23 December 2019 | A nurse who worked at Hong Kong Adventist Hospital has been sentenced to eight months’ prison time after sexually assaulting a female patient at the hospital in May of this year. Yee Pak Kwong was sentenced on December 17 at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Court. According to expat site Coconuts Hong […] Source: https://atoday.org/hong-kong-adventist-hospital-nurse-gets-prison-time-for-sexually-assaulting-patient/
Paganism’s Gift to Us
Richard W. Coffen | 23 December 2019 | Friedrich Nietzsche wrote the book Thus Spake Zarathustra.[1] (The grecianized form of Zarathustra is Zoroaster.) Rather than report a history of Zoroaster and the religion bearing his name, Zoroastrianism, the book presented Nietzsche’s atheism, quite contrary to Zoroaster’s beliefs. Zoroaster was a contemporary of Daniel, assuming he […] Source: https://atoday.org/paganisms-gift-to-us/
Tuesday: Courage and Empowerment
Read Nehemiah 4:7-23. In what ways did Nehemiah show courage? What gave him this courage?
Nehemiah stood up against their enemies, who tried to intimidate the Jews. Nehemiah responded by taking the initiative to get the people ready to fight. Nehemiah did not just say “All right, God, You do it all”.
Image © Providence Collection at GoodSalt.com
Instead, he had the people do their part. They picked up swords and other weapons while at the same time working to build the wall. The Jews, under the leadership of Nehemiah, did not cower in fear but rather boldly picked up arms to defend themselves. Nehemiah encouraged the people, believed in them, worked with them, and gave them the responsibility to act. He empowered them to do the work as he delegated and assigned responsibilities. However, Nehemiah didn’t just tell the people what to do and then go to hide in his room. He stood alongside them and did the hard work that needed to be done.
There are times in the Bible when God told people to stand still and watch Him fight, and then there are many other instances when God said, “Prepare to act, and I will give you victory”. We must do our part if we want to see God’s deliverance and blessings.
“In Nehemiah’s firm devotion to the work of God, and his equally firm reliance on God, lay the reason of the failure of his enemies to draw him into their power. The soul that is indolent falls an easy prey to temptation; but in the life that has a noble aim, an absorbing purpose, evil finds little foothold. The faith of him who is constantly advancing does not weaken; for above, beneath, beyond, he recognizes Infinite Love, working out all things to accomplish His good purpose. God’s true servants work with a determination that will not fail because the throne of grace is their constant dependence” – Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings, p. 660.
In the end, Nehemiah drew his courage from his understanding of the reality and power of God. And yet, as we have seen, his knowledge of God caused him to act in accordance with his faith.
| Though the context is different, how does what we have seen in Nehemiah reflect this text: “But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works’. Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18, NKJV)? |
Amen!
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(0) Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SabbathSchoolNet/~3/Knhkc4Z5iv4/
When Beasts Become Friends
It was a sunny day. The air was fresh, the wind cool. The
excitement of children filled the campground. I walked hastily to the barn,
hoping I would not be late for my fourth-period class. After I got to the barn,
I sat quietly on the benches waiting for the class to begin. I tried to not let
my excitement get the best of me, but I’m sure the staff could tell.
Finally,
everyone had arrived and the class began. My group got to go first! I walked up
to the gigantic beast, a beast who had become a friend, and began to mount onto
its back. Rocky, he was my favourite. We began the trail ride, and my horse and
I effortlessly made our way through the trails—he already knew the way; I was
just simply a passenger.
When
the ride was over, I dismounted with a heavy heart. It was Friday, the last day
I got to be with him. I gave him a hug, kissed him on the nose, and said a
quiet goodbye, praying I would get to see him next year. Unfortunately, I never
did. I was seven then, and 13 years later I have gone from being a camper with
an excited heart, to the Horsebarn Director with a stronger passion.
The
impact these animals have had on me, and the difference I have seen them make in
so many other people’s lives, is phenomenal. I could share so many stories of
the experiences I have gained through my job at Camp Frenda. They say the way to heaven is on horseback, and I couldn’t be more convinced God
smiles every time a horse and human fall in love.
Some
of my favourite moments on the job are seeing a girl who was too scared to even
touch a horse the first time, begin to cry on the last when it is time to say
goodbye. Or seeing the young boy who struggled to accept himself get so
excited when he realizes the horse finally understands him. Or times when we’re
able to use the horse to illustrate how God loves us, even more so than the way
we love our horses, and seeing the pondering look on campers’ faces trying to
make sense of it all.
The
Horsebarn at Camp Frenda plays a uniquely powerful role in people’s lives. I
have seen every willing soul from the old man with a cane to a young girl in a
wheelchair, and people from all walks of life, be blessed by the ministry we
are able to bring them.
The barn has gone through a fair
share of challenges these past few years. From constant changes in leadership,
aging equipment and infrastructure, and limited staff experience—the barn has
struggled recently to maximize its potential. By God’s grace, I hope to turn
the barn around. I hope to inspire those who come after me as people before me
have done. I hope to make my barn more than just a summer camp activity, but a
sanctuary for both beast and man to show each other God’s love.
I look forward to the day when we all
get to heaven and I can hear all the stories of everything that has happened
inside that small red building at the bottom of Horsebarn hill.
Some people may never set foot in a church, but in my barn, there isn’t much of a difference.
—Matthew Mann, Horsebarn Director at Camp Frenda
Source: https://adventistmessenger.ca/features/when-beasts-become-friends
Go Work in My Vineyard
All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Matthew 28:18-20. U
The lessons on the parable of the vineyard and of the two sons come close home to all who have had the light of truth…. The instruction contained in these parables is of great value. All who are bearing responsibilities, be these responsibilities great or small, should study this instruction carefully. God looks for fruit from His vineyard. This fruit is the result of the work of His laborers. Every soul who believes in Christ has a work to do for Him. No true Christian can be idle in this time of such solemn importance….
Have you become a silent partner? … There are in our world many large cities in which the truth has not yet been proclaimed. Why should not the people of these cities hear the gospel message for this time? Has not Christ purchased them with His own blood? Are they not of as much value in His sight as those who have already received the truth? Are these portions of His vineyard to be left unworked, while upon other portions blessings are poured so abundantly that they are not appreciated? The truth is not appreciated, not being mixed with faith in them that hear, because they do not arouse and give to others the light they have received….
Christ’s last words to His disciples show the importance to be placed on the work of spreading the truth. Just before His ascension He gave them the commission, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:19, 20).
Christ did not confine His labors to one place. Of His work we read, … “And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee” (Luke 4:43, 44).
Would that all who have the light of truth would follow the example set by Christ, and not expend their God-given time and ability and means in one or two places, when the light of truth is to go to all the world. The wonderful display of grace shown in the gospel message is to be carried to all places.—Letter 92, April 8, 1902. “To My Brethren in Responsible Positions in the Medical Missionary Work.”
The Upward Look p. 112
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Kitty who is losing her battle with cancer. Rose
—-Please pray for my neighbor. Her cat Miracle has a urinary tract infection and is fighting her when she tries to give her the needed medicine. My neighbor is asking prayer for her cat’s healing. M
—-Please pray for my sister-in-law Denise. She has been taken to the ER. Kay
—-please pray for Milt as He undergo a surgery this morning. Arlene
—-Please pray for my family. We are planning a trip to visit my in-laws in China and I’m terribly uneasy about it. If we are not supposed yo go, then I pray the holy spirit bring my husband and I into an agreement about the trip. Jennifer
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago, someone forwarded this poem to me that was written by Sheila Gosney. She writes, “Today’s poem is for those who are hurting with grief this Christmas, as I know many who are. If this poem doesn’t describe you today, perhaps you know someone it will minister to. In Christ The King, Sheila” I wrote her and asked if I could share this with all of you. She graciously consented. Although I shared it with you at that time, I thought it might be well to share it again.
When Sadness Comes At Christmas Time
This may be a Christmas when sorrow comes to call
and brings a winter unlike any you remember.
When the joy of the season is tinged with sadness
and you struggle to get through December.
But this is a Christmas you’ll not soon forget
if this Christ is the Lord of your life.
For the Baby who was born, who we celebrate with joy
is also Lord of your pain and your strife.
Though Christmases past brought tears of sheer gratitude
for your salvation & forgiveness of sins.
This Christmas brings tears for your grief and your sorrow
and the sadness as each day begins.
But this Christmas you will know another side of your King
for He’s the Comforter who tends to your pain.
He cares that you’re hurting and He stands even closer
when the teardrops start falling like rain.
And this is the Christmas when you will be thankful
that your Savior came in human flesh.
He tasted heartache, suffering and sorrow
so He could hold you and offer you rest.
This is the Christmas when your heart will realize
it’s not the festivities or events to attend.
But Christmas brought a Savior for every phase of your life
and true peace that never will end.
© Sheila Gosney
May this poem be a blessing to all.
Rose
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/G_FPKmPUOpc/go-work-in-my-vineyard.html
