Operation Food for Life (OFFL) is making good progress in its plans to help more children in desperate need. The organization’s latest initiative is to increase the capacity of its Born Free Sanctuary…… Source: https://adventist.news/en/news/charity-project-to-feed-more-kids-in-png
God First Your Daily Prayer Meeting – March 20, 2024
Matthew 21:22 – "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Tag someone in need of prayer and kindly share your prayer requests here. https://bit.ly/3GdFXpR Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGN9Jh0VGAQ
Melody Tan: Losing—and Finding—Me
by Melody Tan | 19 March 2024 | I braced myself as I heard the opening strains of the familiar song during church that day. A few seconds later, when the singers announced its title, my husband leaned towards me and whispered teasingly, “Uh oh.” It was too late. Tears were already filling my eyes. […] Source: https://atoday.org/melody-tan-losing-and-finding-me/
Adventist Youth in Southern Asia-Pacific Region Responds United for Global Youth Day
Young people from diverse backgrounds across the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) recently concluded their participation in the Global Youth Day (GYD), organized by the Youth Department of the Adv…… Source: https://adventist.news/en/news/adventist-youth-in-southern-asia-pacific-region-responds-united-for-global-youth-day
Numeri 6:24-27 – Mercoledì 20 marzo 2024
“L’Eterno ti benedica e ti custodisca! L'Eterno faccia risplendere il suo volto su di te e ti sia propizio! l'Eterno rivolga il suo volto su di te e ti dia la pace!. Così metteranno il mio nome sui figli d'Israele e io li benedirò". (Numeri 6:24-27) Meditazione giornaliera “Apri la porta del tuo cuore”. Rubrica a cura di Anna Cupertino. Speaker: Sally D'Aragona. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDVp2-IXY5c
Lesson 12.Worship That Never Ends | 2.4 Declare His Glory Among the Nations
2.4 Declare His Glory Among the Nations
The Diversity of Worship: Singing, Praising, and Evangelizing Among the Nations
Read Psalm 96. What diverse aspects of worship are mentioned in this Psalm?
Psalm 96 mentions various aspects of worship, encompassing a wide range of actions and attitudes:
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Singing and Praising: The Psalm begins with a call to sing a new song to the Lord and praise His name (Verses 1-2). Singing and praising are fundamental expressions of worship that convey the joy and gratitude of the heart.
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Proclamation of God’s Glory: The Psalm encourages telling of the glory and greatness of God (Verses 3-4). This includes recounting God’s wonderful deeds to others and proclaiming His praise.
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Bringing Gifts: It is noted to bring gifts to the temple of God (Verse 8). This can be understood as a symbolic gesture of devotion and worship by offering the best of one’s possessions to the Lord.
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Evangelism and Proclamation of the Kingdom of God: An important aspect of worship in Psalm 96 is the evangelistic dimension, which involves proclaiming the Gospel among other nations (Verses 2-3, 10). Worship is not only intended for one’s own people but also serves to lead others to worship the Lord.
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Expectation and Hope for God’s Judgment: The Psalm speaks of the expectation of God’s judgment at the end of time (Verses 10-13). This judgment is understood as the restoration of divine order of peace, justice, and well-being in a world currently burdened by injustice and suffering.
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Holy Fear and Reverence: Despite the joy and confidence in worship, the importance of holy fear and reverence before the Lord is emphasized (Verses 4, 9). Worship should be accompanied by a deep reverence and respect for God.
In summary, Psalm 96 shows that worship is not limited to a particular action or attitude but is diverse and encompasses various dimensions, including praise, evangelism, devotion, hope, and reverence for God.
Compare this Psalm with the Three Angels’ Messages (Revelation 14:6–12). In what ways does it teach the same fundamental truths as this end-time message that we are to proclaim to the world?
Psalm 96 and the Three Angels’ Messages in Revelation 14:6–12 indeed share some fundamental truths and themes presented in end-time proclamation. Here are some parallels:
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The Call to Worship God: Both Psalm 96 and the Three Angels’ Messages call upon people to worship God. Psalm 96 encourages singing a new song to the Lord and praising His name, while the first angel’s message calls on people to fear God, give Him glory, and worship Him who made heaven, earth, sea, and springs of water (Revelation 14:7).
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Proclamation of God’s Glory: Both texts emphasize the importance of telling of God’s glory and greatness. In Psalm 96, there is a call to tell others about God’s wonderful deeds, while the first angel’s message proclaims that “the hour of His judgment has come” (Revelation 14:7), pointing to divine power and sovereignty.
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The Message of the Gospel to All Nations: Psalm 96 includes the evangelistic dimension of worship, which involves proclaiming the Gospel among other nations. Similarly, the second angel’s message in Revelation 14:8 announces that Babylon has fallen and calls for turning away from its false teachings and accepting the true Gospel.
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Expectation of God’s Judgment: Both texts speak of the expectation of God’s judgment. Psalm 96 mentions that the Lord is coming to judge the earth (Verse 13), while the third angel’s message in Revelation 14:9–11 warns of the coming judgment upon those who worship the beast and its image and receive its mark.
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The Importance of Sanctification and Holding to God’s Commandments: Psalm 96 emphasizes the need to worship in holiness and fear before the Lord. Likewise, the third angel’s message in Revelation 14:12 stresses the importance of sanctification and holding to God’s commandments.
Overall, both Psalm 96 and the Three Angels’ Messages teach fundamental truths about worshiping God, proclaiming the Gospel, expecting judgment, and the importance of sanctification in the end times. Both messages remind people to fear God, give Him glory, and proclaim His Gospel while pointing to the coming judgment and the necessity of sanctification.
The connection between Psalm 96 and our daily lives, as well as our faith, lies in the practical application of the fundamental truths presented in this Psalm and in the Three Angels’ Messages. Here are some aspects of this connection:
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Worship as a Lifestyle: Both Psalm 96 and the Three Angels’ Messages teach us that worship is not limited to specific religious actions or rituals but should be a way of life. In our daily lives, we should glorify God through our singing, praising, evangelizing, and dedication to Him. This means that our work, relationships, and entire conduct should be characterized by our love and devotion to God.
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Evangelization as a Commission: Both texts emphasize the necessity of proclaiming the Gospel to all nations. This reminds us that it is our responsibility to tell others about God’s love, His glory, and His coming judgment. We should not hesitate to share the Gospel in our daily interactions and conversations and invite people to worship and serve God.
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Expectation of Judgment and Sanctification: Both Psalm 96 and the Three Angels’ Messages speak of the expectation of God’s coming judgment and the necessity of sanctification. This reminds us that we should strive for holiness in our daily lives by separating ourselves from sin and worldliness and submitting ourselves to God in our thoughts, speech, and actions. The expectation of judgment should also motivate us to live a life of reverence and obedience to God.
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Joy and Confidence in Worship: Both Psalm 96 and the Three Angels’ Messages speak of the joy and confidence associated with worshiping God. This joy should be visible in our daily lives as it is a testimony to God’s transformative power in our lives. Even in the midst of difficulties and challenges, we should have the joy and confidence that come from the assurance that God is sovereign and will ultimately triumph.
Overall, the connection between Psalm 96 and the Three Angels’ Messages shows that the fundamental truths of worship, evangelization, expectation of judgment, and sanctification are relevant to our daily lives and faith. By practicing and living out these truths, we can glorify God and carry His message of love and hope into the world.
ATSS: Stephen Chavez, “From Dysfunction to Nobility: Hidden Figures in the Patriarchal Saga”
14 March 2024 | Some Bible stories are so familiar that we not only know them by heart, we know the lessons we’re supposed to take from them. The stories of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are some of the more familiar. In re-reading these stories a few years ago, I came across a character whose […] Source: https://atoday.org/atss-stephen-chavez-from-dysfunction-to-nobility-hidden-figures-in-the-patriarchal-saga/
Can God Use Pigs To Preach His Message? Ep.6
Can God Use Pigs To Preach His Message? Ep.6 #AWR #Preach #Message #Evangelism #Jesus #short Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXoFP517Wvk
A Proposal for Better Ministerial Education
by James J. Londis | 19 March 2024 | Decades ago, my son in his graduate business program, his good friend Dave in law school, and another friend of mine studying ethics, had in common a special feature in their education: along with grasping theory and information, all mastered their discipline by analyzing real world […] Source: https://atoday.org/a-proposal-for-better-ministerial-education/
A New Song and A New Prayer
He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord. Pslam 40:3 NLT
Boy Praying Beside Bed
My parents told me that one Sabbath morning when I was two years old, the elder kept praying and praying in church, and I got tired of kneeling on my two-year-old little knees, so I finally stood up on the pew and started shouting, “Amen! Amen! Amen!”
Even at two years old I must have realized that public prayers are supposed to be brief.
Well, let me tell you something, I have felt like doing that a few times since then.
In recent years I have been kneeling in congregational prayer for what felt like an eternity and have thought to myself during the long drawn-out prayer, “Why doesn’t the elder praying just ask if he can preach sometime instead of turning his prayer into a sermon?”
“Our prayers in public should be short…” (Ellen White, Prayer, p. 176)
Jesus mentored His disciples to pray longer prayers in private. In Gethsemane the night of His arrest, in Matthew 26:36-46, He even asked them to pray for Him. Jesus led by example, in long personal prayers, sometimes lasting all night (Luke 6:12). He also taught that prayers should be genuine and not rehearsed.
“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again.” Matthew 6:7 NLT
When we pray, we are to talk to God as to a friend. I heard of an elderly Bible worker, who, when driving to Bible studies, would make sure nothing was in the passenger seat, because He pictured God sitting there, riding with Him to the Bible study as he prayed and drove. (I assume he kept his eyes open as he prayed and drove!)
Many times in my Bible studies I ask people to have the opening prayer, and many are shy and say they don’t know how. I never pressure anyone to do anything they don’t feel comfortable doing, but several have been surprised how easy it is when I tell them how. One man, who had already heard me pray many times, told me he wanted to pray but did not know what to say. I told him, “Just say “Dear heavenly Father, please send your Holy Spirit to be with us in this Bible study. In Jesus’ name, amen.” His eyes opened wide and he smiled when he realized how easy it was.
God wants us to talk to Him as a friend. He does not wanting us just babbling the same words over and over. He wants to have a real conversation with us. The psalmist talks about singing a new song (Psalm 40:3) and a song is like a prayer, since songs and prayers are stories of our experiences. Just as God enjoys new songs, He also enjoys new prayers.
While Jesus mentored His disciples to pray in private, He also mentored them to pray in public. He gave them a model prayer, not to be repeated over and over word for word, but as a model for us to form our own prayer. God loves creativity. Not every song has to be sung the same way and neither does every prayer have to be prayed the same way. While Jesus prayed long private prayers, notice how short His public prayer is.
Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. Matthew 6:9 NLT
Jesus starts by addressing His Father and setting a tone for reverence and awe. Our prayers may also be prayed with confidence knowing our requests are reaching the throne of the universe.
May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 NLT
I have a friend who was taught long ago by his parents to always ask people how their day was, and listen to them, before going on about himself and his day. You may think you had a tough day, but before you dive into your prayer, telling God all about your heartaches, have you ever asked God how His day went? God sees way more heartaches in one day than we will see in a lifetime. We want God’s will to be done and His kingdom to come soon, not just to end our suffering, but to end God’s suffering, as He suffers not just with you and me, but with everyone in the world who suffers.
Give us today the food we need, Matthew 6:11 NLT
When Daniel asked for God to reveal the king’s dream to him, Daniel did not save himself only, he saved the lives of all the king’s men (Daniel 2:24). In Mark 4:39 Jesus calmed the storm at the disciples’ request, but the sea was not only calmed for their tiny boat alone. All the other boats on the water benefited from the calmness. Jesus does not pray for Himself alone to have food. He prays for everyone to have the food they need. There is no selfishness in Jesus’ prayer. There is no selfishness in any genuine prayer.
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.” Matthew 6:12 NLT
Jesus could have prayed, “Father forgive everyone else for their sins, but as you know, I have never sinned,” but again there is neither self nor pride in Jesus’ prayer.
And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Matthew 6:13 NLT
Jesus overcame by asking for the Father’s help along with everyone else. We can ask for His help and overcome as well. Jesus ends His prayer the way He began, by exalting the Father, Who gives us the confidence we need in our personal lives and ministry when we worship and follow Him.
May His will be done, and may it begin with us.
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