Do you know Abram La Rue, the first Adventist pioneer worker in China? In this video, get to know this humble missionary. Specifically, learn how putting God first helped him bring the present truth in China. In 1883, at the age of 65, Abram was a shepherd and woodcutter in California. He envisioned bringing the gospel to China. La Rue wrote to the General Conference, asking for assistance. However, they said he was too old. Besides, they didn’t have enough money to send him. Despite this, Abram determined to go. So, he negotiated his way by ship to Hong Kong. Arriving in 1888, he began working as a colporter for the next 14 years. Until 1902, he stood alone. Fortunately, in February that year, Brother and Sister J. N. Anderson and Miss Ida Thompson arrived to help him. Soon, nine people got baptized through Abram’s efforts. Eventually, the present truth was then ready to be brought to China’s mainland. Despite the difficulties, Abram survived those 14 years carrying on his pioneering work. Unfortunately, he died in 1903. Nevertheless, his contributions laid the foundation for the entry of Adventism in China. Indeed, Abram put God first even when others didn’t believe in him. His courage inspires us today as God’s redeeming love compels us to put His kingdom first. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbSdee2OC_k

This week on ANN. In Haiti, the death toll continued to climb after days of ongoing search and rescue efforts for survivors of a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck the nation’s southern regions. Preliminary reports indicate that there are now more than 2,200 deaths and 12,000 injuries, with significant infrastructure loss. Over 53,000 houses were destroyed, and 46,000 buildings were damaged, including hospitals, schools, and churches. There are also reports of road blockages. As the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) assesses the needs of affected populations, it will scale up its plans to ensure people in Haiti get immediate access to essential items and receive ongoing aid to advance towards a recovery stage. 'Codex Sinaiticus: A Journey in Biblical Discovery' will document a rare visit inside St. Catherine's Monastery and a meeting with Father Justin, chief librarian for a collection of over 2,300 ancient manuscripts. A combined production of Hope Channel Norway and the Trans-European Division, Tor Tjeransen and Victor Hulbert take viewers on an inspiring journey. The documentary and accompanying short videos, 'Moments from Sinai,' are more than just a travelogue or historical journey. Hulbert and Tjeransen share the story of Moses and God's faithfulness with a young Australian couple who had climbed the mountain but knew nothing about the Bible. 'Moments from Sinai' will be released later in the year with a second series filmed in Jordan. The president of the Seventh-day Adventist World Church, Ted N.C. Wilson and president of the Adventist Church in North America, G. Alexander Bryant, led out in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Northeastern Towers Annex. The new complex is a 158-unit affordable housing complex located in Queens, New York, sponsored by the Northeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was hosted by the project's partners–the Northeastern Conference, the Fifth Avenue Committee, and Mega Development. The Life Bridge Seventh-day Adventist Church provided the Tacoma, Washington, community with more than $90,000 worth of free dental care for two days. The clinic director and local dentist, Jed de la Paz, and the LifeBridge team recruited more than 75 volunteers who donated their time and expertise. The clinic was hosted at De la Paz's practice, Bright Smile Dental. In Fiji, a group of "10,000 Toes" ambassadors and Dorcas ladies from Nadi English Church brought smiles to the faces of 17 families financially impacted by the second wave of the COVID 19 pandemic. Rural Nadi, surrounded by cane fields and accessible only by dirt roads, are isolated family homes. Some of the families live day-to-day, not knowing where their next meal will come from. The 10,000 Toes ambassadors, in partnership with the Dorcas ladies, hope to grow this 'Loaf Ministry' through kind donations. In Timor-Leste or East Timor, the main challenges for women continue to be deep poverty, domestic violence, and the lack of recognition of women's contribution to political, economic, and social spheres. Economic empowerment is particularly crucial as conflict during the Indonesian occupation and violence left nearly half of all Timorese women widowed and sole providers for their families. ADRA and Rede Feto are teaming up, with a grant from the European Union and a contribution from the Austrian Development Cooperation, to implement a four-year project called "Empower Women" in various regions throughout the country. The initiative will help 45 civil society organizations create gender awareness and inclusion programs and support female heads of households in production, processing, trading, saving, and loan activities. More inspiring stories and current events at the ANN website. Visit https://adventist.news/ Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahlv8zHvokw

In this episode, Pastor Ted Wilson discusses one of the most controversial topics – pornography. He is with his wife, Nancy. This Sabbath, August 28, we are celebrating the worldwide End It Now Emphasis Day. Its focus for this year is on youth violence and pornography, two of the most controversial yet vital issues to address. Pornography infects the world. Unfortunately, it also exists in our church. With this, Satan is doubling time to trick people, especially the youth, into this vice. Hence, we must find ways to help them deal with its harmful effects. With God’s help, we will make a difference in their lives and help them begin the healing process. We cannot ignore its problem now that it's becoming rampant. It affects men and women of all ages. It doesn’t stop at the doors of our home and the church. Thus, we can’t be silent about it. Shame only makes the problem worse. Then General Conference President Neal Wilson released an official public statement on pornography last July 5, 1990. It stated, “Seventh-day Adventists of whatever culture deem pornography to be destructive, demeaning, desensitizing, and exploitative.” How and why destructive? Genesis 2:24 mentions that it destroys marital relationships. It subverts God’s design that husband and wife become “one flesh.” How and why demeaning? Pornography defines a woman not as a whole but as a sex object. It deprives her of her worth and respect as God’s daughter. How and why is it desensitizing? It callouses the conscience and perverts human perception. According to Romans 1:22, 28, it produces a “depraved person.” Finally, how and why is it exploitative? It is abusive. Thus, it violates the Golden Rule in Matthew 7:12, which insists on treating others as one wishes to be treated. Among the types, child pornography is the most offensive. For this, Jesus said in Matthew 18:6, “If anyone leads astray even one child who believes in Me, he would be better off thrown into the depths of the sea with a millstone hung around his neck!” According to studies, pornography has negative effects on the brain. First, it triggers the release of dopamine when a person views erotic images. It alters the brain’s reward system. Second, it reduces gray matter volume in the brain. Hence, a victim tends to have problems at work and in daily living. Moreover, addiction happens within eight weeks. It begins with curiosity. But as dopamine takes effect, the victim becomes absorbed. Then, guilt and shame arise, giving him a sense of worthlessness. These are just a few of the many devastating effects of pornography. As a church, we need to be aware of this situation. We must provide hope and healing as much as we can. But only Christ can bring true healing. He said in Romans 12:2, “Be transformed by the renewing of your minds.” Also, Paul reminded us in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." As such, when temptation comes, stop and think. Recognize it as it is. Then, take it to God. Ask Him to give you the strength to resist and run away from the temptation. Likewise, when you’re struggling with addiction, there is no shame in seeking help. Healing begins with recognizing the problem, calling sin by its name, and finding restoration in God’s grace. With this, may Jesus’ righteousness give us hope and healing from sin. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jfj4JgPyj0

Did you know that God speaks to His people through the gift of prophecy? In this video, learn how Ellen White’s writings can be one of His agencies of communication. Primarily, the Lord speaks to us through His Word. He also does this through nature, divine providences, and impressions from the Holy Spirit. Still, He also does it through the prophets. For instance, through Ellen White, God revealed His divine messages on paper. It sheds light on the Scriptures, strengthening your desire to know, love, and obey God. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-_zo7xeyDk

Baptism is much more than an arbitrary ritual to initiate a church member. There is a much deeper meaning. Baptism, when done sincerely, engages heart, body, and mind in dedication to God. It is an opportunity to declare to the world that we have committed to life in Christ. Watch this video to learn more about baptism and its deeper significance. Blog: https://www.ibelievebible.com/fire-water/ ___
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