Closer To Heaven
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12 January 2026 | Dear Aunt Sevvy: The recent past president of our denomination, Elder Wilson, was fond of saying that we must “read the Bible just as it reads.” But there are a lot of things that would be problematic if we did that. For example, Deuteronomy 14:26 says that some tithe money should […] Source: https://atoday.org/can-we-read-the-bible-just-as-it-reads-as-elder-wilson-so-often-said/
For years, Josue and his wife were divided by opposing beliefs, creating tension that affected their entire family. Through AWR broadcasts and personal Bible study, truth brought conviction, healing, and unity where conflict once ruled. Watch the entire story titled “Listening in Secret” here: https://youtube.com/watch?v=Nhidmn-6kFU&t=2s Learn more and support the mission at https://awr.org #AWR360 #BroadcastToBaptism Source: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/nPii8y4fxtY
Comments of the Week January 4-11 “I don’t think that there is anything inherently wrong with entertaining the saints and participating in rituals. The issue is when we substitute this for actual outreach evangelism and doing the work of service to the community. We tend to let the paid clergy drive the bus. Then we […] Source: https://atoday.org/comments-of-the-week-jan4-11/
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21 NKJV
Paul felt the destiny of his life was to share the Gospel, even if it meant facing constant persecution and even death.
And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. Acts 20:22-24 NLT
Thankfully Paul’s life was preserved until he accomplished everything Jesus wanted him to accomplish.
Satan is constantly trying to attack those who share the Gospel, just as he constantly tried to attack Jesus Himself. It started with Herod trying to kill Jesus as a baby to even His own church trying to throw Him off a cliff, as well as trying to stone Him to death. But there was no way Jesus or Paul could die until they accomplished their destiny for living.
Photo by Danica Tanjutco on Unsplash
Likewise, even if our lives are cut short, we can be certain Jesus will not let that happen until He has accomplished His purpose for our lives. Here is a remarkable account of Ellen Harmon, a young girl, no more than eighteen years old. She is on a steamboat leaving Portland Maine that has just run into a very dangerous storm. While many were fearful for their lives, this young girl, when asked by an older woman why she was not afraid like everyone else, could answer with assurance:
“I told her I had made Christ my refuge, and if my work was done, I might as well lie in the bottom of the ocean as in any other place; but if my work was not done, all the waters of the ocean could not drown me. My trust was in God, that he would bring us safe to land if it was for his glory.” Ellen White, Life Sketches, p. 241
God did indeed have a work for Ellen to do. Ellen later married James White, an Adventist pioneer, and the rest is history. God also has a purpose for each of us. Our goal in this world should not necessarily be to live a long life, but to live a faithful life. As long as we have the assurance young Ellen had, that we are in God’s care and doing God’s work, the longevity of our life is not consequential, and we shall be prepared to walk away from this world either by death or the Second Coming at any time, satisfied we have accomplished our purpose and destiny as followers of Christ.
Each has his own experience, peculiar in its character and circumstances, to accomplish a certain work. God has a work, a purpose, in the life of each of us. Every act, however small, has its place in our life experience. – Ellen White, God’s Amazing Grace, Page 311
Daily Lesson for Monday 12th of January 2026
In case you have not noticed, we are all, as believers especially, involved in the great controversy, which rages all around us and, indeed, in us as well. We all, in one way or another, experience the reality of this cosmic struggle, and we will until the day we die, whenever or however that happens.
Image © Kevin Carden at Goodsalt.com
The most deadly spiritual weapons are ideas, good and bad. Satan uses criticism, betrayal, embarrassment, fear, peer pressure, and a host of similar tools that Christians should never employ. We are, instead, to use love, mercy, peace, gentleness, longsuffering, kindness, and self-control. Our most powerful weapon, judiciously used, is “the Word of God” wielded by the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17, AMP), because only God can bring the truth home to a person’s heart. We are merely the instrument that God uses to accomplish His purposes.
Because the battle is spiritual, we’re in a war of ideas and values. Yet, Christ has won the victory at the cross for us, and as long as we stay connected to Him, we can never be defeated, even if we are killed. Paul surrendered his life to whatever happened to him here on earth, however unjust, because he entrusted his life and his future to a higher court.
As Christians, we should not fight so much for our rights as for what is right. It’s not “might makes right,” but “right makes might.” Submission to God’s will is honorable; in fact, it is the only way to be victorious in the war in which we find ourselves. Jesus, of course, is the quintessential example of submission to the will of God, as Paul will bring out in Philippians 2:1-30.
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In what ways, right now, are you experiencing the reality of the great controversy? How can you draw comfort and strength from knowing that Christ has won the victory for us already? |
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