Vuna Seventhday Adventist Youth

Mo kilai Jisu Vakavinaka
Veivakalotutaki e Waitavala SDA CHURCH

How many commandments are there? Orthodox Jews say there are 613. Many Christians say there are ten. Other Christians will look at Mark 12 and say that Jesus reduced the ten commandments down to just two: love God and love your neighbor. Why these two? Why not love God and pay your tithe? Or love God and eat your spinach?

I think it is because the second of these – love your neighbor, is there to show us what the first one – love God, looks like. If we truly love God, we will want to be like Him and God is all about showing love to His neighbors. That’s why He created neighbors! God was not content to just sit in Heaven and say, “I love myself, I love myself.” He wanted to be able to say, “I love you, I love you,” and so he made the earth and humankind.

Are you demonstrating your love for God by loving your neighbors? “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” 1 John 4:20.

Karen D. Lifshay

Go to Daily Bible Reading 👉 https://www.revivalandreformation.org/bhp/en/bible/mrk/12

The Fiji Mission, Navesau Adventist High School, and Adventist Education will celebrate the school's 60th anniversary next weekend at the school.

Old scholars and ex-staff of the school are cordially invited to attend and join with others and reminisce about God's goodness in how Navesau has molded and helped shape individuals' lives - physically and spiritually.

Don't miss out—and be at Navesau next weekend.

God in his wisdom knows what is healthy and good for our bodies. Did you know that virtually every single flu, including Covid 19 comes from unclean animals and being in contact with them?
Your Friend,
Bill Lussenheide/ Seventh Day Sabbath Keepers/ Facebook

This mission story from Costa Rica is for Sabbath, September 7.

More Than “Hello”

By Andrew McChesney

Harlin recognized Flor as they passed on the street. As a former police officer, Harlin knew that Flor was willing to sell anything for money to buy drugs and alcohol.

Flor also recognized Harlin. The two women lived only a block apart in a town in Costa Rica. They had exchanged greetings over the years, but never anything more.

On this day, Harlin felt a desire to say more than a simple “hello.”

“How are you?” she asked. “How’s your life?”

“Everything is bad,” Flor replied, glumly.

Harlin looked closely at the woman.

“Do you have anything to eat?” she asked.

Flor lowered her head and began to cry.

Harlin was walking to the store, and she decided to buy food for Flor.

On the way back home after the store, she stopped at Flor’s house and left a bag of rice, a bag of beans, and two pieces of chicken.

The next day, Harlin saw her church pastor outside a bank.

“I have a little food here,” the pastor said, motioning to a bag filled with rice, beans, oil, flour, and other items. “Do you know someone who needs it?”

“Yes,” Harlin said. “I have a neighbor who has nothing to eat.”

“Take this, and give it to her,” he said.

Harlin invited the pastor to go with her.

“Come with me, and you will see where she lives,” she said.

The two went to Flor’s house and gave her the food.

Flor was very grateful.

As they spoke, Harlin asked if she would like to study the Bible. Flor indicated that she would.

The next day, Harlin arrived for the Bible study with a man and three women from her church. Flor’s house was too dilapidated to meet inside, so they sat in her small front yard.

After that, the group met once a week to sing and study the Bible. Flor liked to sing, and she especially liked a song with the words, “Give me a new heart.”

Flor’s heart began to change. She stopped insulting and hitting family members and neighbors who upset her. Her profanity-filled speech grew pure.

Two months into the Bible studies, Costa Rica’s rainy season began, and the group could no longer meet in Flor’s yard without getting wet.

Flor missed the weekly gatherings, and she sought out the company of church members at the Seventh-day Adventist church on Sabbath.

No one invited her to the church. She came on her own.

Two more months passed, and the church pastor asked Flor if she would like to give her heart to Jesus in baptism.

She liked the question. “Yes,” she said. “No one has ever asked me if I wanted to be baptized.”

A short time later, Flor sank under the waters of repentance.

Flor had a well-known reputation in town. Everyone knew her life. Townspeople had seen how it was changing, and they were amazed to see her joyfully walking home after her baptism. Person after person stopped to hug and congratulate her.
Flor was so happy! She hadn’t received a hug in years.

Several months after her baptism, Flor remains a faithful Seventh-day Adventist in Costa Rica.

“I give God thanks for my new life,” she said. “I’m grateful for everything that the church members do for me.”

Harlin credits the Holy Spirit for the transformation in Flor’s life.

She also believes that it was the Holy Spirit who prompted her to say more than “hello” on the day that Flor had no food.

“God is great,” Harlin said. “There is nothing so difficult that He cannot do.”

This mission story provides an inside look at life in Costa Rica and missional challenges there. Part of this quarter’s Thirteenth Sabbath Offering will help open a center of influence that will share the love of Jesus with children who are at risk of being ensnared in a life of drugs and alcohol. Thank you for planning a generous Thirteenth Sabbath Offering on September 28.

Story Tips

Show Costa Rica on the map.

Watch a short YouTube video of Harlin: bit.ly/Harlin-IAD.

Download photos for this story from Facebook: bit.ly/fb-mq.

Share Mission Posts and Fast Facts from the Inter-American Division: bit.ly/iad-2024.

Know that this mission story illustrates the following objectives of the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s “I Will Go” strategic plan: Mission Objective No. 1, “To revive the concept of worldwide mission and sacrifice for mission as a way of life involving not only pastors but every church member, young and old, in the joy of witnessing for Christ and making disciples,” and Spiritual Growth Objective No. 5, “To disciple individuals and families into Spirit-filled lives.” The Thirteenth Sabbath projects illustrate Spiritual Growth Objective No. 6, “To increase accession, retention, reclamation, and participation of children, youth, and young adults,” and Spiritual Growth Objective No. 7, “To help youth and young adults place God first and exemplify a biblical worldview.” For more information, go to the website: IWillGo.org.

Mission Post

Costa Rica’s first Adventist congregations mainly formed along the Caribbean coast, and many small congregations grew near train stops along the railroad.
In 1928, the Costa Rica-Nicaragua Mission was established with four churches and 152 members.

The Syro-Phoenician woman would not be denied the blessing she sought despite the distractions thrown in her pathway. Her daughter needed a miracle—deliverance from the demon who possessed her! She took every morsel of love for her daughter, every promise of God, bundled them up, and cast them at the feet of Jesus. He could not step over His own promises. Her faith had power with God and Jesus. Jesus looked at her and said, “Go your way, the demon has gone out of your daughter.”

Someone once said that if you want to succeed, “Keep the main thing the main thing.” Do you want to succeed in heavenly things? Is your goal to stay in the company and companionship of Jesus regardless of the circumstances? Many people leave the church because they have been offended by the elder or deacon or maybe even the pastor. I believe Jesus included this woman’s story for you and me—specifically to give us courage. No matter what may happen in your life, do not let anything distract you from embracing Jesus and remaining in His company. Then you will receive the promised blessing!

Jim Ayer

Go to Daily Bible Reading 👉 https://www.revivalandreformation.org/bhp/en/bible/mrk/7

Two Adventist hospitals received national recognition for stroke care excellence. Hanford earned the Gold Plus award, while Tulare secured its first Silver award from the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines®️ - Stroke program.

Read all about it in the link in the first comment.

Lawlessness leads to chaos. God’s law is given to us out of wisdom and love.

Blessed day

After being rebuffed by His hometown, Christ called His disciples together and gave them power to heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead. As King of the universe two types of power were bestowed upon Christ: absolute authority over the devil, and the dynamite power of omnipotence to support it! The Lord is willing to give you this same power enabling you to walk with Him and do battle against all evil.
Pressing his cheeks against the cold bars, John told his disciples to find Jesus and ask Him, “Are You the one who should come, or do we look for another?” How did Jesus respond? There was no harsh rebuff but a gentle reminder, “Go and tell John again those things which you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear; the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel proclaimed to them.”

Dear reader, have faith in God. He has the Divine authority and omnipotent power to see you through the storms and trials of this life!

Jim Ayer

Go to Daily Bible Reading 👉 https://www.revivalandreformation.org/bhp/en/bible/mrk/6

Jesus said, "'If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 'And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free'" (John 8:31, 32, NKJV).

Worldly philosophy can never take the place of the wisdom of God.

While hanging on the cross, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34, NKJV).

This Is As Clear As The Bible Can Be!
Your Friend,
Bill Lussenheide/Seventh Day Sabbath Keepers/ Facebook

Jesus said, “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled” (Matt. 5:18, NKJV).

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8, NKJV).

The prophet seriously pleads with his people to come together. He emphasizes that the day of the Lord is right before them, so he urges the people to turn to the Lord, because otherwise they would have to suffer the full consequences of His anger.

Then three times the prophet bids the people to SEEK the Lord. Seek the Lord, you meek of the earth, seek righteousness, and seek humility.

Linked with these strong words of the prophet there are signs of hope. In Verse 7 and 9 the prophet introduces a remnant that will own the land and will experience peace as God cares for them. The characteristic of this remnant is their humility and their commitment to obedience. This humility stands in opposition to the arrogance of the nations that were criticized before.

Humility is one of the key qualifications for leadership. By connecting humility with righteousness, Zephaniah makes it clear that true humility is always linked to social justice.

The healing of churches, societies and communities comes through humbling ourselves before God (2 Chron. 7:14) and one another. Therefore, let us seek the Lord in humility and in righteousness,that we may be sheltered when the Lord comes.

Norbert Zens, Treasurer
Inter-European Division
Bern, Switzerland (as of this writing)

Go to Daily Bible Reading 👉 https://www.revivalandreformation.org/bhp/en/bible/zep/2

What does the Bible say about the Trinity?

While the term "trinity" does not appear in the Bible, the concept of this three-in-one Godhead is expressed in several places, including when Jesus spoke to the disciples before ascending to heaven. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." – Matthew 28:19, NKJV

Do you want to know more about the Trinity?
Visit this website: https://www.adventist.org/trinity/

As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. 4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women. "Acts 17:2: