bread

Health Nugget – “Give Us Our Daily Bread”

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“Give Us Our Daily Bread”

Matthew 6:11

The above title is a well-recognized phrase from a prayer recorded in the Bible. It’s not just any prayer. This one was recited by Jesus Himself and lists several petitions to our Heavenly Father. These few simple words tell us much more about life in the period of ancient Rome:

  1. Bread was a daily staple.
  2. It’s listed as the first petition, therefore, an issue of the utmost importance.

The text confirms that bread has been the food staple for thousands of years. We know from later history that lack of bread spelled trouble for the ruling class who could easily lose their power if their subjects lacked bread. Bread is often consumed at every meal in many cultures. Wheat is the world’s #1 cultivated plant by far.

Even in modern history, if the price of bread goes too high, food riots and revolutions can unfold. The Arab Spring in 2010 in part happened because bread prices spiked, and political unrest followed. The price of wheat on international markets, hence the price of bread, can spin the world into trouble, especially in the Arab world.

What is bread? Three simple ingredients: flour, water, salt. If we consumed these three ingredients separately, we wouldn’t survive for too long. Yet, these three simple ingredients baked into bread can sustain us indefinitely.

A little grain of wheat is a miracle of life. It contains the nutrients to sustain life: carbohydrates, protein, minerals, vitamins. They’re locked in the little kernel, which is not digestible for humans. It becomes digestible once it is ground into flour and then fermented, which is the art of bakery. Fermentation unlocks the nutrients. Natural bacteria will take care of the fermentation process. Where does the bacteria come from? From the air! Once you leave wet flour on the table, the bacteria from the air will start working its magic and the process of fermentation begins. It is called the natural starter.

All of a sudden, we have a very nutritious substance. Working with the natural starter is more difficult than commercially purchased yeast, but worth the effort. Fast-acting commercial yeast does not unlock all the nutrients, which results in digestion problems in many people.

Natural bacteria will cause a glutenous mass to form that sticks together, hence the word gluten, which is a wheat protein. As the bacteria works and creates gases, a loaf of bread becomes full of air bubbles. Interestingly, we like bread because of the air bubbles inside. They deepen the natural flavor of grain. The air bubbles also make bread voluminous, which gives us the feeling of being full even if in reality we haven’t consumed much. This feeling of fullness, physical satisfaction, has been so important throughout history when other food was scarce. Bread has been our staple for generations reaching back to ancient Egypt.

The Gluten Free Trend

Yet in our modern times, a gluten-free craze has engulfed the western food scene. Intolerance to gluten is being widely reported. Scientists at first couldn’t figure out the problem of how possibly so many people can be gluten-intolerant if we have been eating bread for thousands of years. Sure, there are a few people who suffer from the celiac disease who should not consume gluten, but that’s only one percent of the population.

This whole gluten-free trend started in the United States and a little misunderstanding helped the gluten-free industry to take off. The food industry is always looking for gaps in the market. Some marketer realized that the tiny population of people with celiac disease would also like to indulge in pastries and pasta, but had no gluten-free alternative. So a small gluten-free shelf appeared in grocery stores. An unsuspecting consumer sees a sign that reads “gluten free.” The consumer has no idea what gluten is, but thinks “Oh, gluten free, it’s probably better for me.” Suddenly, mainstream consumers for whom these products were never intended started creating a huge market out of ignorance. Food companies didn’t waste any time and enlarged their gluten-free portfolio. This gluten-free illiteracy can go to extremes, such as a bag of potato chips labeled “gluten free.” Potatoes have never contained any gluten in the first place. It is as if a spaghetti box were labeled “pineapple free.”

When researching websites of companies producing gluten-free products, one can hardly find any evidence or benefit of a gluten-free diet. Often, the strongest argument one finds on such websites is that many people are gluten-intolerant and don’t know it. Therefore, should all of us quit eating bread? An educated consumer can make his/her own conclusion for such logic.

There are people intolerant of peanuts, strawberries, and a wide variety of foods. It doesn’t mean that the rest of us can’t enjoy strawberries.

Chemical Cocktail

Yet still, is it somehow possible that an increased number of people are really intolerant to gluten? Scientists did discover one reason. It appears in the ingredients listed on bread packages.

As already mentioned, bread should contain just three ingredients: flour, water, salt. Bread purchased in the supermarket has 25–35 ingredients listed on the package. For two reasons:

  • Bread manufacturing has to be a fast process to be profitable.
  • Commercial bread has to last for weeks or months on the shelf.

Both goals can be achieved by using artificial fermentation starters and adding a myriad of chemicals to the process.

Raising dough the traditional way takes more time. Our grandmothers who made bread at home dedicated time and effort. Such bread we call today sourdough, which is how bread was historically made. Until about 100 years ago, no other bread than sourdough existed. Some independent bakeries still may bake bread this way, but the price will be premium. A supermarket consumer got used to packaged bread lasting for months for a negligible price.

Let’s not get confused, however. Packaged bread labeled “sourdough” is most likely not the real deal unless you’re sourcing your bread from a small independent baker who doesn’t use commercial yeast. Such bakeries are hard to come by.

Large factories’ profits would be gone if they took 2–3 days to make a loaf of bread. So they found ways to speed up the process. Commercial yeast will do wonders in minutes, a process that naturally takes long hours or days. The product has to last for months, and a load of chemical preservatives will assure a long shelf life.

This chemical cocktail and super speedy yeast take a health toll – health issues that people attribute to gluten, when in reality they’re consuming an artificial product that our grandmothers wouldn’t even call bread.

Commercial bread is made of white flour because it is shelf stable, nonperishable. We have removed all nutrients from bread by removing the outer layer of the grain which is needed for digestion. This is another reason why so many consumers experience an uneasy feeling in their stomach – there is no nutrition in modern “bread.”

Food scientists soon realized this mistake, so they found a way to put the nutrients back. Not by leaving the grain in its natural state, but by artificially adding back some minerals and vitamins. This product is called “enriched flour” which consumers will find listed on nearly every baked goods package.

Most of us are bread and pastry lovers. So where can we source these goodies in our chemical-laden world? Try our ancestors’ way. The Internet can come to the rescue! There are various YouTube channels and other resources that will teach you how to make your own bread with no commercial starters. Often there are local courses that will teach you this long-lost art. Once you master bread making, you’ll have a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Bake such bread with freshly ground whole wheat flour.

Do you think you are gluten intolerant? Unless you have been diagnosed with the celiac disease, taste such bread, made the natural sourdough way, which makes grains digestible, and see what your stomach and taste buds will say.

Bible Study Guides – “A Table in the Wilderness”

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November 12-18, 2000

MEMORY VERSE: “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” Psalm 23:5.

STUDY HELP: Early Writings, 56–58.

INTRODUCTION: “The Lord will help all who take hold with good courage, and humbly do His work with honesty and fidelity and earnest zeal. The end is near, and I would say to those I love in every place, Be of good courage in the Lord. Ministers and people, the Lord is our Rock. We may be secure. The Lord will not leave His people to the will of the enemy. He will carry us through all the strait places. He can spread a table for us in the wilderness.” Review and Herald, February 12, 1901.

“The Bread of God is He Which Cometh Down from Heaven”

1 What piece of tabernacle furniture was placed on the north side of the Holy Place? Exodus 26:35; Exodus 40:22.

NOTE: “The table of showbread stood on the north. With its ornamental crown, it was overlaid with pure gold. On this table the priests were each Sabbath to place twelve cakes, arranged in two piles, and sprinkled with frankincense. The loaves that were removed, being accounted holy, were to be eaten by the priests.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 348.

2 What was placed upon this table? What other items were needed in the use of this table? Exodus 25:29; Exodus 37:16.

NOTE: See Patriarchs and Prophets, 354.

“A drink offering accompanied the morning and evening sacrifice (Exodus 29:40; Numbers 15:5). For this reason the shewbread table contained dishes, spoons, covers, and bowls, or as other versions render it, dishes, spoons and ‘cups with which they pour out’ (Exodus 25:29, Young’s translation). This drink offering was poured out in the holy place ‘unto the Lord.’ It is not a long step from the table of shewbread mentioned in the Old Testament to the table of the Lord in the New Testament.…” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 1, 719, 720.

“I Am the Bread Which Came Down from Heaven”

3 How did Jesus explain the spiritual significance of bread? John 6:30–35.

NOTE: See The Desire of Ages, 386.

4 In what special sense is Jesus the Bread of life? John 6:51–57.

NOTE: See The Desire of Ages, 389.

“Every Sabbath He Shall Set it in Order”

5 When was the bread to be renewed on the table? Leviticus 24:5–8.

NOTE: “When the bread was removed every Sabbath, to be replaced by fresh loaves, the frankincense was burned upon the altar as a memorial before God.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 354.

“The Sabbath hours are sacred, when hungry worshippers enter the courts of God. Common fare can never satisfy. So the preacher must study diligently during the week to gather grains of truth in the fields of scripture. Upon his knees he must labor to grind and sift the flour, while within his heart the fire burns. He must watch to exclude the leaven of self, and include the flavor of heaven’s salt. And he must pray, Sweet Spirit, flow into the dough and anoint it with a cross of oil. And through this toil, the substance of his Sabbath ‘loaf’ will be the Lord Jesus. Then in God’s house, and on God’s day, His pulpit will become a banquet table spread with heaven’s shewbread, ready to satisfy His people’s hunger.” Hardinge, With Jesus in His Sanctuary, 167.

6 What was done with the shewbread removed from the table? Leviticus 24:9.

“They Did Eat and Were All Filled”

7 What mighty miracles did Christ work to demonstrate His power to supply man’s need? Matthew 14:14–20. (Compare Matthew 15:32–37; Mark 6:35–44; Mark 8:1–9; Luke 9:12–17; John 6:5–14.)

NOTE: This is the only miracle recorded by all four Gospel writers. See The Desire of Ages, 365, 366.

8 How had Christ worked similar miracles for His people before? 1 Corinthians 10:1–4. (Compare 1 Kings 17:2–6, 14–16; 1 Kings 19:5–8.)

NOTE: “…there is no place for anxious care. Diligence, fidelity, caretaking, thrift, and discretion are called for. Every faculty is to be exercised to its highest capacity. But the dependence will be, not on the successful outcome of our efforts, but on the promise of God. The word that fed Israel in the desert, and sustained Elijah through the time of famine, has the same power today. ‘Be not therefore anxious (R.V.), saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink?…Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ Matthew 6:31–33.” Education, 138.

“Thou Preparest a Table Before Me”

9 What regular reminder did Jesus give us of His continuing ability to satisfy the needs of His people? 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.

NOTE: See The Desire of Ages, 660.

10 How are we assured that Christ will minister also to the soul’s hunger? Matthew 5:6; Psalm 36:7–9.

NOTE: See The Desire of Ages, 660.

“O Taste and See that the Lord is Good”

11 In what precious promises may God’s people put their trust? Psalm 34:8–10.

NOTE: “How shall we know for ourselves God’s goodness and His love? The psalmist tells us—not, hear and know, read and know, or believe and know; but—‘Taste and see that the Lord is good’ (Psalm 34:8). Instead of relying upon the word of another, taste for yourself. Experience is knowledge derived from experiment. Experimental religion is what is needed now. ‘Taste and see that the Lord is good.’” God’s Amazing Grace, 252.

12 What gracious promise does Jesus make? Matthew 21:22.

NOTE: See Steps to Christ, 111, 112.

Food for Life – Evidences of the End

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“March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.” —English Proverb

September 11, 2001, will forever be etched in our memory, as long as we have a breath of life within us! A more sobering thought is, what will be the next sign of His coming? As I peruse the Spirit of Prophecy each night upon retiring, I am made ever aware of the very shortness of time and the insecurity of our own lives from day to day.

Last Day Events, 83, states, “At the time when the danger and depression of the church are greatest, the little company who are standing in the light will be sighing and crying for the abominations that are done in the land. But more especially will their prayers arise in behalf of the church because its members are doing after the manner of the world.” Serious thoughts are they not? “Light has been given me that the cities will be filled with confusion, violence, and crime, and that these things will increase till the end of this earth’s history.” Ibid., 110. So we, as many are doing, need to find ways to move to the country. “I have seen the most costly structures in buildings erected and supposed to be fireproof, and just as Sodom perished in the flames of God’s vengeance so will these proud structures become ashes.…The flattering monuments of men’s greatness will be crumbled in the dust even before the last great destruction comes upon the world.” Ibid., 111.

“God is withdrawing His Spirit from the wicked cities, which have become as the cities of the antediluvian world and as Sodom and Gomorrah.…Costly mansions, marvels of architectural skill, will be destroyed without a moment’s notice when the Lord sees that the owners have passed the boundaries of forgiveness. The destruction by fire of the stately buildings, supposed to be fireproof, is an illustration of how in a short time earth’s architecture will lie in ruins.

“Men will continue to erect expensive buildings, costing millions of money. Special attention will be called to their architectural beauty and the firmness and solidity with which they are constructed, but the Lord has instructed me that despite the unusual firmness and expensive display, these buildings will share the fate of the temple in Jerusalem.” Ibid., 112.

“Gluttony and intemperance lie at the foundation of the great moral depravity in our world. Satan is aware of this and he is constantly tempting men and women to indulge the taste at the expense of health and even life itself. Eating, drinking, and dressing are made the aim of life with the world. Just such a state of things existed before the Flood. And this state of dissipation is one of the marked evidences of the soon close of this earth’s history.” Ibid., 22.

Recipe – Pocket Bread

1 tablespoon yeast 

1 1/4 cups warm distilled water 

1 teaspoon sea salt

3 1/2 to 4 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour

Dissolve yeast in warm water and let work. Gradually add other ingredients to make a stiff dough. Knead until smooth and elastic.

Let rise, until double in bulk, then turn out on board. After dividing into 8 pieces, approximately 5″ in diameter, flatten each ball with a rolling pin. Place on baking sheet about 3/4″ apart and let rise until double in bulk. Bake at 400 degrees for 4 minutes. Change pan positions and bake an additional 4–6 minutes. To serve, cut in half and separate to create pockets. Place anything in them that suits your taste.

Recipe – Multigrain Bread

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1 3/4 cups water

4 Tablespoons flaxseed

1/3 cup olive oil

1 to 2 teaspoons salt

1 cup white flour

4 Tablespoons gluten flour

1 cup rye flour

3 Tablespoons honey

2 cups whole wheat flour

3 to 4 teaspoons yeast

Mix warmed water, oil, honey, whole wheat flour, gluten flour, and yeast. Let set until bubbling. Mix in salt and flaxseed, and slowly add remaining flours. Knead well. Let rise until double in size, punch down; let rise again. Shape into two small loaves or one large loaf. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes. Turn out onto cooling rack and paint with water to create a soft crust.

Recipe – Oatmeal Dinner Rolls

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From the kitchen of Teresa Grosboll

2 cups water

1 Tablespoon fructose

1 cup quick oats

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

3 Tablespoons trans-fat free margarine

1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 slightly rounded Tablespoon active dry yeast

1−2 Tablespoons ground flaxseed

1/3 cup warm water

2 Tablespoons gluten flour

1/4 cup fructose and 1 Tablespoon molasses

Unbleached flour to knead

In a saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add oatmeal and margarine; cook and stir for 1 minute. Remove from the heat; cool to lukewarm. In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water with 1 Tablespoon fructose. Add the oat mixture, sugars, salt, flax meal, gluten flour, whole wheat flour, and enough unbleached flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured board; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6 to 8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch dough down; allow it to rest for 10 minutes. Shape into 18 balls. Place into greased 9-inch round baking pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan to wire racks.

Food for Life – Importance of Quality Bread

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“It is a sacred duty for those who cook to learn how to prepare healthful food. Many souls are lost as the result of poor cookery. It takes thought and care to make good bread; but there is more religion in a loaf of good bread than many think.” Counsels on Diet and Foods, 257.

“It is a religious duty for every Christian girl and woman to learn at once to make good, sweet, light bread from unbolted wheat flour. Mothers should take their daughters into the kitchen with them when very young, and teach them the art of cooking.” Ibid., 316.

“Bread is the real staff of life, and therefore every cook should excel in making it.” Ibid., 315.

“Zwieback, or twice-baked bread, is one of the most easily digested and most palatable of foods.” Ibid., 317.

“The loaves should be small, and so thoroughly baked that, as far as possible, the yeast germs shall be destroyed. When hot, or new, raised bread of any kind is difficult of digestion. It should never appear on the table.” Ibid., 316.

“Bread which is two or three days old is more healthful than new bread. Bread dried in the oven is one of the most wholesome articles of diet.” Ibid., 317.

“For use in breadmaking, the superfine white flour is not the best. Its use is neither healthful nor economical. Fine-flour bread is lacking in nutritive elements to be found in bread made from the whole wheat. It is a frequent cause of constipation and other unhealthful conditions.” Ibid., 320.

“All wheat flour is not best for a continuous diet. A mixture of wheat, oatmeal, and rye would be more nutritious than the wheat with the nutrifying properties separated from it.” Ibid., 321.

Food for Life – Whole Wheat Bread

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In Genesis 1:29, we find the original diet for mankind, which is what we call today fruits, grains, and nuts. In Genesis 3:18, we see that, after sin entered the world, God added the green herb of the field to man’s diet. In Genesis 9, we read that God added flesh food to man’s diet. In Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, it is spelled out which animals are clean and may be eaten and which animals are unclean and may not be eaten. God’s children, even in the days of Noah, did not eat unclean animals, because only two of each unclean animal were taken into the ark, and if Noah had eaten either one, then that species of animal would not be with us today. Nowhere in Leviticus is mankind forbidden to eat plants that do not bear seed.

God attempted to bring his people back to a largely vegetarian diet in Moses’ time, but they rebelled, and so it was not done. (See Numbers 11 and 14 and The Ministry of Healing, 311–317.)

We do not have information as to exactly when mankind began using milk and eggs and other foods that could not be classified as either a flesh food or a vegetable. We do know, from the biblical record, that God’s people were using these foods in Abraham’s time and in Moses’ time.

There are several kinds of foods eaten today that are in this category. First, is common bread. Bread is made with yeast. Yeast is a substance of aggregated cells of minute unicellular sac fungi. It has been debated whether these minute fungi are plants or animal. In the presence of sugar, the yeast ferments the bread dough, making alcohol and carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide is what raises the bread. The alcohol has such a low boiling point that most of it is released into the air during baking. Ellen White calls bread the staff of life, so it is not an optional food. (Counsels on Diet and Foods, 315.)

Some years ago, there were men in the Middle East who were not reaching complete sexual maturity. An investigation revealed that they were experiencing a zinc deficiency. There is plenty of zinc in whole wheat bread, which they were eating, but the phytic acid in the bread dough was binding the zinc, so it was not being absorbed. They were not using leavened bread. When bread is leavened, the leavening action uses up some of the phytic acid, making the zinc in the wheat available for absorption. I know of no population group with a zinc deficiency, if that population group uses whole-grain, leavened bread. It is important to use leavened bread. (There are some disease processes that force a person to abstain from leavened bread, and special diets must be formulated for these people so they do not suffer from mineral deficiencies.)

Dr. John J. Grosboll, Director of Steps to Life, is also trained in the field of nutrition, having earned a Doctor’s Degree in Health Science and a Master of Public Health degree in Public Health Nutrition from Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California.

Whole Wheat Bread, Oil-Free

4 cups very warm water

3 Tablespoons yeast

1/4 cup honey

9–10 cups whole wheat flour

1 Tablespoon salt

In a large bowl, mix the first three ingredients together with a whisk. Add 3 cups flour and beat well. Add salt and enough flour to make pliable—not sticky—dough. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for 10 minutes. Return dough to bowl, cover with a towel, and place in a warm location until double. Knead dough again for 5 minutes; shape into loaves and place in prepared pans. Cover pans with a towel and let rise 30–45 minutes. Bake in preheated 350-degree oven for 50 minutes.

Food for Life — The Rejected Health Message

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At last, this very unusual winter is over. At least we hope so! It is May once again, and the birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, and we are still alive, and have the great God to thank for all these varied and wonderful blessings. “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” Proverbs 17:22. Gratitude, rejoicing, benevolence, trusting in God’s love and care—these are health’s greatest safeguard. “Rejoice in every good thing which the Lord thy God hath given unto thee and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you.” Deuteronomy 26:11.

“God gave to Israel instruction in all the principles essential to physical as well as to moral health, and it was concerning these principles no less than concerning those of the moral law that He commanded them: ‘These words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.’ Deuteronomy 6:6–9.

” ‘And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord our God hath commanded you? Then thou shalt say unto thy son, . . . The Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is at this day.’ Verses 20–24.

“Had the Israelites obeyed the instruction they received, and profited by their advantages, they would have been the world’s object lesson of health and prosperity. If as a people they had lived according to God’s plan, they would have been preserved from the diseases that afflicted other nations. Above any other people they would have possessed physical strength and vigor of intellect. They would have been the mightiest nation on the earth.” The Ministry of Healing, 283.

Please read Deuteronomy and see the blessing affixed to God’s people had they remained true to His commandments, both in the spiritual world, and the physical world. What a standard for us as a people!

In 1863, God ordained that Ellen White, prophet to us as the remnant church, should hear His health message. The message of health reform swept our ranks, until in March 29, 1908, Mrs. White sent this testimony and pledge to the General Conference. The pledge read: “I solemnly promise, before God, to abstain from tobacco, spiritous liquors, snuff, tea, coffee, fleshmeats, a large amount of salt, and animal fat of all kinds, baking power, soda or saleratus (sodium bicarbonate) in any form, and cheese, and from all exciting articles of good, and to abstain from eating between meals, and to do all I can to induce others to do likewise.”

This testimony on health reform was sent directly to Elder Daniels, but it was withheld and not circulated because he said it would “split the church.” He evidently did not know that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against” God’s true church. God’s true church is composed of “faithful souls” (Acts of the Apostles, 11), and those who are in a Laodicean condition are not “faithful souls.” Later when Elder Daniels wanted to see Sister White, she refused to see him saying, “I have nothing more for him.”

“God gave the light on health reform, and those who rejected it, rejected God.” Testimony, Series B, no. 6, 31. What a serious statement, which side do you stand on?

Sweet Potato Bread

1 1/2 cups mashed sweet potatoes

2 T. nut cream

2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

2 T. warm water

1 T. yeast

1/2 t. sea salt

Dissolve yeast in warm water; add salt, nut cream, potatoes, and enough flour to make a smooth sponge; cover, and let rise. When light add the remainder of the flour or necessary amount to make a smooth, elastic dough. Cover and let rise till light. Form into loaves and when doubled in size, bake at 350° for 30–40 minutes. Rolls require about 20 minutes.

 

Recipe – Tomato Basil Bread

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2 ½ cups warm water

2 Tbsp Honey or sweetener

2 Tbsp yeast

2 Tbsp tomato paste

¼ cup oil

1 ½ tsp. Italian seasoning

1/8 cup basil leaves, fresh

1 clove garlic, minced

¼ cup shredded onion

1 Tbsp salt

6-7 cups flour (part whole wheat)

Combine warmed water, sweetener and yeast. Let set until bubbly. Add the rest of the ingredients except the flour and mix well. Add flour one cup at a time. Knead until smooth and elastic. Let rise until double in size. Punch down and separate into three parts. Roll each out to an 8 x 12 rectangle; roll up lightly, pinch to seal edges. Place on jelly roll pan. Let rise about 20 minutes. Place in warmed 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.

The Leaven of Rebellion

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When Jesus walked among men, He gave a most wonderful discourse the day He ordained His twelve apostles to the work of the ministry. He had spent the night praying for wisdom to break the deceptive power that had come over the minds of men. Following this night of prayer, He gave His most famous sermon—the rule of life for all men: “The Sermon on the Mount.”

We are told in the book Thoughts from the Mount of Blessings, 13, that the twelve beatitudes, are an “advancing line of Christian experience.” The first step is, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 5:3. The very first step toward Christ is to realize our own poverty and to have a humble view of ourselves. We must not only have this experience when we first come to the Lord, but we must daily retake this initial step in the Christian walk. Paul has instructed us, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him.” Colossians 2:6

Sometimes a good way to understand the importance of humility is to think about the results of a life where it is lacking. In this article, we will look at the first beatitude by studying a story where pride was the ruling element instead of humility.

Rebellion in Heaven

A few thousand years ago there was a great rebellion in Heaven. Lucifer said in his heart, “I will ascend into Heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God . . . I will be like the Most High.” Isaiah 14:13, 14. This is no admission of humility. Lucifer was determined to be rich, and clothed with the same honor, authority and power as his Creator. Today we are living in a world that has been subtly sold on Lucifer’s deceptive philosophy.

“The same spirit that prompted rebellion in Heaven still inspires rebellion on earth. Satan has continued with men the same policy which he pursued with the angels.” Great Controversy, 500. What was this policy that Satan used to take a third of the angels in rebellion? How could he get angels out of a perfect Heaven where there was peace and joy, to accept strife, discord, and bitterness? And now, he has instilled his policy into the minds of men and deceived the world with it.

Lucifer, “was a high and exalted angel, next in honor to God’s dear Son. His countenance . . . was brighter and more beautiful” than all the other angels. Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, 17. In his heart he became envious of Christ, and the very first manifestation of his envy was that he “gradually assumed command” over the angels, which devolved on Jesus alone, Ibid. Beware when someone starts assuming command, over others, that does not belong to them.

God knew the heart of Lucifer. Before anything else was apparent, except that one “little” manifestation, God called a meeting. Before the assembled angelic host, He conferred special honor upon His Son. He explained that His Son was equal with Himself and the angels were all under His mild and gentle rulership. When this was stated, Lucifer bowed down and worshipped with the other angels, but in his heart there was a strange conflict. Fighting in his heart against love, joy, and peace were envy, jealousy, and hatred. This time, when he left the presence of God, he determined that he was not ever again going to bow in acknowledgment to the authority of God’s Son. Thus began the mystery of iniquity.

Lucifer gloried in his loftiness. This is not the result of “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” It is the result of pride. He questioned why Christ should be honored before himself. He did not like being in second place, and if we cannot take being less than in first place, we have the same problem. Lucifer wanted to take the place of Christ and be above Him. However, Lucifer carefully concealed his real purposes. A second meeting of the angelic hosts was called by Lucifer himself. He introduced his subject, which was himself, and indicated that it was not right for Jesus to be preferred above him.

Proofing the Bread

When a baker prepares to make bread, one of the first things he does is “proof” the yeast to make sure it is active. This is done by putting the yeast in warm water with some flour and sweetener. If the yeast is active, the “proof” mixture quickly starts fomenting and bubbling. Then you know the yeast, even though unseen, has the strength to raise the bread. This leaven of rebellion started fomenting and working among the angels in Heaven, just as a little yeast does when it is “proofed.” Satan “stated to them that he had called them together to assure them that he no longer would submit to this invasion of his rights and theirs.” Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, 18. He told them that they should not allow their rights to be invaded either.

The sure result of Satan’s leaven followed—”there was contention among the angels.” Ibid., 19. Whenever we see contention, there is some leaven working underneath that we cannot see. Contention is the “proof” that somewhere some of Satan’s leaven is at work. The angels were deceived by Satan’s leaven into thinking that they were only trying to make Heaven a better place. “They were discontented and unhappy because they could not look into God’s unsearchable wisdom and ascertain His purposes.” Ibid. “Oh”, they thought, “If only God would take us into His plans, how much better we could make things.”

“Taking advantage of the loving, loyal trust reposed in him by the holy beings under his command, he had so artfully instilled into their minds his own distrust and discontent that his agency was not discerned. Lucifer had presented the purposes of God in a false light, misconstruing and distorting them to excite dissent and dissatisfaction. He cunningly drew his hearers on to give utterance to their feelings; then these expressions were repeated by him when it would serve his purpose, as evidence that the angels were not in harmony with the government of God.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 38. Beware when anyone tries to draw you into saying words of distrust. This is some of the leaven of rebellion at work.

Satan made claims that were not in actuality the real situation. “While claiming for himself perfect loyalty to God . . . he urged that changes in the order and laws of Heaven were necessary for the stability of the divine government.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 38. This was his leaven working silently and imperceptibly. In reality Satan was working “to excite opposition to the law of God and to instill his own discontent into the minds of the angels under him.” However, he claimed to be “seeking to remove dissatisfaction and to reconcile disaffected angels to the order of Heaven.” The dissatisfaction he implanted, he now claimed he was trying to remove. “While secretly fomenting discord and rebellion, he with consummate craft caused it to appear as his sole purpose to promote loyalty and to preserve harmony and peace.” Ibid. Beware when someone claims to be doing the opposite of what is really happening.

“While there was no open outbreak, division of feeling imperceptibly grew among the angels . . . they were now discontented and unhappy because they could not penetrate His unsearchable counsels; they were dissatisfied with His purpose in exalting Christ.” The disloyal angels now “stood ready to second Lucifer’s demand for equal authority with the Son of God.” Ibid.

What Does the Leaven Represent?

At the Lord’s Supper, we eat unleavened bread. There is a reason. The leaven represents this subtle reasoning of Satan. He told them that “henceforth all the sweet liberty the angels had enjoyed was at an end.” That is some of his leaven. Paul admonishes us, “Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” 1 Corinthians 5:6-8

The leaven of rebellion once in the heart does a fearful work. One of its terrible deceptive manifestations is in complicating simple things by making them mysterious. “Everything simple Satan shrouded in mystery.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 41. The same thing is still happening today. Some of the simplest statements in the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy have been made complicated and then conveniently dispensed of. Beware when anyone takes plain statements of inspiration and makes them of none effect by making them complicated.

Hearing of Satan’s demand for equal authority, the loyal angels hastened to inform Jesus of the situation and found Him in counsel with His Father. The Lord saw that the seed of rebellion had grown so strong that there was no turning back. The disloyal angels had lived in the full light of the love of God. But now, their hearts were fully set in them to do evil. “They had learned the lesson of genuine rebellion against the unchangeable law of God; and this is incurable.” Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, 21

Loyal angels pled and reasoned with Lucifer, but he became angry and told them they were deluded slaves. A third meeting of the angels, vastly different from the first, was called by the Father. (Lucifer had, on his own, called the second meeting of the angels.) Instead of bowing low before His Creator, Lucifer “stood up proudly and urged that he should be equal with God and be taken into conference with the Father and understand His purposes.” Ibid., 22. The angels each displayed their hearts at that meeting; each case was decided. To make it plain to the angelic hosts what was in each heart, each angel had to join one army or the other. (There was no fence riding.) Then there was war in Heaven resulting in Satan and his angels being physically cast out of Heaven.

The disloyal angels were sorely disappointed at being cast out of Heaven. They “had become turbulent with disappointed hopes. Instead of greater good, they were experiencing the sad results of disobedience and disregard of law. Never more would these unhappy beings be swayed by the mild rule of Jesus Christ.” Ibid., 29

Forever too Late

After Satan was cast out of Heaven, he had time for reflection. A most interesting note is made about this by Ellen White. “Satan trembled . . . He was all alone in meditation upon the past, the present, and his future plans. His mighty frame shook as with a tempest. An angel from Heaven was passing. He called him, and entreated an interview with Christ.” This was granted him. As Satan and Jesus talked, Satan told Jesus “that he repented of his rebellion, and wished again the favor of God. He was willing to take the place God had previously assigned him, and be under his wise command. Christ wept at Satan’s woe, but told him, as the mind of God, that he could never be received into Heaven. Heaven must not be placed in jeopardy. All Heaven would be marred should he be received back; for sin and rebellion originated with him. The seeds of rebellion were still within him.” Ibid., 29

Satan was full of grief and anger when Jesus told him he would not be allowed back into Heaven. He went off alone in meditation to think about his wretched condition. “To be commander out of Heaven, was vastly different from being thus honored in Heaven. The loss he had sustained of all the privileges of Heaven seemed too much to be borne. He wished to regain these.” Ibid., 30. Satan determined to get back at God for not allowing him back into Heaven. He then talked to his angels and said, “We must overthrow Adam and Eve. That’s how we will get back at God. That’s what we’ll do.” He started right then to make his plans to get the leaven of sin into Adam and Eve. But even Satan “shuddered at the thought of plunging this holy, happy pair into the misery and remorse he was himself enduring.” Ibid., 32. Nevertheless, his rebellion was so great that he went right ahead with his plans for their fall.

The War

Are you fighting the good fight of faith against the leaven of rebellion in your own heart? The devil would like to trick people into thinking that they can stay on the fence and be safe, but there is no middle ground in this war. Before it is done, you are going to join an army and everyone is going to know which side you are on. The great issue is still the authority of the Creator, and His mark of creatorship is the seventh-day Sabbath. The initial fight in Heaven and the fight today have not changed. It is still over the authority of God.

The Lord says “I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed.” Genesis 3:15. This is an enmity that we must have—to hate with a perfect hatred this rebellion against God and His law. If the seeds of rebellion are not cast out, the leaven grows, silently and imperceptibly until it takes over the heart.

Satan’s Special Tool

Today there are all kinds of theories floating around. People are surmising this and that about many elements of God and His government that have never been revealed to us in inspiration. I cannot help but think of Satan’s first trick. “This has been his special work with great success ever since his fall, to lead men to pry into the secrets of the Almighty.” Ibid., 36. What has been revealed to us belongs to us and to our children to obey. But what has not been revealed, we had better leave alone or we may enter into the fomenting rebellion of Satan. There are things that God “has been pleased to withhold from mortals. They are elated with their ideas of progression, and charmed with their own vain philosophy; but grope in midnight darkness relative to true knowledge. They are ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Ibid., 37

Do not think that Satan has forgotten this secret even in the ranks of Historic Adventists. He is working to instill this “irreverent curiosity,” to lead us to pry into things that God “has been pleased not to reveal to mortals.” Then he tempts men to disobey by leading them to believe that they are entering a wonderful “field of knowledge.” But all of this is a deception.

Satan uses very skillfully what God will not use—deceit. Deceit in the heart works like yeast does in the mixture when the baker “proofs” it—it foments and bubbles. Some of the elements of this fomenting and bubbling are seen in the following: evil curiosity about what somebody else is saying or doing, getting people to say things, then repeating it and using it as evidence against them, gossiping, backbiting, and flattering. You can see the results of this kind of leaven in the disunity and discontent that is sure to follow. Whenever you see contention, that is a sure sign that the leaven is at work.

A lesson that we would do well to ponder and copy is how God dealt with Satan’s rebellion. God could have easily destroyed Satan and his followers. But instead of using force, He chose to use love, kindness, and truth. He sent His Son who was the Truth to show the whole universe the evil of deceit. When Jesus came to deliver us from the deceptions of Satan, He emptied Himself and took one step after another in the path of humility. He showed us that He was not grasping for power. He walked among the lowly of this earth. He was despised and rejected of men. He took on our nature that He might expel the leaven of sin and rebellion from our hearts. It must be cast out of our heart or it will overtake us.

God has promised that with His stripes we will be healed. The prayer of David must become our own prayer. “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalms 139:23, 24. God will bring us the victory. We must begin having the victory by casting down our pride and by realizing our spiritual poverty. We must work out in our own experience the great principle, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.”

The End