This week, Pastor Ted Wilson talks about Christian behavior and how God wants us to live life as stated in the twenty-second fundamental belief of the Seventh-day Adventists. God cares about how we live our lives. In fact, He wants an abundant life for us. He says in John 10:10, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly." This abundant life means both a successful, holy life here on earth and a taste of the promised eternal life in heaven. To have eternal life, we must make the most of our earthly life by following God's counsels. We are called to live as Christ's followers not only for our own good but also for the influence we have on others. 1 John 2:6 reminds us, "Whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked." On this note, the Seventh-day Adventist Fundamental Belief #22 reads, "We are called to be a godly people who think, feel, and act in harmony with biblical principles in all aspects of personal and social life." It continues, "For the Spirit to recreate in us the character of our Lord, we involve ourselves only in those things that will produce Christlike purity, health, and joy in our lives. This means that our amusement and entertainment should meet the highest standards of Christian taste and beauty." "While recognizing cultural differences, our dress is to be simple, modest, and neat, befitting those whose true beauty does not consist of outward adornment but in the imperishable ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit." "It also means that, because our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, we are to care for them intelligently. Along with adequate exercise and rest, we are to adopt the most healthful diet possible and abstain from the unclean foods identified in the Scriptures. Since alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and the irresponsible use of drugs and narcotics are harmful to our bodies, we are to abstain from them as well." "Instead, we are to engage in whatever brings our thoughts and bodies into the discipline of Christ, Who desires our wholesomeness, joy, and goodness." In addition, since our appearance reflects who we are as Christ's ambassadors, we are to dress simply and modestly. Outward adornment such as jewelry is not necessary as God-given beauty shines from within. Also, what we feed our minds with and how we spend our time affects our relationship with God and other people. So, we must carefully choose what we watch, listen to, and read. Philippians 4:8 advises us, "Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." We do these things not to earn our way to heaven for Jesus has already paid the price of our salvation. Instead, we do them because we love Him and want to live a life that gives Him honor and glory, shedding light in this world of darkness. In her book, The Desire of Ages, on page 668, Ellen White notes the result of a life lived in a healthy relationship with Christ, saying, "All true obedience comes from the heart. It was heart work with Christ. And if we consent, He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will, that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses. The will, refined and sanctified, will find its highest delight in doing His service. When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him, our life will be a life of continual obedience. Through an appreciation of the character of Christ, through communion with God, sin will become hateful to us." What a beautiful promise from God! To learn, visit www.adventist.org/christian-behavior/. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ0T_k6Xpsg
Inside Story: Part 6 ~ Temple Plot Foiled
Part 6: Temple Plot Foiled
By Andrew McChesney
Months passed before Junior and Mother found out why Father had changed his mind and went to Junior’s baptism. Evil spirits had forbidden Father from going to the Sabbath afternoon baptism, so he had turned down his son’s invitation to attend. On the day of the baptism, Father felt restless and asked Mother to drive him to the Candomblé temple in Manaus, Brazil. Around 5 p.m., spirits at the temple told Father to dress in his high-priestly robes and go to Alpha Seventh-day Adventist Community Church. They promised to possess people in the church to prevent Junior from being baptized.
Father donned his robes and hailed a taxi. He could hear an invisible legion of evil spirits swirling around him. At the church’s entrance, the spirits suddenly declared that they could not go in.
Father remembered the most important lesson that the spirits had taught him years earlier: Never leave a job undone. If he started a task, he had to finish it. Father boldly entered the church. As he walked into the crowded main hall, a sweet, sanctified energy flowed over him. It was unlike anything he had ever experienced, and it felt good. Later he realized that it must have been the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Father’s anger about the baptism vanished. A deacon, Roberto Fernandez, met him at the back, gave him a hug, and led him to the baptismal pool. Father turned around and looked at the congregation, where he saw people with bowed heads. He thought they were frightened but later understood that they were praying. When he saw Junior in the baptismal pool, he realized that the spirits had lied to him. Junior wasn’t being forced to join the Adventist Church. It was his own decision.
After a song, Pastor Ricardo raised his arm and said, “As a minister of the gospel, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.” Then he immersed Junior under the water.
After the baptism, Junior took the microphone and looked at Father.
“Daddy, despite your religion, I love you very much,” he said.
He hugged Father and started crying. His words broke Father’s heart.
When the ceremony ended, church members showered Father with hugs. He was shocked. He never expected to be treated with such love. “This is such a nice place, and the people are so nice,” he said as he got into the car.
Back home, Father called everyone he knew to announce proudly that his son had been baptized. He described the experience as incredible.
Mother realized that the Holy Spirit had started to work in his heart. An unbelievable peace filled their home. For four days. Then the evil spirits ordered Father to kill Mother and Junior.
Your Thirteenth Sabbath Offering will help open eight churches in the South American Division, including four in Brazil, where Father (Eduardo Ferreira dos Santos) and his family live.
Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission. Find more mission stories at adventistmission[dot]org
Amen!
(1)
(1)The post Inside Story: Part 6 ~ Temple Plot Foiled appeared first on Sabbath School Net.
Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/inside-story-part-6-temple-plot-foiled/
Friday: Further Thought ~ Struggling With All Energy
Further Thought:
Read Ellen G. White, “The Night of Wrestling,” Pages 195-203, in Patriarchs and Prophets; “Consecration,” Pages 43-48, in Steps to Christ.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
“This will, that forms so important a factor in the character of man, was at the Fall given into the control of Satan; and he has ever since been working in man to will and to do of his own pleasure, but to the utter ruin and misery of man.” — Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 515.
“In order to receive God’s help, man must realize his weakness and deficiency; he must apply his own mind to the great change to be wrought in himself; he must be aroused to earnest and persevering prayer and effort. Wrong habits and customs must be shaken off; and it is only by determined endeavor to correct these errors and to conform to right principles that the victory can be gained. Many never attain to the position that they might occupy, because they wait for God to do for them that which He has given them power to do for themselves. All who are fitted for usefulness must be trained by the severest mental and moral discipline, and God will assist them by uniting divine power with human effort.” — Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 248.
Discussion Questions:
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Amen!(1)
(1)The post Friday: Further Thought ~ Struggling With All Energy appeared first on Sabbath School Net.
Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/friday-further-thought-struggling-with-all-energy/
Elohim: The Supreme Being Who Is Always With You #sermon #shorts
What is the name, “Elohim”, all about? This #short clip from the message, “Elohim, With You & For You”, by Pastor Sam Neves
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdadjgtkSjc&list=PL-k2Gb-DBYo_n_2Dh95i_CuVORnFlRIk1&index=2&t=340s demonstrates how deeply God cares for us because as Elohim, the Creator of the Universe, He is on our side and lives within us. Watch the entire video to learn more about the name ‘Elohim’ and its significance in our lives. ————————————————————————————
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/ Click the notification bell so that you never miss a new video! Find us on social media by following the links below:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheAdventistChurch
Twitter:https://twitter.com/adventistchurch
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adventistchurch/ Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysK4EwfFZYk
Dio prima di tutto – Chi può superare Dio?
Mini devotional n. 6/3 trimestre 2022 – Chi può superare Dio?, della serie Dio prima di tutto. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogY19TSnLw8
News Briefs for August 4, 2022
News reports from Australia, New Zealand, the United States. Name Blame From Lexology.com: Philanthropist.com is the owner of the Adventist.com domain name. In a cease-and-desist letter, the General Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists (“General Conference”) alleged that Philanthropist.com’s use of the Adventist.com domain name infringed on its ADVENTIST trademark. In the letter, the General Conference […] Source: https://atoday.org/news-briefs-for-august-4-2022/
6.STRUGGLING WITH ALL ENERGY – IN THE CRUCIBLE WITH CHRIST | Pastor Kurt Piesslinger, M.A.
Series IN THE CRUCIBLE WITH CHRIST with Pastor Kurt Piesslinger, M.A.
6.STRUGGLING WITH ALL ENERGY
Pain will transform us either to a positive or a negative attitude.
Memory Text: Colossians 1:29 – To this end I strenuously contend, struggling with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.
Content:
6.1 The spirit of truth
Jesus talks about the most important themes at the end of his life.
6.2 The divine-human combination
Here you can find endless energy forever.
6.3 The disciplined will
Sometimes we are able to be self-controlled. Why not all the time?
6.4 Radical commitment
Jesus informs us about having success. Do we listen to Him?
6.5 The need to persevere
When the road turns out to be narrow, you will need perseverance.
6.6 Summary
Time and energy are needed to get to the point we are aiming for.
My God bless you today and always.
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Divine Message in Human Language
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds. Hebrews 1:1, 2.
The Bible is not given to us in grand superhuman language. Jesus, in order to reach man where he is, took humanity. The Bible must be given in the language of men. Everything that is human is imperfect. Different meanings are expressed by the same word; there is not one word for each distinct idea. The Bible was given for practical purposes.
The stamps of minds are different. All do not understand expressions and statements alike. Some understand the statements of the Scriptures to suit their own particular minds and cases. Prepossessions, prejudices, and passions have a strong influence to darken the understanding and confuse the mind even in reading the words of Holy Writ….
The Bible is written by inspired men, but it is not God’s mode of thought and expression. It is that of humanity. God, as a writer, is not represented. Men will often say such an expression is not like God. But God has not put Himself in words, in logic, in rhetoric, on trial in the Bible. The writers of the Bible were God’s penmen, not His pen. Look at the different writers.
It is not the words of the Bible that are inspired, but the men that were inspired. Inspiration acts not on the man’s words or his expressions but on the man himself, who, under the influence of the Holy Ghost, is imbued with thoughts. But the words and thoughts receive the impress of the individual mind. The divine mind is diffused. The divine mind and will is combined with the human mind and will; thus the utterances of the man are the Word of God.—Selected Messages 1:20, 21.
Ye Shall Receive Power p. 225
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for comfort for LS who is very discouraged. Buck
—-Please pray for God’s guidance and protection for E and her children. R
—-My hubby’s leg was extremely painful. That seems better but tonight he seems confused. Thanks for your prayers and for God’s love will done. Olive
—-prayers for Maya. She had a rough night and will likely be transferred out of state to ____. Covid is negative, and her chest x-ray looks good, but white blood cells are slightly elevated. Jennifer
—-Covid is going around our church. Please pray for all those who are sick. Rose
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Dear Friends,
We have been having sicknesses going through our family for the past month and a half. As I was thinking about how our whole focus is on helping us qll to get well, it made me think of our Dear Heavenly Father’s whole focus on curing us from our sin-sickness. When our first parents sinned, the great plan of salvation, which had been planned before the foundation of the earth was laid, went into effect. (Rev 13:8) Jesus promised them, “I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Gen 3:15 Think of it! The Great God of the Universe left all of the glories of Heaven, the worship of all of the holy angels and unfallen beings on all of the worlds in space, and came to this dark, sinful, old planet to rescue us from the evil one.
How quickly He comes to our aid when we need Him. He bids us, “call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. ” Ps 50:15 He is always there watching over us, tenderly caring for us in our great need even though at times we may not realize it. Jesus gave us a parable to give us courage when there seems to be a delay in His answering our prayer. “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily.” Luke 18:1-8
May we cast all of our care upon Him Who cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7) May we cling to our Precious Redeemer in good times as well as in bad. May we soon joyously meet our Saviour face to face when He comes is my prayer.
Rose
Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/divine-message-in-human-language.html
6.6 Summary – STRUGGLING WITH ALL ENERGY | Pastor Kurt Piesslinger, M.A.
Series IN THE CRUCIBLE WITH CHRIST with Pastor Kurt Piesslinger, M.A.
6.STRUGGLING WITH ALL ENERGY
Pain will transform us either to a positive or a negative attitude.
Memory Text: Colossians 1:29 – To this end I strenuously contend, struggling with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.
6.6 Summary
Time and energy are needed to get to the point we are aiming for.
My God bless you today and always.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1345814506″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/6-6-summary-struggling-with-all-energy-pastor-kurt-piesslinger-m-a/
Adventist University in the Dominican Republic, First in the IAD, Going 100 Percent to Solar Power
Dominican Adventist University (UNAD), an institution operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Dominican Republic, recently became the first higher education institution in the country to i…… Source: https://adventist.news/en/news/adventist-university-in-the-dominican-republic-first-in-the-iad-going-100-percent-to-solar-power
