Tag: faith

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Mid-week Manna

EARLIEST PRECURSORS  OF COUNTERFEIT FAITH, SACRIFICE, RELIGION, WORSHIP, AND MEANS OF REDEMPTION (Part 6)

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

November 2, 2022

EARLIEST PRECURSORS  OF COUNTERFEIT FAITH, SACRIFICE, RELIGION, WORSHIP, AND MEANS OF REDEMPTION (Part 6)

“And almost all things are by law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” Heb. 9: 22, KJV. (See verses 1-28; cf. Gen. 4: 3, 4; Rom. 3: 23-26; 5: 6-11, etc.).

None of the false assumptions and hope-crushing pretensions and presumptions of the counterintuitive  doctrine of “predestination” was (or ever will be) at work at the epilogue of the grand drama of the ages and the history book of the generations of man after the fall in Eden. 

Only that the “mystery of iniquity already was at work”—-it’s devastating immediate effects on progeny, biological and spiritual, and the cumulative, downward consequences and visceral manifestations of the “curse of sin,” quickly revealed the all-encompassing, all-pervading forces and true nature of great controversy between Christ and Satan, good versus evil, righteousness versus its opposite and counterfeit, the spiritual mind versus the carnal mind—-so immediately we learn that:

Cain and Abel, the [first] two sons of Adam, [already] DIFFERED WIDELY IN CHARACTER. Abel had a spirit of LOYALTY to God; he saw JUSTICE AND MERCY in the Creator’s dealings with the fallen race [beginning with the banishment of his parents from their Eden home and the curse pronounced upon the serpent, Eve, and the earth itself, and GRATEFULLY accepted the HOPE of redemption.

But Cain cherished FEELINGS of REBELLION, and MURMURED against God because of the CURSE pronounced upon the earth and upon the human race FOR Adam [and Eve’s] sin. Cain permitted his MIND to run on the SAME CHANNEL that led to Satan’s fall [in heaven]—-INDULGING THE DESIRE FOR SELF-EXALTATION, and questioning the DIVINE JUSTICE and authority. 

“These brothers were TESTED, as Adam [their father had been tested before them to PROVE whether they would BELIEVE AND OBEY THE [spoken] word of God. They were [equally] acquainted with the PROVISIONS made for the SALVATION of man, and understand the SYSTEM OF OFFERINGS [and sacrifices] which God ordained. They knew that in these [definitively defined and specified] offerings [and sacrifices] they were to EXPRESS FAITH in the Savior whom the offerings TYPIFIED [symbolized; a figure and representation of], and at the same time acknowledge their TOTAL DEPENDENCE on Him for PARDON [forgiveness; justification]; and they knew that by thus CONFORMING TO THE DIVINE PLAN for their redemption, they were giving PROOF of their obedience to the WILL of God.” (E. G. White, Patriarchs & Prophets, Pacific Press, 1890, 1913, p. 73. 

[All emphasis and words in brackets, mine].

Remember this:  Faith is proved by Obedience: the highest, most sublime form of worship is loving, voluntary, willing, and spontaneous obedience. Therefore, trust and obey, pray without ceasing

and obey unceasingly without murmuring, for even zealous, sincere and “importunate” prayer never every replaces, is  a substitute for, or negates known duty as defined in God’s “law and testimony.” 

One without the other is incomplete, self-serving, self-justifying, vain, dead, a counterfeit of the Cain-worship brand! Likewise, it is totally unacceptable to the merciful yet just and righteous God! 

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

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Mid-week Manna

THE FAITH OF EARTH’S FIRST MARTYR (Part 4)

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

October 19

THE FAITH OF EARTH’S FIRST MARTYR (Part 4)

“By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts [sacrifice]: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.” Heb. 11:4, KJV. 

Abel, translated from the Hebrew Hebel, meaning “breath,” “transitoriness,” would be appropriate as the shortness  of the recorded life of this second son of Adam and Eve (Gen. 4:2, etc.). 

The only incident of his brief life recorded by the Word of God  is his “offering a more excellent sacrifice” than that of Cain, his older brother and very first son of Adam and Eve, whom they initially thought was the “promised seed.” 

How mistaken they were for their first son (after their fall and banishment from their Eden home) turned out to be earth’s first human murderer by killing his younger brother when he should have been “his brother’s keeper!”  (Jesus said Satan, the fallen cherub Lucifer, is “the father of lies and murderer from the beginning.” John 8:44). 

Abel’s offering, in faithful compliance with God’s specification on how to worship Him, was “acceptable unto God” in that being a sacrificed lamb from the flock, it testified and witnessed to his OBEDIENT FAITH in the promised Mighty Deliverer “to come,” the true “Seed of the woman,” the “Lamb of God” who was “to bruise the serpent’s [Satan’s] head (Gen. 3: 15; John 1:29). 

God’s messenger wrote (emphasis mine): “So far as BIRTH and RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION were concerned, these brothers were equal. Both were sinners, and both acknowledged the claims of God to reverence and WORSHIP. To outwards appearance their RELIGION was the same UP TO A CERTAIN POINT; but beyond this the DIFFERENCE between the two was great! 

“By faith Abel offered unto God a MORE EXCELLENT sacrifice than Cain.” Abel grasped the great PRiNCIPLES of redemption. He saw himself a SINNER, and he saw SIN, and it’s penalty DEATH, standing between his soul and communion with God. He brought the slain victim, THE SACRIFICED LIFE, thus acknowledging the CLAIMS OF THE LAW that had been transgressed (by his parents first).

Through the shed blood he looked to the FUTURE sacrifice, Christ dying on the cross of Calvary, and trusting in the [sacrificial] ATONEMENT that was there to be made, he “had the witness that he was righteous,’ and his offering accepted. 

“Cain had the SAME opportunity of learning and accepting these truths as had Abel. He was not a victim of arbitrary purpose [as in the pernicious, fake doctrine of ‘predestination’]. One brother was not selected to be accepted of God, and the other to be rejected! Abel CHOSE FAITH AND OBEDIENCE; Cain CHOSE UNBELIEF AND REBELLION. Here the whole matter rested.

“Cain and Abel represent two classes of [worshippers] that will exist in the world till the close of time.” -E.G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p.72. 

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

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Mid-week Manna

THE ‘SUBSTANCE’ OF THE FAITH OF JESUS AND THE BIBLE (Part 3)

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

October 12

THE ‘SUBSTANCE’ OF THE FAITH OF JESUS AND THE BIBLE (Part 3)

“Now faith is the SUBSTANCE of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”Heb. 11: 1, KJV.

In his scholarly treatise, “The Book of Hebrews” (Review & Herald Publishing Asso.,1948), which I heartily endorse to all serious Bible students, M. L. Andreasen says(all emphasis mine): 

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for.’ This verse is not so much a definition of faith as a statement of what faith will do. It presents faith SO STRONG AND VITAL that the person not only feels himself in possession of that which he HAS NOT AS YET RECEIVED, but is caused to EXPERIENCE the [1] strength [2] the courage, and the [3]confidence that ordinarily only actual possession would give.

“Faith thus ENABLES a Christian not only to claim promised blessings but to have and enjoy them NOW.

The powers of the world to come’ become a present possession: and the kingdom of heaven is not MERELY a future possibility: it is even now WITHIN.

“Faith gives the ‘good things to come’ a real SUBSISTENCE in the soul and mind. They are no longer DREAMS to be fulfilled in the future; they are LIVING REALITIES which the soul enjoys and appreciates. They cease to be far-off visions, and become SUBSTANCE. WE SEE THE INVISIBLE! The old Syriac Version of the Scriptures well translates: ‘Now faith is the PERSUASION that are in hope, as if they were in fact: and the MANIFESTATION of things not seen.’

The evidence of things not seen.’ ‘Evidence’ here is not merely an abstract belief that evidence EXISTS, but CONVINCING PROOF ALREADY DEMONSTRATED, and the soul, persuaded of its truth, rests SECURE in that belief.” pp. 472, 473.

Furthermore, on the word “substance,” Andreasen wrote: 

“The Greek word hupostasis, translated ‘person,’ is the same word rendered ‘substance’ in Hebrews 11:1, whereas in 2 Cor. 11:17 and Heb. 3:14 it is translated ‘confidence.’ 

Its root meaning is ‘that which stands under’ as an underplacing, a substructure, a support, a foundation; that which can be built upon; and hence denotes firmness, steadfastness, assurance, confidence. It stands for reality in contrast with imagination and fancy, and is used for the ESSENCE of things, the INMOST nature of a person; the real self.  Its meaning is well expressed by ‘standing’ in Ps. 69:2: ‘I sink in deep mire, when there is no STANDING.’ In Eze. 20:11 the same word is translated ‘ground.’”-Ibid, pp. 50, 51.

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

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Mid-week Manna

THE FAITH AND RELIGION OF JESUS CHRIST WITNESSED TO BY THE SAINTS OF THE BIBLE’S HALL OF FAITH PART 2

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

THE FAITH AND RELIGION OF JESUS CHRIST WITNESSED TO BY THE SAINTS OF THE BIBLE’S HALL OF FAITH

(Part 2)

“By it (faith) the elders obtained a good report.” Hebrews 11: 2, KJV.

By carefully reading through this “Faith chapter” of 40 verses, stripped of preconceived opinion, it becomes self-evident that verse one (read it again) is less of a dictionary-like DEFINITION of faith and more a DESCRIPTION of what genuine Biblical faith and the faith of Jesus (cited in Rev. 14:12) has done, and will do for all the true followers of Christ from Abel down to the last saints of the final generation before earth’s probation closes. 

Verse 3 quickly reveals why atheists are more consistent in denying Creation because they don’t believe in God and the Bible than professed Christianity who profess “sola scriptura” as the basis of their faith yet openly deny the fourth commandment of the Decalogue (Exo. 20: 8-11; Deut. 5: 12-14;  Heb. 4:1-11, etc.) that alone definitively explains WHO God Creator is, WHEN and HOW “the earth and all that in them is” was created, and the one and only day of each week the Creator appointed, set apart, and sanctified by the same fiat He spoke the worlds and the earth into existence after His six-day work of “creating the heavens and the earth in the beginning,” as the weekly (never monthly or annual) MEMORIAL DAY of His creative power and authority and the creation origin of man and the earth. 

Hebrews 11:3 says, “Through FAITH we understand [not conjecture or surmise] that the WORLDS were framed by the word of God, so that things which are SEEN were NOT made of things which do appear.”  Another verse that assures all faithful believers and commandment-keeping saints (Rev. 14:12) of the existence of other worlds created by the only-begotten Son of God, who became the Son of man through the mystery of the incarnation (1 Tim. 3:16; John 1:1-14, etc.) and declared Himself as “the Lord of the Sabbath” (Matt. 12:6-8; Mark 2:27, 28; Luke 6: 5, 6) is also in the book of Hebrews that declares (emphasis mine):

“God. who at sundry times and diverse manners spoke in time past to the fathers [elders,patriarchs] by the prophets, hath in these last days [New Testament Christian dispensation] spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed Heir of all things, by whom also He made the WORLDS.” (Heb.. 1:1, 2).

Learn new truth every single day from the increasing and progressively “marvelous light,”of the “present, testing truths” of the last days from “the law and testimony” (Isa . 8:20), which is “the word” of the Bible and the “Spirit of prophecy which is the Testimony of Jesus” (Rev. 19: 10). 

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

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Mid-week Manna

THE FAITH OF JESUS THAT BELONGS TO THE THIRD ANGEL’S MESSAGE PART 7

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:

September 21

THE FAITH OF JESUS THAT BELONGS TO THE THIRD ANGEL’S MESSAGE

Part 7

“The  faith of Jesus.  It is long talked of, but not understood [in its true light and fullest sense]. What constitutes the faith of Jesus, that belongs to the third angel’s message [Rev. 14:6-12]? 

Jesus becoming our SIN-BEARER that He might become our SIN-PARDONING SAVIOR. He was treated as WE deserve to be treated. He came to our word and took OUR sins that we might take HIS righteousness. 

Faith in the ABILITY of Christ to  save us AMPLY AND FULLY AND ENTIRELY IS THE FAITH OF JESUS.” [emphasis mine].”- E. G. White, Selected Messages, Vol. 3, 1888 Messages, p. 117. 

See Gen. 4:1-16. An Offensive Offering, Sacrifice, and Worship–“The offering of Cain was an offense to God  because it was a Christ-less offering. The BURDEN of our message is NOT ONLY the commandments of God, but the FAITH OF JESUS. A bright light [of the Third Angel’s message] shines upon our pathway TODAY, and it leads to  an INCREASED FAITH in Jesus. We must receive EVERY ray of light, and WALK in it, that it might not be our condemnation in the [pre-advent Investigative] judgment. 

Our duties and obligations become MORE important as we OBTAIN more distinct views of [Present, testing] truth. Light [of present truth] makes manifest and reproves the errors that were CONCEALED in darkness [of ignorance, traditions, superstitions, and false yet popular ‘doctrines of men’]; and as light [of awakening, reproof, conviction] comes, the LIFE AND CHARACTER of men must change CORRESPONDINGLY, to be In HARMONY with it. 

Sins that were once sins of IGNORANCE, because of the blindness of the MIND, can no more INDULGED in without incurring GUILT. As increased light is given, men must be REFORMED, ELEVATED, AND REFINED by it, or they will be MORE PERVERSE AND STUBBORN than before the light came.”- Ibid, Gospel Workers, p. 162.

Apostle Paul says, “Faith works by love” (Gal. 5:6), and God’s messenger magnifies and dignifies its result: “and purifies the soul.” Indeed, the faith of Jesus working by love and grace in the heart of the humble sinner will progressively reform, elevate, and refine him in the lifetime work of sanctification, fitting him up for eternity, the “place!”

Christ went “to prepare for him” (John 14:1-3) and to dwell with angels that have never fallen! 

To be continued next MWM, God willing. NMF

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Daily Manna

PRAY IN FAITH, PRAY IN GRATITUDE

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
September 9

PRAY IN FAITH, PRAY IN GRATITUDE

“Be careful [anxious and care-worn] for nothing; but in everything IN PRAYER and SUPPLICATION with THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known unto God. And the [comforting, healing] PEACE of God, which PASSETH all understanding, shall KEEP your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally brethren, whatsoever things are TRUE, whatsoever things are HONEST, whatsoever things are PURE, whatsoever things are LOVELY, whatsoever things are of GOOD REPORT; if there be any VIRTUE, and if there be any PRAISE [anything praiseworthy] THINK ON THESE THINGS.” Philippians 4: 6-8, KJV.

See Luke 17: 11- 18. On His way to Jerusalem, Jesus encountered ten lepers who prayerfully petitioned Him, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us! Heal us! They were all healed. But only one of them, a Samaritan, returned and fell on his face at Jesus feet, and with a loud voice, glorified God!”

And Jesus answering said, “Were there not ten cleansed [healed], but where are the nine?”

We all have been praying together for one another’s various special and urgent needs, and God in Christ has answered them all, in His time and in His way, just recently for one of our church family.

Shouldn’t we be like that only grateful healed Samaritan leper who alone returned and glorified God in humble gratitude—for all OUR answered prayers especially during this devastating pandemic, which is still stalking the nation and the world, on top of all the rapidly multiplying and overlapping crises of all kinds?

Let us be grateful to God in words and deeds that glorify Him and by “thinking on those things of virtue enumerated above. This is how to obtain, maintain, retain, and maximize utilization of the promised healing mercy and peace of God in our hearts and minds in the midst of the growing uncertainty, confusion, and depressing conditions in our own surroundings as well as in the nation and globally.

Bless all, NMF.

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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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Devotionals

OUR MARCHING ORDERS: FORWARD AND UPWARD

September 28, 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

OUR MARCHING ORDERS: FORWARD AND UPWARD

“Speak to the children of Israel, that they go forward [not backward].”

Exo. 14:15, A.V.

In any journey, undertaking, enterprise or mission, failure to move forward is actually falling backward. In spiritual matters, it is backsliding. In nature, if a plant is not growing, it is dying.

“The history of the children of Israel is written for the instruction and admonition of all Christians. When the Israelites were overtaken by dangers and difficulties, and their way seemed hedged up [just like right now], THEIR FAITH [in God and in His word] FORSOOK THEM, and they murmured against the leader whom God had appointed for them.

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