.

Categories
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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Devotionals

FROM SLAVE TO SIN, TO A PRINCE OF GOD

July 14, 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

FROM SLAVE TO SIN, TO A PRINCE OF GOD

“And He (Christ) said, thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince has thou power with God and with men, and has prevailed.”

Gen. 33: 28, Authorized Version.

“Because of the deception practiced to secure his father’s blessing, intended for Esau, Jacob had fled for his life, alarmed by his brother’s deadly threats. After remaining for many years as an exile, he had set out, at God’s command, to return with his wives and children…to his native country. On reaching the borders of the land, he was filled with terror by the tidings of Esau’s approach as the head of warriors, doubtless bent on revenge. Having sent his family away, that they may not witness his distress, Jacob remains alone to INTERCEDE with God.” GC 616.

Continue reading “FROM SLAVE TO SIN, TO A PRINCE OF GOD”
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Devotionals

FROM CONFORMED TO TRANSFORMED

July 13, 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

FROM CONFORMED TO TRANSFORMED

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.”

Romans 12:2, Authorized Version (KJV)

“God’s promise is, ‘Ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when you shall search for Me with ALL your heart.’ Jer. 29:13. The whole heart must be YIELDED to God, or the CHANGE (or transformation) can never be wrought in us by which we are to be RESTORED to His likeness (image).

“By nature we are alienated from God. The Holy Spirit describes our condition in such words as these: ‘Dead In trespasses and suns;’ ‘the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint;’ ‘no soundness in it.’ We are held fast in the snare of Satan, ‘taken captive by him at his will.’” Eph. 2:1; Isa. 1:5, 6; 2 Tim. 2:26.

“God desires to heal us, to set us free. But since this requires an ENTIRE TRANSFORMATION, A RENEWING OF OUR WHOLE NATURE, we must yield ourselves WHOLLY to Him.

“The warfare against self is the greatest battle that was ever fought. [As Paul said, ‘I die daily.’ Selfish, self-centered, self-pleasing self must die].
He calls the unconverted heart as “the old man,” and the truly converted in heart and mind as “the new man in Christ Jesus.”

“The government of God is not, as Satan.would make it appear, founded upon a blind submission, an unreasoning control. Rather, it appeals to the intellect and to the conscience. ‘Come now, and let us reason together’ is the Creator’s invitation to the beings He has made.”  Isaiah 1:18.

“God does not force the will of His creatures. He cannot accept an homage (acts of worship) that is not willingly and intelligently given. A mere forced submission would prevent all REAL DEVELOPMENT OF MIND OR CHARACTER; it would make man a mere automaton (robot).

“Such is not the purpose of the Creator. He desires that man, the crowning work of His creative power (created on the 6th day of creation), shall reach the HIGHEST POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENT. He sets before us the height of blessing to which He desires to BRING US THROUGH HIS GRACE.

“He invites us to give ourselves to Him, that He May work His will in us. It remains for us to CHOOSE whether we will be set free from the BONDAGE OF SIN, to share the GLORIOUS LIBERTY of the sons of God!” SC 43, 44. 

May the Holy Spirit guide, enlighten, convict, convince and empower you to do God’s will!   NMF 

Categories
Devotionals

THE NINTH COMMANDMENT “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.”

June 14, 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE NINTH COMMANDMENT
“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” Exo.20: 16; Deut.5:20.

“The ninth commandment requires of us an inviolable regard for exact truth in every declaration by which the character of our fellowmen may be affected. The TONGUE [see James 3:1-18], which is kept so little under the control of the human agent, is to be bridled by strong, conscientious principles, by the law of love toward God and men.” E.G. White, Letter 15, 1895.

Continue reading “THE NINTH COMMANDMENT “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.””