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| FRIDAY | February 11 |
| Read and reflect on Matthew 26:36–43. Jesus was overwhelmed with sorrow “ ‘to the point of death’ ” (vs. 38, NIV). Visualize the agony of Jesus, with lack of social support and betrayal from His disciples, seeming separation from God, and the load of guilt from humanity. His suffering exceeds any depressive episode experienced by mortals. “As He neared Gethsemane, He became strangely silent. He had often visited this spot for meditation and prayer; but never with a heart so full of sorrow as upon this night of His last agony. Throughout His life on earth He had walked in the light of God's presence. When in conflict with men who were inspired by the very spirit of Satan, He could say, ‘He that sent Me is with Me: the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him.’ John 8:29. But now He seemed to be shut out from the light of God's sustaining presence. Now He was numbered with the transgressors. The guilt of fallen humanity He must bear. Upon Him who knew no sin must be laid the iniquity of us all. So dreadful does sin appear to Him, so great is the weight of guilt which He must bear, that He is tempted to fear it will shut Him out forever from His Father's love. Feeling how terrible is the wrath of God against transgression, He exclaims, ‘My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.’ ”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 685. |
What great role can your local church community play in helping those who are suffering depression or emotional distress for any reason at all? Whatever your resources are, no matter how limited, what more can be done to help those in need? 
How can you help someone who prays, who counsels, who loves the Lord and who trusts in Him, and yet still feels overwhelmed with sadness, even if they don’t understand why? How can you help them not give up their faith but cling to the hope and promises given in the Word? 
One of the greatest mistakes a person can make is to believe that because they feel so down, so depressed, so hopeless, it means that God has abandoned them. Why is that, first of all, not true? What Bible characters (such as Elijah, Jeremiah in jail, John the Baptist in jail, Jesus in Gethsemane) can you point them to in order to show them that sadness and discouragement do not mean God has forsaken them? How can you help them learn that feelings are not a good barometer of faith? | I N S I D E Story | ||
| Rodeo Stars Shine for Christ by MIKE BROWNHILL It's not every day that rodeo champions turn their lives over to God, but recently Dale and Patricia Jones, rodeo champions living in South Queensland, Australia, did just that. They were baptized, and Dale's brother, Darryl, recommitted his life to God in a river that flows along the edge of their farm. A few weeks later another brother, Stanley, committed his life to God too. After studying the Bible with several people, Dale and Patricia made their decision to commit their lives to God in baptism as Darryl and other family members watched from the riverbank. Darryl felt that his first love for God had faded, and he stepped into the river, boots and all, and was rebaptized. The Joneses come from a family of rodeo stars. Their father was a champion, and Dale, Patricia, and Darryl all hold impressive rodeo records and championships. These days, however, Dale and Patricia enjoy a tamer life, breaking and training horses on their ranch. "The rodeo is a tough place to work," Dale says. "I was proud, and when I'd get hurt I wouldn't admit it because I thought it was a sign of weakness. Now God is softening my proud heart and reigning in my rebellion. It's still a struggle, and sometimes I must stop and ask God to take over my life again." Dale's wife, Patricia, is a rodeo champion in roping and bull riding, and Darryl holds titles in steer wrestling and is a rodeo circuit champion. Darryl managed to earn these titles even while refusing to compete on Sabbaths. "Since I've been rebaptized, I've regained my zeal in witnessing for my Lord," Darryl says. Dale and Darryl credit their newfound zeal for God to their parents' prayers. Bill and Bronwyn Jones have been praying for their sons and daughter-in-law for years and rejoiced to see their prayers answered at the riverside baptism. Patricia says, "Now that I've decided to follow Jesus, life is totally different. We're lapping up the words of Christ. Living for God is so much better than being national rodeo queen!" Dale and Patricia and their children worship in a new Seventh-day Adventist congregation that was established as a result of a Global Mission outreach in their area. Attendance at the congregation's worship services averages about 30. Our mission offerings support Global Mission pioneers as they plant churches in more than 100 countries around the world. Thank you! MIKE BROWNHILL was Global Mission project coordinator in South Queensland, Australia. when Dale, Patricia, and Darryl Jones were baptized. | ||
| Produced by the General Conference Office of Mission Awareness. email: info@adventistmission.org website: www.adventistmission.org |
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