Closer To Heaven
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BERRIEN SPRINGS, MI — Andrews University has announced the schedule for its 2026 Summer Graduation weekend, with worship services, commencement ceremonies, and other events planned from July 31 to Aug. 2. According to the Office of University Communication at Andrews University, the weekend will begin with a Friday evening Vespers service, followed by a Baccalaureate […] Source: https://atoday.org/andrews-university-announces-2026-summer-graduation-weekend/
North America’s largest cities have become one of today’s greatest mission fields. Discover how AWR is reaching spiritually searching people and inviting them to study God’s Word. Watch now and stay updated at media.awr.org/presidential-messages. #AWR360 #PresidentialMessage #Mission #NorthAmerica #ShareHope Source: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/L3hEMGp5fLw
Hace poco hablé con una mujer que había sido maestra en una escuela de una iglesia suburbana de buen tamaño durante 25 años. Se jubiló más o menos cuando llegó el Covid y dejó de ir a la iglesia. Un año se convirtió en dos y, por la razón que fuera (probablemente solo el clásico […] Source: https://atoday.org/editorial-ojos-que-no-ven-corazon-que-no-siente/
By Richard W. Coffen | 28 July 2026 | Remember the children’s song “This Little Light of Mine”? Acting out the lyrics as we sang, we’d hold up an index finger and move it around as if it were a candle. At one point, we’d blow on it, pretending to extinguish it, before emphatically singing […] Source: https://atoday.org/these-little-lights-of-mine/
Daily Lesson for Wednesday 29th of July 2026
In 1 Corinthians 10:14-22, Paul resumes the issue of food offered to idols. Offering food to idols may be strange in many cultures today, but it was common in biblical times. When animals were sacrificed to the gods in the heathen temples, part of the animal was given to the officiating priests, who sold the meat. Some of this meat found its way into the public markets. Because this meat was not kept separate from other meat that was also offered for sale in the market, a Christian might unknowingly purchase meat that had been offered to idols. The counsel of the apostle is that such meat may be freely purchased by Christians.
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Nevertheless, while meat previously sacrificed in a temple could be eaten by Christians at home (1 Corinthians 8:1-13), the practice of going into pagan temples and participating in their festivals was clearly forbidden for Christians. The criterion is clear: Christians are allowed to eat that meat at home because the idols are nothing (1 Corinthians 8:4); however, Christians must not participate in pagan ceremonies because this corresponds to worshiping demons (1 Corinthians 10:20-21). Taking part in pagan rituals equals having communion with demons (1 Corinthians 10:20), just as taking part in the Lord’s Supper equals having communion with Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16).
Thus, Paul says, “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons” (1 Corinthians 10:21, NKJV). As Jesus said: “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24, NKJV).
Paul teaches that God requires wholehearted loyalty. He implies that idolatry provokes “the Lord to jealousy” (1 Corinthians 10:22, NKJV). For that not to happen, Paul, in 1 Corinthians 8:4-6, provides an infallible rule against idolatry, by alluding to Deuteronomy 6:4-5, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength” (NKJV; emphasis supplied). To this idea of loving God above all things in Deuteronomy 6:5, Jesus added, “ ‘ “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” ’ ” (Mark 12:31, NKJV; see also Leviticus 19:18).
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An idol doesn’t have to be a stone statue. We can make an idol out of just about anything. What idols, if any, do you need to flee from in your own life? |
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