Daily Bread from God
After reading “The Call” again I found something wrong, a concept different from Jesus’ teaching. For example, in chapter 13 The Manna, “The Lord speaks every day to each one of His people. They cannot live by bread alone, but must have the words that proceed from His mouth. These are not the words that He spoke in the past, but the words that He speaks to them each day,” the eagle continued. (This part is correct, but the way to receive manna in next paragraph is misleading)
“Many are weak because they do not know how to gather the manna that the Lord gives to them each day. They go astray because they do not know His voice. His sheep know His voice, and they follow Him because they recognize it. The manna is the bread of life that each of His people is given each day. You must learn to recognize it, and help His people to recognize this manna. When they taste it as you are tasting it now, they will diligently search for it each day. Do not be concerned about hoarding food or water, but learn to see and partake of the manna that He gives daily. This will preserve you when all else fails. “The Scriptures are the meat that the Lord gives to us, but His manna is found in His living epistles, His people. He will speak to you each day through His people.
It seems the author does not know what is the daily bread of the Lord’s prayer. That daily bread is not made from flour, but the spiritual food for God’s people to depend on, which is the daily instruction of how to do the Father’s will. Without that guidance and direction, doing God’s will is little more than a good intention. As Jesus said in John 4:34: My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
That book’s message distorts Jesus’ teaching: “every word that comes from the mouth of God” —by reinterpreting it as: “His manna is found in His living epistles, His people. He will speak to you each day through His people“. If a believer seek the “word that comes from the mouth of God” based on this logic, they are forced to interpret it through others. Not only it is impossible in many cases, but it can easily leads to deception and confusion.
It is written: 1 John 4:1 (NIV): Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. I doubt Rick knows how to test the spirit. So I seek the Lord for discernment.
Come To The Mercy Seat: Learning from Jesus
I prayed one day, but received no answer. I tried the next day, thinking that I should come near to the Mercy Seat first. So I meditated on the nails on His hands upon the cross. After a while, I was overwhelmed by the realization of my ungratefulness towards his sacrifice and my carelessness regarding His Words. I failed to pay attention to His Warning that we are not called to learn from men. As Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-29
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Jesus explicitly declared in Matthew 23:10: Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ. God’s people are taught directly by God, It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. (John 6:45) This truth is re-emphasized in 1 Thessalonians 4:9 Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.
I could not see this until now. I learned from approaching the Mercy Seat, that God’s servant have to obey the Word in 1 Peter 4:11 (KJV) If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. And take note of those who fail to obey, as it is written: Titus 1:10-11 (NIV) For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach — and that for the sake of dishonest gain.
God gives Apostle and Shepherd vs Man Trained Pastor
Then I learned another truth from looking at the William Tyndale Bible (1525/1530), Ephesians 4:11 : And the very same made some Apostles some prophetes some Evangelistes some Sheperdes some Teachers: The word “shepherd” was translated from Greek (#4166) ποιμήν, it appeared in NT 18 times. They all translated properly as “shepherd”. So is the first authorized edition, the Great Bible of 1539. But something strange happened after 30 years, the 1560 Geneva Bible became the first to use “pastors” instead of “shepherd” in Ephesians 4:11, which later carried over into the King James Version and modern English traditions. But for what reason?
Remember, William Tyndale was indeed hated so much by the religious rulers that he was strangled, and burned at the stake in 1536 because his English translation threatened the established religious hierarchy by making the scriptures accessible to everyone. Manipulation and control becomes more difficult afterwards. When we understand why Tyndale was brutally murdered, it become easy to see the replacing of “shepherd” with “pastor” was a deliberate choice by state-sanctioned church systems to accomplish specific goals:
- Validate a Professional Class: It created a distinct title that separated the professional “clergy” from the ordinary “laity.”
- Enforce Institutional Control: It shifted the focus from a natural spiritual care taking role (shepherding) to an official office that required human licensing, academic credentials, and seminary training.
- Obscure Christ’s Headship: By elevating a single, human-trained “pastor” as the head of a local church, it obscured the New Testament teaching that Christ is the only Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4) of one single flock.
But more and more people are waking up to the truth that seminary deconstructed their faith. Here is a short transcript of a YouTube from Astrongerfaith #176 “Mandy Arriola” from 1:27:08:
But I have had more than one person that I’ve had a conversation with that seminary deconstructed their faith. Yes. That’s heartbreaking, isn’t it? Yes, it is. It’s not all of them. And we’ve had a lot of seminary trained pastors here and and but even then those guys will tell you those are some of my favorites. Yeah. When I watch those. Yeah. It’s those I think of Matt Judkins. He comes to mind right away. Seminary trained guy. And we’ve had so many. I think Kate Fagan was one and Dan Pinkney’s another and uh Scott and Amanda Rosen and so many others that seminary trained and then they experienced God and it broke the the box of religious tradition so much.
One Church and One Shepherd vs Hired Hand
Jesus said in John 10:11-16: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
God did not appoint shepherd in the church as it is written: 1 Corinthians 12:28 : And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. In general, pastor trained by man is hired hand who “is not the shepherd who owns the sheep.” Except a small number of true servants of Christ who imitate Jesus, willing to “lays down his life for the sheep.” The intention of replacing the word “shepherd” in Eph. 4:11 with “pastor” is to deceive the flock into accepting man trained “hired hand” as if he is appointed by God.
God’s Church vs Men’s Church
If we read the Scriptures carefully we will see every epistle in the Bible, except Hebrews, has clearly identified in the beginning, each author’s calling from God. Paul started all his letters by stating something like: “Paul, called to be an apostle ……”; “James, a servant of God……”; “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,”; John start his second and third letter with: “The elder, to the chosen……”; “Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ……”. Only Paul and Peter are apostles, everybody are brothers, as John confirmed it in writing: Revelation 1:9: I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. They all followed Jesus’ teaching closely: “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers.“
Although apostle and prophet are appointed by God, we are called to test and judge. For it is written: 1 Corinthians 14:29 (NKJV): Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. What they say are not to be trusted without questioning as John wrote: 1 John 4:1 (NIV): Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
The main difference between God’s church and man’s church is the actual leadership. The organized religions have their own doctrine and theology. They choose their own leaders by many blind members, for Jesus is far away to most of them. They do not hear his voice, nor fear God. Although there are many sheep trapped inside, because they have hard time to find any church with sound doctrines. However, it is not simple to differentiate one from the other, as people come and go, many things are constantly changing. For example, Francis Chan stepped down from his large-scale ministry at Cornerstone Community Church in 2010 to pivot toward the house church movement.
Chan founded Cornerstone in 1994, and by 2010, it had grown into a megachurch with roughly 5,000 members. He chose to walk away due to a strong conviction and frustrations. After traveling through Asia, where he was deeply inspired by the underground house church networks. Chan returned to California. In 2011, he launched a new house church network in San Francisco called “We Are Church. Chan wrote a book “Letters to the Church“, explaining why he left the church. In chapter 1, he wrote:
There are times God hates our worship. There are churches He wants shut down. So often we assume that as long as we show up to worship, God is pleased. The Bible tells a different story (Amos 5:21-24; Isa. 58:1-5;; Mat.1:6-14; 1 Cos.11:17-30; Rev.2:5; 3:15-16). Since the beginning of time, there has been worship God loves and worship He rejects. As I examine the state of the Christian Church today, I can’t help but think that God is not pleased with many of the churches in America.
Manipulation and Control are Growing
Be aware, man’s churches claim they believe the Bible, but often quietly add some concepts and rules that contradict the Word of God. For example, the Nicene Creed (AD 325, revised AD 381). A document written by fallible bishops, under the Roman emperor. They quietly placed a statement: “We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. This is an indirect but clear rejection of Jesus’ Word, calling for testing of church leadership written in Revelation 2:2 (NKJV): “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;“
Even God’s church have wolf in sheep’s clothing, as it is written: Acts 20:29-31 (NIV): I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. What a strong contrast! Apostle Paul “never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears“, that “savage wolves will come in among you“, but religious rulers want the flock to believe in the church that may have savage wolves hiding inside. It’s alarming that many churches still insist on new members must affirm something similar to prevent any testing against false teacher and false doctrine.
Man’s churches always avoid the whole counsel of God, by limiting their preaching mainly on the assurance and grace of God, his blessing and promise. So the flock remain largely ignorant of sin and repentance, unaware of how to remain in him, abide in him or imitate him. Many have been walking in disobedience and sin for decades without ever knowing it.
It is no wonder, A.W. Pink’s uncompromising position was not acceptable to the churches of his time. After years of teaching and preaching, Pink gave up on trying to find a church where he could worship as a member. He came to believe that there were no churches where he could participate or minister in good conscience. So he stayed home, and dedicated himself to writing his magazine. I can see his only “fault” was seeking truth from God, instead of growing audience. Here is an excerpt from Pink’s “Call to Separation” that shows some of his thoughts on the matter:
“Be ye not unequally yoked together.” This applies first to our religious or ecclesiastical connections. How many Christians are members of so-called “churches,” where much is going on which they know is at direct variance with the Word of God—either the teaching from the pulpit, the worldly attractions used to draw the ungodly, and the worldly methods employed to finance it or the constant receiving into its membership of those who give no evidence of having been born again. Believers in Christ who remain in such “churches” (?) are dishonoring their Lord. Should they answer: “Practically all the churches are the same, and were we to resign, what could we do? We must go somewhere on Sundays,” such language would show they are putting their own interests before the glory of Christ. Better stay at home and read God’s Word, than fellowship that which His Word condemns.
The real intention of church membership remains the same today. The fundamental difference is God’s church try to do God’s will, while man’s institution do not care, they have their own priority for attendance. But both type will coexist inside visible churches. The wheat and the tares grow side by side (Matthew 13:24–30). When the refining fire of persecution and tribulation comes, some will be purified and transformed. But it is far much better, if we start to repent and turn back to God and His Word right now. As it is written: “Today, when you hear his voice, do not harden your heart.“
God Instruct Whoever Fears Him
The secret of the disciples to receive instruction of doing God’s will is the fear of the Lord. They take His Word seriously because they have faith. While others take a more casual approach, only accept whatever is convenient, because they have no faith. Many have been sleep walking for a very long time, but they can wake up any time by speaking the Psalms to their souls. For God Instruct Whoever Fears Him, everyone can pray for the fear of God such as:
Psalms 25:12 (NIV): Who, then, is the man that fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.
Psalms 25:14: The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.
Psalms 85:9: Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
Psalms 86:11 (NKJV): Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.
Psalms 145:19 (NIV): He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
Psalms 147:11: the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
If we learned how to pray according to God’s will we will gain knowledge of God. They are all written already, especially in the Psalms. The prayer in Spirit and truth holds the key to spiritual growth. It is: “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.“
In Your Struggle Against Sin
It is written in Hebrews 9:7: But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. Only unintentional sin can be atoned for, those who sin willfully will die without mercy. We have to be very careful not to sin presumptuously if we want to come near to the Mercy Seat. Even the high priest have to obey the Word exactly, as it is written in Leviticus 16:2 : The Lord said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud over the atonement cover.
Every new life in Christ will meet resistance from the flesh and temptation, it’s a very long battle against sin. It is written: Hebrews 12:4-8: In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.
Those who do not struggle against sin have failed to see the truth that they are following the devil to their own destruction. It is written: James 1:14-16: but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. This “full-grown” sin will cause that individual to feel so comfortable that he stop repenting, he then live as if God’s law never existed.
The Throne Of Grace
Now let’s try to approach the Throne Of Grace by meditating/pray the Scriptures:
Isaiah 53:3-9: He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.
Hebrews 5:7-10: During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 4:14-16: Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 9:14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
Hebrews 10:19-22 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 5:7-10 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 4:14-16 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
HAVE mercy upon me, O our Father in heaven, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me.
Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight– That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.
Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me with Jesus’ blood, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O our Father, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart– These, O our Father, You will not despise.
Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem.
Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, With burnt offering and whole burnt offering; Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.