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| FRIDAY | March 11 |
| “Words and acts testify plainly what is in the heart. If vanity and pride, love of self and love of dress, fill the heart, the conversation will be upon the fashions, the dress, and the appearance, but not on Christ or the kingdom of heaven. If envious feelings dwell in the heart, they will be manifested in words and acts. Those who measure themselves by others, do as others do, and make no higher attainments, excusing themselves because of the faults and wrongs of others, are feeding on husks and will remain spiritual dwarfs as long as they gratify Satan by thus indulging their own unconsecrated feelings. Some dwell upon what they shall eat and drink, and wherewithal they shall be clothed. These thoughts flow out from the abundance of the heart, as though temporal things were the grand aim in life, the highest attainment. These persons forget the words of Christ: “ ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ ”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 500. |
 In class, go over your answer to Thursday’s final question.  Why is it so important not to be judgmental toward those who are struggling with an addiction of any kind? It’s easy to be judgmental, of course, but why should we be very careful in that regard?  Some addictions are deemed more socially acceptable than others, which could only add to their deception. After all, how many folk enter treatment for addiction to wealth or power? How can we learn not to let societal values impact how we view these things?  However strong the grip of addiction could be in your life or in the life of someone you know, is there anything that the Lord can’t free us from? That is, why should we never surrender to the addiction as if it were impossible for us to be free from it? What is the key to allowing Christ to work in our lives so that we can have that victory? See Luke 9:23.  What kind of programs does your local church have that can help people struggling with addiction? What can your church do to help those who are in need? In what ways could programs such as these be powerful outreach tools, as well?  Read 1 Peter 4:1, 2. What is the Lord’s message to us here in regard to what is involved in overcoming sinful addictions? |
| I N S I D E Story | ||
| Alive Again: Part 2 by ATTE HELMINEN Pirkko was depressed and discouraged. Things weren't going well in her life. She felt as if she was in a pit from which she couldn't escape. One day she met an old friend, Jari, who is the local church elder in Salo, Finland. They chatted for awhile, and he gave her some books to help her deal with her depression. She was deeply impressed with the books, so Jari gave her some videos and invited her to visit the church. When Pirkko walked into the small church hall and saw the people, she thought, I don't belong here! I'm so different! But the members welcomed and loved her. She felt the Holy Spirit's presence, and she felt at home. Pirkko's lifestyle still bothered her, but the church members' love made it easy for her to return. Pirkko invited her daughters to attend church with her, and they came. In time Pirkko and her daughters embraced Christ and were baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church. "I have a long way to go," Pirkko says. "But God is leading in my life." Marko was a self-proclaimed atheist. "Science was my religion, and scientists were my gods," he said. One day he met Pirkko's daughter, and the two chatted for some time. Then she invited him to church. He went just to be polite. He was impressed with the love people showered on him. He continued attending and realized that he felt good being there. His doubts over God's existence faded as God's love flowed through the lives of the church members. He asked to be baptized. When he invited his family to his baptism, they were surprised, for he had often spoken against God. But several of them came and saw the difference that Jesus was making in his life. Marko shares his new faith with his family, and several have come to church with him "I thank God that I have found Him," Marko says. 'I know that if the believers in this church hadn't been so loving, I would still be an unbeliever. It took the fire of love to melt my heart." The church in Salo is alive once more. It's been reborn, the result of prayerful changes in the lives of its members. It is, essentially, a church replant, and as such needs financial support to carry on its ministries in the community while it grows. Our mission offerings can help the members revitalize and re-grow their church. ATTE HELMINEN is president of the Finland Finnish Union. | ||
| Produced by the General Conference Office of Mission Awareness. email: info@adventistmission.org website: www.adventistmission.org |
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