Closer To Heaven
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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — Leah Stewart, the Seventh-day Adventist mother and teacher who lost an arm in a June shark attack, says she is beginning to regain her independence three months after the life-threatening encounter at Coogee Beach. Adventist Today previously reported on Stewart’s attack, hospitalization, and subsequent surgeries. Since then, she has continued sharing updates […] Source: https://atoday.org/update-a-second-chance-at-life-leah-stewart-continues-recovery-after-shark-attack/
La parabola del seminatore ci ricorda però che Dio continua a seminare, anche quando non vediamo ancora il frutto. La fede ci invita a non smettere di lasciare spazio a ciò che Dio può far crescere nella nostra vita. ✨ Source: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8G_7vIUjGDQ
To truly understand a work of art, you study the artist behind it. The same is true for you. You are God's masterpiece, created in His image (Ephesians 2:10; Genesis 1:27). If you want to understand who you really are and why you're here, start with the One who made you. You were not an accident. You were designed with purpose, on purpose. 🙏 Take a moment today to reflect on the Artist who created you. Source: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ju8sjCqkmp8
La Iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Día en la División Interamericana (DIA) se sumó este 5 de septiembre al lanzamiento mundial de OneVoice27, una iniciativa que busca movilizar a miembros, congregaciones, instituciones y medios de comunicación bajo una estrategia común de evangelización que alcanzará su mayor énfasis en septiembre de 2027. El proyecto pretende desarrollar durante […] Source: https://atoday.org/division-interamericana-lanza-onevoice27-iniciativa-que-busca-movilizar-a-toda-la-iglesia-hacia-2027/
Daily Lesson for Monday 7th of September 2026
The language of giving pervades 2 Corinthians 8:1-24 and 9: “The grace of God . . . has been given” (2 Corinthians 8:1, ESV); “They gave themselves” (2 Corinthians 8:5, ESV); “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart . . . , for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7, NIV); “He has given to the poor” (2 Corinthians 9:9, ESV); “They will glorify God because of . . . the generosity of your contribution” (2 Corinthians 9:13, ESV); “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15, ESV). 2 Corinthians 8:1-24 and 9 begin and end with the language of giving (2 Corinthians 8:1 and 2 Corinthians 9:15). We must read these two chapters with the idea of giving in mind. They present at least four major reasons for giving our offerings.
Image © Phil McKay at Goodsalt.com
Gratitude for God’s grace (2 Corinthians 8:1; 2 Corinthians 9:14-15). 2 Corinthians 8:1-24; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15 begins with a reference to “the grace of God” (2 Corinthians 8:1). A little further, Paul says, “You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 8:9, ESV). The grace of God and Christ is presented here as one’s primary reason for the practice of offering. God did so much for us by giving us Christ. By offering our gifts in return, we recognize the grace of God in our lives.
As with the concept of giving, the term “grace” (in Greek, charis) also occurs repeatedly in 2 Corinthians 8:1-24; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15. Likewise, the word charis occurs at the beginning and the end of this passage (2 Corinthians 8:1; 2 Corinthians 9:14-15). Paul applies this term with different meanings in the passage to emphasize that the grace of Christ in our lives results in grace for others and for thanksgiving.
Desire to follow the example of Jesus (2 Corinthians 8:9). Jesus was rich and became poor (remember that these are symbols for His eternal pre-existence and then coming into humanity, respectively). There is only one way for that to have happened: He gave all. As for us, by sharing our offerings, we provide means for others to know Christ.
Desire to share God’s blessings (2 Corinthians 9:10-11). We give to others only because we first received from God. He enriches us so that we can be generous.
Sincere love (2 Corinthians 8:8,24). Giving is the test of sincere and genuine love. It is the most substantial evidence that love dwells in one’s heart. To use an English expression, it is to “put your money where your mouth is.”
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How generous are you? In light of the Cross, how much do you give in contrast to what you could give? |
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