“E il Dio di ogni grazia, che vi ha chiamati alla sua eterna gloria in Gesù Cristo, dopo che avrete sofferto per un po' di tempo, vi perfezionerà egli stesso, vi renderà fermi, vi fortificherà e vi stabilirà saldamente”, 1 Pietro 5:10. Meditazione giornaliera Apri la porta del tuo cuore, autori vari, Abigail Grace Miguel. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zvCac6idZ4
Archives for 2023
Lesson 12: Esther and Mordecai | 12.3 Mordecai’s Faithful Witness
12.3 Mordecai’s Faithful Witness
Read Esther 3:1–15. What happened here and why?
The story of Mordecai in Esther 3 illustrates the strength of his faith in God and how he refused to bow down to a man like Haman, especially since Haman was a descendant of Agag, an Amalekite. The enmity between the Amalekites and the Israelites dates back to the exodus from Egypt (Deuteronomy 25:19).
Mordecai’s steadfastness shows that he was not willing to worship or bow down to a person, even one of royal status. His actions were not just a personal decision but also a demonstrative rejection of an act that contradicted his faith. This stance was based on the firm belief that only God deserves worship and adoration.
When the king’s officials confronted Mordecai, he openly declared that he was a Jew. This was an opportunity for Mordecai to testify to his faith and explain his conviction. Although the Bible does not go into detail about Mordecai’s response, the fact that he revealed his identity as a Jew indicates his readiness to face the consequences for his faith.
Haman’s plan to annihilate the entire Jewish people highlights the danger that can arise from religious intolerance and prejudice. Describing the Jewish people as “dispersed and separated” with their own laws provided Haman with a pretext to persecute them. This underscores the need to advocate for religious freedom and tolerance and to oppose discrimination based on religious differences.
Overall, Mordecai’s story not only reveals his personal steadfastness in faith but also sheds light on the challenges the Jewish people faced in a hostile environment, setting the stage for further events in the story of Esther.
How could we ourselves be similarly tested as Mordecai today? How should we respond?
Today, believers may face challenges similar to Mordecai in various ways. Here are some scenarios and possible challenges:
1.Religious Intolerance: In some regions or contexts, believers may face discrimination or persecution due to their religious beliefs. They may be forced to deny their convictions or bear the consequences.
2.Professional Challenges: In the workplace, believers may encounter situations where they need to defend their religious beliefs and practices, whether regarding working hours, specific rituals, or ethical issues.
3.Social Pressure: In an increasingly secular society, believers may face growing pressure to keep their beliefs silent or conform to secular norms to gain acceptance.
4.Interreligious Tensions: In multi-religious societies, believers may confront tensions or conflicts arising from differences in faith.
How should believers respond in such situations? Here are some principles that might help:
1.Steadfastness in Faith: Similar to Mordecai, it is crucial to remain steadfast in our faith convictions and not yield when tested.
2.Wisdom and Discretion: Applying wisdom and discretion is important to determine the best way to respond in different situations. This doesn’t necessarily mean aggressively defending every belief but acting wisely and respectfully.
3.Advocating for Religious Freedom: Believers can advocate for religious freedom and tolerance, not only for themselves but also for others. Creating understanding and respect between different faiths is essential.
4.Seeking Community and Support: In challenging times, having a community of fellow believers offering support, advice, and prayer can be beneficial.
5.Prayer and Trust in God: Ultimately, believers should turn to prayer and trust that God will guide them through difficult situations. Trusting in God’s guidance and wisdom is crucial.
The exact response may vary depending on the context, but the above principles could serve as a guide to stand firm as believers in challenging situations.
Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-12-esther-and-mordecai-12-3-mordecais-faithful-witness/
Sam Neves Interviews GC Session Coordinator, Silvia Sicalo
In this episode, host Sam Neves and Silvia Sicalo, a meeting planner for the Adventist Church and associate session manager for GC Session. Together they, unpack the planning and implementation of a global event like GC Session. Discover the intricate process of organizing this monumental event every five years. Episode highlights: – Significant challenges faced, especially during the pandemic with unforeseen lockdowns and postponements
– The essential role these gatherings play in maintaining unity across the Adventist global community.
– A unique glimpse into the complexities of large-scale event planning
– The powerful impact of bringing together individuals from diverse cultures to share ideas and experiences. The Seventh-day Adventist Church has been an established denomination since 1863. It is a global Christian family with over 21 million members who hold the Bible as the ultimate authority. We are believers who promise to help people understand the Bible to find freedom, healing, and hope in Jesus.
Want to learn more about the Seventh-day Adventist Church? Visit our website at: https://www.adventist.org/ To ensure you never miss a new video, click the notification bell! Find us on social media by following the links below:
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adventistchurch/ Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_HesilKSiQ
The Path of Obedience Is the Way to Holiness
Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. Daniel 12:10.
The world is a theater. The actors, the inhabitants of the world, are preparing to act their part in the last great drama. God is lost sight of. There is no unity of purpose, except as parties of people confederate to gain their ends. God is looking on. His purposes in regard to His rebellious subjects will be fulfilled. The world has not been given into human hands, though God is permitting the elements of confusion and disorder to bear sway for a season. A power from beneath is … working with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in those who are binding themselves together in secret societies. Those who are yielding to the passion for confederation are working out the plans of the enemy. The cause will be followed by the effect.
Transgression has almost reached its limit. Confusion fills the world, and a great terror is soon to come upon human beings. The end is very near. We who know the truth should be preparing for what is soon to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise….
The wicked have chosen Satan as their leader. Under his control, the wonderful faculties of the mind are used to construct agencies of destruction. God has given the human mind great power, power to show that the Creator has endowed human beings with ability to do a great work against the enemy of all righteousness, power to show what victories may be gained in the conflict against evil….
But when those to whom God has entrusted capabilities give themselves into the hands of the enemy, they become a power to destroy. When people do not make God first and last and best in everything, when they do not give themselves to Him for the carrying out of His purposes, Satan comes in and uses in his service the minds that, given to God, could achieve great good. Under his direction they do an evil work with great and masterly power. God designed them to work on a high plane of action, to enter into His mind, and thus acquire an education that would enable them to work the works of righteousness. But they know nothing of this education. They are helpless. Their powers do not guide them aright, for they are under the enemy’s control.
The way to holiness and heaven is found in the path of obedience. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”—Letter 141, 1902.
Christ Triumphant p. 359
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Prayer Requests
—- Asking for prayers for my sister Elaine as she has had an injury but is not with the Lord in a manner that is needed. Please pray for her salvation. Cindy
—-Please pray for A who has become very angry and bitter and is miserable. B
—-Can you please pray for my earache to heal with the antibiotic I am using. Andre
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Dear Friends,
Well, today is the first day of Christmas vacation. That means no homeschooling for two whole weeks. How many things I thought I was going to accomplish today. So far, my day has been so crazy that all I’ve been able to do are dishes and starting a loaf of bread in my bread maker. I hope to do better the rest of our vacation, but if those days are like this one……
I feel something like some hamsters that Ronnie Jay used to have. We had so much fun watching them running on their exercise wheel. The three creatures would often try to run on it at the same time—-sometimes in the opposite direction! This would cause one or more to be slung out of the wheel. Whereupon that little creature would jump right back on and begin the process all over again.
How often we feel as if we are like those hamsters—always busy but accomplishing nothing. When we fail to keep the connection with the Great King of the Universe, we feel like a hamster on a giant exercise wheel—ever running but getting nowhere. How many times we can get ourselves into circumstances where there seems to be no way out, no future. How it must break our Great Redeemer’s heart to see us struggling futilely in our own strength, when He is there to help us disentangle ourselves from the mess we have gotten ourselves into, to deliver us out of the cage we are in. All we need to do is ask Him. He assures us, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Matt 7:7,8 When we cry unto the Lord in our trouble, He will save us out of all of our distresses. He will deliver us from the exercise wheel of life and open a plain path of escape before our feet for He is faithful Who has promised, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Ps 32:8
How important then, that we” pray without ceasing.” 1 Thes 5:17 How vital that we keep in touch with our Dear Saviour moment by moment. Then we won’t be running around accomplishing little to nothing. When He was upon this earth, our Loving Redeemer felt the need for His Father’s guidance. Indeed, He often spent all night in earnest prayer with strong crying and tears. (Luke 6:12) Heb 5:7 That very same Jesus is yearning for us to earnestly desire to get off life’s exercise wheel and pray to Him for the guidance and strength that He so freely offers.
May we listen to His pleading voice bidding us, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matt 11:28, 29
Rose
Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/the-path-of-obedience-is-the-way-to-holiness.html
I’m Dreaming of a Black Christmas, Part 1: Chuck Berry and Rudolph’s Run
by Carl McRoy | 18 December 2023 | I’m not that Christmasy of a person. But sometimes music makes me feel more festive when the songs have a non-traditional approach or an intriguing story behind them. Chuck Berry’s “Run Rudolf Run” has become a Christmas classic now, but it didn’t start that way—and there’s definitely […] Source: https://atoday.org/im-dreaming-of-a-black-christmas-part-1-chuck-berry-and-rudolphs-run/
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