20 August 2020 | Dear Editor, Last Sabbath’s Adventist Today Sabbath Seminar, led by Loren Seibold on the topic of the Jewish food rules, was another thoughtful and interesting study. Because of COVID-19 we have been unable to attend our regular Sabbath School, and the ATSS has now become a Sabbath tradition for us. I […] Source: https://atoday.org/atss-has-become-a-sabbath-tradition-for-us/
August Presidential Message | AWR360º
Kyoshin Ahn Named North American Division Secretary
Click here for the full article.
Pr Wilson: How Can We Help End Violence and Abuse Around the World
In this video, Pastor Ted Wilson will be discussing a very difficult, yet very important topic—#abuse. Abuse is a topic that no one wants to talk about, and yet it is one that must be addressed if we are to carry out our #mission of #hope and #healing. Every day, thousands of innocent people around the world—many of them children—experience abuse. Abuse comes in many forms—child sexual abuse, domestic violence, elder abuse, abuse by clergy, human trafficking, rape, female genital mutilation, and many other horrific forms. And sadly, abuse exists everywhere—even within the church. As a worldwide Church of caring, loving Christians, we must open our eyes to the fact that there are more people than we might imagine who are suffering deeply from the devastating effects of abuse. Jesus calls us to a ministry of hope and healing. But first, we must recognize the problem. Results from abuse can be devastating, leaving the victim feeling worthless, depressed, anxious, even suicidal. Those who have been abused are often more vulnerable to eating disorders, self-mutilation, substance abuse, and other destructive behaviors. As Seventh-day Adventists, we condemn abuse in all of its forms and embrace the healing ministry of Jesus. This is part of our God-given mission. This coming Sabbath, August 22, is a special day for raising awareness and advocating for the end of violence around the world. Known as “enditnow,” this global initiative developed by the Seventh-day Adventist Church was launched in 2009 and seeks to increase personal awareness, responsibility, and involvement in helping to stem the tide of this terrible evil. You can find more information about this special emphasis day by visiting www.enditnow.org It’s so important that we as leaders, and members, not only be aware of the signs of abuse, but actively take steps to prevent it from happening, listening carefully and compassionately to those who have experienced abuse, and taking action—such as taking preventive measures, reporting perpetrators to the proper authorities so the perpetrators can be held accountable. There are many helpful resources available online, including the website below where you can find more information: https://women.adventist.org/safe-church To those who have experienced some form of violence or abuse: My sister, my brother—God knows what has happened to you, and He cares. What happened to you is not your fault. I encourage you to talk with a trusted person today. You do not need to suffer in silence. Help is available now. And someday, God will bring about new life and complete healing. He promises in Malachi 4:2—“But for you who respect my name, the sun of vindication will rise with healing wings, and you will skip about like calves released from the stall” (NET). Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIx1jF0W3Xs
I Have Complete Confidence in You!
How would you feel if someone affirmed you by saying, “I have complete confidence in you!”? The truth is the LORD affirms you with those actual words. Take a look at this from the Word of God. The Apostle Paul told the believers in Corinth: “I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you” (2 Corinthians 7:16 ESV). Paul knew these were divisive, immoral, fault-finding human beings. They were being ripped apart by complaining, criticizing, comparing and competing with one another, and yet he placed his complete confidence in them? How could he do that? Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLA5ZCFiw78
”Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek @Sam’s Book Club
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cogj_5Nh0aU
Leadership is one of the most important topics discussed all around the world. In almost all aspects of life, leaders are needed. But do you know that leadership is greatly affected by brain hormones? Have you heard about the dopamine, endorphin, serotonin, cortisol and oxytocin leaders? Which one are you? Sam’s Book Club covers the book ”Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek, which tackles the different kinds of leadership styles through the lens of fascinating brain chemistry. Join Pastor Sam Neves of Sam’s Book Club as he reviews the book ”Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Simon Sinek! 00:09- Introduction
02:19- Leadership defined
04:05- Leadership Chemicals/Hormones 04:46- Dopamine that Sets the Goal
06:15- When Dopamine goes Wrong
07:55-The Solution
09:30- Endorphins: The Painkiller
10:17- Serotonin: The Feeling of being Honored and Respected
22:29- Cortisol: The Feeling of Being Unsafe
26:28- Oxytocin brings Joy
30:45- A Story of a Great Leader
39:05- A Deal with James, Pastor Sam Neves’ son
42:53- Reactions, Question, and Answer Portion MEET THE HOST Pastor Sam Neves started the Book Club in response to the growing team of digital missionaries around the world. As the Associate Director of Communications at the global headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, he was impressed by God to guide these missionary leaders through continuous education and leadership training, and one of the best methods is through this Book Club. #Leaders #Leadership #SamsBookClub #SBC Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cogj_5Nh0aU
Follow the Great Teacher
And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Revelation 21:27.
This morning my hope is in Christ my Saviour. I pray that He will impart His Holy Spirit to me every day, that with heart and mind and strength I may glorify Him in this life. We are to do God’s work, not according to our own plans, but in accordance with the example that the Lord Jesus has given us. He came to our world to do the work appointed Him by His Father, that we might receive an education in the high science of performing genuine service for the Master.
If we practice the teachings He has given in His Word, these principles become a part of the life. This is what is meant by eating Christ’s flesh and drinking His blood. In this world we are daily to prepare for the higher life; and when we unite with the family above, we shall not be given new lessons, but a continuation of the lessons that Christ gave His disciples when He was here….
Never are we to forget that we are a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. We are to labor with a constant sense of our obligation to Him who gave His life for us…. Thus we shall glorify our heavenly Father; and when the time comes for us to lay off our armor, we shall with sincerity be able to say that we have finished the work given us to do….
Every capability and power that we possess is to be regarded as a sacred trust, to be used in revealing the power of saving grace. Let there be day by day a well-doing for God. Thus we shall prepare for a place in the mansions that Christ has gone to prepare for those who love Him…. These mansions He is preparing for those who accept the invitation “Come unto me … and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). This is the highest science that we can possibly obtain, but those who refuse Christ will never understand it. The Word of God, studied and obeyed, fits men and women for entrance into the higher courts. Those who are striving to be true Christians have the constant guardianship of heavenly angels, for they are laborers together with God….
Every day we are to become more like Jesus, learning the meekness and lowliness of Him who, though the only begotten Son of God, came to this world as our Redeemer, giving His life to pay the penalty of sin. Though hiding His divinity under the guise of humanity, He was the Mighty Counselor, the Prince of Peace. His life was filled with sympathy and love, goodness, kindness, and benevolence. He revealed the science of everlasting life—the science that we are to carry into all our efforts.—Manuscript 83, August 20, 1904, “Revealing Christ to the World.”
The Upward Look p. 246
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Sandra, a coworker, who is having thyroid problems. Ronnie Jay
—-Prayers for Thomas. He had a motorcycle accident and now is paralyzed from the chest down. This is a young man and needs encouragement and prayers. Linda
—-Well last week my brother was in hospital due to overdose and trying to take his life.. The doctor’s released him without getting medical attention sending him to the emergency room then to rehab then back to the emergency room due to a covid test that came out negative ..He was denied mental help.. Just got a phone call a hour ago he tried to take his life again my older brother found him under his bed. With a huge bottle next to him she is not coherent and his pulse completely dropped their working on him in the hospital right now and I don’t know what the circumstances at the moment please pray. Mary
—-Please continue praying for David and family. Buck
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Dear Friends,
When we lived in Washington State, I had the opportunity to spend the weekend at Camp Mivoden for a Vacation Bible School workshop. A friend had been asked to teach the music to the delegates who had come from the various churches to learn how to better conduct Vacation Bible Schools. She asked me to play the piano for her. I was thrilled at the prospect of spending the weekend at such a beautiful place.
Finally, the looked-forward-to day was here. Ron and the children drove me to Idaho , where Camp Mivoden is located. After we arrived, we spent some time walking around the grounds and enjoying the beauty of the place. When it was time for them to leave me there, Esther Marie, who was about seven at the time, clung to me, sobbing. She had known that she would have to leave me there for the weekend, but when the moment came, she could not bear it. I felt so sorry for her as I felt her little arms and legs wrapped tightly around my body.
We tried to console her by telling her that I would be back on Sunday night, but still the tears flowed freely. Suddenly, I wished that I had not told my friend that I would help her, but there was nothing I could do about it then. I was committed to fulfill my obligation. Finally, we were able to pry Esther off from me, and Ron carried the crying child to the car. The last thing I saw as they were driving away was her outstretched arms and tearful face.
Just as Esther was grieved because we would be separated for a weekend, so our Loving Father in Heaven grieves when we separate ourselves from Him. How He longs to hold us back with His Nail-scarred Hands from the fleeting pleasures of this world. With tears, He cries, “How can I give you up?” (Hosea 11:8) How often His Great Heart of Love yearns over us, longing for us to come back to His Welcoming Arms. As He said to Israel of old, so He says to us today, “For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.” Isa 30:15 “And ye would not:” what sorrowful words. How lonely our Great Creator is for our companionship and love. He pleads with us, “As I live, saith the Lord, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die?” Eze 33:11 “Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.” Mal 3:7 “I will heal [your] backsliding, I will love [you] freely.” Hosea 14:4 “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.” Joel 2:25,26
Think of it! Our Great Creator longs to have closer fellowship with us than a loving mother has with her well-beloved child. He assures us, “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.” Isa 49:15,16 Our Dear Saviour pleads, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Rev 3:20 “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Isa 57:15-17 What a wonderful God!
May we daily open our heart’s door and invite the Dear Saviour in, that He may take complete control of our life. May we cling to our Loving Saviour just as tightly as Esther clung to me, when we were going to be separated for a few days. May we, throughout our life, walk in the assurance of His matchless love and grace.
Rose
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/U9AtW5RPU4E/follow-the-great-teacher.html
How Can Church Members Reach People in the Cities? Know How to Go!
How can #Adventists reach people in the #cities? How can we make an impact on our #communities? These questions and more will be answered by Pastor’s Luis Biazotto and Shawn Brace during this week's episode of #ANN In-Depth. This episode is based on the “Reach the World: I Will Go” Leadership Objective #2: To strengthen and diversify Adventist outreach in large cities, across the 10/40 Window, among unreached and under-reached people groups, and to non-Christian religions. The focus is for each conference, mission, and region in the 10/40 Window to achieve a demonstrable increase in the number of new believers and for a demonstrable increase in total members and congregations in all urban areas of one million people or more. OUR GUESTS
Luis Biazotto is Adventist Community Services Director for the Greater New York Conference. The "Wellness on the Go" – Van Ministry (by the ACS) is one of the most effective ways to bring non-Christians to know our church in New York City. Shawn Brace is a Pastor at Bangor Seventh-day Adventist Church. He is focused on mission in the community, particularly connecting with the unchurched. Learn more about our guests:
Luis Biazotta/Adventist Community Services
Website: https://www.gnyc.org/ministries/acs
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Adventist-Community-Services-Greater-New-York-Conference-of-SDA-198553740177978/
Instagram: @nad Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw3UDRnFrVc
NAD Executive Committee Recommends Name for New Division Secretary
The NAD Executive Committee voted on August 18, 2020, to recommend the name of Kyoshin Ahn for the position of NAD executive secretary. Ahn’s name was presented to the executive committee by the nominating committee, which met on Aug. 17. On Thursday, Aug. 20, the General Conference Executive Committee will meet to vote the name […] Source: https://atoday.org/nad-executive-committee-recommends-name-for-new-division-secretary/
