The Queen famously described 1992 as an “annus horribilis”, which translates as “horrible year”. It had seen the separation of Prince Andrew and his wife, the Duchess of York; the divorce of Princess Anne from Captain Mark Phillips; the publication of “Diana: Her True Story”, which revealed many of the problems in her marriage to Prince Charles; and, to cap it all, a devastating fire at Windsor Castle.
What with COVID, Brexit, financial challenges, and the recent North England Conference…Source: https://adventist.uk/news/article/go/2021-06-24/buc-session-constitutional-reflections/
June 2021 President’s Report:
Do you remember where you were the first time you heard the prophecy of Daniel 2 and understood you were living in the final chapters of earth’s history? Both my wife Kathy’s and my grandparents were Volga Germans who had just arrived in America when they first heard this amazing prophecy. It had only recently been discovered and fully understood, and its message spread like wildfire throughout America as Adventists embraced it and shared it with joy. That message is still relevant today, and we are closer to that glorious day than when we first believed. It’s our passion and our mission at Adventist World Radio to continue to proclaim the good news that Jesus is coming soon! —Duane McKey, President MB01TACNSLFAVKQ Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuVXJKTs7ZI
USAID Supports ADRA Work on Behalf of Belgrade’s Homeless
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) decided to award a $120,000 grant to ADRA Slovakia (partnering with ADRA Serbia) for the implementation of the homeless program “DrumoDrom” in Serbia. Twenty-five percent of Serbians are impoverished. This percentage translates into close to 1.8 million people (World Bank statistics). The homeless population in Belgrade is probably the most deprived subgroup […] Source: https://atoday.org/usaid-supports-adra-work-on-behalf-of-belgrades-homeless/
Inside Story: Colombia ~ God Is Real
God Is Real
Cristian Suarez started using drugs at the age of 14 in Colombia.
By 18, he was a hard-core drug user, and an up-and-coming rock star after winning an audition to join a well-known rock group. He thought he had reached the top, playing to wild crowds in sold-out soccer stadiums.
When he turned 21, he decided to go solo, and his dreams collapsed. After a daunting year on his own, he was left with no money or home. He moved back in with his mother. Drugs seemed to be his sole refuge.
Cristian had never believed in God. But sad, lonely, and alone at home, he lifted up his eyes and said, “Lord, I don’t know who you are. I don’t even believe in you. But if You are real, if You really exist, I need You to tell me. If You tell me, “I am real,’ I will follow you.”
At that precise moment, his cellphone rang.
“Hello, could I please speak with Cristian Suarez,” an elder woman said.
“You are speaking to him,” he said. “How can I help you?”
“Cristian, I’ve called to tell you that God is real,” she said.
Cristian was shocked. The caller had said the exact words that he had asked from God in order to believe in Him.
“What’s your name?” he said.
He didn’t recognize her name, Nulbia, when she gave it. She said she was the 65-year-old sister of one of his musician friends, Leonardo.
“Why did you tell me precisely those words?” Cristian asked.
She said Cristian had visited her home for the first time two weeks earlier to pick up her brother for a rehearsal. That night, she prayed, “Lord, that man needs You.” She got Cristian’s phone number from her brother and, two weeks later, felt impressed to call. She prayed, “Lord, use me,” and made the call.
Cristian excitedly called another friend, Alfonso, to tell him about the phone call. Alfonso got a strange sound in his voice and asked Cristian to come over to his house. He met Cristian with a Bible in his hand. Cristian was surprised. Alfonso had never mentioned God in the years that they had been friends. That night, Alfonso gave him a thorough Bible study about Seventh-day Adventist beliefs. It turned out that Alfonso wanted to become an Adventist.
Three months later, Cristian was baptized and free of drugs. Today, a decade later, he is studying to become a pastor at Colombia Adventist University in Medellin, Colombia. Alfonso also has joined the Adventist Church.
Cristian no longer has any doubt about God. “Nothing is impossible for God,” he said.
This quarter’s Thirteenth Sabbath Offering will help open a missionary training center at Colombia Adventist University.
Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission. Find more mission stories at adventistmission[dot]org
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Friday: Further Thought ~ The New-Covenant Life
Further Thought:
Read Ellen G. White, “God’s People Delivered,” pages 635-645, in The Great Controversy; “Rejoicing in the Lord,” pages 115-126, in Steps to Christ.
“The holy Son of God had no sins or griefs of his own to bear: he was bearing the griefs of others; for on him was laid the iniquity of us all.
Through divine sympathy he connects himself with man, and as the representative of the race he submits to be treated as a transgressor. He looks into the abyss of woe opened for us by our sins, and proposes to bridge the gulf of man’s separation from God.” — Ellen G. White, Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, Aug. 1, 1892.
“Come, my brother, come just as you are, sinful and polluted. Lay your burden of guilt on Jesus, and by faith claim His merits. Come now, while mercy lingers; come with confession, come with contrition of soul, and God will abundantly pardon. Do not dare to slight another opportunity. Listen to the voice of mercy that now pleads with you to arise from the dead that Christ may give you light. Every moment now seems to connect itself directly with the destinies of the unseen world. Then let not your pride and unbelief lead you to still further reject offered mercy. If you do you will be left to lament at the last: ‘The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.’ ” — Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 353.
Discussion Questions:
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Summary:
The covenant is not just some deep theological concept; instead, it defines the parameters of our saving relationship with Christ, a relationship that reaps us wonderful benefits now and at His return.
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