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Seventh-day Adventist Church appeals to Burundi government
Seventh-day Adventist world church president Ted N.C. Wilson has issued an urgent appeal for prayer following the recent arrest and detention of 22 Adventist leaders and members in the central African nation of Burundi. The arrests were ordered by the national government and follow six months of illegal interference on the part of the Burundi government in the administration of the Adventist Church in that country.
“I call on all Seventh-day Adventists to pray for our church members in…
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Conservative Towards Ourselves, Liberal Towards Others
Monday’s section of this week’s lesson reads,
Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Try placing your name where the word “love” appears. How well does it fit? Ask Jesus to bring these qualities of love into your life by His Spirit. What changes might the Spirit prompt you to make in order to reach this Christian ideal?
I heard of this idea several years ago, and now whenever I am asked to perform a wedding ceremony, I always include 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. I read it twice, The first time I replace the word love with the groom’s name, and the second time I replace it with the bride’s name. It always brings smiles to the bride and groom as well as the entire wedding party. Still I trust the Holy Spiriting is impressing the sacredness of love upon their hearts.
For some reason, what seems to bring more smiles than anything else is the part in 1 Cor 13:5 where it says in several versions that love keeps no record of being wronged. Now remember, God is love. So we can just as easily replace the word love with the word “God” and get an accurate description of God. But doesn’t God keep a record of all of our wrongs? Let’s let Scripture answer that.
Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you. Psalm 130:3-4 NLT
Remember resurrection morning when the angels told the women in Mark 16:7, to tell Peter as well as the others that Jesus would meet them in Galilee? Peter had denied He even knew Jesus just a few nights before, but apparently Jesus didn’t have any record of that in His heart. For the sake of unity Paul pleads with us to have the same attitude with others.
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13 NLT
Make allowances for each other’s faults? But what about character development? What about Bible standards? First, forgiveness is a Bible standard and should be included in our own character development. Second, Jesus gave us an example of being conservative towards ourselves while being liberal towards others. In other words hold yourself to a higher standard while cutting everyone else some slack. Jesus was conservative towards Himself when he fasted 40 days in the wilderness, but we was liberal towards others when He fed the multitudes. Jesus was conservative towards Himself while He prayed all evening in Gethsemane, but He was liberal towards the disciples when they fell asleep while praying. Jesus could have been hard on them and still spoken truth had He told them, “Hey, I have come down here in the same flesh you have, so if I can pray without falling asleep so can you!” According to Romans 8:3 that statement would have been exactly true!
He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. Romans 8:3 NLT
But as true as such a statement would have been, instead of condemning them for not being like Him, He sought to excuse them by saying, “For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” See Matthew 26:41.
Paul endorses this idea of being conservative towards ourselves while being liberal towards others. We’ve seen in Colossians 3:13 how he says to make allowances for each other’s faults, which is being liberal towards others. Then, in Romans Paul says,
Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires. Romans 13:14 NLT
Paul is teaching us to make allowances for the fault’s of others while not indulging in sin ourselves. Conservative towards ourselves, liberal towards others. This attitude of keeping no record of the wrongs of others, while reaching a higher standard for ourselves, is not just for grooms and brides. Its for children and parents, and brothers and sisters, and cousins and neighbors. We have all heard, “To err is human, to forgive is divine.” What happy homes and churches we can have if we will all shred those records of other people’s mistakes, and be liberal towards others, while being conservative towards ourselves!
Amen!
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Ontario Conference’s inaugural Earth Day Summit inspires thousands to care for the planet
According to a U.N. report released on May 6, one million plant and animal species are now at risk of extinction.[1] Moreover, four decades after the first Earth Day in 1970, the global population has doubled, we’re emitting 2.4 times more Co2 — causing sea levels to rise — and more than 170 animal species have been declared extinct.[2] Only a “transformative change” in how we engage with nature will stall these trends.[3]
Enter the 2019 Earth Day Summit, held on April 21, in Mississauga,…
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7 Keys to Family Unity – Discussion starters by Joyce Griffith
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Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
How He longs for loving unity. “That they all may be one, as you, Father are in me and I in You.” Precious are those words in John 17 sent to us by Jesus. Can you sense in them the intense desire by Jesus for harmony and love shared by all members of human families? But can true harmony exist in a world of selfish sin? Is sin such an obstacle that the mere existence of family life predicts conflict and trouble? What is the secret to having a family life of unity in Jesus? Can that happen in this sin-troubled world? How?
- Christ the center. Gentiles and Christians–what a recipe for conflict in the early church of Christ! Why? How can the cross of Christ reconcile the views of men and women, Jews and Gentiles, and Christians with their own views? Imagine the cross of Jesus with many lines converging at the center, where we can clearly see the cross. What can you and I do to place ourselves at the center of that circle? If we choose not to align ourselves with the struggles of the cross, where do we tend to drift and wander? Discuss the perspective of Dietrich Bonhoeffer in The Cost of Discipleship who bluntly states that “we cannot establish direct contact outside ourselves except through him, through his word, and through our following of him.”
- Becoming one through His love. Isn’t God’s love a natural part of being a member of the human race? If not, why not? What can you and I do to support unity among God’s people? If we are criticized, condemned or otherwise ignored, can we carry on anyway with the work of sharing God’s love? Or does God recognize as His witnesses only those who have mastered the art of unconditional love to all? Our lesson author points out that the disciple John was quite the rascal before he was converted. Why did Jesus accept him into the fellowship of early church leaders? If you’ve ever been considered as someone with a rough personality, did you find a way of solving this problem in Jesus? Can anyone who chooses to reflect God’s love find a definite and sure way to do so? How?
- Selfishness: family destroyer. Ellen White made the comment that in five minutes, our selfishness and pride could be laid aside–but only if we did what in those five minutes? Have you ever seen a small child insist, “Me, me”? What do we find as a cure for selfishness at the foot of the cross? Christ never behaved in a selfish manner. Is that true? Can we reach the point in our Christian experience when we are no longer tempted to think primarily of ourselves and our desires? What role does the cross of Christ play in helping you and me to overcome selfishness in our lives? Is it possible for us to be so surrendered to Jesus that we lose selfish tendencies? Or must we wait until Jesus comes to be completely free from all selfishness?
- Submission. If you know, or think you know, more than others about some aspect of salvation, is it a good idea to let it be known that what you think should be widely proclaimed? And if you’re right, or believe that you are , shouldn’t you let people know–and that they are wrong? Why should there ever be value placed on submission? What interesting law or rule was introduced in Ephesians 5:22, 6:1, and 6:5 for the treatment of believers with less inborn or assigned cultural leadership? If these directives astonished early believers, should they have an effect on us today? Could these texts affect the assignment of leadership in our church such as the exclusive selection of men for ordination, for example, with their “obvious” leadership skills?
Amen!(0)
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Wednesday: Submission
What counsel does Paul have regarding humility and service in relationships? Eph. 5:21. How do you think this attitude contributes to unity in the church? Why is it so important at home? Eph. 5:22-6:9.
Image © Jeff Preston Goodsalt.com
The word “submit” (Eph. 5:21) means to place oneself humbly before another person on the basis of voluntary choice. This unique principle began with Christ (Matt. 20:26-28; John 13:4, 5; Phil. 2:5-8) and characterizes all those who are filled with His Spirit (Eph. 5:18). “Reverence for Christ” is what motivates people to submit in this way (Eph. 5:21, NIV). Mutuality in self-giving was, and still is, a revolutionary Christian teaching about social relationships. It brings to life the spiritual reality that all are one in Christ; there are no exceptions.
A household principle. The proving ground of Christian submission is in the home. If this principle is effective there, it will make a dramatic difference in the church. Paul moves immediately from the introduction of the principle of submission to discuss its application in families.
Three pairs of relationships are addressed in Ephesians 5:22-6:9 – the most common yet most unequal relationships in society. The intent is not to reinforce an existing social order but to show how the faith culture of Christ operates when there is a radically different voluntary submission of believers to one another.
Why do you think Paul consistently speaks first to those who are socially weaker in the culture—the wives, children, and slaves? Write the qualifying phrase attached to the submission of each of these.
Those with greater social power—husbands, parents, masters—are always addressed second. Each receives a directive quite uncommon to the culture. These directives must have astonished the believers of the first century. They leveled the ground around the Cross and opened the way for true oneness to be experienced in relationships.
Amen!(0)
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Innovative Mission Strategist Bruce Moyer Has Passed to His “Last Great Adventure”
14 May 2019 | Early on Sabbath morning (May 11), Dr. Bruce Campbell Moyer passed to his death, what he called his “last great adventure.” He was retired professor of world mission in the seminary at Andrews University (AU) and an associate director of the Adventist denomination’s Institute of World Mission, widely known among Adventists […] Source: https://atoday.org/innovative-mission-strategist-bruce-moyer-has-passed-to-his-last-great-adventure/
The King Appears in Person
Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. Psalm 50:3, 4.
The King of kings descends upon the cloud, wrapped in flaming fire. The heavens are rolled together as a scroll, the earth trembles before Him, and every mountain and island is moved out of its place.
Jesus rides forth as a mighty conqueror. Not now a “man of sorrows,” to drink the bitter cup of shame and woe, He comes, victor in heaven and earth, to judge the living and the dead. “Faithful and True,” “in righteousness he doth judge and make war.” And “the armies which were in heaven followed him.” Revelation 19:11, 14. With anthems of celestial melody the holy angels, a vast, unnumbered throng, attend Him on His way. The firmament seems filled with radiant forms—“ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.” No human pen can portray the scene; no mortal mind is adequate to conceive its splendor. “His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. And his brightness was as the light.” Habakkuk 3:3, 4. As the living cloud comes still nearer, every eye beholds the Prince of life. No crown of thorns now mars that sacred head, but a diadem of glory rests on His holy brow. His countenance outshines the dazzling brightness of the noonday sun. “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords.” Revelation 19:16.
Before His presence, “all faces are turned into paleness;” upon the rejecters of God’s mercy falls the terror of eternal despair. “The heart melteth, and the knees smite together, … and the faces of them all gather blackness.” Jeremiah 30:6; Nahum 2:10. The righteous cry with trembling, “Who shall be able to stand?” The angels’ song is hushed, and there is a period of awful silence. Then the voice of Jesus is heard, saying, “My grace is sufficient for you.”
The Faith I Live By p. 349
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Prayer Requests
—-Baby Amara is having more severe seizures. Please pray for her and her family. Rose
—-Tammy lost her daughter several weeks ago she is grieving to the point of not being able to function. Please pray for her and her husband during this stressful time and that the grief and depression she is feeling will lessen so she can carry on. Also please pray for our Bible studies. Donna
—-Jerry lost his uncle last weekend. Please pray for comfort. Ron
—-Please pray for M as he is working long hours. Please pray that God will provide him a job here. E
—-Request pray for my lovely mum. Jose
—-I am asking for prayer for my son he is having a difficult time. Linda
—-Please pray for Mom (Goldie). She has been in the hospital for two wks. Very ill ICU. She by God’s grace overcame pneumonia but she is full of fluids from her previous hospitalization during which she wasn’t treated appropriately. They are trying to do Lasix to get the excess fluid off. God is able. Praying for His will and for the medicine to work. Krystie
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Dear Friends,
After we moved away from Washington state, Ronnie Jay often reminisced about Mr. Brown and Mr. Gray, who were his Pathfinder leaders. (Pathfinders is an organization within our church for ages 10-16 and is similar to Scouts.) He made the comment that these men were more than just Pathfinder counselors to him, they were his friends. Because of their approachableness, the children felt as if they could come to these men with their problems or with their joys. Each week they played ball or entered into other activities with their Pathfinders.
Ronnie Jay often commented how the influence of these men caused him to want to be good Pathfinder counselor when he grew up. These men’s lives were all wrapped up in helping “their kids.” Every spare moment they had was used in preparing for the weekly meeting. Their whole focus was on leading their Pathfinders to become good citizens not only of this country but of the Heavenly Country as well. Mr. Gray, who was especially gentle and kind, would sit down with each Pathfinder and talk to them individually about their future plans. He would tell them of his hopes and dreams for them to carry on in his footsteps.
Our Dear Saviour longs to have an even greater influence upon our life, than those men did on Ronnie Jay. His Great Heart of Love yearns to have the closest fellowship with us. He 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 Whenever we have a meal together with someone, there is a bonding, a fellowship, a closeness. Think of it! We have the great privilege of sitting down with our Great Creator and together feasting upon His Word. As we dine upon the truths that it contains, meditating upon its precepts, He will open to us “in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” Luke 24:27
Paul urges, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 Think of it! The same Holy Spirit, Who moved upon holy men of old to write the Scriptures, will guide us in our understanding of them. (2 Peter 1:21)
Indeed, our Loving Redeemer waits for us to come to Him with all of our happiness, all of our joys, all of our sorrows, all of our troubles and disappointments. He is the Only One Who can do anything about the perplexities in which we find ourself, yet how often we go to others for the help and support that He is willing to give. We may weary our friends with our burdens, but we cannot weary Him. We have the privilege of casting all of our cares upon Him, for He loves us with an everlasting love and will never turn us away. He draws us to Himself with His lovingkindness. (1 Peter 5:7; Jer 31:3) He calls, “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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt 11:28-30
May we sit daily at our Dear Saviour’s feet, learning from Him the way in which we should go for His is faithful Who 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 May we so live each day, that others will notice that we have been with Jesus is my prayer.
Rose
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/Ug5HXL2zK5Y/the-king-appears-in-person.html
7.4 Submission – KEYS TO FAMILY UNITY | Pastor Kurt Piesslinger, M.A.
Series FAMILY SEASONS with Pastor Kurt Piesslinger, M.A. |
7.KEYS TO FAMILY UNITY |
7.4 Submission
My God bless you today and always.
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Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/7-4-submission-keys-to-family-unity-pastor-kurt-piesslinger-m-a/
Scuola del Sabato 07
Lezione n. 07 – 11 – 17 maggio 2018
I segreti dell'unità familiare
Serie Le stagioni della famiglia – II trimestre 2019
Le introduzioni alle lezioni della scuola del sabato di questo trimestre sono a cura di Claudio e Pamela Consuegra. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm5I_gu13HM
