Closer To Heaven
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Comments of the Week June 9-16 “Well done, Jescah Gesare, for carrying through with this case. Too many Seventh-day Adventists (SDAs) believe that it is wrong to take those who have wronged them to court, hiding behind the false belief it is ‘unchristian’ to do so. When treated illegally by an employer, it is the […] Source: https://atoday.org/comments-of-the-week-june23-29/
30.06.2025 | Handmade by God | HEART ANCHOR
You are wanted, created, and guided
Psalm 119:73⸻
Bible Text“Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands.”
– Psalm 119:73
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IntroductionHave you ever wondered why you are the way you are? Why you’re good at some things – and not at others? In times when we constantly compare ourselves to others, we need this reminder: You are not a coincidence. You are handmade – by God. Psalm 119:73 reminds us that God is not only our Creator, but also our Teacher and our Guide.
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DevotionalThe verse from Psalm 119 is a prayer. The psalmist acknowledges: “God, you made me. And you know what I need.” This isn’t dry theology – it’s pure hope. Because if God made me, then He also knows my struggles. My fears. My questions.
“Your hands made me and formed me…”
The Hebrew word for “made” doesn’t just mean “created,” but also “shaped,” “designed” – like a potter shapes his vase. God shaped you – intentionally. Your character, your appearance, your gifts – none of it is accidental.
“…give me understanding to learn your commands.”
That’s the second part: God didn’t just “put us into the world” and say, “Now figure it out.” No – He wants to teach us, guide us, shape us. Like a father does with his child.
Ellen White writes:
“Every human being is a work of divine art. When we entrust ourselves to God, He shapes our lives until they reflect His character.”
(Education, p. 18, freely translated)
So you are a work of art – and God is still working on you. But He doesn’t do it without you. The Psalm shows: You may ask God to teach you. You may say: “God, I want to learn what You want for my life.”
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Story – The Unfinished SculptureA famous sculptor worked for many years on a statue. It was meant to be his greatest masterpiece – carved from a huge, perfectly chosen block of marble. But for some unexplained reason, he never finished it. The statue remained in its raw state: a faintly sketched face, a roughly chiseled body.
After his death, the unfinished work was displayed. Many people came – and were fascinated. A child asked his father: “Why didn’t he finish it?”
The father said: “Maybe because the work was never meant to be completed by the artist alone. Maybe it was meant as an invitation – for the viewer to recognize themselves in the form, and to let God finish the rest.”
Our lives are the same: God begins the work – and we are allowed to take part. We may learn, ask, grow – and allow Him to shape us again and again.
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Reflection – What Does This Mean for You?Do you truly believe that you are “handmade” by God?
What are the “rough edges” in you that you don’t understand – and where you should ask God: “Teach me!”?
What gifts has God placed in you – that you may still discover?
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Action Steps for Today
Look in the mirror – and intentionally say this sentence: “God, you made me.” Ask yourself: What does God want to teach me today? Am I open to His guidance? Write a list: Things you like about yourself – and thank God for each one.
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PrayerDear Heavenly Father,
you made me – with your hands, with your heart. I thank you for all that I am. But I don’t want to stay the same. Please teach me. Show me how to walk in your ways. Help me to recognize what you’ve placed in me – and how to live it out. Make me into a person who reflects your character. I belong to you. Shape me – anew every day.
Amen.
Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/30-06-25-handmade-by-god-heart-anchor-youth-devotional/
1 Corinthians 13 defines love, using the word "patient" first in a list of more than a dozen characteristics. What does this tell us about love–and God, the author of love? Patience is a beautiful example of and a necessary part of love. Save this reel to remember to thank God for His patience in your life. Source: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-xZq2HU1SV4
What does the Bible teach about nutrition and health? Source: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/lgRsZKr61VA
El 12 de mayo de 2025, la Fiscalía Nacional y la Oficina Central Anticorrupción de Polonia anunciaron la detención de cinco personas acusadas de participar en una organización delictiva dedicada a emitir documentos falsificados para la obtención de diplomas no reconocidos, así como de aceptar sobornos económicos de entre 5.000 y 30.000 złoty polacos (abreviados […] Source: https://atoday.org/investigacion-ex-rector-de-la-universidad-adventista-de-polonia-arrestado-por-estafa-en-la-expedicion-de-diplomas/
A muchos les encanta esta sesiones, otros las detestan. La 62ª Sesión de la Asociación General (AG) de la Iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Día está a punto de llegar, y se celebrará del 3 al 12 de julio en San Luis, Missouri. Adventist Today estará presente para cubrirla. Esta reunión, que se celebra cada cinco […] Source: https://atoday.org/equipo-de-adventist-today-se-prepara-para-cubrir-lo-bueno-lo-malo-y-lo-feo-en-la-sesion-de-la-ag-2025/
Daily Lesson for Monday 30th of June 2025
When Jacob’s family arrived in Egypt after experiencing famine in Canaan (Genesis 46:1-34), the Egyptian king was friendly toward the Hebrews because of Joseph and all that he had done for the Egyptians.
“And Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.’ Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, ‘Bow the knee!’ So he set him over all the land of Egypt” (Genesis 41:41-43, NKJV).
Image © The Classic Bible Art Collection – Formerly Standard Publishing at Goodsalt.com
Goodsalt.com
The most plausible historical background to the Joseph story is the following: the new ruler, in Exodus 1:8 (ESV), “who did not know Joseph,” is Ahmose (1580–1546 bc). Next came Amenhotep I (1553–1532 bc), the ruler who feared the Israelites and oppressed them. Later Thutmose I (1532–1514 bc) issued the death decree for all the Hebrew male children. His daughter Hatshepsut (1504–1482 bc) was the princess who adopted Moses to be her son. Pharaoh Thutmose III (1504–1450 bc), who was for some time coregent with Hatshepsut, was the pharaoh of the Exodus.
The Exodus occurred, according to the best calculations, in March 1450 bc (see William H. Shea, “Exodus, Date of the,” The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, edited by Geoffrey W. Bromiley et al., vol. 2 [Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 1982], Pages 230–238). To understand the time of the Exodus, study the following biblical texts: Genesis 15:13-16; Exodus 12:40-41; Judges 11:26; and 1 Kings 6:1 (see also Acts 7:6; Galatians 3:16-17).
The first chapter of Exodus covers a long period—from the time of Joseph, when his father, Jacob, with the entire family entered Egypt, to Pharaoh’s death decree. Though some debate exists over the exact number of years, what matters is that, even with His people enslaved in a foreign land, the Lord did not forget them.
That is, even though many details about the Hebrews in Egypt at that time remain hidden, at least for now (see 1 Corinthians 13:12), the revelation of God’s character still shines through the pages of this book, as it does all through Scripture. We can know that no matter how bad things seem, God is always there, and we can trust Him in whatever bad situation we find ourselves.
(1)Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25c-01-the-historical-background/
It’s been a rough day for producers of The Adventist Bachelor, an Adventist reality show promising to be the best thing to happen to Adventist television since Doug Batchelor’s first on-stage backflip. According to a promotional campaign that has been running constantly on Adventist TV channels, the show planned to “introduce seven single Adventist women to […] Source: https://atoday.org/satire-adventist-version-of-the-bachelor-canceled-after-last-eligible-man-marries/
"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer" (Matthew 21:22, NIV).
Tag someone in need of prayer, and kindly share your prayer requests here:
https://wkf.ms/3DBuapQ Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WPEvGx8q5Y
Armageddon Part I — Pr. Michael Pedrin THANK YOU for your continued financial support of our Media Ministries. Please donate by visiting "https://adventistgiving.org/#/org/ANB4RC/envelope/start" and select “Media Ministries”. Connect With Us
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