3 June 2020 | Around the world Adventist hospitals are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of the local conditions and needs of the communities they serve. The Loma Linda University Medical Center is the denomination’s leading hospital, and it provides an example of how Adventist healthcare institutions are seeking to deal with the […] Source: https://atoday.org/adventist-hospitals-deal-with-the-pandemic/
The Ten Commandments: A Guide to Show God’s Love to Others 🤲🏽❤️
Would applying the Ten Commandments given to Moses change society? What has happened to the values of yesteryear? How has our society become so self-centered, disrespectful, and entitled? Is there a better way? Is it possible that we’ve forgotten our most foundational values? There is a different path, The Way reveals that journey. This masterclass will explore the Ten Commandments and what they mean, how they apply and do they have any significance in the life of a Christian.
This is the fourth episode in the AWR Masterclass series called Unlocking Bible Prophecies. You can follow the series and interact LIVE at: http://awr.org/bible Ten years ago, Cami Oetman had a real encounter with God that would change her life forever. She was a successful entrepreneur at the time, and the transition wasn’t easy. However, the truth Cami will share in this series was so compelling that she knew every human being in the world should experience the love of Jesus as she had. Within three years, she had preached 350 Bible presentations. Today, as a vice president for Adventist World Radio, Cami travels the world documenting the miracles that take place when people give their hearts to Jesus. It may seem difficult to imagine yourself understanding Bible prophecy. Cami couldn’t either. She had spent two decades in the modeling world — in front of and behind the camera. She had also used her master’s degree in social work to care for hospice patients. She then started a successful retail business. But no one can predict how they will react when they have a real experience with God! THE WAY While in today’s world, everyone seems to have a different definition of what is right and wrong, God has outlined a clear standard for morality. In Exodus chapter 20 God has given us the Ten Commandments to show us the way to love and freedom. The first four commandments show us how to have a relationship with God, while the last six commandments deal with our relationship with each other. In the first four commandments, we find that God desires us to acknowledge Him as our Creator and to give Him first place in our lives (Commandment #1). He desires us to worship Him “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24) rather than through man-made idols (Commandment #2). God asks us to respect His name as a sign of our loyalty to Him (Commandment #3). Furthermore, God asks us to keep His Sabbath day holy and spend a 24-hour period in worship and thanksgiving with Him (Commandment #4). The last six commandments admonish us to honor our parents (Commandment #5); leave off acts of harm such as hate, anger, revenge and murder (Commandment #6); stay true to our marriage vows (Commandment #7); not take anything that is not rightfully ours (Commandment #8); not involve ourselves in lying or gossiping (Commandment #9); and calls us to be content with what we have trusting that God will provide everything that we need (Commandment #10). God’s law is like a wall of protection, prohibiting us from falling into one of the many landmines of sin. It is God’s desire for man and woman to be happy and live in peace. Obeying God’s rules will save us from learning things the hard way, but by themselves they won’t give us a personal experience with God. In fact, a list of rules without having an actual experience with God can be a miserable experience.
The reason we obey is not because we are trying to earn God’s favor. It’s the response of our love for Him. Will you choose to follow His way today? Have questions? Need prayer? Visit us at awr.org/bible Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-FnIloVxUQ
The Church Manual in Crisis
by Alvin Masarira | 03 June 2020 | Ellen White wrote in 1875: “Christ would have His followers brought together in church capacity, observing order, having rules and discipline, and all subject one to another, esteeming others better than themselves” 3T 445. However, the church leaders then were reluctant to produce a book of rules […] Source: https://atoday.org/the-church-manual-in-crisis/
Sharing Scripture for June 6, 2020
This is a tool for you to use if you lead a Sabbath School (SS) class or small group. It is keyed to the Bible texts used in the current week’s Adult SS Lesson and includes a brief story from current news you can use to introduce the discussion and then a series of discussion […] Source: https://atoday.org/sharing-scripture-for-june-6-2020/
Be a Faithful Householder
Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. Matthew 13:52.
Truth constantly enriches the receiver. The minds of those who receive the truth increase in activity. As they exercise their talents, seeking to improve every capability, their mental and spiritual powers strengthen, for where there is spiritual life, there is development and growth. There is no possibility of the treasures of the householder diminishing, if rightly used.
Mighty truths have been buried beneath the sophistry of error, but they will be found by the diligent searcher. As he finds and opens the treasure house of the precious jewels of truth, it is no robbery, for all who appreciate these jewels may possess them, and then they too have a treasure house to open to others. He who imparts does not deprive himself of the treasure, for as he examines it, that he may present it in such a way as to attract others, he finds new treasures.
The treasures of truth in our possession must be given to the world, that they may have opportunity to learn the value of truth. The necessities of those who are suffering from spiritual poverty must be relieved. And not only will the minds of those helped be impressed, but the mind of him who is doing the work will be quickened by the power of the Holy Spirit. Through the cooperation of the power that comes from God alone, he will be enabled to make the truth so plain that it will vibrate in other minds….
Christ died for the whole world, yet how few fill the place God has assigned to them as householders. The talents lent us in trust are to be used to benefit and bless others. They are lent to be improved. Their value is in themselves. Whether or not the one to whom they are entrusted realizes their value, they remain the same. But, if he does not appreciate them, they are of no value to him.
Money may be locked up in various ways. It is still money, but it is of no special benefit to anyone. But money wisely invested brings money in return, which may be used to gain more money. Thus it is with the householder’s treasure—the Word of the living God. The use made of the gems of truth determines their value to the possessor. They are to be used to help and bless and save those for whom the Lord gave His only begotten Son. Then they are of the highest value to us, and in this way our talents increase constantly. We add jewel to jewel.—Manuscript 88, July 10, 1898, “The Parable of the Householder.”
The Upward Look p. 205
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Prayer Requests
—-Max needs your prayers. He will be going to the hospital this Wednesday for a 4 to 5-hour-long surgery. He has been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma-cancer on his face involving the parotid gland. After a month of recovery, he will be starting radiation treatment 5 days a week for 5 weeks. Samantha
—-My friend Gayle is dying she hasn’t eaten for two weeks or had nay liquids and her husband just asked me to put his nephew on the prayer chain he is in his 20′ and was rushed to the hospital he had a heart attack. his name is Harley . thank you .M.
—-Pray for churches everywhere that have been closed due to the pandemic. Jane
—-Please pray for my post open heart patient for healing. Emerson
—-Prayers for me and family my dad just died. Arlene
—-Prayers for my family. 5 are Covid-19 positive. Ana
—- I need your prayers. Every time I fall asleep the enemy attacks me really hard. The enemy is attacking me really hard right now and I am so oppressed that I can’t pray. So please pray for me for protection and deliverance and a breakthrough in my situation and that I can pray and fast. Please pray that God protects me while I sleep. Please pray that God protects my mind and heart in Christ Jesus. Ricardo
—-I need extra prayers today for a stressful situation. LS
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Dear Friends,
Before the pandemic, our plans were that Ronnie Jay and Wanangwa would drive out her for a week for my birthday. Sadly, that will not happen as his state has a travel ban on. I feel so disappointed and sad. We are hoping that things will be open by his birthday in August, but no one is sure.
Our Dear Heavenly Father is even more homesick for us than I am to see my son. With longing desire He is waiting until Jesus comes to take us to His Heavenly Home. (John 14:1-3; 1 Thes 4:16-18; 2 Peter 3:9-14) How He yearns to have a relationship with us that is nearer and dear than any earthly ties. Indeed, He wants first place in our heart and it is right that He should. He is our Creator, our Redeemer, our Re-creator. He “gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world.” Gal 1:4 He assures us, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jer 31:3 In that last great prayer on the way to Gethsemane , Jesus prayed, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us.” John 17:21 Blessed privilege!
How may we have that oneness for which Jesus prayed? By listening to His voice as He speaks to us through His Holy Word and allowing His Spirit to change us into what He would have us to be. Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” verse 17 Jeremiah declared, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jer 15:16 David adds, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.” “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Ps 119:9-12, 18
When we read God’s Word, we listen to His voice. Our Dear Saviour is listening for our voice as well. He desires to be the center of our life. He longs for us to share with Him all our sorrows, all our joys, all our perplexities, everything. Paul advises, “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thes 5:17 God asks, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Jer 33:3
Think of it! The Great King of the Universe wants to have an even closer relationship with us than I want with my children. He longs to hear our voice uplifted in prayer to Him even more than we long to hear from our children. Through this daily communion, “our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1:3 David sang, “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. . . . thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. . . .Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” Ps 139:1-17
May we listen to our Master’s voice as we daily read God’s Word. May our heart and mind be uplifted in prayer to our Dear Saviour as we go about our daily duties. May we be so filled with His Spirit, that others will be drawn to the One Who loves us so.
Rose
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/X5MTwomeO-4/be-a-faithful-householder.html