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| FRIDAY | February 4 |
| “More precious than the golden wedge of Ophir is the power of right thought. We need to place a high value upon the right control of our thoughts. . . . Every impure thought defiles the soul, impairs the moral sense, and tends to obliterate the impressions of the Holy Spirit. It dims the spiritual vision, so that men cannot behold God. The Lord may and does forgive the repenting sinner; but though forgiven, the soul is marred. All impurity of speech and thought must be shunned by him who would have clear discernment of spiritual truth. . . . We are to use every means that God has placed within our reach for the government and cultivation of our thoughts. We are to bring our minds into harmony with Christ's mind. His truth will sanctify us, body, soul, and spirit, and we shall be enabled to rise above temptation.”—Ellen G. White, The Signs of the Times, August 23, 1905. |
 In class, go over the list you made on Tuesday and compare yours with others in your class. What can you learn from one another’s picks?  What is the meaning of “bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”? 2 Cor. 10:5. How can we learn to do that?  How do the Internet, TV programs, recreational reading, advertisement, etc. work in your mind? How much of your thinking and doing may be affected by these sources? Why do we fool ourselves if we believe that what we read or watch doesn’t impact our thinking?  What are ways in which our actions, even subconsciously, reveal the thoughts in our minds? How does body language show what’s going on inside?  What advice would you give to someone who is struggling with impulsive behavior? What promises can you present to them from the Bible? Why is it also important to keep before them all the promises of forgiveness and acceptance through Jesus? How can you keep them from giving up in complete despair, believing that, because they have not achieved the victory that they want, their relationship with God is somehow deficient? How can you help them learn never to give up on the promises of forgiveness, no matter how unworthy they feel?  How careful are you with your words, which simply reflect your thoughts? How can you be sure your words always are working for good and not for evil? |
| I N S I D E Story | ||
| The Power of Faith by BENJAMIN SCHOUN Ragasa lives in Madagascar, an island off the eastern coast of Africa. She grew up in a family that worshiped demons. When she reached adulthood the demons told her that if she did as they asked, they would give her great powers. Ragasa agreed. The demons gave her powers to control lightning, withstand bullets, and much more. Through her powers, Ragasa became an influential woman. Then she did something that angered the demons, and they caused her to became seriously ill. No one could help her; and the demons to whom she had turned in the past refused to make her well. One day she heard a knock at the door. She answered the door and found two young women standing there. As they talked with Ragasa, she felt comfortable with these strangers. She related her struggles with the demons and her resulting sickness. The young women told Ragasa that they were Seventh-day Adventist Christians, and they asked if they could pray for her. Ragasa agreed, for she had no other options. In a short time Ragasa was well. She began studying the Bible with her new friends. The women encouraged Ragasa to listen to Adventist World Radio, for it would bring her comfort and help her in her struggles against the demons. Ragasa listened to the station, and soon she fell deeply in love with Jesus Christ. Adventists in the region learned of Ragasa's conversion and fasted and prayed for her before her baptism. The demons were powerless in the face of God's praying children, and Ragasa was baptized without trouble from her former masters. Because of the love of the two young visitors and the ministry of Adventist World Radio, God transformed this once-powerful, demon-possessed woman into a humble Christian servant. In gratitude to God for His salvation, Ragasa invites others to listen to Adventist World Radio with her. Now a congregation of more than 100 worship together around Ragasa's radio every week. Congregations such as Ragasa's have no pastor; they have no teacher except the radio programs. They have no church building, for they cannot afford one. Yet they believe and worship as we do. Your mission offerings help support the work of Adventist World Radio and other outreach programs around the world. Thank you for sharing so that others, like Ragasa, can know that God loves them. BENJAMIN SCHOUN is former president of Adventist World Radio. | ||
| Produced by the General Conference Office of Mission Awareness. email: info@adventistmission.org website: www.adventistmission.org |
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