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| FRIDAY | August 6 |
| Read Ellen G. White, “Help in Daily Living,” pp. 470–472, in The Ministry of Healing; “Christ the Center of the Message,” pp. 383, 384, in Selected Messages, book 1; “The Temptation and Fall,” pp. 60–62, in Patriarchs and Prophets; “Justification,” pp. 712–714, in The SDA Encyclopedia. “Many are deceived concerning the condition of their hearts. They do not realize that the natural heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. They wrap themselves about with their own righteousness, and are satisfied in reaching their own human standard of character.”—Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 1, p. 320. “There is great need that Christ should be preached as the only hope and salvation. When the doctrine of justification by faith was presented . . ., it came to many as water comes to the thirsty traveler. The thought that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us, not because of any merit on our part, but as a free gift from God, seemed a precious thought.”—Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 1, p. 360. “Trial is part of the education given in the school of Christ, to purify God’s children from the dross of earthliness. It is because God is leading His children that trying experiences come to them. Trials and obstacles are His chosen methods of discipline, and His appointed conditions of success. He who reads the hearts of men knows their weaknesses better than they themselves can know them. He sees that some have qualifications which, if rightly directed, could be used in the advancement of His work.”—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 524. |
How has your faith sustained you through some terrible trials? What things did you learn from these trials about yourself and about God? Also, what have you learned that might be of assistance to others who might be going through some hard times themselves? 
Think about the reality of death, of what it does not only to life but to the meaning of life. Many writers and philosophers have lamented the ultimate meaninglessness of life because it ends in eternal death. How do we as Christians respond to them? Why is the hope we have in Jesus the only answer to that meaninglessness? 
Just as Adam’s fall imposed a fallen nature on all of us, Jesus’s victory offers the promise of eternal life to all of us who accept it by faith, no exceptions. With such a wonderful provision right there for us, what holds people back from reaching out and eagerly claiming it for themselves? How can each of us help those who are seeking to better understand what Christ offers and what He has done for them? | I N S I D E Story | ||
| Conquered by Love by BASIL BYVALTS I grew up in Siberia, Russia, during a time when talk of God and religion was forbidden. Although I hadn't thought much about whether God existed, in the depths of my soul I sensed that He must exist. Then one day I heard His voice and I knew. One evening as I walked from my work to my home, suddenly I felt an overwhelming sense of love fill my body. It was so clear that it almost stopped me in my tracks. I wasn't married at the time and had no special girlfriend. Who are you? I wondered. This wonderful feeling had to be from a girl, I reasoned. But I couldn't think of any girl who could give me the kind of love I was feeling. It was more like a yearning. The love was so strong that I wanted to be with this person forever. Whoever you are, I thought, I will find you and I will love you forever. But who are you? I asked myself. And then I heard the answer, not as a voice, but as a clear understanding in my mind. It is I, God. No! I thought. I thought of God as a judge, an enforcer of laws. Then fearful that I might insult this God, I said in my heart, I don't deserve Your love. And God answered, I know you; I know everything about you. And I love you. Don't love me so much, I argued in my mind. Love me just one day a week—or less. But God's voice answered, I love you every moment; I will always love you because I am God. I couldn't help myself. I was conquered by God's love. That night on the street in Siberia, with tears rolling down my cheeks, I gave myself to God. Here I am, God, I prayed. I am Yours. Once more that wonderful warmth swept through my body. I am in love—with God! I thought. The next day a friend invited me to attend some evangelistic meetings. I went, and there I learned about the God who swept me away by His love. Later, I learned that on the evening God spoke to me, the evangelist and other Christians in that city were praying that the Holy Spirit would touch the hearts of the people in my town. I was an answer to their prayers, one of almost 200 who found God at those meetings. Our mission offerings help send word of God's incredible love to those who still don't know Him. Thank you for sharing. BASIL BYVALTS shares God's love with others in Siberia, Russia | ||
| Produced by the General Conference Office of Mission Awareness. email: info@adventistmission.org website: www.adventistmission.org |
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