Sometimes we take the books of the Bible, and read them as if they are their own separate piece of literature. Forgetting that what happens in the beginning, has far reaching consequences and is reference throughout the entirety of Scripture. This week, Sam and Jennifer talk to Benji Maxon about how to read the first book of the Bible, why it’s important and how to see the stories played out throughout the whole of Scripture. ___
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In this video, Pastor Ted Wilson discusses the seventh fundamental belief of the Seventh-day Adventists—the nature of humanity. In Psalm 8:3-5, we see a beautiful song glorifying God the Creator: "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the Son of Man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor." This passage shows the value God has placed on human beings. He has made us a little lower than the angels and crowned us with glory and honor. Indeed, we belong to Him. Also, God created us perfect. "Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them" (Genesis 1:26-27). God formed man with His own hands from the dust of the earth. Then, He "breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being" (Gen. 2:7). Out of this, Adam was created. He was made of a body and the breath of life. But God realized Adam needed a companion. "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him" (Genesis 2:18). When Adam slept, God extracted one of his ribs and made it into a woman. As he woke up, he met Eve. God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth" (Gen. 1:28). God placed Adam and Eve in the beautiful Garden of Eden to live there forever in happiness. Unfortunately, they fell into sin after eating the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. This transgression caused them and the entire humanity pain, misery, and death. But God told them He would provide a plan of salvation for humanity, saving them from eternal ruin. To Satan, He said, "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel" (Gen. 3:15). Although Satan had brought sin into humanity, he would be defeated. A way of escape would be made for all people who would choose Jesus as their personal Savior. This covenant of grace was made even before the fall. The members of the Godhead planned among Themselves to save the human race should it fall into sin. Ephesians 1:7 says, "In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." Indeed, we are precious in God's sight. We are the work of His creation and recreation through His salvation. Our seventh fundamental belief states: "Man and woman were made in the image of God with individuality, the power and freedom to think and to do. Though created free beings, each is an indivisible unity of body, mind, and spirit, dependent upon God for life and breath and all else. When our first parents disobeyed God, they denied their dependence upon Him and fell from their high position. The image of God in them was marred and they became subject to death. Their descendants share this fallen nature and its consequences. They are born with weaknesses and tendencies to evil. But God in Christ reconciled the world to Himself and by His Spirit restores in penitent mortals the image of their Maker. Created for the glory of God, they are called to love Him and one another, and to care for their environment." In connection to this, Steps to Christ, page 15, reminds us that "through transgression, the sons of man become subjects of Satan. Through faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ, the sons of Adam may become the sons of God. By assuming human nature, Christ elevates humanity. Fallen men are placed where, through connection with Christ, they may indeed become worthy of the name 'sons of God.'" What a wonderful Creator, Savior, Redeemer, and Friend we have in Jesus! Read more about this fundamental belief at https://www.adventist.org/nature-of-humanity. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpEOo4J6st0

– Ukrainian Adventist Institutions support and serve citizens – ADRA Humanitarian Agency and Adventist Church distribute food for refugees, displaced persons and Ukrainian citizens
– Mother and children travel days to reach Ukraine-Romania border – – – – – – – – – – – – More than 1 million people have been displaced due to the Ukrainian humanitarian crisis… As people seek to flee conflict, ADRA teams report crowding and increased volatility across borders… In addition to border support, ADRA distributes food to internally displaced people in shelters in Ukraine… The ADRA team, even those living in the midst of conflict, continues to provide humanitarian aid with support from partners outside the country… In Odessa, faithful distribute food and books of hope…. In Khmelnytsky, homeless people are fed… Today's “ANN” ends with the image of a baptism in the city of Volochysk… What a symbol of rebirth and new life Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVi2reNOzCw

I am Maksym Krupskyi, Hope Media Group Director, Ukraine. We appreciate your prayer support so much in such a challenging time for our country. It's an unofficial information from Union, but I want to tell you little more what is happening here. We have 41,159 church members and 743 churches in Ukraine. For now, we don't have information that somebody was injured from our people and we hope that it will be in future the same. But, two Church buildings were damaged but not critical. When the invasion started, many people decided to evacuate to the west part of Ukraine, closer to borders with Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary. There are hundred thousand refugees now. All our church buildings, schools, sanitariums in Western parts of Ukraine are ready to accept and already accepting people from all regions, helping them with shelters and food. Our center of higher education and seminary near Kyiv was evacuated on Thursday. On their way to the west, they experienced a huge explosion close to their transport, but finally, all students were safely delivered to their shelter. Our Hope Media Group Team numbering 162 people are safe now, but some of them remain in the big cities where the fighting is going on and they need your prayers. And now, right now, as well as millions of Ukrainians, all of us know that Jesus' second coming is near. Bible tells us that there will be war rumors and wars in the last time, but it's always scary when you wake up from explosions and understand that and realize that it's not just rumors but real war. Nevertheless, we have hope. We have God's promises and we believe in His protection. It's a time to finish our mission on this Earth and to share our hope. These people who desperately need it here in Ukraine, now in Russia, everywhere. Stand with us in prayers for peace in Ukraine.
Thank you. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80OEGeC1ks0

This week on ANN. In the United States, the Oakwood Adventist Academy High School Boys Basketball team had to forfeit a playoff game, giving up their chance to win a state championship, because the game was scheduled on Saturday, or Sabbath, February 19. The team advanced to the Sweet Sixteen playoff round. When they learned they were given a 4:30 p.m. game time, they asked the Alabama High School Athletic Association and other teams in the regional tournament if they would switch them to the 7:30 p.m. game, which was after Sabbath. The Oakwood Adventist Academy said they were not looking to change the date or location, but only switch their time with another team until after Sabbath. The Alabama High School Athletic Association has denied that request twice over email. In Samoa, vulnerable families are being assisted with new housing as part of a partnership between the Samoan government and the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA). The Samoan government allocated 1 million Samoan tala from its stimulus package to assist struggling families in 2020. ADRA Samoa used the grant to build a simple wooden house for 120 families. Fifty-three houses were also refurbished by ADRA. Earlier this month the Samoan government announced further funding of 2 million talas for ADRA Samoa and Caritas Samoa as part of its Shelter and Hygiene Facilities Program. Caritas has received 500,000 talas to construct water tanks, while ADRA has received 1.5 million talas to build homes, sanitation facilities, disabled ramps, washbasins and security fencing for each house. This will support 88 vulnerable households. ADRA Samoa is also continuing its Maluapapa Safe Haven Project in partnership with Habitat for Humanity New Zealand. In South Colombia, more than 1,000 laypersons were recently trained during a special congress to strengthen small group ministry in the City of Villavicencio, not far from the capital, Bogota. On February 5, the lay congress drew regional and local leaders from the East Los Llanos Conference to better equip small group leaders and active members in spreading the gospel where they live. Themed Esperanza Definitiva, or The Ultimate Hope, the congress sought to “bolster the lay forces developing the discipleship, retention, new believers, and missionary couples ministries in each congregation with the purpose to preach the gospel everywhere in the region.” The construction of the Adventist College of Alagoinhas, in Bahia, Brazil, became a point of preaching and decision. Of the 74 construction workers who worked on the project, 37 are studying the Bible. The South American Division shared this story of Juclei Araújo, a bricklayer who was baptized as a result of the work of the Caleb Mission volunteers. It’s been almost two years since the Seventh-day Adventist World Church launched the new strategic plan “Reach the World: I Will Go.” At the core of the plan, I Will Go is a rallying cry to Total Member Involvement. It’s about each of us individually and it’s about the corporate church, too. We need to partner together to share the gospel with our communities and to the ends of the earth. ANN recently sat down with a special assistant to the Seventh-day Adventist World Church president, Michael Ryan, to talk about “I Will Go” and how everyone can participate. A Brazilian journalist, television producer and researcher felt the Lord’s calling to go to Lebanon for an important mission. Larissa Preuss left her comfort zone and went to work as a volunteer teacher for Syrian refugee kids in the country. Adventist Mission has more: (link) We will never stop working diligently for God’s service while waiting for Christ’s soon return. ANN is very pleased to share how every church mission has been guided by God’s leading. Be in the know of the latest news and updates within the Adventist community. For more information, go to https://adventist.news/ Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiQFiGLyOM0