By Stephen Ferguson | 11 September 2019 | Conservative Christians routinely claim our more progressive members are no longer taking the Bible at face value. The quintessential example often cited is Leviticus 18:22: “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.” For some, failing to take a strong […] Source: https://atoday.org/does-anyone-really-take-the-bible-at-face-value/
Thursday: No More Tears or Pain
Read Revelation 21:1-5, Revelation 22:1-5 and spend some time trying to imagine what life will be like as described here. Why is it difficult to imagine life without sin, death, pain, and tears?
The Bible’s descriptions of our life after sin are unquestionably wonderful and glorious and no doubt barely represent what is awaiting us. Even in these verses, the descriptions are almost as much about what won’t be there as what will be.
No More Pain
When this world is all we have known, it can be hard to imagine life without pain and suffering, death and fear, injustice and poverty.
Not only is there no more of these things, but this description adds a personal touch: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes” (Rev. 21:4, NIV). In the context of those who have been saved, God’s compassion for those who have suffered throughout human history reaches a climax in this single sentence. Not only does He bring an end to their suffering, but He personally wipes away their tears.
Battered and scarred by a life of sin and a world of injustice and tragedy, we can see in the book of Revelation hints at a process of healing for all of us who have been victims of sin in many different ways. Describing the tree of life, John explains that “the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations” (Rev. 22:2, NIV). Again, God shows His understanding of, and compassion for, what it has meant to be human, to feel, experience, witness, and even participate in the evil of this world. His plan for re-creating our world includes restoring and healing each of us.
Until then, we seek to be all that we can in Christ, doing our part, as faltering and small as our parts might be, to minister to those around us who need what we have to offer. Whatever it is—kind words, a warm meal, medical help, dental work, clothing, counseling—whatever we can do we should be doing with the kind self-abnegating, self-denying, self-sacrificing love that Jesus manifested when He was here.
Of course, the world is still going to get worse and worse, despite our best efforts. Jesus knew that; yet, this truth didn’t stop Him from ministering to others, and it shouldn’t stop us, either.
Amen!
(0)
(0) Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SabbathSchoolNet/~3/ouTnfts0Un0/
ADRA Responds to Hurricane Dorian
The Canadian Union of Seventh-day Adventists and ADRA
Canada are saddened by the events unfolding in the Bahamas.
Hurricane Dorian’s fury wreaked unprecedented
damage. Many have been killed or
injured. Over 72,000 people are in need
of urgent assistance. Over 13,000 homes
have been badly damaged. The full extent of the damage is not yet known as some
areas continue to be inaccessible.
ADRA Canada in partnership with the global ADRA network
is raising funds to provide food, clean water, emergency shelter kits, other
necessary supplies.
ADRA staff are on the ground providing assistance in
partnership with local Seventh-day Adventist churches and volunteers.
The Canadian Union encourages cash donations to be made
to ADRA Canada at adra.ca/hurricanes for our brothers and sisters in Christ who
are struggling.
Your support and prayers are greatly appreciated.
May those affected be blessed with peace, safety, and the
knowledge of the love of God.
Sincerely,
Mark Johnson President, Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada
Stephen Matthews Executive Director, ADRA Canada
Source: https://adventistmessenger.ca/features/adra-responds-to-hurricane-dorian
Anonymous Twitter Account Shared Rape Accusations of Oakwood Community Members
10 September 2019 | An anonymously authored Twitter account recently shared accusations that Huntsville, Alabama-based Oakwood University community members had perpetrated incidents of rape and sexual assault. In a statement to Adventist Today, Pastor Christopher Thompson, Communication Director for Breath of Life and Oakwood University Church, said that Twitter handle @OUmetoo1 published accusations the owner […] Source: https://atoday.org/anonymous-twitter-account-shared-rape-accusations-of-oakwood-community-members/
Sharing Scripture for September 8 – 14
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-september-8-14/
