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So, I guess, one implication of this would be 'be careful what you put in, because it stays there'.

Read More Daily Jesus Scripture: Deuteronomy 11:18 Starting Question: What is your favourite memory with your family? What is your favourite memory with your church family? Two Positives Through Moses, God gave His people 10 laws by which to rule their community. Eight of them were new, and negative— do not, do not, do not. But two were positive reminders of the community rules set that first week of life on earth. “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy... . Honour your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:8, 12). These are the two commandments that stand at the very heart of human community— family and resting in God. Today, even more so, people are enamoured with sin, and God's wholesome ways have lost their appeal. Fragile and fragmented we continue living as marred mirrors, broken vessels, trying to live without God's laws and leading. We want to do life our way. So, we life selfishly and never take time to rest. Or, if we have allowed the divine image to shape us enough to be participate in family and worship, we do it conditionally—still our way. We divorce at will and rest in whatever way and whatever day we see fit. Sin has changed humanity. But, as Jesus said, God's law never changes: “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished” (Matthew 5:18). We live in a world crowded with God — God's ever-expanding presence and promise is all around us and yet humanity chooses to avoid Him. These tired, frustrated people think they have all there is of life. Life seems hollow and broken and lonely—and they think that’s just the way it is. God created us to experience the joy of living in true community. He gave Adam and Eve to each other and promised them the earth. Then He created a day, one holy day for one holy purpose, on which He promised He would stop His creative activity and commune with us. I wonder if the couple in the garden recognised how precious what they had was before they lost it. I wonder how many times they looked back longingly at the garden and wished they were still sinless and naive. I wonder where the garden has gone, the peace, the worship, the community. For thousands of years God has called His people back to community—back to unity—back into His image. And He continues to call today. But He won't make us obey. God never forces the human will. He gives us complete freedom. And with freedom comes the daunting responsibility of choice. “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... . But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). The image of God is found in community— a community that honours unity, divine and human—both in marriage and in worship. Purity and permanence is how we honour the “one flesh” nature of marriage. Resting on the seventh day, in the presence of the resting Creator on His Sabbath, is how God wishes to be honoured. He asked us to remember. He asked us to honour. He wants us to enjoy community in perfect unity. That's His image, revealed. Reflection Question: How will you find rest and community this week with your family and church family? Prayer time: Before you pray together, ask: What would you like to say to Jesus today? Further Reading: To Be Like Jesus, Page 66 -x-x-x-x-X-x-x-x-x GET ONE OF DAVE'S BOOKS, FREE! Support this project by clicking here and pledging a small monthly amount. View the full article

According to Mrs. Sequeira Jack recently had surgery. She didn't specify what type of surgery, but she asked me to remember him in my prayers. Now I'm asking those on this forum to do the same. Robert

I take it some would discount the many stories of individuals finding and worshiping God without ever having seen a Bible, but were lead by the HS. As has been pointed out, by Christ Himself, the Jewish Religious leaders knew the scriptures forwards and backwards, but still failed to see Him. I would suggest that reading of scriptures or studying them is not a guarantee of learning/knowing God. But that it is the guidance of the HS that brings us to understanding. The Jewish religious leaders worshiped the words not the person. Without an experiential relationship the parchment and ink have no saving value.

My wife says that all the time, and I definitely agree with that!!

If you are reading this, it means that I’m dead, or am in the process of dying. I can’t take it anymore.. Need………food….. … But let’s not kid ourselves. I love food WAY too much to part with it. So I decided, instead, to participate in a cellphone/social media fast for 72 hours facilitated by the New Life Fellowship on the campus of Andrews University. Here are three things I learnt from this experience: The beauty of awareness I found myself being intentionally aware throughout the day. Moments which may have been lost while being distracted by my phone were instead noticed and cherished. My mom has a favorite mantra for us: “Be in the situation!” I’m glad that it finally got to my head, even if it was only for 72 hours! I realized how many moments I had previously dismissed or passed over because of my preoccupation with a text or a tweet. The fast also sensitized me to a special sense of awareness of the Spirit of God. The lack of ‘noise’ allowed me to tune in to the voice of God concerning my ministries, my relationship with others, and my connection with Him. The fast was a much needed “comma” in the run-on sentence of my life where I could pause for reflection and assessment. The bliss of prayer Prayer had become so routine and mechanical for me. I would talk to God in the morning and send him “prexts” (“prayer texts”) throughout the day in my mind when I needed him to come through. Since the fast, however, I had more time to talk to God just for the sake of talking to Him. Tough times of temptation instinctively would lead me to talk to Him, often out loud. The fast led me to realize that prayer doesn’t have to be a calling bell for a cosmic butler, but can indeed be a conversation with a caring father. The bane of dependence I chose the phone/social media fast precisely because it would hurt. And hurt it. I felt it more during the final moments of the fast, when I would want to tweet something, update my Facebook status, or text my fiancé. When I wasn’t able to do any of this, I did feel vulnerable and, or, lost at times. I soon discerned that this was simply one example of many things I was already dependent upon; the fast helped me assess the accouterments which I had acquired and the tenacity with which I was holding on to them. I would encourage a fast for any serious Christian who wants to take a closer look at themselves, and go farther in their relationship with their Savior. Here’s a 5-step process that worked for me: Step 1: Identify things in your life that you simply cannot live without. Step 2: Prayerfully choose one of them. Step 3: Delineate a reasonable period of time for your fast from that thing. Step 4: Do it. Step 5: Journal what you have learned about yourself, about others, and about God. Who’s going to do it? If you want to challenge yourself, leave a comment below with what you are choosing to fast from! This post was originally posted in the author’s blog www.crossculturechristian.com View the full article

I suspect that Dr. Carson was talking about a normal, healthy, individual and not about a person with a disease of the brain.

Nothing wrong with the traditional SDA view of prophecy if you don't get hung up with past fulfillment and omit the final endtime meaning of Daniel and Revelation.

Jesus did not condemn the woman, not because her sin was not grievous but because she was a pon in a plot to entrap Him. people that knew that this sin was a sin unto death planned that this woman would be killed because they tempted her to do that which they knew was wrong Jesus condemned her sin when He said go and sin no more. Thus Jesus empowered her to have the victory over the sin! There is no provision in the of plan of salvation to pardon those who chose to cling to sin. Salvation is only available to those who come to Jesus recognizing their sin and resolving to have victory over it: Rev 2:7 "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." Repeatedly Revelation promises rewards to the OVERCOMER not to the one that is overcome by sin.

from Ellen White 1888 materials underlining mine... "The danger has been presented to me again and again of entertaining, as a people, false ideas of justification by faith. I have been shown for years that Satan would work in a special manner to confuse the mind on this point. The law of God has been largely dwelt upon, and has been presented to congregations, almost as destitute of the knowledge of Jesus Christ and His relation to the law as was the offering of Cain. I have been shown that many have been kept from the faith because of the mixed, confused ideas of salvation, because the ministers have worked in a wrong manner to reach hearts. The point which has been urged upon my mind for years is the imputed righteousness of Christ. I have wondered that this matter was not made the subject of discourses in our churches throughout the land, when the matter has been kept so constantly urged upon me, and I have made it the subject of nearly every discourse and talk that I have given to the people." {1888 810.3}

i would add that obedience without love is useless.... faith that works by love brings the obedience of faith that comes from Jesus . Without Jesus you can do nothing...

Read More Daily Jesus Scripture: Romans 16:19 Starting Question: How does your faith shape the way you spend your day? Sabbath Proof Once while riding the boat to Tasmania, I felt someone staring at me and looked up. In front of me stood a father and his eight-year-old son. Robert and Isaiah were their names, I would later discover. Robert was almost glowing as he said, “Is that the Word, brother?” I smiled and looked down at the Bible open on the table in front of me. “Yes. Yes it is!” I wondered what could come next, after such an introduction. Robert quickly ascertained that I was a Christian and pumped me for my profile: Seventh-day Adventist, doing my morning reading. He was impressed. I was amused by his interest in my spiritual biography. “Come, Isaiah,” he concluded. “Let's allow Dave to return to God's Book.” And with that, they walked into the cafeteria. Moments later Isaiah bolted back into my presence, “Would you please sit with us for breakfast? I'll save you a seat!” I said that would be nice, closed my Bible and followed him into the dining area. As breakfast ended, Robert said, Dave, would I be able to talk to you in private? I have a question.” I told him I would go to the lounge on the next deck and wait for him there. I had barely sat down and Robert was across the table from me. “Can you prove to me, without using the Bible, that the Sabbath is still valid?” I was intrigued that someone so enamoured with seeing me reading the Bible would now make such a request. But why no Bible? I wondered. He continued, “I'll be honest with you. I've been to a number of seminars at your Adventist churches. So, I've heard all the Bible proofs you use for the Sabbath. I want to know if it's still valid. So, can you prove the Sabbath is still important to keep, on Saturday, in our time?” This was a unique request: Prove the Sabbath, without using any of the Sabbath passages in the Bible. An answer came, “Robert, are you familiar with the call to tithing in Malachi?” “You mean where it says, ‘Bring your tithes and offerings into God's storehouse?'” he asked. “Yes,” I replied. “That's it. It demonstrates that tithing is more about God's promise than our obedience. The text states that if God's people give 10 per cent of their income—a tithe—He will bless them. It actually says He will pour so many blessings on their lives they won't have storehouses big enough to store all the bounty! The Sabbath is like tithing. God promises, over and over in Scripture, that if we honour His Sabbath, He will bless us. Robert, I would like to offer you a challenge.” His eyes widened, “OK. What is it?” “Keep the Sabbath for six months. Set it aside as a special day for God and see if He blesses you. I bet He will richly bless your life.” Robert smiled. “My wife and I have been keeping the Sabbath for the past year, and God has been blessing us like never before!” The Holy Spirit, working in their lives, had provided the answer before Robert even thought to ask! Reflection Question: Do you have any questions in your life that God is answering through your own experience? Prayer time: Before you pray together, ask: What would you like to say to Jesus today? Further Reading: To Be Like Jesus, Page 67 -x-x-x-x-X-x-x-x-x GET ONE OF DAVE'S BOOKS, FREE! Support this project by clicking here and pledging a small monthly amount. View the full article

Lights, Camera, Action! ‪#‎4faceoflove – His love is bigger than any blockbuster hit. This epic story stars a man greater than any fictional action hero character. A man who is both Superman and Super-God; The Incredible Wonder and Iron God (Revelation 2:27),... View the rest of this great article

A shallow understanding of what love really is prevails in our society today. Love is: “What will I get out of this relationship?” or “How can this person make me happy?” Yet, anyone knows that with love comes the risk... View the rest of this great article

In the beginning, it was good. Everything was good because God said it was. (Genesis 1:1,34) In every stage of creation that occurred, God spoke the words: “It was good.” It was no different with the creation of Adam and... View the rest of this great article

COASPEN to understand and truly worship GOD you need to read and understand the bible dgrimm60

What is dispeism? I googled it and got no hits. Yes; I believe that the antichrist openly reveals himself just before the mark of the beast is enforced. Yes, EGW has something to say about it. So do a lot of other inspired writers. EGW interpreted visions and scripture in light of prevailing Protestant theology; which was very anti-Catholic. In light of the current "signs of the times", I am increasingly doubtful that the RCC and papacy are the main actors in the end times. I don't see marauding legions of Catholics going around in the Middle East beheading Christians and everyone else who crosses their idealogical path.