Closer To Heaven
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Our Sabbath School program has always been linked to the support of the Seventh-day Adventist Mission program. This video provides a little insight into this important work.
(0)Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/mission-spotlight-for-august-16/
Daily Lesson for Sabbath 16th of August 2025
Image © Pacific Press
Memory Text:
“ ‘ “You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” ’ ” (Exodus 19:4-6, NKJV).
Where did God lead Israel after He had liberated them from Egypt? To the Promised Land—where else? However geographically correct, that answer is theologically wrong. God Himself answers it: “ ‘ “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself ” ’ ” (Exodus 19:4, NIV; emphasis added). Thus, the biblical-theological answer to the question reveals God’s priority and goal: the Lord brought them to Himself.
When humans depart from God, He searches for them and calls them back to Himself. The best model of this profound truth is in the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve sinned against God, disobeyed His command, and hid from Him. He took the initiative and called: “ ‘Where are you?’ ” (Genesis 3:9, NKJV). He always makes the first step. Jesus states this eloquently: “ ‘Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest’ ” (Matthew 11:28-29, NKJV).
God calls out to all of us; our eternal destiny depends on our response.
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God used manna to teach the Israelites the value of His Sabbath—a day to rest, trust and thank Him for daily provisions. As you welcome the Sabbath, remember to reflect on His care each day. Use #MySabbathMoment in your comment about God's care. #AWR360 #HappySabbath Source: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/RE0NNdK3dmc
Across the globe, lives are being changed through AWR broadcasts—reaching even the most remote and unreachable places with the hope of Jesus. Experience these powerful testimonies. #AWR360 #BroadcastToBaptism Source: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ggZyHPbia8Y
Inside Story for Friday 15th of August 2025
By Andrew McChesney
After surgery to remove three benign tumors, Dmitry Bagal, a Russian missionary living in Germany, was sent for rehabilitation to a vacation resort in Lower Bavaria. There, he found a new mission field where God was working on the hearts of secular and post-Christian people.
Image © Pacific Press
One afternoon, Dmitry walked over to a group of people at a Greek restaurant. They called out that the restaurant was closed, and Dmitry responded with a question. “Do you like to read books?” he asked.
Only one man replied. Speaking with a thick Italian accent, he said he preferred to watch movies and had read only one book, the Bible, in his life. Dmitry gave him The Great Controversy and explained that it offered a unique perspective on history, especially on the struggle between good and evil. The man read the back cover. “I really want to read this book!” he exclaimed. But he didn’t want the book for free. He gave Dmitry a donation.
Another day, Dmitry paused during a walk to sit beside a stranger on a bench. The two men struck up a conversation. The man said he was a farmer who had no free time, but his threshing machine had broken, and he was waiting for it to be repaired. “Do you like to read books?” Dmitry asked.
The man conceded that he didn’t like to read but said his wife did. Dmitry gave him a Great Controversy for his wife. The man read the back cover and declared that he had changed his mind. He wanted to read the book.
Resuming his walk, Dmitry passed a car with a bumper sticker that read, “God does miracles in Germany.” Wanting to meet the car’s owner, he rang the doorbell of the house in front of the car. On the door, he saw a sign that read, “Honey from our own beehives.” When a woman opened the door, he asked about the honey. The two talked about honey for a few minutes and then about faith. The woman said Jesus had miraculously healed her of an illness. Dmitry bought a jar of honey and offered her the choice of a book as a gift: The Desire of Ages or The Great Controversy. She chose The Desire of Ages. Thanking Dmitry, she gave him a second jar of honey as a gift. Dmitry thanked her by giving her the other book, The Great Controversy. Both were incredibly happy with their meeting.
During his month in rehab, Dmitry distributed nearly 50 copies of The Great Controversy and changed the focus of his mission work in Germany. “Because I enjoy sharing books so much, I’m preparing to become a literature evangelist,” he said.
This Inside Story illustrates Mission Objective No. 2 of the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s “I Will Go” strategic plan: “To strengthen and diversify Adventist outreach . . . among unreached and under-reached people groups, and to non-Christian religions.” Read more at IWillGo.org.
(0)Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25c-07-inside-story-special-mission-rehab/
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