“Egli avrà nuovamente compassione di noi, calpesterà le nostre iniquità. Tu getterai in fondo al mare tutti i nostri peccati.” (Michea 7:19) Meditazione giornaliera “Apri la porta del tuo cuore”. Rubrica a cura di Anna Cupertino. Speaker: Jakov Asan. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIwHLOIpeFs
Tears Are A Language | Michael Pedrin
Worship : Tears Are A Language — Pr. Michael Pedrin
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2024 Pathfinder Bible Experience
The division level Pathfinder Bible Experience live from Greeley, Colorado. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZx1eY0WkXI
Lesson 4.Standing for the Truth | 4.1 Persecuted Yet Triumphant
Lesson 4. Standing for the Truth
Steadfast in Darkness: Courage, Renewal, and the Radiance of Faith
In a world that is constantly changing, where different opinions and values often clash, standing up for truth becomes an increasingly important task for Christians. The history of Christianity is rich with examples of brave men and women who were willing to suffer and even sacrifice their lives for their beliefs. This lesson leads us into a deep exploration of the meaning, value, and challenges of standing up for truth.
Starting with the concept of “progressive light” in divine revelation, we explore why God reveals truth progressively and how these principles can be applied to today’s church. We also consider the dynamic between new discoveries of truth and the previous teachings that the people of God understood, emphasizing why new light should never contradict old light.
The challenges we face in our culture can sometimes lead to conflicts with biblical teachings. Therefore, we discuss strategies and approaches to remain good citizens while resisting the distorted values of our culture.
Finally, we delve deep into the inspiring letter of Jan Hus, reflecting on how his courageous example and teachings can still influence and challenge us today. This lesson challenges us to examine our beliefs, to be courageous, and to stand up for truth, even when faced with challenges and resistance.
4.1 Persecuted Yet Triumphant
Persecution and Victory: God’s People in Prophetic Times
Read Daniel 7:23–25 and Revelation 12:6,14. To which prophetic time periods do these verses refer?
The mentioned verses from Daniel 7:23–25 and Revelation 12:6,14 refer to prophetic time periods often described as 1260 days or “a time, times, and half a time.” These time spans are symbolic and represent an extended period in Christian history.
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Daniel 7:23-25: In this section, Daniel describes a vision of four beasts representing different kingdoms or dominions. The fourth beast is depicted as particularly powerful and destructive. Verse 25 states that it will “speak words against the Most High” and “oppress the saints of the Most High.” This time of oppression is depicted as 1260 days or a time, times, and half a time.
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Revelation 12:6,14: In Revelation, a woman is portrayed giving birth to a child and being pursued by a dragon. The woman flees to the wilderness where she is protected for “a time, times, and half a time” (verse 14). This also corresponds to the 1260 days or 3½ years of persecution.
Both passages employ the day-year principle, where a prophetic day corresponds to a literal year. This principle is based on other biblical texts like Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6 and has been applied by many Bible scholars and historians throughout history.
The mentioned historical events, such as the Ostrogoths’ departure from Rome in AD 538 and the Pope’s deposition by Napoleon’s General Berthier in AD 1798, are interpreted as the beginning and end of this 1260-year period of persecution and spiritual darkness. During this time, many Christians were persecuted and killed for their faith, yet they remained steadfast in their beliefs, seeing their victory in Christ.
It is important to note that this is a specific interpretation of the mentioned biblical texts and is not shared by all Christians. There are various theological views and interpretations of these and other prophetic texts in the Bible.
How has fulfilled biblical prophecy strengthened your faith?
For many people, especially devout Christians, fulfilled biblical prophecies can be a source of strength and affirmation of their faith. When they see certain prophecies made in the Bible actually come to pass in history, it can bolster their confidence in the reliability and authenticity of the Holy Scriptures.
The fulfillment of prophecies can be seen as evidence of the divine inspiration of the Bible and God’s sovereignty. It demonstrates that God sees beyond time and that His Word is true and reliable. For many believers, this serves as a powerful testament to God’s faithfulness and reliability in their lives.
However, it is important to emphasize that the interpretation and application of biblical prophecies often spark discussions and debates within the Christian community. There are different views and theories about how specific prophecies should be understood and applied.
The connection between fulfilled biblical prophecies and our everyday life in faith can be diverse and profound. Here are some possible ways this connection might look:
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Trust and Hope: Recognizing that God has fulfilled His promises and prophecies in the past strengthens trust in Him and provides hope for the future. In challenging times, believers can recall God’s faithfulness and trust that He is working in their current situation.
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Confirmation of Faith: Fulfilled prophecies can serve as confirmation of faith. They demonstrate that the Bible is not just a historical document or a book of moral teachings but contains divine wisdom and insight that are relevant and true in the real world.
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Motivation for Faithfulness: The stories of Christians who remained steadfast in their faith despite persecution and suffering can serve as inspiration. They encourage believers to remain steadfast in their faith even when faced with challenges.
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Eternal Perspective: Knowing that God sees beyond time and that His plans unfold despite human contradictions and difficulties can help believers adopt an eternal perspective. It reminds them that current hardships and sufferings are temporary, while God’s promises and eternal life in Christ are of lasting value.
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Community and Sharing of Faith: Understanding and acknowledging fulfilled prophecies can also help strengthen faith within the community. Believers can share these insights to encourage others to grow in faith and trust God in their own lives.
However, it is important to stress that the interpretation of biblical prophecies and their application in everyday life can be a personal and sometimes controversial matter. Not all Christians agree on their interpretations, and it is essential to approach differing views with humility and respect. The most important thing is that fulfilled prophecies can help strengthen faith and deepen the relationship with God by testifying to His faithfulness and sovereignty.
Even in the greatest darkness, God’s people find refuge and victory through His unwavering love and care.
Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-4-standing-for-the-truth-4-1-persecuted-yet-triumphant/
The Only Way to Win
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua 1:8.
If men will walk in the path that God has marked out for them, they will have a counselor whose wisdom is far above any human wisdom. Joshua was a wise general because God was his guide. The first sword that Joshua used was the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God….
It was because the strongest influences were to be brought to bear against his principles of righteousness that the Lord in mercy charged him not to turn to the right hand or to the left. He was to follow a course of strictest integrity…. If there had been no peril before Joshua, God would not over and over again have charged him to be of good courage. But amid all his cares, Joshua had his God to guide Him.
There is no greater deception than for man to suppose that in any difficulty he can find a better guide than God, a wiser counselor in any emergency, a stronger defense under any circumstance….
The Lord has a great work to be done in our world. To every man He has given His work for man to do. But man is not to make man his guide, lest he be led astray; this is always unsafe. While Bible religion embodies the principles of activity in service, at the same time there is the necessity of asking for wisdom daily from the Source of all wisdom. What was Joshua’s victory? Thou shalt meditate upon the Word of God day and night. The word of the Lord came to Joshua just before he passed over Jordan…. This was the secret of Joshua’s victory. He made God his Guide.26The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 2:993.
Those holding the positions of counselors should be unselfish men, men of faith, men of prayer, men that will not dare to rely upon their own human wisdom, but will seek earnestly for light and intelligence as to what is the best manner of conducting their business. Joshua, the commander of Israel, searched the books diligently in which Moses had faithfully chronicled the directions given by God,—His requirements, reproofs, and restrictions,—lest he should move unadvisedly.27Ibid., 993, 994.
Conflict and Courage p. 116
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Hannah and her family. Her husband’s parents and grandma were burned to death this morning when their house burned down. Rose
—-Please pray for Maggie as she travels to be with her sister and family during the death of Cindy’s grandson. Rose
—-Please pray for my brother Jacques. He does not have much time to live. Pray that God will visit him and he gives his heart to Jesus. Andree
—-I really need double prayers for my niece and my sister. Mom and daughter. My niece is having back surgery tomorrow removing old hardware and fixing another bulging disc and my sister lost her walking because she has a bulging disc in her back and it has pinched off her nerve. Kim is my niece and my sister is named Chris Sylvia
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Dear Friends,
As Ron and I were driving home from work one evening, Ron began laughing heartily. Puzzled, I asked the reason. He answered, “You see how nice and green the grass is in that field? Well, we just passed a cow that was down on her knees with her head poked through the fence eating the dry, brown grass on the outside.”
What a silly cow! She was surrounded with nice, fresh grass but desired the old, withered stalks on the outside of the fence. Yet, upon reflection I realized that cow is no different than many of us. Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matt 6:24 God has provided the the way to eternal life, but how often we would rather have the “dry grass” this world has to offer even though we know we know that “the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” 2 Peter 3:10
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” 1 John 2:15-17 Paul advises, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him. . . . Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Col 3:1-17
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Rom 12:1, 2
Rose
Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/the-only-way-to-win-2.html
