Worship: For Heaven’s Sake In the first letter to the Corinthians, Paul sought to drive home the importance of self-control, strict temperance, and unflagging zeal in Christian service. To do this successfully, Paul strikingly compared the Christian warfare to the celebrated foot races held near Corinth. (Read more below.)
Wellness: For Health’s Sake Pastor Flemons, a doctor of biblical wellness, says, “God has a great work for us.” That work is in spreading the truth of the gospel of salvation. But it involves the health message, which begins with keeping our bodies alkaline and hydrated and helping others to do the same. (Read more below.)
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Special Prayer was offered for 7605, who requested that we pray for her family, her four adult children and strength during her juice feast. We also prayed for Pastor Flemons’s travels and the TOR work among the Amish community. Remember to continue praying also for 3116 and all others who have requested our prayers. Thank you.
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FaceBook – Reaching a Higher Standard
FaceBook – The Importance of Medical Missionary Work
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TOPICS THIS WEEK – September 10 – 16
Worship Sunday – A Message of Warning and Entreaty; Monday – Called to Reach a Higher Standard – Tuesday – The Message Heeded; Wednesday – A Liberal Church; Thursday – Laboring Under Difficulties; Friday – A Consecrated Ministry; Saturday, the Sabbath – Salvation to the Jews [All topics per The Acts of the Apostles by Ellen G. White.]
Wellness Sunday – Helping Others Improves Your Health; Monday – The Importance of Medical Missionary Work
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Words of Encouragement
Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Daniel 12:12, 13 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
For Heaven’s Sake…
“. . . Of all the games instituted among the Greeks and the Romans, the foot races were the most ancient and the most highly esteemed. They were witnessed by kings, nobles, and statesmen. Young men of rank and wealth took part in them and shrank from no effort or discipline necessary to obtain the prize. AA 309.1
“In these contests great risks were run. Some never recovered from the terrible physical strain. It was not unusual for men to fall on the course, bleeding at the mouth and nose, and sometimes a contestant would drop dead when about to seize the prize. But the possibility of lifelong injury or of death was not looked upon as too great a risk to run for the sake of the honor awarded the successful contestant. AA 310.2
“Paul presents the contrast between the chaplet of fading laurel received by the victor in the foot races, and the crown of immortal glory that will be given to him who runs with triumph the Christian race. “They do it,” he declares, “to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” To win a perishable prize, the Grecian runners spared themselves no toil or discipline. We are striving for a prize infinitely more valuable, even the crown of everlasting life. How much more careful should be our striving, how much more willing our sacrifice and self-denial! AA 311.3
“In the epistle to the Hebrews is pointed out the single-hearted purpose that should characterize the Christian’s race for eternal life: “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” Hebrews 12:1, 2. Envy, malice, evil thinking, evilspeaking, covetousness–these are weights that the Christian must lay aside if he would run successfully the race for immortality. Every habit or practice that leads into sin and brings dishonor upon Christ must be put away, whatever the sacrifice. The blessing of heaven cannot attend any man in violating the eternal principles of right. One sin cherished is sufficient to work degradation of character and to mislead others. AA 312.1
“The competitors in the ancient games, after they had submitted to self-denial and rigid discipline, were not even then sure of the victory. ‘Know ye not,’ Paul asked, ‘that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize?’ However eagerly and earnestly the runners might strive, the prize could be awarded to but one. One hand only could grasp the coveted garland. Some might put forth the utmost effort to obtain the prize, but as they reached forth the hand to secure it, another, an instant before them, might grasp the coveted treasure. AA 313.1
“Such is not the case in the Christian warfare. Not one who complies with the conditions will be disappointed at the end of the race. Not one who is earnest and persevering will fail of success. The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. The weakest saint, as well as the strongest, may wear the crown of immortal glory. All may win who, through the power of divine grace, bring their lives into conformity to the will of Christ. The practice, in the details of life, of the principles laid down in God’s word, is too often looked upon as unimportant–a matter too trivial to demand attention. But in view of the issue at stake, nothing is small that will help or hinder. Every act casts its weight into the scale that determines life’s victory or defeat. And the reward given to those who win will be in proportion to the energy and earnestness with which they have striven.” AA 313.2
(This study is based on the First Epistle to the Corinthians and chapter 30, “Called to Reach a Higher Standard” in The Acts of the Apostles (AA), by Ellen G. White.)
For Health’s Sake…
Jesus did the greater portion of his ministry in “restoring the suffering and afflicted to health.” (MM 240.1)
“Medical missionary work brings to humanity the gospel of release from suffering. It is the pioneer work of the gospel. It is the gospel practiced, the compassion of Christ revealed. Of this work there is great need, and the world is open for it. God grant that the importance of medical missionary work shall be understood, and that new fields may be immediately entered. Then will the work of the ministry be after the Lord’s order; the sick will be healed, and poor, suffering humanity will be blessed. MM 239.3
“Begin to do medical missionary work with the conveniences which you have at hand. You will find connection with those who need to know how to treat their sick ones. Put into practice what you know regarding the treatment of disease. Thus suffering will be relieved, and you will have opportunity to break the bread of life to starving souls… MM 239.4