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07.07.25 | In Harmony with God’s Thinking | HEART ANCHOR | Youth Devotional

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🗓 07.07.2025
🌟 In Harmony with God’s Thinking
🧭 Draw Near to God – and Discover How Your Life Changes

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📖 Bible Text

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
— James 4:8

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👣 Introduction

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to truly live in harmony with God? Not just on Sabbath or when you open the Bible, but in your everyday life – at school, with friends, in your decisions.
James 4:8 says:

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”
(James 4:8)

It sounds so simple – but what does it really mean? How can you draw near to an invisible God? And what does it mean to align with His thinking, His nature, and His view of the world?

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🎯 Devotional 

God’s thoughts are not our thoughts. His ways are higher than our ways (see Isaiah 55:8–9). But the amazing thing is: He invites us to come closer, to get to know Him, and even to live in alignment with His thinking.

Ellen White writes:

“As we commune with Christ, our thoughts are brought into harmony with His. Our hearts are cleansed, and our will is merged with the will of God.”
— Steps to Christ, Chapter 8

This is not a dry religion, not a “must.” It is an invitation to a real, deep friendship. God desires that you come closer to Him – with your questions, doubts, joys, and failures. And the closer you come, the more you’ll begin to think, see, and love like Him.

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📝 Story – One Step Is Enough

Let’s talk about Ana – a 16-year-old girl who constantly felt under pressure. At school, she had to be the best. On social media, she wanted to please. At home, she had to be the “Perfect Christian” because that’s what everyone expected. But inside, she felt empty. She prayed, but it felt shallow. She knew Bible verses, but they no longer touched her heart.

One day, sitting alone in her room, she read James 4:8:
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”
It was like a ray of light in her heart. She put down her phone, took some time – honest, real time – and simply said:
“God, I don’t know how to come close to You – but I want to.”

From then on, a journey began. Not an overnight miracle. But small steps: quiet moments, honest prayers, decisions where she asked, “What does God think about this?”
And over time, her perspective changed.
She learned to see herself through God’s eyes – loved, accepted, valuable. Not perfect. But connected to a perfect God.

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🧠 Thoughts – What Does This Mean for You?

Draw near to God – that means: take a step. No matter how small. It’s not about religious performance, but about a heart relationship.

He will draw near to you – that’s a promise. God will not stay distant when you open up to Him.

To live in harmony with God’s thinking means:

  • To choose love over hate

  • Forgiveness over revenge

  • Hope over fear

  • Truth over lies

It’s a new way of thinking – not from yourself, but because God’s Spirit transforms you.

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💡 Reflections for Today

Imagine this: what if today you asked in every decision:
“What does God think about this?”

Practically: Take 10 minutes today just for God. No phone, no music. Just you, your heart, and Him.

Challenge: Talk to someone this week about what it means to draw near to God. It might change a conversation in a powerful way.

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🙏 Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,
I want to draw near to You.
I don’t just want to know about You – I want to live with You.
I know I often place my own thinking above Yours.
Please forgive me.
Change my heart, change my thoughts.
Show me what it means to live in harmony with You.
I want to see like You, love like You, act like You.
Thank You for coming near to me.
Amen.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/07-07-25-in-harmony-with-gods-thinking-heart-anchor-youth-devotional/

Where Are You From?

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Every delegate at the General Conference Session carries more than just their own voice – they represent thousands of believers back home. Each person here speaks for entire communities, regions, and generations of Adventists worldwide. It's incredible to think that over 23 million members are represented right here through these dedicated leaders. Where are you watching GC Session from? Drop your country or city below. Source: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/uwtn7y62D5A

GC Session 2025 | Secretariat’s Report by Erton C. Köhler

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The world is waiting. Cities, nations, and hearts are still unreached. This is the time to shift our focus, unite our strengths, and carry hope to places that need it most. Mission is why we exist—and it calls for every one of us. Now is not the time for competition, but for collaboration. When we work together, lives are changed, and the impossible becomes possible. You are part of this story. The mission is yours. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVftKxZosYQ

Comments of the Week June 30-July 6

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Comments of the Week June 30-July 6 “Thou shalt not make unto thee any cut out image.” –Tihomir Odorcic joking about the cardboard cutout photo of Doug Bachelor Comments on articles about the General Conference (GC) Session, as well as several photos of the Adventist Today (AT) staff goofing off working in St. Louis Loren […] Source: https://atoday.org/comments-of-the-week-june30-july6/

Sunday Morning: Delegate Orientation & Church Manual Changes

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by Loren Seibold  |  6 July 2025  | We started out today with a “orientation” session for the delegates by Hensley Moorooven. Good solid principles—but tThis is the 4th day of the event, so ya gotta wonder why this wasn’t done first thing. Hensley quotes this interesting passage from the Church Manual: “It is not […] Source: https://atoday.org/sunday-morning-delegate-orientation-church-manual-changes/

Adventist Speaker John Bradshaw Says, Don’t Complicate the Gospel

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Day four of the 62nd General Conference (GC) Session opened with a devotional by John Bradshaw, president of It Is Written , a Seventh-day Adventist media ministry under the North American Division (NAD). As delegates prepare for a busy day of… Source: https://adventist.news/news/adventist-speaker-john-bradshaw-says-don’t-complicate-the-gospel

Monday: The Angel of the Lord

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Daily Lesson for Monday 7th of July 2025

“The angel of the Lord” appeared to Moses in flames of fire “from within a bush” (Exodus 3:2, NIV). It was the Lord Jesus Himself speaking to Moses “from within the bush” (Exodus 3:4, NIV).

Do not be confused with the title “angel of the Lord” as a depiction of Jesus Christ. The term angel itself simply means “messenger” (Hebrew mal’akh), and it always depends on the context whether this angel is to be interpreted as human or divine (see Malachi 3:1). There are many instances in the Bible where “the angel of the Lord” refers to the divine person (study, for example, _Genesis 22:11,15-18; Genesis 31:3,11,13; Judges 2:1-2; Judges 6:11-22; Zechariah 3:1-2)_. This angel of the Lord not only speaks in the name of the Lord, but He is the Lord Himself. Jesus is God’s messenger to com­municate the Father’s Word to us.

Read Exodus 3:7-12. How did God explain to Moses why He wanted to intervene on behalf of the Israelites enslaved in Egypt?
Moses with the Burning Bush

Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com

The suffering of God’s people in Egypt is colorfully described as a groaning and a deep cry for help. God heard their cry and was concerned (Exodus 2:23-25). He called them “my people” (Exodus 3:7). That is, even before Sinai and the ratifying of the covenant, they were His people, and He would cause them to dwell and prosper (if they would obey) in the land of Canaan, as He had promised their fathers.

God said to Moses that He was sending him to Pharaoh for a specific task: “So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt” (Exodus 3:10, NIV). Again, God calls them “my people.”

What a task God presented to His servant! Moses, therefore, responded with a question: “Who am I?” That is, grasping the significance of what is going to happen and what his role is going to be in all this, Moses wonders why someone like himself would be chosen. Here, early on, we have an indication of his character, his humility, and his sense that he is unworthy of what he is being called to do.

Why is humility, and a sense of our own “unworthiness,” so important for anyone who seeks to follow the Lord and do anything for Him?

<–Sunday Tuesday–>

(2)

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25c-02-the-angel-of-the-lord/

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In a world that is always online, sharing hope means showing up where people scroll, listen, and connect. From podcasts to printed pages, Adventist media brings the message of Jesus to life, reaching hearts in every language, on every platform, with stories that matter. We’re here to make Jesus known, wherever you are. How did you first hear the Advent message—through a broadcast, a book, or a conversation? Share your story below! Source: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/fcSR4eGCHDI

Pastor Odailson Fonseca | Multiplying for Mission

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We’re not just called to fill seats, we’re called to fill the world with hope. True relevance means making more than converts; it’s about multiplying missionaries for Jesus, locally and globally. Every new believer is a potential disciple-maker. Let’s inspire and equip each other to take the hope of Christ into every corner, and build a church where everyone is sent, everyone is involved, and everyone makes a difference. Watch GC Session 2025 LIVE here: https://www.gcsession.org/live/july-5/ Don’t miss a moment—follow our church social media accounts for more highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and spiritual encouragement all week: ANN Website: https://adventist.news/
Instagram: @adventistchurch
Twitter/X: @adventistchurch
Facebook: @theadventistchurch Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TK_xTObGJtQ

LIVE: Day 4 Updates from GC Session 2025 in St. Louis

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Hi, I’m Björn Karlman, AT exec director, and I’ll be providing live updates for day four of the 62nd General Conference (GC) Session. Thanks for joining us! MOST RECENT UPDATES APPEAR FIRST: [12:05 PM CDT] It’s time for lunch and, delightfully, this delegate has gotten up to complain about the meal quality for the delegates […] Source: https://atoday.org/live-day-4-updates-from-gc-session-2025-in-st-louis/

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