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July 2, 2022July 2, 2022

HS 220702

AN AMAZING FACT:
When Alexander the Great was leading his victorious armies down through Asia Minor, the great leader came at last to the foothills of the mighty Himalayas, beyond which lay the Khyber Pass and India. As far as Alexander was concerned, he was standing at the end of the world. You see, up until that time no maps had been made of the vast territory before him. As far as he knew he was marching his soldiers off the map of the world!

Often when ancient mapmakers reached the edge of what had been charted, they drew a line and depicted dragons and monsters beyond. You can understand why this practice didn’t exactly encourage exploration. One Roman commander in the first century had led his troops beyond the line on the map into “dragon territory.” He sent a courier back to Rome with a straightforward message: “We have just marched off the map. Please send new orders.”

In the same way, when Columbus first sailed west in search of a shortcut to the Indies, he knew he would be essentially sailing off the map into a region that mapmakers marked with sea monsters. Moreover, because of the unknown distance ahead, he loaded his ships with as many provisions as they could carry and set sail by faith across the trackless sea, believing God was urging him forward.

When we consider conditions in the world today, with the unprecedented change in every arena of life, it would seem we have reached a point in history where we are drifting off the map! But the good news is that nothing that happens takes God by surprise. All these things have been charted before in Bible prophecy. When Daniel was asked to interpret a strange dream of an ancient Babylonian king, he said, “But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days” (Daniel 2:28).

Nothing is hidden from God’s eyes, not even the ends of the earth. The past, present, and future are all before the Lord.

KEY BIBLE TEXTS:
For the LORD thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the LORD thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing. Deuteronomy 2:7

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a coach’s right to pray on school grounds immediately after high school football games has raised concerns about the wall of separation between church and state. What is the issue, and should you be worried?

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Faith must not be coerced, but freely given.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness …

June 24, 2022June 24, 2022

Refused Pardon

If you were sentenced to life in prison would you refuse a pardon? It’s happened before. Way back in 1895, a young Rhode Island man named Martin Dalton was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. After serving over 30 years, in 1930 he was offered a pardon. Incredibly, Dalton refused it. He explained that he no longer had a family, nothing to do, and nowhere to go. The prison officials were not quite sure what to do with a rejected pardon. After much legal evaluation it was determined that a pardon refused was invalidated. Martin Dalton remained in prison until his death in 1960.

Dalton and his friend, Dan Sullivan, lured a man out of town, beat him up, and robbed him of a gold watch and cash. Before the man died he identified his assailants. Sullivan was arrested a few days later, and Dalton was caught three years later. He was working in Atlanta. From the first, Dalton was a docile prisoner. His behavior in prison was cooperative, his record clean. He worked in a machine shop, then the prison laundry, and later the prison farm. When he was given a “preview visit” of life outside of prison, he was supposedly frightened. Everything had changed. Clothing was different, automobiles scared him. He had nowhere to go.

During the last 61 years of his confinement he didn’t have a single visitor, and the last letter he received came to him in 1929. How sad. What’s even sadder is when millions of people under a death sentence refuse to accept the pardon and eternal life Jesus has purchased for them. Paul warned the Galatians, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1).

Jesus wants to visit you in your prison of sin. He stands at the door of your heart and knocks. Christ has purchased your freedom and will set you free. Do not refuse the pardon He offers. Eternal life outside is well worth accepting.

KEY BIBLE TEXTS
“Who is a God like unto thee, that pardons iniquity, and passes by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retains not His anger for ever, because He delights in mercy.” Micah 7:18

May 22, 2022May 22, 2022

First Angel’s Message

What A Day That Will Be

There is coming a day,
When no heart aches shall come,
No more clouds in the sky,
No more tears to dim the eye,
All is peace forever more,
On that happy golden shore,
What a day, glorious day that will be.

What a day that will be,
When my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His face,
The One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand,
And leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day that will be.

There’ll be no sorrow there,
No more burdens to bear,
No more sickness, no pain,
No more parting over there;
And forever I will be,
With the One who died for me,
What a day, glorious day that will be.

They have been given a work of the most solemn import,—the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’ messages. There is no other work of so great importance. They are to allow nothing else to absorb their attention.

May 12, 2022May 12, 2022

What will Satan’s Final Deception Be?

The central issue in the book of Revelation is worship, and Satan tries to pull out all the stops to lead people astray—replacing truth with error. In this brand-new episode, learn why an understanding of the Bible and Bible prophecy is critical as we approach earth’s final days, and why we should believe God’s Word rather than man’s.

During this time in earth’s history, many people don’t know what, or whom, to trust! The book of Revelation shows us that the Bible is unchanging and can be counted on in an ever-changing world. Discover how this Biblical prophecy can give you assurance in the Bible and increase your faith in God.

AN AMAZING FACT: The shortest complete sentence in the English language is “I AM.

”While Moses tended his father-in-law’s flocks in the desert at the base of Mount Horeb, he stumbled upon a burning bush. The bush caught his attention because, although it burned, it did not burn up. Suddenly God’s voice came out of the bush and told Moses to return to Egypt and lead the Israelites out of slavery. Moses challenged the voice, saying, “Who shall I tell them sent me?” God replied, “I AM WHO I AM.”

God needs no definition, no justification, no explanation. He simply is.

“Why do we define ourselves by our circumstances or by what we do for a living?” asks life coach Judy Kelly. I am a housewife, we say. I am a student. I am a father. I am an engineer. I am a doctor. “As Christians, our identity is Child of God,” Kelly says. “All children of God are given gifts, or talents, which can be used to fulfill different roles.” Paul describes these roles as parts of the body of Christ. We are placed in certain roles—son, daughter, brother, sister—and we choose others—student, wife, mother, business owner, church secretary, etc. “Our roles are to be used simply to express our talents, not define who we are,” Kelly says. When we use them to define who we are, we inevitably set unreachable standards that we think we have to achieve in order to be valuable.

But the I AM says you are valuable not for what you do, but simply because YOU ARE—just because He made you.

KEY BIBLE TEXTS
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Romans 12:4-6

Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delight in thee, and thy land shall be married. Isaiah 62:4

Satan’s work is to discourage the soul. Christ’s work is to inspire the heart with faith and hope. Mind, Character, and Personality,

WHITE ESTATE

May 6, 2022May 6, 2022

HS220507

The value of time is beyond computation. Christ regarded every moment as precious, and it is thus that we should regard it.

As thy days, so shall thy strength be. Deuteronomy 33:25.

I thank the Lord for the assurance of His grace, that is for His people now, today…. The promise is not that we will have strength today for a future emergency, that anticipated future trouble will be provided for beforehand, before it comes to us. We may, if we walk by faith, expect strength and provision for us as fast as our circumstances demand it. We live by faith, not by sight. The Lord’s arrangement is for us to ask Him for the very things that we need. The grace of tomorrow will not be given today. Men’s necessity is God’s opportunity…. The grace of God is never given to be squandered, to be misapplied or perverted, or to be left to rust with disuse….

While you are bearing daily responsibilities in the love and fear of God, as obedient children walking in all humility of mind, strength and wisdom from God will be given to meet every trying circumstance.

We will not be able to meet the trials of this time without God. We are not to have the courage and fortitude of martyrs of old until brought into the position they were in…. We are to receive daily supplies of grace for each daily emergency. Thus we grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, and if persecution comes upon us, if we must be enclosed in prison walls for the faith of Jesus and the keeping of God’s holy law, “As thy days, so shall thy strength be.” Should there be a return of persecution there would be grace given to arouse every energy of the soul to show a true heroism….

We are to keep close to the Source of our strength day by day, and when the enemy comes in like a flood the Spirit of the Lord lifts up a standard for us against the enemy. The promise of God is sure, that strength shall be proportioned to our day. We may be confident for the future only in the strength that is given for the present necessities. The experience in God is daily becoming more precious…. Do not borrow anxiety for the future. It is today that we are in need…. The Lord is our helper, our God, and our strength in every time of need.

April 25, 2022May 12, 2022

AFDev 220426

#gratitude

AN AMAZING FACT: In ancient Egypt, a person guilty of some wrongdoing might carry a pan of burning coals on his head as a sign of repentance.

A story about a boy at summer camp who received a box of cookies from home. He ate a few and then put the rest under his bed. The next day they were gone. His counselor saw another boy eating them down by the lake, so he approached the first boy and said, “I know who stole your cookies. Would you like to teach him a lesson?” The boy agreed, so the counselor said, “Ask your mom to send you another box of cookies.”

When the new box arrived, the counselor encouraged the boy to go share them with the boy who had stolen his cookies. He hesitated, “But why? Shouldn’t he be punished?” But the counselor insisted he find the boy and try to share with him anyway. Later the counselor saw the two boys walking with their arms around each other’s shoulders. The kindness of the first boy so touched the one who stole the cookies that he insisted his new friend take his pocketknife as payment for his crime.

The hunger in the heart of the little boy who stole the cookies might have been more than physical. Perhaps he didn’t hear from home very much. So by looking beyond the obvious wrong, the first boy touched the heart of this robber and made him a friend. Even though the boy had the right to demand retribution, the counselor’s approach created a companion.

Paul said, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).

David once had the right to execute justice toward an evil man named Nabal. After David and his men protected Nabal’s flocks and herds for months, they requested some supplies, but David’s men were spurned by Nabal, who even threatened them. The future king of Israel was enraged and marched his troops to teach this selfish man a thing or two. But Nabal’s wife got wind of her husband’s selfish response and prepared a large supply of food for David and his men. Then she intercepted David and humbly pleaded for mercy. It touched David’s heart, and he received her gifts and turned back from his mission of vengeance.

When we show kindness to our enemies, it has the potential to bring remorse, to “burn” their conscience. God rewards us when we seek to show love, even to our foes.

Additional reading: Proverbs 25:15–28

KEY BIBLE TEXTS
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
Proverbs 25:21-22

https://is.gd/tyF2qw

April 8, 2022April 8, 2022

Happy Sabbath 220409

PSALMS 24

The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.	This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face. Selah
For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters.	Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.
Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place?	Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle.
He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully.	Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.
He shall receive blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation.	Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.

Was the Sabbath Changed?

March 12, 2022April 1, 2022

EGW Dev 220312

Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. Isaiah 41:9.

Many have confused ideas as to what constitutes faith, and they live altogether below their privileges. They confuse feeling and faith, and are continually distressed and perplexed in mind; for Satan takes all possible advantage of their ignorance and inexperience…. We are to accept of Christ as our personal Saviour, or we shall fail in our attempt to be overcomers. It will not answer for us to hold ourselves aloof from Him, to believe that our friend or our neighbor may have Him for a personal Saviour, but that we may not experience His pardoning love. We are to believe that we are chosen of God, to be saved by the exercise of faith, through the grace of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit; and we are to praise and glorify God for such a marvelous manifestation of His unmerited favor. It is the love of God that draws the soul to Christ, to be graciously received, and presented to the Father. Through the work of the Spirit the divine relationship between God and the sinner is renewed. The Father says: “I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people. I will exercise forgiving love toward them, and bestow upon them my joy. They shall be to me a peculiar treasure; for this people whom I have formed for myself shall show forth my praise.”

The Father sets His love upon His elect people who live in the midst of men. These are the people whom Christ has redeemed by the price of His own blood; and because they respond to the drawing of Christ, through the sovereign mercy of God, they are elected to be saved as His obedient children. Upon them is manifested the free grace of God, the love wherewith He hath loved them. Everyone who will humble himself as a little child, who will receive and obey the word of God with a child’s simplicity, will be among the elect of God.^{13The Signs of the Times, January 2, 1893.}

You can prove yourself elected of Christ by being faithful; you can prove yourself the chosen of Christ by abiding in the vine.

Memory Text: “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2, NKJV).

Hebrews 11 and 12 are probably the most-loved chapters of the book. They describe the Christian life as a race in which we all participate and in which all who stay faithful will receive the reward. They also describe the drama of Redemption as a race in which people of faith from the past persevered, despite sufferings, but have not yet received the reward.

And that’s because the story ends with us, as well, not just them. We are the concluding act. The drama culminates with our entering and running the last part of the race, and with Jesus seated at the goal line at the right hand of God. He provides inspiration as well as the ultimate example of how the race is run. He is the ultimate Witness that the reward is true and that He is the Forerunner who opens the way for us (Heb. 6:19, 20; Heb. 10:19–23).

Hebrews 11 explains that faith is confidence in God’s promises, even if we cannot see their fulfillment yet. This lesson will explore what faith is and how it is obtained through the examples of the past and, especially and centrally, through the example of Jesus, “the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Heb. 12:2, ESV).

February 16, 2022February 16, 2022

AFDev220217

The United States Bullion Depository, located on the Fort Knox Army post site, is said to be the most impregnable vault on Earth. The virtual fortress is built out of granite, concrete, and steel, sealed behind a 22-ton door, protected by a 109,000-acre U.S. military base, and watched over day and night by Army units with tanks, heavy artillery, and Apache helicopter gunships at their disposal.It is ringed by fences and multiple alarms, and few people have been inside the highly classified Fort Knox bunker. The depository is a top-secret facility. Visitors are not permitted, and exceptions are not made. It is easy to see why the depository’s nickname, Fort Knox, has become synonymous with total security and inspired expressions like “It’s locked up tighter than Fort Knox.”

The U.S. Mint says that the Fort Knox vault contains 147.2 million troy ounces of gold, stacked in bars measuring 7 inches long, 3 and 5/8 inches wide, and 1 and 3/4 inches thick. Each bar weighs approximately 400 ounces, or 27 and 1/2 pounds. In today’s market that’s about $238 billion. If all the pure gold were put in a single cube, it would measure
20.3 feet on a side. In total, the depository holds 2.5 percent of all the gold ever refined.

Since its construction in 1937, the treasures locked inside Fort Knox have included more than gold. During the uncertainties of World War II, other national treasures from Europe and the U.S. were also protected in the vault. These included the United States Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Gettysburg Address, the Magna Carta, and three volumes of the Gutenberg Bible. Yes, Bibles! Those priceless copies of the Scriptures may have been the most valuable bullion ever stored in Fort Knox.

How valuable are the Scriptures in your life? King David wrote that he loved God’s commandments more than fine gold, while King Solomon said, “How much better to get wisdom than gold!” (Proverbs 16:16). If David, called a man after God’s own heart, and Solomon, the wisest king in history, valued God’s Word so highly, shouldn’t we make it our top priority as well?

KEY BIBLE TEXTS

Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. Psalms 119:127