“È evidente che voi siete una lettera di Cristo, scritta da me, non con l'inchiostro, ma con lo Spirito di Dio vivente; non su tavole di pietra, ma nei vostri cuori.” (2 Corinzi 3:3) Meditazione giornaliera “Apri la porta del tuo cuore”. Rubrica a cura di Anna Cupertino. Speaker: Anna Claudia Mele. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2Ngss9wK8o
News Briefs for February 29, 2024
29 February 2024 | ADRA Puts a Spotlight on Human Trafficking During the Super Bowl “The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) draws critical attention to human trafficking prevention during sporting events such as the Super Bowl.” See their video to create awareness at the ADRA website. Religious Liberty Summit to Be Held at Pacific […] Source: https://atoday.org/news-briefs-for-february-29-2024/
Seven Short Years
And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. Genesis 29:20.
How different his [Jacob’s] arrival from that of Abraham’s messenger nearly a hundred years before! The servant had come with a train of attendants riding upon camels, and with rich gifts of gold and silver; the son was a lonely, footsore traveler, with no possession save his staff. Like Abraham’s servant, Jacob tarried beside a well, and it was here that he met Rachel, Laban’s younger daughter…. Though he came portionless and unattended, a few weeks showed the worth of his diligence and skill, and he was urged to tarry. It was arranged that he should render Laban seven years’ service for the hand of Rachel.
In early times custom required the bridegroom, before the ratification of a marriage engagement, to pay a sum of money or its equivalent in other property, according to his circumstances, to the father of his wife. This was regarded as a safeguard to the marriage relation…. But provision was made to test those who had nothing to pay for a wife. They were permitted to labor for the father whose daughter they loved, the length of time being regulated by the value of the dowry required. When the suitor was faithful in his services, and proved in other respects worthy, he obtained the daughter as his wife; and generally the dowry which the father had received was given her at her marriage….
The ancient custom, though sometimes abused, as by Laban, was productive of good results. When the suitor was required to render service to secure his bride, a hasty marriage was prevented, and there was opportunity to test the depth of his affections, as well as his ability to provide for a family. In our time many evils result from pursuing an opposite course. It is often the case that persons before marriage have little opportunity to become acquainted with each other’s habits and disposition, and, so far as everyday life is concerned, they are virtually strangers when they unite their interests at the altar. Many find, too late, that they are not adapted to each other, and lifelong wretchedness is the result of their union.1Patriarchs and Prophets, 188, 189.
Conflict and Courage p. 66
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for E as she has a very important decision to make. R
—-Pray with me about our bible study/personal ministries in church. We need better planning and some people to become passionate about the need to outreach to those in our community. Jennifer
—-Maya has had a really good day today! Don’t get me wrong, she is still struggling…the mucus is thick and the cough is exhausting. She’s been getting bloody noses from all the suctioning we’ve had to do to keep her airways clear. BUT, she has no more fever, her O2 is staying at a decent percentage, and she’s got quite a bit of energy back (only needed one nap today!).
We are still doing respiratory cares around the clock…every 4 hours. That means she gets albuterol inhaler, sodium chloride nebulizer, chest percussion therapy (she calls it the shakey machine), and cough assist, along with loads of suctioning. Likely that we will need to continue this for another few weeks. Maya is at a very increased risk of developing pneumonia with any illness, but the risk is even greater with RSV.
Tomorrow, the family will head half way across the state for a specialized doctors visit (physical med and rehab, who deals with all things growth, Cerebral Palsy, and musculature) on Friday. Next week she also sees her pulmonologist (lung doctor). Let’s keep praying she gets better and better by the day! Jenny
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Dear Friends,
Today, I was remembering an embarrassing moment I had when I was working at the courthouse many years ago. I had been getting about six hours of sleep a night for months and it began to catch up on me. No one was in the outer office where I was working (which was unusual in itself) and as I was typing on the computer, I fell asleep. I don’t know how long I was in dreamland, but I suddenly woke up to a knock on the doorframe. Instantly, I looked up and saw the man who sprayed for bugs monthly standing in the doorway. I could tell he had seen me sleeping, because he never knocked: he normally just walked on through with his bug sprayer.
Jesus told a story of some people whose sleeping when they should have been wake had far greater consequences than a little embarrassment. “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” Matt 25:1-13
How many will weep and wail when they see Jesus coming because they spiritually slept. They will then declare, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” Jer 8:20 They will cry for the rocks and the mountains to hide them from Jesus’ face just as surely as those who did not believe in Him. (Rev 6:15-17) May we, as did the wise virgins, keep our lamps brightly burning earnestly holding fast to the truth while we await the appearing of the Bridegroom and with rejoicing say, “this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” Isa 25:9
Rose
Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/seven-short-years-2.html
Lesson 9.Blessed Is He Who Comes in the Name of the Lord | 9.6 Summary
9.6 Summary
Lesson 9 introduces us to the profound theological significance of Christ’s role as King and Priest according to the order of Melchizedek. We explore various biblical texts, particularly Psalms and the Epistle to the Hebrews, to understand how these teachings apply to Christ.
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Christ as King: We consider Psalm 2, which portrays Christ as the King appointed by the Father. His kingship is eternal, and ultimately, he will triumph over all enemies.
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Christ as Priest: Psalm 110 points to Christ as the eternal Priest according to the order of Melchizedek. His priesthood is unique and of divine authority, enabling perfect reconciliation and intercession for his people.
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The Connection of Kingship and Priesthood in Christ: Christ unites in his person the roles of King and Priest. His royal priesthood guarantees us a secure hope, as he reigns over all powers and is our constant intercessor before God.
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The Implications of Christ’s Higher Priesthood: We examine Hebrews 7 to understand how Christ, as High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek, ensures our salvation and eliminates the reign of evil. His incomparable service strengthens our faith, gives us hope, and empowers us for service in his kingdom.
Overall, Lesson 9 reveals the profound significance of Christ’s role as King and Priest for our personal lives and faith. We recognize that in Christ, God’s promises are fulfilled, and we find security, hope, and empowerment in his unmatched authority and care for his people.
The lesson on Christ’s role as King and Priest according to the order of Melchizedek has a direct connection to our daily lives and our faith:
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Hope and Comfort: The teaching of Christ as our eternal King and Priest gives us hope and comfort amidst life’s challenges. We can be assured that Christ reigns supreme over all powers and always intercedes for us.
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Trust and Obedience: Understanding that Christ is both King and Priest requires our trust and obedience. We can rely on his rule being just and merciful and willingly follow him.
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Prayer and Intercession: Knowing that Christ serves as our High Priest continually in the heavenly sanctuary encourages us to come to him in prayer and intercede for ourselves and others. We can be confident that our prayers are heard before God through Christ.
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Service and Engagement: Understanding Christ’s royal priesthood motivates us to actively work for the kingdom of God and combat evil in the world. We recognize that Christ has the ultimate authority to defeat evil, and we are called to be part of his divine mission.
Overall, the teaching of Christ’s kingship and priesthood has direct implications for our daily lives and our faith, providing us with hope, comfort, trust, obedience, prayer, and engagement.
1.How has God demonstrated His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant despite the people’s unfaithfulness? What assurance does this give to God’s children who struggle today?
God has repeatedly demonstrated His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant despite the people’s unfaithfulness by keeping His promises, even when His people strayed from Him. Despite Israel’s repeated sins and rebellions, God remained faithful to His promises and fulfilled His part of the covenant. He upheld His promises of rescue, provision, and forgiveness, even when His people were unfaithful.
This assurance gives hope and comfort to God’s children who struggle today. When faced with our own weaknesses, mistakes, and failures, we can rely on God to remain faithful to us nonetheless. His unchanging nature and promises assure us that He will never leave us or forsake us, even when we are unfaithful.
This assurance encourages us to remain steadfast and grow in faith, even when we face difficulties. It reminds us that God’s faithfulness does not depend on our performance but is an expression of His unconditional love and grace. In our toil, we can remember God’s past faithfulness and trust that He will continue to lead, strengthen, and redeem us.
2.How does Christ’s unique and superior priesthood according to the order of Melchizedek strengthen the assurance of salvation for the people of God?
Christ’s unique and superior priesthood according to the order of Melchizedek strengthens the assurance of salvation for the people of God in several ways:
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Eternal Priesthood: Christ holds an eternal priesthood, unlike earthly priests who could not perform their services forever due to their limited lifespan. The fact that Christ perpetually serves as the High Priest assures believers that His intercession and mediation for them will never cease.
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Perfect Reconciliation: Christ accomplished perfect reconciliation through His sacrifice on the cross. His sacrifice was unique and sufficient to atone for the sins of all. As a result, believers can experience complete forgiveness and redemption from their sins, strengthening their assurance that they are justified before God.
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Intercession in the Heavenly Sanctuary: Christ serves as the High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary, where He continually intercedes for believers. His service is not hindered by sin or death, meaning He is able to intercede ceaselessly for His people and save them forever.
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Guaranteed Grace and Forgiveness: Through Christ’s priesthood, believers have a permanent and reliable source of grace and forgiveness. They can trust that Christ, as their High Priest, is always ready to help, comfort, and redeem them, fortifying their assurance in salvation.
Overall, Christ’s unique and superior priesthood according to the order of Melchizedek strengthens the assurance of salvation for the people of God by providing an unshakable foundation for their relationship with God, based on Christ’s perfect sacrifice, continual intercession, and infinite grace.
3.The Gospels show that many messianic promises in the Psalms were fulfilled in Jesus Christ. How does this prove the truthfulness of God’s Word? Why must we resist any sentiment that could weaken our trust in God’s Word?
The fulfillment of many messianic promises in the Psalms and other Old Testament writings in Jesus Christ demonstrates the truthfulness of God’s Word in various ways:
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Fulfilled Prophecies: The fulfillment of messianic promises in Jesus Christ shows that God’s Word is reliable and true. Numerous prophecies in the Old Testament referring to the coming Messiah were fulfilled in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. This demonstrates the divine inspiration of Scripture and the continuity of God’s plan of salvation throughout history.
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Consistency and Cohesion: The fulfillment of messianic prophecies through Jesus Christ also demonstrates the consistent message of the Bible and the connection between the Old and New Testaments. The Gospels show how Jesus lived out the fulfillment of ancient promises, affirming the unity and coherence of the biblical message.
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Historical Confirmation: The historical reliability of the Gospels and the credibility of the accounts of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection support the truthfulness of God’s Word. Archaeological discoveries and extrabiblical sources confirm many aspects of the biblical narratives, strengthening confidence in the reliability of Scripture.
It is important to resist any sentiment that could weaken our trust in God’s Word for several reasons:
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Divine Authority: God’s Word is the ultimate authority for faith and life. By resisting doubts or temptations that question the truthfulness of Scripture, we hold onto the divine authority that provides guidance and truth.
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Spiritual Maturity: Strong trust in God’s Word is crucial for our spiritual maturity and growth in faith. By remaining faithful to our trust in Scripture, we can gain deeper insights and develop a more stable foundation for our faith.
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Tested Experience: The history of Christianity is replete with examples of God’s faithfulness to His promises and the power of His Word to transform lives. By holding onto God’s Word, we can draw on the tested experience of many believers and be encouraged by their steadfastness.
Overall, it is crucial to resist any sentiment that could weaken our trust in God’s Word and instead rely on the compelling reasons for its truthfulness and authority.
4.What great comfort can we draw from the words of Christ: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18)? How can we apply this promise to our own experiences?
The words of Jesus, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18), offer us great comfort and a source of strength for several reasons:
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Divine Sovereignty: This statement reaffirms Jesus’ divine sovereignty over all aspects of the universe. As the resurrected and exalted ruler, Jesus has absolute authority over heaven and earth. This assurance comforts us because we know that our Lord and Savior reigns supreme over all.
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Promise of Presence: The promise of Jesus’ omnipotence means that He is always with us to guide, comfort, and strengthen us. In all circumstances of life, we can rely on His presence and trust that He will never leave us alone.
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Victory over Evil: Because Jesus has all authority, we can be assured that evil and darkness are ultimately defeated. His reign brings hope and comfort in the midst of trials and challenges, knowing that in the end, His light and righteousness will triumph.
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Application to Our Lives: We can apply this promise to our own experiences by recognizing that Christ reigns in our lives. By submitting to His rule and being obedient to Him, we can experience His power and strength in our lives. We can also trust that He hears our prayers and guides us in all areas of life.
Overall, the promise of Jesus’ omnipotence offers us comfort, hope, and confidence. It reminds us that our ruler and redeemer reigns over all and that in His presence and under His rule, we can find peace and strength.
Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-9-blessed-is-he-who-comes-in-the-name-of-the-lord-9-6-summary/
The Great Controversy Chapter 25: God’s Law Immutable | Pastor Ted Wilson
Join Pastor Ted Wilson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, with his wife, Nancy, as they introduce Chapter 25 of The Great Controversy by Adventist pioneer Ellen G. White. In the chapter “God’s Law Immutable,” Mrs. White picks up from the previous chapter’s discussion of the sanctuary. Join the Wilsons in discussing the contents of the Ark of the Covenant–specifically, the tablets of the Ten Commandments.
Following the Great Disappointment in 1844, biblical scholars continued to study God’s Word, and the Word pointed to God’s eternal law. Their goal was to know God and to do His will.
To learn more about God’s law and how it fits into our present life, read The Great Controversy by Ellen White at https://greatcontroversyproject.org/ and join us next week for more.
Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/the-great-controversy-chapter-25-gods-law-immutable-pastor-ted-wilson/
