Closer To Heaven
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We Seventh-day Adventists believe in freedom of conscience. Our Church Manual makes it plain: members may resign. Requests deserve thoughtful counsel, time for reflection, and discreet action—no public shaming, no enforced shunning. Discipline targets unrepentant sin, not personal departure. We honor conviction while calling every believer to stand firm in present truth. Yet we must […] Source: https://atoday.org/can-members-leave-adventism-without-being-shunned/
KAMPALA, UGANDA — Seventh-day Adventists in Uganda had been assured they can attend worship services on Saturday despite the government’s designation of the last Saturday of every month as National Cleaning Day. The assurance was issued by Rose Namayanja, deputy secretary general of Uganda’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), following consultations with the Office of […] Source: https://atoday.org/uganda-government-assures-adventists-of-freedom-to-worship-during-national-cleaning-day/
La Bibbia racconta invece di un re ricordato semplicemente per aver camminato con costanza nella giusta direzione. Non sono i grandi gesti a costruire una vita significativa, ma le scelte di ogni giorno. La fedeltà nel tempo vale più di un momento spettacolare. 🙏 Source: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/MCyE1dMkOPM
Who Is the Holy Spirit? In this new episode of Unlocking Bible Answers, Pastor Dean Carlisle is joined by Pastor Sam Neves to explore one of the most neglected aspects of Christian faith: the Holy Spirit. Together, they address common questions and misconceptions about who the Holy Spirit is, how He works in our lives, and how to experience His transforming power.
If you have questions, drop them in the comments below. Our team will do their best to respond.
In this video we explore key questions like: Who is the Holy Spirit? (Is the Holy Spirit a person or just a force/power?)
What is the role of the Holy Spirit?
What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
What are the gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit? Are they still available today?
What is the difference between speaking in tongues and other spiritual gifts?
Can the Holy Spirit leave me, or do I lose the Holy Spirit?
What is the sin against the Holy Spirit (blasphemy against the Holy Spirit)?
How do I hear the Holy Spirit's voice/leading in my daily life?
How do I receive the Holy Spirit?
Why don't I feel the Holy Spirit's presence? Want to go deeper? Watch these related videos:
Understanding Adventist Beliefs: The Holy Spirit – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoGkIABSTyI "Shameless Audacity" with Dwight Nelson – https://youtu.be/QtXPFyRTouc?si=LjqXGbCgGA1CFVmr God the Holy Spirit [Who is He and What Does He Do?] – Pastor Ted Wilson – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVlaqV45KCQ Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFsON_uTics
The Biblical Person of the Day
Queen of Sheba – The Seeker with Great Questions
Profile
Short StoryThe Queen of Sheba was a powerful and wealthy ruler. She heard about Solomon’s wisdom and the reputation he had gained through the name of the Lord.
This news did not leave her indifferent. With a large entourage, camels, spices, gold, and precious stones, she set out on the long journey to Jerusalem.
Her purpose was not merely a polite visit. She came to test Solomon with difficult questions and to discover the truth about his wisdom for herself.
When she arrived in Jerusalem, she spoke with Solomon about everything that was on her heart. Solomon answered her questions, and nothing was hidden from him that he could not explain to her.
The queen also saw Solomon’s palace, the organization of his servants, his offerings, and the wealth of his court. Everything impressed her deeply.
She confessed that not even half of it had been told to her. What she saw with her own eyes surpassed everything she had previously heard.
Her story shows that genuine seeking does not stop at rumors. Those who seek truth set out on the journey, ask questions, and allow themselves to be touched by wisdom.
The Decisive MomentThe Queen of Sheba meets Solomon, hears his wisdom, and realizes that what she sees is greater than everything she had been told.
7 Special Facts about the Queen of Sheba
Strengths & Weaknesses
curious
courageous
a wise seeker
willing to examine the truth for herself
had to undertake a long and difficult journey
initially knew about God’s work only through reports
The Mistake That Shaped HerThe Bible does not report any particular personal mistake committed by the Queen of Sheba.
Her life is shaped above all by her search, her questions, and her willingness to discover wisdom for herself.
Key Verse“Indeed, not even half was told me.” (1 Kings 10:7)
The Life LessonThose who truly seek wisdom do not remain satisfied with hearsay, but set out on the journey toward truth.
Application for TodayDo not be satisfied with superficial impressions. Seek God’s wisdom personally, ask honest questions, and be willing to let the truth transform you.
A Question for YouWhat question are you carrying in your heart that you should intentionally bring to God?
ContextThe Queen of Sheba visited Solomon during the time of his great peace, wealth, and God-given wisdom.
ConnectionThe Queen of Sheba is connected with Solomon and is later mentioned by Jesus as an example of a seeker who came from far away to hear wisdom.
The Queen of Sheba shows that genuine seeking is willing to make an effort and that God’s wisdom can be greater than anything people have merely heard from afar.
See you tomorrow with the next biblical person!
The Life Story The Life Story of the Queen of Sheba – A Journey to Wisdom 
A Ruler from a Distant LandThe Queen of Sheba lived far away from Jerusalem. Her land was wealthy, influential, and known for trading precious goods. Spices, gold, and precious stones were among the treasures that shaped her world.
She was not only a woman of high rank, but also a ruler with great responsibility. As queen, she had to make decisions, lead people, and keep the future of her country in view.
Yet despite her power and wealth, she was not indifferent toward wisdom. When she heard about Solomon, a desire arose within her to learn more.
The News about SolomonSolomon’s fame had spread far and wide. People spoke about his wisdom, his wealth, his court, and the special blessing that rested upon his reign.
To the Queen of Sheba, these reports were apparently so extraordinary that she did not simply want to believe them blindly. She wanted to examine for herself whether what she had heard was true.
Thus, a report became a journey. Curiosity became a search, and the search became an encounter that would leave a deep impression upon her.
The Long Journey to JerusalemThe queen set out with a large entourage. Her journey was long, difficult, and costly. She brought camels loaded with spices, a great amount of gold, and precious stones.
This shows how seriously she took her search. She was willing to invest time, strength, and wealth in order to hear wisdom firsthand.
True seeking does not remain comfortably at a distance. It is willing to travel, ask questions, and make sacrifices.
Questions from the HeartWhen the queen arrived in Jerusalem, she asked Solomon difficult questions. She was not interested in superficial admiration, but in a genuine examination.
She spoke with him about everything that was on her heart. These words show that her questions were not only intelligent, but also deeply personal.
Solomon answered her. Nothing was hidden from him that he could not explain to her. The wisdom God had given him met the seeking queen in a convincing way.
What Her Eyes BeheldThe queen did not merely hear Solomon’s answers. She also saw his palace, the organization of his servants, the food on his table, the clothing of his attendants, and the way by which he went up to the house of the Lord.
Everything together left a deep impression upon her. She did not see merely isolated signs of wealth, but an order that revealed wisdom, dignity, and blessing.
The queen was so overwhelmed that she was left breathless. What she saw was greater than anything she had expected.
A Confession Filled with WonderThen she expressed what she had recognized. She said that the reports she had heard in her own country were true.
Yet she added that not even half of it had been told to her. Solomon’s wisdom and prosperity exceeded everything she had previously heard.
She praised the Lord, who had placed Solomon on the throne. In doing so, she recognized that there was more behind Solomon’s wisdom than human talent. She saw God’s goodness and God’s work.
Gifts and Mutual HonorThe queen gave Solomon precious gifts: gold, spices, and precious stones. These gifts expressed respect, gratitude, and the wealth of her land.
Solomon also gave her everything she desired and asked for. Their meeting was therefore not merely a visit, but an exchange between two rulers.
Yet the most valuable gain from her journey was not gold or possessions. It was the encounter with a wisdom that exceeded her expectations.
A Seeker Mentioned by JesusMany centuries later, Jesus spoke about the Queen of Sheba. He said that she had come from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon.
Her journey therefore became an enduring testimony. She had undertaken great effort to hear earthly wisdom, while an even greater wisdom was present in Jesus Himself.
Her story continues to call people not to treat God’s truth with indifference, but to seek it earnestly.
The Enduring Message of Her LifeThe Queen of Sheba shows that true wisdom is worth seeking. Her story makes it clear that honest questions are not an obstacle to faith, but can become a path toward understanding.
She reminds us that those who truly seek often find more than they expected. God’s wisdom is greater than every rumor, greater than every imagination, and deeper than anything heard only from afar.
Final ThoughtThe Queen of Sheba came to Jerusalem with questions, gifts, and great expectations. She returned filled with wonder because she had seen that reality was greater than the reports.
Her journey shows that wisdom has a price, but also brings a rich reward. Those who set out to seek truth may be surprised by God.
Her life story shows: Those who sincerely seek God’s wisdom will discover that it is greater than anything they have ever been told.
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