What comes to mind when you hear the word “hero”? When most people hear the term, "hero," many of them think of a doctor, nurse, police officer, teacher, or their parents, while others may think of fictional characters such as Superman, Spiderman, or Wonder Woman. We can easily identify our own heroes, but can we find ourselves in their stories? God has left us examples of actual heroes that are significant in our lives, and such characters can help us to be victorious in this life. This #short clip from the video, “What Really Makes Someone a Hero?,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJz326Tacfc explains that God places all of these Bible heroes in our lives for us to learn from and attain genuine success and victory as we follow Him. ———————————————————————————— 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 and 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
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adventistchurch/ Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHY0sxgeQOo
Ellen White’s Vision of a Flawed Final Generation
by Alden Thompson | 19 May 2022 | Recently I came across some astonishing “last generation” comments from Ellen White in the chapter “Joshua and the Angel” in Prophets and Kings (582-592). As I pondered the chapter, I was startled but encouraged at how clearly Ellen White presents the case for a sinful people standing […] Source: https://atoday.org/ellen-whites-encouraging-vision-of-a-flawed-final-generation/
Crisis Communications Training held at Church Headquarters
The British Union Conference (BUC) administrators, staff, selected field leaders and their communication directors/sponsors recently undertook intense crisis communications training. The training was conducted in segments at the BUC offices, beginning with the BUC officers and directors on 3 May, the BUC staff on 4 May and selected field leaders and their communication directors/sponsors on 18 May, by a professional communications consultant.
The training aimed to provide the appropriate skills…Source: https://adventist.uk/news/article/go/2022-05-19/1178/
Spiritual Gifts and Ministries [What Does the Bible Say?] – Pastor Ted Wilson
Everyone enjoys receiving gifts, especially from people we love, may it be on a birthday or any other special occasion. But more important than the gift itself is the person who took the time and effort to prepare and give it. And thoughtfulness is what makes it more special and memorable. In this episode, Pastor Ted Wilson and his wife, Nancy, talk about the spiritual gifts and ministries based on the seventeenth fundamental belief of the Seventh-day Adventists. Matthew 25 tells the parable of the talents wherein a man entrusted his workers with valuable gifts or talents. "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey" (verses 14 and 15). Continuing in verses 16 to 18, "then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise, he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground and hid his lord's money." When the owner returned, he commended those who used their talents wisely, telling each of them, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord" (verse 21). Meanwhile, the one who didn’t use his talent and buried it in the ground blamed the owner for giving him such, saying, "I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed!" These workers were not asked to do their work without resources or, in other words, to “make bricks without straw.” They were given the things they needed. If used wisely, they would be richly rewarded. God gives each of us gifts and talents to use for Him and reach others. There is no greater joy than seeing someone respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit as He works through us. As our seventeenth fundamental belief states, "God bestows upon all members of His church in every age spiritual gifts that each member is to employ in loving ministry for the common good of the church and of humanity.” It continues, “Given by the agency of the Holy Spirit, Who apportions to each member as He wills, the gifts provide all abilities and ministries needed by the church to fulfill its divinely ordained functions. According to the Scriptures, these gifts include such ministries as faith, healing, prophecy, proclamation, teaching, administration, reconciliation, compassion, and self-sacrificing service and charity for the help and encouragement of people.” It goes on, saying, “Some members are called of God and endowed by the Spirit for functions recognized by the church in pastoral, evangelistic, and teaching ministries particularly needed to equip the members for service, to build up the church to spiritual maturity, and to foster unity of the faith and knowledge of God.” Lastly, "when members employ these spiritual gifts as faithful stewards of God’s varied grace, the church is protected from the destructive influence of false doctrine, grows with a growth that is from God, and is built up in faith and love." In connection to this, Ellen White reminds us in Christ’s Object Lessons, "The talents that Christ entrusts to His church represent especially the gifts and blessings imparted by the Holy Spirit" (page 327). "The special gifts of the Spirit are not the only talents represented in the parable. It includes all gifts and endowments, whether original or acquired, natural or spiritual. All are to be employed in Christ's service" (page 328). But God doesn’t ask us to do something without giving us the power to do it. On page 333 of the same book, Ellen White says, "As the will of man cooperates with the will of God, it becomes omnipotent. Whatever is to be done at His command may be accomplished in His strength. All His biddings are enablings." Are you willing to use your talents for God? He is willing and able to provide you everything you need to accomplish His work. May God use you to bless other people and bring them the gospel through your gifts and talents. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbAITAGvtvk
The Spirit Loves to Work With Children
And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Matthew 18:2-6.
Oh, for a clear perception of what we might accomplish if we would learn of Jesus! The springs of heavenly peace and joy, unsealed in the soul of the teacher by the magic words of inspiration, will become a mighty river of influence, to bless all who connect with Him. Do not think that the Bible will become a tiresome book to the children. Under a wise instructor the work will become more and more desirable. It will be to them as the bread of life, and will never grow old. There is in it a freshness and beauty that attract and charm the children and youth. It is like the sun shining upon the earth, giving its brightness and warmth, yet never exhausted. By lessons from the Bible history and doctrine, the children and youth can learn that all other books are inferior to this. They can find here a fountain of mercy and of love.
God’s holy, educating Spirit is in His Word. A light, a new and precious light, shines forth upon every page. Truth is there revealed, and words and sentences are made bright and appropriate for the occasion, as the voice of God speaking to them.
We need to recognize the Holy Spirit as our enlightener. That Spirit loves to address the children, and discover to them the treasures and beauties of the Word of God. The promises spoken by the great Teacher will captivate the senses and animate the soul of the child with a spiritual power that is divine. There will grow in the fruitful mind a familiarity with divine things, which will be as a barricade against the temptations of the enemy.—The General Conference Bulletin, April 1, 1898.
Ye Shall Receive Power p. 141
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Emma as she has the stomach flu and is not able to take her medicine. Rose
—-Prayers for my wife and I as we travel. No delays and God’s protection and wisdom for the trip. Nathan
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Dear Friends,
When she entered her pre-teen years, my mother became more and more rebellious. As she neared the age of fifty, she began to feel her need of God and started going back to church. Her faith in God was shaky, but at least she was heading in the right direction. At church, she renewed an old friendship with Luella whose nickname was Wally. A year or two later, Wally’s husband died leaving her with two teenage children to raise. That summer, the children begged their mother to go camping like they had done when their father was alive. At last Wally consented. She asked my mother to go with her. My mother was strictly a city girl, but to please Wally, she went.
They drove out of Kalamazoo and to a nice camping spot by one lakes in the area. The children were excited and my mother was resigned to her fate of spending a whole weekend in the fresh air with spiders, mosquitoes and snakes. The very thought made her wish she had brought her own car, so she could “escape” if need be.
At last they got to the campground and picked out a site to their liking. Wally had taken their pop-up camper, so camping had nearly all the conveniences of home. She was hard at work setting the camper up, when, suddenly, the tongue of the camper slipped and pinned her hand beneath it. Wally let out a yell. Immediately mother saw her predicament. Looking around, she realized that they were alone. There was no strong man to help. The children had run off to explore their new surroundings. My mother prayed for strength to help her friend. Now, my mother has never been a very strong person, but she lifted that camper off from Wally’s hand as if it weighed nothing. She felt as if an angel had lifted it for her. She was amazed and thrilled and very grateful to God. This incident made a deep impression upon her mind. Spiders and lizards and snakes were all forgotten. All weekend long, she reveled in the manifestation of God’s power and love. Now she knew that angels attended her. Now she knew that God was “a very present help in trouble.” Ps 46:1
The next week, my mother went to church full of excitement, sharing with the people there what God had done for her. However, instead of praises to God for His goodness, she was met with explanations of how adrenalin works on the body. She was disappointed and frustrated. She had felt God’s presence helping her, and no one would believe her. The evil one took advantage of the situation and pressed upon her the thought that perhaps the people were right: it was only an adrenaline rush. Suddenly, her weak faith returned and became even weaker. Eventually she left the church never to return.
Just as the unbelief of those churchgoers, ruined a beautiful experience that God had given my mother to draw her closer to Himself; so what we say can strengthen the faith of those around us, or it can cause them to turn away from God. How careful we must be. We never know the impression our words will have on someone. James tells us, “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.” “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” James 1:26; 3:2-8
David prayed, “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” Ps 141:3 This should be our prayer as well, that we may be used to strengthen the faith of others in our Glorious Redeemer.
Rose
Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/the-spirit-loves-to-work-with-children.html
