Discover Eric's journey on the open sea, where he enjoyed a life free from constraints, despite his Catholic upbringing. As crew members tried to discuss faith with him, Eric felt no need for it. How does one find true meaning and purpose in life? Watch to uncover Eric's story and leave your thoughts in the comments. Subscribe for more fascinating tales of personal discovery. #SailorLife #FaithJourney #SelfDiscovery #awr #adventistworldradio #short Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMQMHfVmQyQ
ATSS: Warren Trenchard, “The Common Core Tradition of the Nativity Stories”
26 December 2024 | The New Testament contains only two accounts of the birth of Jesus, both dating to the 80s of the 1st century of the Christian Era. The first is in Matthew (1:18–2:23). the second in Luke (1:45a, 36–38; 2:1–40). Although these accounts are very different, for most of Christian history, including today, they […] Source: https://atoday.org/atss-warren-trenchard-the-common-core-tradition-of-the-nativity-stories/
How Eric Found A Purpose
Discover Eric's journey from isolation and emptiness to finding purpose through Adventist World Radio. Trapped in his room, Eric longed for meaning until a life-changing message reached him. How did AWR transform his life? Watch this inspiring story to find out and hit that like button if you're moved by tales of hope. Subscribe for more incredible transformations! #FaithAndHope #LifeTransformation #InspiringStories #awr #adventistworldradio #short Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L196QraA_c
Inside Story: The Key to an Alaskan Village
Inside Story for Friday 27th of December 2024
By Andrew McChesney
Mission pilot Jim Kincaid found it hard work to fly from remote village to remote village in the U.S. state of Alaska. Taking off and landing in the bush was the easy part. Finding Alaska Native hearts who were receptive to the gospel message was more challenging.
Image © Pacific Press
It looked like trouble when Jim landed his small plane at a settlement about 150 miles north of Fairbanks. He was flying literature evangelists from village to village to sell Bibles and other Christian literature. As he parked, all-terrain vehicles swarmed around the plane. The occupants were very unwelcoming.
“Who are you?” one said.
“What are you doing there?” said another.
At that moment, Jim remembered a name. A man from the village had attended one or two evangelistic meetings that Jim had led in Fairbanks sometime earlier. Jim turned to the village gatekeepers.
“Is Robert Frank in town?” he asked.
Immediately, their expressions changed. Angry looks gave way to curiosity and then hospitality.
“Oh, you know Robert Frank?” said one.
“We will take you to see him!” said another.
Jim was taken to visit Robert. It was like he had the key to the village.
Robert was eating a meal when Jim arrived, and unfortunately didn’t immediately recognize the pilot. Jim had to remind him about how and why they knew each other. But then Robert remembered, and he was very cordial. He offered Jim a piece of fresh bear meat.
And so it was that Jim and the literature evangelists gained entry into a new village that otherwise would have been out of reach. All it had taken was knowing someone’s name.
Jesus also knows people’s names. Jesus said that He, the Good Shepherd, “calls his own sheep by name and leads them out” (John 10:3, NKJV).
If Jesus knows names, might it also be a good for His followers to follow His example?
“Knowing someone in the village, even if it is just knowing the name of a person in the village, can give you rapport with an entire village,” Jim said. “It’s like in any culture. If you remember someone’s name, it goes a long way.”
Part of this quarter’s Thirteenth Sabbath Offering will help to open a center of influence for Alaska Natives in Bethel, Alaska. Thank you for planning a generous offering this Sabbath.
(0)Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24d-13-inside-story-the-key-to-an-alaskan-village/
Friday: Further Thought – Epilogue: Knowing Jesus and His Word
Daily Lesson for Friday 27th of December 2024
God’s perspective is vastly different from that of humans.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
God shares His perspective with us through His Word, the Bible, under the power of the Holy Spirit. It is our choice whether we wish to walk in darkness or accept the light coming from Jesus Christ as revealed in the Word.
Integral to this choice is our own personal surrender to Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Redeemer of humanity. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God the Father has revealed to us—in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus—the depth of His love. And we know about Jesus because His life, death, and resurrection have been recorded in the Word of God.
“The angels of God are ever passing from earth to heaven, and from heaven to earth. The miracles of Christ for the afflicted and suffering were wrought by the power of God through the ministration of the angels. And it is through Christ, by the ministration of His heavenly messengers, that every blessing comes from God to us. In taking upon Himself humanity, our Saviour unites His interests with those of the fallen sons and daughters of Adam, while through His divinity He grasps the throne of God. And thus Christ is the medium of communication of men with God, and of God with men.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 143.
Discussion Questions
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(0)Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24d-13-further-thought-epilogue-knowing-jesus-and-his-word/
God First: Your Daily Prayer Meeting #867
Matthew 21:22 – "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Tag someone in need of prayer, and kindly share your prayer requests here. https://bit.ly/3GdFXpR Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAXvzWf3xQE
Misión de la Universidad Peruana Unión en Ecuador
El siguiente artículo es citado de ANN: 61 estudiantes de la Universidad Peruana Unida (UPeU) de las tres sedes de la institución educativa, ubicadas en Lima, Juliaca y Tarapoto, participaron de una destacada pasantía social y espiritual en el Sur de Ecuador. Liderados por Christopher Rojas, director de la Misión UPeU, los jóvenes impactaron ampliamente […] Source: https://atoday.org/mision-de-la-universidad-peruana-union-en-ecuador/
A Year of Miracles
Another year is coming to a close, and if I had to define 2024, I would say it was the year of miracles. One of the greatest was Papua New Guinea for Christ! I’ve shared many of the stories from Papua New Guinea, and how God intervened to change lives. More than 330,000 people were baptized, and we’ve just learned that another 300,000 are currently enrolled in baptismal classes and preparing for baptism! Here is a special video we prepared where we highlight several of the miracle stories from this historic event. From restored health and eyesight in our medical health clinic, to the miracles of divine intervention and changed hearts, this short video shares a panoramic view of this amazing event. As we celebrate Christmas and a New Year, I can’t think of a better way to express our gratitude for Heaven’s gift of salvation than by sharing the gospel message with others. God gave His only Son to the human race—to save the people of PNG, to save every nation, kindred, tongue and people, and to save you and me. May that same spirit of love and generosity fill your heart during this Christmas season and in the coming year. Yours in the Blessed Hope, Duane McKey
President MB01XPFEPOQLTNI Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dBlSdAzOLQ
Proverbi 19:22 – Apri la porta del tuo cuore
“Ad un uomo si chiede lealtà; meglio un povero che un bugiardo”. 📖 Proverbi 19:22
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💌 Apri la porta del tuo cuore
👉 Rubrica a cura di Anna Cupertino
🗣 Speaker: Daniele Magliulo Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVPoZ7IGvZg
Lesson 13.Epilogue: Knowing Jesus and His Word | 13.5 Abiding in Jesus | THEMES IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN | LIVING FAITH
13.5 Abiding in Jesus
The Key to True Discipleship
Read John 12:32. How does this striking statement describe the authority of Jesus Christ?
John 12:32 highlights the central authority of Jesus Christ in the history of salvation: “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” This statement illustrates Jesus’ divine power to transform hearts and lives by calling people from all nations and cultures to Himself. It emphasizes His sovereignty and role as the focal point of redemption. However, this drawing does not happen compulsorily but requires our decision to respond to His light.
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The Authority of Jesus in John 12:32
Here, Jesus speaks of His crucifixion, which is the climax of His life and ministry. This exaltation—both physically on the cross and spiritually as the Savior—clarifies that He is the only way to God. His authority does not come from worldly power but from His dedication of life for humanity. In this act, the infinite wisdom and love of God are revealed, surpassing human wisdom.
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Responding to the Light
The Gospel of John shows us that encountering Jesus always requires a decision: either for the light or against the light. People like Nicodemus or the royal official who accepted the light grew in faith. Others, like the religious leaders, rejected the light and fell into blindness. This dynamic remains relevant today. Every person faces the choice to respond to Jesus’ call.
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The Danger of “Theology from Below”
“Theology from below,” which places human wisdom above divine revelation, will always lead to error and confusion. It misunderstands God’s perfect perspective and relies instead on the limited and often biased human viewpoint. In our time, we see similar challenges: attempts to replace God’s place with human logic or culture result in false worship and a departure from the truth.
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Remaining in Jesus
Remaining in Jesus means acknowledging His authority and truth and rooting our lives in Him. It requires humility to set aside our own understanding and allow His word and Spirit to guide us. Only then can we follow the light and grow spiritually.
Conclusion John 12:32 reveals the universal attraction and authority of Jesus, culminating in His sacrifice on Golgotha. Yet this authority also calls us to a decision: Will we let Jesus’ light guide us, or follow the limited perspective of “theology from below”? Remaining in Jesus means daily choosing His truth and love.
Read John 15:1–11. What is the secret of spiritual growth and spiritual health?
The image of the vine and the branches in John 15:1–11 provides deep insight into the secret of spiritual growth and spiritual health: the connection to Jesus. This connection is not only the foundation for our life as Christians but also the source of fruitfulness, joy, and steadfastness in faith.
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Jesus, the True Vine
Jesus describes Himself as the “true vine,” the life-giving source for the branches—that is, believers. Only in continuous connection with Him can we grow and bear fruit. Without Him, we are like cut branches that wither and cannot produce fruit. This image emphasizes that our spiritual health does not result from our own efforts but from a living relationship with Christ.
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The Word as a Key
The Bible, the written word of God, is an essential part of this connection. It nourishes and guides us, corrects and encourages us. Ellen White emphasizes that we must subordinate our views and opinions to Scripture. In a world full of voices and opinions, God’s word remains the standard by which we recognize truth and align our lives.
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The Role of the Spirit
The Holy Spirit, another member of the Godhead, draws us to Jesus and gives us the strength to remain in Him. This divine attraction works like a magnet, bringing us closer to God as long as we do not actively resist it. Spiritual growth happens when we allow the Spirit to work and do not close our hearts.
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Bearing Fruit through Community
Bearing fruit—love, joy, patience, and other fruits of the Spirit—is the visible sign of our connection with Christ. However, fruit does not arise from our own efforts but from continual fellowship with the vine. These fruits are the result of grace and obedience, not of performance or compulsion.
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Joy and Fulfillment in Connection
In John 15:11, Jesus promises that our remaining in Him and His word in us leads to full joy. This joy is not dependent on external circumstances but is based on the inner assurance of being rooted in God’s love and will.
Conclusion The secret of spiritual growth lies in the continuous connection with Jesus, the true vine. Through the Bible, the work of the Holy Spirit, and our dedication to God, we are nourished and empowered to remain spiritually healthy and bear fruit. By subordinating our views to God’s word and being drawn to Christ, we experience not only spiritual growth but also a joy and fulfillment found only in Him. Jesus invites us: Remain in me, so that you may bear fruit and my joy may be complete in you.
The teachings from John 12:32 and John 15:1–11 offer not only a theological perspective but also practical applications for our daily lives and faith. They challenge us to actively root our lives in the relationship with Jesus and to shape our everyday lives from this connection.
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Daily Trust in Jesus’ Authority
The statement in John 12:32 reminds us that Jesus is the central authority in our lives. In daily life, this means:
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Trusting God in Challenges: Whether in professional decisions, family conflicts, or health concerns, we can remember that Jesus is in control.
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Making Decisions: We should make our choices in a way that reflects Jesus’ light and allow Him to guide us instead of relying on human wisdom.
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Remaining in Jesus – A Daily Practice
The connection with Jesus as the true vine is not a one-time decision but a daily process:
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Prayer and Bible Study: Daily contact with God’s word is essential to nourish and strengthen us spiritually. Through Scripture, we hear His voice and recognize how to live according to His will.
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Living Relationship: Remaining in Jesus also means maintaining an active relationship by bringing our worries, joys, and decisions to Him in prayer.
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Bearing Fruit in Community
The fruits that arise from our connection with Jesus are not only for ourselves but also to benefit others:
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Love and Patience in Daily Life: Whether in the family, workplace, or neighborhood, our actions should be characterized by the love and patience that flow from our connection with Jesus.
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Serving Others: The fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23) manifest in practical life through forgiveness, helping others, and encouragement. This allows us to bring the light of Christ into our surroundings.
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Protection from Distractions and False Voices
As Ellen White emphasizes, there are many voices in the world that seek to distract our attention from Jesus:
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Testing by God’s Word: We should always compare our opinions, media, and teachings with the Bible. This helps us avoid being led astray by false teachings or “theology from below.”
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Focus on Christ: By consciously choosing to be guided by Jesus and not by worldly things, we preserve our spiritual health.
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Experiencing Joy and Fulfillment in Christ
Jesus promises us in John 15:11 a deep, lasting joy when we remain in Him. This joy is not tied to external circumstances but arises from:
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Secure Identity: We know that we are accepted and loved in Jesus.
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Purposeful Life: By bearing fruit and following God’s will, we experience the fulfillment that only He can provide.
Conclusion The connection with Jesus influences our lives in all areas—from work to our relationships. By remaining in Him, we are strengthened, challenged, and empowered to do His will. The secret of spiritual growth and joy lies in daily recognizing His authority and aligning our lives with His truth. Jesus invites us to remain in Him so that our everyday lives become a reflection of His love and glory.
Remain in Jesus, for in Him you find the strength to bear fruit and experience true joy.
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