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