25 December 2019 | A 68-year-old grandmother was able to enjoy the holidays at home, thanks to a life-saving alternate procedure to open heart surgery at Loma Linda University Health earlier this month. Anita Bayerque was the recipient of the 500th TAVR procedure (transcatheter aortic valve replacement) performed by Loma Linda University International Heart Institute. […] Source: https://atoday.org/grandmother-home-for-christmas-after-waking-from-a-coma-receiving-life-saving-loma-linda-procedure/
Another Take on the Magi
Based on Matthew 2 of Holy Writ There came from the East wise men. Balthazar, the youngest, in his 20s, came from the north of Africa. Dark-skinned, like unto an Ethiopian, he bore myrrh. Melchior, in his 40s, was from Arabia. He carried frankincense. Caspar, in his 60s, came from Tarsus, on the west coast […] Source: https://atoday.org/another-take-on-the-magi/
Thursday: Humility and Perseverance
Read Ezra 8:21-23, Ezra 8:31-32. Would you consider Ezra’s decision not to speak to the king as foolish or brave? How did Ezra and the people show humility?
Sometime later, Nehemiah accepted the king’s entourage for protection.
Image © Lifeway Colletion at Goodsalt.com
But in Ezra’s instance, he believed that God could show Himself best if they did not ask anything of the king. Thus, when they reached Judah without harm, it was attributed to their God. Perhaps in certain situations, we may rely too much on other people and not enough on letting God show Himself. Ezra chose to let God do the work in this situation and proved to the king that indeed God was a powerful God.
However, Ezra didn’t act with presumption. He called the people together, and they fasted and prayed over the situation. They didn’t engage in their journey until they had spent serious time with God. They came before God humbly, requesting that His protection become a sign of His power, and God answered.
Read Nehemiah 5:14-19. How did Nehemiah display humility?
True leaders must be willing to humble themselves and be servants. Competent leaders do not require or need a “title” to gain honor. Nehemiah had his doors open and generously gave to the people. He demonstrated his faith in God, and his incredible dedication to God was an example to the people. He had a strong personality and a no-nonsense temperament, but He didn’t put himself above anyone else as superior. He had the highest position in the Jewish nation at that time, and yet he was unstinting. In this way, He reflected the life and teachings of Jesus, who taught us that the best way to lead is to serve others. Jesus did it, and thus we, regardless of our position, are to do the same.
| “And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all’ ”. (Mark 9:35, NKJV). What do Jesus’ words here teach us about what it means to be a true leader in God’s sight? |
Amen!
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Attitudes about Christmas among Adventists in Africa
By Tyson Jacob, 25 December 2019 | Christmas is celebrated in Africa as it is celebrated in other parts of the world with the purpose of remembering the birth of Jesus and family holidays, homecoming, etc. People cook their favorite food, buy new clothes, and plan for outings just after morning worship in their respective […] Source: https://atoday.org/attitudes-about-christmas-among-adventists-in-africa/
Missouri Adventist Church Gives Away 150 Bikes for Christmas
24 December 2019 | An Adventist congregation in the town of Moberly, Missouri, gave away 150 bikes to its community this year for Christmas. Moberly Seventh-day Adventist Church partnered with the North American Division (NAD) of the denomination for the congregation’s first-ever giveaway of this kind. “We just want to make Christmas extra-special,” said Moberly […] Source: https://atoday.org/missouri-adventist-church-gives-away-150-bikes-for-christmas/
