Words of Life

Columbia Union Conference

2021 Year of the Bible Devotional Book

Editor: Ricardo Bacchus

Publisher and Project Manager: Celeste Ryan Blyden
Art Director and Production Manager: Kelly Butler Coe
Promotions Manager: V. Michelle Bernard
Copyeditors and Proofreaders: Beth Thomas, Lisa Krueger and Sandra Jones
Translator: Domitila Rosette
Project Assistant: Shirley Rowley
Design: TM Design, Inc.

Published by Columbia Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

5427 Twin Knolls Road, Columbia, MD 21045 * columbiaunion.org

Devotionals included in this book were submitted in 2020 with the written consent of each
author. Views and opinions are those of each author and do not necessarily represent the
Columbia Union Conference, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, or the editors.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information
storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher, except in the case of
brief quotations embodied in the devotionals.
Copyright © 2021 Columbia Union Conference
Printed by Pacific Press® Publishing Association
Printed in the United States of America
ISBN: 978-0-578-79984-1

Additional copies available, while supplies last. To order, call Pacific Press® Publishing
Association at (800) 447-7377, and ask for “Columbia Union Devotional.”
Scripture quotations in this devotional book quote the following Bible versions:
Scriptures quoted from CEV are from the Contemporary English Version”. Copyright © 1995 American Bible
Society. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001
by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scriptures quoted from ICB are from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright © 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by
Tommy Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the King James Version.
Scripture quotations marked TLB are from The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked The Message are taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by
Eugene H., Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.
Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962,
1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. lockman.org
Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.
All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked NIV are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright ©
1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.” and International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan.
All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture marked NKJV is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996,
2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc.,
Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scriptures quoted from RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, 1971
by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by
permission. All rights reserved.
 Dear Columbia Union Conference Family:

Welcome to the Year of the Bible devotional book. Throughout 2021,

_ we will place a special emphasis on the Bible—God’s Love Letter to us.
The Bible explains God’s message of hope and reveals His great plan
of salvation. This timeless treasure provides guidance for our lives,
answers to our questions, inspiration for our worship and is the only
test of discipleship. The Bible paints a picture of who God is, draws us~
to Him and transforms our character.

We'd like to thank every Columbia Union member—student, educator,

pastor, ministry leader, employee, administrator—who contributed to
this endeavor. We are so proud and thankful to those who sacrificed their
time and energy to write from their heart—allowing God to use their
powerful and uplifting stories and testimonies for His glory.

As we embark on this new year together, may the words you read renew
your hearts and minds as you spend time in God’s presence. Let us hold
fast to Jesus, for His return is imminent. Until then, may the “Words of
Life” God gives to each of us deepen our walk with Him. And may we be
inspired, strengthened and empowered to experience the mission.

In His Service,

Dave Weigley, President

Rick Remmers, Executive Secretary
Emmanuel Asiedu, Treasurer
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving
each other, just as in Christ God forgave \
 Put God First
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33, KJV).

During my early teenage years, this verse became very special to me.
Shortly after my baptism at age 13, my father died, and I was left to
navigate life virtually on my own. The local Seventh-day Adventist
church became a central part of my life, and I decided to live to please
God in all things.
What does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness? For me it means to make God's priorities mine and to
incorporate the principles of His Word in every aspect of my life.
After completing high school in Guyana, I received a scholarship from
the ministry of education to attend a two-year college. At the conclusion
of the first term, I was confronted with the challenge of writing exams
on Sabbath. I informed the dean that I could not do this because of
my religious convictions. Initially, the dean told me that the school had
always held exams on Saturday and that it would be difficult to change
the schedule.
But God honored my decision, and for the duration of my time at that
college, exams were no longer scheduled on Sabbath.
I have faced similar challenges here in the United States, but God has
kept His promise in every situation as I have honored His Word.

Dear God, thank You for the gift of your Son, Jesus, for the presence of Your Holy
Spirit and for the treasure of the Bible, Your holy Word. Please help me to live by
every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Amen.

David Richmond is a member of the West End Simple Home church in Pennsylvania.
i
2
£
Light in the Darkness
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”
(Ps. 119:105, NKJV).

Friday was almost over. Our Pathfinder club had settled in a beautiful
open field close to a stream with just a few feet of forest between our
camp and the creek.
My friend and I volunteered to get water for the evening's activities. But
soon the sun started to set, and the forest got dark fast. By the time we
filled our buckets, the forest was pitch black.
Without flashlights, the darkness felt like a wall. We started our walk
to camp, taking small, timid steps together. The sound of the creek
diminished, but, after walking for a couple of minutes, we heard a
waterfall. With each step we took, the waterfall got louder and louder.
In the distance, we saw a little flicker and started walking toward the
little light. More lights joined, and, as the sound of the waterfall faded
away, we heard the Pathfinders’ voices screaming out our names. Once
we had light, we could see the way.
Without God’s Word, we are in darkness, hopeless and in danger. We
look for safety, but darkness impedes us from finding the way to Life.
But, when we use God's Word, light shines on our path, and we find the
safety that only Jesus can give.
AsJesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through Me” (John 14:6, NKJV).

Lord, please fill our hearts and minds with God's Word, and may Your light
shine on our path each day. Amen.

Eli Rojas-is the ministerial Secretary for the Chesapeake Conference.

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 Live by Faith
“For we live by faith, not by sight”
(2 Cor. 5:7, NIV).

This short verse contains guidance on how to live our lives.

Will the current pandemic pass? When? How much longer will it last?
Will my life ever calm down again? In the midst of this storm, time is not
standing still; it is not waiting for me to catch up. It will not go back to
redeem days. Iam not getting any younger. In fact, to the contrary, every
joint in my body is starting to hurt.
But I believe in and live by faith. I know that nothing in the future,
whether I succeed or fail or am in good health or not, will stunt my
growth in God, because I believe in Him and His Word.
We are in this storm together, and must have faith that better days are
ahead, “for God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love
and of asound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7, NKJV). We are sons and daughters of a
King who already defeated evil.

Our King, Jesus Christ, please give us the strength to walk through the stormy
paths of life. May we see the light at the end of the tunnel. By placing faith in
You, may You assure us of this promise. Amen.

lqura con
Ottati-Romero iss the director of Children’s Ministries and the executive assistant
julticultural Ministries for the Allegheny West Conference.
 Prisoners of Praise
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing songs
to God as the other prisoners listened” (Acts 16:25, NCV).

Remember this frequent directive from your teenage years? “Make sure
you're home before midnight!” Midnight—that darkest part of the night
when, in the absence of light, vulnerabilities to one’s very existence emerge.
Paul and Silas understood these vulnerabilities. Just “about midnight,” ~
Roman soldiers unjustly hurled them into prison. This moment was made
more daunting because they were chained in the dark innermost part
of the prison. We know what that feels like, right? When we experience
those dark “midnight seasons” in our lives from which we would like to
escape but can't. It is here that I have discovered a powerful principle
from Paul and Silas through which my midnight moments have been
infused with clarity, light and deliverance.
I imagine Paul saying to Silas, straining his eyes to discern his face
through the desperate midnight darkness: “Silas, we’re in a tough
situation. There is no way of escape, so let's just start singing praises.”
The Scriptures confirm that, because they chose to be prisoners of praise,
they were delivered from the prison of their circumstances. And not
only were they delivered, but so were the other prisoners. Additionally
significant is that these heroes of faith were content to stay in prison—
living “above their circumstances”—where they experienced the presence
of Christ—the One who inhabits praise.

Dear Lord, thank You for the wonder-working power of praise that transforms
our midnight moments into powerful testimonies of Your presence and
deliverance. Amen.

Chery! H.-Kisunzu isthe provost of Washington Adventist University in Maryianad

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 Pushing Back Against
Spiritual Distancing
“T pray for them. ... that You should keep them from the evil one.
... that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know
that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. ... And
Ihave declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with
which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them (John 17:9-26, NKJV).

Jesus came that we may have life and have it more abundantly. It is the
enemy that comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).
From the beginning, one of the enemy's most effective strategies has
been to divide and separate—to distance us from God and each other.
Since our first wandering apart in the Garden of Eden, keeping us in the
age-old conflict between good and evil has depended on our remaining
separate. From each other and from God.
Often, the lure is to get us to choose between polar opposites—be it
politics, ideologies, religion, race. The deceiver doesn’t care which end of
the pole we run to, as long as it keeps us at odds with one another. He
knows we can't be in conflict and peace atthe same time.
As candles next to each other cast a brighter light, the Spirit quickens
believers who come together. We receive power when we draw near
to God. If we understood how very life-threatening separation is to us
spiritually, we would push back. Our togetherness with God and each
other is so vital to our recovery and victory that it was the single most
important thing on Jesus’ mind the night before He died on the cross.

Heavenly Father, may Jesus’ plea for us be our reality! Amen.

Rick Aldridge is a chaplain at Fort Hamilton Hospital for Kettering Adventist HealthCare in Ohio.
A
EDL I

The Phone Call

“Before they call I will answer; while they are still
speaking I will hear” (Isa. 65:24, NIV).

“IT don’t know what to do, Lord! I want you both in my life!” I cried out to God.
I was teaching at the local church school when I met him. He was a single
father. Most mornings he drove his daughter, niece and nephew to
school. He did not, however, attend our church and came up with many
excuses. Our relationship was getting serious, and I was at a crossroads,
So I decided to have yet another heart-to-heart with the Lord.
“Lord, I have prayed to you so often for a Christian man to share my life
with. I love You and him! However, if Icannot have you both, I choose
you, Lord!” My resolve was firm. I had to break up with him.
So I made the dreaded phone call: “Hello, is Rodney there?”
The person on the other line responded, “You will never believe what
Rodney is doing right now! He’s having a Bible study with Uncle Oscar!”
My mind began to whirl with questions! Who was Uncle Oscar, and how
did he get Rodney to study the Bible? At that moment, God’s promise
crossed my mind and filled my heart: “Before they call I will answer; while
they are still speaking I will hear.”
My eyes filled with tears of joy as I realized God had worked out my
request even before I asked Him. As I remained faithful to Him, I was able
to share the life I longed for with a Christian man. God is indeed faithful
to those who call upon His name!

Thank You, Father, for answering my prayers before I even ask, and for
honoring Your daughter's faith in such a mighty way! Amen.

Amy Cromer is an elder at the West Wilmington church in Delaware.

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 Just Ask
“For with God, nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37, NIV).

When I was younger, I had the privilege of staying with my grandmother,

a woman with no formal education. Although she couldn’t read or write,
she memorized several Bible verses relating to God's promises. Anytime
she faced challenges, she would recite verses to strengthen her faith. I
remember my grandma’s favorite saying: “God is so powerful and bigger
than anything, whether challenges or situations.” Needless to say, I grew
up loving Bible stories and God's promises.
When I arrived to the United States in 2004 to study at La Sierra
University (Calif.), two main obstacles stood in my way: How would I
pay for my tuition, and how would I adjust to American culture? For the
first time in my life, I was truly on my own. So I asked my grandma how
I would be able to cope in this new country. And how would I afford my
tuition and fees?
Without hesitation, my grandma replied, “With God all things are
possible. I don’t know how we can pay your fees, but God has a plan and
knows exactly how He will take care of you. Just ask Him.”
She directed me to Luke 1:37: “For with God, nothing shall be impossible.”
From that day forward, I decided to rely solely on God. And He came
through! I was able to graduate debt-free and without any loans.
In our moments of discouragement, when facing our fiercest battles and
uphill challenges, let us recall the promises of God and rely on Him. You
may not know how to deal with a current situation in your life, but God
does. Just ask Him.

Lord, may You be our first point of contact, not our last resort. Amen.

Emmanuel Asiedu is the treasurer and CFO of the Columbia Union Conference.
*v)
ee,
Finding Home
“Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28, KJV).

The eastern box turtle is one of the most widely known turtles in West
Virginia. When my kids were growing up, they caught them year after
year. We have found turtles on woodland trails and even rescued them
from the middle of the road countless times, bringing them home to be~
the family pet for a few days before releasing them again.
Two winters ago, we attended an indoor wildlife camp, sponsored by our
local state park, and we learned a lot of fascinating things about our little
turtle friends. One thing was that these turtles will live in the same area
their entire lives. They are also born with a type of internal homing device
that, if they are moved, helps them to find their way back home. These
turtles will spend the rest of their lives searching restlessly for the place
they were born until they either find it or die of exhaustion.
I relate this to a person’s life before they find Christ. They are always
searching for something, knowing something in their lives is lacking or
missing. They are tired and burdened with the world's cares until they
find their home in Christ. It is then they can take off their shoes, lean
back, relax and enjoy the rest only the Savior can provide.

Dear God, let us find our rest in You. Allow Your lovingkindness to wash over us
like a flood, so that we may rest in the peace only You can give. Amen.

Rebecca Trent is a member of the’Grace Outreach church in. West Virginia.

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 Joy Is a Promise
“Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament,
but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow
will be turned into joy. ... And in that day you will ask Me nothing”
(John 16:20, 23, NKJV).

I witnessed my parents’ tears under the oppression of the communist

regime in Romania, as the secret police escorted them for interrogations.
They persecuted me—a student at the time—for not attending school on the
Sabbath. I cried and prayed for deliverance like the Israelites did in Egypt.
My fellow church members and I were faithful to God during these times.
Putting spiritual matters first, after being interrogated, we would go
directly to church. At night, we held baptisms and remodeled the interior
of the church. At home, we hid our Bibles so the police wouldn't find them.
And God showed me that His promises are true.
My parents wanted a better future for my two brothers and me, so based on
the family’s decision, my father escaped through the former Yugoslavia to a
refugee camp in Austria, and, about a year later, came to the United States.
Our sorrow turned into joy when my family reunited with him, free from
the communist oppression. As a result of God’s unconditional love, our
anguish vanished.

In the States, God led me into ministry, and now I joyfully tell others
about my faithful Lord who keeps His promises.

God, I praise You for Your providence. My heart goes out to all who are under
similar oppression around the world. May they feel God's presence, and may
their sorrow turn into joy one day soon. Amen.

Viarius E Marton is the pastor of the Elyria district in Ohio,

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 Just the Boost | Needed
“God is my strength and power: and He maketh my way perfect”
(2 Sam. 22:33, KJV).

Growing up, I was a relatively shy child. I gravitated to the background,

and, in most situations, chose to be an observer rather than a participant.
In school, I answered questions or read aloud, but only if the teacher
asked, I was active in church, but only when it involved groups. I'd singin
the choir, but never considered solos.
So, when I was about 12 and received a request to be a speaker at a
church event, I couldn't understand why. My parents encouraged me to
accept the invitation, and my father, a church elder and speaker, offered
to help me prepare.
Selecting a topic and writing the message was the easy part because it
was something I could do on my own. It was the thought of having to
deliver the message in front of a congregation that terrified me.
Somehow I was introduced to 2 Samuel 22:33. At that moment, I felt as if
God was speaking directly to me, reassuring me that, though I felt weak and
uncomfortable, He would be my strength and power. It was just the boost I
needed to complete my assignment without completely falling apart.
Ever since that experience, this verse has been my favorite. It is the one I rely
on for any daunting task. In my occupation as a communicator, where I’m
often required to publicly speak, I cannot help but look back and give credit
to that verse—customized just for me. It has pushed me out of my fears and
insecurities and encouraged me to follow God's perfect path with confidence.

God, I praise You for all the promises found in Your Word. Amen.

LaTasha Hewitt is the director of communication and Church

for the Allegheny East Conference.
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 Never Alone
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because
of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave
you nor forsake you” (Deut. 31:6, NIV).

When I read this verse, I feel safe and protected. Many times in my life,
I've been scared to do things, but then I sit back and remember that God
is always by my side. When I was about 7 years old, I remember biking
around my neighborhood. I was coming to a hill, when suddenly my bike
slid. I hit my face on the concrete and busted my chin open. I screamed in
agony to my brother to go get our mom.
When we got inside, my parents called one of their friends, and he
suggested we go to a clinic. At the clinic, they immediately told us to go
to the ER. When we got there, they gave me some medicine and told me I
needed stitches. While I was waiting, I was nervous, but my dad was there
to keep my spirits up. As I walked fearfully into the operating room, Ifelt
alone, but realized my dad was there holding my hand.
The operation went smoothly, and I recovered within two weeks. Just
like my dad, God is with me when I am scared or in any situation. There
is no room for fear when God is there. From this experience, I learned
that I do not have to fear when taking a test, doing something new or
when I feel alone.

Dear God, please help me to remember that when I am scared, I do not have to
be, because I know that You are always with me. Amen.

t Takoma Academy in Maryland.

 Boldly | Come
“For Iam not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of
God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16, NKJV).

The fledgling Christian church grew out of the fertile soil of the early
believers’ bold faith in a loving God who sent His Son to die for our sins.
Ten of the original disciples died martyrs.
Paul boldly declared, with the temple of Diana mere yards away, “God ~~
... does not dwell in temples made with hands” (Acts 17:24, NKJV). Paul
understood how dangerous this was. A little more than 400 years earlier,
the philosopher Socrates was executed for similar offenses.
Paul’s “heathen opponents called his attention to the fate of Socrates, who,
because he was a Setter forth of strange gods, had been condemned to
death, and they counseled Paul not to endanger his life in the same way. ...
[But Paul] was determined to accomplish his errand among them, and, at
all hazards, to tell his story” (Ellen White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 236).
We are Christians today because of the bold faith of previous generations
who left homes and families, lost jobs, laid their precious children in graves,
gave their last money to support God’s work, were ridiculed, ostracized,
tortured and killed. If even a single generation of these nameless Christians
had said, “It costs too much to follow Jesus,” the entire Christian church
would have died at that point. Our faith exists because of their faithfulness.
The faith of future generations is counting on your faithfulness.
This sacred responsibility inspires me to live boldly for Jesus and to not be
ashamed of being a Seventh-day Adventist.

Lord Jesus, empower me to live boldly for You in every way. Amen.

Gary Gibbs is the president of the Pennsylvania Conference

4
 Only Jesus
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other
name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”
(Acts 4:12, KJV).

In academy we were required to take a class on the Bible. One of our

ongoing assignments was to read and summarize sections of Ellen
White’s book, The Desire ofAges—something I had never done before.
Later in the year, we came to Chapter 17 where White focused on
Nicodemus. My eyes were opened; I was a sinner and in need of Christ. I
read so many godly pleas for my soul to surrender to Him, and, in tears, I
underlined them feverishly. I could feel Him calling me. But what happens
when we don’t listen and respond?
Thirty years later, I attended a Bible study via Zoom. AsJuan, the
presenter, brought the truth to our study, we discussed the story of the
disciples’ boat that began to sink in the Sea of Galilee. Juan's thoughtful
and God-given questions, and our sincere answers, reminded me of the
Bible studies in academy, and those heart-tugs returned.
The next day after church, I picked up my 30-year-old copy of The Desire
of Ages and flipped through it to find and think about the highlighted and
underlined statements I chose so long ago. Then I got to Nicodemus’
story again.

As I read, I realized that there is nothing in the entire universe that will
ultimately save us from hurt, pain, rejection, loneliness, trauma, injustice,
fear, nor any other ungodly thing, except for Jesus. As we accept Him by
faith, He will save us and give us hope to live through these last days.

Dear God, thank You for not leaving me. Please save me right now. Amen.

Rodney Turner is a member of the First Church of Montclair in New Jersey.

 Perspective > Problem
“For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord,
‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you
hope and a future’” (Jer. 29:11, NIV).

Life is a matter of perspective, especially when facing a problem.

When things don’t go your way, and people seem to conspire against
you, remember there are still many blessings in your life. One of the best
ways to handle a problem is to try to look at it from God's perspective,
because His plans for your life are the best.
Many people respond to sudden difficulties with anger, frustration,
bewilderment and a host of other negative emotions. Imagine what
would happen if you responded with gratitude instead, not for the
problem itself, but for the opportunities the problem can offer.
A few years ago, as I traveled through a country in South America, I was
assaulted, robbed and left with nothing, not even money for food. At that
moment, I had a decision to make: either sit immobilized and cry about
what had just happened to me, or ask for God’s plan and help. I chose
the latter, and He kept His promise and provided for my needs during the
remainder of the trip.
Are you facing a problem or difficulty that seems impossible to solve? Live
with gratitude and confidence in God's plan for your life, because, in His
hands, the impossible becomes possible.

Lord, thank You that, by abiding in You, we can change our perspective. Amen.

Pablo Cisneros is the pastor of the Luso-Brazilian church in New jersey.

4
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The Spirit’s Doing

“For 1am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and
says to you, ‘Do not fear; I will help you’” (Isa. 41:13, NIV).

One of the very first Bible promises I ever memorized was Isaiah 41:13.
What comforting words to know that God's presence and willingness
to care for me made fear go away and filled my heart with assurance
and peace.
When I was 14 years old and into my years as a student, I sold literature
every summer. This ministry allowed me to pay my studies. But most
important, it helped me develop skills and attitudes that became essential
in my ministry and whole life. One of the blessings I learned was to trust
in the Lord. The daily struggle to knock on doors was real. What made
me proceed was the confidence in Him, as He provided me with the right
words that touched the hearts of people. Every sale was a miracle! Some
people said to me, “I don’t know how or why I bought these books. You
have something special.” I know it was not me, but the Spirit’s doing.
There were many opportunities to pray with people and share God's
blessed words. And God always showed Himself. In fact, when I arrived
from Argentina to canvas in Pennsylvania with my friend Julio, a new
congregation—Reading Spanish—was planted.
Life becomes an adventure when we place ourselves in the Lord’s hands
every day and allow Him to guide and work in and through us. We will
experience God's mighty acts, and our trust in Him will grow deeper
and deeper.

Lord, take my hands, and make me an instrument of Your love. Amen.

uben 5 is the vice president of Multilingual Ministries for the

Columbia Union Conference.
“al
My Sole Desire
“Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not;
until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power
to every one that is to come” (Ps. 71:18, KJV).

I believe that life experiences impact what favorite Bible verse we choose;
then, the Bible verse, in turn, impacts our lives going forward.
When Ifirst became my mother’s caregiver, it was recommended that I~
read Psalm 71. I see my life in these verses, particularly verse 18. I see the
steps on which God brought me to where I am today—a place where my
sole desire is to share Christ with those around me.
Where I am in life is not where I imagined. Previously, having position
and possessions, I felt Ishould be doing more for the Lord. Now, God has
given me the responsibility to be the full-time caregiver for my 81-year-
old mother who has dementia. I left everything and moved to Florida to
live with her. When I could no longer care for her and also work, my mom
and I moved in with my sister in Maryland.
It is only in a situation like this that I would find myself without a job;
however, it frees me to focus on working for the Lord. He brought me to
a church where I am doing Bible work. I count it a huge blessing that my
mother’s condition does not prevent her from going out with me. She
attends Bible studies and even canvasses with me. Often, having her with
me is actually an asset!

Father God, please empower me to continue to be used by You. Amen.

Mirlene Andre is a member of the Light Bearers Mission Company in Maryland.

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Lessons From a Kayak Fiasco

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Ps. 23:1, KJV).

This morning I had a thought about “a life interrupted”—those times

when life just doesn’t go as planned. For many years, I have clung to
Psalm 23:1, for it reminds me that my wants are important to God.
One of my wants is for my family to take trips together regularly. Some
time ago, we traveled to a local state park to kayak. The day was sunny,
and the river flowed peacefully. We partnered up and started down the
river. Iwas in the kayak with my youngest son, who was 11 at the time,
and he made it known that I was not his first choice of partners. I sensed
he lacked confidence in my boating ability. I took offense to this—I had
been a Camp Fire girl, a Girl Scout and a Pathfinder, and had even spent
two summers at camp.
The adventure started out smoothly, but soon our kayak kept drifting
toward the riverbank. My son and I began to argue. We paddled furiously,
but decided it was best we changed partners. During the transfer, our
kayak overturned, and I watched my flip flops float down the river.
That morning, our plans hadn't included the kayak fiasco. But we came
together, turned the kayak back over and retrieved my flip flops. We
ended up having a great time and can even laugh about it now.
As a single mother of two sons, I often feel pressured to have all the
answers, but have learned to lean more on God and less on me.

Lord, I trust You, even ifI don’t know what the day holds for me. Amen.

Kimberly Upchurch is a member of the Ephesus church in Ohio.

3 The Blessing of Community
“Which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27, NKJV).

In this text, Apostle Paul speaks about the mystery of the church. Only
Christ makes the church holy and glorious, merely through His holy
presence. A genuine or real church community is not an idealized human
projection. Some members have dreams for their community, but this
dreaming sometimes may be an obstacle to the genuine, real, authentic _
and spiritual sense of the community. Idealized community is a hindrance
because members who endorse it have demands and an accusing spirit.
They see only failures, sins, shortcomings; finding faults become a sacred
task. When their idealized image of the church community is destroyed,
they become resentful and accuse everyone, including God Himself. This
leads to spiritual despair, and, ultimately, spiritual death.
We should accept the church as a gift from God. Yes, we are all sinners,
but the mystery of the church community is His precious gift. Wishful
dreaming of a perfect community becomes transformed into the actual
conscious participation in the real and authentic community through
Christ’s gift of the Holy Spirit. Sinners are transformed into a holy
sanctuary of saints, not by effort or spiritual fervor, but by His presence
alone. Christ in you is the only hope of glory, says Paul. Frail and weak
community is transformed into a safe haven and refuge—a fellowship of
love that continues to grow in eternity. Giving up on the idealized dream
of the perfect community opens the door for authentic involvement in the
given community, receiving the gift of God’s fellowship of saints.

Dear Lord, let us receive the real community fellowship as your precious gift,
and experience Christ's presence in our midst as the only hope of glory. Amen.

Alex Santrac is the pastor of the Middietown Valley and Catoctin View churches
in Maryland.

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‘Do Not Urge Me to Leave You’

“But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you. ...’
When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go
with her, she stopped urging her” (Ruth 1:16, 18, NKJV).

I have experienced a bitter spirit like Naomi. As an African-American

woman, I have experienced many losses through racism, sexism, classism
and misogynoir. Of those losses, it has been the ones I have suffered
within my faith community that have been the most devastating because
they resulted in misperceptions of God. Like Naomi, my misperception of
God evoked anger, disappointment and bitterness. But unlike Naomi, my
misperception also led to loss of identity with God.
In my grief, bitterness of spirit and state of separation from God, I could
not perceive Him as the source of my comfort and restoration. Therefore,
I urged the Holy Spirit—God’s appointed Source of comfort and
restoration—to abandon me, as Naomi entreated Ruth. In pain, I urged the
Holy Spirit to abandon me, by turning away from prayer and God's Word.
Fortunately, as Ruth did not give in to Naomi, the Holy Spirit did not give
in to me. Those times that I turned away, the Holy Spirit pleaded with
me, “Do not urge me to leave you!” When I perceived the Holy Spirit’s
determination to remain, I submitted and allowed the Spirit to journey
with me, abide with me, and, eventually, take care of me by entreating me
to pray and study God's Word. In time, through submitting to the Holy
Spirit’s care, I experienced the restoration of my perception of God and
my identity in Him.

Lord, may we perceive that You can restore us through the Holy Spirit, who is
determined to go with us wherever we go. Amen.

ton is a chaplain fellow at Soin Medical Center for Kettering Adventist

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‘How Are You?’

“Jesus wept” (John 11:35, NLT).

This verse is the shortest verse in the Bible, but it is packed with a
powerful punch. It shows that feeling negative emotions is part of the
human experience. To me, it signifies that it’s OK to not be OK.
We are accustomed to saying “I'm fine” whenever we are asked how we
are doing, when, in reality, we could be feeling angry, sad, confused and_
helpless—the complete opposite of fine.
As I write, a pandemic is sweeping over the world. I know that I am not
fine, even though I may say I am to those who ask. I may even say it with
a smile. But deep down, I know the uncertainty of the future is anxiety-
provoking. Not being able to control certain aspects of my life or even
plan for the upcoming month makes me want to cry.
Am Ifeeling sad or angry? Or both? I’m not even sure I know. That is
why this verse, how Jesus portrayed His humanity, great sadness and
anger as a result of what sin had done to the world, really speaks to me
during this time.
The story doesn’t end here though. A few verses later, Jesus says, “Didn't
I tell you that you would see God's glory if you believe?” (John 11:40, NLT).
Jesus is reminding us that He is still in control of the world, and, if we
believe in Him, we will see His glory.

Dear God, may the madness that is happening all around us eventually
~ end, and may we see Your mercy and love shine through the darkness and
uncertainty. Amen.

Crystal Lubis is.¢ member of the Capital Chinese church in Maryland.

4
 The Hand of God
“But His hand is stretched out still” (Isa. 9:12, NKJV).

This verse in the Bible caught my attention. I wondered if Iwas reading

it correctly. I looked at it in several versions, each showing a different
picture than the New King James Version. I decided to see what Ellen
White wrote about it:
“In different ways God works to attain one purpose—the saving of souls.
By different methods the gracious Redeemer deals with different minds.
The change of heart is as truly wrought out by one process as by another.
... Yet who dare say that God does not still love and regard as His child the
one so sorely beset, and that His hand is not still stretched out to save? The
heavenly Shepherd knows where to find the lambs that are straying from
the fold. He will gather them in. ... In such places as these there are those
who will bloom more sweetly for the Lord than many who live in more
favored places. All around them they will shed the fragrance of His grace as
they bloom in most unpromising places” (This Day With God, p. 67).
This describes the picture I envisioned hearing these words over and
over. What an amazing God we have! He sees those whom we may have
given up on and think are hopeless, and, in His discipline, He stretches
out His hand to them.
Do you see His hand in your life? Do you feel Him picking you up? You
can bloom and be a fragrance of His grace! Will you grasp His life-giving
hand? He will hold onto you and keep you.

God, take me into Your loving hands always. Amen.

5 Harris is a member of the Beltsville church in Maryland.

 If God Is With Us,
Who Can Be Against Us?
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He
will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke
you, but will rejoice over you with singing” (Zeph. 3:17, NIV).

During the quarantine, God is with us and He is mighty to save us from

_ COVID-19 by protecting us from evil. We can take great delight in God by
reading His Word and by praying every night. We have to pray from our
hearts, and we have to pray for everyone not to get COVID-19 and for the
sick ones to get better from it.
We should not be afraid during this time, because, if we listen to God,
then we will have the same faith that Daniel had when he was thrown into
the lion’s den. We can trust in Him during good and bad times. We can be
thankful that we have the freedom to study our Bibles during this difficult
time. This is a wonderful time to let our lights shine for Jesus and to share
the wonderful news about His soon coming.
We are experiencing God's love every day as He gives us life, strength,
health, faith, self-control and wisdom. Even though we are in quarantine,
we still can rejoice in God by communicating with our family members
that are far away and with our friends. When we talk to our friends every
week, we can encourage them to study God's Word, eat healthy food and
drink lots of water.

Dear Father in Heaven, thank You for taking care of us in hard times. Help us to
be witnesses for You. Amen.

Julia Folscher is a second-grdder at Richmond Academy in Virginia.

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 Hope in Him
“This I call to mind and therefore I have hope. The steadfast love of
the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are
new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion
... therefore I have hope in Him” (Lam. 3:22-24, RSV, adapted).

My first recollection of Jeremiah’s words came as a 19-year-old. It opened

my eyes to the many mercies God brings into my life on a daily basis. That
was true when I studied abroad as a college sophomore, and true four
years later when my father died at 59. It’s been true throughout my life.
Jeremiah’s words were born during a time of national and personal crisis,
when all hope seemed to have disappeared. His words mean even more
to me now during my own personal health crisis. God has had a way to
help me see His faithfulness every day.
Sometimes I wonder if my ministry has had any lasting impact. And then,
at just the right moment, I receive a phone call, a card, an email or a
text from an old friend or former church member who shares how God
worked through me to lead them to Christ, nurture their relationship with
Him or give leadership to their congregation.
God is good, loving and faithful. That is why I have hope in Him. Many of us
go through our own times of crises, whether it be health, financial or family
issues. That’s when we most need to recall God's faithfulness to us.

Dear God, may Jeremiah’s words, which gave birth to a well-loved hymn, inspire
us to have hope in Your faithfulness by opening our hearts and eyes to see Your
daily mercies. Amen.

man recently announced plans to retire from the Columbia Union Conference
arly 50 years as a pastor and administrator.
 Who Am I?
“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered
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me from all my fears” (Ps. 34:4, KJV).
:
: On Sunday, March 29, 2020, I received a call from my daughter Andrea,
_ anurse, telling me that she had a temperature of over 101 degrees, was
3 being sent home from work and was going to be tested for COVID-19. I
j prayed with my daughter and claimed God’s promises over her.
As the days went on, Andrea started getting better, and I proclaimed
to family, “Praise the Lord, our prayers have been answered.” But on
j April 9, when she finally got the results back showing she was positive
for COVID-19, my faith started to waiver. I had heard on the news
that doctors were reporting that sometimes patients diagnosed with
-COVID-19 would get better, and then, within a few hours, would be placed
_ ona ventilator.
} While these thoughts ran through my mind, the Holy Spirit spoke to me
and said, “Who am I to you?” I immediately picked up my Bible and turned
to Exodus 3:14 where God told Moses who He was: “I AM THAT I AM.”
My prayer quickly changed from, “Lord, heal my daughter” to “Lord,
forgive me for doubting You. Help me to have faith in You.”
Before turning to the Bible, I thought I had to pray more, fast more; I had
to do something reasonable to help God as I waited for Him to heal my
daughter. I was trying to force God to be what I wanted Him to be instead
of allowing Him to be who He is.

God, ifwe find ourselves wavering in our faith, may we turn to Your Word, and
may You remind us that You are a faithful, loving God, and the great “TAM.”
- Amen.

Kelly Strickland is an elder at the Rehoboth church in Pennsylvania.

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 Built in Him
“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must
continue to follow Him. Let your roots grow down into Him, and let
your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the
truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness”
(Col. 2:6-7, NLT).

I find that my favorite text can shift depending on where I am in my

spiritual journey. At times, I have found over the years that it seems
easier to whine about issues than change my attitude to “overflow with
thankfulness.” The text states that as I grow in Christ and my life is built
on Him, then the natural overflow will be thankfulness, for the fruit of a
mature Christian is thankfulness.
Some months back, I received a really negative email from someone who
seemed to have inside information on my life—stuff in which I wasn't
even aware. My initial reaction wasn’t good, but then I realized that, since
Iam built on Christ, my Savior, that this fact, in and of itself, is reason
enough to be thankful. My worth is built in Him!

God, when things goes awry, may we choose to change our outlook from grim
to thankfulness, because our hope is built on You and nothing less. Amen.

Bill Miller is the president of the Potomac Conference.

, One Day Soon
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no
more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for
the former things have passed away” (Rev. 21:4, NKJV).

You never expect it will happen to you. On May 23, 2016, at around
11.a.m., my (seemingly) perfectly healthy 13-year-old son collapsed at
_ school from a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Providentially, my husband ~
and I, teachers at the small Adventist school, had recently been trained
in CPR. But we never expected to use it beyond CPR class, let alone on
~ our own son.
Approximately 90 percent of those who suffer an SCA die, yet despite all
odds, our son survived and suffered no ill effects. Our family has been
blessed, for not everyone has a happy ending to their story. That is why
_ Revelation 21:4 means so much to me. I cannot wait for the day when
" there will be “no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.” What a glorious
day that will be!

God, I praise You for saving my son’s life and that Your Son will soon return to
take us home, where pain will be a thing of the past. Amen.

Clare Hoover is the principal anda teacher at the Zanesville Adventist School in Ohio,
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 Thank You for Loving Me
“Then a voice came from heaven, ‘You are My beloved Son,
in whom I am well pleased’” (Mark 1:11, NKJV).

When I was a child, praise had to be earned, and success seemed just out
of reach. I was born with misshaped hips and legs, resulting in my needing
to wear braces on my legs. This delayed my ability to walk, and completely
canceled any ability to run or ride tricycles until the braces could be removed.
In school, I discovered that reading and math skills were hard to learn, and
I was almost always behind my classmates. Ashamed of this, it didn’t seem
to matter how hard I worked, I just couldn’t keep up. Poor depth perception,
particularly when it came to small moving objects, meant that I wasn’t very
good at sports. At recess I was uSually one of the last kids picked.
As an adult, success isn’t as hard to find as it used to be. I've learned to
compensate for my mild dyslexia, and I've overcome most of my learning
challenges. Fitness is now more important than athletics, and I don’t find
myself comparing my abilities with others quite so much. Still, there’s a little
boy inside me that’s desperately yearning to be able to do what his brothers
and classmates seem to find so easy: to get an “A” on my homework; to be
good at things; to do something someone will be proud of.
That's why I treasure these words spoken by the Father to His Son: “You
are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” It’s good to know that
my Heavenly Father doesn’t make it too difficult for me to earn those
words from Him.

God, thank You for loving me and being proud of me. Amen.

) Pennsylvania
 Bearing Fruit
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such
things there is no law” (Gal. 5:22-23, NIV).

When I think about the fruit of the Spirit, Ithink about our pastor’s Week
of Prayer. Each day he focused on one “Fruit of the Spirit” and brought a
different fruit to represent that particular “fruit.” He told us how the fruit
was good for our bodies, and then related it to our spiritual lives. At the
end of each talk, we got to taste the yummy fruit.
When I think about the fruit of the Spirit, some fruits stick out more than
others. They are all important, but love, patience, faithfulness and self-
control are the ones that mean the most to me.
We need love because God loves us and wants us to love our neighbors
as we love ourselves. We need to love everyone because God first loved
us. We need patience because, when people are sometimes slow or drive
us Crazy, we need to practice patience with them. We need faithfulness
because when life gets tough and you don’t know what to do, you need
to have faith in God. He will get you through everything, even when life is
at its hardest. Lastly, we need self-control. When we feel angry, we need
to remember to have self-control and know that God will help us.
I have to use these fruits every day when I watch my brother. I have to be
patient with him and understand why he may get angry at times. I also
have to use self-control and close my mouth when I feel like saying bad
things back to him.

Dear God, please help me to be faithful and remember that You will give me
self-control. Amen.

Sara Clow is:a sixth-grader at Tappahannock junior Academy in Virg

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No Need to Operate
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the
Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and
to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths
shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but
those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall
mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint” (Isa. 40:28-31, NKJV).

In my 35 years of ministry, these verses have carried me through many

storms and blessings. This passage became even more relevant when I
got into a terrible car accident.
One day, as I traveled to Belize City, Belize, to pick up materials for the
last baptism of an evangelism crusade, I came across two big trucks, both
trying to overtake the other on a steep curve. I tried to pull away, but one
truck did the same and hit me head on, completely crushing me. The ER
doctors explained that my broken ribs had punctured my lungs, causing
them to collapse.
Prior to the emergency operation, I claimed the promise in this verse before
falling into unconsciousness. But, right before they started the operation, I
suddenly regained consciousness. To everyone's amazement, I was able to
breathe, and there was no need to operate. God had completely healed me!
Nowadays, when I preach the gospel, there are times I raise my voice
in worship. And Itell the brethren, “I am exercising my new lungs!” Still
today, I see the power of God in my life.

My Savior, renew my strength as I wait on You. Amen.

Ramon Escalante is the Hispanic Ministries coordinator

for the Allegheny East Conference.
| One Unforgettable Sabbath
“Not giving up meeting together... but encouraging one another—
and all the more as you see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:25, NIV).

In my 22 years of ministry, I have had many unforgettable Sabbaths, but

none more so than in Delta Junction, Alaska. My wife and I were settling
into our new subarctic district during the coldest part of the year. Delta
Junction is located 90 miles southeast of Fairbanks and 250 miles south~
of the Arctic Circle. When we arrived, it was a “balmy” 16 degrees; by
Thanksgiving, it had fallen to negative 38 degrees. My body adjusted
quickly to these sub-zero temperatures, but nothing prepared me for
what awaited that Sabbath morning in January.
The church was three miles from our parsonage. That Sabbath morning, our
outdoor thermometer read -51 degrees! Surely no one would think of holding
church at that unheard-of temperature. As the new guy in town, I thought I
would drive over to the church to see if anyone was crazy enough to show up.
Sure enough, lights were on and members were having Sabbath School!
I sheepishly entered and saw our head elder playing his accordion while
leading 15 to 20 people in song. Seeing the new pastor entering slowly, a
twinkle came to his eye, and he gave me a slight nod that seemed to say,
“Happy Sabbath, Pastor, so glad you decided tojoin us!”
I don’t remember what I preached on that memorable Sabbath, but I
do recall about 35 people attended worship. The importance of church
fellowship, particularly in worshipping together on His Sabbath, was
reinforced that day.

Lord, thank You for brothers and sisters who so faithfully worship You in spirit
and in truth. Amen.

Fred C. Shoemaker is the pastor of the Hillsboro, Midaletown and Wilmington churc
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Keep On Praying
“Ask, and you will be given what you ask for. Seek, and you will find.
Knock, and the door will be opened” (Matt. 7:7, TLB).

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explained to His disciples that prayer
is a lifestyle, not just a group of moments in life. Jesus used a continuous
tense for the three verbs here: “ask,” “seek” and “knock.” These verbs
translate to “keep on asking,” “keep on seeking” and “keep on knocking.”
These actions show us the different prayers we need in different
situations in our lives.
“Keep on asking” refers to our needs, wants and wishes that reflect the
Lord’s will in our lives. It is not pushing buttons to get what we want.
“Keep on seeking” tells us that we always have new things to learn. A life
with Jesus is a continuous search for deeper knowledge of Him and what
He is doing in each moment of our lives.
“Keep on knocking” demonstrates the power of our Lord Jesus to make
all things possible. I may pray for an entire night to God like Daniel, or
maybe a few days like Esther, or maybe more than 30 years like Joseph.
If Ikeep on praying for His will to be done, I believe He will make the
way to victory.

At the end of the three, we have an assurance of His response. “Keep on

praying, and you will receive, find and the door will be opened.” Every
time our lives are in constant communion with God, we will experience a
deeper relationship with Him.

Dear God, help us to make prayer a lifestyle. Amen.

Ignacio Goya is the director for Chesapeake Conference’s Adventist Community Services.
RA RRR RNR A i I A PP RR
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“Do everything in love.” 1 COR. 16:14, NIV
 ha

The Patient
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples,
if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35, KJV).

Love is a word easily tossed around without much thought. In many

ways, love is acceptance, compassion, even tolerance. As a nurse in an
inpatient mental health unit, Iwas assigned a patient no one else wanted.
I typically didn’t read my assigned patients’ charts before personally
meeting and speaking with them. All I knew was that he was depressed
and that he was at one time the grand dragon of the Ku Klux Klan.
Because I met him prior to reading his chart, I came in without bias, and
established a tentative relationship with him. My first impression was that
he was a kind, sad, old man. As he told me about his son who was in jail,
I listened to, comforted and prayed with him. Though he regretted and
took ownership of his past, I assured him that God loved and forgave him.
One day, as he clung to his Bible, he said, “The people I have been the
meanest to have been the kindest to me.” For me to hate or despise him
would have been useless; I could not have hated him more than he hated
himself. I sensed he had genuine regret for his past actions, and my duty
was to accept—not judge—him as he was now and show him forgiveness
and acceptance in my kindness. After all, has not Christ forgiven me?

Lord, thank You for giving us Your love for others. Amen.

Brown is a member of the Centerville church in Ohio.

 Trust God
“Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will
eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on.
Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?”
(Matt. 6:25, NKJV).

My mom and I were driving home from Washington, D.C. We were

in Virginia when our brakes stopped working. Thankfully, my mom
managed to pull over into someone’s driveway and stop the car.
She didn’t have a phone at the time, and there wasn’t anyone at the
property—just two big dogs guarding the place.
Mom said, “Let’s pray!” We prayed for someone to come and help us, but
no one did.
I said, “Mom, I don’t think God is listening.”
My mom answered, “God always listens, we just have to trust Him.” So we
prayed some more.
A little later, a car pulled up next to us. The man asked if it was OK for him
to park there while he checked his car. It had been running fine until he
reached that property, and now something was wrong. My mom told him
she knew God had sent him there to help us.
Mom used his phone to call my dad. My dad said his phone had just started
working again. She would not have been able to reach him if she had called
earlier. The man tried to start his car, but it wouldn't start. It wasn’t until my
dad arrived and fixed our car that the man’s car started, and he was abie to
leave. I think God caused the man’s car to stop working so he could help us.

Dear God, please help us to focus on what's happening now, not the future.
Help us to trust You! Amen.

Chloe juntalis a seventh-grader at the Manassas Adventist Preparatory School in Virginia

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 What Does It Take to Be a Hero?
“They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted,
were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and
goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—of whom the world
was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens
and caves of the earth” (Heb. 11:37-38, NKJV).

I look at the wonderful heroes of the Bible and think of how great it would
be to be used by God like they were. After all, Hebrews 11 is about the
greatest heroes the world has ever seen.
Then I think of what it really meant to be a hero. Those people suffered
more things than any of us would want to. If only we could be a hero
without the suffering that accompanies it. I also believe that if you asked
them if they considered themselves heroes, they would probably think
you're crazy. In fact, they probably would have preferred to escape their
situations. These circumstances were marked with extreme trials. What
makes them heroes is their faith and their complete dependence on God.
My favorite part of this passage is, “of whom the world was not worthy.”
Do you ever feel like you do not fit here on earth? Like you are always
going against the grain because you want to follow God, but it seems like
the world is determined to walk away from Him? That's because we don’t
belong here. Instead, we long for Jesus’ return—the greatest Hero the
world will ever see.

Dear God, let me be the hero that will take a stand for You and lead a precious
soul to the real Hero. Amen.

vor is the district pastor of the Washington, Uniontown Hilltop, Mon Valley,
g and East Suburban churches in Pennsylvania.
 A Lame Man Is Healed
“Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the
name ofJesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6, NKJV).

Has something amazing ever happened to you that filled you with joy?
According to the dictionary, joy means “a source or cause of delight.”
God wants us to have joy because He wants us to be happy. God is happy
when we are happy. Let me tell you a story of how God used two people
to make one man’s life joyful.
It all started when two ofJesus’ disciples, Peter and John, were walking into
the temple to pray. A lame man was lying next to the temple begging for
money, and when he saw the disciples, he held out his hands and asked for
money. Peter told him, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I
give you: In the name ofJesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
Peter then took the man’s arm and pulled him up. The man’s feet
suddenly grew stronger. He stood up and went into the temple with the
disciples, walking and leaping while praising God who had healed him.
All the people saw the man and remembered that he was the one who
had been begging for money at the temple gate. The people were filled
with wonder and amazement.
It’s so cool that a man who didn’t experience
joy in his life ended up with
so much!

God, thank You for loving us and giving us joy, just like the lame man. Amen.

Connor Walls is.a fifth-grader at Vienna Adventist Academy in Virginia.

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 When Silence Speaks
Louder Than Words
“If only you could be silent! That’s the wisest thing you could do”
(Job 13:5, NLT).

A few years ago, I ran across this scripture verse as I was studying the
story ofJob, and I taped it to the bottom lefthand corner of my computer
screen at work. I purposely placed this text there so that, as soon as I got
to work each day, I would be reminded about the integral role silence can
play as I maneuvered throughout the workday.
Job’s friends came to visit him at the lowest, darkest moment of his life.
Their visit sought to bring comfort and companionship to their friend,
but their conversation did the opposite, stirring up confusion and blame.
When Job could take no more, out of frustration he told his friends to shut
up! Even though Job may have appeared abrupt in his response to his
friends, he did not leave them without a compelling caveat, as he extolled
the wisdom and virtue of silence.
In a world that embraces the intricate nuanced dance of verbalism,
silence is often shunned. Words can be weaponized, and, at times, cause
more harm than good. This verse reminds me about the importance
of being judicious in what is communicated, and that not everything
that comes to mind needs to be shared. Therefore, the sage application
of silence can serve as a beneficial and wise tool in navigating the
complexities of life. Every time I look at this scripture verse posted on my
desktop, the Lord reminds me ofJob’s desperate cry for silence, and I vow
to make it my choice to use my voice wisely.

Lord, help me to embrace the wisdom that can be found in the depths of silence.
Amen.

Cheryl Osbourne Chavers is an elder at the Calvary church in Virginia.

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 Plans That Included Me
““For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you
hope and a future’” (Jer. 29:11, NIV).

God has plans for me! And if He has plans for me, that must mean that
I’m on His mind. God thinks about me! This text has grounded and
encouraged me at different stages of my life, and I’m shocked every time
I ponder that the Creator of the universe has time to think about me.
When I was a child, my brothers and I lived many years with extended
family waiting for my immigrant parents to take us to live in the United
States with them. During those years, my father died and my mother
remarried and started a new family.
One day my dreams came true! My mother came with her new husband
and my new baby sister to take us to our new home. I was utterly
disappointed to find myself in a broken and dysfunctional home that was
in many ways worse than what I had before. As I faced the defining years
of adolescence, I thought about my future. How was life going to turn out
for me? What did I want to be? How could I ever afford college? I felt that
no one else was thinking about my future or had any expectations of me.
As I reflect back on those turbulent years, I now know that God was
indeed thinking about me; He was making plans. His plans included
university, graduate school, a loving husband and three beautiful children
of my own.
God thinks about you, too, and He is making plans for you.

Thank You, God, for the plans that You have for us. Amen.

Denny Rengifo is a chaplain atAdventist HealthCare in Maryland.

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 From Test to Testimony
“But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath
tried me I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10, KJV).

No matter how turbulent the tests God sends or allows in my life, this scripture
gives me an assurance of His abiding presence. In my experience, God’s tests
help to grow my patience, faith and trust in Him. The following test took me to
a new level of trust in God’s faithfulness, and became my testimony:
In November 2017, I relocated to Baltimore from Columbia, Md. Despite
uncertainty about this untimely move, I was grateful for God’s goodness:
I was closer to my church, met new friends and was able to witness in
the community. Nonetheless, the daily commute to myjob in Columbia
became wearisome and caused anxiety. I started to pray earnestly about
moving back to Columbia to be near my family and job, but could not find
affordable housing.
One day, I drove by an apartment community in an ideal location. “Lord, I
want to live here,” I said. Every day, I drove by, until, in December 2019, the
Holy Spirit impressed me to submit an application. Unfortunately, there
were no vacancies, but the very kind woman in the office added me to their
waiting list. Months went by and winter road conditions made my 30-minute
commute even more challenging. “How much longer, Lord?” I asked.
In January 2020, the Holy Spirit impressed me to go back to the community.
Finally, there was a vacancy! On February 7, 2020, God moved me back to
Columbia, closer to my family and myjob, just where I had prayed to live—
and just before the coronavirus pandemic escalated.
Regardless of the duration and size of the test, God always knows what is best.

Father, thank You for bringing me forth as gold. Amen.

‘inder is a member of the Liberty church in Maryland.

 ‘| Will Give You Rest’
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden,
and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28, NASB).

When our adult sons were young boys, I remember telling my mother,
“This mother thing is not that hard.”
I still remember her answer: “The bigger the boys get, the bigger the
problems get.”
My mother was right. We love our boys and are blessed to be their
parents. But the truth is, at times, being a parent can be hard and
stressful. As a family, we’ve had both amazing and troubled times. Over
the years, my husband and I learned that prayer is crucial not only to
marriage, but parenting as well.
Initially, the reason I claimed that Matthew 11:28 was my favorite Bible
verse was because both of our boys were “embedded” in the text: Matthew,
the name of our eldest son, and 77:28, the birthday of our younger son,
Andrew. But as time passed, my Bible study deepened, and I soon realized
there was a much stronger reason this verse should be my favorite.
In this verse, I found one of the most amazing promises from Jesus that I
so desperately needed. The invitation to bring Him my worries, anxieties
and troubles in exchange for His rest—true rest that can only be found in
Him—was unbelievable. After many years of silently carrying my burdens,
I made the decision to take Jesus up on His offer. What a verse and what a
promise. I have learned that Ineed this rest daily. Maybe you do too.

Dear God, we are tired and heavy-laden for many different reasons. Thank You
for being willing and able to take on our burdens daily and for gifting us with
Your rest. Amen.

Hazel R. Marroguin is the pastor for Children and Family Ministries at the Sligo church
in Maryland:
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 A Foggy Start
“From the ends of the earth ... You are My servant, I have
chosen you and have not cast you away: Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you”
(Isa. 41:9-10, NKJV).

Loneliness settled among my thoughts like a heavy winter fog. I had

recently moved across the continent to begin graduate studies at the
University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. While excited about
the research opportunities ahead, I missed my family and community
back home in the United States. I had no relatives or friends in this new
city along the Pacific coast. Iremember thinking, What have I done? I
just moved across an entire continent to the end of North America! Anxiety
always exaggerates trouble, doesn’t it?
Hoping to hear a message of comfort, I opened my Bible to revisit
passages of God's guidance, presence and promise of a brighter
future. In my season of loneliness, God spoke a message of hope in the
prophetic blessing recorded in Isaiah 41:9-10.
While the loneliness still remained, my spirits were lifted. I wasn’t afraid,
and I was not alone. He who tends the grand universe, treasures a
university grad. There would be new friendships, adventures and a valued
educational experience ahead. More importantly, I faced the unknown
comforted, strengthened and chosen by God.
In a small, student apartment, the light of a heard prayer pierced my
darkness, and the fog started to lift.

God, in our season of loneliness, come through, as You always do. Amen.

3auer is a member of the Middletown Valley church in Maryland.

 No More Sea
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven
and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea”
(Rev. 21:1, KJV).

The apostle John’s description of the new earth says there will be “no
more sea.” The seashore is one of my favorite places. For me it has been
a place of recreation and relaxation. I have many fond memories of
family vacations at the ocean when I was a child and later with my own
children—collecting seashells, watching dolphins play, riding waves with
my boogie board. Now, as an adult, I still enjoy the sea whenever I can; I
especially like snorkeling and sailing. So, this foreboding forecast of “no
more sea” is a bit disappointing.
However, the book of Revelation is filled with colorful imagery and symbols,
and “the sea” is one of them. It is not the literal sea in which John here
speaks. Revelation 17:15 tells us that “the sea” is a symbol for people,
multitudes, nations and tongues that are contrary to the kingdom of God.
John is speaking of wicked humanity, evil power and corrupt governments.
When John says there will be “no more sea,” he wistfully looks forward to a
new world where evil, wickedness and sin are forever gone.
I love this text because it foretells of a world to come without sin, sorrow
and suffering. “No more sea” means no more poverty, no more oppression,
no more fear, no more abuse, no more guilt, no more tears, no more
separation, no more cancer and no more death. They will be no more!
~ Tlong for such a world, and for riding my boogie board in the river of life.

Heavenly Father, thank You that “no more” is in our future. Amen.

Frank Bondurant is the vice president of Ministries Development jor the

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Columbia Union Conference.

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 He’s Preparing a Place
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will
take you to Myself, that where I am you will be also” (John 14:3, ESV).

I have heard this beautiful verse read many times in sermons. Preachers
strive to describe what Jesus is preparing in heaven. Apparently, Jesus
has a great construction company, and He has been building luxurious
houses for the redeemed for more than 2,000 years. But the reality is
that the verse just prior says, “In my Father’s house there are many
dwellings.” So what did Jesus go to prepare?
The Bible teaches us that, because of our sins, you and I cannot enter
heaven. But, through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, and through His
intercession before His Father with His own blood, He is making us a place.
Between 1900-1950, millions of European immigrants arrived on
America’s shores by boat. One of these immigrants was my great-
grandfather, Vichenso Marincola. He came to prepare a better future for
his family. After some time, he got a job and learned English. He later
found a place to live and raised enough money for his wife and three
daughters to be together with him.
At the immigration department, he explained he had enough money to
provide for his family. When they asked him what his wife and daughters had
in Italy—their country of origin—he answered: “Nothing. They have nothing,
but Ihave everything necessary here, so they have the right to be with me.”
Jesus is doing that exact thing now—appearing before the Father to show
that, although we have nothing, He has already paid the price for us!

Lord, may we accept Your free gift so that we can be with You together forever.
Amen.

José Daniel Esposito Forciniti is the Hispanic Ministries director

for the Potomac Conference.
 Hoping for a Future
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord,
thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope”
(Jer. 29:11, NKJV).

All my life, God has called me to trust and obey Him. I had no idea how
old-I’d be when I got married or if I'd have children or what my career
path would be, but He did. Referring to Him giving us a future and hope,
_ Jeremiah goes on to say that we are to seek, find and search for God with
~ all of our hearts. And that’s exactly what I did.
One hazy, summer day, as I gazed at the hills of Loma Linda in California, I
called upon the Lord, for Ihad a decision to make. A resident of Maryland,
my visit to the West Coast was to celebrate my friend’s graduation from
medical school. I asked God if I should move to California. My brain said
_ to attend Loma Linda University Medical Center, but the Holy Spirit's
presence called me to stay on the East Coast. I just didn’t know why.
Looking back, I realize that I made the right decision. I met my husband
at a place Id least expect to find someone—one of the reasons why I had
contemplated moving out of the area. Not long after we got married, I
had a near-death experience on a rafting trip. In the moment, I knew God
would save me from the grip of the river’s mighty rapids because of the
“future and hope” He had promised. And He miraculously dislodged my
foot before I drowned.
I now understand the expression “my life flashed before my eyes,” and,
~ as I praise the Lord that Ihad the opportunity to become a mom the
following year, this verse comes full circle. Never lose hope.

Heavenly Father, thank You that You always have my future in mind.
~ May|,in turn, continually place my hope in You. Amen.

jina Bacchus fs a member of the Beltsville church in Manand.

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A Search for Peace

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God”
(Matt. 5:9, NKJV).

As I write this, our world is in turmoil. Nightly protests still rage around our
country after the killing of George Floyd at the hands of police officers. In
this new reality, Iwondered what Google could teach me about peace. A
.51-second search revealed 1.34 million hits! People are hungry for peace!
As I glanced over many of the summaries, I learned there are articles
about the Peace Corps, peace prizes, peace poles, a peace college, peace
endowments, peace gardens, peace institutes and peace protests. There
are women for peace, Jews for peace, Buddhists for peace, religions for
peace, musicals for peace and children for peace.
Further investigation reveals a plethora of formulas, all designed to
deliver peace. I found some of them to be noble and inspirational, while
others simplistic and shallow. Most of them were based on human efforts
to resolve conflict and get along with others. And, though human efforts
have at times achieved temporary peace, human effort alone can’t
change a heart—where real peace is generated.
The good news for us is that we don’t need to sort through 1.3 million
pages on the internet to find the path to peace. In the Bible, God gives us
the only path to genuine, lasting peace. Colossians 1:19-20 teaches, “For it
pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to
reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in
heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross” (NKJV).
Peace—lasting peace—comes through the person, Jesus Christ.

Father, today, give me the peace that passes all understanding. May it lift me
above even the most significant difficulties of my life. Amen.

Bob Cundiff is the president of the Ohio Conference.

 Now That’s Love
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on
your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He
will show you which path to take” (Prov. 3:5-6, NLT).

Becoming a widow has presented challenges that require my total

dependence upon God. It set me on a journey that I never expected to
take, nor would I have chosen—but God is in control. I said, “OK, Lord.
Take it all, but please don’t let my car break down.”
One day, I noticed my vehicle inspection was overdue, so I scheduled an
3 appointment to renew my sticker. During the inspection, they also took
care of a rattling sound that the car was making and ran a diagnostic test
for a “Check Engine” light. When they finished, the repairs were more
than $1,000!
I could feel the emotions welling up inside of me, and I managed to
suppress them until I got into my car. I was ready to flood into tears,
when I was startled from within. Who do you know that is bigger than all of
this? a voice seemed to say. “You are, Lord!” I exclaimed.
After a moment’s pause, I continued, “And since You are and You are
accountable for widows, I release this car back to You. I haven't the funds,
but all the money in every bank is Yours, and all the cars on a thousand
lots are Yours too! I trust You!”
What a weight that flew off of my shoulders! As I was leaving, tears ofjoy
welled up inside me as I realized I was loved so divinely, that I could truly
love and trust the One who loved me so. That’s love!

Thank You, Lord, that You love us and are bigger than our fears. Amen.

Deb Zuch isthe teacher's assistant at the York Adventist Christian School in Pennsylvania.

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 Np

Perfect Peace
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You,
because he trusts in You” (Isa. 26:3, NKJV).

My favorite and most comforting verse in the Bible is Isaiah 26:3. This text
brought me peace of mind after I completed writing “love letters” to my
husband and children, encouraging them and expounding on how much I
loved them and sharing my hopes for their future.
In 2003, I was diagnosed with constrictive pericarditis, an inflammation of
the pericardium—the saclike membrane that surrounds the heart. It was
a very serious condition, and the doctors had never seen a case like this
in someone so young. After a year of medications, it was decided surgery
would be my only hope, although the prognosis was still not good. My
doctors, however, did not know what a mighty God I served.
As I wrote letters to my family, my fears and anxieties left me, and
I knew that God would indeed keep me in perfect peace if I trusted
Him completely. I also realized that God had done the same thing for
me. He inspired 40 writers to author the Bible—His letters to us of
encouragement, promise, hope, and, mast of all, love.
By His amazing grace, it’s been more than 15 years since my operation,
and I still find comfort in this text that gives me perfect peace even today,
during this “new normal” and uncertain times in which we find ourselves.

Lord, may we put our trust completely in You, and may the peace that surpasses
all understanding be our comfort. Amen.

Denise E. Isaac is a member of the Baltimore-White Marsh church in Maryland.

 The Unexpected Prayer
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so
4 that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful
and effective” (James 5:16, NIV).

At any time or any place, someone is praying. These are known as

“expected prayers”—at church, before meals or during pastors’ visits. Such
4 was the case when Ivisited a member the night before open-heart surgery.
We spoke and prayed over his concerns and the comforting hope found
in his medical team and his faith.

I returned days later to hear, “Hello, Pastor. Thank you for visiting, but
your prayer didn't work! After you left, I fell asleep, but fear awakened me
when I realized that in just hours my physician would be holding my heart
in his hand as he performed bypass surgery. My door opened, and a lady
, came in, tidying, mopping and emptying the trash.”
She asked, “Are you having surgery today?”
“Yes, how do you know?” he asked.
“Well your eyes are wide open, and you can’t sleep. She then told me
about the wonderful medical team that prays each morning for the
. patients, and then she prayed for me. Pastor, when she prayed, it was like
an angel whispering in my ear. I slept like a baby.”
He reiterated, “Pastor, her prayer worked—your prayer didn’t!”
The unexpected prayer—the prayer of a caring person who took a moment
‘to lift someone up to God; who stopped and did what medicine cannot do,
and touched another's heart and soul!

Thank You, Lord, that an unexpected prayer can move mountains. Amen.

Peter Bath is the vice president of Mission and Ministry at the Ke tering
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 Peace in Troubled Times
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have
overcome the world” (John 16:33, NKJV).

In February 2020, my husband, Kevin, and I committed to a new adventure.

We moved from Dayton, Ohio, to Washington, D.C., as I started my new job
as the CEO of Howard University Hospital. This new position, arguably the
greatest challenge of my career, required peace and courage to perform
the task. And then entered COVID-19.
I needed an extra dose of peace to concentrate on the health and welfare
of my staff and patients; to compartmentalize my worries for our five
children living in a different region; and for our daughter, a physician, who
stated, “Mom, if Iget COVID-19, you cannot come and see me.”

In the midst of this pandemic, Breonna Taylor, and later George Floyd were
killed. It was hard to find peace as I contemplated the unmerited deaths of
these precious humans. And I needed serenity as I thought of our youngest
son—a new police officer.
Kevin and I were living in temporary housing two blocks from the White
House when the protests started. From the early morning to late at night,
we witnessed thousands chanting, “No Justice; No Peace” and “Say His
Name—George Floyd!”
Finding peace in this life requires trusting blindly in our Higher Power—the
One who sees the bigger picture, the One who has a better plan, the One
who forms a brighter future. Indeed there will be tribulation in this world,
but God has already overcome; therefore, we can too.

Thank You, Lord, for Your peace during troubled times. Amen.

A
ita L. A. fenkins is the CEO for Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C, operated
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 Like a Deer!
“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet
of a deer, He enables me to tread on the heights” (Hab. 3:19, NIV).

‘ There have been times when my trust in God was in a frequent seesaw.
My trust soared high when my circumstances were the way I desired and
dipped low when God did not come through for me as I asked Him to.
~ Teven questioned whether His promises were real.
My youngest sister was at the height of her nursing career. She was
_ just about to begin her doctoral studies when she was unexpectedly
- diagnosed with a terminal illness. I bargained with God to spare her life.
Not an hour went by that I did not beseech Him earnestly to heal her,
but He did not. My faith was deeply tested. I had yet to learn that God's
faithfulness was not bound to my particular external circumstance.
_ This is a truth Habakkuk graphically describes in a situation where all
; hope of survival appears lost. But in spite of the utter destruction that
surrounded him, his trust in God remained firm. He described the
strength of his trust like the firm sure-footedness of a deer, an animal
with the unique ability to place its back feet exactly where its front feet
land, thus capable of leaping over impassable terrain.
Habakkuk uses this analogy to acknowledge the firmness of his trust in
his Sovereign Lord from Whom he gains strength. Likewise, when our
world appears to be crumbling economically, when health appears to be
diminishing, when diseases threaten our very existence, we can trust the
- God who strengthens us to leap over every mountain of difficulty.

Lord, help us to trust You, even when we do not understand why. Amen.

Violet Cox.is the education superintendent

for the Allegheny West Conference.

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 Because of My Mother
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy;
at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16:11, KJV).

My mother’s passing at the age of 91 was “lost” in the midst of the

coronavirus pandemic, but I remember her and her great personal sacrifice
when our father returned from the Vietnam War in 1968, only to abandon
the family 10 days later.
The text says that God will “shew me the path of life,” but for a 15-year-old
whose life had just imploded, I could not see my way forward. Thank God
for a mother with a deep faith and a desire to follow truth wherever it led.
With only a high school education, she now began the struggle to find
adequate employment to support my three younger brothers and me.
Days were long and hard, but we always had food and shelter, and we
never missed Sunday worship. I cannot recall a moment when our mother
did not consider the care and the future of her four boys as the most
important task of her hard life.

One day, my brother brought home a Seventh-day Adventist evangelistic

handbill he found on the street. My mother attended those meetings
faithfully and was baptized at the conclusion.
By now I was the “man of the house” and not enthused with her decision.
However, the transformation in my mother’s character was a revelation of
what Jesus can do to the human heart, and I silently observed her love for
Christ. Iwas baptized three years later, and eventually became a pastor.

God, thank You that our Christian “joy” and “pleasures for evermore” sometimes
come by the sacrifice of others. Amen.

Ss the pastor of the Berwick, Danville and Shamokin churches

 A Lesson in Perseverance
“For I know the plans I have for you ... plans to prosper you and not
to harm you ... to give you hope and a future” (Jer. 29:11, NIV).

_ The biochemistry textbook was thick and assignments ominous. My

primary question was not Will I survive this class? but Is this even necessary?
Though I had weathered challenges before, the horror stories about my
' university’s Biochemistry course alarmed me. A graduating senior, I was
_ already swamped by other academic and extracurricular commitments.
; Embarking on a detailed, fast-paced journey, I increasingly appreciated
how biology and chemistry intertwined. I had a C, however, which terrified
me. God, what is happening? Ibegan to ask.
Slowly, my grade improved. But my despair did not. The semi-familiar
terrain of acid-base properties and protein configurations had become
the foreign land of concepts such as enzyme kinetics. I restudied chapters,
visited my professor's office constantly and defeatedly noted the course’s
_ drop date. God, I cried, show me that I'm not working in vain.
My pleas continued until one mid-semester morning. Shocked to see my
perfect score on a difficult quiz, I also realized that I was enjoying what we
were learning. Wake up, God told me. You may not know the entire picture—
or how this course will apply to your future, but trust that I know, and rest
assured that this experience is worth it.
That semester, I navigated two difficult courses: Biochemistry and
-Perseverance in the Face of Uncertainty. With Jeremiah 29:11 as my motto,
I emerged victorious from both.

Father, when it’s hard to see Your plans, may we claim Your promises and
"persevere! Amen.

Yasmin Phillip is a member of the New Market church in Virginia.

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 He Made a Way
“Nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You”
(2 Chron. 20:12, NKJV).

Once I “found” this verse, it became a favorite of mine. One Bible that
I own is full of verses colored in blue to remind me of God's special
promises. This is one of those special verses that has not only helped me
handle those tough moments in life, but I believe it has also strengthened
those with whom I've shared this verse.
Why do we think we can go through life without leaning on the Lord for His
guidance and deliverance? My husband, Dan, and I have faced some pretty
tough situations in life—dead-end battles—or so they've seemed. But I've
discovered that, as our walk with God continues, we need to keep our eyes
on Him and go along for the ride. It’s not always easy though.
We have faced enormous debts on our house and car. We have also dealt
with decisions, such as quitting a well-paying job in a secular organization
to step out in faith into full-time literature evangelism with two children in
college. Though we couldn't see how things would turn out, we placed total
faith in God, and things worked out beautifully.
Whatever you are going through, do you hear God telling you to look to
Him? He is the Source of all answers. He will make a way in the wilderness.

Father, our faith is in You and what You are able to do. You have all power and
see the end from the beginning. We have nothing to fear. Looking into Your
eyes, we are at peace. Amen.

Valerie Morikone is the communication director for the Mountain View Conference.
a

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You Can Call Me ‘The Hallelujah’
_ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely
say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad,
because great is your reward in heaven” (Matt. 5:11-12, NIV).
if

When I was a kid, I used to firmly say I'd be willing to bear persecution—
and even die for Jesus. These verses, spoken by Jesus, touch me personally
_ and give me courage to be a witness for Him—no matter the consequence.
_ At the age of 7, my family lived in a neighborhood where we were the only
/
Seventh-day Adventists. My best friend lived four houses down, and we
_ played almost every day. Her parents even let her go to church with us
every Sabbath.
However, one of our neighbors, who called us the “The Hallelujahs,”
discouraged my friend from going to church by giving her toys and snacks.
;
i
Suddenly, my friend stopped talking and playing with me; she was now
friends with the neighbor’s grandkids.
This made me very sad. But what hurt the most was when she and the
others mocked me and called me “The Hallelujah.” Crying, I told my mom.
She hugged me and explained that the word hallelujah means joy and
happiness, and, that the next time they called me that, I should thank them
because they were calling me something nice.
So I did! And they stopped calling me “The Hallelujah.” In fact, a couple of
weeks later, my friend and I were playing together again.

Help me, God, to remember that it doesn’t matter whatIgo through in life,
because You are my reward in heaven. Amen.

Domitila Rosette is the administrative assistant of the Multilingual Ministries Department

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for the Columbia Union Conference.

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Knock at the Door

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears
My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine
with him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3:20, NKJV).

To me, this verse is one of the most personal, heartfelt invitations in the
Bible. So often we think of Revelation as the book about the antichrist, the
mark of the beast, or the seven last plagues. But first and foremost, it is a
book where Jesus patiently waits for us to surrender our hearts to Him so
that He can love and lead us.
There have been times in my life when I have been frustrated with God.
Times I didn’t understand why He was letting certain things happen.
Times where I felt He was seemingly ignoring my prayers. Sometimes
those frustrations grew to the point where I didn’t spend time with Him
in daily devotions, and, as a result, experienced the feeling of being
separated from Him.
But this verse reminds me that God never leaves me nor forsakes me.
He doesn't abandon me to the detours of life, or leave me to drown in
my negative thoughts and emotions. He’s been patiently and continually
knocking on the door—waiting for me to surrender my heart again and
let Him in.
I’m thankful He understands our frustrations. I'm thankful He is a faithful
Friend. But I’m most thankful that, in His everlasting love, He never stops
knocking.

Thank You, God, that we mean too much for You to stop knocking. Amen.

| M. Klinedinst is the evangelism director for the Chesapeake Conference.

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| Two Are Better Than One

“Two are better than one, because they have a good
reward for their labor” (Eccl. 4:9, NKJV).

4 This verse is one of my favorites because it encourages teamwork. I like

_ working in groups and working with my friends on projects because it’s
~ fun! We learn so much from each other.
Have you ever done a group project and the other person won't work
_ with you? How does that make you feel? It probably makes you feel sad
because you're the only one working. My teacher assigned a group project
_ in school, and I was excited to work on the project, but my teammate didn’t
want to do much of the work. I tried to talk to him and encourage him to
work with me on the project so that we could finish it and it would not be a
_ lot of work for both of us.
» I prayed and asked God to help my teammate focus on the project and
/ help. It’s better to help the other person feel better so they will enjoy
working with you. Nobody wants to do the work alone, but, if you want the
person to do the project, you should help him or her.
We finished the project, and I learned a lot about patience and being a
good teammate by praying for the person instead of leaving them alone.

- Dear Heavenly Father, please bless everyone today, and let us be good, let us work
hard and let us appreciate what others do for us. Help us know that You love us,
and that we are better as teammates. Amen.

Anyah Dorsey-Townsend is a fourth-grader at Takoma Academy Preparatory S« hool i

Maryland.
 Only God Can Do That
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Ps. 23:1, KJV).

My favorite verse in the Bible is Psalm 23:1. 1 know I am safe if God is my

Shepherd. I will always have what I need. Many times, however, when
I experience trials, I easily forget this promise and start to distrust and
despair. I need to trust God when difficult times occur, and rely on this
promise to keep my heart calm.
God saved my life when I was baby. As a premature infant, Iweighed
only three pounds at birth. The doctors didn’t expect me to live. They also
thought that, ifIdid live, Iwould only have half of my heart and be unable
to walk. But God saved me and sustained my life. If it weren't for the Lord,
I wouldn't be here today—totally healthy and strong.
During this time of crisis due to the coronavirus, I should not worry but
have faith in the Lord, because, at the end of the day, no hand sanitizer can
save me—only God can do that.
God has impacted my life by helping me grow spiritually in Him. I enjoy
reading His Word and attending church. Accepting Jesus was the best
decision I have ever made. He loves me for who I am, no matter what I've
done. God always comforts me and uplifts me when I am going through
tough times. God is great, all the time. And all the time, God is great!

Dear Heavenly Father, no matter what life brings, You are there for me. You
provide for all my needs. You love me unconditionally, and I thank you for
saving my life. Amen.

icobo is an eighth-grader at the Roanoke Adventist Christian Schoo! in Virginia.

t God Chose Me
“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
having predestined us to adoption as sons byJesus Christ to Himself,
according to the good pleasure of His will” (Eph. 1:4-5, NKJV).

I find it amazing to consider this verse, especially along the lines that
I was chosen “before the foundation of the world” by the Almighty God.
As I ponder upon this, Iam reminded of what was done for me before the
foundation of the world. Jesus, the Lamb, was slain! (Revelation 13:8).
Jesus and His Father loved me and had a plan for me before I was created
(John 3:16).
God has clearly chosen me, and all of us for that matter, but have I
chosen God? (Joshua 24:15).
I was adopted when I was 7 years old, and I will never forget when the
judge asked me if I would accept my new dad. How could I not? My
adopted dad had chosen me, and I needed a dad in my life. Once I came
to know the will of my dad, it became easy for me to accept him.
So what is the will of our heavenly Father? The Bible tells me it is to save
us from our sins, to deliver us from this evil world and to accept us into
His family and loving care (Galatians 1:4). I have discovered the assurance
that God has already chosen me. I will never have to fear rejection with
God (John 6:37; Romans 8:15). As a result, I have decided to choose God in
return (1 John 4:19). How about you?

God, may we choose You, now and forever. Amen.

Joshua Plohocky is the pastor of the Bucks County and Fairview

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Battling the What-lfs

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your
own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show
you which path to take” (Prov. 3:5-6, NLT).

A few years ago, my husband lost his job. Down to one income with
children in private school and bills to pay, I was scared. Late one night,
trying to fall asleep with a thousand thoughts racing through my mind,
Proverbs 3:5-6 was brought to my mind.
Fast forward to 2020 and living in the “new normal” of COVID-19. With
so many unknowns, there were moments of what-ifs; however, as with
everything in life, going straight to my Heavenly Father and talking
with Him helped to calm my fears. Keeping my favorite Bible verse on a
continual loop in my mind also helped.
I learned this verse as a child, but needed a gentle reminder that, even
when trials and tribulations come—which they will—we must trust in the
Lord with all our heart, and not lean on what we think is best. We must
always, without fail, trust in the Lord, because He will certainly show us
the correct path.

God, You know the end from the beginning, so why should we be afraid? Amen.

rnick is the Human Resources specialist

for the Columbia Union Conference.
 Go for It!
“I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift,
nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet
riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but
time and chance happeneth to them all” (Eccles. 9:11, KJV).

These words hold two very credible sources of endorsement: They were
‘penned by Solomon—the wisest man who ever lived—and, as a part of
the canon of Scripture, fall under the category of being inspired by God.
The truth of this passage can be viewed in two ways that offer hope to us
in our earthly journey and experience.
Life lived long enough will prove that life isn’t always fair. Hard work
doesn’t always lead to success, honesty is not always rewarded and
position is not always based on merit. The truth of this verse gives us this
pragmatic reality: We are not always where we are based on our merit,
nor are we always denied our goals because of our lack.
But there is another way to look at this passage: We should shoot our shot,
take our chance and aim for the stars. It’s not always the best who win; it’s
not always the strong who overcome; and it’s not always the savvy who get
rich. Since time and chance (or providence) happens to everyone, it’s our
job to be content in His mercy and to be ambitious for His glory!
If you feel like you've been overlooked, remember the person ahead of
you isn’t necessarily better. And, if you're afraid to go for it, remember it’s
not always the best person who wins.

Lord, since we don’t know how time and chance will turn out, let us go for it!
Amen.

EmanuelBaék is a pastor of the West Chester church in Pennsylvania.

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 The Passenger
“Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they
were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd”
(Matt. 9:36, NASB).

I was pastoring in Denver and my wife had to work almost 2,000 miles away
in New York. Lonely, I sometimes looked for new activities to enhance my
ministry. Uber driving seemed fascinating. Iwanted to know more about
inner city culture, so I experimented. In general, we isolate from people in
our community, mostly because their lives are so different than ours.
I picked up my first rider very late at night. He was a restaurant worker. As
time went on, riders and experiences grew in number. There were young
people going to parties, others attending professional sports games. I
remember prostitutes, senators, high rollers and so many others. Mental
images of hundreds of stoned youth still cause me to weep.
One night, I picked up a passenger and started to his destination. Halfway
there, he suddenly turned, looked at me and said, “You're a pastor!”
I was startled. How could he tell from my street clothes?
He continued, “I just beat my wife back there, and I’m so ashamed! Please
pull over.” I did as he said, thinking he'd get out of the car. Instead, he gave
his heart to Christ right in the front seat of my car. Then he instructed me
to take him to the local police station, where he turned himself in.
Once we have compassion that moves us from our comfort zone, the
Holy Spirit can do amazing things through us. Do we see people as Christ
sees them? If not, perhaps that is our starting point in serving others.

Lord, give us compassion to share You through word and deed. Amen.

eden is the district pastor of the Williamsport, Milton and Lock Haven churches
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The Antidote for Restlessness
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28, KJV).

Jesus’ invitation helps me to understand my own story of restlessness.

__ The verse speaks life to me because of the steps I took to experience rest
personally, and the restIinvite others in crises to experience in my clinical
ministry practice.

When my mother gave birth to me, she abandoned me to my

grandmother because she was ashamed to hold a child with a withered
left hand in a culture of honor and shame. I grew up not knowing my
biological parents until Iwas about 14 years old. I recall how I was
moved around to live with uncles, brothers and church members in my
village. When I was around 16 or 17 years old, Imet an American Baptist
missionary couple who taught me to speak and write English.
Looking back, I see myself as a survivor who did not allow the trauma
of my past to determine myfuture. This is important because, how I
interpret my past—including my failures and successes—determines the
meaning I make or find in the present and the action I take in the future.
Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28 helps me to understand my call to be a
pastor/chaplain/educator in clinical pastoral care. I believe students enter
clinical pastoral education (CPE) with various brokenness and restlessness
from conflicts with families, churches and other life events, including
struggles from pastoral encounters or case presentations. May we all
_ experience the rest God alone offers from challenges life presents to us.

Lord, when I'm restless, rest my heart and soul. Amen.

Moses Taiwo is the CPE educator and manager for Spiri

Medical Center, part of Kettering Adventist ithlthCare in Of
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Angel at the Falls

“Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those
who will inherit salvation?” (Heb. 1:14, NIV).

In the days when I was young and bold, or as my mother would

objectively say, “careless,” Iventured out from my hotel room at 2:00 a.m.
I thought to myself, Niagara Falls is a completely safe place. Especially in
July! So, why not? Needless to say, I went on a solo adventure, uninhibited
of any possible danger.
Ninety minutes into my city voyage, I realized I may be lost. I reached for
the hotel map I had in my pocket, and it was gone! Trying not to panic,
I mentally retraced my steps and headed back cautiously. Maybe, in my
rush to leave my room, I had left the map on the tabletop.
As I was orienting myself, my thoughts went back to my mother. I
remembered her expressing, “We are going to Niagara Falls to have
a mother and son time together.” She wanted us to have a closer
relationship. Shame unexpectedly swept over me. While my mother was
sleeping, I was selfishly doing “my own thing.” I stopped and asked God
for forgiveness.
It was now 4:30 a.m. when I heard a gang of boys from the distance
quickly approaching my location. Suddenly, a car appeared in front of me.
An elderly lady rolled down her window and said, “Sonny, are you lost?!”
Embarrassed, I just smiled. She then gave me the exact directions to get
back to the hotel. I thanked her and headed that way. When I glanced
back, the car had vanished. It was then that I realized I had met my angel
at the Falls.

Lord, when we go astray, bring us back home. Amen.

odriguez is the youth director for the Chesapeake Conference.

 The Bible in a Nutshell
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son,
that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life”
(John 3:16, NIV).

__ loften refer to my favorite Bible verse—John 3:16—as “the Bible ina

nutshell” because it explains the main message of the Bible: God loves us
so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins so that we can
have a chance to be reunited with Him for eternity!
John 3:16 has impacted my life by giving me hope. This verse reminds me
that, as a Christ-follower, I have the hope of eternal life when the curtain
closes on human history.
Someone once told me that they don’t believe in life after death, so they've
chosen to enjoy everything in this life. They also said that they didn’t
believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. “How is that possible?” the
person asked.
I tried to convince and explain that Jesus is alive and that there is hope of
eternal life after death for all who follow Him. It’s not my job, however, to
convince people that Jesus wants to save their souls. It is my job to live for
God and follow Jesus all the way to heaven. My mother says this regarding
witnessing: “You do the living and let the Holy Spirit do the convicting.”
Knowing that God made a way for me to be saved in His kingdom helps me
stay true to the cause of Christ. They say that sometimes you may be the
only Bible that people read. I hope that the story of my life will lead people
to Jesus Christ.

Dear God, please awaken us to know You, love You and follow Jesus. Amen.

Alexis A. Goring is a member of the Restoration Praise Center in Maryland.

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Forgiven
“He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished
us according to our iniquities. ... As far as the east is from the
west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us”
(Ps. 103:10, 12, NKJV).

God always gives us what we need, not what we deserve. Instead of

giving us the punishment we deserve, Jesus Christ has paid for all our
sins and all our wrongs. I love what the Bible says about East and West
because there is no end to East or West. There is a North Pole and a South
Pole, but there is no end from East to West.
When I consider my past sins, I tremble at the thought of what God
“might” have justly done to me. When I think of the sufferings He
“might” have brought upon me, which would have been no more than I
deserved—what pain of body, distress of mind, anguish of bereavement,
sorrow, danger, sickness, losses—I “might” have suffered before the
point would be reached at which it could be said that I had suffered more
than a holy and just God might properly inflict on me.
Ican truly say, even when I've blown it big time, that He has not “dealt
with me” after my sins. He has never apportioned my punishment to my
sins, nor has He regulated the exercise of His mercy by my merits.
Let me make this very clear: God forgives you not because you're good,
but because He is good.

Gracious God, thank You for not giving me whatIdeserved. Thank You for
loving me so much that You forgave me instead. Amen.

, Fordham IIL, is the president of the Allegheny East Conference,

 Anthropos
“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the
Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27-28, NIV).

In these verses, Mark could have used the word Aadc (/ads) where we get
the word “laity”—a word for mankind or humanity in the New Testament.
But most often laity refers to Jews.
Or he could have used the word €6voc (éthnos) where we get the word
“ethnic.” It is also a word for mankind or humanity in the New Testament,
but most often describes Gentiles.

Instead, Mark uses a different word— Gv@pwmtoc (anthrépos)—and repeats

it twice. “The Sabbath was made for man (anthrdpos), not man (anthrépos)
for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

The word anthropos here does not refer to Jews, Gentiles or any specific
category of people. Instead, to this day, anthropology is the scientific
study of all humanity. Thus, the Sabbath is a gift for all humanity! Exodus
16:29 says, “They must realize that the Sabbath is the Lord’s gift to you”
(NLT). Kept right, it is a delight. And Isaiah 58:13-14 adds, “Keep the
Sabbath day holy. Don’t pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy
the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day. Honor
the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don't follow your own
desires or talk idly. Then the Lord will be your delight” (NLT).
So unplug, slow down, and gather your friends and family to connect with
_ Jesus this Sabbath. Invite some guests too. He is waiting for all of you!

God, thank You for the Sabbath rest You set aside for all humankind. Amen.

Mike Fortdne'is the pastor of the Toledo First church in Ohio.

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 Learning to Lean on Jesus
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto
thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him,
and He shall direct thy paths” (Prov. 3:5-6, KJV).

Genuinely believing in God means to adhere to, trust in, rely on, and,
most importantly, have faith in Him. That is scary to me, but I know for
certain it is true. ;
I studied to become a registered nurse, but was unsuccessful in passing
my nurse licensing exam. After failing, 1gave up and said to myself, “I
don’t like this feeling,” and purposed to only do things I reasonably
thought would bring me success.
The fierce desire to pass and overcome my fear never escaped me, so,
nearly 20 years after finishing nursing school, I decided to retake the
exam once more. This decision caused me grief and consuming anxiety.
Every day I woke up to the realization that I may fail. It, however, provided
me a daily reminder to earnestly seek the Lord. I humbly prayed and
asked God for deliverance from my fear and the strength to withstand the
amount of studying I had to accomplish. I also asked Him to help me as a
working mom, homeschool teacher, part-time student and wife.
I praise God for His unconditional love, because, throughout the yearlong
journey, He faithfully kept me. The few people who knew about my
situation heartily prayed for me, and His Word comforted me. I wholly
trusted God with my entire being, and He didn’t fail me. I passed my
exam! But the greatest blessing of all was that I found a closer walk with
my best friend, Jesus.

God, may we find a friend in Jesus and sincerely trust in Him. Amen.

Ginelle Edmondson is the Health Ministries director for the Mountain View Conference.
 Christ Lives in Me
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live,
but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live
by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me”
(Gal. 2:20, NKJV).

I was 17 and the youngest child of a big family growing up on a dairy farm
in Pennsylvania when this verse became special to me. That summer,
I worked alone on the farm, as all my siblings had moved away. This
provided me with a lot of time to think, and I examined the purpose of life
and what I should do with mine. I contemplated a number of avenues, such
as joining the U.S. Marines and volunteering for service in Vietnam, as one
of my older brothers had done.
For some unknown reason, I couldn't find peace of mind except when I
dwelled on Scripture. I also began reading Steps to Christ for what seemed
like the first time. Within the pages, I discovered this special verse.
As I look back, I’m certain it was this pivotal time in my life when I sensed
God calling me to the gospel ministry. I committed this verse to memory,
and, as I repeated it to myself, it gave me the peace of mind I sought. I was
so encouraged by its message: I live, but yet, I don’t; Christ lives in me.
It is His Spirit that gives my soul peace, comfort and hope, and I live each
day by the power He offers!

_ Lord, please live in me today and give me Your peace, presence and power.
Amen.

Dave Weigiey is the president of the Columbia Union Conference.

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My Future
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout,
with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.
And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and
remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet
the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord”
(1 Thess. 4:16-17, NKJV).

As a 4-year-old, I didn’t understand the concept of death and that my

father would never come home again. For weeks, I stayed up at night
waiting for him. By the age of 8, though, I understood that he was not
returning and this new unfavorable home where I lived was my only
home. I longed for the daddy that I couldn't even remember because I
longed for a daddy who cared, provided, listened, held and loved me.

In a small, two-room Seventh-day Adventist school, I learned these verses

and immediately claimed them as my own: “And the dead in Christ will
rise first.” My hope. My promise. My future. I could not wait to see my
daddy again!
Years have passed and these verses still remain powerful, but with one
growing change: As much as [ still long to know my daddy, I have found
that I long even more for my heavenly Father. I have a “Daddy” who has
taken care of me, provided for me, listened to me, held me and loves me
with an eternal love. And I desperately long “to meet the Lord in the air.
And thus we shall always be with the Lord!”

Father, I can only imagine what I'll do when I stand before You! Amen.

Debbie Rivera is a pastor at the Ellicott City church in Maryland.

 God's Waiting Room
“Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord” (Ps. 27:14, NLT).

I feel like the more I serve God, the more encounters I have in His waiting
room. This is where I learn to be courageous and wait on Him even when
my circumstances say otherwise. In the process of waiting, I have realized
that, without faith, it is impossible to wait patiently for the Lord, especially
when it seems He is tied up with someone else’s emergency.
After my studies, God blessed me with a part-time job, yet it was a
struggle to take care of my family’s basic expenses. My wife and I
presented our scarcity and situation to God while we waited on Him. We
kept praying and waiting for me to secure a full-time job, but it didn’t
happen. In God’s great mercy, He provided a job for my wife. Together,
our income was just enough to take care of our needs.
Despite God's blessings, I was still arguing with Him for a full-time job. I
could not understand what God was doing in my life. And then COVID-19
struck. Many of my co-workers were furloughed, but God kept my part-
time job.
Many families were in a dilemma because schools went virtual for the rest
of the school year. My part-time job was a blessing in disguise because it
created an opportunity for my wife and me to alternate so that our sons
could be supervised at home. At the moment, the wait seemed like a
curse, but looking back it was a blessing. There are, indeed, blessings in
our waiting.

God, may we choose You always. Amen.

Dale Walton is a staff chaplain at the Troy Hospital for Kettering Adventist HealthCare
in Ohio.

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Nothing Can Separate Us

“For Iam convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to
separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”
(Rom. 8:38-39, NASB).

Romans 8:32 tells us that God did not spare His own Son, but handed
Him over to save us. This act alone is enough to convince us that nothing
can ever separate us from His love. This work of love continues as Christ,
who died for us all and faced persecution from Satan and his evil angels
and from religious and political powers, is able to sympathize with our
weaknesses as He intercedes for us (Hebrews 4:15). This is our assurance
that no tribulation, trial, burden, temptation or power we experience on
earth can separate us from the everlasting love of God.

Heavenly Father, we praise You for the evidences of Your love that we see
displayed every day in our lives. We praise You for the ultimate sacrifice You
made on our behalf, through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to accept Your
love with a grateful heart and to give evidence of our love and devotion to You
every day by submitting our lives to You and Your will. Amen.

erly Ondrizek is a member of the Indiana church in Pennsylvania.

 Don't Lose Hope
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you”
(1 Pet. 5:7, NIV).

_ When the COVID-19 outbreak happened, we were stuck at home in

quarantine. All we could do was stay home and work or watch the news,
hoping to hear something good. During that time, I noticed people
having anxiety because they did not know what the future held. So many
_ crazy things have happened recently, and as everything looks to be
worsening, it feels endless.
However, don’t lose hope. We need to continue praying, having faith and
keeping our heads up, because we know that God is here with us, and
things will be better soon.
Honestly, I have anxiety about the future, especially since I am young. I
still don’t fully understand all that is going on, but God has really helped
" me with my personal anxiety during these times. First Peter 5:7 is a great
reminder to keep our faith in God because He is in control of the future
and will take care of us.

God, please help us not to lose hope and to continue to pray, have faith and
move forward when anxiety comes. Amen.

. tepe , eee S yor atthe hAnrin srnan

Arria Williams is an eighth-grader at the Mount Vernon
Seventh-dav
Seventn-aay Aaventist
Adventist clFlen
School in Ohio:
 Pe

Remember
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will
eat or drink. ... Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap
or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by
worrying add a single hour to your life? (Matt. 6:25-27, NIV).

In spring of 1976, we stood in front of our home, and nothing was left but
ashes. We were able to save the orange Ford Pinto wagon and my dad's
wallet that contained the only money we had. My parents seemed calm,
but Iam sure they were worried about the future.
Through God's providence, the five of us ended up in Eatonville, Wash.
Day after day, God took care of us with food, jobs and necessities. As a
young teen, I remember thinking how dedicated my parents were to
prayer, and the answered prayers solidified for me that our God cares.
During the pandemic, like everyone else, I had questions: Will my mom,
who lives in a nursing facility, be OK? Will I still have a job? How long
will this crisis last? But, once again, the Lord brought to mind Matthew
6:25-34 and the assurance that Idon’t have to worry. If He cares for the
birds and the flowers, how much more does He care for you and me, who
have far greater value?

In these uncertain times, we need to remember how God has led us in

the past and be reassured that He will lead us now and in the future.

God, even ifwe can't see the end from the beginning, may we trust You to see
us through. Amen.

Lori Farr ts the pastor of the Miamisburg church in Ohio.

 A Heart for Health
“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he wouid not defile himself
with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he
drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the enunchs that he
might not defile himself” (Dan. 1:8, NKJV).

The rewards of the Bible-based diet in Daniel’s story resonated with me

! _ when I became a Seventh-day Adventist. My Christian journey up to that
point had been a circuitous one. However, each path led me to be more
reconciled to the Scriptures. Daniel’s example continues to influence the
- dietary improvements I make for better health, wisdom and discernment.
For years in social work, I observed how marginalized clients’ decision-
making, health, finances, and self-worth were impacted by the limitations
of fresh produce and wholesome food availability and affordability. High
calorie, nutritionally low and convenience food products were easily
accessible to them. Myjourney led me to share recipes, samples and
shopping experiences with those in my sphere of influence.
God blessed not only me, but family, friends and clients. Failure to thrive
babies gained weight and some adults lost weight. Grocery funds lasted
longer. Meal planning increased and fast food consumption decreased.
- When I left social work for home-based childcare, I provided plant-based
meals to my young clients. The Lord always blessed me with families
who welcomed a plant-based diet, regardless of their practice at home. I
believed with God’s help, these children would be healthy and wise, more
-able to discern between right and wrong. Indeed, I believe they grew to be
more articulate, fit and knowledgeable than their peers. God did it!

Dear Lord, may Your Word create in me an appetite for holiness and healthy
- living as I also purpose to be wise. Amen.

Gillian Jefferson Chavers is the head deaconess at the Calvary church in Virginia.
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 Lean Into Jesus
“[The disciples] feared exceedingly, and said to one another,
‘Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
(Mark 4:41, NKJV).

“Your COVID-19 test is positive.” This was the spoiled icing on the rancid
cake that had been the last three months of our lives.
March 2020 started with 31 days of quarantine because my doctor feared
that my asthma could compromise me if I were to catch COVID-19.
At the beginning of April, we learned my father-in-law fell, hit his head
and was rushed to the hospital. The day we planned to drive from
Maryland to Colorado to be with him, a tree fell on our house. The next
day, a deer flew across the highway and smashed into our new car just
four hours into our trip. All shops were closed in the area, so we kept
driving. Three hours later, we received the call that my father-in-law had
passed. It was a tearful drive the rest of the way.
My mother-in-law is a brave cancer survivor, however, her treatments have
left her mostly bedridden. We packed her house and moved her back to
Maryland to be with us, but our place was not adequate, so we also had to
move homes. The day we moved, I started feeling COVID-19 symptoms.
This storm seemed relentless, and the waves were coming so fast. How will
we ever survive? I thought. But then an overwhelming peace came over me.
The disciples were amazed that Jesus could control the storm. However,
an even greater miracle, possibly, is that He can calm us when we are
caught in life’s raging storms. Thankfully, Jesus is in our boat.

God, how can we fear when You are near? Amen.

c
steve
) Leddy is the director of Evangelism and Church Planting for the Potomac Conference.
r.

eR
God’s Word for Perplexed People
“And because lawlessness will abound, the love
of many will grow cold” (Matt. 24:12, NKJV).

_ Our world is in crisis, and it’s more than a fast-moving series of disasters
and emergencies. Many people are appalled as they see riots, burning and
alooting of cities, wars and everything once so apparently stable falling apart.
} Society is being pulled apart by vicious undercurrents, and the filth and slime
_ of immorality are oozing from the seams. Instead of being a refuge, society
4 has become the breeding ground of alcoholism, drug addiction, violence,
_ murder and the destruction of matrimony. All is stark testimony that the
Spirit of God is being withdrawn from the earth and that the end is near.
As we live in these perplexing times, every Seventh-day Adventist
Christian must ask these questions: Shall I be spared the withdrawal of
07 s Holy Spirit? Am I seeking God as my only hope and refuge in this
’ fateful hour? Is my soul a leaking vessel? Am I in any way unconsciously
absorbing this godless spirit that is spelling the doom of the human race?
Ellen White shares, “There are not many, even among educators and
statesmen, who comprehend the causes that underlie the present state
of society. Those who hold the reins of government are not able to solve
_ the problem of moral corruption, poverty, pauperism, and increasing
crime. ... If men would give more heed to the teachings of God’s
word, they would find a Solution of the problems that perplex them”
(Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 13).

Father, thank You for Your Word that is living and powerful, a discerner of
the thoughts and intents of the heart, as we read in Hebrews 4:12. Amen.

Ferdi Sastropawiro is the headteacher for The Northern Tier Christian Sc hool in
_ Pennsylvania. +

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 M

Empowered by Love
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by
the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good,
and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom. 12:2, KJV).

God loves us, and His care for us helps us bring out the absolute best
in us all. When we realize how much He loves us, it empowers us to be
loving to those around us. Even though we are in quarantine at the time
Iam writing this, we, as Christians, should let this tragedy be a time to
read the Bible more. We should make a difference in the world around us.
We should help others by staying safe indoors, telling ourselves it’s OK
to be away from friends for a while, and, through a consistent prayer life,
everything will be just fine in the end.
God is calling us to rise up as Christians and make a difference in this
world. I know how scary it can be finding out if you have the coronavirus
because my aunt had a scare herself. She was feeling sick, and she had to
get tested. My mother and I were very scared because we heard how the
virus can kill people very fast.

We prayed the whole time, hoping the test would come back negative. In
the name ofJesus, she was fine—the test was negative. Since that day, I
have been telling a lot of people that God can work miracles. He saved my
aunt, just as I know He will continue to save many others.

Dear Father in heaven, thank You for being the Miracle Worker. Help me to
trust You more. Amen.

Talyah Bailey is an eighth-grader at the Harrisburg Adventist School in Pennsylvania.

 Wait on the Lord
“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they
shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be
weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isa. 40:31, NKJV).

Having lived in a fast-paced environment all my life, it’s been hard for me to
learn to wait on the Lord. After all, isn’t it better to get things done before
_ itis too late? I have committed many mistakes in my life due to me moving
_ ahead ofthe Lord. In fact, to me it seems like He is the one sometimes
slowing me down. Oh, but if I, at times, would have just waited for God's
leading, how things would have turned out differently.
_ The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many lives and families. When it hit
__mine, my family and I were devastated. My dad was in the hospital for
almost a month, and we prayed and prayed for God to heal him so he could
» be together with my mom. There were moments when we wanted the
| hospital to release him, but something always interfered with him coming
home. We know now that the Lord was getting everything in order before
allowing my dad to return home.
We patiently waited on the Lord, and our strength was renewed during
the waiting trial. If my dad would have been released at the time we
wanted, we would have run into many problems. We didn’t have the
proper nursing equipment and hospital bed, and the home wasn't fully
disinfected. The day after we had these things in order, my dad was
discharged from the hospital.

Lord, may we learn to wait on You, for Your timing is perfect! May we trust in
You and renew our strength as we wait. Amen.

fuan Cabrera is a member of the Spencerville church in Maryland.

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 Do Not Be Afraid
“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid
or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go”
(Josh. 1:9, NLT).

This verse brings me hope and courage when I am feeling scared. When I
was younger, terrible things happened to me. My family was very unkind,
and it was scary living in a home where I experienced constant trauma. I did
not know about Jesus, so I had no hope of a better life. I used to hide so my
family would not find me. Sometimes when they found me, they hurt me.
Even though I did not know Jesus, He was looking out for me. When I was
8-years-old, He sent the Department of Social Services to take my siblings
and me to foster families. My entire life changed that day.
The family I was placed in loves God and teaches me all about Him. They
send me to a Christian school so I can learn more about Him. One day,
I heard this memory verse and it brought me such comfort. It tells me
that I do not need to feel afraid, that He is always with me. God loves me
enough to always be with me and protect me, and, even if Iwas the only
one on this earth, He would still come and die for me. He would do the
same for you too.
I still deal with fear at times. Satan likes to remind me of my past. But I
keep quoting this verse, and it helps me to be strong. One day, my dream
is to help others like me and teach them this verse too!

Dear Jesus, please help those who are scared and feel alone to know that You
love them so much and You will always be there for them. Amen.

Kensley Roark is a fourth-grader at the Desmond T. Doss Christian Academy in Virginia.

 Perfect Timing
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those
who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose”
(Rom. 8:28, NIV).

_ This verse reminds me that God will work out things in my life for good.
And if we listen to His leadings, how many times can He use us to work
out good in other people’s lives?
A few years ago, a friend of mine helped me with several projects. I
_ thanked her but felt that Ineeded to do more to show my appreciation.
| After a few weeks, I decided to send her flowers. But I didn’t know what
type of flower or color she liked.
Little did Iknow how much my friend needed those flowers. The day she
received them, she had been let go from work. Not only were the flowers
*, her favorite type and color, but they were from her favorite florist too.
Given this, she didn’t read the card but called her mother, thinking the
flowers were from her. Her mother refused the thank you and told her to
read the card.
Looking back, it is easy to see that, by listening to God's leading, I was
able to help brighten a friend’s day on the exact day she needed it. And
maybe, just maybe, I played a small part in helping things work together
for good in her life.

Continue to use me, God, to touch those around me. Amen.

Peggy Jean Lee is-an assistant-treasurer for the Columbia Union Revolving Ft
in Maryland.
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 Why | Believe Romans 8:28
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who
love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose”
(Rom. 8:28, NKJV).

In the midst of trouble, it can be very difficult to see anything good.

More often than not, the darkness of pain and suffering drowns out any
glimpse of light and hope. Faith tends to give way to feelings of despair
and discouragement. Have you been there? Maybe you are experiencing
that dark place right now.
Remember Joseph in the Bible? His multi-colored coat, dreaming mind
and the intense hatred of his older brothers? The ones whom he should
have been able to trust for protection instead plotted to kill him. Joseph
was stripped, beaten, sold into slavery and sent to a foreign land. He had
many years to reflect on what happened to him. I've often thought about
his attitude toward his brothers and God during those years in Egypt.
After 20 years, Joseph is reunited with his brothers. The Bible gives a glimpse
into his heart as he interacts with them. And after their father dies, the
brothers are still afraid Joseph may seek retaliation for their prior wrongs.
Yet we see what Icall the “original” Romans 8:28 found in Genesis 50:20:
“But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in
order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive” (NKJV).
Take hold of the same faith that Joseph had in God. He chose to see his
experiences through the lens of faith. His perspective was widened to see
a plan bigger and more far-reaching than his own life.

Dear God, thank You for being in control of our circumstances for our good
and for Your glory! Amen.

Marquita Klinedinst is a member of the Spencerville church in Maryland.

7
V3

God Grieves Too

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be
_ no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any
more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Rev. 21:4, KJV).

_ On June 6, 2018, my family and I were given the worst news any parent
can be given. My 7-year-old daughter, Liana Kathryn, was diagnosed with
_ arare form of cancer known as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. When
the head of neurosurgery came to speak to me, I asked him to “give it to
_me straight.” You ask that, hoping that it will make things easier.
His words will forever be etched into my mind: “I am sorry to tell you
_this, but your daughter is going to die.” It was as if someone had
punched me in the gut or a ton of weight fell on me. Our life in a
comfortable cocoon shattered.

_ Liana battled bravely and honorably against this dreaded disease for
six months before succumbing to it November 10, 2018. She was a real
_ trooper.
Liana had a zest for life. A social butterfly, she was a jokester, a prankster
and her smile always lit up a room. She was always laughing and giggling.
Liana could be hard-nosed at times, but had the sweetest of hearts. And
she loved Jesus.
Since that time, I have started a grieving ministry at my church, for Jesus
revealed to me in John 11, that He, too, grieves.

God, please comfort and heal the hearts of all those who have lost loved
ones. Amen.

Howargl Martit-is a member of the Fredericksburg church in Virginia.

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 God’s To-Do List
|
“I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still
talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!”
(Isa. 65:24, NLT).

It wasn’t until I became a teaching principal that Isaiah’s words took

root in my soul. Oftentimes, I found myself conversing with God about
school and the myriad of situations I had no idea how to solve. Each time
my staff, the school board and I found a solution, we were reminded yet
again of how faithful He was (and is) to His children.

As we continued to bring our seemingly endless petitions to God, I began

to envision each of our needs as items on an enormous to-do list. None
of the requests we made were news to Him. Over time, it became clear to
me that every new item we added, and subsequently checked off, He had
long ago checked off His own list. As I began to reflect on my life, Isaw
how He had been working things out long before I knew what to ask for.
That is when I realized this verse had taken root—deep root—within my
soul. As He revealed His answers, I started referring to this text without
noticing. These words were no longer just letters in an obscure text; they
were a living promise. I could look back at the evidence and see it so clearly.
My prayers began to change from, “Lord, how will I ever solve this?” to
“Father, thank You for having checked this off Your to-do list long ago.
May my eyes be open to see the answer You have already provided.” I
finally understood that my only job was to trust Him and follow His lead.

God, thank You for solving my problems before I even ask. Amen.

Janet Armstrong is the associate superintendent of education for the Potomac Conference.

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 Where My Help Comes From
“My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth”
(Ps. 121:2, NKJV).

_ This Bible text has become my “go-to” spiritual promise. So often I find
myself in situations where my soul cries out for help. Whether I am hiking
- up a strenuous path and falling behind, skiing a challenging slope or facing
- a technological challenge, my Lord is there. God’s powerful spirit brings
this verse to my mind at times when I am tempted to say an unkind word,
express frustration or behave impulsively to defend myself. I lift my eyes
~ to the Lord, and I’m reminded that my help doesn’t come from within, but
from my Maker—the Creator of the entire universe.
A friend of mine recently expressed her discouragement because she
didn’t have the funds to continue supporting our local church since her
_ husband lost his job due to COVID-19. Later that day, I texted her an
encouraging message to keep looking up because help comes from the
Lord who made the heavens, the earth and everything in them. God
_ financially responded soon after, and the couple faithfully resumed giving
back to the church.
My faith is strengthened each time I experience my Lord fulfilling His
promises to me and others.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for always being right here, right now, ready
and willing to help Your children! I give You the honor and glory. Amen.

Celinda
in Bauer rRts nember of} the Middletown ValleynV church in Maryland.
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The Prayer Group

“Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen”
(Isa. 44:2, NIV).

In 2016, I enrolled in an English class to improve my language skills. Our

class of 30 students represented 17 different nationalities and beliefs. Four
of us formed a small prayer group. We met after class to pray together,
and sometimes arrived early to pray for our classmates. We periodically
fasted, too, asking God to help us reach our secular friends for Him.

The results of our prayers revolutionized my ministry. By following Jesus’

method, we began to mingle with other students, establishing friendship
networks and creating strong bonds.
Every Wednesday before we began English class, we had a study group.
Students asked questions, and we provided biblical answers. In our study, I
realized that, very few—although they defended their beliefs and outwardly
practiced what they had learned—had an experience with God.
When we told the love story of God for humanity and His desire to make
humanity happy, it touched the most sensitive fibers of their hearts. God's
love is universal. It gives us stability, dignity and belonging.
I began to show by example what the gospel of Jesus means. It was during
those unforgettable moments in our Bible studies that our friendship and
comprehension of other cultures and beliefs grew. Through this study
of questions and interactive dialogues, we found God in a fresh way and
started seeing changes in the classroom.
God did amazing things in my life and those of my friends. It was like
Pentecost! Attending English class became a family reunion of many nations.

God, may we not be afraid to speak up for You. Amen.

Javier Moreno Is the pastor of the Baltimore Spanish church in Maryland.

 Bouncing Like a Ping-Pong Ball
“Faith means being sure of the things we hope for. And faith
means knowing that something is real even if we do not see it.
People who lived in the past became famous because of faith.
It is by faith we understand that the whole world was made by
God's command. This means that what we see was made by
something that cannot be seen” (Heb. 11:1-3, ICB).

| Sometimes our hearts are full to overflowing with it; other times it feels
- entirely illusive. I’m referring to hope. As I write this, the COVID-19
- pandemic continues. During this time, we've all observed in ourselves
_ and others the ups and downs that it brings.
We may have a nice conversation, hear a message from a pastor, read a
positive news report that makes us feel good, even hopeful. Then, days
or even minutes later, we hear, see or take in something that leaves us
‘feeling empty, even lost.
At times like these, let’s remind ourselves that feelings will bounce around
_ like a ping-pong ball, but God’s Word, love and care for us are consistent
and do not waver. While we work through our bouncing-around feelings,
remember to take time to simply rest and find peace in God's truth.
Experience His constant presence and His assurance of an everlasting life
that will make this life pale in comparison. This is faith. This is hope.
As shared in Hebrews 11, we are foreigners and nomads here on earth,
looking forward to a better place—our heavenly homeland. “Faith shows
the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see”
(Heb. 11:1, NLT).

Lord, thank You that we have something better to look forward to. Amen.

Kevin Krueger is the president and general manager of WGTS 91.9g I Ma@rylona,

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 God Gave Me Strength
“IT can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”
(Phil. 4:13, NKJV).

While visiting me on Christmas Eve 2016, my daughter Becky was

diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer. The prognosis was not good.
Devastated, I prayed for God to heal her. But I also prayed that if her
healing was not within His will, that He would give me the strength to
deal with what lay ahead. Three-and-a-half weeks later, my heart broke as
my baby lost her battle with cancer.
My older daughter, Tammi, had taken a leave of absence from work and
stayed with us. After her sister’s passing, I gave her some Bible studies.
Witnessing Becky’s last days had affected her, and she took the lessons
to heart. A few months later, during a phone conversation, she said, “You
know, Mom, God really did give you strength during that time. You broke
down a time or two, but never in front of her.”

On January 4, 2020, Tammi was baptized at the Pocono Grace church

in Pennsylvania. While preparing for the baptism, the pastor asked
her which scripture verse was her favorite. She promptly answered,
“Philippians 4:13.”

I miss Becky so very much, but I know that I will see her again one day
when Jesus returns, where there will be no more pain, tears, suffering or
death. And, as a dear friend told me, “Think of how happy Becky will be to
see her sister there too.” God is so good. He can bring something good
out of the very worst, most tragic moments in our lives.

Lord, thank You for bringing joy out of sadness. Amen.

e Jones is a member of the Berkeley Springs church in West Virginia.

 Assurance of God's
Help and Presence
“Fear not, for Iam with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with
My righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10, NKJV).

I vividly remember when our office started lockdown in March 2020 and
ordered all employees to work remotely from home due to the coronavirus.
At first, Ithought this would be a temporary two-week period; however,
for months the lockdown has been prolonged indefinitely with no sign of a
complete return to normalcy.
Before the lockdown, it was a joy to attend social gatherings, potlucks and
other forms of activities; now they are either non-existent or stressful.
Social distancing and wearing masks is the new norm. The economy has
collapsed, jobs have been lost, millions are sick, more than a million are
dead and millions mourn the loss of loved ones. People, scared of catching
this virus, now live in constant fear and anxiety.

In this time of unprecedented uncertainty, where else can we find our

help and strength but in God? The world around us may crumble, but, as
God's children, we can find strength and help in Him. He is faithful and
has promised to help us. We must cling fully to Him to help us in these
uncertain times. And, one day soon, we will see the reward for placing our
complete trust in Him.

Father God, help us to trust You fully. You are the mighty God! Help us
to remember that, when we are tempted to be fearful or dismayed, Your
promises are assured. Amen.

Lanny Pongilatan is a member of the Takoma Park church in Maryland.

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 Hakuna Matata
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will
eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more
than food, and the body more than clothes?” (Matt. 6:25, NIV).

“Hakuna Matata” is a Swahili saying that means, “Don’t worry.” For many
people, that’s easier said than done, but not for me. My approach to life is
found in Matthew 6:25-34. I learned this, not by choice, but by circumstance.
Iam from Haiti, and when I was 5-years-old, my single mother immigrated
to the United States looking for a better life for her children. Ten years
later, Ijoined her. During hard times, I learned to trust God who provided
food, clothing and shelter for us. I learned to trust Him when I didn’t
know how my college tuition would be paid. I learned to trust Him during
my pregnancy, when the doctors told my husband and me that our one
and only son might not make it. In all of these situations, God always
made a way.
And now, as a school principal, I have learned to trust God to bring in
students and to provide the funding to pay their bills. Year after year, I
continue to take Him at His word, and He has never failed. I know that I
can trust Him.

I don’t know what your situation may be today. But I invite you to just trust
God with childlike faith. God always does what He says He will do. Hakuna
Matata! Don’t worry. Trust God to take care of you. Your worries cannot
change your situation, but God can!

Dear God, help us not to worry but to trust You to be our Provider and
Comforter. Amen.

Malou Saint-Ulysse is the principal of Meadow View Junior Academy in New Jersey.
 He Takes My Cares
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you”
(1 Pet. 5:7, NIV).

Ihave a young friend who has been in jail for 15 years. I went to visit him
for the first time 12 years ago. I was anxious, scared, guilty, sad. I taught
him about Jesus at church when he was a teenager, and I somehow felt
I had failed him because I had not recognized that he needed so much
more—someone who would listen to him and someone he could trust to
help him make meaningful life choices.
When I saw Mauro, he looked so anxious, nervous and scared. I expressed
how sad I was to see him in prison. I promised that I would be by his side,
write to him, visit him often and daily pray for him to grow, learn, focus and
remain safe while captive.
During my visits through the years, we've talked about God, but mostly
I've listened to him as he’s told me his struggles. I’ve encouraged him to
participate during therapy, to work hard while trusting in God—the One
who is preserving him and will allow him freedom when he is ready to face
this outside world.
When Ivisit him now, he’s not anxious anymore. He has a beautiful smile,
and his eyes are full of confidence and hope. I don’t know how much he
prays or how much he trusts in God, but Iknow that Ihave given God all
my anxieties about Mauro. God cares for him and grants second chances.
Soon I will get to see him enjoying life as a free man.

Lord, may Inot be anxious about anything because You are a wonderful
friend who daily invites me to give You my cares. Amen.

Martha Cecilia Monsaive is a member of the Washington Spanish church in Maryland.

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 True Friends
“Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they
made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and
then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their
faith, He said to the paralyzed man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven’”
(Mark 2:4-5, NIV).

One time, Jesus was preaching at Peter’s house. Four friends were on their
way to the house, having faith that Jesus would heal their paralytic friend.
But the crowd was so big that they couldn’t reach Jesus. So they climbed
up to the roof and ripped it open!
Can you imagine how surprised everyone was seeing a bed come down
from the ceiling of the house? When Jesus saw the friends’ faith, He said,
“Son, your sins are forgiven.” Because of his friends’ faith, the paralytic
was forgiven!
Wow! What great friends the paralytic had. The friends brought him to
Jesus, but the crowd was a barrier. Are we like the friends or the crowd?
Do we have that kind of faith and determination to bring people closer to
Jesus? I want to be like the paralytic's friends.

Father God, please help us to bring people to You instead of pushing them
away. May we be the kind of friend who encourages others to turn to You for
help. Amen.

Jason Kim is a fourth-grader at Vienna Adventist Academy in Virginia.

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 Upheld by His Hand
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed,
for Iam your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will
uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10, NIV).

This verse shows me that God will help me even if I can’t see it. He has
already helped me in many times of trouble. This verse reminds me that
He helped His people by parting the Red Sea. If God can do that, He can
definitely help me with my anxiety and confusion. He died on the cross so
that He could be with me always and hold my hand and strengthen me
throughout my entire life.
This verse reminds me that I am not alone; He is with me, along with His
angels. I can always turn to Him for help, because I know that He has it all
under control. All I need to do is to have faith in Him.
Sin is a part of us, but we can ask God to help us when it takes control of
us. Step-by-step, He will help us. God is the strength we need to go on in
life; the True Power in this world; the Shepherd that supports the weak;
the One working hardest for us; and the One who destroys our biggest
and smallest fears.

Father in Heaven, thank You for taking care of our fears. Thank You that we
are not alone. Amen.

Darcy Koilpillai is a seventh-grader at Frederick Adventist Academy in Maryland.

 Praising God in the Midst of Pain
“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!”
(Ps. 150:6, NKJV).

This text has always been significant to me, but became even more
meaningful during a very difficult time in my life. As a result of a car
accident, my body was wracked with constant pain. It was painful to
be hugged, drive, write and even sleep. After nine months of therapy,
nothing seemed to ease the agony, which left me emotionally down
and frustrated. But God!
He brought this Psalm back to my memory atjust the right moment,
and my spirit was renewed just by reading it again. I realized that God
had not left me. I still had breath to praise Him, despite the pain! So
from that day forward, I started praising Him in the pain. And that is
when my healing began.
When life throws everything at you, and you are feeling low and alone, go
to God in praise. He will always show up and carry you through the storm.
Take it from me—I've experienced it firsthand.

Father, thank You for promises that renew our strength. May we use our
words to glorify and praise You, even in difficult circumstances. Amen.

for the Columbia Union Revolving Fund

H. Candace Nurse is the secretary/treasurer
in Maryland.
/
 Make Us Clean
“'Take away the filthy garments from him.’ And to him He said,
‘See, Ihave removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you
with rich robes’” (Zech. 3:4, NKJV).

Dressed in very humble clothes, rather ragged, with a tanned complexion

and a wrinkled face, the poor, old man approached all those who parked on
the church’s street, offering to watch their cars for a few coins. His destitute
condition and his tired appearance betrayed the difficult life he lived.
After several days visiting the new church that I was to pastor, I realized
that this man was always willing to offer up his service. I was surprised to
learn that every Sabbath for years this man had been helping members,
but no one had ever invited him into the church or to study the Bible. Some
leaders and I agreed we would not allow this man to take care of our cars
outside of the church one more Sabbath while we worshipped God inside.
The following Sabbath, we invited him into the church. It was exciting
to see the gratitude on his face, knowing that we saw him as part of
our church family. We offered him Bible studies and tended to his basic
needs. Finally, he gave his heart to Christ through baptism.
That Sabbath was a truly joyous one. Transformed internally and
externally, he wore a simple but very clean suit, stripped of his vile robes
and now wearing nice garments.

I will never forget this kind, old man and the lesson he taught me.
Regardless of our condition, how bad, how vile, how dirty we are, the Lord
comes and says, “Take off those filthy garments and put on rich robes.”

God, we are dirty. Please make us clean. Amen.

Peter M. Simpson is the coordinator of Hispanic Ministries and director of Global Mission
jor tne Onio Conference.
 | Have Prayed for You
“Simon! Simon! Behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you
like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail’”
(Luke 22:31-32, NASB).

Christ and His disciples had just finished the Passover meal. Several
events leading up to His crucifixion were about to unfold. He was to be
betrayed by Judas, forsaken by His disciples and falsely accused by the
Jewish religious leaders. Yet, Christ’s concern was for Peter as He assured
him, “I have prayed for you.”
Satan once demanded and was given consent to “sift” Job. Severely
assaulted,Job cursed the day of his birth but did not recant his faith in God.
A similar battle raged in both Peter and Judas, and rages about us today!
Satan desires us to compromise our faith in God and lose hope. He strikes
» our weakest areas, bringing discouragement, hopelessness, doubt, guilt
and confusion, as he did with Peter and Judas.

When the darkness of negative emotions threatens to overwhelm us,

but we firmly grasp hold of God's promises instead, Satan seeks to
destroy. As he wrapped both Peter and Judas in the darkness of lies, so he
attempts to deceive us too.
_ What Peter discovered is that the very weakest areas of our lives is where
God is strongest. We need to accept the same promise of Christ: “I have
prayed for you, that your faith may not fail.”
_ It is our faith in God's promises, coupled with the principles of His
righteousness, that will take us through the dark hours of temptation
and life’s hardships, no matter how crushing.

_ Father, please lead us, and may we have faith to trust and follow You. Amen.

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M. Moses Andrade is the district pastor of the Beaumont, Drums, Siocum ana
Valiey churches in Pennsylvania.
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 His Promise of Healing
“And Jesus said to him, ‘I will come and heal him’” (Matt. 8:7 NKJV).

“Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented”

(Matt. 8:6, NKJV), the Roman centurion said to Jesus. “But only speak a word,
and my servant will be healed” (verse 8), because he believed. The story
ends by saying: “And his servant was healed that same hour” (verse 13).
There are two lessons I receive from this wonderful story: First, Jesus has
the power to heal no matter the severity of the illness. And second, Jesus
can use anyone to bless another person who needs help.
One of my sisters who grew up in our faith, stopped attending church
years ago. She suffered from pulmonary edema, and one night she called
me very scared because her hands, arms, legs and face were extremely
swollen. For almost two months, she had been receiving medical
treatment with diuretics, but the swelling in her body did not respond. So
that night I prayed with her.
A few days later, seeing that her body was not responding to medical
treatment, I said to her: “Sister, let me anoint you.” But she replied, “Let
me think about it.” That week she went to the cardiologist, and they told
her that her heart was working only 29 percent and nothing could be done.
Following the appointment, my sister allowed me to anoint her.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I anointed her virtually. The next day,
the swelling disappeared! God worked a miracle for my sister—both
physically and spiritually.

Jesus has the power to heal. Like the centurion, let us go to Him and
intercede for others.

Dear God, thank You for Your healing touch and for allowing us to intercede
for others. Amen.

Jorge Aquero is the president of the New Jersey Conference.

108
 LE PICA ALLIED GROCER

Delivered Again
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver
him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name”
(Ps. 91:14, NKJV).

There is certainly safety when we abide in the presence of God. Psalm

91 speaks of His protective love, and, for me, verse 14 encapsulates the
promises of the chapter.
Many, many times I’ve seen God fulfill this promise of deliverance, lifting
me up high—far from the grasp of the enemy’s reach.
Even though it ranks as one of the more mundane instances of God's
heavenly protection, the time when I saw His deliverance exhibited most
clearly was on a trip I took during my time in the seminary.
My two daughters, Michaela and Emily, and I were journeying from
Andrews University in Michigan to Las Vegas for a summer visit with family.
Eighteen-hundred miles were to be clicked off on my SUV's odometer.
With the Great Plains in the rearview mirror, the towering Rocky
Mountains filled the windshield. Up I-70 we pushed, crossing the
Continental Divide and descending the Colorado Western Slope and
forging across Utah, finally arriving on the north side of Las Vegas.
There on I-15, just past the Spaghetti Bowl, the engine lost power and a
clanking noise erupted from the engine. With only miles to go, the piston
rod broke. Limping into my parents’ driveway, I thought about what a
different story I would be telling if God had allowed the rod to come off
anywhere else along the way. Instead, He had delivered me once again.

Father, I love You because I never need to worry about Your protection over
my life. Amen.

Michael Stough II is the pastor of the Delaware, New Carlisle and Springfield First
churches in Ohio.

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 Jesus, Take the Wheel!
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and
supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known
to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”
(Phil. 4:6-7, NKJV).

At a young age, we are taught to have a goal-oriented mindset and to

stay on top of things. We are given deadlines for homework and projects
and tested on our ability to learn information we are taught, among
other things. As we grow into adults, not only do we face our self-
imposed deadlines, we also juggle expectations from our family, friends,
co-workers and society. No wonder many of us are stressed out!
I cannot count the number of times this passage has helped me through
turning points in my life. From preparing for a presentation or an exam
to more complex events—buying a house; facing the loss of a loved one;
dealing with a family member’s illness; raising a child; and living through
a pandemic—these verses have taught me to trust in God no matter the
circumstance.

Paul is telling us not to worry about anything, but to, instead, and with
a grateful heart, turn all our anxieties, fears and worries over to God.
Sometimes we are so focused on the problem or crisis that we forget how
God has turned our past problems into opportunities and/or blessings.
God is always faithful, and if we submit our problems to Him, being
grateful for what He has done for us in the past, He promises to give us
such peace that has no comparison.

Father, please take the wheel of my life today. Amen.

Carolina Ramos is the administrative assistant of Ministries Development for the Columbia
Union Conference.
4
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No Place Like Heaven
“Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched,
He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And
while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold,
two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, ‘Men of
Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus,
who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner
A as you saw Him go into heaven’” (Acts 1:9-11, NKJV).

Have you ever wondered what heaven will be like and if Jesus is coming
back? Have you ever imagined yourself walking the streets of gold? Have
you ever thought about sitting face-to-face with Jesus?
Heaven is a place where God and His angels live. It is a place of peace and
joy, prepared for you and me. God is just waiting for us to be ready.
We have to pray, read the Bible and believe that He will return one day
soon. I can’t wait to see Jesus and meet the people I have read about in
the Bible. I want Jesus to tell me how He felt when He reunited with His
Father. I want to see His nail-pierced hands, a reminder of the price He
paid for sin.
I can’t imagine a better place than heaven! It will be amazing to see Jesus
and the home He has made for His children. I can’t wait to stand on the
Sea of Glass and reunite with friends and family.

Dear Jesus, please help us to tell the world about You so all of us can go to heaven.
Help us to love You and to be ready to go home to heaven with You. Amen.

Ohio
Zionne I. Wydeman is a sixth-grader at the Mayfair Christian School in O!
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 God's Message to
Worriers Like Me
“The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zeph. 3:17, NKJV).

With my Type A personality, I tend to be a bit of a worrier. Too often

I realize my mind has wandered to the “what ifs” in life. Being very
experienced with this skill, it does not need to be a huge life or death type
of concern. Oh no, my mind is also capable of making a simple fear seem
very significant.
One day, a friend shared Zephaniah 3:17 with me, and it has since put a
smile on my face on numerous occasions. I find this verse to be one of
those “nutshell” texts that is packed with encouragement and speaks
directly to my heart. It tells me that my God never leaves my side, even
when I am needlessly stressing over small matters. He is happy to
comfort and love me through it all, and He raises His voice in song for
me! Iam so thankful that fear and worry are not part of God’s plan.
So on days when I allow Satan to magnify. my worries and overpower my
confidence that God is in control, I turn back to the Scriptures to renew
my faith. I need these daily reminders that I do not need to worry, that
He wants what's best for me and already has plans in motion to achieve
them on His behalf.

God, what a blessing it is that You are always by my side. Amen.

yndee Grady is a member of the Waynesboro church in Virginia.

 The Greatest Architect
Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also
in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I
would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and
prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself;
that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know,
and the way you know.’ Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know
where You are going, and how can we know the way?’ Jesus said
to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through Me’” (John 14:1-6, NKJV).

Jesus’ words speak so lovingly and reassuringly, and say so much. In

these verses, He gives us comfort, love, hope and guidance. He goes to
prepare a place for us—our forever home.
To think that Jesus is designing my home, with everything else “on His
plate,” makes me feel so incredibly special. It’s hard to fathom that He
takes time out of His day to prepare a place for me!
In His promise, He reminds us that He will return, and we will be together.
He wants to spend forever with us, and tells us exactly what we need to
do to make that a reality. So when I feel overwhelmed and stressed, these
verses comfort me and remind me that He is in control, down to the very
last detail. All I must do is to follow Him.
The greatest Architect ofall time is preparing a place for you and me.
I can’t wait!

Dear loving and gracious Father, thank You for the hope of spending forever
with You. Amen.

Maria France is the executive-assistant to the president at the Columbia Union Conference

4
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 The Stone That Tells Lies
“A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies”
(Prov. 14:5, KJV).

My great-great-grandmother, Lassaphene Gant Segerson, died in 1884

at age35 from complications giving birth to her 10th child. Sadly, this
was a family tragedy that was all too commonly repeated in 19th century
rural Tennessee. Usually the deceased were laid to rest with an engraved
tombstone to mark their grave, but some were memorialized with only a
crude, letter-less, hand-hewn stone. Surprisingly, there are two engraved
tombstones for Lassaphene Segerson, lying some five miles apart! Oral
family tradition says that during transport, the first tombstone was off-
loaded prematurely by the roadside just after the wagon broke down or
just before a large storm struck. The first stone was never moved again,
and a second stone was placed on her grave at the Marl Bluff church,
where her husband was eventually buried beside her.
In Proverbs, Solomon warns us of the difference between a faithful
witness and a false witness. Do we faithfully present truth, the whole
truth and nothing but the truth? Just like that first tombstone, we can
passively tell lies without speaking a single word—by our silence or by our
appearance. For almost 140 years, naive passersby have believed that the
first tombstone marks the final resting place of a young mother. The false
witness testifies that the mother was buried alone in secluded woods,
but the faithful witness declares that she sleeps alongside family on the
church grounds of an active congregation.

O God of truth, may we never deceive by our words or deeds, or even by our
silence or appearance. Amen.

David Taylor is a lay pastor of the West Chester church in Pennsylvania.

 God Can Help You Do Anything!
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”
(Phil. 4:13, NKJV).

This verse speaks to a specific challenge in my life that makes me feel

j
weak at times. My story is an ongoing struggle. In fact, Iam struggling
right now to remain focused long enough to complete this assignment.
. I have attention deficit disorder, which makes it hard for me to
concentrate. Sometimes I ask myself, “Why can’t I just be normal?” I
remember one time in seventh grade I had to study for a science test that
~ was coming up the next day. I tried to study on my own, but I wasn’t able
to stay focused.
My mom stayed up with me and quizzed me; we got through it, but I
went to bed, still not confident in the material. When I woke up the next
; morning, I got dressed and headed to school. When I arrived at school, I
sat in the back row. Not knowing what else to do, I closed my eyes, bowed
my head and prayed for strength to focus on my exam. Immediately, a
heavy weight lifted.
I took the test that day, and not only passed, but got an A.
There are times when I struggle. There are times when I get down and
~ wonder why I can’t stay as focused and organized as everyone else. But
there is one thing I now realize: When I have done my best, even when
I don’t think it’s enough, God will carry me the rest of the way. God can
help you do anything.

Dear God, thank You for providing the strength that we need and for never
being too busy for me. Amen.

Alex Jones is an-eighth-grader at the Olney Adventist Preparatory School in Maryland.

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 Strength for the Day
“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will
soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will
walk and not be faint” (Isa. 40:30-31, NIV).

I have always loved watching the bald eagle, as it majestically and

powerfully flies through the sky. In my travels, it makes my day when I
see an eagle. Family members know my love for eagles, hence, I have
many pictures of eagles in my office.
Over the years, I have also enjoyed running. Not the marathon-type
running, but a simple, daily run, just enough to get my heart rate going
and clear my thoughts. There is nothing better than a good 5K run to get
the day going.
Lately, I have been feeling more body aches and have had to curb the
running. And I've been reminded of this verse over and over: “Even
youths grow tired and weary.” The real key is to “put my hope in the
Lord.” I can sit in my office and look at the pictures of eagles flying and
know that God promises me His strength for the day ahead. I can run the
daily race through His power.

Father, please help me to depend totally on you. Give me Your strength so that
I can soar, run and do Your work throughout the day. Amen.

Harold Greene is the director of the Information Technology Services for the
Columbia Union Conference.
 The Best of Friends
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those
who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44, NIV).

This verse has made an impact in my life and in my heart. Because of

this verse, I try not to have any enemies. I still get upset at times, but
in those moments, I hear a still, small voice telling me to love everyone
encounter.
For example, I have a friend whom I didn’t like and she didn’t like me
prior to us becoming friends. What was confusing was she didn’t like me
because I didn’t like her, and I didn’t like her because she didn’t like me.
We had never actually done anything to each other that caused us to
dislike one another.
Shortly after Vacation Bible School (VBS) one summer, I went with my
- mom and brother on a hike where I encountered this girl. At VBS, the
' leaders had taught us Matthew 5:44, and I was inspired by this verse. So
I took the initiative to talk to her. And after clearing everything up, we
eventually became the best of friends.

Dear Lord, thank You. Because of You and Your Scriptures I have made the
best memories and my forgiveness and love for enemies grows stronger with
each chapter I read. Please show the people out there in the world who don't
know what forgiveness is what a tremendous impact it can make in their lives.
Amen.

Allyssa Jetter is an eighth-grader at the Manassas Adventist Preparatory School

in Virginia.
/
 God’s Amazing Work
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that
love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose”
(Rom. 8:28, KJV).

The person that I am today is the result of God working in my life from
the moment I was born. All of my experiences, the good, the bad, the ugly
and the dark, went into the making of the individual that is present today.
God used it all to fashion someone who I believe is caring, thoughtful, kind
and considerate.
If there had been no pain, would I have learned how to be caring and
considerate? If there had been no sadness, would I have learned how to be
kind and thoughtful? If there had been no ugly and dark time, would I have
sought wisdom from above? If there had been no good times, would I have
been able to smile?
My smile has been constant, over the years, even in the midst of all the
difficult times. My smile was like the sunshine on a cloudy day. It would
occasionally disappear and hide behind the cloud like the sun, but then it
would shine through again.
What about you? Can you see Gods’ working in your life? Can you praise
Him for who you are at this moment—that He fashioned someone unique
and extraordinary using all the experiences you have had?
You and I are who we are today because God used what we thought was
not good in our lives to transform us into who He wanted us to be.

Lord, I thank You that “Your thoughts are not our thoughts and that Your ways
are not our ways” (Isa. 55:8, K]/V). Amen.

Shirley B. Pritchett is the administrative assistant for the Sharon Temple Adventist School
in Delaware.
; Breathe
“Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10, NIV).

One of my favorite songs is “Breathe” by Jonny Diaz:

Alarm clock screaming, bare feet hit the floor.
It's off to the races, everybody out the door.
I'm feeling like I'm falling behind, it’s a crazy life!
Later, the music slows down and the chorus begins:

Breathe, just breathe. Come and rest at my feet.

And be, just be. Chaos calls, but all you really need, is to just breathe.
In 2016, my husband's job transferred him to a position out of state. The
first few months were chaotic. With the added rent, the budget became
tight. I missed my husband. My girls missed their father. I was exhausted
_ doing everything alone. My devotions were nonexistent.
“One morning, God stopped me with this verse: “Be still and know that I am
God.” He said: Gabrielle. What’s your hurry? Why are you worried? I have you
and your family in the palm of My hand. Be still and breathe. I have you.
That morning, I decided two things: First, Iwas going to spend more time
resting at the feet of Jesus. Second, when chaos calls, I will be still, breathe
~ and remember that God has me in His Hand.

Our family was split for 18 of the longest months of my life. Although our
finances took a hit, our accounts were never overdrawn. Our house never
needed a repair. Our cars never broke down. No one in our family fell ill.
‘God carried my family and kept us in His care.

Father, help me to remember to be still. Amen.

Gabrielle j.Agwa is the computer teacher at Spencerville Adventist Academy in Maryland

 The Runaway Cardinal
“Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God
and wander about for lack of food?” (Job 38:41, NIV).

Our family has a large lilac bush next to one of our windows. A few years
ago, a.Northern Cardinal couple decided to raise their young in this bush.
After Mrs. Cardinal built her nest and incubated her eggs, the chicks
hatched. We all enjoyed peeking into the nest and seeing the chicks,
who most of the time were crying for food. Thankfully, both Mr. and Mrs.
Cardinal were very faithful, taking turns feeding their babies. The chicks
grew quickly before our eyes and cameras.
About one week later, my dad noticed the chicks were missing from their
nest. We looked for them and were concerned when we only found one
hopping on the ground, with no parents in sight. The chick wasn’t strong
enough to fly, but it was probably hungry, looking for worms, thinking its
parents were taking too long to feed it. My dad scooped the chick up and
placed it back in the nest, but, in a few hours, the chick was gone again.
This verse reminds me of the runaway Cardinal chick and humanity.
When we have needs, we cry out to God, and He answers us in His own
time and way. How many times do we roam aimlessly, trying to supply
our own needs when we think He is taking too long? Perhaps God asks us
to stay where we are for our safety.

Lord, thank You for providing my needs. Help me to trust in Your timing and
not leave Your protection. Amen.

Caleb Palmer is a member of the Centerville church in Ohio.

 The Three-Syllable Verse
“Jesus wept” (John 11:35, KJV).

From second through six grade, I attended a small Seventh-day Adventist

4 church school. These were wonderful years, filled with joyful learning
about God and what it meant to be a friend, among other lessons.
The older grades were assigned handwriting exercises to go along with
Bible class. On one particular occasion, we were given the task of writing ~
our favorite verse of the Bible. Without question, I knew mine, and
proceeded to carefully write it out: “Jesus wept” John 11:35 (KJV).

_ The short verse was seen as my attempt to wiggle out of a writing

assignment. I tried to explain that the text was indeed my favorite, and
why: “Jesus, who knew the end from the beginning and knew He would
raise Lazarus—not someday, but that day—was still affected by the
_ impact Lazarus’ loss had on his sisters and the whole town. Jesus really
' does know our sadness and hurts with us when we are hurting! Jesus is
truly the best friend you can ever have!”
A passionate plea or not, I was asked to pick my next favorite verse.
“I don’t have a second favorite,” I honestly replied.
To replace the shortest verse in the Bible, I was assigned the shortest
chapter of the Bible—Psalm 23.
With current events unfolding in increasingly tragic ways, this verse
remains a deeply concise picture of God's love for us.

Thank You, Lord, for caring deeply about the big and little, public and private
things we go through, and for always being right beside us! Amen.

Lisa A. Baich is the Pathfinder and Adventurer Steel City Club director at the Pittsburgh
church in Pennsylvania.

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 God Strengthens Me
“IT can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”
(Phil. 4:13, KJV).

This verse means that God gives me strength to do what I need to do.
This verse speaks to my life because it gives me strength and keeps me
motivated. My dad died two years ago, and I lost my mom around four
years ago.
Although it has been a rough time for me, God gave me the strength to
get through those times, and this verse has helped me a lot. God also
gave me the strength to help others get through hard times too. My
mamaw has had a really hard time with my dad's death. I have helped
her when she was sad and grieving over my dad by telling her to go
ahead and cry when she needed to and to let it out.
She has told several people that I have helped her through this time. I
have learned that being sad is a waste of time. Life is better when you
are happy. I pray that everyone learns how to be as happy as they can
here on earth, with God's help, until we get to heaven where we can
really be happy.

Dear God, thank You that You will come back soon and take us home. Thank
You for the joy that only You can give. Amen.

Mathan Riant >;

NOTNAH BIGNTON isIs a sixth-grader at the Powell Valley Christian School in Virginia.
4 ‘Hath God Said?’
“Do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything
: carefully; hold fast to that which is good” (1 Thess. 5:20-21, NASB).
,

_ This inspired counsel has helped me safely navigate many storms and
_ winds of doctrine that have buffeted the Remnant Church during my 45
4
_ years as amember and 20 as a pastor. The Bible often warns us against
_ false teachers and false prophets (Matthew 7:15; 2 Peter 2:1), yet many are_
_ deceived and led astray from the truth. Many others have given up pillars
_ such as the sanctuary, the Spirit of Prophecy and even the Sabbath.
_ How can we be secure from these deceptions and from the “strong, almost
overmastering delusion” that is to break upon the world? How shall we
stand firm when “the majority forsake us” and join the opposition?
We must rigorously, carefully test every idea by that which God has
, spoken through His chosen messengers—the prophets. We must “test
the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1). False teachers
twist the words of inspiration, disguising themselves as ministers of
righteousness, and even the devil quotes Scripture (Matthew 4:6;
2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 2 Peter 3:16).
Remember this when presented with “new light,” to keep you safe from
deception. Satan prepares men to believe a lie by first leading them to
question or to doubt that which God has plainly spoken. The enemy
succeeded with Eve by first asking, “Hath God said?” We must do asJesus
did, standing firmly upon “It is written.” To believe God's prophets is still
“good advice for us today! (2 Chronicles 20:20). ;

Father, help us to test all things by the Scriptures, and to “hold fast to that
_which is good.” Amen.

Mark Cockerham. is the.pastor.of the Blossburg, Canton, Hillcrest and

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 A Clean Slate
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who
love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose”
(Rom. 8:28, NKJV).

In December 2019, I received an email notifying me that I was dismissed

from my doctorate program. I had missed several assignments in a
particular class that I was taking for the second time. My classes required
daily posts and a major paper due every week. Devasted and discouraged, I
felt like a failure and did not know what to do. I was overwhelmed with the
workload and my daily schedule of being a wife, mom and educator.
I mustered the courage to speak to my advisor, who informed me that I
would need to write a letter requesting to be reinstated. She reassured
me of reinstatement upon the submission of the letter. Overwhelmed
with fear, I hesitated to write the letter.
During this same time, my friends and I started 40 days of prayer and
fasting that would conclude in a gathering in Nashville, Tenn. I didn’t
mention to them that my doctoral program had ended. In Nashville, I
finally confessed the truth about my dilemma and entered into a pact to
write my reinstatement letter.
We said our goodbyes and headed to the airport. While waiting to board
the plane, I received a text informing me that my school was closing. My
mind began to wonder. How will I complete my program? Will I have to begin
the doctorate program process all over? How will credits transfer from a school
that was closing its doors? While I was worrying, God was working. He
allowed me to start a new school without losing any credits, and to pick up
from where I left off without any penalty. He gave me a clean slate.

Lord, thank You for working things out according to Your purpose. Amen.

Shemika Campbell is the academic support specialist at Takoma Academy in Maryland.

 The Lost Sheep
_ “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them,
does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the
one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays
_ it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls
. together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me,
for I have found my sheep which was lost!’Isay to you that likewise
there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than
over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance”
(Luke 15:4-7, NKJV).

Have you ever lost something very valuable to you? When you searched
for it and eventually found it, you probably rejoiced because you were so
happy to have it back! There is a parable in the Bible where a man lost
one of his valued sheep. He searched diligently for his lost sheep because
_ everyone of his sheep mattered to him. The shepherd left his 99 other
sheep in the wilderness to find that one lost sheep.
When Jesus was giving this parable, He was referring to Himself as the
Good Shepherd and the sheep as us. Sometimes we stray away from God,
but He searches for us when we are lost because He loves us and cares
about us.
If you are straying from Christ today, pray and ask Him to bring you
back to Him. When you are brought back to Christ, all of heaven rejoices
because another person has chosen to return to Him.

Dear Jesus, thank You for bringing me home to You. If we are straying from
You, please help us to come back to You. Amen.

Petar Samardzic is an eighth«grader at the Mayfair Christian Schooi in Ohio.

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 Just Like Ruth
“But Ruth said: ‘Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from
following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you
lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my
God. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do
so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me’”
(Ruth 1:16-17, NKJV).

I'll never forget receiving my first Bible from my mother. Maybe because
my aunt’s name was Ruth, I started with this book and fell in love with
God and this story.
What kind of relationship spun out of a mother-in-law for her daughters-
in-law to know her God? These women saw God through Naomi. As a
mother-in-law, she must have been compassionate and gentle, lovingly
treating them as God expected.
As Naomi bore the loss of her husband and sons, her faith in God was
visible. Where did she find hope and encouragement? Where did she
find peace in her storms? Who was her provider? No one but the great
Jehovah-Jireh! Naomi’s love for God was apparent in her daily living,
acceptance of her situation and the hope she placed in Him.
No wonder Ruth couldn’t and wouldn't leave. She told Naomi, “Entreat
me not to leave you,” and boldly stated, “Your God will be my God!”
sealing it with an oath. That's exactly how I felt as a child when I read the
book of Ruth. Like Ruth, I say to God each day, “Entreat me not to leave
You!” My hope is in the redeeming, loving, hand-outstretched Savior.

Lord, whenever I step ina direction that is off course, may Ialways turn back
to You. Amen.

Vanessa Waite is the senior accountant of the Treasury Department

for the Columbia
Union Conference.
 Abide in Him
“Iam the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and
Tin you, you will bear fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing”
(John 15:5, NIV).

I have many Bible verses that I love. But in light of recent times, John
15:5 has become my favorite. This verse became particular meaningful
to me during the COVID-19 pandemic, because this crisis, and the other
crises plaguing our world today, are sure signs ofJesus’ soon return. I
_ hear people saying, “Get ready, world! Get ready, church! Jesus is coming
/ soon!” And while that may be true, the real question is, “How do I get
, ready?” By abiding in Him. Only those who abide in Jesus will thrive
during difficult times.
So how does one abide in God? By surrendering all to Him. As the old
- gospel hymn goes, “All to Jesus, I surrender, all to Him I freely give.”
‘In Matthew 1 1:28-30, Jesus bids us, “Come to Me, all you who are weary
and burdened, and I will give you rest. ... For 1am gentle and humble in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My
burden is light” (NIV).

- Lord, thank You for waiting for us. May we come to You, for Your arms are
open wide. Amen.

Richard Klingdinst is a member ofthe York church in Pennsylvania.

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 The Lord Is the Best Defense
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed;
for Iam thy God” (Isa. 41:10, KJV).

I became a Christian about 250 feet below the surface of the

Mediterranean Sea onboard the nuclear-powered submarine USS Lewis
and Clark (SSBN 644) in the early 1970s. I was a 19-year-old 2nd class
sonarman when I became a Christian and a conscientious objector.
Myjob at battle stations was to aim the ship—by sound—at the enemy so
the officers could formulate a firing solution to sink the enemy by torpedo.
As a conscientious objector, I refused. As discipline, I had to stand before
the captain at Captain's Mast. I was very afraid. I was facing middle-aged,
Annapolis-trained line officers, and all I had was a high school diploma.
A Seventh-day Adventist chaplain instructed me to not answer any
questions since they would be hypothetical and all they were trying to
do was trip me up and confuse me. When given a hypothetical question,
I was to reply, “That's a hypothetical question. Unless I was in that
situation, I can’t really say what I would do.”
The Lord was not finished. My superiors posed a question to me at mast:
“You're on a deserted island starving and there’s nothing to eat but crabs
and swine. What would you eat?”

The Lord gave me these words: “Sir, Iwould find what they were eating
to stay alive and eat it.” This flustered my accusers and immediately they
closed my Captain’s Mast. I was found guilty, fined and demoted, but
letting the Lord defend me was more than I could have asked.

Lord, thank You for taking all the fear from me, then delivering me! Amen.

Ricci Sholock is a member of the Buckannon church in West Virginia.

 A Bird’s Eye View
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds
_ in the sky, and they will tell you” (Job 12:7, NIV).

Early one morning, before our 5-year-old triplets woke up, I found
myself admiring a beautiful cardinal flying from tree to tree. It triggered
a fond memory of how God sent me a woodpecker during my morning
devotional. I smiled and whispered a prayer of thanksgiving for His watch
and care over me then and now.
As I turned around, our children, who had apparently been there long
enough to hear my prayer, greeted me. They asked me about God and
His power. I noticed one of them got very quiet, then asked, “Mommy, do
you think God would send us a bird?”
My heart smiled as my body became covered with goosebumps. I
instantly Knew that God was about to become real to them and that this
experience would stay with them forever, if only they would believe. I
asked, “Do you believe?” Immediately, they all chimed, “Yes!”
Before I prayed, I reminded them that “it’s not about God doing what
we want; it’s about us trusting and believing that He is the Creator of the
universe and that He is in control.” That day, I not only asked God to send
a Cardinal to the tree near our house, but to have it perch on a branch at
my kids’ eye level.
As we opened our eyes, there sat a cardinal looking at us. They all gasped,
as my eyes filled with tears of joy. Through a bird, they had just come
face-to-face with God.

Father, thank You for using nature to teach our children life lessons. Amen.

Sonia Vazquez is a member ofthe Fredericksburg church in Virginia

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 Follow the Signs
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!
I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NIV).

Every morning, I run two miles in my neighborhood. I take this

opportunity to speak and listen to God. One morning, He spoke to me
through the street signs I passed while jogging. Below are some of the
points He shared with me that day:
Speed Limit 30 MPH—We live in a society that is driven by immediate
urgency. We expect God to have that same sense of urgency. We need to
slow down and be patient. He’s already told us that His ways are not our
ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts, so obviously His timing is
not our timing. Instead of trying to rush God and get our problems solved
as soon as possible, let’s learn to be patient through the tough times.
One Way—Some of us are in charge at home, are bosses at work and
leaders in our local church. Sometimes we think that we can have that
superior role in our relationship with God. Well, that is not how it works.
There is only “One Way” that our relationship can work effortlessly.
That way is for us to acknowledge and be aware that God is in complete
control. We have to move out of the driver's seat and allow Jesus to take
the wheel.

Caution: Speed Bump Ahead—There will be times where ourjourney

will seem bumpy, and we may want to give up. When we are faced with
challenges, we must remember what Jesus says in John 16:33: “In this
world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Thank You, Father, that You are in control. Amen.

Tyson Bell is a member of the Ephesus church in Ohio.

 What Is Good?
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does
the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and
to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8, NIV).

“Do you remember me? Do you remember when I came to visit you?”
The woman wasn’t yelling, but she was talking loudly as she moved
purposefully toward the stage where I was presiding over graduation.
Maybe it was because we were outside. Maybe it was because she was
trying to get my attention. Or maybe it was because she might say
something I didn’t want to hear. In the moment, in that context, I couldn’t
place her face.
“Tcame to your office with my daughter because she was struggling at
the college, and we asked you for another chance,” she said.
I held my breath. Act justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly with God. What
had justice required? What had mercy directed? My mind raced. In that
instant, I desperately hoped that in that earlier encounter I had asked
myself the question I often do: What would a good leader do in this
situation? And I hoped that God had shown me in that situation what was
good, and what justice, mercy and humility required.
“You gave her another chance,” she continued. “And here she is on the
stage with you today!”
Together, we three drank in the joy of that moment, basking in the thrill
of asecond chance, a hard-won victory, a completion, a commencement.
~ Icried then. I'm crying now. Tears ofjoy and praise to a God who still
shows us what is good.

Lord, show us what is good, just, merciful and humble. Amen.

Nate Brandstater is the president of Kettering College in Ohio.

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 Miracle on a Sunny Afternoon
“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray,
believe that you receive them, and you will have them”
(Mark 11:24, NKJV).

In my life, there have been times when I have witnessed God answer my
prayers. One such answered prayer happened on a beautiful, sunny day.
I had just returned home from school with our children. Our youngest son
jumped on his bike and went for a ride. My husband and I were sitting in
the kitchen when we heard an ambulance, and then another. Outside we
called out to our son and ran to the end of the street. There, our worst
nightmare stared us straight in the face—our son had been hit by a
truck. He was in the middle of the road on a stretcher. Soon a helicopter
transported him to a local hospital.
I called three people, asking them to tell everyone they knew to pray. In
the helicopter, our son's head swelled around the straps that were holding
it in place. The medic said that we had a very small window to get him into
surgery to relieve the swelling.
At the hospital, we were met with a team of doctors and a chaplain. The
next person I saw was our pastor, who happened to be visiting someone
else in the hospital at the time. He prayed over our son.
After thoroughly examining our son, the doctors couldn't believe what
they found: not one broken bone. No internal injuries. No need for surgery.
He is our miracle.
The aftermath from the accident may have stumped the doctors, but I
know what truly happened—God answered the hundreds of prayers.

Father, thank You for answering all of our prayers—big or small. Amen.

Ic
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Columbia Union Conference.

 He Has a Plan
For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are
plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope’”
(Jer. 29:11, NLT).

To me, this verse means that I do not have to worry and that I can trust
God. He knows what He is doing and has a plan for me. It tells me thatI
was made for a purpose. I can have hope in Jesus because He holds the
future in His hands and always has my best interest in mind. He loves
us so much and knows everything about us. Even though we may go
through trials and temptations and stumble off His path, He is always
ready to help us get back on track.
When my mom was about six or seven months pregnant with me, my
family was in a car accident. Awoman drove through a stop sign and hit
our car. Everyone was fine besides minor scrapes and bruises. My mom's
wrist hurt and the car was damaged, but she was scared that something
had happened to me. She prayed and prayed that I would be OK, and was
so relieved when the doctor found my heartbeat. I can confidently say
that God saved my life that day because He has a special plan for my life.

Dear God, thank You for the special plans You have for each of us and for
Your great love. Help us to stay on the right path. We love You. Amen.

Asha Caruthers is an eighth-grader at the Olney Adventist Preparatory School in

Maryland.
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 Plugged Into Christ’s Power
“Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him,
that the body of sin might be done away with, that we
should no longer be slaves of sin” (Rom. 6:6, NKJV).

When I-was young in the faith, I had a lot of trouble with my “old man.”
The King James Version said he’d been destroyed, but mine sometimes
seemed to be alive and well! I wondered if I was not a true Christian,
although I loved Jesus and had given my life to Him.
When I eventually learned some other meanings for “destroyed,” it
finally all made sense. “Made useless” or “disabled” are also possible
translations. Think of the difference!
If Idestroy my cell phone, it will never work again. Contrary to this, if it has
no charge, if it is “dead,” then it’s useless and disabled—it doesn’t work at
the moment. But I can still charge it if Iwant to, and then it works fine!
Romans 6 tells me I have a choice of which master to serve: sin or
righteousness. I have the choice of recharging my old man or being
crucified with Christ every single day.
So now, when I wake up in the morning, the first thing I do is put myself in
the arms ofJesus, recommit myself to Him and thank Him that His death
and resurrection to newness of life are mine too. Then I ask Him to live His
life in me through the Holy Spirit.
When temptations come and my old man wiggles a bit, I can keep him
powerless by choosing Jesus and asking for His power to resist. Jesus is
faithful, and it works!

Dear Jesus, thank You that, though I can't control my old man, You can. Please
help me depend on Your power always! Amen.

Han pethei is a member oF the Amicus church in Vir gina.

 | Could Not Believe It!
“But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, with men this is
impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26, KJV).

When I was just beginning ministry, Mary, a very missionary-minded

sister, asked me to go with her to a Bible study that took 30 minutes
by bike down an unpaved road. When we arrived, we found a family in
extreme poverty. As we began studying the Bible, a mean-looking man _.-
suddenly stepped out from behind a curtain with a machete in his hand.
I looked at Mary, my eyes urging us to leave. She remained calm and
without fear. Fortunately, the man left the room.
When we said goodbye, Mary said, “Tomorrow, we will return.” I
whispered to Mary, “I am not coming back tomorrow.” She immediately
told me, “You study the Bible, but you do not apply it to your life. [As
Matthew 28:20 states], the Lord said He would be with us.”

We visited this family five more times, and every time the man appeared
with his machete. I finally made the call for baptism and the lady
accepted. She said to me, “I have a surprise for you. My husband also
wants to be baptized.” Seeing my surprised face, she explained, “My
husband does not know how to read. He always pretended to be angry
so you would not ask him anything. But he stayed behind the door and
listened to the studies.”
I could not believe it! The Word of God is powerful and can transform
hearts. With God, all things are truly possible.

Father, thank You for the privilege of experiencing the power of Your Word.
Amen.

Carlos j. Torres js the director of Family Ministries and Personal Ministries for tne
New Jersey Conference.
4

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 Are You Available?
“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the |
heathen, I will be exalted in the earth” (Ps. 46:10, KJV).

How many of us enjoy being interrupted? I would argue that most of us

do not. We have developed tools to prevent disturbance. Noise-canceling
headphones, automatic replies to phone calls and emails are just a few.
There are more subtle ways we do this, such as scheduling our lives so
tightly there is no space for an unscheduled event. There is nothing wrong
with preserving space in our lives where we can focus on our priorities.
That is how we get work done. But it becomes a problem when our entire
life is built around preventing interruptions.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes about this danger in Life Together: “We must be
ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God. God will be constantly
crossing our paths and canceling our plans by sending us people with
claims and petitions. We may pass them by, preoccupied with our more
important tasks ... it is a strange fact that Christians and even ministers
frequently consider their work so important and urgent that they will allow
nothing to disturb them. They think they are doing God a service in this,
but they are disdaining God's ‘crooked yet straight path’” (p. 99).
Now I don't think Bonhoeffer was recommending that we allow just anything
to alter our schedules. The stipulation was to allow God to interrupt.
The Scriptures call us to “be still and know that He is God.” He will reveal
opportunities for us to share with others at any time, in any place. But if we
are too busy, we will not be prepared for these types of interruptions.

Father, may we be open and receptive to divine occasions to share love—no

matter how full our schedule may be. Amen.

Elliot Smith is a chaplain for the Kettering Adventist HealthCare in Ohio.

 Nothing to Fear
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil,
for You are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me”
(Ps. 23:4, NIV).

__ What does this verse mean? The first part says, “Even though I walk
__ through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil.” I think this means that even
though we go through scary things, we have nothing to fear. Iwonder
why that is? The second part, “for you are with me,” gives it all away.
We do not need to be afraid in those scary places or when we think about
scary things, because God is with us. So the last part, “Your rod and
Your staff, they comfort me,” lets us know that God's presence comforts
us. Simply put, we do not need to be afraid of anything, no matter
what, because God is with us and comforts us with His gentle words of
encouragement and love.
Sometimes we are scared, like when our parents have not come home
yet, and we call them on their phones and they don’t answer. We may
think, “What happened to them? When are they coming back?” This can
worry us a lot. God can help with that worry and fear. All we need to do is
pray and ask. Let’s practice this right now.

Dear Heavenly Father, right now I don’t want to be afraid. I want to have the
strength not to fear what's happening in my life. Lord, please let me put all
fear aside so I can clear my mind and feel comforted by Your presence and
~ love. Amen.

Nolan johnson is a fourth-grader at the Mayfair Christian School in Ohio.

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 Looking Through Spiritual Lenses
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working
for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we
do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which
are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the
things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:17-18, NKJV).

When I think of affliction, “light” does not come to mind in describing

it. “Weighty” is much more accurate, in my opinion. But what I love
about these verses is that God is once again showing me how a shift in
perspective will tremendously benefit me.
Conflict is hard for me. Whether internal or external, I avoid it at all costs.
Affliction shows up both ways in my life, and I constantly grapple with
the uncomfortable intersection of walking through it—knowing that the
eternal glory on the other side completely outweighs the journey.
What makes the difference? My focus. When I focus on affliction with my
limited, human sight, my vision is clouded with the cares of the world and
how I can fix my problems. But when I focus on the unseen with spiritual
vision, which requires me to exercise faith and trust, I can lay hold on the
better part of my story. It’s not a simple task. In fact, I'm nearing 40 and
Iam still working through seeing with God's eyes instead of my own.
What we can grasp with our senses are temporary and will fade away.
What we store up spiritually is eternal. But spiritual storehouses are not
filled through a life of ease. Affliction, while not pleasant, is purposeful.
Iam learning with every trial to view it as such. I hope the same for you.

Lord, help us to view our affliction through spiritual lenses. May we be able to
look back and say it was all worth it. Amen.

Quantrilla Ard is a member of the Restoration Praise Center in Maryland.

740
SS

Love Yourself Like God Loves You

“Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer
and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor
as well as you do yourself” (Luke 10:27, MSG).

Joyce wasn’t having a good day. The math assignment was so hard, and
the new concept so confusing. She was discouraged.
“I’m stupid!” she exclaimed.
“You're not stupid. Don’t tell yourself that. I'll answer your questions. You
can do this,” I responded.
“T can’t do this!” continued Joyce.

“God made you smart, and He'll help you. Let’s ask Him right now to be with
you. He loves you, and will help you. I’m here to help you too,” I promised.
A couple days later, I was struggling with a project that didn’t work out
well for me, and I said, “I’m stupid. I can’t do it.” I suddenly realized I was
repeating the same words I had heard from my student.
At that moment, God's Holy Spirit spoke to my heart: You're not stupid.
You can do this. Be kind to yourself, My child. Imade you and love you.
Love yourself just as I love you.
“Thank you,” I prayed. “Help me to always remember to be kind and
loving to myself, just as you are loving and kind.”
God gave me the privilege to love and care for Joyce and many other
children of His, and to help them learn of His love and care for them.
God loves you and me. He calls us to love Him, others and ourselves with
all the power He has given us. What a wonderful invitation to be like God!

My kind God, may Ibe kind to myself and others just like You are. Amen.

Vicki Bernard is a member of the Hillcrest church in Pennsylvania.

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 Thankful for the
People in My Life
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born
for a time of adversity” (Prov. 17:17, NIV).

I like this verse for many reasons. First, a friend loves, but a brother is
there for the hard things. It’s not that a friend won't be there in times of
need, but your brother is going to always be there, and he will understand
what you’re going through. There are things that brothers might not
understand, but at least they are with you during the toughest times. Their
love is stronger than a friend’s love because your brother has been with
you from the very beginning.
A brother doesn’t have to be your physical brother; they can be any close
family member. I was feeling down one day, and none of my friends
could make me happy. A few days passed, and no one could help me,
until the day I talked with my mom. She was able to fix my problem. She
understood what I was going through.

Dear God, thank You for all You have done, and thank You for the people in our
lives You have given to us. Please take care of everyone. Amen.

ntiel dela Cruz is a seventh-grader at the C. F. Richards Christian School

 He Supplies Our Every Need
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be
food in My house. Test Me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see
if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so
much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it’”
(Mal. 3:10, NIV).

I became a Seventh-day Adventist and started tithing around the time I ~

moved out on my own. Eventually, an elder explained that everything is
God's in the first place, and we are just returning a small portion to Him.
Tithing symbolizes trust in God that He will provide for all our needs.
My first winter on my own, a co-worker of mine lost her home to fire.
Another employee thought of collecting groceries to help her. I went
home and prayed, “Please, God, make sure I always have enough and
some to share.” Ifilled a grocery bag and still had enough for me. The
next winter, Iwrecked my car and had to come up with a deductible.
A church member loaned me a pickup truck, and another gave me
homemade canned green beans. And each workday, my employer
provided me with lunch. As a result, I didn’t have to buy groceries for
an entire month, as I continued to faithfully tithe.
Now, 40 years later, I can attest that God did and still does supply my
needs, for He is good.

Lord, may I stay faithful to You always. Amen.

Linda Brawnér is a member of the Mansfield church in Ohio

4

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 Calm in the Storm
“He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will
find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart”
(Ps. 91:4, NIV).

When I was a small girl, my mother hurried us down a tree-lined road.

Before long, we heard the now familiar drone of a low flying bomber.
My mother quickly pushed the stroller with my brother in it against the
trunk of a large tree. She pulled my sister and me into the ditch. But I
had already seen the plane's incendiary bomb released over the lone
farmhouse in the nearby field. The fireball is clearly etched in my mind.
With her three little ones, my mother knew she could not remain where
she lived, and so began her trek of fleeing from point A to point B to
point C, always needing to stay ahead and out of the enemy's path. Her
greatest fear was that in the crowds that pushed and shoved whenever
transportation was available, she would lose us. “Hold tight to the stroller,”
she admonished us.
I owe all to my praying mother. We made it. And so did my father, who had
chosen to drive an ambulance. God kept His word. His strong feathers as a
protective shield saved us from a myriad of other mishaps.

Thank You, Father, for all the mothers who do whatever is necessary, often at
the cost of their own privation, to bring their children safely through the thick
and thin of this planet's times of turmoil. Amen.

Elfie G. Edwards is a member of the Elkins church in West Virginia.

 The Gift That Gave Back
“The Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Josh. 1:9, NKJV).

In 2017, I was living and working in Milan, Italy. I had a part-time

job in a
Chinese multinational company, lived downtown with my sister and did
Bible work in my spare time. Life was comfortable and predictable. I was
active in church and held a few offices. I enjoyed teaching Sabbath School
and giving Bible studies, but I felt the need for a change.
Being a language lover, I enjoyed working with Chinese people and started
studying Mandarin. I was so fascinated by my colleagues’ work ethic and
their exotic country that I began to look for opportunities to go to China
as a missionary. I wanted to help them know God. I wrote my friend (and
future husband) and asked if he knew anyone in China. He suggested Itry
a health center in Malaysia first and arranged for me to go.
During this time, I discovered that our CEO was Christian, and I decided
to gift him the book Steps to Christ. One day, I left it in his office. He later
came to me and asked who the book was from. I admitted it was from
me. He walked into his office and came out with a beautiful painting for
me, with Joshua 1:9 engraved on it.
As I prepared to tell my family, friends and boss that I was leaving for
Asia, | felt scared, vulnerable and afraid to leave everything behind. But,
as I walked past my living room, I looked up and read the promise on my
gift and was again assured that God was with me, and He will be with me
wherever I go.

Thank You, God, that wherever Igo, You are with me. Amen.

Eugenia Baek is a member of the West Chester church in Pennsylvania.

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 He Heard My Prayer
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble”
(Ps. 46:1, KJV).

I boarded the train for home after attending my sister’s funeral in Georgia.
A friend agreed to pick me up at the station, but after arriving, I waited
and waited with no sign of him at all. Frustrated, I called the neighbor who —
had taken me to the train station several days before. I really didn’t want
to trouble him because he had just lost his job. Nevertheless, he kindly
consented. I gave him clear instructions to wait on the street outside the
station, reminding him not to wait at the entrance of the station where he
first dropped me because it was a private Amtrak entrance for dignitaries.
I waited, but once again, no one came. I walked toward the entrance of the
station, and, to my amazement, his car was by the same private entrance.
Fear gripped me as I saw three security officers surrounding him. I walked
quickly toward them. The officers told us that he was blocking a private
entrance and had to pay a fine of $200. I cried to the Lord, “Oh, Lord, why
is this happening? You know he can't afford to pay.”
I was asked to get into the car, and an officer came around to my window.
Holding up the ticket, he said, “I am tearing up my copy and you tear up
yours too. I don’t have the heart to fine you.”
“Thank you very much. May God bless you and your family,” I said.
Yes, “in my distress I called upon the Lord, and ... He heard my voice”
(Ps. 18:6, KJV).

Father, thank You for hearing and answering our prayers. Amen.

Adveria Thompson is a member of the Capital Chinese church in Maryland.

>

7
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Where You Set Your Foot
“I will give you every place where you set your foot,
as I promised Moses” (Josh. 1:3, NIV).

_ In August 2007, I joined the Chesapeake Conference as the pastor of the

Baltimore Hispanic church.
My greatest challenge was getting used to a single congregation. Prior to
the invitation, I was directing a conference in Venezuela with more than -
200 churches. It was difficult for me to adapt to a smaller size, but I was
convinced of God's divine direction and witnessed His every step.
When I arrived in Baltimore and saw a single congregation in a territory
with so many inhabitants, I asked God to give me the blessing of planting
new congregations. This text came to my mind: “I will give you every
place where you set your foot.”
, God told Joshua that He had given him land even before he stepped on it!
We have a God who keeps promises without limits! Sadly, we are the ones
who set the limits. His promise always remains the same, even today.
Inspired by this text, I encouraged the church members to move forward.
We started small groups, Bible studies and evangelistic campaigns to plant
the second congregation in Baltimore in June 2008. God blessed us, and
today, there are three Hispanic congregations in the center of Baltimore
city, five in Baltimore County*, one in Aberdeen and two in Columbia.
Although grateful, Iendorse the words that God said to Joshua years later:
_ “There remains very much land yet to be possessed” (Josh. 13:1, NKJV).

Thank You, God, for giving us the privilege of working for You and seeing Your
wonders. Amen.

Orlando Rosales is the Hispanic Ministries director for the Chesapeake

*Two of thenwwere established by two colporteurs.

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 The Best Cheerleader
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”
(John 10:10, NIV).

I was blessed to have parents who always believed in me. I can’t

remember a decision I made in which my parents were not there to lend
their support. They may not have agreed with every decision I made, but
they were alongside me as I moved on from the outcome of my decisions.
Their willingness to be there for me meant the world. It gave me strength
and confidence to move forward when, at times, I didn’t think I could.
Maybe you had parents like that or maybe you had someone else in your
life who cheered for you. Whether you did or didn't, know that in Christ we
all have a passionate cheerleader.
When Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to
the full,” He was referring to each of us—you and me. Let’s stop and
think about that. As His driving force, the Creator of the universe has an
abundant life for us. I don’t know about you, but that lifts me up.

God, thank You for being the best cheerleader of all time! Amen.

Wendy Pega is the interim associate superintendent for the Potomac Conference
Education Department.
 Don't Worry!
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will
worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble”
(Matt. 6:34, NKJV).

Iam not supposed to worry about tomorrow, but still, Itend to worry.
Myfather is a pastor, and when he was relocated to a new district, we
had to sell our beautiful home and move into an apartment. I miss my
old house because it was bigger with more room and space to play. The
apartment is smaller so our stuff is crammed together. Now that my older
brother and I are growing up and need more space for schoolwork and
play, the apartment is even smaller than before.
I began to wish for a new house with more space for my brother and me
to play with our toys. I also dream of having a white Pomeranian puppy.
This year, I turned my wish into a prayer. I prayed for God to provide
the best house with the best price for my family and our needs. My
family joined me in prayer. After we prayed for several days, we started
looking for homes. God provided several homes with all the necessary
accommodations and within our budget.
I praise God for answering prayers and providing the best options at the
right time. I learned that with a little faith God will provide. I don’t have to
worry; just trust in Him and be patient.

_ Thank you, Heavenly Father, for hearing and answering my prayer. Please
strengthen my faith in You as I grow so thatIwill rely on You without worry
for the rest of my life. Amen.

Austin D. Marton is a fourth¢grader at Northern Ohio Adventist Academy.

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Grace Freely Given

“Freely you have received; freely give” (Matt. 10:8, NIV).

When I stop and ponder that, in and of ourselves, we deserve nothing but
eternal death, and that God has given us eternal life in Christ, Imarvel at |
His grace. It is absolutely counter-intuitive. God’s thinking and ways are
not ours (Isaiah 55:8). He is infinite. We are finite. He is far beyond our .
vaunted logic, reason and sense of fairness.
His grace proves it and goes even further beyond by strengthening us in
such a way that we are strong when we are weak (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)!
As the song goes, it truly is “Amazing Grace.” God freely offers us salvation
(john 3:16), and when we receive Jesus as Savior and Lord, He freely
gives us strength to live a life that is pleasing to Him and is best for us
(Philippians 2:13).
In Matthew 10:8, Jesus instructed, “Freely you have received; freely give.”
We are God's modem to freely give grace just as we have received it. No
security keys are required. We are only to give of ourselves freely as He
gave of Himself freely.

Lord, make me weak so that You can be strong in and through me so others
may know and experience Your amazing grace. Amen.

William Peterson is the executive secretary of the Pennsylvania Conference.

=
4 ‘Take No Thought’
“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or,
What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
... for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need
of all these things” (Matt. 6:31-32, KJV).

_ lama thinker, planner and need-to-knower. Accordingly, “taking no

_ thought” was an enigma that both intrigued and challenged me. How
does one “take no thought?” Our very training from childhood seems to
negate that mandate: do well in school, get an advanced education, seek
- a lucrative career, work hard for advancement, save for retirement. In
other words, take a lot of thoughts.
These verses challenged me to try to understand the heart-faith change
God was seeking, and this became my daily reading. The power of “taking
no thought” pulled me from the self-reliance of a steady paycheck to self-
} employment. A chance conversation with a contractor who stated that he
never advertised but trusted God to send him business, strengthened my
resolve to eventually trust God enough to allow Him to think for me. This
powerful business model became mine, albeit with varying success.
Then, while I was in business-building mode, my husband decided to
_ retire early to also build a business. These verses became my mental,
emotional and spiritual survival tool. Finally, Ihad no thoughts! It was
then that I accepted that my heavenly Father really did know what we
needed as we saw Him provide repeatedly for us.
“Though challenged, we were never hungry, homeless or helpless. I
learned that, though His thoughts are not mine, His solutions are sure.

Father, I thank You for thinking of me continually. Help me to trust Your

- thoughts for my life. Amen.

Gloria Dorseyis a member of the Pisgah church in Maryland.

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 When Hope Begins to Grow
“Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will
never let the righteous be shaken” (Ps. 55:22, NIV).

Each day, we are faced with millions of decisions. Some hold more weight
than others, but, ultimately, all of them have consequences. Throughout
our lives, we will be faced with choices that determine our outlook. We
can choose to be pessimistic, negative and discouraged about our current
situation—whether the pandemic or the array of other things happening
in our lives—or we can look to God, trust that He has our best interest in
mind and be optimistic about our situation.
I have dealt with anxiety and worry for a few years, and, while it has
not been severe, any amount of it is overwhelming. It is very easy to be
pessimistic. When I came across this text, I instantly connected with it.
God asks me to give Him my worries and anxieties and then promises
that He will never let me be shaken. When I read this, it helped to quiet
my anxious thougNhts. I am able to allow myselfto trust God as He holds
me safely in His arms.

Throughout the day, we fight a battle for our minds, hearts and actions.
Satan's choice would be for us to live in fear and discouragement. When
he can make us afraid and worried, he has won. But God is stronger, and
He wants us to live without fear. As we start to let go of fear, hope begins
to grow, and clinging to it will save us.

Dear Lord, please help us to choose You every day. Sustain us in Your arms
through the storms of life. Amen.

4
Larissa Krueger is a 2020 graduate of Spencerville Adventist Academy in Maryland.
 God Is With Us
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God
will be with you wherever you go” (Josh. 1:9, NIV).

Sometimes we find ourselves in situations and wonder if God is paying

attention. We might feel so alone that we can’t feel God’s presence; we
need His guidance and help. Sometimes friends, spouses and parents
don’t completely understand what we are going through, but God does,
and He cares. How comforting it is to know that wherever we go, God is
there with us.
God told Joshua to be strong and have courage: “The Lord your God
will be with you wherever you go.” We don't have to feel alone, for God
is with us. He is working out our problems, oftentimes without us even
realizing it. We need to have faith to trust Him and receive what He has
for us. If we need strength, peace, love, joy or hope, He has it all. He longs
to pour out His favor and blessings on us.
As we read in Psalms 139:1-6, “You know when I sit and when I rise; You
perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying
down; You are familiar with all my ways. ... You hem me in behind and
before, and You lay Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful
for me to attain” (NIV).
There is nothing that God doesn’t know and can’t do for us. He walks with
us every moment of every day.

Father, thank You for always being there. Amen.

Gloria Holland is the senior account clerk and administrative assistant for the Columbia
Union Revolving Fund in Maryland.

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 God Knows Best
“And we know that all things work together for good
to those who love God” (Rom. 8:28, NKJV).

When I knocked on his door 30 years ago, I never imagined the

conversation we had would impact me to this day.
He had been a leader ofthe church; a highly respected man of God of 96
years. His wife had passed away awhile back. My husband and I needed
information on the cause of her death, as she had participated in the
research my husband was conducting to obtain his Masters in Public Health.
After completing the interview, I dared to ask him a question that was
haunting me. He had lived a life of hardship, but his spirit was young, filled
with peace and joy.
I asked, “Pastor, if you had to give one piece of advice on how to live a life
like yours, what would it be?”
Smiling, he answered, “Romans 8:28. Just love God, and, no matter what
life brings your way, everything will work together for good.”
I pray that by the time you read this message, humanity will have found
a way to fight the coronavirus. As I'm writing, we're in the crossfires of a
horrible battle. Our churches are closed. Many have lost their jobs. The list
of the sick and dying grow with each passing day.
My husband recently conducted a virtual funeral for a dear Christian
brother. As I heard family members of the deceased person share words
of gratitude, I knew in my heart that even this, COVID-19, will work
together for the good of those who love God.

Lord, how can this work for good? I do not know. But Iknow You do. Amen.

carmen A. Esposito is the Hispanic Women's Ministries director

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 She Loved Me
“See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us
His children, and that is what we are! But the people who
’ belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God's children
3
because they don't know Him” (1 John 3:1, NLT).

’
Every summer, for the first 8 years of my life, our family drove from our
home iin the metro-Detroit area down to our family farm in Boone, N.C. My.
~ brother and I would wake up at dawn to spend the day traipsing through
~ the woods, fishing, riding in Grandpa Jim’s old pickup and eating fudge-
- ripple ice cream with chocolate sauce. Those early years were the best.
- Not long after I turned 9, we made that trip during a winter storm.
Grandpa Jim, 65, had suffered a massive heart attack and stroke and died.
While our summer trips to Boone continued, I dreaded them. Grandma
j Annie had chores for me, criticized everything I did and publicly
}
- questioned the wisdom of eating my fudge-ripple treat. It seemed as if
she detested me, and my heart began to grow cold.
Just before I turned 16, we again traveled to Boone. Grandma Annie
had lost her battle with lung cancer. I went through the motions and
attended the funeral. Imagine my surprise when the minister, neighbors
~ and relatives shared stories of how my grandmother boasted about her
smart, beautiful and gifted granddaughter.
It wasn’t until that moment, that I recognized my grandmother had
been hurting following the death of her husband. As I thought about the
“ Father’s love, I knew then that my grandmother loved me after all.

Father, thank You that You call us Your children. Amen.

HeidiA.Shoemaker is the executive assistant to the president and chief me

at Fore Hamiton Hospital,part of KetteringAdvert t HealthCare in Ohio
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 Shine for God!
“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen
upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross
darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory
shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and
kings to the brightness of thy rising” (Isa. 60:1-3, KJV).

Arise, shine! How beautiful are those words. These verses make me think
of myself standing on a large stage with the whole world watching me.
Everything I say has an impact and a meaning to every person, young
and old. Because of this, I must choose my words wisely and point
others to Christ. God is with me, and His light is shining on me. This is my
opportunity to tell others about Him!
The world is covered in a dark haze of sin. But with God in my heart, I can
be the one to shine and hasten His return. With God’s help, I can bring
others into the light of His glory, and they, too, can be witnesses. More
and more, this family of light will grow, until everyone has had a chance to
come into the light. When God returns, it will be easy for Him to find His
children that love Him and who have witnessed for Him.
You also can be a witness and a light for Christ to others. Let our prayer
today be an earnest request for God to live in us and shine through us.

Dear Father in heaven, please live in my heart. Let me be a light to those living
in darkness. Please help me to remember each day to shine for You! I love You.
Please come quickly. Amen.

Zora Edmondson is a member of the Frostburg church in Maryland.

156
 He Overcame the World
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have
peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer;
I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, KJV).

My grandparents from India had planned to visit us the summer of 2016.

Things came up and their coming was delayed. My grandpa thought about
postponing the trip, but my parents disagreed, so my grandparents came. 3p

That summer was one of the best. I really got to know my grandparents.
Of course, I had been with them before, but I was younger at the time
_-and understood less. They ended up staying into January of 2017.
_ Afterward, we called my grandparents about twice a week to talk and see
how they were doing.
Then it happened. I called my grandpa one Friday night, and told him we
_ would video call them later that weekend. On Sunday evening, my family
‘ went fishing and got home late. When I woke up for school the next
morning, my parents shared the tragic news with me. My grandpa had
passed away from a heart attack. I was in shock. He was just in the house,
laughing at my childhood antics. The first thing I did was hug my dad. In
tears, he said to me, “We'll see him when Jesus comes again, Son.”
_ John 16:33 is the verse that Ihave held on to. My grandpa’s passing was
just one of the many trials I'll face in life. Many people lose loved ones,
but we have the peace that only Jesus gives—the peace that passes all
understanding—and the assurance that He has overcome the world by
- conquering death.

God, help me to remember that You have already overcome the world, and
You're by my side in whatever befalls me. Amen.

mS
Sidharth Chavan is a junior at Takoma Academy in Maryland.

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 Categories and Mysteries
“Are you for us or for our enemies?’ ‘Neither,’ he replied”
(Josh. 5:13-14, NIV).

Categories, juxtapositions, contradictions, polarizations. The more we live,

the more we understand that things are not black and white—that life is
complex and messy most of the time. When it comes to faith, categorizing
to avoid confusion and ambiguity seems paramount. It’s like an ancient
push we feel.
We see this in the Old Testament. Joshua was the leader and general of the
Israelites. When he “was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing
in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and
asked, ‘Are you for us or for our enemies?’ ‘Neither,’ he replied, ‘but as
commander of the army of the Lord I have now come’” (Josh. 5:13-14, NIV).

Reverently, Joshua fell to the ground and asked what message God had for
him. “The commander of the Lord’s army replied, ‘Take off your sandals,
for the place where you are standing is holy’” (verse 15).
This story is phenomenal. Joshua, as a commander, is used to thinking in
categories and ranks. When he asks for them, God doesn’t give them to
him. When we ask for categories, God sometimes responds “neither” or,
in the original Hebrew, “no,” because sometimes reality does not fit into
categories. In the presence of God, what matters is that everything that
surrounds us is holy.
Maybe, as Eugene Peterson puts it, “mystery is not the absence of
meaning but the presence of more meaning than we can comprehend.”
Worship is accepting this mystery.

Lord, help me to trust You when there are things I don’t understand. Amen.

estor Bruno is the director of the Ministry Care Line for Kettering Adventist HealthCare
in Ohio.
 To Spend and Be Spent
“And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more
abundantly I love you, the less I be loved” (2 Cor. 12:15, KJV).

_ Every choice we make, every course taken, has a cost. The apostle Paul
was well aware of the cost of apostleship. In his second letter to the
_ church in Corinth, he tenderly expresses how he felt about the believers.
_He announced that he was going to make a third visit to them and that in
no way would he be a burden to them.
- On the contrary, he told them: “I will very gladly spend and be spent for
g you.” This is the mark of a servant of God who had come to know the
heart of God as manifested through His Son. Jesus speaks these words of
assurance today. When I understood that these words apply to a leader in
God’s work for the people, I was impressed. When I understood them to
_ come from Jesus Christ to me, Iwas humbled in amazement.

The thought that Christ spares no blessing or good thing for His people
is why we praise Him today. But to realize that He divested Himself of
everything and became obedient unto death, even death on the cross—
for you and me—is why we bow in surrender to Him.
“Though the more abundantlyI love you, the less I be loved.” Paul
recognizes the tendency of the fallen human heart. It is easy to take
for granted the one who loves you most. He experienced loneliness,
ungratefulness and doubters along his journey. Scripture records the
history that the greater manifestations of God's favor and blessings were
-often repaid with ensuing unfaithfulness and unbelief from His own. May
we recommit our love to Him.

Dear Lord, help me love You more. Amen.

John Rengifo is the associate pastor of Evangelism and Discipleship for the Atholton
church in Maryland.
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 Praying for My Enemy
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you,
do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully
use you and persecute you” (Matt. 5:44, NKJV).

Jason was my nemesis. When we were young, he beat up nearly every kid
on our block, including me. Things worsened as we got older. He sexually
assaulted a dear friend of mine, and, to my face, threatened to kill her.
For years, I harbored anger toward Jason. As a young Christian, I came
across verse after verse in the Bible about forgiveness and praying for your
enemies, but I ignored theses verses and would just turn the page. I was so
deeply hurt; I didn’t want to forgive or pray for him.
One day, I came to a passage and started to turn the page, when a vision came
to my mind. I was in heaven and two beautiful girls were telling me how they
came to Christ. They were sad that their dad wasn’t there with them. “There
was no one to pray for him,” they said. Then they told me his name. Jason. I
regretfully explained why I hadn't prayed. It was my fault he wasn’t there.
This imagery shook me. I didn’t want to pray for him, but what if my
prayers could change him?
I began to pray for Jason—very reluctantly and minimally at first—but, over
time, God's Spirit began to direct those prayers. He was a prayed-for man.
Years later, Jason reached out to me on Facebook. He apologized for
everything. He had become a born-again Christian. He showed me pictures
of his two little girls—two little girls who will have their daddy in heaven
with them.

Father God, give me strength to forgive and to pray for those who hurt me,
trusting that You hear and heal. Amen.

Jeremy Garlock is the superintendent of schools for the Pennsylvania Conference.

 ‘No More Night
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more
death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever”
(Rev. 21:4, NLT).

This verse has always been a favorite of mine, so I recently read it in

various translations. Surprised to find 28 translations online, I realized
there are many different ways God shows us that because one day He will
make death disappear, we can look forward to being happy forever.
My mom was very ill for four, long years and passed away three years
ago. It still doesn’t feel real that she is gone. God. never intended for us to
experience that kind of sadness, separation and death. He created us to
live forever with each other and with Him.
Can you just imagine how wonderful it will be to have no crying,
sadness or disappointment in heaven? It’s almost beyond the realm of
imagination. Almost. God has promised this, and He always keeps His
Word, no matter the cost. He proved that at Calvary, and proves it every
day, if we are willing to put our trust in Him.
The lyrics from the song “No More Night” tells of a wonderful time when
there will be no more pain and no more night; instead, we will live in the
light of His presence. Give God a chance to prove Himself. He wants you
to test Him and see that He is faithful!

God, we look forward to the day when we will be with you in heaven forever!
Amen.

Joannie Galbraith is a metrtber of the Waynesboro church in Virginia.

vd P me ed
 A Mamas Prayer
“Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your
work shall be rewarded ... and they shall come back from the land of
the enemy. There is hope in your future ... that your children shall
come back to their own border” (Jer. 31:16-17, NKJV).

I have a lot of favorite scriptures. Verses that give me hope, courage,

inspire me, convict me, challenge me to action. Favorite promises from
God's Word for different areas of my life. In Jeremiah, God spoke a new
favorite verse directly to my mama-heart as I lifted my sons to Him.
“God, please ...” Imanaged to say.
Tears streamed down my face as I prayed for my sons, begging God to
speak into their lives, reveal Himself and His love to them, and call them
deeper into a relationship with Him. Teen and young adult years are hard,
and trials were causing them to question faith and God.
Repeatedly, I sensed God saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting
love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you” (Jer. 31:3, NKJV).
I knew God loved my sons. What else did He want me to know?
Turning to Jeremiah, I began praying God's words over my sons. God saw
my tears and knew my hurting heart. He challenged me to trust Him, and
promised to work in their lives.
Now, as I pray for my sons, I take time to thank God for loving them, for
wanting more for them than I even imagine, for having hopes and plans for
their lives. I trust Him to persistently and consistently move mountains to
remind them of who He is and call them deeper into friendship with Him.

God, please! Amen.

Via HOrsc is tne direct OF COMMMUMNCAUCH, Family, Frayer ana Women’s

Alvania Conference.
 Peace in Difficulty
“But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and He that
formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have
called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through
the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not
overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be
burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord
thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour” (Isa. 43:1-3, KJV).

It was 1991, and I had just given birth to my daughter. The doctor came
in to give me sad news: “You have cancer.” I felt like my whole life was
coming to an end. I was about to ask the doctor how much time I had,
when I heard the voice of the Holy Spirit whisper, “Cursed is the man who
trusts in man and makes flesh his strength” (Jer. 17:5, ESV). Then He said,
“Even the hairs on your head are all numbered” (Luke 12:7, ESV), and I
thought, This is the word of God. The doctor asked, “Is something wrong?”
I replied, “No, nothing. Let’s proceed with surgery.”
The surgery was in a week; I was nervous and could not process the
news. But when I woke up on the day of the surgery, I talked to God,
and He answered me.
I opened my devotional, and the verse for that day was Isaiah 43:1-3.
This promise gave me security and strength, and made me see that my
case was not a matter of life or death, but a trial from which I would
emerge victorious.

Thank You, Lord, for being with me in difficult times. I praise You! Amen.

Saylis V. Fuentes is the pastor of the Lorton Spanish church in Virginia.

 He Healed Me Instead
“And lo, 1am with you always, even unto the end of the world”
(Matt. 28:20, KJV).

The year was 2014. My mother had just been diagnosed with cancer. I
had all the confidence and faith in the world that God would heal her; He
didn’t. Instead, He healed me.
During all the days of radiation, I continued to keep the faith. During the
days of chemo, I claimed every scriptural promise that I could think of: on
asking, receiving, believing and healing. Deep down inside, I just knew that
God was going to heal my mom; He didn’t. Instead, He healed me.
During one of her sickest days, I finally hit my breaking point. In anger,
frustration and deep brokenness, I went to God expressing my sincere
disappointment. And that’s when He gave me Matthew 28:20 to not only
strengthen me in that moment, but to carry me for years to come. It has
anchored me in storms, comforted me when hurt, blanketed me when
lonely, surrounded me when threatened and healed and restored me
when shattered.
In the death of my mother, God, in His sovereign goodness, was delivering
to me a “Beyond the Moment” faith. He was preparing me by giving me
a word, a verse, that would transcend any situation that I would ever
face: death, divorce, loss of job, family, home or health. He wanted me to
comprehend that He would always be with me.

In 2014, I believed that God would heal my mother; He didn’t. Instead,

He healed me. My prayer is that He heals you too.

Dear God, please heal those who are hurting. Amen.

K, L. Watkins is the principal ofthe Sharon Temple Adventist Schoo! in Delaware.

 Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall
“The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish
pulls it down with her hands” (Prov. 14:1, NKJV).

The most dangerous household object is the mirror, with its ability to cut
physically and emotionally. By amplifying our perceived flaws, wrinkles,
celiulite and scars, it deceives us into believing that the imperfect
reflection is who we really are. When that outer physical image doesn’t |
measure up to our expectations, it shatters our identity and confidence.
My “house” for many years was a plus-sized body. When I lost nearly 150
pounds through healthier eating and walking, the outward change was so
profound that old friends didn’t recognize me. On the inside, I struggled
with the same insecurities that caused me to turn to food. I was slimmer,
but I still wasn’t perfect, which made me feel unworthy and unlovable.
Instead of being wise as the Proverbs 14:1 woman and turning to the
One who loves me with an everlasting love, I based my identity on the
woman in the mirror and foolishly tore myself down with self-criticism.
When we don’t trust God's love but believe the voices that say we aren't
good enough, we destroy our houses and self-sabotage with food, alcohol,
drugs, sex and other temporary sources of pleasure, comfort and rebellion.
So cast off perfectionism, doubt and criticism by spending time with the
God who desires to build up our bodily houses. We are worthy for the
simple reason that our Creator says we are. After all, He is the one who knit
us together in our mothers’ wombs, whose thoughts of us outnumber the
grains of sand and who has counted the hairs on our heads.

Lord, direct our hands to wisely build our houses and self-confidence. Help us
to seek our reflection in Your eyes and not in the mirror. Amen.

Connie Kuykendall is.a member of the Far West End church in Virginia.

~ i pide _—
 Don’t Lose Heart
“Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that
you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin,
you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood”
(Heb. 12:3-4, NIV).

One day in my youth, Ifelt really lonely and depressed. I wanted to cry!
My friend had betrayed me. It was an awful situation, so I fell to my knees
to pray to God. I told Him how I felt and asked Him to answer me as my
Friend: “God, how can I overcome this situation?” Immediately, a thought
came to mind: Go read Hebrews 12:3-4.
Initially, when I read the verse, I felt bad because I had a beautiful family,
a house, food, friends and many other things, and I was being ungrateful
to God. And second, I had never been in a situation like the one Jesus went
through and suffered for me.
Since then, this verse has helped me in difficult moments, reminding me
that I have many things for which I can be happy and grateful to God, and
that, in my fight against sin, I have not yet resisted to the point of pouring
out my blood.

Thank you, Lord, for the assurance that, because You faced incredible
hardship, You are able to strengthen us in our time of need. Amen.

y Bustamante is a senior accountant

for the Columbia Union Revolving Fund
in Maryland.
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 a

Less Is More
“IT know what it is to be in need, and I know what
it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content
in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry,
whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through
Him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:12-13, NIV).

This is one of my favorite verses because it talks about being content.

Sometimes it is easy to look at someone else’s life and wish to have what
they have. It is easy to see their big house, cool clothes or expensive car
and want to have it. But, even though they have nice things, their life may
not be all it seems to be.
The person could be struggling with problems unknown to anyone else.
The life that God gave each of us was made just for us. God made each of
us special with different talents and abilities. He placed each of us where
we need to be. God has a plan, even if we do not see it.

This verse tells me that I can be content with the life that God gave me. I
don't have to envy anybody else’s life. This verse goes on to say that I can
do all things through Christ who gives me strength. This means that if I
ask Jesus to help me be content, He will help me do it. 1am glad that Jesus
loves us and that He talks to us through prayer. I am also thankful that He
gives me strength.

Jesus, please give me strength to be content. Thank You for making us special
and unique! Amen.

Darby Holder is a seventh-grader at the Harrisburg Adventist School in Pennsylvania.

 Love Freely Gives
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith” (Gal. 5:22, KJV).

Love—one of the fruits of the Spirit—is represented in the parable of the

prodigal son found in Luke 15:11-32.
We always talk about love, but what is it? Wikipedia describes love as
“always seeking the highest good for others, no matter their behavior. It
is a love that gives freely without asking anything in return.”
How did the prodigal son behave? He was lazy, disrespectful and
ungrateful. He asked for all his inheritance and wasted everything, living
in ways his father had not taught him. He brought dishonor to his family
and himself. When he found himself alone, sad, broke and without a
single friend, he was reminded of how his father’s servants lived and
decided to return home.
The entire time he was away, his father thought of him and prayed for his
return. The day he saw his son coming down the road, instead of asking
lots of questions or shaming him, he ran out and immediately hugged
him because of the pure love he felt for him. I encourage us all to practice
this kind of love toward each other.

Dear Lord, please give us the unselfish love that You have toward people. Help
us to see people with Your eyes. Amen.

Elyssia Sanchez is a fourth‘grader at Vienna Adventist Academy in Virginia.

rs Pat s'
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 Legacy of a Christian Education
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when
they are old they will not turn from it” (Prov. 22:6, NIV).

- Lam the first of six children of Gilbert and Sylvia Spence. Much of the
education we obtained was taught at home from parents who did not have
an opportunity to obtain a college degree but were committed disciples
of Jesus, the Master Teacher. Dad accepted the Seventh-day Adventist
message in his teen years. Mom was already in the faith. I considered
myself blessed to have parents similar to Jesus’ parents—a homemaker
teacher and an entrepreneur.
My dad served for many years as an elder of his local church in central
Jamaica, and, in partnership with other dedicated leaders, grew a church
school into a full educational center, offering elementary to academy
education. Today it’s known as May Pen Academy and is still operating in
my homeland.
My parents saw to it that all of my siblings and I attended this school. When
it was time to leave for college, my dad had a memorable conversation with
me: “Son, I will not be able to leave a large monetary legacy for you,” he
said, “but I will invest in your education with the limited resources I have.”

Before he passed in June 2015, I was able to invite him to a Washington

Adventist University Alumni Sabbath gathering, and said to him publicly:
“Dad, thank you for your support of Christian education and your wisdom
of investing in me. Today, they call me the president of Washington
Adventist University.”

Thank You, God, for Seventh-day Adventist Christian education that made a
positive difference in so many lives, and in my own. Amen.

Weymouth Spence is the president of Washington Adventist University in Maryland.

 God Hears
“I call on the Lord in my distress, and He answers me”
(Ps. 120:1, NIV).

This verse is important to me because there have been times in life when
I've felt down, like nobody could hear me. But God was always there.
People have used me, and it would depress me, but praying to God made
me feel like somebody cared and was listening.
When I was in sixth grade, something happened to me in which I blamed
myself. One of my classmates took advantage of me constantly, and it
tore me down. It affected my self-confidence greatly, and I felt useless.
Unfortunately, I didn’t tell any adult what was happening, because I
thought nobody would care. But I was wrong. God showed me that I
could talk to Him about anything and also to those I loved. I opened up
to my older cousin, and that made me feel so much better. She ended up
encouraging me to tell my parents, which was the best decision I made.
God hears and answers you when you call. Sometimes bad things
happen. Sometimes it’s even your fault. But He still loves you. No matter
what you’ve done in the past, He will answer you in times of distress. If
you are tired and helpless, He will help and comfort you. It’s true because
I've experienced it. God is real.
To this day, I still struggle with what happened to me, but knowing that
God is there will always keep me going. God is my hero. And He can be
yours too, if you ask Him to be.

Dear God, help us to remember that You're always here for us. Amen.

Sarai Myers is a seventh-grader at the Tree of Life Christian Preparatory School

in Virginia. y
 Sp etOSES,

Every Blessing
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the
heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3, NKJV).

I play the piano, and, as a result, have been able to experience so much in
my life that Inever dreamed of, like visiting Europe with my band and so
many other things that I've only read about in books. Yet none of these
adventures quite rival how music has brought my family closer.
My most cherished memories of piano and music aren’t of playing it or
where it has taken me; they are of driving to church, listening to hymn
covers that my dad found for me to learn, and my mom and sister singing
along to them. My number one hymn is “Come Thou Fount of Every
Blessing.” I love it so much that my dad had it arranged to a piano cover
that is my all-time favorite; not for the notes, but for the memories and the
meaning behind the notes on the page.
“Come thou fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace.”
The words that inspired these iconic lines come straight from the Bible:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed
us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.”
This verse talks about the glory of God, and how He has given us
everything and every blessing. His streams of mercy are never ceasing.
He calls for our songs of loudest praise. He calls us to sing to Him and to
worship Him.

Lord, may we accept the invitation to come to Your fount of every blessing.
Amen.

Elfie Sauser is a freshman at Spring Valley Academy in Ohio.

 No Separation
“For Iam convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor
demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither
height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to
separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”
(Rom. 8:38-39, NIV).

This is my favorite text in the Bible. So much of life is filled with heartache
and pain: loved ones whom I have lost, political division and strife,
famine, and pestilence with the COVID-19 virus.
Through it all, I find peace knowing that nothing can take God’s love
away from me. Though many question the existence of God, based on
all the negativity in the world, this warfare confirms and reaffirms my
commitment to God. His promises are a constant reminder of how
good He is.
When we focus on negativity, we take our focus off of Christ. That makes
Satan very happy. We often focus on the negativity within our church. As
a result, many leave the church and sometimes God altogether. I have
never understood that mindset, because for me, my Salvation is not in
the church but in Jesus Christ and Him alone. I love my church, but I also
realize it is made up of human beings. Whenever human beings are
in charge, there will always be mistakes and deficiencies because not
everyone’s focus is on Christ. That is where the problem lies. And this is a
constant reminder of the great controversy.

Father, may we focus on Christ and let the Holy Spirit guide us so we will be
ready for His soon return. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20, K/V). Amen.

Dunbar Henri-is-a religion.teacher.at Takoma Academy in Maryland.

 God Saw Me Through
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff,
they comfort me” (Ps. 23:4, NKJV).

One fateful Friday in 2015, my wife, Hellen, and I were celebrating our fifth
anniversary in Cancun, Mexico. We spent the morning on the beach. Shortly
after lunch, my head started aching severely. Back at the hotel, I felt sick and
began to vomit. I thought perhaps it was due to food poisoning.
When I woke up several hours later, I had no strength to move. My
wife helped me to the bathroom, where I began to vomit again. Then I
experienced something that changed my life forever: “Sweetheart, Iam
seeing double,” I told my wife.
After a few days in this condition, and feeling weak, we returned home.
It turned out I didn’t have food poisoning; I had a brain bleed. More
precisely, a cavernous malformation. The best neurosurgeons at Johns
Hopkins told me there was nothing that could be done. We would have to
wait and see if the double vision subsided.
Today, I still see double when I look down, but I did not lose my sight. I
experience dizziness every day, even now as I write this, but I can still walk.
I thank God for sparing my life! In these past five years, Hellen and I have
had the joy of raising two beautiful children—Gabriel and Hannah Belle.
The summer of 2015 was the darkest moment in my life, but Psalm 23
assured me that I was not alone. Jesus was right there walking beside me.

Lord, You are so good. Thank You for being with us in times of darkness. Amen.

Diego Boquer is the pastor of the Baltimore-White Marsh church in Maryland.

 God of Love
“The Lord hath appeared of old unto me,
saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love:
therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee”
(Jer. 31:3, KJV).

My first introduction to the Seventh-day Adventist Church was: “My

mother doesn’t eat pork, and she goes to church on Saturday.”
After that startling introduction, I never thought I’d become a member.
But when I walked into the Parkersburg church for the first time, I was
met with love, the sermon spoke on love and I desired to come back to
hear more about this love. Soon, I was encouraged to read the Bible more
and join a Scripture memorization class.
It is my prayer that I can also draw those in my sphere of influence with
lovingkindness so that they, too, can meet this God of love!

Lord, grant us a kind, loving and generous spirit that will bring others closer
to You. Amen.

Amy Fullmer is a member of the Parkersburg church in West Virginia

 From Weakness to Strength
“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength
is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather
boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in
persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak,
. then Iam strong” (2 Cor. 12:9-10, NKJV).

Anxiety filled my every waking moment. Being only 14, I never imagined
enduring major back surgery to correct my agonizing scoliosis. Yet, here
I was—tubes hanging out of me, pain wracking my body and feeling like
I had been run over by a car. Little did I realize that the surgery I thought
was going to end my physical suffering would introduce a whole new
world of pain. Complications plagued me after the operation and took
me on a multi-year journey of medical tests, dead-end diagnoses and
challenging questions about my faith.
I cried out, “Lord, why aren’t you healing me?” God was hearing my
desperate prayers, but answering in His unique way. Over time, He
miraculously healed a different part of me—my heart. The Holy Spirit
drew me into the Word and daily devotions. There, He impressed me to
share my story with others. As I did, God amazingly used my testimony to
minister to other suffering hearts.
God used this text to show me that when I am at my weakest point, God’s
strength will shine brighter than ever before. Just as He is using my trial for
His glory, He will do the same for you. Surrender yourself to God, and see
His strength shine through your weakness.

Lord, please help me to be a light for You. Amen.

Christina Gibbs is a senior at Blue Mountain Academy in Pennsylvania.

 a a

4
Press On
os|St
eke
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and
not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Isa. 40:31, ESV).

lived in Guatemala when I was 12-years-old. The church we attended was

in need of toilets and children’s classrooms. After the church board voted
to build them, the members volunteered to help. Many assisted at first, but
soon only two people stayed committed to the project—my dad and I.
Around this time, my family of five was planning to immigrate to the United
States. We patiently prayed for our visas to arrive, but desperately wanted
to finish the church upgrade prior to us leaving. Because my parents didn’t
have enough money to enroll me into school, I was able to work every day
on the project with my dad.
When the community members only saw my dad and me working, they
i said, “Where are the others? Nobody is going to pay you anything!”
As a young man with dreams and goals, these words hurt. I looked to God:
“They are right. Nobody is paying us. And why is nobody else helping?”
One day, an elderly woman approached me: “Son, you know what? As
Isaiah 40:31 says, you just have to wait on the Lord.” These words have
forever been engraved in my mind.
After my dad and I finished the project, my family went to the immigration
office, and I couldn’t believe the news: “In a week, you will receive your five
visas.” We had finished the project just in time!
‘If you wait on the Lord, He will give you wings to fly.

Lord, when everything and everyone is against us, may You give us the strength
_to go on. Amen.

for the Langley Park Spanish church in Maryland.

+ isl
Darwin facinto is the youth director
 Not Forever!
“IT can do all things through Him who strengthens me”
(Phil. 4:13, NASB).

Full-time evangelism requires a lot of traveling and preaching, which can

be very challenging for a family: uprooting every six weeks, moving your
“house” to a new location, leaving friends you just made. But evangelism
also “gives” a lot: meeting new friends, seeing new places and sharing
Christ with people. Since we were on the go so often, my husband, Dave,
decided our most ideal living quarters would be a mobile home retrofitted
as a travel trailer.
While working for a conference in the Midwest, we experienced hard
winters and hot summers. We moved a 12-foot by 60-foot mobile home
numerous times. I would put plastic sheets down on the floor of the living
room, then we would stack all the trailer jacks and boards on the floor.
Almost every time we moved, we had a flat tire on the big trailer.
Dave drove a big toter truck—the type used to pull semis—and I escorted
our wide-load home with our two young children in a 1937 Chevy Street
Rod with a “wide load” sign and red flags.
Philippians 4:13 became one of my favorite Bible texts, as it pulled me
through many difficult situations in the past, and still does. I've added
my own spin to this verse to help me cope with life’s demands: “I can do
anything, as long as it’s not forever!” This has become my motto. God will
never give us more than He gives us the strength to handle.

Dear Lord, remind me throughout today that I can do all things through Your
strength, and that nothing is forever except You and eternal life. Amen.

Becky Weigley serves as the director of the Ministerial Spouses Association for the
Columbia Union Conference.
 The Science of the Struggle
“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing
that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance,
character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by
the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Rom. 5:3-5, NKJV).

Everyone has experienced something challenging in life. Though each

struggle is unique, most have one key ingredient in common: Mohs.
Designed by the geologist Friedrich Mohs, a mineral’s hardness is
evaluated on a scale from one to 10.
To grade its hardness, a mineral is scratched by other surfaces to see if
it leaves a mark. The more a mineral can withstand a scratch, the higher
it rates on the Mohs scale—a diamond having a rating of 10. Diamonds,
however, do not start at 10. They begin as coal—a rating of three.
‘Paul tells us in the book of Romans that, with the help of the Holy
Spirit, we are transformed, and our hardness or ability to withstand the
struggles of life increases. We are changed by the love of God, and the
struggles we endure shape our character and give us strength and hope.
The Bible tells us stories of how Job, Paul and even Jesus journeyed
through struggles while keeping the faith and proving their “hardness.”
That first pressure-filled struggle you encounter may feel like the worst
moment ever, but God’s love and faith can keep you moving forward.
In fact, others may marvel at the persevering character you show, or
you can use that perseverance in your own future struggles. Hope is the
evidence that you can endure life’s pressures and transform into the
diamond God desires you to be.

Father, thank You for hope! Amen.

Lamont Vaughan is a member of the New Life church in Maryiand.

oF
 aoe
sa
‘Ha

Lacking Nothing
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect
and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4, NKJV).

I used to complain to my husband that nothing in life had come easy to

me. Occasions that should have been joyous instead produced hardship,
and Ifelt like the joy I could have obtained had been taken away from me.
It was my wonderful husband, however, who reminded me to look at these
experiences through a different lens—the Lord’s. Where I saw obstacles,
unfairness and resentment, the Lord saw love, endurance and character
development. In each challenge, I felt heavily burdened, but Inow realize
the Lord gave me strength to overcome.
Life is full of trials, and God uses those difficulties to prepare us for bigger
trials to come. We live in a harsh world, and, like a father who looks upon
his child from a close distance and lets them occasionally fall to see if they
can get back up, our Lord does the same. He watches us closely to make
sure we are Safe, but still lets us occasionally fall to prepare us for bigger
trials of this world. In doing this, He teaches us patience. And through
patience, we become perfect in character. As His children and reflectors of
His grace, we will be prepared to be reunited with Him when He returns.

Lord, thank You for using trials and difficulties to refine and mold
our characters. May we grow closer to You through these educational
experiences. Amen.

julia Kim is a member of the Ellicott City church in Maryland.

 Learning God’s Way
“In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and
confidence shall be your strength” (Isa. 30:15, NKJV).

_ Iam typically a task-oriented person. It’s like I have tunnel vision. When
_ Isee something that needs doing, I may ask for a volunteer to take it on.
But if no one speaks up, I just go ahead and do it my way.
Thave acquired a lot of jobs this way, and I didn’t realize that, as I took on
more and more responsibilities, Iwas hindering others from expanding
_ their talents or discovering their God-given gifts. I just assumed everyone
was OK with me doing things my way.
At one point, I was told, “It’s either your way or the highway.” I was
shocked. I had no idea that people felt that way. You see, in my effort to
getting things done, I unknowingly offended others. I wasn’t considerate
~
oftheir ideas or feelings. I was used to charging ahead and going to the
next problem to tackle. But we serve a loving Father who disciplines those
He loves (Proverbs 3:12).
I was in need of a pride check. I took the time out, stopped what I was
doing and asked God to teach me. Isaiah 28:26 states, “For He instructs
him in right judgment, His God teaches him” (NKJV).
I still struggle with my task-oriented tunnel vision. But God made me
aware of it, and, in “returning and resting,” I have learned that quiet time
with my Savior is truly my strength for each day.

God, bless us as we continue our journey toward the Promised Land. Amen.

Kathy Deckers the church Clerk of the Hillsboro church in Ohio.

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 |a

100 Percent Chance

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten
Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have
everlasting life” (John 3:16, KJV).

John 3:16 reminds me of how much God loves us. He loves us so much
that He gave His only Son to take the punishment for our sins and die on a
cross in our place. If God hadn’t given Jesus to take our place, we would all
be dead, as sin would have consumed us from the inside out.

Only.adults are accepted or included in certain situations in life. But

when it comes to
Jesus, all of us—adults and children—are accepted and
included and have a 100 percent chance of spending eternity with Jesus.
All we have to do is believe in Him and accept His gift of life. On the other
hand, if we reject God’s gift, we will perish.
God gives each of us a choice to choose life or death. Which will you
choose? “As for me and my house, [I] will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15, KJV).

Thank You, Lord, for giving Your Son to die for me so that I can have the
opportunity of spending eternal life with You. Amen.

ayden Gooden is a sixth-grader at the Roanoke Adventist Christian School in Virginia.

 God's Building Project
“What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost
which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body,
and in your spirit, which are God's” (1 Cor. 6:19-20, KJV).

I was involved in a church building project. Every thought and action that
~ went into that project was about how beautiful we could design and make
the building function as a place where God would be pleased. Once the
building was finished, I would never ever think of filling it up with junk.
Notice that God is calling our bodies His temple—His building project. It
belongs to Him. A temple is a place where God’s Spirit dwells. The Holy
Spirit wants to live within me.
The psalmist says that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made”
: (Ps. 139:14, KJV). That should give a person reason to rejoice, knowing
that we were created by God.
Don’t forget, we were bought with a price! That tells me that God came
from heaven in the form of a man, and suffered the penalty of death
that should have been paid by all of us sinners. His sacrifice gave us the
privilege to believe and accept Him so that we can receive forgiveness for
Our Sins.
Can I defile the bodily temple of God? Do / fill it with junk? How do I
abuse it? Am I feeding it properly, both physically and spiritually? We
need to take care of this body that God has created.

Lord, please allow the Holy Spirit to fill us up, and let us overflow. Amen.
 Learning to Rely on God
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the
peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your
hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7, NKJV).

I clung to this Bible verse during one of the most difficult times in my life.
It says that we shouldn't worry about things, but to pray to God, and He
will guide and protect us.
When I was 13, my dad noticed an unusual and suspicious swelling on my
skin. After I was tested, the doctors said I had nephrotic syndrome and
that this disorder did not have an obvious cause or solution. They provided
a treatment plan and hoped I would just get better.
I realize that humans have limits, and the only person I should rely on is
God. As the verse says, I stopped worrying and being terrified about what
I was going through, and started praying about it every day. Surprisingly,
I started to believe that I could make it through this, and that I had the
strength to fight it because God was taking care of me and had my back.
My mind was at complete peace.

After several months of praying, I realized how arrogant I had lived my

life up to that point, thinking that I could handle everything on my own.
I thanked God for allowing me to “get away from everything” and talk to
Him. And I praise Him for loving me.

Dear God, You are the miracle worker. Thank You for giving me peace in spite
of pain. Amen.

Hailey Na is a junior at Blue Mountain Academy in Pennsylvania.

 | Know He Cares!
“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you”
(1 Pet. 5:7, NKJV).

_ This has been my comfort text since I was baptized at age 17. Just out
of high school, and not knowing how I should steer my life, I cast all my
burdens upon the Lord. I asked God for guidance in my career choice,
_ overseas studies and job opportunities. At times, I wondered, Does God
really care for me? A teenager?
_ Yes, Jesus cares! When several jobs fell through because of Sabbath-
keeping concerns, God opened a door for me to study at a Seventh-
day Adventist junior college. The teachers were kind and loving; their
Christlikeness transformed me. After graduating, I looked for a teaching
job, with no success. All the government schools held classes on Sabbath.
',There were times when I almost gave in to the voice that slyly said, “It’s
OK to work a few hours on Sabbath morning. You can still go to church
_ afterward; surely God will understand!” Then I heard a much louder
voice! “Get thee behind me, Satan.”
In my darkest, most discouraging moments, God opened another door
for me. A Seventh-day Adventist school principal invited me to teach their
fifth- and sixth-grade class. My heart rejoiced with thanksgiving!
Psalm 55:22 says, “Give your worries to the Lord, and He will take care of
you. He will never let good people down” (NCV). Let us cast our burdens
of life on Jesus today, for He will take us through every storm.

Lord, as someone once said, “If we fall, our Good Shepherd is there to pick us
up and help us mount the bike of life again.” May Your guiding hands steer us
_through open doors. Amen.

Linda Mei Lif Koh is.a member of the Capital Chinese church in Maryland.
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 God Loves Jesus
“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may
take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself.
I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This
command I have received from My Father” (John 10:17-18, NKJV).

John 10:17-18 is one of my favorite scriptures because it takes God's love

for us to a whole new level. In this verse, Jesus says that His Father loves
Him because He laid down His life for us. Think about that for a minute.
God loves Jesus even more for sacrificing His life to save us! This shows
how massive God's love is for us!
Jesus didn’t grumble His way down to earth to save us; He laid down His
life of His own free will. Not only that, logic tells us if the Father loves us
enough to sacrifice His own Son, He will take special care of us, for He
wants us in heaven with Him.
When Jesus was on the cross, He felt that God had rejected Him. But I
believe this verse says the exact opposite: The Father’s love for Jesus was
the greatest while dying on the cross for us.
This goes to show that, no matter how far away God may feel, He is
always near. Look for Him in your everyday life—whether in big things,
like narrowly missing a car crash, or small things, like a pretty sunrise or
a good friend.

Dear Heavenly Father, as a result of your amazing love for us, may we live for
You. Amen.

Olivia Hrovat is a freshman at Spring Valley Academy in Ohio.

 In Our Darkest Moments
“Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of
David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals”
(Rev. 5:5, NKJV).

_ Some years ago, I was sitting down in an ultrasound room watching a

sonographer perform an ultrasound on my wife. We were expecting our
second child and were looking forward to the day we could hold him/
her. This appointment was taking longer than usual, and I was getting
impatient and nervous. I held my wife’s hand and quietly prayed for her
and my child’s well-being.
After what seemed to be an eternity, the doctor came and proceeded
to tell us they could not find a heartbeat. Our hearts sunk. Everything
seemed to be lost. My wife and I began to cry as we embraced each
other. This tragic moment was one we thought we couldn't overcome.
_, When tragedy hits home, there are many questions we ask ourselves.
In Revelation, John finds himself without hope: If no one is able to open
the scroll, then his life, suffering and the death of his friends will be in
vain. When everything seems lost, we must remember that the “Lion of
the tribe of Judah” has conquered death, and He is in control of our lives.
He is able to help us in our darkest moments; to pick us up and lead us
to higher ground. Regardless of what the situation may be, the answer to
life’s questions is always the same—Jesus!
As John wept, thinking all was lost, he learns that Jesus’ sacrifice had been
accepted, for He was able to open the scroll! This has given hope to. my
family, and it can do the same for you.

Lord, when faced with trials, may we seek Your face. Amen.

Wa Iter‘Girdenas is the associate ministerial dit

 Anything and Everything
“Pray about everything” (Phil. 4:6, TLB).

I grew up in a missionary family, so we moved several times. The hardest

part for me was getting attached to a country, and then having to leave
it. My most challenging move was my Dad’s call to serve at the General
Conference in Maryland. That meant I had to leave South Africa. But all of
my favorite things were there! My home, friends, delicious food.
When we arrived to the United States, I was even more sad because we
didn’t have a house, and I encountered people who were not particularly
friendly to me. I did not understand why God would allow me to leave
South Africa—where my true home and true friends were. Discouraged, I
started to wonder if He had my best interest in mind after all.
Fortunately, during one of my gloomy days, I came across these Bible
verses in my daily devotional: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray
about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank Him for
His answers. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far
more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will
keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ
Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7, TLB).

I found comfort in these verses, and, even though the challenges did
not immediately disappear, my first instinct now was to pray. When we
pray, we are reminded of God's mighty hand at work in our lives, and we
experience an incomprehensible peace. We don’t always understand the
steps in our journey, but God, who sees the bigger picture, knows that they
lead to His glory and our well-being.

Heavenly Father, thank You that Ican pray to You about anything and
everything. Amen.

Moorooven is a 2020 graduate of Shenandoah Valley Academy in Virginia.

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 Unconditional Love
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to
separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”
(Rom. 8:38-39, KJV).

~ [joined a book club in the summer of 2020. The book, Redeeming Love,
by Francine Rivers, is a Christian novel based on the biblical account of
Hosea. As I read how many times the husband took back his wife, who
_ willingly left him time and again to take up prostitution, I continuously
~ questioned why he stayed married to her. This particular verse kept
reminding me about God's love for us—an unconditional and redeeming
love that nobody can comprehend, not even the heavenly angels.
If ahusband is willing to accept and embrace his wife to that extent,
',it is no surprise that God does the same and much more for us. It is
_ reassuring to know that we can always count on His love, as undeserving
as we are. Our good Father is always ready to forgive and take us back,
_ no matter what we have done.
God loves us so much that He gave His Son to die on the cross for us. All
we must do is accept Him and lay everything at His feet. He invites us to
openly talk to Him, not holding anything back, and He will do the rest.
What a wonderful Savior!

Abba, You are a good Father. Thank You that nothing can ever separate-us
from Your love. Amen.

Sabine Thomas-Belizaire is a member of the Beltsville churcn in Marylana.

 hl
d

Blossom Like a Flower

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing,
but inwardly they are ferocious wolves” (Matt. 7:15, NIV).

My daughter is as cute as a flower, and, when she was little, she would
dress like one too. One day she dressed and adorned herself from head
to toe as a floral arrangement. She had a big yellow daisy on her white
T-shirt, small, white and yellow forget-me-nots on her blue shorts and a
flower design on her headband. I told her she was the cutest blossom I'd
ever seen. Smiling, she floated outside to play with all the other flowers.
All at once, she turned around with terror in her eyes and darted back into
the house. Hyperventilating and crying uncontrollably, she told me she
had seen a bee.
“Oh sweetheart, bees don’t want anything to do with you,” I said.
“No, Daddy. They will come for me,” she responded. “They will think that
I'm a flower, and when they see I am not, they will get mad and sting me.”
I told my floral daughter that although she was dressed as a flower and
was the bouquet of her daddy’s heart, she wasn’t really a flower. Bees can
smell the difference.
Like bees, who can smell what's real or not, so can people. They can tell if
you're genuine and kind or only pretending under that Christian T-shirt.
So today, open your heart wide and truly care about those around you. I
guarantee that you will blossom and that people will respond to your true,
authentic, caring heart as never before.

God, may we open like a flower to You and others. Amen.

WilliamJ.Largo is the network director for Mission and Ministry at Kettering Adventist
HealthCare in Ohio.
 He Delivers Us
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord
delivers him out of them all” (Ps. 34:19, NKJV).

Recently, multiple mishaps bombarded our household. First, our carpet

and furniture were damaged by a leak we discovered in the basement.
Frantic calls to plumbers were of no help. Meanwhile, water continued to
come into the house from an unknown source. As if this wasn’t enough,
the dehumidifier, blow dryer and washer broke. All this took place in just
three days! How was I going to deal with these issues all at once?
Feeling overwhelmed, stressed and discouraged, I wasn’t sure what to
do next. Finally, a retired plumber came to the rescue, cutting the wall in
several places to discover the problem. The solution wasn’t simple. The
replacement part was nowhere to be found, but, thankfully, the plumber
eventually found a creative fix.
After all the stress and extra work caused by this chaos, blessings came
to mind that helped soften the unexpected headache: A friend rushed
over to help. The plumber did a good job and was reasonably priced.
A dehumidifier was on sale. A washer was also on sale and could be
delivered right away. We had just paid offa bill, so there was enough
money to put toward these unforeseen expenses.
Many times it feels like everything is turned upside down and life isn’t fair,
but Jesus has promised to be there. Psalm 34:19 has often provided me with
comfort and strength, knowing that, no matter what happens, God is there.
The devil may try to discourage us, but praise the Lord for blessings in the
midst of trials!

Father, when life brings us challenges, may we search for the blessings. Thank
You that You will deliver us from all our afflictions! Amen.

Shelly Lowe is a fnember of the Williamsport church in Maryland.

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 A Wonderful Gift
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all
men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we
should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great
God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us, that He
might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar
people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:11-14, KJV).

God's grace, in the person of Jesus Christ, brought us salvation. Jesus also
came to teach us how we should live. His grace does not free us to live in
sin, giving in to the temptations of this world and go against His will.
Instead, we should live just and godly lives in such a way that shows the
rest of the world that we serve God and belong to Him. We should live
this way now, today, as we wait for our Savior’'s return to take us home.
And this is possible, because Christ died to pay the price for our sins, and,
when we accept Him as our Savior, He works in us to purify us to make us
His own.

This should get us excited to do good works, not in order to save

ourselves, but to express our sincere love for Jesus and appreciation for
the gift He has given to us.

Lord, when You died on the cross, You gave us hope. May we accept Your love
and grace and live according to Your Word. Amen.

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 A Beautiful Promise
“For I know the thougNts that I think toward you, says the Lord,
thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope”
, (Jer. 29:11, NKJV).

This is my favorite verse because of the promise God gives us. He

promises that He is in control of our future and tells us that He has a
good purpose for us, no matter what happens. God takes on a proactive
role in this relationship. We may think we know what is good for us, but
He knows what is best.
A good father won't spoil or harm his child. He may allow his child’s
character to grow through difficulties, but that is to develop a good and
righteous person. That is how God is.
Whenever we are confused about why something has happened in our
lives, let us remember the promise in this verse: God knows us, He is with
us, He has a good purpose for us.

God, when I don’t know what tomorrow will hold, hold me close. My future is
bright, as long as my life is in You. Amen.

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The Ultimate Gardener

“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will
carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6, NIV).

Every spring and summer, I spend hours each week in my garden beds—
planning, planting and weeding—trying to enrich the soil and finding the
best plants for my semi-shaded plot.
In 2019, I followed the same guidelines, planted everything in the same time
period as past years, but took an extra action that made all the difference.
I patiently waited and relaxed.
Instead of worrying, I decided to pause and see how they would do. I also
prayed over my garden and decided to just enjoy it. I resolved to not be
disappointed if my perennials didn’t fill in just the way I had imagined.
The spring brought just the right amount of sun and rain, and the garden
blossomed much better than the last three summers.
What was my secret? It wasn’t mine at all. Ijust let go of the growth
process and watched God work. He sent the rain, set the temperature and
beamed the right amount of sunshine on. my backyard.
I still had to weed and fertilize, but I know my flower beds weren't thriving
because of me. If that were the case, they would have flourished better
than the last several years. As my garden grew, so did my faith—reminding
me that God will help my life blossom too.
Seek God today. Learn about His good ways, and then trust Him to grow
your life in the way He knows best.

Dear Lord, may Your results in our lives bloom brighter than we could ever
plan ourselves. Amen.

Michelle Bernard is an assistant director for the Office of Strategic Communication and
c Relations at the Columbia Union Conference.
 The Honest and False Witness
“An honest witness does not deceive,
but a false witness pours out lies” (Prov. 14:5, NIV).

This verse has been close to my heart for a long time. I remember how
my sister used to lie to me, and I could easily tell she was lying. I can also
tell that my mom is always honest.
Obviously, God knows when someone is lying. There are many stories
in the Bible about truth and lies. For example, the story of the two sons
and their father. One son says he will not work in the field for his dad, but
does. And the other son promises he will work in the field, but doesn’t
(Matthew 21:28-32). Did they both lie?
Even though we don’t always tell the truth to our parents, God knows.
He sees everything. He knows us better than we know Him or ourselves.
It is because of sin that we lie to people. Many times we do this to avoid
getting caught in a bad act.
I encourage you to avoid telling lies. If you’re a kid, it’s better for your
parents to know what you did than for them to find out later. You can
even pray to God to help you change your lying ways. You can tell Him
anything, and He can help, because He always listens.

Dear Lord, I pray thatIwill avoid lying, and that You will help others to do
the same. Amen.

Taran McWilliams is a sixth-grader at the Rocky Knoll Adventist School in West Virginia.
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Peace in the Middle

of Life’s Storms
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer
and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And
the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7, NIV).

What does “do not be anxious about anything” mean? Sitting around,
relaxing and letting everything come our way? Ignoring daily challenges
and issues, whether big or small? In order to answer these questions, we
must first define “anxiety.”
Webster's dictionary defines anxiety as “a feeling of worry, nervousness,
or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an
uncertain outcome.” Anxiety and fear are often part of our daily lives,
but does this mean we sin when we feel uneasy or nervous?

It may depend on the circumstance, but one thing is clear: With Christ,
there is never a need to be anxious. He has promised that, when we
present our requests to Him, with thanksgiving, He will give us the peace
“which passes all understanding” (Phil. 4:7, RSV, emphasis supplied).
The fact is, we like to be in control of our lives and circumstances—but this
produces anxiety. Instead, we need to intentionally and purposefully lay
our worries down on a daily basis and be willing to surrender and wait for
God's peace to cover us!

Father, in the middle of life’s storms, help us to hold onto You. Today, we
choose to give You our anxieties and fears. Amen.

Luci Sloan is an elder at the Beltsville church in Maryland.

 Little Things Matter Too
“Diligent work gets a commendation; shiftless
work earns an angry rebuke” (Prov. 14:35, MSG).

During myjunior year of college, I applied for a job as a laborer for a man
who owned several businesses and needed help around his house. He
lived just outside of the college campus and was within walking distance.
I enjoyed working for him, and he liked and appreciated my work ethic.
In late spring, he asked if Iwanted to work for him at his hotel in Ocean
City, Md. I was stunned and overjoyed! What a dream job! I worked hard
that summer. But one thing I didn’t do well was my personal housework.
I was tired from the long days and hours and procrastinated on my chores.
One day, my employer did a surprise inspection of the apartment where
he had allowed me to stay. He found the floor unvacuumed and a week’s
worth of dishes piled in the sink. He saw the mess and called me to the
apartment. He was disappointed that I thought so little of his property
that I would treat it like this. He sternly told me: “Clean up this place on
your own time now, and don't let it get like this again!”
His words cut like a knife; I had never felt so ashamed. I had taken so
much pride in doing my other work but neglected the little things that
mattered as well. From that time on, I vowed to remember that little
things matter too.
God expects us to be good stewards in all that we do—the large tasks as
- well as the little ones!

Dear Father, may I work in such a way thatIbring honor to You in all I do.
Amen.

George Dutton isa member of the Kettering church.in Ohio.

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 Called for His Purpose
“And we know that all things work together for good to those
who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose”
(Rom. 8:28, NKJV).

This verse has taken on many meanings throughout the course of my life.
I remember first hearing it while listening to the radio program Your Story
Hour. Throughout the story, the main character kept saying that “all things
work together for good.” To my young self, this meant that, no matter
what, everything would be OK, and nothing too terrible would happen to
me because God wouldn't let it. Of course, now I think a little differently.
This verse stuck with me as I went through high school and into college. If
I was going through a particularly tough time, I gleaned encouragement
from knowing that God works everything for good. And, in hindsight, I still
believe He did. Just not in the way I thought He would.
Often, we believe that whenever we call on God for help, He will do it our
way. But that isn’t what the verse says. It says “all things work together for
good.” Not our plan. Not anyone else’s plan. God's plan.
I now see this Bible verse very differently from the first time I heard it on
Your Story Hour. We can find comfort in our pain, knowing God will bring
good from any situation. It may not be immediate, or in an expected
way, but it will come “to those who love God, to those who are the called
according to His purpose.” And everyone on earth is called to do God’s
purpose. That means you and me!

Thank You, Lord, for the comfort that You have our back, even when we feel
You are far away. Amen.

Jacklyn Ruth is the communication specialist for the Communication Department at the
Chesapeake Conference.
 Love Is the Greatest
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love” (1 Cor. 13:13, NIV).

As I look at 1 Corinthians 13, it is clear that prophecy, the gift of tongues

and other gifts of the Spirit will come to an end because they will no
longer be of value. But verse 13 has the wonderful word, “remain,” which
expresses the idea of permanence for the three basic elements of our
Christian experience: faith, hope and love.
This verse signifies that love is the element used to describe the very
nature of God. That’s the reason Paul clearly says that, above all gifts of
the Spirit, this one is the greatest.
Yes, God's love in our lives is the element that makes the biggest
difference: “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from
God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever
does not love does not know God, because God is love”(1 John 4:7-8,
NIV). In Scripture, we have the greatest news: He loved us when we did
not love Him, even while we were His enemies. Yes, that is true love!
God has given us His love without measure. “And hope does not put us to
shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through
the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Rom. 5:5, NIV, emphasis
supplied). When God's love is poured in us without measure, it’s because
He wants His love to overflow from our lives so we have enough to share
with those in desperate need of His love—no matter who they are or how
they act. Let’s remember: His love is not selective, for He died for the
entire world.

Father, may our faith and hope be intertwined with Your eternal and
unlimited love. Amen.

Oswaldo Magana is 7the executive secretaryE for the Ohio Conference

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 Experience His Goodness
“For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus
Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2, NIV).

Paul took great joy in knowing, walking with and loving Christ. His personal
mission was to spread the good news ofJesus’ life, death and resurrection.
But that hadn't always been the case. Earlier in his life, Paul was against
Christ and His divine message, and destroyed anyone who believed in it.
However, this all changed one day as he was traveling to Damascus.
On his journey, Paul came into direct contact with the same Christ he
despised. That interaction transformed his life and the way he thought.
The same man who sought to destroy Jesus’ message now proclaimed
it to all who would hear. This dramatic change happened because Paul
decided to journey to the heart of God, and the “beginning of a lifetime”
was within reach.

What does this mean for us? That pursuing an intimate relationship with
God can take place anytime and anywhere. For Paul, it took a Damascus
experience to get his attention. How about for you? How far will you go to
seek God's heart? You saw what a dramatic. change choosing God made in
Paul's life. Imagine what He can do in your life. It only takes a decision to
experience His goodness.

Lord, may we be willing to seek Your heart and enter into an eternal journey
with You today. Amen.

Gustavo Parada is the pastor of the Spencer, Ripley and Charleston Spanish churches in
West Virginia.
 ‘God Found It!’
—
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é

“He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth,
if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this
mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move. Nothing
will be impossible for you’” (Matt. 17:20-21, NIV).

My family vacations in North Myrtle Beach, S.C., at our family beach home
every year.
One particular Fourth ofJuly, we were relaxing by the pool overlooking
the beach. A strong breeze blew a lot of sand in my direction, irritating
my contact lenses. I reached up to brush the sand out, when the wind
caught one of my contacts, blowing the tiny lens off to beach neverland.
Immediately, I started looking for it, crawling on the pool cement on
my hands and knees. Everyone around me said, “It’s gone,” and “You'll
never find it.” It was upsetting! I was now stuck on vacation with my
thick glasses.
I left the pool and went upstairs to our condominium. After shedding a
few frustrated tears, I knelt down in the quiet room alone and prayed an
earnest prayer to God. I remembered His promise that faith as small as a
mustard seed could move a mountain, and I knew that this kind of faith
applied to a teeny, tiny lens too. Determined to find it, Iwent back down
to the pool deck.
Right near the beach sand lay my perfect lens! “I found it!” I screamed.
At first everyone doubted me, but soon they were amazed.
“Wait,” I said, “God found it for me!” I then testified about my answered
prayer.

Thank You, God, for caring about the little things that are big to me. Amen.

for the Information Technology

Lisha Weber is the software support specialist Services
at the Columbia Union Conference.
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 He Completes Us
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears My voice,
and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him,
and he with Me” (Rev. 3:20, KJV).

This verse gives me comfort because it reassures me that God will always
be there for me, ready to come to my aid at any moment. I grew up ina
Seventh-day Adventist home, but I didn’t have a personal relationship with
God. When I got older, I felt like something was missing.
I grew up thinking about love and how I wanted someone to make me
feel complete. I began dating, and every relationship started out great,
but some of the guys wanted more than just love. This made me feel like
I wasn’t good enough for anyone. I was tired of chasing guys and looking
for someone to love me.
One day, I talked to my pastor, and he made me realize that all I needed to
do was to truly turn to God. I felt so guilty because I thought God wouldn't
forgive me for all my past sins. My pastor told me about Mary Magdalene
and how, despite all of her mistakes, God was still there for her.
That day, I realized how close God was and how willing He was to help me.
He was the only One who could truly bring fulfillment in my life. As my
favorite verse says, He's at the door, waiting for us to open it and let Him in!

Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to open our eyes and see that You are
ready to come into our lives and make us complete. Amen.

Andrea Huaytalla is a 2020 graduate of Shenandoah Valley Academy in Virginia.

 Never Forsaken
“Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have
relieved me in my distress; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer”
(Ps. 4:1, NKJV).

When I was 3 years old, my mother left me with family in Guatemala to

immigrate to the United States. She wanted to give me a better future.
My aunt guided me in the ways of God, but I asked Him why my mother
left me. I suffered every Mother's Day because all my friends hugged
their mothers and gave them gifts, and I did not have my mother. I could
not tell her about my sufferings. When I felt alone or needed a hug, she
was not there.
I began asking God to hug me to give me strength, but I didn’t feel
any answers to my prayers. One day, a friend offered me drugs, and
I accepted. My friend told me that with drugs I would forget all my
problems. I kept doing drugs for a few years, until Ihad a dream that
showed me that God did not want that for me; He wanted something
better. I felt like I had spoiled everything and had disappointed my family
and God. But I was still loved.
Sometimes, God doesn’t give us answers to our questions right away, but
He will answer them in His time. God does not work within human logic;
He works within His logic. Maybe you think He has forgotten you, but He
will never forget you. God tells you to cry to Him, and He will answer you.
He always listens when you humbly kneel and tell Him everything you feel
in your heart. He will never leave you alone.

Father, thank You for promising to never leave us or forsake us. Amen.

Erick Hernandez is a freshman at Richmond Academy in Virginia.

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God's Adoption Plan

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye
have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father”
(Rom. 8:15, KJV).

My daughter recently adopted a little girl whom she was fostering since
she was two days old. It amazes me to see a person have so much love for
a child that.isn’t biologically theirs.
It took two years and fostering a total of five children until my daughter
was able to adopt this girl. During this time, my daughter experienced
heartache, sleepless nights, court dates, social workers, parental visitation
and more. She battled tremendous emotional upheaval every time she
bonded with a child, then had to send him or her back home.
God legally adopted us into His heavenly family, but it came at a price. The
emotional and physical pain this caused Him is beyond comprehension.
Yet He says we are worth the cost. “Who for the joy that was set before
Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right
hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2, NKJV).
When we contemplate on God's unlimited love for us—that He would go
through so much to legally bring us into His heavenly family—it moves us
to cry out “Daddy” and receive His loving embrace.
When we accept that we are adopted by the Creator of the universe, we
adopt His Son’s character. We become like Jesus when we associate with
our heavenly family through reading and meditation. As 2 Corinthians 3:18
says, we “are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory,
just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (NKJV).

Thank You, Lord, for adopting us. Amen.

Daniel Morikone retired after 20 years of ministry in the Mountain View Conference.
 Unchanging Love
“And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet
a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran,
and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20, KJV).

Except for the cross, the most convincing evidence that shows the
Father's love is found in Luke 15:20.
The prodigal son left his father’s house to travel on the pathway of sin.
After wasting his entire inheritance, he had.no money or friends. While
feasting on slop with the hogs, he thought of his father’s house and of
the comforts of life. Pulling himself out of the slimy pit, he headed for
home, hoping his father would let him be a servant. At least he would be
able to survive.
Before he reached his destination, His father was waiting with open arms,
running to meet him, giving him the best robe money could buy and
welcoming him back into the family. What love! What marvelous love!
The path of sin has many pitfalls, some very deep, like murder, incest, child
abuse. Others very shallow, like gossip, white lies, harsh words, backbiting
‘and pride. But they are all on the path of sin. The longer one stays in a pit,
the deeper it gets, until it is almost impossible to step out of it.
At times, I wander from my Father’s house, stumbling into some of the
more shallow pits. When I fall, I realize I can’t stay there. I climb out of
the pit and head for home. My Father is always waiting for me, running
to meet me, clothing me with His robe of righteousness and welcoming
me back into the family. Why such grace beyond all measure? Love.
Unconditional, unselfish, unchanging love.

~ Heavenly Father, thank You for Your welcoming arms. Amen.

: Beverley i PhippsZi ts a member

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 Look at the Heart
“Eor the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward
appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7, NKJV).

He landed on our doorstep, without an invitation, nor in swaddling clothes.

He answered, on occasion, to “Buddy.” He was a white, 40-pound fur ball.
My wife, Jackie, lacked enthusiasm regarding this unexpected addition to an
otherwise empty nest. She had never liked big dogs, especially at grooming
time. She never liked boy dogs for the obvious reasons, and she did not like
the fact that he was all white, too hard to keep clean. And to boot, he came
without papers. By all outward appearances, this pooch was a loser.
That “blessed event” was 10 years ago. Today we love Buddy, whether he’s
barking at the deer in the yard or pretending he’s a lap dog. He’s no longer
too big, too much of a boy dog or too white. He’s now an official member of
the family. We've taken the measure of his “heart” and he of ours.
Samuel was tasked by God to anoint the next king of Israel. His first
instinct was to choose Jesse's eldest son, the good looking one. But God
knew the heart of the youngest of Jesse’s sons, David, and chose him.
Unfortunately, we live in times when people are judged by the color of
their skin, their language, speech or religion. We tend to be impressed
by a person's resume, how they dress and where they live, instead of the
leaning of their hearts. And we forget that Christ died for all people, not
just a privileged few.

Today, God, may we resolve to touch the lives of all people, and not permit
prejudice or stereotypes to blind us to the fact that we are all children of our
heavenly Father, Who looks at our hearts. Amen.

1 is vice president and general counsel for the Columbia Union Conference.
S God of the Impossible
“With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible”
(Matt. 19:26, KJV).

;
At six months pregnant, I found myself facing the repercussions of severe
marital distress. As a result, I was placed on hospital bed rest until I gave
birth—a blessed event that seemed incredibly far away.
Upon admission to the hospital, Iwas so devastated by what was
happening in my relationship that I was too crushed to pray. All I could do
was cry out, “Jesus.” Almost immediately, the Lord’s peace began to flood
my mind, heart and room. Rescuing me from the depths of despair, He
reminded me that He was with me, that I could face everything with Him
and that His grace was sufficient.
Due to my leaking amniotic sac, the doctors mandated that I keep my
body as flat as possible, use a bedpan, receive injections and take rounds
of giant vitamins. Though the medical world has made tremendous
strides, no one has discovered how to reseal an amniotic sac. Specialists
visited one by one to tell me all the ways my baby would be challenged.
As loved ones rallied around me in prayer, I begged the Lord for a
miracle. I needed Him to restore my amniotic sac. I recommitted my baby
to Him, claiming Matthew 19:26, and asked Him to continue to fill her
with His Holy Spirit and make her whole. Each week, the perinatologist
remarked, “Wow, I’ve never seen fluid levels so high for a confirmed
_ leak!” The Lord had answered my prayer!
Safiyya was born a month early, but perfectly healthy! In the 19 years
since, He has indeed used her for His glory.

_ God, thank You for being in the miracle-working business! May we keep
trusting in You! Amen.

Naeemah Shakir Phillip is a member of the New Market church in Virginia.

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 Strength to Soar
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint” (Isa. 40:31, NIV).

Thad persevered through law school for four years while working to pay
tuition, spent months taking classes after work and eliminated everything
fun in favor of studying for two weeks. Now the event I had prepared for
was looming, and I would soon take the two-day Maryland bar exam.
My butterflies had long since flown away, leaving me with a sick feeling
in my stomach. My heart raced periodically when I thought of what was
to come. I knew a calm spirit and a good night's sleep were imperative to
success. So what could I do?
Prayer had been part of this process for four long years, and I did not
abandon it now. After praying for God’s presence, I was impressed to go to
my Bible to seek encouragement, but not a single text came to mind. So I
did what any panicking, sleep-deprived young adult would do. I closed my
eyes, opened my Bible and pointed.
As read, I was overcome with peace. On this journey, I had done what I
could. Imperfect. Unpolished. But here, God was allowing me to shut down
fear and trust in Him, promising that I could not only get through this trial
but “soar on eagle’s wings!" That visual brought such comfort, such peace
and such a revelation of God's power.
God was with me that day, and, since then, I have returned to this text
many times when overcome with trouble, doubt, fear, uncertainty, sadness.
It always brings me comfort and assurance of God's almighty hand.

Lord, thank You for Your power that brings peace. Amen.

Lisa
licen
Saveikis Burrow is the assistant to the general counsel at the
Columbia, Union Conference.
if
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Amazing Love
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”
(John 3:16, NKJV).

Early in my childhood, my mom made decisions that were best for me.
She chose warm clothes, healthy food and safe toys. When I was older,
my mom chose Desmond T. Doss Academy for me because she wanted
me to have a “solid foundation.” I didn’t grow up going to church. My
mom taught me prayers and read me stories from a children’s Bible, but
she wanted me to know more. I knew who God and Jesus were, but it
wasn’t until later that Ilearned how I could be saved.
I know how much my mom loves me. I also know that my mom would do
anything for me. I cannot imagine how she would feel to give me up. God
made the ultimate sacrifice to give up His Son to save sinners like me.
This Bible verse was the first verse I memorized. I often think about what
God must have felt, what struggles He went through as He made this
decision. How do you choose to sacrifice Your child? It amazes me that
God chose me; that He thought I would be worthy of His kingdom. How
can anyone love me that much?

If God could sacrifice His Son, the least I can do is believe, listen and
follow His commandments and pray. I know that I have a purpose in this
life, and I need to share the gift of salvation with others.

Thank You, Father, for Your sacrifice! Help me to pass on to others the
message of how to receive Christ in their hearts. Amen.

Logan Johnson is‘a freshman at the Desmond T. Doss Christian Academy in Virginia.
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 Take a Stand!
“Then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. ... But as
for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15, NIV).

Israel had witnessed the Lord’s powerful hand at work during their
campaign to conquer the idolatrous inhabitants of the land of Canaan.
Despite this—and without excuses—they weren't fully devoted to God.
From the crossing of the Red Sea to the water that gushed from the rock
at Horeb to manna that fell daily, they should have viewed each miracle as
an opportunity to firm up their allegiance to God. They had witnessed so
much of His love, and each instance should have brought them closer to
their Lord, solidifying their total devotion to Him.
But they simply didn’t allow themselves to submit fully to His leading.
Even after His divine hand protected them during their battles against
the Canaanites, they tended to drift away. I believe Joshua proclaimed the
words of this text because he saw that, in the coming centuries, they would
continue to slowly and deeply drift back into idolatry. This happened years
before they worshipped the golden calf, and later caused the men of Israel
to lust after Midianite women and become lured into Baal worship. Sadly,
this same sin would continue to haunt them for hundreds, if not thousands
of years. Do our choices cause us to become susceptible to idolatry?
When we devote ourselves to anything other than God, we fall into the
same trap as Israel. Naturally, we don’t fall identically as they did, but the
result is the same. As Christians, we must take a stand! I can’t speak for
you, “but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Lord, may our choices bring glory to You. And when faced with hard decisions,
may we stand up and stand firm! Amen.

fared Briggman is a church planter for the Mountain View Conference.

 24/7
“How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking
about me constantly! I can’t even count how many times a day
your thoughts turn toward me. And when I waken in the morning,
you are still thinking of me!” (Ps. 139:17-18, TLB).

I love this verse because it paints a beautiful picture of God’s unfailing

love for me. He truly values me by reminding me that He is always
thinking of me, even on the days when I think I am forgotten.
This verse reminds me that Iam important, worthwhile and special
enough for the God who created all things and made the universe to
think of me continually.
This verse reminds me that I am loved, and nothing I have done or any
mistake I have made will keep Him from loving me and thinking about
me. His thoughts about me are not just random thoughts, but beautiful,
wonderful and lovely thoughts. How awesome is that?
At times, I try to understand how Someone can think of me so often? So I
reflect on the many times I have thought of my family and those who are
special to me. And yet I fall short. No matter how many times I try or how
intentional I am about thinking of my loved ones constantly, I can never
come close to the number of times God thinks of me. This tells me I must
be significant and worthy enough to be thought of.

- Lord, remind me constantly that You are the eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing,
mighty God who thinks about me nonstop because You love me and that, no
matter what Igo through in life, Iam not alone, for You are with me. Amen.

joanne Cortes is the pastor of Beltsville church’s DC Campus in Washington, D.C.

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 Trust in the Lord
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own
understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall
direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5-6, NKJV).

I have had my share of trials over the years, as all Christians experience.
Lessons learned have matured my faith and trust and have taught me to
seek the Lord’s will rather than my own.
In 1995, I was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness—Non-Hodgkin’s T-cell
lymphoma. Having embraced an alternative medicine mindset years earlier,
I wanted to find a treatment that would support my body and strengthen my
immune system. I turned to the Lord, knowing He already had a plan, and asked
Him to make it so clear to me that there would be no question in my mind.
Several days later, after much prayer, three acquaintances of mine—with
no knowledge of each other—contacted me with identical information for
a cancer treatment—a “natural” treatment. I cannot express in words what
my heart felt, as tears of overwhelming gratitude welled up in my eyes. The
message couldn't have been clearer.
About the same time, a friend shared with me the name of her oncologist
whom she highly recommended. I recognized I'd need monitoring to know
when I was in remission. After talking with the doctor about the natural
treatment plan, he was willing to do it, but not without expressing his
apprehension about my choice of treatment.
I strictly adhered to the treatment. After nine months, my oncologist, totally
amazed, said the words I longed to hear: “You are in remission.”

Heavenly Father, help us daily to have complete faith and trust in You. Amen.

and circulation manager for the Columbia Union

Conference Visitor magazine.
 A Solution for Every Problem
“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of
stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved,
every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David
encouraged himself in the Lord his God” (1 Sam. 30:6, KJV).

_ This verse is my source of comfort and peace, because it shows both the
problem and solution to everyday stress.
Problem: David was greatly distressed.
Solution: David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.
It doesn’t matter what happens around us, if friends turn against us or
_we cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. What matters is that we
remember that God is still on His throne and that we seek comfort and
encouragement from Him.
“Iremember a time when, like David, I made a series of unwise decisions
that put me in a significant bind. I didn’t know where to turn or who to
trust. Worse yet, the weight of guilt from these decisions was almost
unbearable. This verse gave me considerable hope that God would hear
me, so I encouraged myself in the Lord my God. I asked Him to forgive
me of my errors and to deliver me.
God not only brought me tremendous peace, but delivered me from my
distress. That's when the purpose of this passage became real to me.

Lord, please help us to remember that we don't have to wallow in our

guilt, mistakes and sins. Instead, we can encourage ourselves in You for
restoration. Amen.

Andrew S. Baker is Gmember-of the Braxton church.in West Virginia

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 Serving Is Leading
“But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great
among you, let him be your minister” (Matt. 20:26, KJV).

Leadership roles, whether large or seemingly small, are given to each of us

by the Lord. God gave kings like Saul, David and Solomon the responsibility
of shepherding His people and building His kingdom. Like parents, who
are entrusted to nurture, protect and guide their children, or church
elders, who are called to shepherd Christ's people, God has given each of
us a unique role in His work of salvation.
One thing I have learned through my years as a husband, father and a
pastor in various ministry leadership roles is that a leader does not mean
you play a more important role than anyone else; a leader is one who
serves alongside others in order to meet a united goal.
Servant leadership is not about standing above others but of humbling
ourselves so that God may work in and through us so His will may be done.

Heavenly Father, remind us today that our leadership roles in all forms come
from You. Impress on our hearts the responsibility to care for Your people.
Please help us to see the opportunities and open doors in front of us. Help us to
serve others selflessly and to serve You wholeheartedly, like Jesus. Amen.

Marvin C. Brown Ill is the president of the Allegheny West Conference.

 Make God's Day!
“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you”
(1 Pet. 5:7, NKJV).

' God cares for us so very much. This care is not superficial like how we care
about our favorite sports team or favorite food. He truly thinks positive
thoughts toward us each and every day, and He wants the best for us.
God is a relationship-focused God who shows this throughout the Bible
in countless ways. He pulls out all the stops to establish and deepen
relationships with whomever—be they Jew or Gentile.
In a relationship, one of the ways a couple bonds is by sharing positive
and negative feelings with each other: joys, desires, aspirations, wants,
happy memories, stresses, hurt, struggles, areas of needed growth. This
is what God wants from us in our relationship with Him. He wants to hear
* about everything in our lives—the good, the bad and the ugly.
Maybe today ...
* you are feeling happy or sad. God wants to know.
* you are excited about the future or regret the past. God wants to know.
* you wish the day would last forever or “this day will never end.” God
wants to know.
* you are proud of a life success or have not seen a success in years. God
wants to know.
Whatever is currently happening in your life, God longs for you to share
it with Him. Why don’t you take a few moments to open up to Him. You
would make His day!

_Lord, thank You for taking our cares and concerns and giving us peace.
Help us to trust in You. Amen.

Andrew Moll is a.nember of the Ellicott City church in Maryland.

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 Watch Out for Seagulls!
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,
but only what is helpful for building others up according to their
needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Eph. 4:29, NIV).

My family loves the beach. One summer, we went to Hampton Beach in

New Hampshire.
After setting up, we went down to the shore. The water was freezing!
While my brave sister boogie-boarded, I relaxed in the sun. I thought
about how nice it was to be on vacation, and before I knew it, I fell asleep.
Suddenly, something hot and soft hit me. I immediately felt around to see
what it was. But that was a mistake. I opened my eyes and saw that it was
seagull poop! I entered the freezing cold water to get it off my hand and
favorite swimsuit.
This whole unpleasant experience was a good reminder though. Birds
are pretty to look at and nice to hear, but not when they “go” on you.
Christians can be pretty to look at and nice to hear, but none of that
matters if we are mean and selfish. The worst part is we can’t take
back what we Say. It is so important to be careful about what we watch,
read and listen to. When we let something into our lives—good or bad,
whether through our eyes or ears—it will eventually come out.

Lord, help us speak words that uplift others and bring glory to You. Amen.

Rebecca Savoy is a sophomore at Richmond Academy in Virginia.

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‘God Is Love’
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and
only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love:
not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an
atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:8-10, NIV).

This verse has been very powerful to me. I have gone through some
very tough times, like when my mom passed away from cancer. When
this happened, I felt like I wasn’t loved, and I was very lonely. However,
people—especially church members—noticed how sad I was, and they
helped me every day.
One church member shared 1 John 4:8-10 with me. He explained that it
meant that God loves us no matter what, and, when we feel very lonely,
_ He is always right next to us. What spoke to me the most was: “God is
~ love.” After hearing that, I didn’t feel lonely anymore. I now had Someone
who was there for me, comforting me, and, most importantly, always
loving me.
If someone you know is going through something difficult and is lonely or
sad, share this verse with them because it can change a person's heart—
like mine.

Dear God, thank You for always loving me. Thank You for Your comfort and
the assurance that You will be with me always, even until the end of the world.
- Amen.

kyle Williams is a junior at Blue Mountain Academy in Pennsylvania

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 The Road Trip
“So do not fear, for Iam with you; do not be dismayed, for Iam
your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you
with My righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10, NIV).

One summer, my family decided to take a road trip to Tennessee. We

started off very early, and, by the time we stopped for a bathroom break,
it was already noon. My sister dashed to the restroom while the line was
short. By the time I got there, the line had grown, so I had to wait. :
When I finished and walked back to the parking lot, to my shock and
dismay, our van was nowhere in sight. After five minutes of searching for
my family, panic set in. Had they left me?
I had no phone to call my dad. Still trembling, the first thing on my mind
was to pray for protection, that no one would try to kidnap me in this
strange place. Second, I prayed that my family would come back for me.
In that moment, God reminded me of Isaiah 41:10. I held onto the hope
that He would reunite me with my family. God provided a kind stranger
who helped call my family, and they came back for me.
Because we cannot see Him, sometimes we forget that God is truly with
us. But He is and will always be there! No matter how things may look
now, when we reflect on our lives, we will see how God's hand worked
through it all.

Lord, even when Iam at my lowest point, help me to always remember to trust
in You. Amen.

late of Shenandoah Valiey Academy in Virginia.

 David's Story
iy
“But Jesus said, suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come
unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:14, KJV).

~ One hot July, I was working as a literature evangelist. That morning, I held
_ just one lead card—the person I had been requested to visit that day. The
_ name David was scribbled on the card, obviously a child’s handwriting. The
~ house was more than an hour away on narrow roads.
It was two days before payday, and my tires were bald. I had enough fuel
to make the trip, and $1.76 in cash.
Dear Lord, tell me what to do.

I prayed and opened my Bible, wishing for a sign that I should canvass in
a nearby town. My eyes fell on Philippians 4:19: “And my God will supply
every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (ESV).
:
~ Timmediately got into my car and drove to the town. The house was
humble and inside was a weary mother and her 9-year-old son, David. He
had leukemia and a short time to live. His eyes lit up when he saw The Bible
Story book. As he caressed it, I wrote the contract with tear-filled eyes. I left
my demo books and drove home with my down payment: two rabbits.
- Three months later, David went to his final sleep. His mother told me that
he first saw The Bible Story book in his doctor's office. He knew very little
about Jesus, but he wanted the book. He spent his last days reading and
talking about being with Jesus.
‘That morning, I had prayed for a divine appointment. God's loving answer was
priceless. I pray that one day in heaven, I will meet a healthy, happy David.

-Lord, may we never miss an opportunity to share Your love with others. Amen.

© Naomi Mckéy-Tricomi is the assistant pastor of the Wheeling church in W

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 God Heals, Leads, Restores
“I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and
restore comforts unto him and to his mourners” (Isa. 57:18, KJV).

Heal, lead and restore—these are the promises that abound in this short
verse. This text resonates with me because it came at a time when I was
fervently praying for someone dear to me. As I poured out my heart to
God, He spoke to me clearly by providing this verse, and reassured me that
He would heal and lead that person.
How many times have we followed our own heart and wisdom, decisions
that only lead to pain? The good news is that, no matter how bad our
poor choices may hurt ourselves or others, He is always there to heal, lead
and restore. He promises to heal us and those we have hurt, and to heal
those who have hurt us. People who may have violated us ultimately need
healing, comfort and restoration too. We are all in need of freedom and
victory in Jesus.

When we truly see God for who He is, we truly see ourselves. It is then
that we are led to hunger and thirst for righteousness. God’s mercy
is unending. He will never turn His back on a heart that is broken and
humble. No matter what you have done in this life, God promises He will
heal you, lead you and restore you. Just keep your eyes on Him.

Lord, thank You that, although You know everything about us, You still love us.
Amen.

essica Manantan is the youth leader and prayer coordinator of the Grafton church in
 All | Need and Want
“Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none
upon earth that I desire besides You” (Ps. 73:25, NKJV).

It was 25 years ago, and I've never experienced anything like it before or
since; not that anyone else hasn't had the same issue. In my mid-30s, I
experienced depression for the first time in my life. Being a very positive
person who is known for my laugh and optimistic demeanor, it was such
a stark contrast from my usual state of mind.
It was close to nine months before I felt like myself again. About
halfway into my depression, I experienced a dark night of the soul that
overwhelmed me. I went to church one evening, walked down the aisle
to the front and poured my soul out to God. At the time, God not only
seemed distant but wholly non-existent. I craved Him more than air in my
lungs and thought, If only Icould sense God again I would be able to face
anything that might happen to me for the rest of my life. It was then that a
sweet relief came over me, and I knew once more that God was real and
loved me.
No, the depression did not immediately go away, but I never forgot what I
experienced that evening. I still truly believe that no matter what happens
to me, if Ihave God, then I have what matters most. “Whom have I in
heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.”

God, thank You thatIhave You. There is absolutely nothing else I need and
want as much as You. Amen.

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 He Gives Us Grace to Trust
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own
understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall
direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5-6, NKJV).

This text became especially significant to our family when we planned

to move from Nigeria to the United States, where I was to study in the
seminary at Andrews University (Mich.). |applied for a visa for myself, my
wife and our little boy. Well-meaning people shared horror stories with us
of their visa application denials, and suggested that perhaps I should apply
for the visa alone and try to apply for my wife and child later. Maybe we
would have better luck that way.
We had been married less than two years at the time, and we didn’t
think being apart was good for our marriage. I resolved that we would
all go together, and, if it was God's will for me to study in the U.S., He
would make it happen, regardless of the circumstances. Bible promises
strengthened my resolve and made it clear to me that my wife and child
are blessings from the Lord (Psalm 127:3; Proverbs 18:22). God's blessing
would not become a curse to me at the embassy. To make a long story
short, we all arrived in the U.S. during the summer of 2016.
Trusting God means believing His promises and moving forward with
them, assured that He will fulfill them. God has always directed our path as
a family because He gives us the grace to trust Him in difficult situations.

Father, thank You for assuring us that You will direct us in the way we should
go, as long as we trust You. Amen.

Femi Fabiyi is a member of the Miamisburg church in Ohio.

 Calm in the Storm
“He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. What a
blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor!”
(Ps. 107:29-30, NLT).

Since the time I was young, I have loved storms. Storms have so much
power. Once when I was working at Camp Pugwash in Nova Scotia,
Canada, a storm began brewing over the ocean. Camp Pugwash is
situated by the sea, which makes it a great place to watch storms roll in.
It was nighttime when this particular storm came. In the distance, I could
see orange bolts of lightning light up the sky. As the storm drew closer,
everything grew quiet.
A friend and I went down to the beach to watch the storm come in. As we
watched, we heard a distant roar. We didn’t know what it was. Suddenly,
the wind picked up and the waves came crashing in. A few seconds later,
a lightning bolt struck the water 200 feet from where we were.
We ran back up the hill from the beach as the rain started pouring down.
We knew the camp horses would be spooked by the strong wind, rain
and lightning, so we ran to the horse barn to calm them down. When we
got there, each of us took a horse by the reins and began to stroke their
necks, whispering in their ears that everything would be OK.
How many of us are like those horses? When life gets too difficult and the
“storms” of life get to us, we get scared. We need to remember that Jesus
is beside us, whispering to us every step of the way.

God, may we remember that, when afraid, You whisper in our ear that
everything will be OK. Amen.

Fodd Casey is.tHe youth director for the Pennsylvania Conference.

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 The Plaque in My Kitchen
“Love is patient, love is kind. It doesn’t boast. It isn’t proud. It
doesn’t dishonor others, it isn’t self-seeking. It keeps no record of
wrongs. Love doesn’t delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It
always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres”
(1 Cor. 13:4-7, paraphrased).

This paraphrased version of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 is written on a plaque

and hangs on a wall in our kitchen. It means something special to me.
God's love is unconditional. Everyone should follow and live by these
words throughout their lives, and certainly in marriage. My parents live
by these words daily, and I want to follow their example. I want to keep
learning to follow our Father's Word.

Dear God, thank You for parents who teach me about You and show Your love
in their lives. Help me to continue to learn more about You. Amen.

Henry Brenner is a fourth-grader at the Roanoke Adventist Christian School in Virginia.

 Perfect Love
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:
because fear hath torment” (1 John 4:18, KJV).

This verse has meant a lot to me through the years because I've always
feared that people wouldn’t like me or accept me because I was not good
enough. This lack of confidence kept me from trying a lot of things for
fear of rejection or failure.

Fast forward through many years of heartache and a broken first

marriage, and I met someone who didn’t want to change me. He
accepted me just as I was. It took a long time to be convinced that
someone could truly love me, as imperfect as I thought I was. But after
five years, he won me over by his kindness, compassion and love, and we
married. Shortly thereafter, we heard about the wonderful message of
Jesus Christ and joined God’s church body.
Looking back, I realize today that it was the perfect love of Jesus shining
through him that won my love and confidence. Because of my husband,
I learned that I was valuable to Jesus. When you learn about the
unconditional love of Jesus—to the point of death—and the wonderful
truths of the Gospel, you find your self-worth in Him and not in people,
jobs or worldly treasure. When you have Jesus, you find He is all you need.
There is no fear. You can live in peace and happiness.
Even though my husband has since passed, I still have Jesus with me
every day. I share His love with others, so that they can trust in Him and
be rid of all their fears, no matter what life brings their way.

Thank You, God, that I find my self-worth in You. Amen.

Phyllis C urry isthe treasurer for the Elkins church in West Virginia.
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 God's Got It
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you”
(1 Pet. 5:7, NIV).

To be honest, when I was first asked to write a devotional, I desperately

wanted to decline. I felt my heart beat a little faster and my breath become
shorter—symptoms associated with anxiety. The fear of not being good
enough was so overwhelming, and I was just about to say no until I
remembered 1 Peter 5:7. I've heard this verse multiple times, and right at
that moment, it stuck with me.
About five years ago, I started to have panic attacks, and I developed
symptoms of anxiety. These symptoms are often hard to handle, and
sometimes I feel I don’t have control of my own body. But when I read this
verse, all my worries, stresses and anxieties are washed away. I feel like
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the words were written just for me. It reminds me that, even when I feel
out of control, God’s got it. ;
God knows we will go through hard times, but He will never leave our side.
He cares too much for us!

Thank You, God, for having my back! Amen.

Faith Davis is an eighth-grader at Worthington Adventist Academy in Ohio.

4
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From Pieces to Peace
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them”
(Eph. 2:10, NKJV).

It seems I was born to suffer. The physical and emotional abuse at the
hands of my father began when I was 4-years-old. I was always sick, to
the point that the doctors diagnosed that I could be either mute or deaf
for the rest of my life. Iwas bullied during my school years and always
struggled to “fit in.” I got into a toxic relationship that destroyed my heart,
my identity and self-esteem. I felt sick, lonely, rejected and purposeless.
Tired of fighting hard for belonging, love and health, it crossed my mind
to take my own life. Iwas missing something; rather Someone.
It wasn’t until I surrendered all my broken pieces to
Jesus, that God told
me: “You are my workmanship, created in my image for good works, which I
prepared for you beforehand that you should walk in them.”
Since then, Jesus has been restoring each broken piece. My father is
now a wonderful man of God; my health and habits have been restored;
my husband is my soul mate; I have a job that I love; and I found my
purpose—to serve with my voice through different platforms.
We are all a work in progress. Jesus will help us break free from the
feelings of failure and worthlessness. The divine Potter will be faithful to
refine and shape us into His image, for we are His masterpieces.
" The goal is knowing Jesus and persevering in Him. He will give us His
peace and joy that surpasses all understanding. We are hopeful, secure,
free and whole in Jesus!

Lord Jesus, thank You for faithfully shaping us into Your image. Amen.

of the Spencerville church in Maryland.

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 God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense :

“For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; |

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he was lost and is found” (Luke 15:24, NIV). |

Demanding and receiving his inheritance while his dad is still alive,
Jack packs his convertible and leaves home for the West Coast. There, q
he quickly makes friends, rents a great apartment and parties hard
until he runs out of money. Deserted by his friends, he is evicted from
his apartment and is forced to sell his car to buy food and lodging. In
desperation, he takes the only job he can—a pig slaughtering factory.
Reflecting on his situation, he realizes that even the housekeepers at home
live better than he does, so he decides to return home, practicing his
speech on the long walk back.
“Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you. Iam no longer worthy
of being called your son. Please take me on as a housekeeper.”
Back home, Dad has been waiting and looking for his boy to return, every
day hoping to see a familiar figure. Then it happens. He sees his boy, thin
and bedraggled, trudging up the long driveway. His boy has come home!
The boy begins to make his speech, but his dad hears none of it. He
clothes the boy in his own best suit, invites the neighbors and throws a
welcome home party. His older brother, jealous and angry, refuses to
attend or rejoice.

“Dad, you never threw a party for me, and I've been faithful.” To him, the
dad says, “You've always been here, and what's mine is yours.”
I rejoice every day because this story explains that God never treats me
how I deserve. In my Father's world, it’s all about His amazing GRACE.

Lord, thank You for God's Riches At Christ's Expense. Amen.

Maurice T. Battle, jr, is the pastor of the Lewisburg church in West Virginia.
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 Be Like David
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young,
but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct,
in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12, NIV).

While studying graphic design my senior year at Andrews University

(Mich.), the Seventh-day Adventist Church offered me a job. However, I had
always envisioned myself at an agency, so I eagerly accepted a position at
the design studio where I had interned the year before. But God had other
plans. Less than two years later, the Adventist Church would call again.
I was 23 years old when I started working for the Church. Unfortunately,
the opportunity wasn’t what I hoped it would be. Time after time, I felt
as though my contributions weren't valued because I was too young
and inexperienced. Though I knew people's intentions were good, I was
regularly “schooled” in the “ways of the church.” Again and again, I
received the response: “Because this is how we have always done it.”
I watched my friends slowly leave church work, until Iwas the “last one
standing.” Thankfully, I had an administrator who encouraged me toward
perseverance and grace. And now, 21 years later, I’m still standing.
The Bible describes David as a musician and poet. He ministered creatively.
Designers may not be pastors, but we, too, effectively bring His message to
members and beyond.
Young adults, whatever your vocation, you have an important role in the
church. Your fresh opinions and ideas are valuable. Like so many young
Bible characters, who began in a position of unimportance, you can make
a difference. Be like David: humble, devoted and appointed by God to lead.

Heavenly Father, help us to be men and women after God's own heart. Amen.

Kelly Butler Coe is the associate director of communication and art director for the
Columbia Union Conference.
 His Plan and Purpose
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own
understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make
your paths straight” (Prov. 3:5-6, NIV).

When my daughter was 3-years-old, she offered to help me “mow the

lawn.” In other words, it was a hint to ride on my shoulders. As I mowed,
I was in deep turmoil about the seemingly insurmountable challenges
and obstacles that life had sent my way. I was so buried in my angst that
it took me nearly an hour to actually hear and truly listen to the words my
daughter had been singing over and over in her little angelic voice.
“Trust and obey, for there’s no other way. To be happy in Jesus, but to
trust and obey.”
When her voice finally caught my attention, I heard it in my heart and
soul. I realized that Ihad been trying to understand and solve all of my
problems on my own. And if I continued down that path, I would keep
failing and feeling overwhelmed.
That song is based on Proverbs 3, and those verses instruct us to
recognize our own limited ability to understand, because God is in
control. We will not be disappointed if we trust Him and believe that His
understanding is greater than ours. It may take time to understand His
ways, and, in many cases, look back to see that His plan and purpose for
us were there all along.

Lord, help me to trust You completely and to have faith that You always have
a plan for me. Amen.

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 Lost in Chicago
“So do not fear, for Iam with you; do not be dismayed,
for Iam your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will
uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10, NIV).

When I was 5-years-old, I took a trip with my family to Taste of Chicago—

the world’s largest food festival. There were innumerable amounts of
food to try: Mexican, Indian, Italian, you name it. While there, something
interesting caught my dad's attention, and he crossed the street to check it
out. Seconds later, my 5-year-old brain decided it was a good idea to follow
him. I ventured across the street to find my dad. I got in the line where I
thought he was, tapped his back and said, “Dad?”
A random man turned around. Terrified, Iwalked away, sat down on the
sidewalk and started to cry. A stranger came up to me and asked what was
wrong. I looked up, crying as I described my situation. Sitting with me, she
put a caring arm around me and told me it would be OK.
A few minutes later, I felta hand grab me and pick me up. My mom had
found me! Hysterical and happy, she turned to thank the lady, but she was
gone. To this day, I believe that lady was my guardian angel protecting me.
Isaiah 41:10 really speaks to me because it says God is always with me and
will always strengthen me. In that moment, when I was completely and
utterly lost, He was protecting me and bringing me back to safety. If you
keep God in your heart, there is no reason to fear, because He will guide
you, keep you and strengthen you all the days of your life.

God, when we're scared, may we hold onto Your righteous right hand. Amen.

Alexis Dulan is a freshman at Spring Valley Academy in Ohio.

 Speak Life
“In the beginning, God” (Gen. 1:1, ESV).

It was a rainy Monday morning. I stood in front of my seventh-grade class

ready to teach Bible. My head cloudy, my heart in pieces from trials in my
personal life, I struggled to hold back the tears.
“Good morning, class! Let’s pray! There will be no singing today for Bible
class,” I said as quickly as I could. “We will go right into our lesson. It will
be a review because you all know the creation story!” I allowed a student
to pray because I knew the darkness I felt would cause me to cry.
I then opened the Bible and began reciting Genesis 1:1-3: “In the
beginning, God created the heavens and the earth ...” As I continued
about how the earth was first empty and void, and darkness covered the
face of the deep, the Holy Spirit hovered over the void in my heart. Tears
began to roll down my cheeks.
God spoke light and life into my heart that day, and my journey with Him
has never been the same.
Sometimes, studying the Bible becomes a duty, not an encounter with our
Best Friend. God wants to meet us through His Word and speak life into
our lives. Maybe words of comfort, maybe words of reproof. Whatever we
need, He has a timely word in His Word. Will you allow Him to meet you in
His Word today and speak light and life to you?

Father, in any and every beginning, be God! Amen.

Gladys S.-Guerrero is a member of the Sligo church in Maryland.

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 Blessings Upon Blessings
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. ... I will fear no evil;
for You are with me; ... Surely goodness and mercy shall follow
me all the days of my life” (Ps. 23:1, 4, 6, NKJV).

These verses mean a lot to me because I know God is always with me and
looking out for me.
When one of our teachers resigned in August 2019, we all thought that the
school was going to close. So we prayed and prayed, and then Mrs. Smith
offered to come out of retirement to teach us. I feel God has really blessed
me by having her as my teacher.
Also, the Lord has blessed me with two wonderful grandparents—Nana
and Pop. They have been my parents since I was 2 years old. Since the time
I started living with them, Nana has taught me the Bible. That is why I am
in a Christian school.
From the time I was 4, I've wanted to be a pastor. The Bible is so
interesting, and I feel that everybody should know about God and His
protection over us. I love waking up and seeing His creation. I enjoy the air
we breathe and the food we eat—blessings that all come from God.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for keeping us safe and healthy. Please help
the scientists to find a cure and a vaccine for the coronavirus. Please help the
people who have the virus and their relatives. Please watch over all of us and
protect us. Amen.

Laken Carroll is a sixth-grader at the Roanoke Adventist Christian School in Virginia.

 The Mountain That Moved
“He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you,
if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to
this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move.
Nothing will be impossible for you’” (Matt. 17:20, NIV).

Six years ago, when I was preparing to graduate with a master’s degree
in Children and Family Ministry at Bethel University (Minn.), I noticed that
graduation would be held on a Saturday—my Sabbath. I spoke to one of
my classmates about whether the administratianwould ever consider
switching it to a different day. My classmate doubted they'd change the
day for just one person.
I gave it a try, praying for God to intervene. Unfortunately, the registrar
explained that it wouldn’t be possible to change the day, but I could
graduate on a Sunday as a guest from another university. I was
heartbroken and wondered why God didn’t intervene, but went ahead
with the preparation for graduating elsewhere.
Two months later, I received an email from the registrar’s office notifying
me that graduation had been changed to Sunday. I couldn't believe
it! Did God really answer my prayer to graduate in person with my
classmates? I had never seen Him change a situation to fit my exact
request, especially a seemingly insurmountable mountain—an event that
had been the university’s tradition for years. This experience humbled
me, and I learned to be more dependent on God.

Lord, when life isn’t easy, and we are met with many challenges, may we put
our trust in You, believing that You will come through. Amen.

Tanya Muganda,is a member of the Sligo church in Maryland.

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 A Heart Yearning
“Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth;
unite my heart to fear Your name” (Ps. 86:11, NKJV).

This verse has made a great impact on my life. Just below the chapter title,
my Bible also includes these words: “A prayer of David.” Other than his
incredible victory over Goliath, David is also remembered as a man after
God's own heart. Verse 11 gives us further proof of this. When you read
through the Psalms, one thing is evident: David yearned for the Lord. He
|
often praised God and declared His excellence. He meditated on the words
of God throughout the day and night. He would ask God to examine his
heart and prove him. These verses left a deep impression on me.
During my sophomore year of college, I decided to study the Bible for
myself. Before then, I didn’t know much about Christianity, nor did I grasp
the depth and power of God's Word. As I began to study the Bible and
pray more sincerely, the Holy Spirit began to change my heart. Psalm 86:11
resonated with me more and more. I added that verse to my prayers, and
asked God to reveal His ways and His will to me. Like David, I began to
desire a close and meaningful relationship with Jesus. Looking back, God
has brought me a long way.
I'm still a work in progress, learning more each and every day, but I praise
God that one thing hasn't changed: My heart still yearns for Jesus. God has
been so faithful to me. He is merciful and gracious. His promises are my
hope and strength, and I continue to hold onto them.

Jesus, help us to devote ourselves to You and seek Your heart daily. Amen.

Jonathan Kim is a member of the Ellicott City church in Maryland.

 The Father Himself Loves Me
“In that day you will ask in My name. I am not saying
that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father
Himself loves you because you have loved Me and have
believed that I came from God” (John 16:26-27, NIV).

I like verses that surprise me. This verse certainly did that, given that I
grew up primarily with a courtroom-based image of the Father, standing
in judgment over me, with Jesus interceding as my Advocate.
This verse reminds me that the members of the Godhead are united
in their love for me and their desire to save me. Jesus has no need to
advocate before the Father on my behalf, because the Father is not my
accuser. Satan, the adversary, and sin itself, are my only enemies. In the
Godhead, I have nothing but friends.
Understanding and believing this verse helped me to let go of many fears
and to see that the Father is just as loving and gracious as His Son. It has
been incredibly freeing to comprehend that Christ died to save us from
sin, not from God.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for letting me see Christ—the clearest
representation of who You are. Amen.

Robert Fuller is a member of the Spencerville church in Maryland.

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 The Power of Worry
“But my God shall supply all your needs according to
His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19, KJV).

I find myself worrying about the future, like, “Will I get accepted into the
college I want?” In my worries, this verse reminds me that “God supplies
all my needs.” He knew our future even before we were born. He has a
plan and purpose for everything.
In December 2019, I was diagnosed with scoliosis. I had been getting
severe back pain since April of that year, but now things started to get
real, and I was scared. The doctors ordered X-rays, and they looked
dissatisfactory. Then they ordered an MRI to rule out brain tumors, since
the X-rays and the curve numbers were unexplainable.
The MRI was clean. It was time to see a surgeon. I wanted the surgery
right away, but the surgeon said the best treatment would be to wear a
brace until I finished growing. I thought, What! You are going to put me in
a brace with two 50-degree curves? My spine looks like an S! However, my
parents agreed with the surgeon. I prayed about it, and, in February, I got
a big, tight, scary brace!
As I write this in 2020, I'm graduating from the eighth grade, and I must
wear the brace until my sophomore year. Honestly, I am not excited about
wearing my brace in high school, but I know everything happens for a
reason and that I don’t have to worry because everything is in God’s hands.
Are you troubled, anxious or worried? Your present, past or future may
scare you, but ask God to free you today. Release your worries into His
hands forever, and never look back.

Lord, may we feel Your Holy Spirit's peaceful presence today. Amen.

Princess Alcantara is an eighth-grader at the Shenandoah Valley Adventist Elementary

School in Virginia.
 A True Friend
“Two are better than one, because they have a
good reward for their labor” (Eccl. 4:9, NKJV).

One day, two new girls enrolled at my school. They were surrounded by a
__ crowd of girls who wanted to meet them during recess. As I made my way
over, I recognized I had met one of them in church that past Sabbath! We
immediately became best friends. We were the only Seventh-day Adventist
girls in the entire public school.
I loved my friend. She was funny, happy, smart and kind. After we
graduated from eighth grade, we attended different high schools, but still
spent every Sabbath together, studying our Sabbath School lessons and
enjoying potluck with the youth.
How wonderful that my Father granted me such a friend! We went through
', joys and heartbreaks together, and she always encouraged me to put my
trust in God. I admired her love for Him and observed that, although she
loved me as her best friend, Jesus was her “bestest” friend.

The two of us were better than one, because when I fell, she was there
to lift me up, and vice versa. When I was spiritually cold, she provided
comforting words from Scripture. In tough times, we prayed for each other.
Prior to meeting my friend, Jesus had always been there for both of us. He
was the first to delight in our joys and wipe our tears. So now, the three of
us formed a threefold cord together.
- When Jesus is included in a relationship, that relationship will not easily
break. Ask your Father for such a friendship. And, while you wait, be that
friend to those around you.

_ Father, thank You for friends who strengthen us in our walk with You. Amen.

Yolanda Bocanegra is the director of the Adventurers club for the Paterson Temple
church in New jersey.
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 He Is All-Powerful
“Then [Jesus] said to the tree, ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you
again.’ ... Peter remembered and said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig
tree you cursed has withered!’” (Mark 11:14, 21, NIV).

Here is an odd story about Jesus. Hungry, Jesus sees a fig tree with leaves
because it was out of season. Finding it has no fruit, He curses the tree,
and it dies. Why does Jesus do that? Doesn't it seem unreasonable? Why
does Mark tell this story?
The gospel accounts are not collections of random stories of things Jesus
did. Each gospel book is a revelation of who Jesus is. So either Mark wants
us to think Jesus is an unreasonable tree killer, or something deeper is
happening here.
I feel like in this passage Jesus is showing that He has the power to do all
things. He can even tell a tree that it will have no more fruit, and just from
those words alone, the tree will wither up and die.
It isjust amazing to see what God can do. People either fear Him for it or
are in fear of Him. Two completely different fears, but if you ask me, I love
to fear Him—to be in awe of Him and respect Him.

So let us come closer to Him and build a stronger relationship every single
day for the rest of our lives.

Dear God, please help us grow closer to You each day. Thank You for being
all-powerful. Amen.

Tallen Forrey is an eighth-grader at the Harrisburg Adventist School in Pennsylvania.

5!

AAAS
Outside Forces Have
Nothing on Us
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not
give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts
)
; z be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27, NIV).
in1

The law of inertia states that an object at rest or in motion will remain
so unless acted upon by an outside force. Maybe not intentionally or
consciously, but when things don’t go our way, we reason it’s the outside
- forces’ fault, not ours!

So that’s the reason I'm stressed and miserable. No one wants their
progress halted or rest interrupted by “outside forces,” but can these
forces really halt and interrupt? Do they have that power and control over
us? Jesus tells us not to worry.
God never gives us a directive or command that is not in our best interest
and that is not possible to accomplish! He knows about the alarm clocks
of life, the traffic, deadlines, migraine headaches, rude co-workers,
disrespectful family members, car problems, bills, layoffs, distractions,
delays, disruptions, disappointments, disasters, depression, disease. He
faced it all Himself (Hebrews 4:15). So He can be trusted when He says He
will give us peace.
Inertia is a real thing. It’s a “law.” We have a more powerful God though.
Believe and exclaim this verse to the “outside forces” in your life. Make it
~ your own because it is yours.

As you promise, Lord, give us peace, and may we receive it and represent You
as You deserve. Amen.

h Rick Downes isa deacon and lay teacher at the Shenango Valley church in Ohio.
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 The Power of Words
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and
those who love it will eat its fruit” (Prov. 18:21, NKJV).

This verse reminds me of the power that words have, and that I have to
watch what I say. Words can either encourage or destroy, and, because
they can stick in one’s mind forever, they can positively or negatively affect
the lives of others. This is important to me because I have not always been
careful with my words, and have hurt people as a result.
I once read a story about a group of frogs that were traveling through the
woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs saw how
deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead.
The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit
with all their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they
were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other
frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died.
The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the
crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even
harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said,
“Did you not hear us?” The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He
thought they were encouraging him the entire time.
Destructive words can tear others down, but encouraging words can lift
them up and help them. Choose your words wisely, for words are forever.

Lord, teach me to be careful with my words. Help me to be encouraging to

everyone. Amen.

in eighth-grader at the Shenandoah Valley Adventist Elementary

 is
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Jesus, Please Come Soon!
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be
no more death, or mourning or crying or pain, for the
old order of things has passed away” (Rev. 21:4, NIV).

; _Inthe time we are living, especially with this pandemic, Revelation 21:4
fills me with hope and happiness because Jesus is coming soon, and there
will be no more pain or crying. Recently, in a class in my Pathfinder’s
club, we studied the first vision of Ellen White. That gave me even more
hope, knowing that this will all happen, and that very soon we will live in a
better place.
Pain or sadness can come in many ways, like the death of a loved one,
a sickness, parents divorcing, hunger, poverty, injustice, etc. A few
months ago, I lived an experience that for many would probably not be
important, but for me it was. Jesus tells us to be obedient, which makes
a
each of us different. Being different brought big changes in one of my
most important friendships. The moments that we were together started
to disappear, and there were times when I felt like I was alone, but
Jesus never leaves me alone. I know that everything that I went through
was one of the many difficulties that I will have during the time we are in
this world.
We all go through difficult times, but we should always remember the
promises of God and that soon He will come again.

* Dear Jesus, I want You to come soon! Amen.

Marianna Guzman is asixth-grader at the Takoma Academy Preparatory Scn

in Maryland. <
 All You!
“And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away
thy dross, and take away all thy tin” (Isa. 1:25, KJV).

I grew up in a nominal Seventh-day Adventist home where guilt abounded.

“I'm going to be good,” my cousin and I would say. But we drifted away
from God.
At 21, Iwas sincerely, miraculously converted. For 18 years, I struggled with
guilt and could never quite “be good enough.” So I drifted away again.
Fast forward to 25 years of being “in and out of the world.” The tender
pleading of the Father’s Spirit—wooing, entreating and drawing this
wanderer to the Father’s heart of love—awakened my soul to return to God.
He began a good work in me, and was performing it, as Philippians 1:6
states. He called me, and sanctified me wholly. He preserved me blameless
unto His coming. He called me, and He is the One Who will do it for me
(1 Thessalonians 5:23-24). Jesus set me free from sin; from the desire for
sin, the running to it, the search for it, the love of it, the restless reaching.
Not that I have attained (Philippians 3:12), but that I no longer want to sin.

Lord, I want Your purity and holiness. You broke the chains that bound me
in sin that encompassed my every thought. You took away my desire to “be
good” and are teaching me to look to Your goodness and wear Your robe
of righteousness. You brought me to a longing for You and Your kingdom.
You are purely purging away my dross and taking away all my tin. It is all
You! Amen.

athleen E. Brooks is a member of the Mount Vernon Hill church in Ohio.

 Think on These Things
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever
things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever
things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there
be any praise, think on these things” (Phil. 4:8, KJV).
ase
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I became acquainted with this verse as a young adult, and it quickly
became a favorite of mine. Being raised in the Seventh-day Adventist
_ Church, I often felt completely out of sync and appalled by pop culture,
f which only continues to deteriorate and get worse. So this verse, which
- extols all that is good and pure, was very comforting and inspiring to me.
_ As the years have passed, sadlyI have also seen how easily seemingly
_ “little” things without any virtue or praise have crept into my own life. For
. example, I now more easily shrug off viewing certain things on TV that
/ would’ve made me uncomfortable in the past. As discouraging as that
_ is, this verse reminds me of the importance of focusing on and filling my
~ mind with that which is good. In fact, it tells me to focus on Christ—the
One who perfectly embodies truth—with honesty and all that is just, pure,
lovely and of good report. It is only by being in Christ and allowing Him to
live in me that I can avoid evil in my own life.
As I write this, there are riots in multiple cities across our great nation.
The looting, arson and violence exemplify the worst in humanity and
stand in stark contrast to the beautiful virtues in this verse. More than
ever, we all need Christ!

_ Dear Lord, may we give our lives fully to You so that we may reflect Your
character to the world. Amen.

r Jane Cermak-Faver is an associate treasurer for the Columbia Union é

 A Thousand Hills
“For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle
upon a thousand hills” (Ps. 50:10, NKJV).

Graduation had just ended. The tired mommy shifted an infant girl from
one side to the other. “I would love to have my children at your school,”
she said. “I can see from this graduation program how much your church
members love their school.”
I searched her face. Our church had just finished a six-week evangelism
campaign, but she hadn’t attended. Does she have enough money to pay the
required tuition? I thought, then stopped myself. This is God’s school, and He
sends the seekers. Just then, one of her sons came running by.
“Mom, if Ihave to go here, I’m not going to be marching up the aisle for
any graduation program.” With that he went defiantly off to join the others.
“That's Jeremy, and he'll be in the eighth grade,” his mother remarked.
“That would be nice,” I responded. “We need more upper-grade students.”
She continued, “I really want all four of my boys at your school, but I have no
money, and my husband is out of work.” Emotion crept onto her face.
“It's OK! Let's keep praying,” I encouraged. “A small church school like
ours is a huge faith-growing enterprise. We don’t know how God will
provide. Sometimes the money comes through the parents or family;
other times the money comes from the church; and sometimes the money
multiplies miraculously like the widow's mite.”
That first day of school began with all four of her sons enrolled. And guess
who marched down the aisle in that May’s graduation service?

Father, thank You for Your miraculous providence. Amen.

Rose Gamblin is the principal/teacher at the Gettysburg Adventist Christian Schoo!

in Pennsylvania,
 Forward-Thinking
“I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made.
But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so
wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no
means do I consider myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my
eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I am
‘off and running, and I’m not turning back” (Phil. 3:13-14, MSG).

Life is a journey, and it’s important to remember that my spiritual walk is

just as important as my destination. Would I prefer life to be worry-free
with no more cares, pain or fear of the unknown? Absolutely! However,
this text reminds me that even though this life’s journey is riddled with
challenges, I can move forward with confidence in Christ. To dwell on
yesterday’s failures is not part of God's plan. Instead, I learn from the
. past and move forward toward the heavenly prize—home with the Lord.
_ By pressing on, I thrive.
The dark night of the soul can be a nurturing time with the Father.
Sometimes we are in conversation; other times we are silent. His quiet
love encourages me: “Look in my eyes and see the deep love I have for
you.” His presence makes the desert a place of solitude. I am reminded
that my pilgrimage is not a scorecard but rather a love relationship with
Jesus that He continues to nurture. So when I walk through the darkest
valley, I fear no evil, for He is with me (Psalm 23:4).
Has my voyage with Him reached its zenith with no more room to grow?
Not at all. For you see, I’m not the guide. He is.

Lord, may Ikeep moving forward with You, my Friend. Amen.

_ Steve Laing is the vice president of Education for the Potomac Conference
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 Good Like Medicine
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against
such there is no law” (Gal. 5:22-23, KJV).

I believe that a Christian must have the fruit of the spirit. If all Christians
would read and take to heart these verses daily, along with Philippians 4:8,
which tells us to think on whatsoever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely and
of good report, we would not have the problems in church we are faced
with today. But the only way to attain, retain and maintain that fruit is by
steadily focusing on Jesus; to “think on” Him continuously.
We are living in the last days, and this world is fast drawing to a close.
Having that early morning devotional time gives me strength to make it |
through each day. The Bible says, as we see all these things happening, to |
“look up ... for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28, KJV).
Many people mockingly tell me that I view life through rose-colored
glasses. Maybe so, but I'd rather see Jesus through these glasses than look
at the wickedness of the world and not see Jesus at all, ending up a broken,
downhearted and depressed human being. And I am reminded that “a
merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the
bones” (Prov. 17:22, KJV).

Lord, I pray that You will continue to abide in me and encourage me to always
look to You. Help me to point others to You so they will experience the same
peace, love and tranquility that I enjoy each day—and, ultimately, eternal life
with You. Amen.

Peggy |. Koch is an elder at the Charleston Boulevard church in West Virginia.

 God’s Love for a Sinner
“This man is My chosen instrument to proclaim My name to the
Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel” (Acts 9:15, NIV).

God loves us very much. No matter what we do, He will still forgive us
because His love for us is unconditional.
Before the apostle Paul became a follower of Jesus, his name was Saul.
Saul thought he knew all about God and that Jesus was a false messiah.
He even convinced people to kill Stephen. Saul was angry that the
disciples were preaching about Jesus.
On his way to Damascus, Saul was confronted by a voice in heaven. It was
Jesus—the One he was persecuting. As a result of this encounter, Saul
- became blind. There was a man named Ananias in Damascus, and, ina
vision, Jesus appeared to him and told him to baptize Saul. When Ananias
~ asked why, Jesus said: “This man is My chosen instrument to proclaim My
name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.”
- Saul was filled with the Holy Spirit after his baptism, and he was no longer
blind. How could God give a person like Saul, now Paul, a second chance?
Because God’s love was and is unconditional. He loved us so much that
He sent His Son to die for our sins.
Paul used his second chance to become a vessel for God, writing 13 books
in the New Testament. And, as a result of his ministry, many people have
come to Christ.

Dear Lord, please help us to work for You, not against You. May others be
drawn to Your love by how we live. Amen.

Josue Ayala is an-eighth-grader at Vienna Adventist Academy in Virginia

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 Before We Call
“Before they call, I will answer; and while they are ;
yet speaking, I will hear” (Isa. 65:24, KJV).

My husband and I live in rural Ohio with our two daughters, sons-in-law
and five delightful granddaughters. Our family farm is named “Winds of
Faith Farm.” One day, God did something incredible.
I was busy in the house in southern Ohio, when all of asudden my
youngest granddaughters, Lydia and Gabrielle, bolted through the front
door with terror on their young faces.
They screamed that our beloved mini-horse Dumplin had somehow gotten
out of his stall and was galloping toward the road. The thought of what my
granddaughters might witness was too much! But what to do?
For sure we could not catch up to him. I looked into the faces of my frantic
granddaughters and did the only thing I knew to do. I prayed that God
would send an angel to stop Dumplin before he got to the road.
My granddaughters and I looked up to see a truly unbelievable sight.
Only a few yards from the road, Dumplin suddenly stopped and turned
around, as if an unseen hand was leading him. He trotted back to the barn,
stopped at the barn door and gently walked into his stall. We quickly slid
the stall door closed and immediately knelt down to thank God for sending
his angel to bring Dumplin back to us unharmed. What a faith builder!
As unbelievable as this story may sound, I know that two little girls and
their grandmother will always remember the day an angel led their little
horse away from danger back to safety. Never underestimate the power of
prayer and the love of our wonderful God who hears us before we call.

Lord, thank You for always hearing and answering. Amen.

Madeline Whittle is a member of the Hillsboro church in Ohio.

 Don’t Stop Short
“But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak,
for your work shall be rewarded” (2 Chron. 15:7, NKJV).

This scripture caused me to reflect on my spiritual condition, and ask,

Have I done enough? Have I gone far enough? As Christians, we may do
“enough” to satisfy ourselves, or even our pastor. But is it enough to
please God?
When Asa became king, Judah was a total mess. The people had rejected
the true God and boldly worshipped idols. Asa made some courageous
moves to reform the nation: “He removed the altars of foreign gods and
the high places, and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the
wooden images. He commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their
fathers, and to observe the law and the commandment” (2 Chron. 14:3-4,
NKJV). Judah flourished under his reign. There was, however, still more
work to be done. The reformation was incomplete. So God sent Azariah to
encourage Asa to be strong and finish the work.
Like many Christians, I took aggressive measures to align my life with
the Scriptures. Major changes took place and were eradicated: harmful
behaviors, shameful practices and filthy language. But was that enough?
Did I stop short of God’s goal for me? Did I trade His standards for the
standards of men?
Maybe we should re-examine our habits and thoughts. Is our reformation
complete, or is there more work yet to be done? May we all be
encouraged by the words of Azariah: “But you, be strong and do not let
your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!”

Dear Lord, let us not grow weary of doing good. Please strengthen our hands
and finish Your great work in us. Amen.

Jeffery Thomas.is the head elder of the Calvary church in Virginia

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 Claim His Promise!
'

“The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them

|
‘
that fear Him, and delivereth them” (Ps. 34:7, KJV).

I love Psalm 34:7 because you can claim it in so many situations. For
example, if you're afraid of the dark, you can declare this promise when
you're scared. I personally claim this promise every night before I go to bed.
God has protected me in so many ways. I almost died twice as a baby, and
I’ve been in several accidents. One incident took place at another school
that I attended. Jaydon jumped on Nehemiah and stole his lunch box. Then
a bunch of bullies—Evan, Jeremiah and Rafael—started pushing Nehemiah
around. I tried to keep them from hitting Nehemiah, but then they started
hitting me instead! At that point, Rafael walked away, but Jeremiah started
punching my ankle, and Evan was hitting me in the chest! The Lord
protected me that day. After my ankle healed, all I had left was a scar.

Dear Father, help me to remember what I have learned: not to focus on the
fear in this world, but on the promise in Psalm 34:7. Amen.

Joshua Montes de Oca is a fifth-grader at the Roanoke Adventist Christian Schoo!

in Virginia.
 You Can Depend on Him
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away
in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not
much more valuable then they? Can any one of you by worrying
add a single hour to your life?” (Matt. 6:26-27, NIV).

This is my favorite Bible verse, as it became my mantra in 2017. My

husband moved from Iowa to Columbus, Ohio, to take a job at Amazon.
One month after he started, he had a stroke while he was at work. The
stroke changed every part of our lives. I became the breadwinner. He
became dependent on me for basically everything. As my carnal nature is
to worry all the time, this verse gave me great comfort, and I felt that God
was helping me realize my need to depend on Him always.
God was ever-present during that time, and we were abundantly
blessed. Money would literally show up when we least expected it. We
never lacked food, clothing or housing. We were also able to afford our
daughter's tuition at Worthington Adventist Academy.
Try God, trust God and see if He will show up when you need Him most.

God, thank You for providing for my every need. Amen.

Linda Davisis.the first- and second-grade teacher at Worthington

in Ohio.
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 His Way or Yours?
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own
understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall
direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord
and depart from evil” (Prov. 3:5-7, NKJV).

This was a verse I loved while I was growing up, however it took me a
few years to actually understand it. Some people read it and say, “Oh, it’s
just such a complicated passage.” But it really isn’t. The verses hold one
message: His way or yours? In other words, do you trust Him?
A boy was playing with a ball, and it bounced up and got stuck on the roof.
He tried several times to get it, but to no avail. The father watched all this
from the porch in amusement and wonder. The boy then gave up and
went to his father for help. The dad, chuckling, hit the roof, and the ball
bounced off. The dad then asked his son a question: “Why didn’t you ask
me to help you in the first place?”
In this passage, God is indirectly asking this question: “Why don’t you
just come and trust Me to help you?” Who is this someone, or what is this
thing that is giving you a hard time? What is it that you are trying to do but
just can't? What is that class you don't like because you can’t understand
it? Just trust Him. Always keep this in mind if you are tempted to leave Him
out. Leaning on our own understanding = being wise in our eyes = hard
times and problems.

Today, just let Him have His way in your life and see quick and easy results.

Dear Jesus, help us to trust You to direct us today. Amen.

inioluwa Jobi is a sophomore at Takoma Academy in Maryland.

 Be My Strength
“God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day”
(Ps. 46:5, NIV).

Today, I feel stressed, alone and overwhelmed. I am missing my class, our

~ memories together and all of our missed opportunities. I feel like I don’t
have enough time to get my schoolwork done, and Ifeel like quitting.
However, this verse reminds me that I am not alone. God is with me, and
He will help me today and tomorrow. With Him, I will not fail.
I once survived a major car accident. God was with me and I didn’t even
know it. My mom, dad, and their dog, Moby, were going to Lake Anna in
Virginia for the Fourth ofJuly. Suddenly a spinner hubcap flew off the car
in front of us. My dad swerved, and our car’s wheel fell off! We ran off the
side of the road and into a tree at 70 mph! The tree traveled halfway up
the hood of the car, and all of the side windows shattered on them. Moby
ended up on my dad’s lap, unharmed. My parents had to crawl out of the
rear doors, and my mom was taken to the hospital.
The ER doctors told my mom, who was 12 weeks pregnant with me,
that she could go home, but if she started bleeding, it would be due
to a miscarriage. Fortunately, my grandpa was an attending doctor at
the hospital and ordered an ultrasound of his grandchild. At first my
parents didn’t hear a sound and got really scared. Finally, they heard my
heartbeat! God was with us.

~ Thank You, God, for always being with me, even when I don't know it. Please
help me to turn to You every day. Be my strength. Amen.

tist Elementary
Elementary
Katie Pacylowski is an eighth-grader at the Shenandoah Valley Adventist
School in Virginig.
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 God Is With Me
“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be
burned up; the flames will not consume you” (Isa. 43:2, NLT).

I like this verse a lot because it reminds me that, no matter what happens,
God is with me. There have been times when I have struggled with things
such as math or science. But I have always gotten through these classes,
thanks to my parents and God.
God will be with me at all times. When I'm going through deep troubles,
God will not abandon me. I’m having troubles right now because I have
been worrying about this pandemic. More and more people are getting
infected and dying every day. It makes me wonder if my family is next. I
believe God is with me though, and He will keep us safe.
God is also with me when I walk through the fires of oppression. We are
told that during the final days before Jesus’ second coming, people will use
their authoritative power to stop Christians from worshipping God on the
Sabbath. Even then, God will be with us. Like He says, “The flames will not
consume you.” When the time comes, we will be protected.
So when you go through deep troubles such as losing a loved one, God
will stay with you. When you struggle with something, no matter what it is,
God will help you. When someone abuses their power to stop you, God will
help you out. No matter what happens, God will always keep you safe.

Dear God, help me to trust You no matter what happens. Amen.

jacob Chapman is an eighth-grader at the Harrisburg Adventist School in Pennsylvania.

 He’s in Control
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans
for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope”
(Jer. 29:11, NKJV).

This verse has impacted me greatly because it reminds me that Iam not
alone. Whatever it is that you are going through in life, God will always be
by your side. If it’s school, friends, future decisions or anything else, God
will help you prosper. He wants us to succeed and to get far in life.
Now that I am a senior in high school and I will be going to college soon,
Iam not 100 percent sure what I want to do with my life. I have been
praying constantly for God to show me what His will is and to reveal His
plans for me.
Every time I think about college and making decisions, my anxiety
increases greatly because this is a life decision. Studying for a career
that you might not enjoy is a dangerous path to go down. But constantly
reminding myself of this verse and that God has plans for me keeps me
motivated and knowing that it will be OK. It is all in God’s hands, and by
letting Him take control of it, I will prosper.
We need to be patient with God, because, in time, He will give His
response. He will not always respond right when you want Him to, but He
will when you need it. By listening to God and following His will, He will
bless us and use us to bless others.

Father in Heaven, thank You that You have good plans for us and for being in
control of everything. Amen.

’ Antonia Héss Is asenior at Blue Mountain Academy in Pennsylvania.

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 The Choice
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one
comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6, NKJV).

I have always believed that logical thinking, risk analysis and dealing with
life in a sensible and realistic way would guarantee success. I used to
consider myself pragmatic, focusing on the processes behind any task,
initiative or goal.
When you are pragmatic, you are practical. You follow the rules and expect
to be rewarded. You are usually successful, but are often still searching
for “the answer.” You may attend church, but a true understanding of the
Bible eludes you; it stays hidden.

You often ask yourself, Is this real? There must be truth somewhere, I just
need to work harder. I need to do more to reach the next level. You continue
to take on more tasks, but you do not find the way, the truth or the life.
You continue to use every practical, matter-of-fact, realistic, sensible and
down to earth approach to resolve your quest.
One day, God spoke to me through this verse. He said, “I am the way. You
need to get to know Me. You need to see My character. You need to trust
Me. When I tell you I am always with you, I am. When I show you how to
live with love, follow Me. When I show you how to be courageous, follow
Me. When I show you mercy, learn from Me. When I share joy with you,
experience it. Get to know Me. Spend time with Me.”
I answered, “I believe in You! I choose You today!”
Will you choose Him to be your way, truth and life?

Lord, today we choose You above our own plans. We trust You. Amen.

David Forbes is the principal at Richmond Academy in Virginia.

 Claim It Every Day
“I can do ail things through Christ who strengthens me”
(Phil. 4:13, NKJV).

Philippians 4:13 helps me achieve so many things. When Itake a test in

school, I always think about this verse to remind me that God will help me
do well. Or if Ihave a competition and I am scared, I think of this verse to
remind me that God is on my team. God can help me through anything.
In my young 10-year-old life, Ihave been taught that God's grace is His
free gift to all, and that Ihave a chance to receive His blessings. The
grace of God is sufficient for all my needs and covers all my errors, sins
and mistakes. God's grace is with everyone, so He will stand for us, no
matter what.
I feel this verse is saying that God is praying for me and helping me
through everything. I do not need to fear when things are hard or when I
feel lonely. I only need to trust that God is with me.

God, thank You for Philippians 4:13. I want to claim it every day of my life.
Amen.

Tife Adediran is. a sixth-grader at Worthington Adventist Academy in Ohio.

We
 ‘Jesus, Save Me!’
“I call on the Lord in my distress, and He answers me” (Ps. 120:1, NIV).

The wind and the waves crashed against the small fishing vessel,
threatening to sink the boat and all its occupants. The boat pitched
and yawned in the waves. The wind howled, and the ocean roared. The
disciples were terrified. Out of the mist and gloom of the storm, the |
disciples were astonished to see Jesus walking toward them on the water.
Peter, the most outspoken disciple, was the first to act.
Not truly believing that it was Jesus, Peter says, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me
to come out on the water.” Jesus replies, “Come.” So out Peter comes,
hauling himself over the side of the boat, and tentatively placing his feet
on the water. With shaking hands, he lets go of the sides of the boat and
begins to walk toward his Savior. As he walks, he feels the tempest wind,
tastes the angry sea spray and his eyes drift from Jesus to the chaos
around him. He begins to sink. “Jesus, save me!” Immediately, Jesus
reaches down and lifts Peter up.
In Peter's distress, he cried to God, and God heard him. In my distress, I
cry out to God and He hears me. In your distress, cry out to God and He
will hear you.

When going through storms in life, it’s easy to focus on the chaos and
tempest around you. It’s easy to lose sight of God and focus on the
problem. However, Psalm 120:1 testifies that when we call on the Lord,
He will answer. “Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb.
13:8). The same God who answered Peter's desperate prayer, can and will
answer yours.

Lord God, save me! Hear my prayer. Amen.

Gabriel Morency is a sophomore at Takoma Academy in Maryland.

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 Safe and Sound
“That the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to
corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God”
(Rom. 8:21, NASB).

When Iwas a little boy living in the Dominican Republic, I used to save ants
from the flood my mother created when she cleaned the concrete floor in
our garage. I would take little leaves, straws, whatever was around, to save
them. How terrible it was when even one didn’t make it. It pained me.
Imagine how many people God has not been able to save since the
beginning of creation—because they haven’t chosen Him in return.
Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond
cure. Who can understand it?” (NIV). And Romans 3:23 says, “For all have
sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (NIV).
However, there is hope in Jesus: “But the gift of God is eternal life in
Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23, NIV). What wonderful news! When I
hear these words from the Bible, that sensation I felt when I used to save
those little ants rejuvenates me. How much more excited does God get
when a little child He created turns to Him to be saved?

God, save us, for we cannot save ourselves. Amen.

 ig
Z, Angels Watch Out for Us!
“For He shall give His angels charge over you,
to keep you in all your ways” (Ps. 91:11, NKJV).

Angels are watching out for us today and every day. God is always there
and will send His angels to protect us.
One day, I was going into work with my dad, but he stopped to get the
mail first and told me to stay in the car. But I decided to get out and help
him. When he got back in, he didn’t realize that Ihad gotten out of the
car, so when he drove off, he rolled over my foot.
I screamed, and my dad got out and carried me to his warehouse where
I sat down on a chair. I cried and cried. My dad told me that I could either
go to urgent care or home. I just wanted to be home. My foot hurt badly,
but it wasn’t seriously damaged. It could have been a lot worse. I think
angels came and lifted the car a little so that it didn’t crush my foot.
Angels protect us, and we should rejoice and thank God for His
mercies. Remember God is always there for you. And today and every
day, remember you can always reach out to Him, and He will answer
your prayers.

Dear God, thank You for everything You do for us and that Iam alive today.
Thank You for sending Your angels to protect us. Amen.

Leia Stefani is‘a fourth-grader at Frederick Adventist Academy in Maryland.

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 His Plans Are Perfect
“For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord,
‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give
you hope and a future’” (Jer. 29:11, NIV).

One Friday afternoon, I was given some devastating news that interfered
with my cherished plans. I was emotionally distraught that evening, and still
upset as I entered church Sabbath morning. As I listened to the pastor's
sermon, I struggled to maintain my composure. My husband's comforting
arm around my shoulder did little to stop the flow of my silent tears.
I was acquainted with Jeremiah 29:11 in the King James Version, but not in
the New International Version—the translation the pastor was using in his
sermon. It became clear that God was speaking to me through that sermon.
As I reflected on the text, I realized I was grieving over my plans, what
I wanted to do, and not what God had planned for me. God's plans are
always better than ours, no matter how good we think our plans are. That
“devastating” news became a blessing to me several months later. It was a
lesson I have never forgotten.
Jeremiah 29:11 has become one of my favorite texts. It helps me
remember that God is in control of my life. He wants me to rely on Him
and to implement His plans. When I think of Joseph and Daniel and how
they trusted God through the most trying of circumstances, it inspires me
to seek and follow His will for me.

Father, You have my best interest at heart. You will never leave me nor forsake
me. Help me to always implement Your plans. Amen.

Carole Smith is the head teacher at the Roanoke Adventist Christian School in Virginia.
 A Matter of Confidence
“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will
carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6, NIV).

I used to pretend with my brother and sister that I was a teacher, but,
after I graduated from high school, that dream flew out the window. I
didn’t have confidence that I would do well in college and be able to fulfill
my dream.
A few years ago, my life took an unexpected turn, and I was in a
quandary. So I prayed! Our local church school needed a teacher's
assistant. I inquired about the position, but decided to shelve the plan
because of lack of training. Again, I had no confidence.
Last year, the principal approached me to reconsider the position. I
prayed long and hard about it. Like Moses, I was skeptical. The phrase,
“God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies whom He. calls,” came to my
mind. “Is this You calling me to this, Lord?” I asked. I eventually accepted
the position.
I met many challenges and made some mistakes, but I was supported by
the teachers and God Himself. As the saying goes, “If God calls you to it,
He will lead you through it.” It isn’t what I can do or what I know, but who
God is and what He knows. Amazing things can be done through one who
is willing and dependent on Him. This year has had its ups and downs, but
God is good, and I have confidence in Him.

Dear Lord, thank You for building me up and making all things new. Amen.

Deb Zuch fs the teacher's assistant at the York Adventist Christian School in Pennsylvania

i
 God Came Through
“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and
not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isa. 40:31, NKJV).

It happened in the summer on a Sunday morning. I was awakened by my

wife who said, “Wake up, the babies are here!” This was no dream; this was
reality. This was the day. You see, we were expecting the surprise of our
lives: three babies. Yes, triplets! We lived in Berrien Springs, Mich., and made
our way to the only hospital in Kalamazoo that performed multiple births.
There were three beds—one for each baby—and a team of nurses and
other medical personnel was assigned to each bed. All kinds of emotions
went through my mind: excitement, concern, joy, worry.
A few minutes into the surgery, the first baby was delivered. Then the
second. Everything was going as planned until the last baby arrived.
As soon as he was placed on the bed, he stopped breathing. His color
changed from a rosy pink to blue. The doctors did everything possible to
make him breathe, but to no avail.
At that moment, I closed my eyes and lifted up a prayer to God. His
answer came in the form of Isaiah 40:31. It was as if God was speaking
this verse directly to me. A peace came over me that is hard to explain.
As lopened my eyes, Daniel began to breathe again. God came through
in my moment of need.

Dear Father, thank You for the assurance that You will come through in our
moment of need. Amen.

Jose Vazquez Is the vice president of administration for the Potomac Conference.
 The Great Commandments
“This is My commandment, that you love one another
as I have loved you” (John 15:12, NKJV).

t What obsessed the Pharisees of Christ's day? Keeping the law, as

__ they knew it to be. Biblical scholars, including George R. Knight, have
concluded that the Pharisees identified in the Scriptures and sought
to adhere to “613 commandments, 365 prohibitions and 248 positive
injunctions.” Their adherence to these determined their faithfulness to
the law of Moses.
Today, there are many who believe that true fidelity to Christ is the
keeping of myriad commandments, prohibitions and injunctions—
viewed as righteousness, and, as such, the “ticket” to eternal life.
While the apostle Paul reminds us of the importance of keeping the
commandments of God (Romans 3:31), Christ reminds us what the heart
of the law is—to love the Lord with all heart, soul and mind; the second
being to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:36-40).
I have often wondered how anyone could not love the Lord. His
love, tenderness and goodness make anything short of loving Him
unfathomable to me. Now, loving one’s neighbor—that is sometimes
truly challenging. As I look back over my 70 years, I cannot say that I
have always been a good neighbor. My obedience to the second of the
great commandments is constantly evolving because I want to love my
neighbors by the Master’s standards, not my own. How about you?

Father, today I openly profess to others my love for You. Through Your sweet
Spirit, help us all to be the kind of neighbors that Your Son spoke of in the
Scriptures. May we be living and loving testaments to true Christian love for
- all others. Amen.

Hamlet Canosa is the former-vice president of Education f

Conference.

Pad 4
 Weeds and Spider Webs
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite |
heart—these, O God, You will not despise” (Ps. 51:17, NKJV).

The morning after Tropical Storm Isaias brushed through my neighborhood,

I went outside to check my garden beds. The soil along the slope of asmall _
pine grove where the summer weeds were normally difficult to pullup was
now unusually saturated, and the weeds came out easily.
I began pulling the weeds that had previously built strong roots within and
around those beautiful evergreens. I thought about the “storms of life”
that sometimes break us, revealing all of humanity’s weakness, and our
need of a Savior whose everlasting arms are willing and able to pull us out
of the gutter.
When I was done weeding, I saw woven spider webs at the top of the
pine trees and gently swept them away. Right then I realized that nature
was showing me God's complete plan of salvation. He wants to cleanse
us from our sins and renew our minds, where the “cobwebs” of life so
frequently lodge.

Consider the spider web, so destructive and yet so frail. Those cobwebs are
beautifully crafted, yet they trap flies and other insects.
Like spider webs, our habits can attract deception, selfishness and
covetousness. But through a personal relationship with God, daily prayers,
reading His Word and experiencing the presence of the Holy Spirit in our
lives, our Heavenly Father can sweep away our mental cobwebs.

Lord, have mercy on us all. Clean the weeds and the webs of sin from our lives,
and give us Your heart. Amen.

Lama Garvey is an elder at the Hackettstown church in New jersey.

 How | ‘Log in’ to God
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed,
for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will
uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10, NIV).

College is a hard time for most young adults. Personally, that period of my
__ life-was lonely and discouraging, full of seemingly endless work on top of
regular everyday life while figuring out how to be and act like an adult.
In 2017, the American College Health Association conducted a survey of
nearly 48,000 college students that revealed 64 percent felt “very lonely”
and 62 percent felt “overwhelming anxious” within the previous 12 months.
For some students, college is just a bunch of lonely people together.
My university required passwords that needed to be constantly reset, so
I picked Bible verses to log in; they included numbers and easily fit the
requirements of nondictionary words. Throw in a few special characters,
°eee

and voila! Plus, it was a nice way to incorporate pick-me-up Scripture verses
throughout my day. Thus, I came to know Isaiah 41:10:
“Do not fear”—a command and a common negative emotion.

“For 1am with you”—a rationale encouraging us that we are not alone.
“Do not be dismayed, for I am your God”—a reminder we need to hear
again and again.
“T will strengthen you and help you”—a promise.
_ “Twill uphold you with My righteous right hand”—a hope and security.
Let this verse be the password you need to log in for a more confident life
moving onward and upward with Christ.

- God, thank You for being my password. Amen.

~ Jasmine Jiao Valenti is a member of the Capital Chinese church in Maryland.

ed
 The Prayer Under the Umbrella
“For with God all things are possible” (Mark 10:27, KJV).

My husband and I received a call to be Bible workers in Florida. We rented

a moving trailer and car carrier for our trip. On our moving day, it started
to rain, and because our car sat low to the ground, we had trouble getting
it onto the carrier. The moving company upgraded the carrier so that the
whole car could go on top instead ofjust the front wheels.
For a half hour, the church’s head elder and I watched under an umbrella
as my husband tried to drive the car onto the carrier. Seeing this, the
gentleman from the moving company said, “It is impossible; you will never
get the car on the carrier.”

I asked, “What did you say?”

He repeated, “You will never get that car on that carrier!”
ILimmediately motioned to my husband tojoin the elder and me under
the umbrella. I relayed to him what the employee had said. My husband
looked at me and agreed, “Yes, I know that!”
I encouraged, “Well, we believe it is God's will for us to go to Florida to be
Bible workers, and with God all things are possible, so let’s pray.”
Right after, my husband got in the car and drove it right onto the carrier.
Bewildered, the man questioned, “How in the world did you do that?”
Smiling, I said, “With God all things are possible, so we prayed, and He sent
His angels to help.”

Lord, when confronted with difficult situations, remind us that You always
come through. Amen.

Elaine Buchanan is a Bible worker for the Cumberland church in Maryland.

 Walk With God
“And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him”
(Gen. 5:24, NKJV). .

As a child, Iwas desperate to know more about God. From what I can
remember, I was introduced to God in grade school by neighbors. I
proceeded to invite myself to many different church denominations with
several of my neighbors and relatives. Looking back, I realize something
was missing in my life, and I believe that, even as children, the Holy Spirit
works to draw us closer to God.
Since the time I was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church
as a teenager, I must admit my faith has teetered. I finally embraced
the fact that having a daily scheduled time with God is imperative to
my survival. Satan knows that if he can distract us from time spent with
. God, our relationship with God will surely suffer. Reading the Bible and
* communing with God adds peace when diversions encircle me. Living
out Genesis 5:24 has helped me to grow spiritually, and it secured my
devotion and unwavering trust in God.
Enoch did not live in seclusion, but he purposely sought God’s will in
every aspect of his life. Decades later, my “daily” time has turned to a
~ joyous moment by moment walk with God. As we believe we are living in
the last days, let us remain focused and embrace a relationship with an
all-powerful Father who cares about every aspect of our lives.

God, You desire to walk with each one of us and communicate just how much
You love us, so may we share with You our joys, sorrows and fears. Amen.

© Carla Benjamin is a member of the Seabrook church in Maryland.

PA Sa “ et
Hope Is Found in the Next Chapter
“That where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:1, NKJV).

One of my favorite passages begins in John 13. Peter loves Jesus so much
that he believes he would never fail Him.
In this story, Jesus says He will be with the disciples only a little while longer.
The disciples are distraught by these words, which leads Peter to say, “Lord,
where are You going?” Jesus replies, “Where Iam going you cannot follow
Me now, but you shall follow me afterward” (John 13:36, NKJV).
In verse 37, Peter passionately responds, “Lord, why can I not follow You
now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.” Jesus replies, “Will you lay down
your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not
crow till you have denied Me three times” (verse 38).

Peter thought He was walking so closely with Jesus that he would never
fail Him, but Jesus makes it clear that Peter, who is relying on his own
commitment and strength, was going to deny Him three times.
Like Peter, I have felt strong in my faith and commitment, only to later fall
and hang my head in shame. Fortunately, this passage does not end here.
When the Bible was written, it did not include chapter and verse divisions.
These were added later by translators. This means that chapter 14 is a
continuous thought from chapter 13.
Jesus continues, “Let not your heart be troubled. ... 1go to make a place
for you [in heaven]. ... [and] will come again” (Luke 14:1-3, NKJV). Jesus
was determined to save Peter, and I praise God He is determined to save
you and me.

Lord, help us to stay close to You and never leave Your side. Amen.

Mike Hewitt is the president of the Mountain View Conference.

 Pray With Confidence
“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses.
For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought,
but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with
groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom. 8:26, NKJV).

Myprayer time often goes like this: I close my eyes and try to talk to the
Father, but the words that come out feel forced and meaningless. I try to
apologize for all of the sins I have committed, but it never feels genuine.
I try to tell God about my problems and express all of my emotions, but
there are some things that just cannot be said. I find myself distracted
by other things of life, and I often give up. I just stop talking. If the words
I say don’t mean anything, why say them? I feel so confused, weak and
separated from God.
When this happens, I find comfort in Romans 8:26. The Holy Spirit
' understands that some things are just too deep and meaningful to say
out loud. When I don’t know what to say, the Holy Spirit intercedes for
me. The Spirit knows exactly what I am trying to say. By this, 1am able to
connect with the Lord. The Spirit helps me pray.
So now when I pray, I pray with confidence that God will know what I am
trying to say, and He will listen to me. This verse helps me feel less alone
in my walk with God. It provides comfort when I feel separated from Him,
and for that, Iam thankful.

God, when I don’t know what to say in my prayers, say it for me. I trust in You.
Amen.

_ Beka Shull is afreshman at Spring Valley Academy in Ohio.

~ Br 4
 Where Moth and Rust
Can't Destroy
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.
In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would
have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare
a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that
where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3, KJV).

These are very trying times that we live in, with the COVID-19 pandemic,
as well as the racial pandemic that has always existed. This world is not my
home, I am just passing through, but how am I to pass through without
being affected by the things that are going on around me? I have heard
many times that no man is an island. That is when I remember these
verses which give me a promise, a hope and a future. |
This promise assures me that Jesus said I should not worry about anything,
including COVID-19, racial tensions, buying a home, family issues, health
problems and so on. Why should I not be concerned? Because He is
preparing a mansion for me. All I have to do is to trust Him and believe what
He says, because He does not lie. He is the Author and Finisher of my faith.
Whenever I feel like I'm losing control, I need to remember His promise:
“Let not your heart be troubled.” Do I always remember? No. But He who
has promised will indeed never leave me nor forsake me.
I have hope that “He that shall come will come, and will not tarry” (Heb. 10:37,
KJV). I believe in the heavenly dream that moth and rust cannot destroy.

Thank You, God, that my future is hidden in the One who holds this world in the
palm of His hand. Amen.

Winifred Hylton is the receptionist at the Columbia Union Conference.

 Our Refuge and Strength
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble”
(Ps. 46:1, NKJV).

I greatly appreciate the words of Psalm 46:1 that promise that our God is
_ avery present help in times of trouble. We think in terms of being present
or absent. Here we are reminded that God is very present in those times
~ when we have no other hope. Somehow, God manifests Himself in a
special way just when we need Him the most. We have those times when
we need Him to sustain us. Often in health care and spiritual care, the
people we minister to find themselves in very serious situations—even
the loss of loved ones.
~Tam so thankful that even in those terrible times, we can point people to
a God who is very present. My prayer today is that we always know that
» God is with us.

Father God, even in the most difficult times, may we will always remember
that You are very present. Amen.

Ron Swiger is-the chaplain of Greene Memorial Hospital for the Kettering Adventist
HealthCare in Oo.
4 mal ”

~
SF
 The Trouble With
Rearview Mirrors
“Remember Lot's wife” (Luke 17:32, KJV).

I was introduced to the mirrors on my father’s car at the age of 16 while

learning to drive. There were side mirrors and a mirror in front called the
rearview mirror. When properly adjusted, the twin left and right mirrors
allowed me to see advancing vehicles on either side. But it was the vehicle’s
rearview mirror that permitted me to see objects through the back '
windshield. I quickly learned the value of this mirror in spotting objectsto
my rear, especially when parking. But I also discovered I could not drive the
vehicle forward if I lingered viewing what was in the rearview mirror. Driving
forward required that my vision remained fixed on what lay ahead.
Perhaps three of the most powerful words in Scripture lie in the verse
above. They have kept me grounded over the years: “Remember Lot's
wife.” Lot, his wife and two daughters were given the opportunity to flee
Sodom before its destruction. Genesis 19:17 gives the directive: “Look not
behind thee” (KJV). But the allure of life in Sodom was not something Mrs.
Lot could leave behind. She did not fix hervision on a better life ahead.
One look to her rear resulted in her death.
The question for us is, are we learning to look to the future? Or are we
allowing the trappings of this world to linger in our rear view? Fixing our
eyes onJesus is the only answer. His plans are so much greater than our
own. Lot’s wife missed her opportunity. Let us not miss ours. Remember
Lot’s wife.

Father, thank You for Your Word and its instruction for daily living. May we
apply these words to our hearts. Amen.

Yvonne Curry Smallwood is a member of the First church in Washington, D.C.

 Open My Eyes
“And Elisha prayed, and said, ‘Lord, I pray, open his eyes
that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young
man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses
and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2 Kings 6:17, NKJV).

- Early in his childhood, my friend Igor was often corrected for his inability
to name colors. It wasn’t until elementary school that he learned he
was color blind, a condition that affects one in 12 men and one in 200
women in the world. Later in life, he found it difficult to accomplish basic
responsibilities like shopping for clothes. Driving was also a challenge, as
he could not distinguish red from green.
However, on June 8, 2020, Igor’s life forever changed. The youth group
from the Hackettstown church gathered to witness him try on his color
. blindness-correction glasses for the first time. As the sky was set ablaze
with the setting sun, Igor’s eyes detected the full spectrum of wavelengths
from the electromagnetic radiation. Tears flowed down his cheeks, as he
exclaimed, “It is so red!” and “Are these leaves really this green?”
In the time of prophet Elisha, the Syrian army’s horses and chariots
surrounded the city of Dothan. Paralyzed with fear, the prophet prayed
that God would open his eyes to behold the chariots of fire. Like Elisha,
Igor could not see the beautiful sunset—“the chariots of fire” —until his
eyes were opened.
God and His fiery angel chariots are always surrounding us, and we can
witness them in full grandeur if we allow Him to open our eyes.

Dear God, please open my eyes to witness You at work today! Amen.

Stephen Lee is the pastor of thé Tranquility, Phillipsburg and Hackettstown

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 Through it All
“For consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth
comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom. 8:18, ESV).

This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible because of the comfort it has
brought me. In my life, I have struggled with mental health issues. These
struggles can vary from mild anxiety and discomfort to full-on breakdowns
and fearing for what the future holds. Will I ever get better? Will this
ever go away? How can I possibly cope with these fears? These are the
questions that swarm my mind during these hopeless periods in my life.
For someone who doesn’t struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder,
these thoughts and worries, as disturbing as they seem, can be shrugged
off, often without a second thought. But for someone like me, they can
seem unbearable and unavoidable. This verse comforts me, because Paul
is basically saying, “Hey you! I know these times seem hard, and I know
you may feel like giving up. But God has a plan for you, and the glory that
he has firmly planted in your future is so wonderful that these bad times
don’t even hold a candle to it!"
This is coming from a man who was shipwrecked, thrown in prison and
persecuted throughout his life. And he overcame, even when all seemed
hopeless. That is comforting to me.
God loves every single person on earth. He is always in control, including
the times that seem to be out of control. When all seems hopeless, He
holds us in His loving hands through it all.

Thank You, God, for being such a good and loving Father. Amen.

Robert Air is a pseudonym for this member from the Spencerville church in Maryland.
igs

More Than Enough

¢

“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My

strength is made perfect in weakness’ (2 Cor. 12:9, NKJV).

Some years back, I was tasked with a responsibility of which I felt ill-
__ prepared. The only reason I took it was because I knew that God put me
there in the first place, and I didn’t dare walk away!
I was scared to death to take on this task. There were important things
_ for which I would be responsible, dealing with people that I didn’t know
and systems that I didn’t understand. I felt like Moses when God told him
to go back to Egypt and deal with Pharaoh to deliver the Israelites.
_ As I began to put this whole new journey daily at His feet, I began to
throw all of my other things there as well. I've always trusted God, but
_ this was in a whole new way. The more I gave Him, the more he showed
me how dependent I was upon Him and how much He could do for me.
As I began to acclimate to this elevated way of living, I felt wonderful as
I watched God intercede for me daily. Sometimes I got comfortable and
would relax a bit, then would get blindsided by something I never saw
coming! In those moments, I felt I had to start all over. Me and God. But it
_ was during these times, when I was at my worst, that He showed me how
awesome He was.

When you feel you aren’t good enough, smart enough orjust enough,
know that this is when God is getting ready to show up big time, and
“you'll be more than enough for whatever the situation.

Thank You, Lord, for showing up big time in my life. Amen.

_Walerie W; Green is the-principal of Worthington. Adventist Academy in Ohio.

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 Accepting God’s Love
“And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God J
love, and he who abides in love abides in God” (1 John 4:16, NKJV). |
1

A lifelong Seventh-day Adventist, I periodically glossed over the

fundamentals of Christianity while claiming status as a mature believer.
A drive home after myjunior year of college commenced my reform. :

My semester had been challenging. God provided, but the limits of human —
e

strength, which I usually ignored, were now blatant. Guilt over personal
imperfections flourished as I wrestled with a toxic family relationship.
A visiting relative’s objections to God—and my insecure response—
completed my spiritual crisis prerequisites.
Driving home one afternoon, I turned on the radio and encountered a
sermon explaining God's love. How basic, I thought. What more could I
learn about something I had known about all my life?
Nearing home, I listened until I pulled into the garage. I turned off the
radio, and, unexpectedly, started crying. Gradually, the Holy Spirit revealed
why: I no longer believed in God's love.
Misconceptions about God's nature had convinced me that I was
irreparably unlovable. The belief, though common, is dangerous. Not
accepting “the love God has for us” means that we cannot value ourselves
and others properly. We cannot discern God's direction. And we cannot, in
these last days, obey out of love and not fear. “I desire a true relationship,”
God was saying, “let us remedy your unbelief now.”
Describing the resultant growth as arduous would be an understatement.
But by clinging to 1 John 4:16, and reflecting on Jesus’ sacrifice—love’s
ultimate expression—my faith strengthened. May yours too.

Lord, mature us as we abide in Your daily, unconditional love. Amen.

Yasmin Phillip is a member ofthe New Market church in Virginia.

 A Faithful Walk
“For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7, NKJV).

This may look like a simple verse. It contains only eight words, but certain
carefully-chosen words put together can be very powerful. “We walk by
faith” means we can’t get through life alone. We choose to follow God
and live for Him. The earth is not all sunshine and rainbows; it’s also filled
with sin and mistakes. Sin is our natural instinct, and we don’t always
mess up on purpose. But if we do mess up, we trust that God will lead us
back to the right path after getting lost in our temptations.
If we choose to live a life led by what we see, we wouldn't have hope, we
wouldn’t be happy and we wouldn't have a purpose. Living a life by sight
makes us blind and invites death and distractions.
God told Noah to build an ark, and by faith he did. Blinded by the fact the
community had never seen rain before, they did not allow God to open
their eyes to see the bigger picture. Faith makes us strong—stronger than
we could ever be on our own. Faith gives us hope.

Lord, when we are tempted to see life through our eyes, may we walk by faith.
Amen.

Meggn Shutlis a freshman at Spring Valley Academy in Ohio.

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 My Darkest Hour
“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah
and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far
the Lord has helped us’” (1 Sam. 7:12, NKJV).

From age 7, this was my favorite Bible verse, never knowing how it would
carry me through the darkest period of my life, when a trusted friend and
colleague tried to destroy me as a pastor with false allegations.
In this dark crisis, I felt as if Iwas suffocating. Oxygen seemed to seep
from my lungs. Moment after moment seemed to go by slower and
slower. Time stood still and became an enemy. Insomnia was my new
reality, as sleep fled from me. Thus, daily I became more fatigued, as my
life was drained from me. There are not many things in life that are so
vicious and destructive to one’s emotions and well-being as the anxiety
and stress within and after trauma.
Even though I sought medical and professional help and was supported
by family and friends, it was God who brought me through this deep
and painful valley. I clung to the promise that “thus far the Lord has
helped us,” and He would not forsake me now. He helped me in the past;
therefore, he would help me in the present, no matter how dark it was.
This imbued me with hope, in that, even if the future seemed dim, God
would help me.
I can testify that God kept His Word! He helped me, and today I can help
others going through similar trauma.

Father God, thank You for promising that, as You have helped me in the past,
You will help me in the present and future. Amen.

Reinhardt Stander is the pastor of the Williamsport church in Maryland.

 His Strength Is Perfect
“That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses,
in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.
For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:10, NIV).

The reason this verse resonates with me so much is because it reassures

me that it’s OK to have faults. I think that sometimes, as Christians, there
is a misconception that we have to put on a brave face at all times. When
I read this verse, it reminds me that we can come toJesus just as we are.
There is no need to pretend like we have life all figured out or that we
don’t have problems.
A few years ago, I lost someone very close to me in a car accident. It was
the hardest thing I had ever experienced, and it forced me to grow up
very quickly. For a long time after it happened, Ifelt like I had to hide my
feelings. For whatever reason, Ifelt like I wasn’t allowed to be sad.
I had never before felt such a constant need for Jesus. It was like I could
hear Him calling out to me and telling me that He was there to help me.
However, I had a very hard time telling Him about my situation. I didn’t
feel He could do anything that would help that horrible feeling go away.
It was during this time that I discovered 2 Corinthians 12:10.
I discovered that it is in those moments, when it feels like the world is
falling all around you, that God’s strength is revealed the most. He gives
us strength to meet every challenge with courage and trust.

Dear Lord, thank You for giving us strength. Thank You that we don’t have to
feel alone, because You are with us. Amen.

Samantha Armstrong is a 2020 graduate of Shenandoah Valley Academy in Virginia

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 Just Let Go
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,
that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him,
for He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:6-7, NKJV).

This verse has deeply impacted my life, especially when I turn my cares,
anxieties, worries and concerns over to God. I have a reminder on my
phone with this verse, and I contemplate and pray it every morning. Being
reminded daily that He affectionately cares and closely watches over me
helps me grasp that there is nothing that gets past His loving attention.
Iam amazed how often I move forward in my own “wisdom.” Could it be
that Ido not want to pester God? Maybe it is because I am impatient.
When I broke my ankle, I had no choice but to see a specialist who could
diagnose me and offer a solution. Never having surgery before, I felt my
most important need was to pray over the procedure. After my plea to
God, I had peace that He would be attending my surgery—the peace that
—
comes from letting go and laying all of my burdens at the foot of the cross.
—

God Almighty, our El Shaddai, it is such a relief to know that You are the only
One who truly understands and meets our needs. We praise You for Your care.
Amen.

Rhonda Gadway is a member of the Mount Vernon Hill church in Ohio.

 ‘Mommy, Where's Papaw?’
“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all
be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last
trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised
incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put
on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when
' this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on
immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written:
‘Death is swallowed up in victory’” (1 Cor. 15:51-54, NKJV).

For me, this is one of the greatest promises of the Bible. It breaks our
hearts to see our family members pass away, our pets die and our
children ask the question all parents dread: “Mommy, where is Papaw?”
As Paul helps us to understand that death is a sleep, he calls it a mystery.
He announces that we will all be changed at the last trumpet. And when it
sounds, those whom we have lost will live again—and forever.

God did not create humankind to eventually die. He created us to be

immortal—life without an end. On that glorious day, it will be true what
is written: “Death [will be] swallowed up in victory.” You can count on it,
because the Bible tells me so.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that one day soon we will all be changed in
the twinkling of an eye to live with You forever. Amen.

Larry Murphy is the director of Adventist Community Services for the Mountain
« View Conference.

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 Self-Control Honors God
“He said to his men, ‘The Lord forbid that I should do sucha
thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him;
for he is the anointed of the Lord’” (1 Sam. 24:6, NIV).

To be kind to someone who treats us badly is probably the hardest thing

to do. When someone hurts you, the first thing you think of is to plan out
your revenge. It takes self-control to honor God by learning to “turn the
other cheek.”
Saul was the king of Israel, but he turned his back on God, and God chose
someone else to be king. God picked David to be Israel’s king while he was
still a boy. This made Saul very angry. Once Saul realized that he had lost his
favor with God and that David would be king, he wanted to destroy David.
Saul, who was anointed by God, was in harm's way too. Twice David had
the opportunity to kill him. However, both times David chose to use self-
control, sparing Saul’s life and honoring him as king. David could have
disobeyed God's promise and killed Saul, but he knew in his heart that it
was not right.

We, too, have the opportunity to display self-control when dealing with
others. We honor God by doing what is right instead of following our
impulses, We must approach all of our relationships with self-control and
compassion, just as David modeled in the story.

Dear Father in Heaven, please help us to learn self-control and honor You in
everything we do. Help us to model Your compassion toward others. Amen.

Giselle Landgrover is an eighth-grader at Vienna Adventist Academy in Virginia.

 Because He Loves Us So Much
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely
on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and
He will make straight your paths” (Prov. 3:5-6, RSV).

Have you ever wondered what or who specifically helps us survive? In

the story of Elijah and the ravens, King Ahab chases Elijah to kill him.
God sends Elijah to a nearby brook, and He commands ravens to feed
exhausted Elijah and provide water to quench his thirst.
When God's people wandered in the wilderness, they whined and fussed
about having to walk for 40 years in the desert, but God still cared for
them. Their clothes didn’t wear out, and their feet did not swell. He
provided manna, quail and sweet water so that they had food to eat and
drink. He guided them with the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.
In the story of Elijah and the widow, God provided flour and oil in the
middle of a drought because of her faith.
In the story ofJesus’ birth, God provided salvation to all mankind because
He loves us so much. Even though we are disobedient to Him, He still has
those arms open, inviting everyone to come back to Him. When we think
everything is about to fall apart, He is right there, giving us just what we
need to survive in this world.

Father in Heaven, thank You for everything You give us to survive. Without
You, we would not exist, period. Help us to trust You more. Amen.

* NajelyZupigats a seventh-grader at the Harrisburg Adventist School in Pennsylvania

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 Rivers of Difficulty
“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go
through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown” (Isa. 43:2, NLT).

Thoughts swirled around in my head as the cold water from the Ocoee
River in Tennessee swirled around my body. I need to breathe! How do I
get out? Oh Jesus, help me. I don’t want to die yet. This whitewater rafting
adventure had quickly turned from fun to frightening when our raft went
up arock, and we fell out.
As I was being swept down the river, I remember yelling to my friend that I
could not swim. Suddenly, I got sucked into a whirlpool from which I could
not escape on my own power. The situation looked grim, as there was no
one close enough to pull me out of the rapids that are normally rated 3,
but were more dangerous after the previous day's heavy rainfall. When I
thought I could not hold my breath any longer, something seemed to push
me from underneath, forcing my head to pop out above the surface of the
surging river. Soon I was hauled to safety with a rope thrown by the staff.
What whirlpools do you feel stuck in right now? Whatever “rivers of
difficulty” you are passing through, God promises in His Word that He
will be with you. Even though the situation might seem grim from your
viewpoint, God promises that “you will not drown.” Iam so glad we serve
a God who holds the power over the deep waters of our souls and the
difficult rivers of life. His promises never fail.

Dear God, thank You so much for promising to be with me, protecting me when
I journey through deep waters and difficult rivers in my life. Amen.

Alissa Tanguay is a member of the Williamsport church in West Virginia.

 Unlimited, Unmerited Love
“Tam crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ
liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the
faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me”
(Gal. 2:20, KJV).

When I became a Christian, I felt that this verse was the perfect summary
of my salvation experience. Before I understood my redemption in Christ,
I was living under a huge burden of trying to be accepted by God. I never
felt good enough for Him to accept me as a candidate for heaven. I was
lonely and depressed.
Then, one day Ihad an awakening. The Holy Spirit activated the Word
to clearly tell me that Christ died personally for me. Salvation was all
His doing. Iam accepted because Jesus took my sins and gave me His
righteousness. Now, every day I asked for this salvation anew. Hence, I
am crucified with Christ. Iam no longer lonely, for 1am not alone.
By His unlimited, unmerited love, Christ gave me His Spirit and made
me His friend. He is faithful to hold me, keep me and love me. He is the
beginning and the end—the Author and Finisher of my faith. Because He
lives in me, I can overcome in His grace, for He assures my salvation—
yesterday, today and forever.

Lord, thank You that You loved me, You love me today and that You will
always love me. Amen.

Antoinette Franke is a member of the Mansfield church in Ohio.

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 Take a Stand
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’
Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and
with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and
greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your
neighbor as yourself’” (Matt. 22:36-39, NIV).

In 2020, I performed with Takoma Academy's chorale at the Capitol Hill

church in Washington, D.C. Earlier that week, I had celebrated my 16th
birthday. But sadly, I lost a family member the next day. I walked into
church that Sabbath with intense emotions.
The sermon was on being a community, and, during the appeal, I decided
to take a stand! I took a risk because I stopped caring about other people's
opinions. My friend Elli’ette Hicks and I walked to the front of the church.
Some deacons and leaders escorted us to a room and held us with
comforting arms. We took their hands and prayed together. The prayer
brought us to tears. That powerful feeling brought me closer to God. This
experience, in a church I had never been to, changed my life.
Three years previous to this, I had resorted to extremes to please others.
This negatively affected my happiness, health and other aspects of my life.
My “take a stand” experience showed me that God's love is always with me,
and He tells me how much I'm worth—a whole lot.
I've learned through the years that loving others isn’t easy, but it pays off,
and self-love is necessary for me to love others. Matthew 22:36-39 has kept
me grounded in Him. These verses remind me that God loves me and wants
me to spread His love to others.

Dear God, please help me to grow in Your love. As I share Your love with others,
may it have a positive impact in their lives, as it has in mine. Amen.

Valerie Ganta is a sophomore at Takoma Academy in Maryland,

 ‘In Remembrance of Me’
“Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you;
do this in remembranceof Me” (1 Cor. 11:24, NKJV).

_ Iwoke up this morning with “The Lord’s Last Supper” on my mind. We

participate in this ceremony once a quarter, but do we really think about
its meaning? Does it stimulate our remembrance of Christ?
For me, the Lord’s Supper reminds me that God is the Sustainer of our
lives. We are not self-sustaining; a loving God provides for us. We are
dependent on Him, not just as our Creator but our Redeemer. With the
inability to save ourselves, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to die
for our sins that we might be saved. We rely on Christ, the Bread of Life,
to sustain us physically and spiritually.
Moreover, the Lord’s Supper also reminds me about the assurance of
God’s forgiveness and pardon. As a result of Christ’s death for me on the
cross, He, my Advocate, even goes before His Father and pleads for me to
be cleansed and forgiven!
Yes, my heart rejoices because the Lord’s Supper sums up the totality of
the Gospel, for John 3:16 says: “For God so loved the world that He gave
His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish
but have everlastirig life” (NKJV). Jesus gave us His righteousness, and His
blood cleanses us ofall sins. By His stripes we are healed.

Father God, thank You for loving us so much that You were willing to send
Jesus to die on the cross so that we could live with You eternally. Amen.

Rosita Dee-is a member of the Capital Chinese.church in Marylana

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 Choose to Scroll
“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize
with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are,
yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15, NKJV).

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I think it is impossible to not sin.
Temptations come my way, and many times I give in to them. The thing
is, when a temptation pops into my head, I tend to think I have already
sinned, but nothing could be further from the truth.
For example, say I’m scrolling through Instagram and something unholy
comes up in my feed. I have a choice: to keep looking at it or scroll away?
In this analogy, the Instagram post is a temptation. But did I already sin if
I decide to keep scrolling? No! I decided to not cherish that thought, and
instead looked for something more holy.
Remember that Jesus was tempted in every way that we have been
tempted, but He never once sinned! He “chose to scroll.” And He has the
power to help you overcome any temptation.
Ellen White says that Christ “knows by experience what are the
weaknesses of humanity, what are our wants, and where lies the strength
of our temptations” (The Desire of Ages, p. 329).
We must keep the Word of God in our hearts at all times so that we can
overcome the temptations of the devil (Psalm 119:11). Whenever you are
tempted, think on holy things to conquer the desire to sin.

Father, help us keep Your Word in our hearts so that we can overcome Satan’s
temptations! Amen.

Uliom is a junior at Blue Mountain Academy in Pennsylvania.

 Giver of All
“So Israel took his journey with all that he had,
and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to
the God of his father Isaac” (Gen. 46:1, NKJV).

This journey occurred after Joseph revealed himself to his brothers in

Egypt. Jacob was living in Canaan when he heard the good news: His
“dead” son was still alive! And the ruler of Egypt! As Jacob traveled to
Egypt, he arrived at Beersheba, where the first thing he did was offer
sacrifices to God in worship. His circumstances were changing right
before his very own eyes, and he didn’t take these blessings for granted.
He honored the One who was working behind the scenes.
Our lives can change from doom to gloom overnight. God can arrange
circumstances to give us a better life, a better education, a better job. Like
Jacob, let us remember to worship the One who is worthy of our praise.
Ask God to help you worship Him in all things, and give Him glory for
working in our behalf.

I
Dear God, thank You for Your many blessings in my life. Forgive me when
forget that everything I have comes from You. Please help me to recognize
You as the Giver of all. Amen.

town Spanish church in

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Jose Luis Espinoza Vasquez is the. pastor of the Morgan

West Virginia.
 Fear Not
“Fear not, for Iam with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with
My righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10, NKJV).

I heard this verse many times when I was a toddler—in the Bible, in
Sabbath School and on TV—but it didn’t impact me until last year.
It was the summer before sixth grade, and almost every night I would
wake up with fear and anxiety about the upcoming school year. In fifth
grade, I didn’t make very good grades, which led to problems. I made
excuses, using my ADHD as a cover, but my parents knew that my
condition was not that bad.
But this time, my anxiety kept me up so much that my doctor started to
recommend medicine for it. But instead of taking medicine, my mom and I
would pray, “Dear Jesus, please take away my fear. Put it into Your hands,
and let me be comforted by You.” Now, whenever I am afraid, I pray to
God and ask for His help.
I love this verse because I think it was meant for me and other high-
anxiety individuals who need to be reassured and comforted. It lets you
know that God is there and has your back. It gives you confidence that God
will hold you up.

If you have a serious medical condition, please take medicine to heal your
body. But if you have a spiritual condition that needs a boost, take God to
heal your soul.

Thank You, God, for always being with us and helping us. Amen.

Danielle Maloney is a seventh-grader at the Tree of Life Christian Preparatory School

n Virginia
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God Cares
“Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you”
(1 Pet. 5:7, KJV).

When I was growing up, memory verses were a fact of life. There are still
dozens of them tucked away in my head. Oftentimes, they come back to
mind at moments when they are most appreciated, like today’s verse.
There is no shortage of things to worry about—and most of us have
a pretty long list. Our health, kids, parents, co-workers, the economy,
getting older, how we look, the future, being loved and accepted, job
performance, safety, diet. Did I list anything you worry about?
This verse contains both a command and a promise. The command is to
cast your cares upon God. It’s not a suggestion, it’s not an invitation, it’s
not something you give consideration to as an alternative to carrying the
- burdens yourself. It’s a command: Cast your cares. Give those worries to
God to carry for you. Don’t just consider it—do it.
The promise is even better: He cares for you. There are no exceptions; in
every situation, He cares for you. There is no one for whom He does not
care. And it’s not just that He loves the whole world—it’s personal: He
cares for you.
This verse is especially meaningful to Adventist HealthCare, whose
mission is to extend God's care through the ministry of physical, mental
and spiritual healing. It tells us that God is at work to make our efforts to
reflect His care effective, and that He seeks to make this work a joy, not a
burden. And it reminds us that every individual we serve is a person that
God cares for—that no one is ever outside of His love and grace.

_God, in 1 Peter 5:7, You give us a command and promise. May we follow and
believe. Amen.

Terry Forde is the president and CEO of Adventist HealthCare in Maryland.

 A Message From God—
Your Creator
“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous
are Your works, and that my soul knows very well” (Ps. 139:14, NKJV).

Dear Child,

You delight me! I love you because I made you! I crafted you as my
masterpiece. Every fabric of your being was meticulously made by Me.
You are beautiful and priceless, because My hands create masterpieces.
My child, you worry too much about vanity and earthly possessions, but I
am coming back to make you new—to fully restore you. Therefore, why do
these things matter? Let go of your worldly worries for a moment and bask
in My precious presence. I created you to enjoy My peace, Myjoy, My love!

No matter how unsteady your emotions are right now, My love for you is
constant. Because of sin, your emotions tend to blur your vision of who I
made you to be and how valuable you are to Me. Read Psalm 139:14 again
and again to remind yourself that I created you and am at work in your life.
Do not allow your emotions or feelings to alter your perspective of who I truly
am, who you truly are designed to be and what I have truly done for you.
Keep in mind that everyone is My creation. Let me continue to do the
marvelous in your life by allowing Me to be your Master, Friend, Teacher,
Father and Creator.
I Love You!

Your Maker and Forever Friend, God

God, thank You for the Bible—Your love letter to us. Amen.

Ava Gruia is an eighth-grader at Spring Valley Academy in Ohio.

 No Need to Fear
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power
and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7, NKJV).

As I prepared for a final exam during my senior year of college, I became

overwhelmed with worry about how I would do. My degree would be
in Early Childhood Education, so I sought my grandmother Helen’s
~ guidance, since she was a retired teacher. She comforted me with this
Bible verse and spoke of the many times she turned to it in times of fear.
It’s been more than 20 years since this conversation, and I still hide these
words in my heart.
Referencing this verse, the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (SDABC)
says, “Genuine Christianity doesn’t produce cowards” (vol. 7, p. 329).
I've often reminded my daughter that fear and faith cannot share space
‘in our heart. Faith is a gift from God, and He gives it abundantly. When
doubt and fear surface in our minds, it’s a relief to rely on verses like
2 Timothy 1:7. God's spirit of love “will carry us through the opposition
we may meet with. It will set us above the fear of man and all the hurt
that man can do to us” (SDABC, p. 329).
In a world that is often filled with chaos and confusion, it’s reassuring to
know that, not only is Jesus’ pattern an example of how to move through
our days with power united with love, but also with the opportunity to use
the good sense God gave us.

Thank You, God, for alleviating all of our fears. Amen.

tt brn ¢ nf pari childhaoand edtucntian

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Alison Jobson is the associate director of early cnilanood education jor th

‘Columbia Union Conference.

 The Law of Attraction
“And, behold, one came and said unto Him, Good Master, what good
thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? ... Jesus said unto him,
If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor,
and_thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me.
But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful:
for he had great possessions” (Matt. 19:16, 21-22, KJV).

Letting go of his possessions and reaching his hand to grasp what Jesus
offered was too high a cost for the rich young ruler to pay for the free gift
of eternal life. And while Jesus didn’t tell the young man to go, He didn’t
beg him to stay either.
Jesus was called to do His Father's will. Whoever ministered with Him over
time became an unselfish servant for the poor and needy. The influence
of His life had the power to repel anyone who was not willing to give
everything to live for God’s glory and humanity's uplifting.
A magnet's power to attract is only as strong as its power to repel. What
do you want to attract to your life? You have to be willing to repel the
opposite. If you want to attract grace, you have to be OK with repelling
legalism. If you want to attract excellence, you have to repel mediocrity.
Many make the mistake of wanting to be liked by everybody, and run the
risk of being truly valued by nobody; of trying to have everything and
ending up with next to nothing.
Know what God has in store for your life. Purpose in your heart to have it at
any cost. And be OK with the force your life generates to repel the opposite.

God, may I attract You and repel evil. Amen.

Anthony C. Burrell is the pastor of the New Hope church plant in West Virginia.
= -

Never Too Young to Share

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“If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my

body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love,
I gain nothing” (1 Cor. 13:3, NIV).

, Seven-year-old me always prayed before lunch, even though I was ina

public school. I never realized that my friends noticed. Sometimes they
would ask, “What are you doing?”
“Praying,” I'd respond. “I have to thank God for my food.” I remember
bits and pieces about what I told them. “Jesus is God’s Son. God created
the earth and everything in it. Including you. And Jesus came to earth
as a baby, but when He got older, He died for us. Because He died, God
. forgives all of the bad things we do, but only if we say sorry.”
_ After a couple weeks, I caught my friends praying before eating. Every
now and then, one would ask if Ihad prayed, because sometimes I forgot.
Even though I moved schools and didn’t keep in touch with them, I hope
my younger self’s words made them realize that the one true God will
always care for them.

Dear God, please help me continue to spread Your words, and be with those
who hear me. Open people's hearts so that they may come to You. Be with
me so that Imay do the right things. Please help everyone in need of Your
guidance, and, ifit is Your will, use me; You say that no one is too old or too
~ young to spread the word of God. Please help us to be strong and brave for
You. Amen.

Valeria Varela is an eighth-grader at the Manassas Adventist Preparatory School

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 The Big Picture
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own
understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make
your paths straight” (Prov. 3:5-6, NIV).

This verse reminds me to trust in the Lord, regardless of whatever is

going on in my life or the world. It points out that, although I may not
understand things and/or people at times, if 1acknowledge Him and
continue to believe that He knows what's best for me, everything will
turn out fine.
When I was younger, I was certain I would marry one of the first guys I
dated. When we broke up, I was devastated and so depressed that I didn’t
think I could go on. I wasn’t familiar with Proverbs 3:5-6 at the time, but
when I learned it, I related it to this terrible time in my life. Inow have an
incredible husband who I would have never met had I continued to date
the first guy.

When I encounter challenges in my life that don’t make sense to me, I

cling to this verse, knowing that I can’t always see the “big picture.” But
God can and does. He wants what's best for me. God is like the top of a
puzzle box; He sees the whole picture, while we only see the individual
pieces of the puzzle.

Dear Father in Heaven, thank You for promising to “make our paths straight.”
Help us to submit our ways to You. Amen.

Nickie Pinnick is a member of the Beltsville church in Maryland.

itane
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Moving Experience
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and
peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the
power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:13, NKJV).

_ When I got the news that I was moving to Ohio, I was so mad at God. It
_ was so unfair that I had to move again. Ifelt like I was just getting used to
living in Tennessee, but now I had to pack everything up. It was so hard
for me to let go of all the friends I had met.
Moving to Ohio was hard at first, but then things got easier. I started to
realize that God sent me here for a purpose. If Ihad only trusted Him
from the start, then things would've been a lot easier.

This verse helped me through this hard time in my life because it

_ reminded me that I should always trust God. He has a plan for my future,
and He knows what is best for me.
He wants us to always have faith in Him, just like He has faith in us. We
should always have hope and find the good things God puts in our lives.
He made us for a reason, and He wants us to spread our faith to others.

Lord, someone right now might be going through a hard time. Help them to
have faith and trust in You, because You know what You're doing. Amen.

Samantha Sehineider-4s a freshman at Spring Valley Academy in Ohio.

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 Let Me Tell You About Joseph
“Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Since God has made all this known to
you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you’” (Gen. 41:39, NIV).

I like Genesis 41:39 because it shows God’s power and what He can do,
especially in this abbreviated version on the story ofJoseph:
Joseph lived with his father, Jacob, and 11 brothers in Canaan. Jacob made
Joseph a coat of many colors, and God gave Joseph two dreams. One day,
Jacob asked Joseph to take food to his brothers who were taking care of the
sheep. When Joseph arrived, his brothers, except for Reuben—the oldest,
and who wasn’t present—sold Joseph into slavery. Later, Joseph's slave
master took him to Egypt and sold him again.
Soon Joseph was put into prison for something he didn't do. With God’s
help, he interpreted the dreams of the king’s baker and cupbearer, and
those predictions came true. Two years later, Pharaoh had two dreams,
and the cupbearer remembered Joseph and told the king about him.
The king sent for Joseph, who interpreted the dreams. As a result, Joseph
became second-in-command in Egypt. When famine came to the land, the
storehouses were opened. Joseph's brothers came to buy food. Joseph
recognized them, and told them to bring their younger brother, Benjamin,
when they came again. As part of the deal, Simeon was to stay in Egypt until
Benjamin came. Joseph later revealed his identity and invited them to stay
in Egypt. When the family arrived, Jacob was ecstatic!
Overall, this story has impacted my life by showing me the importance of
forgiveness.

Thank You, God, for placing this story in the Bible. May we learn to forgive like
Joseph did. Amen.

Peniel Amo-Mensah is a sixth-grader at the Roanoke Adventist Christian School in Virginia.

 A Very Present Help
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble”
(Ps. 46:1, NKJV).

One ofthe earliest memories I have of growing up in rural Jamaica is that of

_ dailymorning and evening worship. I fondly remember the songs we sang
- and the many verses we memorized. We listened to countless Bible stories
along with personal recollections from my parents and grandparents who
taught me the value offull dependence on God and that He always hears
and answers our prayers. While I firmly believed these lessons and stories,
I thought that answered prayers were a gift only for certain adults who
enjoyed a special connection with God. As I reflect on those years, I can
now Say that back then I did not have an experiential relationship with God
and had not personally learned to depend on Him.
_ As ayoung man, I left home to pursue an education in a Seventh-day
Adventist college. After I graduated, a few years later I was happily
married, and we welcomed our precious daughter, Danielle. Our little
family was complete. This was the happiest time of my life, but that
happiness was marred by tragedy in the death of my wife.
While in that valley—raising Danielle alone—I was constantly comforted by
God's promise that He is our refuge and strength, always willing to help in
troublesome times. This He demonstrated daily to me through His Word
and by the people He placed in my path—family, friends, co-workers and a
~ team of medical professionals. It is said that experience is the best teacher.
Thus I learned through my experience that God truly is a very present help.

Dear Lord, whatever challenges we face today, and in our lowest moments,
help us to know that You are with us. Amen.

‘Danovan Ross is the vice president of education for the Columbia Union Conferen
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 A Lot of Whys
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Heb. 13:5, NIV).

This verse became real to me during myjunior year in college. I had just
come home from my student nursing clinical on April 6, 1993, when I
received a call from my mother. I could hardly believe the news she told
me. Daddy fell in the bathroom over the weekend; she had called 911; he
was in the ICU; and later died there. As I listened, I felt as though the walls
of my world came crashing down on me.
I was very close to my Dad and loved him dearly. I asked God a lot of whys.
Why did Daddy have to die before I graduated from nursing school? Why
would he have to miss giving me away at my wedding? Why wouldn't my
future husband and children know and love him like I did? On and on, I
asked the Lord.
I searched His Word for comfort, and found Hebrews 13:5. I read it over
and over for reassurance from the Lord. Some days, I could almost hear
His voice speaking it to me: Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.
The weeks that followed were a blur. I could barely concentrate on my
studies. Every evening, I needed someone to study with me because my
mind would often wander. I clung to the promise of this verse in those
dark days. Only by God's grace did He carry me through that difficult time.
He can do the same for you.

I thank You, Lord, that You are with me when I feel alone in my problems, my
pain, my grief. You promise to never leave me, and I claim that promise today.
Amen.

Ellen Morgan is a member of the Vienna church in Virginia.

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You Are Unique
“IT will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
marveilous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well”
(Ps. 139:14, KJV).

;Is there something about yourself you don’t like? Maybe you have
freckles, a loud laugh, curly hair or a quiet personality. Iwould venture
to guess that we all have insecurities. We see characteristics in others we
wish we could have and features we wish we could look like. The question
is, why aren’t we confident in who we are?
Personally, I have struggled with my confidence. In 2020, I worked at a
summer camp. While there, I realized that Ihad a subconscious idea of
what people wanted me to be—funny, outgoing, the life of the party.
I struggled not being comfortable with simply being myself—a caring,
_ relaxed, observant extroverted-introvert.

Through a co-worker’s testimony, I saw I wasn’t the only one who felt
this way, and I didn’t need to continue to hide my feelings. God made
every single person different on purpose. Because of how I was uniquely
made, I saw that there were people that only I could reach—my friends,
classmates, co-workers and family. It’s the same for you.
As Psalm 139:14 says, we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” God,
our Creator, made you, and He doesn’t make mistakes. He placed each
freckle, composed each laugh, crafted each curl and gave you your core
personality. There are people only you can reach, if you let God into your
heart and ask Him to use you. He'll take you out of your comfort zone and
help you do things you never thought possible.

Father God, thank You for Your unfailing love and for making each of us
unique—a special treasure designed to reach others. Amen.

Summer Dekle isa senior at Blue Mountain Academy in Pennsylvania

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 He Gives the Victory
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“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man;
but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond
what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way
of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Cor. 10:13, NKJV).

Victory is won by standing on the promises of God. As I neared the end of

2016, I never would have guessed it would mark the end of some 20 years
of my pornography addiction. I was in absolute darkness with almost no
hope left. But Jesus always pursued me, and He found me as I looked to
heaven for help. In that moment, my chains broke, and I found a way of
escape. God proved His faithfulness by giving me victory.
This verse, penned by the apostle Paul, became my firm foundation in
Christ. It gave me a solid assurance that the Lord would never allow me
to pass through a temptation that was too difficult to endure. Many times
each day, I repeated this promise that empowered me to take hold of
God's hand as He strengthened me for every test, trial and temptation.
Just as I have found my freedom in Christ my Savior, His gift of salvation
is free to you as well. As you look to Him for victory, you can rest in His
word that affords you the strength to stand against every attack from the
enemy. When you believe what God has promised, you will know that He
will always provide a way for you to endure all things. Will you stand each
day on His promises of victory in Jesus that lead to eternal life?

Father, may we look to Jesus for strength to overcome and daily gain the
victory. Amen.

Michael Howard is a member of the Amicus church in Virginia.

3
23

‘Arise and Go’

“Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over
this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which Iam
giving to them—the children of Israel” (Josh. 1:2, NKJV).

:The servant of God has died. Moses, who spoke to God as a friend, has
_ perished. The Israelites’ leader, friend and loving intercessor would no
longer be with them.
Even in the midst of loss or pain, God always has a plan. After Moses’
death, God said to Joshua, “Now therefore, arise ...” Arise is a difficult
word when living in sadness, clueless about how to confront the challenges
of life. However, God invites us to trust in Him and calls us to “arise.”
God continued, “... go over this Jordan, you and all this people ...” When
_ we are struck with tragedy, we typically wait for the sadness to wane. We
let ourselves grieve before resuming our responsibilities. Joshua doesn’t
have a long time to grieve before being called into action. Reminded of
God's plan, he was given the charge to lead Israel “to the land which
[God was] giving to [them].”
We may not be called to cross a literal river, but we are admonished to
indeed “arise, and go over” our own personal Jordans, and to help others
accomplish this too. Let us hold onto the beautiful promise found in
Titus 2:13, as we wait for “the glorious appearing of our great God and
Savior Jesus Christ” (NKJV).

God, may we remember that Your promises are stronger than our
circumstances. Push us to “arise and go!” Amen.

Luis M. Bernedo is the pastor of Hispanic Ministries for the Parkersburg ct

West Virginia.
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 Thankful for God’s Plan
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord,
thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end”
(Jer. 29:11, KJV).

In my early twenties, I began wondering about everything I had

experienced in my life. Iendured verbal abuse as a child. My heart was
badly broken at age 16. I was kicked out of my home at 17. I experienced
a fire that claimed all my belongings at 20. What was my life’s purpose?
That is when, through Jeremiah 29:11, God said: “Come to Me first, for I
created you. I know where the winding paths you walk will lead. I know
how to use the most heart-wrenching moments in your life to propel you
to passionate, free, purposeful living. Every thought I have about you is
good, never evil, to ensure your future is bright. When you come to Me
first, you position yourself to receive an injection of hope each day. Seeking
Me will reveal sneak peeks into the phenomenal life I have planned for
you. The plans I have for you are to make of you what I expected when I
conceived you in My infinite mind. I am always right here waiting for you
to remember that you have someone in your corner who is, by divine
providence, turning all your hardships into glory. Will you trust that My
every thought about you is good?”
In response, I whispered, “Yes. I believe that You know the thoughts You
think toward me, that they are thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give
me an expected end. Thank You.”

God, sometimes I still wonder about the events in my life, but now I know there
is Someone in my corner making beauty from my ashes. Amen.

iri A, Loveday is the children and youth pastor at the Beltsville church in Maryiand.
 Sabbath Peace and
Monday’s Miracle
“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you”
(1 Pet. 5:7, NKJV).

It had been a difficult and long month. Rent was due, and we were
running out of diapers and food. We were going crazy.
On Friday evening, after our “Sabbath Welcome” worship, I prayed, “Lord,
I can’t carry these worries into the Sabbath. I’m just going to give them to
you! I know You will take care of us.” At that moment, an amazing peace
entered my heart. Our Sabbath day was a delight. So much so that when
Monday came around, I was still at peace.
When Monday’s mail arrived, two envelopes caught my attention. One
was from my aunt Lillian, and the other from an insurance company. The
envelope from my aunt—who was unaware of the financial struggle we
were having—contained a check and a note saying, “I was impressed by
the Lord to send this to you.”
The second letter was from my wife's former employer. She had left
the company more than two years earlier. Inside was a check anda
letter explaining that, in reviewing their payroll records, they found a
discrepancy in my wife’s paychecks.
These two unexpected checks provided us with enough money to pay
rent, buy diapers and food, and even make a trip to Taco Bell.
We learned two powerful lessons that weekend: Sabbath is best enjoyed
when we give our burdens to God; and God takes care of our problems.

Lord, I know it is hard, but help us to cast our cares upon You! Amen.

Eli Rojas.is the ministerial secretary for the Chesapeake Conference.

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 An Answered Prayer
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as
you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by
the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:13, NIV).

This verse is important to me because there was a moment in my life when

I felt Iwas losing everything; that there was no hope. But God showed me
there was hope and that I would be fine.
In 2020, my mom got into a terrible car accident. I was sick at home with
bronchitis when my mom’s friend called my older brother and told him
that she had been in an accident. We talked with the paramedics, and they
explained that it was very bad. We rushed to the hospital, and I was very
upset because they wouldn't tell us anything.
They finally told us my mom had hit a semi-tractor-trailer, and her car
had gone under it. At that moment, I thought my mommy was dead, so
I decided to pray. I have never prayed so hard. I was so scared. I didn’t
know if my mommy was alive. But God gave me hope and peace. AfterI
prayed, I was able to see her, and she only had a broken knee and a few
cuts. The doctor said they didn't know how she was still alive. But I do.
No matter what happens or how hopeless it seems, you can always pray to
God and ask Him for help. I thank God for everything He has done in my
life. If you have faith in God, He will give you hope and power.

Dear God, please give me joy and peace when I am in trouble. Amen.

Scarlett Castillo is a seventh-grader at the Tree of Life Christian Preparatory School

in Virginia.
 Learning From the Past
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,
plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and hope”
(Jer. 29:11, ESV).

I like this Bible verse because it says God knows what will happen
throughout your life, through all your troubles, hardships and times of
despair. I think of these as wars between God and Satan, between your
guardian angel and Satan’s demons.
But just as God knows the outcome of the whole universe, you choose the
outcome of your battles; whether or not you'll let something ruin your
day or try to see the good that can come out of a bad situation. We've all
had our times of trial. For some it may not have been as bad as others,
but it’s up to you whether you choose to let the demons win or let God
take command.
No one is saying that there won't be any work involved. That has to be
put in. You’re only human, so don't beat yourself up. Take the information
you can from a bad situation, and think about what you could have done
differently and how you can do better in the future.

Dear God, please help us to not focus too much on the past. May we apply the
lessons we've learned to help guide our future situations. Amen.

Victor Riverd js an eighth-grader at the Harrisburg Adventist School in Pennsylvania

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 Help Us to Listen!
“How can you Say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck
out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?
You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then
you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye”
(Matt. 7:4-5, NIV).

Most of us have experienced a time when we've completely underestimated

someone's point of view, whether in an argument or in a situation where
one lacks confidence to support themselves. I have been on both ends of
the spectrum in my education and everyday life, making Matthew 7:4-5
my favorite verse.

In our attempt to be right, we refuse to hear the other side of the

argument and judge others for seeing things differently than we do
without even trying to understand them. What we need to realize is that
sometimes the picture they see is a bit clearer than the one we do.
I consider myself to be a stubborn person. If Iam right, I am right, but if I
am wrong, I will bring another person into the mix to prove I am wrong.
Many times, I am so quick to point out the tiny flaw in someone's logic that
I don’t see the plank in my own. This verse is a reminder that sometimes
all I need to do is sit back and listen and accept.

Lord, grant us the wisdom to listen and understand before judging others.
Amen.

Wright Makambi is a member of the Capital Chinese church in Maryland.

r

A Refuge in My Distress
“But as for me, I will sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of
Your faithfulness in the morning, for You have been my refuge and a
place of refuge on the day of my distress” (Ps. 59:16, NASB).

This verse outlines the many problems, mountainous difficulties,

troubling times and numerous enemies that were surrounding David on
every side. David opened up his heart to the Lord, and his urgent prayer
for help and deliverance poured forth unabated. This surrender of heart
has also worked in my life.
At school, we have a skiing program. The most important rule is to never
leave a friend alone. One time, my skiing partner, Naomi, and I decided to
ski down a slope called the Mack Attack. Although I didn’t want to go, she
did. I couldn't let her go alone, so I accompanied her.
As we got off the ski lift and looked at the slope, we realized it was a bit
different, a bit scarier, than we expected. “We got this, Naomi! Remember
God's with us!” I said.
On my way down, I tried to maneuver around a large patch of ice I saw at
the last moment. I slipped on the ice and started rolling down the slope.
One ski fell off. Pop! Then the other. Pop! As I continued to roll, I closed
my eyes and prayed, “God, please don’t let me get injured. Please put
Your hand over me and protect me.”
God protected me that day. He was “a place of refuge on the day of my
distress.” He promises to protect you too.

God, please help us to understand that, through it all, You are the One who's
always by our side. Amen.

Leslie DeArevalo is an eighth-grader at the Manassas Adventist Prep

in Virginia.
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 He Delivers Us
“The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who
fear Him, and delivers them” (Ps. 34:7, NKJV).

This verse is so powerful because it reminds us that God is always ready

to deliver us, and that we have no reason to be afraid. In my personal
experience, I found Psalms 34:7 to be true.
A few years ago, my house caught on fire. My family was at church when it
happened, so luckily no one was injured. One of our friends, however, was
living with us at the time. She stayed home that Sabbath to watch a couple
of baby birds we had found the day before.
God was definitely looking out for her, because she was on a walk with
one of our dogs when the fire started. However, our two other dogs were
still in the house. When my friend got home, thankfully she was able to
retrieve them unscathed. Our church was far away from my house, so my
family and I returned after the fireman put the fire out.
At first, Iwas very sad about losing my house to a fire, but looking back, I
see it as a blessing. My new house is closer to my school, so now I can take
extracurricular classes. IfIstill would've lived at my old house, I probably
wouldn't have been able to take advantage of this opportunity. I guess it’s
true when people say that God works in mysterious ways.

Lord, help us to see the good in situations, even when they might seem bad at
the time. Help us to trust You, and thank You for protecting us. Amen.

Emily Dekle is a sophomore at Blue Mountain Academy in Pennsylvania.

 Prepare for the Latter Rain
“And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out
My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions”
(Joel 2:28, NKJV).

We need to understand that near the close of earth’s harvest, there will
be a special outpouring of spiritual grace to prepare each and every one
of us for the coming of Christ.
Just like the latter rain, this added power that Christians must request is
very important for the last days. Being Christians, we must allow God to
do the work through us. In order for Him to do this, we must surrender
our hearts. When we do this, it allows our character, recreated in the
image of God, to witness to our families and community. Since we tend
to get in God’s way and make our own arrangements, it is important to
remember that God’s timing and plan for each of us is always perfect.
Today, let’s remember that, during these times of sorrow in which we live,
many people are watching us. As Christians, we are the family of Christ, and
we must represent that family with love, mercy and grace. The more we let
God do the work, the more souls will be saved at the coming of the great
and awesome day of the Lord. We are unable to accomplish things on our
own, but, with the power of Christ, each of us can receive eternal salvation.

Lord, thank You for saving us by Your grace. Help us to be a blessing to others.
Amen.

D. WWestJs.a student youth pastor of the Parkersburg church in West Virginia.

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 Perfect Timing
“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans
for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. In those
days when you pray, I will listen” (Jer. 29:11-12, TLB).

Sometimes God amazes us with how He reveals His plans. In 1978, I

was almost finished with my Elementary Education major at Walla Walla
College (Wash.). It was time to think about where I wanted to teach. My
parents had moved back to California and wanted me to be closer to them,
but I wasn’t sure I wanted to move there. With graduation looming on the
horizon, I needed to start seriously thinking about teaching positions.
Every year, the college sent out a book to conferences with the seniors’
pictures and majors. A friend from college, who was the assistant dean at
Shenandoah Valley Academy in Virginia, encouraged me to apply to the
Potomac Conference.
Before I could even call, they called, as well as the Dakota Conference
(N.D.), both offering me teaching positions.
What to do? When I was growing up, my father had to make a choice between
two pastoral job offers. He put them in front of God and prayed, then
accepted the first one to return his call. Ifollowed his example. I prayed and
then waited. Dakota Conference was supposed to call back first. Two days
later, Potomac called and offered me a teaching position, which I accepted.
God has never failed to lead in my life. He knew just where I needed to be,
and when.

God, we know You have plans for us. Open our hearts to follow. We trust that
You will continue to lead and bless. Amen.

Dainett Bowers is the second- through fourth-grade teacher at the Manassas Adventist
Preparatory School in Virginia.
 Kindness Is the Best Comeback
“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you”
(Matt. 7:12, NLT).

The golden rule. When I was younger, I interpreted this verse a bit
differently than most. Whenever my sister was unkind to me, I would
be mean to her in return. Then I would try to justify my behavior:
“Treat others the way they treat you!”
The intended meaning of the golden rule, however, is to put yourself in
someone else’s shoes. How would you want to be treated if the roles
were reversed? I know I'd prefer to be treated with love and respect.
First Thessalonians 5:15 has a similar concept: “See that no one pays back
evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people”
(NLT). When I read this verse, I automatically think about revenge. Have
you ever been the victim of rude behavior and shot back something not
so nice. How could the situation have ended differently? Lamentations
3:30 says to turn the other cheek and to accept the insults of an enemy.
God wants us to love our enemies, even though can be difficult.

One time, David had to choose which battle to fight: one of vengeance or
love. Saul, pursuing an enemy with his men, stepped into a cave to rest—
the same cave David and his band inhabited. David could have easily slayed
the oblivious Saul. Instead, David sliced a corner off of Saul’s robe.

David had the perfect opportunity to get revenge on Saul, yet, he did no
such thing. Don’t strike back. Choose to fight with love, because kindness
is the best comeback.

Lord, when we want to be mean to someone because they are mean to us,
may we take the higher road. Amen.

Gabriejle Savoy-is an eighth-grader at. Richmond Academy in Virginia.

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 Take Root and Grow
“The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree:
he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon” (Ps. 92:12, KJV).

As David poetically writes this Psalm dedicated to the Sabbath day, he

uses verse 12 to instruct us on how to grow. He states that the righteous
shall flourish like the palm tree. This is no ordinary palm tree; it is a date
palm, known in Hebrew as “tamar.” The date palm is tall and slender and
stretches upward of 75 feet. This incredible tree grows amid the drought of
the desert. It vigorously plunges its roots into the earth until it reaches the
hidden waters beneath the surface. As a result, it is able to produce large
clusters of fruit, about 100 to 200 pounds each year.
David also references the cedars of Lebanon. These noble trees shoot
upward to heights of 120 feet and can be found in almost every climate
region. The roots of these towering trees not only plunge deep, but they
also spread wide, providing extraordinary stability that can endure even
the most treacherous storms.
David is drawing from the book of nature to tell us to thrust our roots deep
into the Word of God amid the spiritual drought that surrounds us to find
the living waters that will enable us to grow tall and allow us to flourish
and bear the fruit of the Spirit.
Let us start and end each day giving thanks to the Lord and singing praises
to His name. Let us flourish like the date palm and grow like the cedars of
Lebanon by sinking our roots deep and wide into the Word of God.

God, in all that we do, let us declare that the Lord is upright. Amen.

DY eR Pee ey es
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/ Morgantown churches in West Virginia.
 An Unexpected Blessing
“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish
what I please” (Isa. 55:11, NKJV).

As an accountant by profession, I have often counseled my clients,

wherever appropriate, to prove God’s Word when it comes to finances.
I know this also from personal experience.
Several years ago, I was visiting my former church in New York when a
call was made for donations for a special project. I debated whether to
respond, as [had only $20 in my wallet. I knew that I would need cash
to pay the tolls on my way back home to Pennsylvania. As the appeal
continued, I made the decision to respond and gave the $20 bill. I figured
I could stop at an ATM later to withdraw funds for the trip home.
After the service, my family and I drove to a hotel venue for a planned
50th birthday celebration for one of our friends. On entering the lobby,
I was greeted by a former client who had moved away from New York
several years before without paying his tax preparation fee. While
greeting me with a firm handshake, he slipped money into my hand
indicating that this was for his prior debt. It appeared that he had been
awaiting my arrival. An hour after I gave my last $20 at church, God
rewarded my faithfulness, with a 400 percent return on my investment
in His cause.
God is the CEO of my company, and I consult Him and seek His
guidance daily. Over the years since that incident occurred, I have
seen Him respond and bless in countless ways.

Lord, thank You for the ways in which You prove that Your Word is true. Amen.

Dp evry ,
Vernon A. Bramble is the lead elder of the Bucks County church in Pennsvivonia
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 Not Immune to Grief
“When Jesus heard what had happened, He withdrew by
boat privately to a solitary place” (Matt. 14:13, NIV).

Are you grieving today? This pain cuts to the core and is deeper than
just a bad day. It’s bigger than a pint of ice cream or a walk around the
block that can handle. Sadly, we may feel as though we must carry these
emotions alone. It’s in these times that the support of loved ones, and
even complete strangers, is so needed.
To be honest, in the back of my mind I don’t think I ever pictured Jesus
grieving. Sure, there’s that “Jesus wept” memory verse in Sabbath School
we as kids so desired to memorize, but why would Jesus ever be sad? He
was so closely connected to the Father that how could He possibly ever
experience that human ache? Plus, we know He was fully aware that His
time on this planet would be relatively short, and that we'd soon go to live
with Him in heaven and never ever mourn again.
It was while preparing to lead a worship some time ago that a verse I'd
read many times before caught my attention. And it still speaks to me.
In Matthew 14:12, Jesus is told that His cousin John has just been
beheaded. The idea of Jesus being immune to depth of emotion over
death melted as I read what followed. In verse 13, we see Jesus quietly
withdrawing to a solitary place to grieve. Jesus was sad enough that He
needed to be alone to deal with this loss. He wasn’t immune. He grieved
deeply—just as we do.

Jesus, remind us that You are not only with us in our grief, but that even
You grieve too. Amen.

Chandler Riley is a member of the Triadelphia church in Maryland.

 Do You Love Jesus?
“So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?’
He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said
to him, ‘Feed my lambs’” (John 21:15, NKJV).

Have you ever wondered how to love someone even after they hurt you?
After the death ofJesus, some of His disciples, including Peter, went
fishing. They had spent almost all night with no success. Early in the
morning, an unknown man on the shore told them to throw the net on
the other side. Confused, they did. At that moment, Peter immediately
knew it wasn’t an ordinary person; it was Jesus. He couldn’t contain his
excitement after seeing all the fish, and he jumped out of the boat and
swam to shore to see Jesus.
There was unsettled business between them, because, prior to Jesus’
death, Peter had denied him three times. After the third time, Jesus
looked at Peter, and Peter knew immediately what he had done.
Following, he “went out and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:62, NKJV). The love
that Jesus had for Peter did not die; instead He wanted to restore Peter.

After the morning breakfast by the shore, as told in John 21, Jesus asked
Peter, “Do you love Me?” Peter replied, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love
You.” Jesus repeated the question three times, each time breaking Peter's
heart. But then Jesus went on to say two words Peter was desperately in
need of: “Follow Me.” Peter had been restored!
Jesus asks us today, “Do you love me more than anything else—your job,
your sports team, even your family? When we tell Him, yes, like Peter did,
He heals, restores and calls us to follow Him.

Lord, thank You for loving the unlovable like us. Amen.

Eddie Reyes is the pastor of the Marlinton, Lewisburg and Rainelle churches in West Virginia.
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 Grandmother's Legacy
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you
by your name; you are Mine” (Isa. 43:1, NKJV).

As a child, I grew up in an Orthodox family in Romania. Every Sunday, we

went to church, and we kept all the Orthodox holidays. On weekends and
vacations, I stayed with my grandparents, as they only lived 11 miles away.
When I was 7-years-old, my grandmother discovered the Seventh-day
Adventist faith. Every Friday night, she took me with her to an Adventist
neighbor’s house to welcome the Sabbath. After we attended a few times,
I asked her why we were worshipping on Saturday instead of Sunday. She
explained to me that the Bible said God created the Sabbath for us when He
created the world. We began reading the Bible together so I could learn more.
On November 13, 1993, my lovely, very faithful grandmother passed away
due to renal failure. After her passing, my mother found out that she
had been attending an Adventist church. She had many questions, and,
together, we began attending church occasionally.
When I turned 16, we moved to the United States. For one year, my mother
and I searched for an Adventist church. One day, we discovered that a
church was only a few miles from our house! The very next Sabbath, my
mother and I were in church.
On April 27, 2002, I gave my life to Jesus through baptism. I look forward to
the second coming of my Lord Jesus, when I will see my grandmother again.

Father, thank You for calling us by name and making us Your children. Amen.

Adriana Folscher is the English/Spanish teacher at Richmond Academy in Virginia.

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“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any
against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave |
 A Lasting Presence
“I am with you always” (Matt. 28:20, NIV).

I am privileged to have been blessed with the best parents, and, equally,
in-laws. Although they now rest in hope of the resurrection glory, their
joyous memories are with me. Christ Jesus is with me, too, and all of us.
Due to my own prodigal experiments at the age of 16, I was far away
from home. Dad was busy with the Lord’s work, but kept a dozen prayer
warriors praying for me at the conference church. Mom was overseas
working on family projects so that all seven children could be educated.
On returning home, every child was present to greet her except for me.
“Where is Joe?” She discovered my location in a faraway country, and
visited me. It was such a joy and surprise to be with my parents again. I
had just answered God's call but was resigned to be a witness where I was.
And now with Dad and Mom's presence, I decided to follow God's purpose
in the context of family community—friendship, oneness and partnerships.
During this unprecedented season, what Christ declared is still relevant:
“Tam with you always.” No matter what is happening in this world, God’s
promise is an intimate, continual guarantee for our eternal existence
through His real presence. We can share His presence continually through
His Word, the Holy Spirit, our guardian angel and devotional life.
Experience with me today, the assurance, blessing, deep joy and
satisfaction gained from receiving the anointing of the spoken logos by
the Logos. Feel His presence, sense His power and celebrate His amazing
protection. He is our Savior, Deliverer, Healer, Teacher, Judge, and is ready
and waiting to give us His glorious presence.

Lord, may ‘Tam with you always” be our daily solution in 2021 and eternity. Amen.

Joseph M. Hutchinson is the interim pastor of the Prince Emmanuel All Nations church in
Maryland.
Zz
Prayer of Faith From 32,000 Feet
“Before they call, I will answer; and while they
are yet speaking, I will hear” (Isa. 65:24, KJV).

It was 1979, and we had just completed a year in Osaka, Japan, as student
-missionaries from Oakwood College (Ala.). The last stipend had been
received and was just enough to get my husband, Thomas, and me home
to Richmond, Va. Our plan was to see parts of the world on our return trip
that we might never visit again. We would spend two days each in Taiwan
and Hong Kong, connecting to a flight into Washington, D.C., with a short
bus ride to Richmond. Our traveling companion, Sandra, was also returning
to the United States.
Arriving in Hong Kong, we learned that all DC-10 airlines had been banned
from the U.S. Our two days turned into four. Taking another airline, from
_ 32,000 feet up we prayed that God would provide and protect. We landed in
New York City at midnight with no means to take us home.
At the airport, my husband was impressed to share our dilemma with two
gentlemen. They could help, but we would have to trust them. Considering
our lack of funds and nonstop prayers, we decided to trust God. We were
loaded on a bus with about 20 others, and taken to a motel for the night.
The men, both from Alabama, were familiar with Oakwood College. They
turned out to be officers who routinely provided food and lodging for
undocumented immigrants. They provided breakfast and paid our cab fare
to the bus station.
We still marvel at God’s mysterious and miraculous ways. He provided us
with just enough money to get home.

Dear God, thank You for hearing and answering prayers in ways in which we
would never think. Amen.

Alberta Jefferson is a member of the Ephesus church in Virginia.

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 How to Overcome Fear
“The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the
righteous are as bold as a lion” (Prov. 28:1, NIV).

Think of a time when you were scared. What did you do? When I was
younger, I went to a camp, and one of the activities was water tubing. Even
though I was very excited to try it, Iwas also very scared. I was so nervous
that I got butterflies in my stomach.
As I was trying to calm myself down on the water tube, the boat started
moving faster and faster. I decided that the best thing was to start singing
worship songs to help remember that God was looking out for me. After
singing “Jesus Loves Me” three times in a row, I realized water tubing
was really fun. I wasn’t scared anymore, and I had one of the greatest
experiences of my life. Iwould've missed this wonderful time if I had let
fear take control.
There are many stories in the Bible that exemplify characters who dealt
with overcoming fear: David fighting Goliath; Queen Esther saving her
people; and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace, to
name a few.
What is something in your life that you are afraid of? What can you do to
remind yourself that God is the One in control? He tells us, “‘For I know the
plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to
harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jer. 29:11, NIV).

Dear God, thank You for giving us the assurance we need to overcome fear
though prayer and love. Amen.

Hannah Johnson is a senior at Blue Mountain Academy in Pennsylvania.

 My Angel at the Beach
“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who
fear Him, and He delivers them” (Ps. 34:7, NIV).

I was living in St. Croix, the U.S. Virgin Islands, with my wife, Marlene, and
baby daughter, Priscilla. Two of my wife's siblings, Ruven and Beth, were
visiting, and we went to the beach, which was noticeably empty.
In the afternoon, Ruven, Beth and I went into the water. Shortly after, an
undertow began to pull us out to sea. Ruven and Beth held onto their
floats and made it back to shore. I, thinking I'd be able to stand, jumped
off the float. Fear overwhelmed me as I realized the undercurrent had
dragged me close to the 1,000-foot drop, famous for its scuba diving.
I began to drown. Down and up. Back down again, and up. As my life
flashed before my eyes, I prayed, “Lord, please send someone to save
me.” Understanding that maybe God had other plans, I left it in His hands.
As I was drowning, my wife and family, unable to help, saw a couple on
the beach. My wife cried out, “Save my husband!” Immediately, the man
jumped into the water to rescue me.

With my last breath of air, I shouted in faith, “Save me!”

Suddenly, someone grabbed me out of nowhere and pulled me to shore.
I began coughing up water and breathing again. My wife turned to thank
the gentleman who had rescued me.
No man. No woman. No footprints.
God had sent an angel to deliver me. He had a plan for my life. Two years
later, that plan was fulfilled in the form of my baby boy, Ricardo.

Thank You, God, for saving me time and time again. Amen.

Gerald Bacchus is a member of the New Hope church in Maryland.

 Everything Happens for a Purpose ~
“'For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the
Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans
to give you hope and a future’” (Jer. 29:11, NIV).

I was 2-years-old when part of my finger was cut off. My parents had a
boat, and I loved to play on it whenever my dad was working in the house. ~
I was playing one day, when I suddenly fell off, and my finger got stuck
in the motor. My dad rushed me to the hospital. My life hasn't been the
same since.
It has been hard growing up without part of my finger. I've gotten
bullied, and, at times, no one has liked me. But then something amazing
happened. After this accident, my parents got closer to God, and we
started going to church. It was the first church I went to, and I made true
friends—one of which became my best friend. Nobody made fun of my
finger there. They were all nice to me.
I love going to church and look forward to it because I can see all my
friends every week and because I can learn about God and get closer to
Him. Church is my happy place. In fact, getting my finger cut off was worth
it because it led my family to God.

Dear God, thank You for thinking ahead and making plans for us. Everything
that happens is for a purpose. Your purpose. Amen.

Sofia Segura is a sixth-grader at the Manassas Adventist Preparatory School in Virginia.

 Leave It to God
“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in
vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—
for He grants sleep to those He loves” (Ps. 127:1-2, NIV).

It was my senior year. I was living in the dormitory at Mt. Vernon

Academy. We had returned to our rooms after a Saturday evening
program in the gymnasium. I no longer recall just what it was that was
plaguing my mind. It could have been stress over a test or project in one
of my classes. Perhaps there was turmoil with my girlfriend.
But whatever the cause, I do remember I was too worked up to sleep. I
finally decided to pull out my Bible, opened it up in the middle and started
to read. I didn’t have a particular promise in mind. I was just reading,
_ hoping to find something that would bring me peace. A message that
would provide encouragement and allow me to get some needed rest.
When I got to our verse for today, I immediately knew it had the wisdom
I needed. I could fret and worry, plan and work late into the night. Or I
could trust God with my problem, confident of His love and care. And if
I chose the latter, He would put my mind at ease and give me sleep.
I've long since forgotten the problem. But, over the years, I have
frequently returned to the promise I discovered late that night in my
dorm room. When new stressors threaten to rob me of peace, Iam
reminded it is the Lord who builds, guards and watches. And I can sleep.

Lord, today and tonight, may Irest in Your care. Amen.

Rick Remmiers is the executive secretary of the Columbia Union Conference.

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 Say ‘| Do’
“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’”
(John 21:15, NIV).

There is a powerful truth that comes through this passage. For reasons
not entirely clear, Peter had returned to fishing. In the days after the
resurrection, he was an uncertain and insecure individual. What lay
ahead, he didn’t know. In denial and cursing Jesus, Peter utterly failed
when Jesus needed him most. He may have even thought that his sin and
failure eliminated the possibility of ever being used by God again.
I have felt that way more times than I can count. You may feel that way,
too, that there are unforgivable sins or failures in your life. But Jesus says
to both Peter and all of humanity: “You are forgiven.” There is no need
to hide or run. God's plan for your life still stands, as He calls to you from
the shore of your life. He knocks on the door of your heart, and, when
you open it, “Do you love me?” is His only question. Notice Jesus doesn’t
ask, “Are you sorry?” nor “Will you promise never to do that again?” All
He wants to know is if you will give Him your heart, for Jesus knows that
when you say, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you,” everything else will
fall into place.

So close your eyes. Imagine Jesus lovingly looking deep into your eyes,
as He asks you, “Do you love Me?” And may you, with humility, and even
tears, respond, “Yes, Lord. I do. I do. I do.”

Father, forgive us for our wayward hearts, and receive the simple declaration
of our love for You today. Amen.

John Kent is the pastor ofthe Simple Way Network church in Pennsylvania.
 He Will Carry You
; / “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee:
He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved” (Ps. 55:22, KJV).

_ The day had been long. The boss was less than kind or fair, I felt. It had
been so busy. I was tired and grumpy, feeling sorry for myself. Ungodly
thoughts repeatedly raced through my mind, making me feel worse and
worse. Have you ever experienced similar days? Or weeks?
The thought came to me, You don’t have to keep making yourself
miserable. There’s a much better way. I replaced my negative thought
with this reflection:
There aren’t many days like this. You did your best.
You accomplished a Jot! Don’t worry about the words of another person.
God loves and treasures you.
He calls you His own.
He promises to be with you and care for you.
In My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers’ words also comforted
me: “If we will only roll back on God the burdens He has placed on us,
He will take away that immense feeling of responsibility, replacing it
with an awareness and understanding of Himself and His presence.”
How thankful I am that we can “pile [our] troubles on God's shoulders—
He’ll carry [our] load, He’ll help [us] out. He’ll never let good people
topple into ruin” (Ps. 55:22, MSG).

Dear Lord, thank You for the promise that You will sustain us. We praise You
for carrying all of our burdens in Your hands. Amen.

Vicki © Bernard is a member of the Hillcrest church in Pennsylvania

\
 Courage in Crisis
“Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite was the next of the elite Three.
He was with David when the Philistines poked fun at them at Pas
Dammim. When the Philistines drew up for battle, Israel retreated.
But Eleazar stood his ground and killed Philistines right and left until
he was exhausted—but he never let go of his sword! A big win for
God that day. The army then rejoined Eleazar, but all there was
left to do was the cleanup” (2 Sam 23:9-10, MSG).

Eleazar is one of my favorite heroes in the Bible. One of David's three elite
warriors, Eleazar is chronicled in Scripture as a one-man army defeating
the enemies of God with his sword. He courageously stood against those
who would destroy the ways of God with corruption, destruction and
moral decay.
I often apply his principles of warriorship to a Christian leader's
responsibility and to the study and proclamation of truth. In today’s
society, truth, integrity, honesty, justice and basic human decency are
under attack from the enemy.
Ellen White writes: “The greatest want of the world is the want of men ;
[and women] ... who will stand for the right though the heavens fall”
(Education, p. 57).

We can find courage from Eleazar’s example and strategy: 1) He placed

his faith in God—the only One who could guarantee the destruction of the
army—and so should we. 2) It takes courage to stand against the enemy
and relentless courage to stand for what is right. 3) Never let go of what
God trained You to do.

Dear God, help us to fight injustice wherever we see it—at work, school or
even in the church. Amen.

inthony A. Medley is the senior pastor of the Emmanuel-Brinklow church in Maryland.

 We Are All Connected
“But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back
from you. Where you goI will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your
‘people will be my people and your God my God’” (Ruth 1:16, NIV).
U
| Ruth loved Naomi so much that she wouldn't leave her, even though
_ Naomi told Ruth to go home.
Even though I live in two homes, it’s not the houses that make them
special; it’s the family. People are what make up a home, not the building.
The phrase “home sweet home” rings true because of family. And family
doesn’t always mean you are related by blood. In fact, even though my
stepdad is not blood, I still ilove and respect him.
It is wise to have relationships with people who share your same beliefs.
For instance, I enjoy spending time with my Pathfinder club because they
all have the same beliefs as me.

Ruth’s story has had a good influence on me. She and Naomi loved each
other, even though they did not share the same blood or religion. We
should be more like Ruth and treat everyone with kindness and respect,
because, one way or another, we are all connected through God.
We are all His children, and like Ruth, should love other people
unconditionally.

Dear God, please help us to be more like Ruth and display love to everyone we
_meet. Amen.

Cadence Rinehart is a sixth-grader at the Rocky Knoll Adventist School in West Virginia

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 A Book in Jesus’ Library
“Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were
written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have
room for the books that would be written” (John 21:25, NIV).

When I first read this verse, I wondered, “How can the entire earth not
hold enough books to list Jesus’ works?” I volunteer as an assistant
librarian at my church, and we have over 3,750 books. Whether missionary
stories, biographies, nature lessons, Bible stories or doctrinal beliefs, all of
the books ultimately point to God and what He has accomplished. If one
small library can contain so much information about Jesus, think of how
much a world library could contain!
Then I thought ofJesus’ work of creation. Being in the solitude of the
woods or the grandeur of the mountains reminds me of Jesus and how
much larger He is than I can comprehend. Nature's sheer variety and
complexity of minerals, plants, marine life, birds and mammals, and how
they all communicate with each other never ceases to amaze me. The
precision of cells and organs perfectly interacting to form a living human
being testifies of a Master Designer who fashioned and cares about us.
These topics would fill countless volumes.
Jesus is not only our Creator but also our Redeemer. He wants to write His
law on our hearts and remove our sins. We can demonstrate a life changed
by Christ working in us through the power of the Holy Spirit. We can be
books in Jesus’ library.

Lord, please write your character in my heart so I may be an example and a

book for You. Amen.

Caleb Palmer is a member of the Centerville church in Ohio.

 When Times Are Tough
“For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say”
(Luke 12:12, NIV).

This verse is important to me because it shows that God will help me

when I need it. I can trust that He will help me to know what to do or say
in times of trouble.
There have been many times that Ihave become upset over something,
and I lash out at those around me. Other times, I try to get over the bad
feelings myself. When I get upset, many times my Mom will come and
pray with me. We ask that God can help me feel better and to help me
express myself in a better way. Overall, it is very hard for me to express
my feelings to others, but I can tell God everything. I almost always feel
better after my Mom and I have prayed and asked for God's help. Iam
_ learning that He is there for me when I need help.
I also think Luke 12:12 means that God can give us the words to say when
we try to tell people about Him. It is sometimes hard to share our faith,
and we don’t always know how to do it. But God can give us the words if
we let Him speak through us.

Dear God, I know that times can be tough, but I also know that You will be
there when we need You. Please help us to make better choices and to be
careful about what we say and do. Give us the words to say to others. Amen.

Aiden Wareham is a sixth-grader at the Rocky Knoll Adventist School in West Virginia.
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 Never Alone
“For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is His name;
and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; the God of the whole
earth shall He be called” (Isa. 54:5, KJV).

I have been a widow for many years. Although the burdens of day-to-day
life are heavy, I have the assurance that God cares for me.
I discovered one of my favorite passages of Scripture after my husband's
death. During a very lonely time of grief and pain, I reached out to
God for strength to help me get through each day. In my devotions, I
discovered this beautiful text of comfort and reassurance.
As the words of the hymn, “Does Jesus Care?” by Frank E. Graeff say:
Does Jesus care when I've said “goodbye”
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches
Till it nearly breaks,
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?
Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary,
The long night dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

God's great love for me is demonstrated in Christ's sacrifice. Extending

compassion further and walking with me every day, God comforts me
with the presence of His Spirit.

Lord, thank You for protecting me with angels and surrounding me with Your
Spirit. With You by my side, Iam not alone. Amen.

Deadra L. Griffeth is a chaplain at the Southview Medical Center for the Kettering
Adventist HealthCare in Ohio.
 Don’t Settle
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all
that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all
generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Eph. 3:20-21, ESV).

Weserve a limitless God who can do in us more than we could ever

think or imagine. Still, despite my many experiences with the Lord, I
continue to live a life governed by scarcity principles. I often don’t want
to risk attempting church projects beyond the local church’s budget or
' perceived talent pool.
It reminds of an experience I had in eighth grade. My uncle, seeing that
I was unmotivated to give my best effort, challenged me with a little
_ incentive. He told me if I got straight A’s in the next grading period, he
_ would buy me a model airplane of my choice. I applied myself, and for the
“next three months, I became a stellar student. I proudly showed my uncle
my report card. As promised, he took me to buy a model plane, but, as we
walked into the store, my mind began to wonder: What if he didn’t have
enough money to buy the model I wanted? Worried about stretching
his budget, I chose a cheaper model. As we left the store, part of me
questioned what would have happened if I had picked the model I really
wanted instead of settling for something cheaper. I will never know the
answer to that question, but the experience stayed with me.
How often do I size the Lord down to what I think I can see or do instead
_of swinging for the fence?

Lord, help us to live a life of abundance in service as You dwell within us.
Amen.

Kosly joseph isthe pastor of the Charlottesville and Harrisonburg churches in Virginia.

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 Pray and Believe
“Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father, thank You
for hearing Me. You always hear Me’”(John 11:41-42, NLT).

Have you ever felt like God doesn’t hear you when you pray? I had the
privilege of listening to a message at a recent women’s retreat. Here are
some points the speaker shared, who paraphrased the story in John 11:
Mary and Martha personally sent a messenger to Jesus, asking that He
come heal Lazarus. Yet Jesus waited two days. The Bible says He loved
Mary, Martha and Lazarus, but He still waited. When He finally did go, both
Mary and Martha independently asked Him, “Why didn’t you come? Our
brother died!!”
Seeing Mary crying, Jesus’ heart was so touched that He wept. He saw His
friends in so much pain, and He felt their pain as well. Even though she
didn’t understand, Martha's faith didn’t waiver, and she said, “I know that
whatever You ask of God, He will do it.” Then, at the moment Jesus was
about to do something, Martha—with good intentions—tried to get in the
way. “Lord, it will smell! Don’t do that!” she cried.
When Jesus prayed to His Father, He said, “Father, thank You for hearing
Me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these
people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.”
When life doesn’t go the way you think it should, don’t let your faith
waiver, and don’t get in God’s way. God hears, and answered prayers
bring glory to God!

Thank You, Father, for hearing us when we pray. May we never be discouraged
by doubt, and may we always trust in Your timing. And when our prayers are
answered, give us the courage to speak out and to give all the praise and glory
to You! Amen.

Monica Zill is the principal at Parkersburg Adventist Academy in West Virginia.

 In Every Battle
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage;
do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with
you wherever you go” (Josh. 1:9, NKJV).

God has creative ways of bringing Scripture into our minds to encourage us.
This verse became a favorite of mine during an anxious period in my life.
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' Iwoke up one morning to a spinning room, so I asked my sister to take me

to the hospital. As a student in the middle of my clinical pastoral education,
- Iwas accustomed to being in a hospital, but not as the patient.
I will never forget the moment the doctor shared the diagnosis with me:
“You have a tumor in your brain.” It was during this time of uncertainty
that God shared Joshua 1 with me. It became my source of comfort.
Joshua had big shoes to fill, since his great mentor, Moses, had passed
* away. All of Israel was looking to him to be the next great leader. The
burden and anxiety weighed on him. God encouraged Joshua with
these words: “Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be
dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
In my time of need, this was the message God was sharing with me; that
He would be with me in this battle and every battle to come. My “tumor”
ended up being an aneurysm, and God healed me after surgery.

God, in our struggles, let Your Word be our encouragement. May we believe
and recognize that You are with us in every battle we face. Amen.

“Mariya Martorris the pastor of the Stillwater church in Ohio.

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 Keep on Moving
“Let us run with patience the race that is set before us”
(Heb. 12:1, KJV).

Iam nota runner, but have been married to a runner for 25 wonderful
years. My wife, Malou, started running in college. About five years ago, I
finally decided to join her. We have met many neighbors in our community
and made friends in our town, out of state on vacation and overseas
through our walking and running experience together.
While I enjoy running (most of the time), it has not been an easy ride.
I have learned to keep on moving and “run with patience.” I run at my
own pace and do not stop. I keep on moving while Malou passes me and
comes back for me, sometimes more than once. Even when she leaves me,
I know she will come back for me, and we will make it home together. And
I know better than to try to outrun her. All I must do is to keep on moving
and enjoy the experience at my own pace. To run with patience is not to
compete but to enjoy the run.
In our spiritual lives, we must keep on running, knowing that we are not
alone. The One who has set the race before us is always with us. At times,
we may feel that we have been passed by, but we must continue to run
with patience. And when we feel that we have left the path, we must
return, knowing that our Savior is not only waiting for us, but is running
toward us to complete the journey together (Luke 15:20).

Dear Lord, today and always, please help me to keep on moving with patience,
and help me to never stop pursuing my spiritual journey with You. Amen.

Sadrail Saint-Ulysse is the superintendent of schools for the New Jersey Conference.
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: For the Least of These

“Then the king will answer, ‘I tell you the truth. Anything you did for
any of my people here, you also did for me’” (Matt. 25:40, ICB).

In preparation for the kingdom of heaven, Jesus wants His disciples

to feed, clothe and visit anyone in need. In doing so, we are blessed
because we are serving Him also. Jesus explains Himself, saying that
if we did this for anyone, we did it for Him. We could be missing out on
serving the Lord and growing His kingdom if we ignore opportunities
to help cthers.
This verse helps me when I am saying or doing something to or for
someone. It reminds me that I want to be known for treating all people as
God does and love them as He loves, for all people belong to God. I learned
that we need to be watchful and pray that we don’t ignore anyone or say or
do anything that does not represent the character of Christ.
This verse has helped me to share kindness with others and find pleasure
sharing God's Word in the opportunities that I get with friends and
family. Iam thankful for God’s promises in the Bible that encourage me
when I need help and get me through difficult times. I need to surrender
to Him every day and ask Him for wisdom and forgiveness for not always
putting Him and the “least of these” first in my life.

Dear God, thank You for always being there for me. Please help me to
remember that in everything I do, to do it for You. Help me to see You in
people in need, and show me how You want me to help them. Amen.

Nolynn Dahlberg is aseventh-grader at Tappahannock junior Academy in Virginia.

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 Worrywart
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry
about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matt. 6:34, NIV).

When I was younger, I struggled with anxiety about what would happen
the next day. It got to the point where I could not sleep well at night.
“What-ifs” would whirl around my head, like, What ifsomeone came into
my room? or What if Idon’t wake up from my sleep? This made me scared of
the dark. I remember being so scared of what the future would hold thatI
could not focus on what was happening right in front of me.
One day, my mom sat me down and said I did not need to worry about the
future. That my family would protect me from bad things. That God would
protect me, too, and that I should talk to Him about it. Before I went to bed
that night, I prayed to God about it. Iwent to sleep almost instantly. No
bad thoughts, no thinking about the next day, nothing.
Now I am not afraid of what's going to happen tomorrow. I am still scared
of the dark sometimes, but I know God has my back no matter what.

Dear Lord, thank You for being there for me and letting me talk to You anytime.
Thank You for helping us face our fears. Amen.

Erica Montano-Lopez is an eighth-grader at the C. F. Richards Christian School in Virginia.

 The Lord Is My Shepherd
“Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Ps. 23:4, KJV).

The 23rd Psalm has given me a sense of peace and comfort throughout
my spiritual journey. In fact, it was one of the first passages of Scripture
I committed to memory. “Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” has
particularly been helpful, as I have sought to balance the ups and downs
of life.
The rod and staff have different protective functions. The rod directs and
protects the sheep, preventing them from danger. The staff, on the other
hand, is used to hook the sheep to pull them out of danger. Sheep tend to
lose focus and place themselves in danger because of poor eyesight and a
wandering attention span. It has been a comfort to me to know that God,
my Shepherd, is in constant watch, looking out for me in every situation.
As I reflect on my life, Ihave experienced the Good Shepherd’s rod and
staff on numerous occasions. Take a moment and reflect on how God
has used His rod and staff in your life, and how you have experienced His
wonderful blessings.

Lord, thank You that Ican claim Your promise in Psalm 23:6 that “surely
goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” Amen.

William T. Cox Sr., is the exeeutive director for the Regional Conference
Retirement Pian Board.
 | Can’t Wait for Heaven
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you” (Phil. 1:3, NKJV).

Philippians 1:3 is my favorite Bible verse because I can relate to it.

Unfortunately, many family members of mine have passed away. However,
when they've passed, I have never gotten angry with God. Instead, I
have thanked Him for bringing them into my life, for their wonderful
personalities and for giving them a fun and joyful life.
At a young age, my great-uncle passed away from cancer. It was very sad
because I was so close to him, and he loved me so much. Right before he
died, he wasn’t really aware of anything that was happening around him,
so when my grandma would stand close to him, he would just blankly
stare. But when she lifted me up over him, he would open his eyes really
big and smile. I miss him so much, and can’t wait to see him smile again
in heaven.
My great-grandma died in November of 2019. I was very close to her. She
made me laugh when I was sad, and she always made me smile. Even
though she is gone, I still smile when I think about her. Right after she
died, I thanked God for her wonderful life, her sweet personality and all
the fun memories we made together. I can’t wait to see her in heaven too.

Dear Heavenly Father, I'm thankful for everyone who is and has been a part of
my life. Imiss those who have passed away, but I'm looking forward to seeing
them again. Be with us now. Amen.

Mya Perdue is a seventh-grader at the Roanoke Adventist Christian School in Virginia.

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The Lord Will Provide
“And this same God who takes care of me will supply
all your needs from His glorious riches, which have
been given to us in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19, NLT).

Traces of this text can be easily seen in my journey with a God who
consistently provides for me and my family beyond which we can ever ask
or imagine. He is our Jehovah-jireh, the Source of our provision.
At the end of my seminary experience, I was left hanging in the waiting
place. With no pastoral call, not knowing what my next step would be and
confined with limited resources, I kept asking God, “What's the plan?”
While waiting for an answer, I got a surprise visit from a colleague. She
introduced chaplaincy to me and connected me with a colleague of hers
at a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Center that needed students for
their summer intensive program.

I applied and was accepted, but financially could not accommodate a move
to another state, tuition and living expenses. I continued my talk with God
and confided in my CPE educator. As a result, I received a subsidized tuition
and full-time summer accommodation. Later that year, my church family
helped me enter the one-year residency program.
Today, I’m employed in chaplaincy ministry. Only God could have sent a
colleague to visit me and provide for me throughout myjourney.
Whatever your needs are, cast them onJesus and trust in His plan. God's
response might not be what you want, but it'll be certainly what you need.

Father, thank You for being the One who supplies all my needs. Amen.

Dale Watton is achapliain at the Troy Hospital for the Kettering Adventist HealthCare in Ohio
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 If You Resist, He Will Flee
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you”
(James 4:7, NKJV).

If someone were to ask me what the best advice I have ever received was,
I would quote this verse. I have learned that the Bible is a guide, a place I
can go to learn what I need to do.
Satan is the king of lies. He left heaven with that title. And there is no
doubt that if he deceived the angels, he can and will deceive us. The devil
even deceived me in more ways than I can explain.
Satan made me feel guilty. He made me feel as though I was not
“enough.” My parents divorced when I was younger, and my dad has
never been involved in my life. Satan took the grudge that I had and
turned it against me. He whispered to me that I was the reason my father
didn't care for me. And he made me feel unworthy of having such a loving
stepdad. But when I submitted myself to God, the devil fled and I was
stronger than ever.

That is why I encourage you to submit yourself to God. When you do,
Satan won't find room to attack you—no matter how badly he wants you
to fall—and he will flee.

Lord, help us resist Satan’s traps in all circumstances. Show us Your will, even in
the toughest situations. Amen.

Naomi Coreas is an eighth-grader at the Manassas Adventist Preparatory School in Virginia.

 Where You Go, Ill Go
“By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide
them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light,
so that they could travel by day or night” (Exod. 13:21, NIV).

I was wrestling with a difficult decision. I knew what I wanted to do, but
Thad no peace. As I was lying in bed weeping over my decision, a friend
called me up and said, “Janesta, Iwas having my devotions, and God told
me I should call you.”
We talked for a bit, and I explained my dilemma. I had to decide whether
to stay in the place and position I knew God had called me to or go to the
place I really wanted to go. My friend read Exodus 13 with me. Then, he
asked me a hard question: “Has the cloud moved?” As I tried to tell him
that I didn’t know, the still, small voice in my heart said, “You do know.
We have been here before. You know the peace that you have when Iam
guiding you.”
I thought about my life and how God had led me so many times in the past.
I remembered how things had fallen into place as I followed God's leading,
even when it was hard to know where we were going. He was right there
guiding me, not making the decision for me, but showing me the way. And
I knew what to do. I would stay where I was and wait on Him.
When the cloud moved, I had peace, and the cloud led me to a place that
was beyond my dreams.

God, may we be willing to go wherever You lead. Amen.

Janesta Watker is the superintendent of education for the Chesapeake Conference

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 Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
“Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them
that look for him shall he appear the second time” (Heb. 9:28, KJV).

In this Bible verse, the phrase “look for” means to “wait eagerly.” The
Greek translation is made up of three parts: apo (away); kara (head); and
dokeo (to await). The literal meaning is very similar to a spring turkey
hunter. It means to wait with the head outstretched. The prefix, apo, is a
turning away from everything else, with your head raised and your eyes
fixed on a single object or an object to come.
Imagine you are a turkey hunter in the woods on a beautiful spring
morning. After conversing with a wild turkey gobbler you know to be the
boss of the woods, you have made your last call. He has sounded off his
last time and has zoomed in on your position. There is no doubt he is
coming straight toward you. You've flipped off the safety and your finger
is on the trigger. Barely breathing, your eye is fixed on that one spot where
you are sure he will appear. Nothing can distract you, even if your wife
were to suddenly appear and whisper she had just won a million dollars.
You'd reply to her, “There's a gobbler! He’s coming!”
This is the picture Scripture gives of God's elect who are anxiously waiting
for Jesus to appear. With concentrated expectancy, their attention is
completely fixed on that spot. Nothing the world has to offer can distract
them. As God's elect, we must be like that spring turkey hunter, and allow
nothing to distract us or break our concentration.

Lord, may we always keep our focus on You! Amen.

Richard Cutright is the pastor of the Buckhannon church in West Virginia.

Editor's Note: No turkeys were harmed in the writing of this devotional. Happy Thanksgiving!
 Finding the Courage
“An honest answer is as pleasing as a kiss on the lips”
(Prov. 24:26, NCV).

I can imagine it is an exceptionally busy day for King Solomon. He calls

_ his advisors together to ask for feedback on proposed strategic plans
_ andinitiatives which he hopes will enrich the quality of life for the people
_ entrusted to his care. limagine him turning to his counselors and asking
for their opinion, only to see them glancing at each other in a hesitant
and uncertain manner, wondering what answer he, the king, would
_ find to be most aligned with his preferred option—not one that would
ultimately expand his thinking and advance their society. Frustrated by
their attempts to placate him, I then imagine King Solomon standing
up, towering above the others and banging his hand on the table before
demanding, “Just give me an honest answer!”
Perhaps later, in his quiet time, he journaled the proverb, “An honest
answer is as pleasing as a kiss on the lips.” Here I find insights that are
extremely relevant for me today. May I have the courage to speak truth to
power, specifically as it pertains to sensitive issues where the answer may
not be the popular vote. And may I speak truth that will be refreshing,
_ through which the wisest context for decision-making is created, such
that organizations experience positive transformation and our global
society is enriched.

- Dear Lord, thank You for the courage to speak truth in delicate situations so
that joy in our world will ever increase and goodwill toward all people will
ever expand. Amen.

Chery! Kistunzu is the provost of Washington Adventist University in Maryland.

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 A Willing Offering
“Now therefore, our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious
name. But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able
to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, and of
Your own we have given You” (1 Chron. 29:13-14, NKJV).

Near the end of his reign, King David assembled the people of Israel for
what was one of his last public appearances. It was a praise service in
which he recounted God's providence and all the preparations made for
the great work of building the temple of God. More than once, the Bible
records that David and Israel’s leaders “offered willingly” to the Lord.
Tam thankful that Scripture records David’s own words of blessing in
1 Chronicles 29. To the Lord belongs the greatness, the power, the glory,
the victory and the majesty, and He reminds us that “both riches and
honor come from You” (verse 12). What a picture of God!

But what really speaks to me Is the shift that King David makes in verse 14:
“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so
willingly as this?” David understood that any service or offering rendered
to God must come from a right perspective of our relationship to Him.
Here was a man who felt his own deep unworthiness. It convicted me that,
regardless of position or service, there is nothing as elevating as when I fall
low before God.
The latter part of verse 14 is a reminder that all 1am and possess is from
the Lord. And what I have given to Him is simply returning a portion of
what He has given to me.

Lord, I devote my treasures and service to You today. Amen.

John Rengifo is the associate pastor of Evangelism and Discipleship for the
Atholton church in Maryland.
 Storms Will Come
“He said to them, ‘Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?’”
(Mark 4:40, ESV).

_ The disciples, several of whom were experienced sailors, had been scared
to death as a windstorm brought waves crashing over the side of their
_ boat. Water filled the vessel faster than they could bail it out. Yet, Jesus
_ Slept peacefully until the disciples woke him. After calming the storm, He
_asked them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
_ Peter would take this lesson to heart. In Acts 12, he endured a different
kind of storm. Shackled between two guards, he slept peacefully in prison
though his death was imminent.
How can one sleep in the middle of a storm? I wrestled with this idea at
3 a.m., aS Once again sleep alluded me. For weeks, I had been struggling
t with anxiety, which robbed me of peaceful rest night after night. As I
prayed to God, He showed me the reason for my distress. I wanted to
be in control of everything. God said: You are not in control. I am.
My responsibility centered around choosing to trust Him and work
alongside Him. I had to trust that He knew the desires of my heart and
would continue to do what was best for me in His way and at His time.
It was with this realization that a peace that had eluded me began to
grow. Storms still come, and every now and then Ifind myself awake in
the middle of the night. But Iremember it is God Who is in control.
_Isimply need to rest in Him.

Dear Lord, help me to remember that You have my life under control. I simply
need to choose to have faith in You. Amen.

Michele Joseph attends the Charlottesville and Harrisonburg churches in Virginia, where
her husband pastors.
4
 Remember That Verse?
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”
(Ps. 105:119, KJV).

When I was growing up, a standard part of my week was memory verses.
Some of the earliest verses I remember learning are “The Lord is my
shepherd; I shall not want” (Ps. 23:1, KJV), “All things work together for
good” (Rom. 8:28, KJV) and “For God so loved the world” (John 3:16, KJV).
Many of these verses have stayed with me, and they will come to mind when
prompted by everyday circumstances. When thinking about this devotional
book, I found my thoughts turning to those memory verses from long ago.
One was a text that reminds us that God is always with us. It was written to
God's people at a time when they had many reasons to wonder what their
future held: “Fear not, for Iam with you,” is the message of Isaiah 41:10
(NKJV). And Joshua, the leader who had wandered with Israel throughout his
nomadic life, is able to confidently state, “The Lord your God wiil be with you
wherever you go” (Josh. 1:9, NIV). There is comfort in remembering that our
destiny and ultimate happiness is in God’s hands.
Isaiah also reminds, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength”
(Isa. 40:31, NIV), affirming the great power that hope brings to our lives.
A verse that has been both a comfort and challenge to me is Micah 6:8: “He
has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (NKJV).
I'm thankful for the way faith guides our daily lives. I'm thankful for these
little bits of Scripture that help bring God's care and calling into focus.

O Lord, let the verses we have learned provide direction for the way we should
live. Amen.

Terry Forde is the president and CEO of Adventist HealthCare in Maryland.

 “Se

Leap of Faith
=
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“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his
heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38, NKJV).

Have you ever made a decision that you were uncertain about the
- outcome? Yet, you took one big leap of faith in God, trusting Him to
- direct your path?
__ In February 2007, my then-family of four, made a big decision that
~ eventually changed our lives forever. We left our loved ones in Kenya—
the one place we had always known as home—to relocate to a foreign
land where we knew no one, nor what the future held. We trusted in
God’s guidance and leading every step of the way.
~ During our first few weeks in the United States, we encountered trials that
made us regret our decision. At times, we found ourselves questioning if
“a
God had forgotten us when we had fully surrendered ourselves to Him.
My purse was stolen at a grocery store, we were robbed at gunpoint just
outside our house and we almost died in a car accident that wrecked
and totaled the vehicle. Witnesses couldn't believe anyone survived. But,
through all of this, God was in control.
Since that time, God has blessed our lives immensely. He opened doors
for my husband to continue his ministry journey. He gave us two more
children—making us a family of six—and made it possible for all of them
to get a Christian education.
_ Always commit your plans and decisions to the Lord and fully trust and
obey Him. Patiently wait on His timing, and you will be amazed at what He
can and will do in your life.

- Father, thank You that we can always rely on You to lead the way. Amen.

Peris Apola is thé administrative assistant and accounts clerk for the Columbia Union
Revolving’Furd in Maryland.
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 The Real Superman
“The Son of Man came to find lost people and save them”
(Luke 19:10, ICB).
o

I have a bad habit of getting lost. I've been lost in grocery stores, malls,
parks and even at church.
When I was 2, I climbed out of my stroller at Hershey Park to look at
some flowers, and, when I turned around, my parents were gone. I don’t
remember what happened next, but somehow I ended up at the Lost and
Found with a nice lady. Soon after that, my dad came and found me.
When I was 4, we went to Disney World, and just before the big fireworks
show, we went into a souvenir shop. I spotted a Minnie Mouse hat with a
crown on it that looked really cool. As her biggest fan at the time, I had to
get my hands on it. When I turned to show my mom and sister, I couldn't
find them. An employee sat with me until they came and found me.
Another time, my dad, sister and I were walking in our town. We waited
a long time for the light to signal that it was our time to cross the street.
Knowing it would soon change, I started walking, and didn’t notice a bus
heading toward me. Suddenly, my dad picked me up and carried me back to
the sidewalk, just as the bus passed. Once again, my dad had rescued me.
Luke 19:10 reminds me that Jesus loves us so much that He came to save
us. And when we get into trouble or when we are lost, He rescues us. He is
the real Superman!

Dear Jesus, thank You for loving me. Thank You that You came to rescue us
and save us. Amen.

Sarita Blyden is a fourth-grader at Atholton Adventist Academy in Maryland.

 The Power of Peace
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the
world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled,
neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27, ESV).

Why do we need peace? Better yet, why do we need God's peace, and
how is God's peace better than the world’s? God gives us a kind of peace
that the world cannot give. A kind of peace that takes away fear. One that
is stronger than the world itself.
When we are stressed or scared, we often wish for a calm feeling of peace
to comfort us. Sometimes we have stressful days, and other times we
have to face very hard decisions. God can take away those fears! All we
have to do is ask Him.
God will give us peace so we don’t have to be afraid of whatever we are
dealing with. Our problems may seem big, but God is greater than those
problems.
Sometimes it is very hard to feel peace with all the trials and tribulations
of this earth. However, even though there is all this darkness, there is a
light at the end of the tunnel. Jesus tells us in John 16:33, “I have told you
these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will
have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (NIV). The world
may scare us, but God is the One who is ultimately in control.

Lord, thank You for being the One in control of our world. Thank You for the
peace You give and the promises we can claim in Your Word. Help us to trust
You in every situation. Amen.

Kaley Walls is a seventh-grader at Vienna Adventist Academy in Virginia.

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 My Strength and Song
“The Lord is my strength and my song, and He
has become my salvation” (Ps. 118:14, NKJV).

It was late Tuesday night, and I desperately wanted to sleep as I paced

around my dorm room. It was the second day of our student-led Week of
Prayer, and I was scheduled to speak the next day. _—

I had spent the last four hours writing out my mini-sermon, and it was
finally done. I was happy with the result and extremely excited to share it
with my peers, but the idea of speaking in front of the entire school left me
sick to my stomach. I grabbed my Bible and flipped around in the book of
Psalms, trying desperately to find reassurance.
I found myself at Psalms 118 and read it once, twice, three times; first
in my head, and then aloud. The words were everything I needed at
that moment. The psalm promised that God is there in my moments of
distress, that He hears me when I feel overwhelmed and helpless and that
He is my strength.

When I stood in front of my school the following day, I was still terrified.
My hands were shaking, but my voice was clear. Despite my fear, I had
confidence in God and myself—in a way I had never experienced before.
I wish I could say I always turn to God in times of trouble, but I usually
rely on my own strength instead of relying on the most powerful Being in
the universe, forgetting to consult with Infinite Wisdom. Yet, He is always
there, ready to welcome me with open arms the moment I cry out for help.

Lord, in our moments of fear and anxiety, please give us Your strength and
peace, Amen.

Aubrey Benton is a 2020 graduate of Shenandoah Valley Academy in Virginia.

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The Lost Wallet
“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning
will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up” (Ps. 5:3, KJV).

Sabbath morning dawned bright and fair, but icily cold. It gave every
appearance of imminent snow, and, sure enough, I could soon see
the flurries making their unique design on my windowpane! From all
accounts earlier in the week, the church service promised to be a real
blessing. My husband and sons were ready to go, and all I needed was
my pocketbook. A quick look inside revealed that my wallet was not in its
usual place. I tried not to panic and began to search all the likely places I
might have left it.
An inner voice kept telling me that I was just wasting time. I pushed it
_ aside, but another frantic search through the house and car yielded no
positive results. I decided I might have left it at the nearby high school
where I taught, but a quick trip there proved fruitless. By then I was
totally despondent and sure that the prayers we had offered up were not
helping. Should I wallow in self-pity, remain at home and allow my family
to go on to church without me? I certainly was not in the mood for praise
or rejoicing. Nevertheless, I yielded to the voice of faith, not doubt. “Dear
God, please see me through this situation,” I whispered.
Although late, my family and I made our way to church. A wonderful
sermon brought a new commitment to Christ from our firstborn. And
more joyous news arrived: Two days later, my husband searched the car
again and found my missing wallet!

Lord, help us to trust You through all the vicissitudes of life. Amen.

Gloriading Bramble is a mémber ofthe-Bucks County church in Peni

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 Be Kind
“A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself”
(Prov. 11:17, ESV).

What is kindness? According to the dictionary, kindness is “a behavior of

being friendly, generous, and considerate.” This means that smiling at
someone, holding a door for someone, helping someone with schoolwork
or giving money to homeless people are acts of kindness.
Do we need kindness? Absolutely. Kindness is valued by all cultures and
religions. Proverbs 11:17 says that “a man who is kind benefits himself, but
a cruel man hurts himself.” I agree with King Solomon. When someone is
being kind to me, I feel good, and when I do something kind to others, I §
feel good too.
As followers of Jesus, we are to be kind to everyone, even if we don’t feel
like it, and even if the person is not nice or is different than us.
When David became king, he searched for anyone in Saul’s house to
whom he could show kindness. He found Mephibosheth, the son of
Jonathan and the grandson of Saul. Mephibosheth was so afraid, thinking
David would kill him! But David came to show kindness for the sake of his
friend Jonathan. David gave Mephibosheth all the land that Saul owned,
and Mephibosheth ate at the king's table like one of the king’s sons.
Now that is kindness.

Dear God, thank You for being “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger
and abounding in lovingkindness” (Ps. 103:8, NASB). Amen.

Dale Flynn is a fifth-grader at Vienna Adventist Academy in Virginia.

 God Is in Control
“For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the
Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans
to give you hope and a future’” (Jer. 29:11, NIV).

Throughout my life, this verse has always reminded me that God is in

- control. There are times when I wonder why things happen the way they
do or if something in my life is the right thing for me. However, each time
these doubts fill my mind, I remember that God puts everything in my life
for a purpose.
When I was 13, I started attending Shenandoah Valley Academy (SVA)—a
Seventh-day Adventist boarding school. Prior to this, [had attended
public school and I didn’t look forward to leaving home and transitioning
to an Adventist private school. At first, my outlook toward SVA was very
pessimistic, and I found myself asking Why am I here? God answered that
question, and He completely changed my outlook.
At SVA, He surrounded me with caring and loving people who accepted
me for who I was. God knew that I would receive a great education and
develop a stronger relationship with Him. I was able to grow in my studies
and in my spiritual life.
Even though I doubted at times, Jeremiah 29:11 reminded me that God
always had a plan for my life. God knows what is in store for all of us,
and He will lead us to success. A God so loving will never leave our side
and cause us to crumble in our own doubts. Whenever we find ourselves
questioning why things happen, we can know that He is in control.

Lord, thank You for the assurance that You have a perfect plan for our lives.
- Amen.

Josselyn Villatorg is a 2020 graduate of Shenandoah Valley Academy in Virginia.

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 Everything We Need
“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need
for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming
to know Him, the One who called us to Himself by means of His
marvelous glory and excellence” (2 Pet. 1:3, NLT).

I love this text, mostly because it is a simple proclamation of the gospel.

But also because it sets the record straight in regard to the lies the serpent
told in the Garden of Eden. Many people are still being convinced that
God's Word is not reliable, that God uses obedience to keep good things
from his people and that we do not already have everything we need to
reflect the image of God.
Jesus counteracts these lies and restores the damage they have done.
Jesus, Himself, is the evidence that we can trust in God’s promises, that
God holds nothing back from us and that, in Him, we have everything we
need to realize our God-given identity and escape the power of sin.
If we feel that we do not have everything we need, we are reminded that it
is not because God is not there or that He is keeping good things from us.
It is only an optical illusion that our sin is greater or more powerful than
what God has done for us. Satan loves to use the continued presence of
sin to convince us that God has abandoned us or that we are disqualified
to participate in the good things that God has given. Sin can blind us and
cloud our minds, but it cannot take away our calling and election. All other
thoughts that cause us to doubt this are illusions and lies.

Thank You, Lord, that our calling and election are safe and secure in Jesus.

) Jordache is the Bible teacher and chaplain at Spencerville Adventist Academy

 The Vinedresser
“Tam the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and
every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
... Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,
unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me”
(John 15:1-2, 4, NKJV).

These words have brought me so much comfort over the years. When I
was a junior at Southwestern Adventist University (Texas), I felt lost and
not ready to face my senior year. God had not answered my prayers and
desire to travel the world.
Then, a few weeks before myjunior year came to a close, I walked past
the Student Missions office, and felt God telling me to go inside. Mind
you, it is not my nature to walk into an office and talk to strangers. But I
found myself asking the director about places student missionaries had
been to in the past. It did not take long to realize that God was calling me
to be a missionary. I prayed and asked Him to show me how this would
be possible.
That fall, Iwent to Chuuk, a state in the Guam-Micronesia Mission field.
_ While serving there, I recall reading John 15, seeing God “prune” areas
in my life that did not fit His plan and fulfilling a plan He had already laid
out perfectly for me. Allowing the Vinedresser to prune desires that were
against His plan helped me to see how much more potential I had when
_ Iplaced Him at the forefront.

Thank You, God, for continuing to prune me so thatIcan bear fruit for You.
Amen.

Tabita Martinez is the undertreasurer for the Columbia Union Conference.

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 Our Comforter
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path”
(Ps. 119:105, KJV).

In the movie The Sound of Music, Maria sings “My Favorite Things” to the
von Trapp children to comfort them during a thunderstorm. She tells them
that whenever she’s scared or upset, she simply sings about things that
bring her comfort and joy. I figure if she can sing about “raindrops on
roses,” then I should be able to use Scripture to do the same thing.
Set to this song’s tune, this is “My Favorite Things: The Christian Version.” _
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
No weapon that’s formed against me shall harm. ;
Be anxious for nothing, and in all things pray. .
Trust in the Lord that He'll make a way.
He’s my strong tower and He’s my defense.
His angels around me, protect like a fence.
Casting my cares upon Him I know,
He died for my sins ‘cause He loves me so.
All things they work together for good,
To them who love and are called by the Lord.
If God be for us, who can be against?
The battle’s not ours, but it’s His to win.

When the new is bad,

When the lion roars,
When I'm feeling scared,
I simply recite some of my favorite texts, and realize that God is near.

God, may Your words comfort me during times of distress. Amen.

K. L. Watkins is the principal of the Sharon Temple Adventist School in Delaware.

 Beans and Rice
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the
riches of His glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19, NIV).

Many people live from paycheck to paycheck. In fact, many are one
paycheck away from being homeless. I've been there before.
I had three small children living in Texas. There was no food, no job, no
money and no husband. I had one cup of rice and one cup of beans, and,
like the widow in the Bible, I was going to make that meal and then try to
figure it out from there. She had made up her mind to die; I wasn’t quite
there yet, but I was very discouraged.
I was living in a town where I had no friends, church or family. My baby
daughter needed milk, but I didn’t have any way to get it. I felt hopeless.
So I did what I saw my parents do. I prayed. I prayed to a God that I was
not sure about and really not following at the time. I wasn’t sure if He
would even listen to me. I asked Him to help me to know what to do and
where to go. I didn’t know anyone and wasn’t sure where to get help.
When I finished praying, there was a knock at my front door. There stood
a lady with a huge box of food. I didn’t know her, and I don’t remember
her ever saying where she was from. She just said she felt impressed to
bring me food. I was so grateful. Tears streamed down my face.
Through every difficult circumstance since that time, I’ve found God to
be true and reliable. He’s always supplied the “beans and rice.”

Thank You, Lord, for taking care of all of our needs. Amen.

Lori Farris the pastor of the Miamisburg church in Ohio.

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 Armed to the Teeth
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to
stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:11, NKJV).

“The term ‘armed to the teeth’ originated in Port Royal Jamaica in the
1600s when pirates were constantly looking for ships to loot and their guns
were very primitive. As a result, pirates could shoot only once before a
long reloading process. Consequently, they needed to carry a gun in each
hand, and perhaps in each pocket. For extra power, they would also hold
a knife between their teeth. To be ‘armed to the teeth’ means to carry the
maximum number of weapons possible.”*
Because we are in a war against the devil, we need to be “armed to the
teeth.” The Bible is our weapons store, our armory where we may arm
ourselves for the struggle. Our loins must be gird about with truth. Our
breastplate must be righteousness. Our feet must be fit with shoes of the
preparation of the gospel of peace. The shield of faith must be in our hand.
Our sword, the Word of God, must be in hand. Our head must be covered
with the helmet of salvation. And we know where our help comes from:
“[Our] help comes from the Lord” (Ps. 121:2, NKJV).
We have a General—Jesus Christ. When He died on the cross and rose on
the third day, He obtained victory over the powers of death and the evil
one. Jesus has never lost a battle, and He never will. He has promised us
victory at the start of our battle and has given us victory at the end. So let
us arm ourselves to the teeth!

Lord, may we put on the whole armor of God every day. Amen.

Kelly Strickland is an elder at the Rehoboth church in Pennsylvania.

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indiatimes.com/what-is-the-origin-of-the-term-armed-to-the-teeth
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 Light of Salvation
“Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path”
(Ps. 119:105, NKJV).

It seems as if the jungle, the mountains and rural areas are favorite
_ destinations to send new ministers. I was no exception. My first district
was in the deep forest of Nicaragua, surrounded by rushing rivers and
deep lagoons. Our congregations resided in small communities nestled
around these lagoons. Ninety percent of travel between them was by
river, SO we used an outboard motorboat to carry out pastoral work.
Although it was not advisable to sail at night in those areas, sometimes
the work required it. This was the case during one of our pastoral visits. A
powerful storm overtook us and darkened the route much earlier than we
expected. There was no moon, no stars, no lamps or anything that could
help us see in the middle of the dense and dark night.
Oh, how we needed light! At times, thunder and lightning brightened the
way momentarily, enabling us to advance. Suddenly, the engine stopped.
For a few seconds, we were silent and perplexed. Why was this happening
to us now? I thought. Instantly, a powerful lightning bolt illuminated the
entire sky and river, and, to our amazement, we were right in front of a
sunken boat jutting out of the water.
God had delivered us from certain death. His light guided us and showed
us imminent danger. In the same way, God acts in the midst of this dark
world. His words act like those lightning bolts, illuminating our path to
give us security and salvation.

Thank You, God, for lighting our path. Amen.

Peter M. Simpson is the coordinator of Hispanic Ministries and director of Global Mi:
for the Ohio Conference.
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 The Branch, Not the Vine
“Iam the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser”
(John 15:1, NASB).

Jesus’ teaching in John 15:1 illustrates our dependence on Him: “I am the

true vine,” He says. How often have we tried to be the vine, but produced
sour grapes—the ugly works of the flesh? We have tried to find holiness
and love for others in ourselves, which we will never find. “I know that
nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature” (Rom. 7:18, NIV).
Jesus, the true Vine, will produce the fruit of the Spirit as we allow Him
to live in us. “I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live” (Gal. 2:20,
KJV). Paul, who was crucified with Christ, was not the vine, vainly trying to
do his best. He was the branch, whose self-confidence was broken and
dependent on the Lord.
The responsibility of trying to be the vine makes us tense, predisposing
us to further sin. Attempting to depend more on Him without repenting
of trying to be the vine is vain. Dependence on the true Vine, and, our
willingness to be the branch and not the vine, allows His salvation and
blessings to be worked out through us to reach others.

Lord, may we stop trying and start depending on You. Amen.

William Peterson is the executive secretary of the Pennsylvania Conference.

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 God Chose You!
“But now listen, Jacob, my servant, Israel, whom I have chosen”
(Isa. 44:1, NIV).

You can be the one through whom God changes the course of the world.
Through the annals of time, shining examples of people were used by
God for that exact purpose. David was a young shepherd when he faced
Goliath. Jeremiah was about 20 years old when he accepted God's call to
be His voice. Esther was a woman in a foreign land when she saved her
people. Martin Luther was a young adult when he started the Protestant
Reformation. God called William Miller, a 50-year-old farmer, to proclaim
the Advent message to the world. Not long after, Ellen White, at the age
of 17, received her first vision. They each heeded the call and obeyed the
commission to shine as bright lights during periods of darkness.
Today, the same voice that spoke to Isaiah can be heard saying, “Whom
shall Isend? And who will go for us?” (Isa. 6:8, NIV). The Holy Spirit wants
us to occupy a special place in the history of redemption.
We live in a world that carries the virus called evil: the horror of terrorism
evidenced in suicide attacks, the war in the Middle East, racial tension and
homicides recorded in real-time.

Today, what is desperately needed is a generation of disciples who

will commit to engage in interpersonal relationships. In this way, as
Seventh-day Adventist Christians, we will have a resounding and far-reaching
impact on the world. We must decide to make a positive change in our
circles of influence. When we do, God will work in us and through us so
that the reflection ofJesus will become a daily experience on this earth.

Lord, when You call, may we answer. Amen.

javier Moreno is the pastor of the Baltimore Spanish chur ch in Maryland.

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 The Lord Is My Song
“God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for Yah,
the Lord, is my strength and song” (Isa. 12:2, NKJV).

~ The phone rang. A voice on the other end had bad news to share with me.
“Your dad is not getting better,” she said.
That sunny day turned gloomy and gray.
Prone to depression, I asked my husband, “How can I be happy when dad
is suffering? How can I enjoy the sunny days when he is cooped up ina
hospital and I cannot visit?”
Thankfully, there is Someone who is faithful and kind and who every
morning gives me the strength to continue on myjourney. He promises to
carry my burdens and heavy load.
Little by little, I've learned how to smile in the midst of sorrow. My dad and ~
I receive help and resources from many people and places. God sees all our |
needs and supplies them. My Strength restores my soul and energy. My
Song puts a tune in my heart to rejoice in Him during stormy situations.
There will be a day when I meet my Savior, and I will thank Him face-to-face
as I thank Him now.

Lord, Iam not afraid of the future because You are my salvation. Thank You.
Amen.

) is the director of Children’s Ministries and the executive assistant

of
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 Salt on a Bird’s Tail
“And [Jesus] said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted,
and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom
of heaven” (Matt. 18:3, KJV).

When I was a boy, my grandfather used to say, “If you can put salt on a
bird’s tail, you can catch the bird.” He would then hand us the saltshaker,
and off we children went for hours of fun that brought joy and laughter to
the adults watching from the porch. Needless to say, we wasted lots of salt
and could never get close enough to those illusive birds.
When I was married and had children of my own, I told my wife about the
grand adventure I had as a child. Like any good parent, we had to try this
experiment with our own children. And like my own elders, we spent hours
watching our children enjoy childhood in its purest form.
As time went by, the salt and the birds were forgotten in our minds, but
not our kid’s. One morning, we awoke with a sense of alarm. The kids were
running through the house with excitement. It did not take long to figure
out the cause of their joy. “Get the salt!” we heard our daughter exclaim.
A bird had flown through an open window, and they wanted to catch it.
In that moment, we fully understood why Jesus said it takes the faith of
a child to get to heaven. A child trusts and believes until the sin of the
world—through experiences and hurt—destroys that trust. Only Jesus can
restore our childlike faith and hope.

Heavenly Father, teach us to put our faith and trust in You. Amen.

Chris Trent is the pastor of the Grace Outreach and Grace Community church
West Virginia.
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 Prayer Still Works
“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”
(Matt. 19:26, NKJV).
—

“This can't be happening to me!” Isaid. The doctor's diagnosis hit me like
a ton of bricks. I was suffering from a painful illness that was spreading
aggressively. In spite of this distressing news, I remained optimistic that
surgery was still an option.
Unfortunately, I awoke from that first surgery only to be confronted with
more dismal news. There was nothing they could do for me! Naturally, I
started to blame myself because I knew something was wrong years ago,
but Iignored all the warning signs, choosing to bear the pain silently.
I prayed to God to help me to find a doctor able to handle my case. I had
nearly given up when my mom called me. She was not ready to give up.
As we prayed, an overwhelming sense of peace entered my heart. I did not
know what God would do, but I was certain that He would do something.
Months later, we found a doctor who believed this impossible surgery was
indeed possible! However, he cautioned that it was no easy task. A team of
specialists had to be assembled.
When the day finally came, I felt the divine assurance that God was with
me. The surgery did not go smoothly, and the doctor confessed that he
thought they might lose me. But to his surprise, I survived.

My very existence is a testimony to the fact that with God all things are
possible! What are you worried about today? Give it to Jesus.

God, there is nothing too hard for You. Help us to trust You with the
circumstances of our lives. Amen.

Anastacia Ferguson-Bansie is the director of Women’s Ministries for the Chesapeake

Conference and an associate pastor of the Atholton church in Maryland.

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 He Will Direct Your Path
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not
unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge
Him, and He shall direct thy paths” (Prov. 3:5-6, KJV).

_ Many times throughout my life, I have followed these passages, and the
_ Lord has led me in the right path.
Several years ago, I lived in a mobile home that, unbeknownst to me,
was affecting my health. I had been dealing with pneumonia for several
months. One day, I saw an ad for an apartment and prayed for the
Lord’s leading. I was able to sell my mobile home, and I moved into the
apartment. I have not had pneumonia since!
In this community, I have made a lot of friends and have been able to
help many of the elderly residents. I have even been called an “angel.”
All credit goes to the Lord for giving me the strength to do all I can.

Lord, please be with each of us in these difficult times, and let us remember
that You are still in control. Amen.

Becky Newman is a member of the Springfield First church in Ohio.

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 When Grace Happens
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24, NIV).

There are times when believing does not come easy for me, because too
many people that I care about hurt too much to let believing come easy.
People close to me get cancer and die. My friends’ marriages turn into
battlefields. God does not seem to do many miracles for my crowd.
But people in my little orbit are just starters. All those starving children I
pray for around the world keep on dying, and the oppressed people I pray
for keep getting their heads banged and their freedoms choked. I know we
make many of our own miseries. Iam only admitting that when I believe
that God really cares, there are a lot of hurts that suggest He does not
seem to care enough.
Believing sneaks into my heart when my mind says, “God, where were you~
when I needed you?” I'm speaking about really believing, the kind you do
with your deepest self, down where your deepest feelings flow. These are
the feelings that push my life toward joy or misery—feelings of the heart,
the window of my being, where I am open to God.
That's when I rediscover grace. Grace happens when I feel a surge of
honest joy that makes me glad to be alive in spite of valid reasons for
feeling terrible. It happens when grace tells me I can be sure that my
future is going to turn out better than I dare imagine. Grace gives me
hope, and it happens on many layers of my life.

Please Lord, when we deeply feel that life is all wrong, help us to overcome our
unbelief and really believe that your grace can make it all right. Amen.

Rob Vandeman retired from the Columbia Union Conference after nearly 50 years as
a pastor and administrator.
 No Limits
““The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose
you because you were more in number than any of the
peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but
because the Lord loved you’” (Deut. 7:7-8, NASB).

A When I was 7, I had been in and out of hospitals multiple times trying
_ to find answers on how to correct severe congenital birth defects that
affected my hands and feet. Now I was on a stage at a major university
medical center, complete with spotlights and about 30 adults around me
wearing white jackets—presumably doctors, researchers and interns. A
professor got up and listed the great qualities I possessed. Good grades in
school. Socially well-adjusted. Loving home. Then the show really started,
at least for me.
I was asked to demonstrate how I could not tie my shoes, button my shirt, etc.
The professor said, “Because of this boy’s lack of key abilities, he will always
need to be tended to by others.” This made me furious. I refused to follow
their instructions any further and ran out of the room to find my parents.
Today, I am in the middle of a second career as a pastor, and God has
favored me with blessing after blessing, including a beautiful wife, children
and grandchildren. And I was once a businessman, vice president and set
sales records in Fortune 500 companies.
Never limit the potential of others by what you see on the surface, because
our God makes big statements by getting the most from the least.

God, remind us that whether it’s Jericho, Gideon or a boy's lunch, You do not
need our strength but our willingness. Amen.

Roy Weeden is the district pastor of the Wiiliamsport, Miiton

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 The Mind of Christ
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5, KJV).

What is the mind of Christ? How does God think? If we continue with
this passage in Philippians, we learn that even though Jesus was God, He
humbled Himself to become a man. But He didn’t stop there. He didn’t
come as a king or some wealthy person; He became a servant.
He didn’t stop there either. He humbled Himself to be subject to death
on a cross—the worst and most humiliating form of punishment any
human could endure. Accordingly, the mind of Christ is complete and utter —
selflessness and humility.
Because of His selfless sacrifice, we learn that Christ was exalted above
every name. And “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow” (Phil.
2:10, KJV).
Contrast this with Lucifer, who said, “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt
my throne above the stars of God. ... I will be like the most High” (Isa.
14:13-14, KJV). Lucifer wanted everything, including the worship of all living
creatures. Pride ruled his heart. And what will happen to him? “Yet thou
shalt be brought down to hell” (Isa. 14:15, KJV). Lucifer was unwilling to
give up pride and selfishness, and he will suffer the consequences.
Am I willing to give up my own desires, selfishness and pride and follow
Christ? God promises that “it is God which worketh in you both to will and
to do of His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13, KJV). So God will give us the victory,
then give us the reward at the end, just for allowing Him to do His will in us.

Father, thank You that You give us victory through Jesus. May we have His
selfless mind. Amen.

Perry Heinrich is an elder and the treasurer ofthe Linthicum church in Maryland.
 Closer Than Before
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on
your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5-6, NKJV).

_ The book was How People Grow, by Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend.
_ Thad been courageously absorbing its wisdom for several weeks.
Eventually, though, I had to stop and address a painful realization: I'm
nowhere near the emotionally healthy adult I should be.
I knew it was unwise to wallow in such self-criticism. Emotional maturity
can be altered by many factors, and emotional abuse during one’s
formative years is no small one. I needed to tread carefully, and slowly
heal the wounds that had altered everything from friendships to the
bedrock of my identity. Still, Icould not shake the feeling that I was
_ behind in my progress.
It was time to revisit Proverbs 3:5-6. I had reflected on this passage many
times concerning my career aspirations; but now, a different application
surfaced. I could no longer lean on my own understanding of myself.
God could see my progress report much better than me. Clinging to His
understanding of me was key to enduring the winding paths of growth.
We all may encounter self-doubts, whether via a thought-provoking
book or another experience. But instead of focusing on our incomplete
areas of healing, it is imperative that we continue accepting what God is
accomplishing in and for us. We may still not be where we should be, but
- thank God we can be closer than before.

Father, You have instructed us to replace our finite understanding with trust
_ in Your infinite discernment. Help us to do so! Remove the power of sin and
brokenness over our lives as we abide in Your gift of restoration. Amen.

Yasmin Phillip is a member of the New Market church in Virginia.

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 I've Got the Joy!
“Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat,
drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing
is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow,
for the joy of the Lord is your strength’” (Neh. 8:10, NKJV).

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” What a wonderful promise God has
given us. Unfortunately, there is a great misunderstanding that we have
to straighten out to understand God's gift correctly. We need to dispel the
idea that joy is not dependent upon the situations and circumstances of
life. A survey of the context ofjoy in the Bible reveals that it is very much
dependent upon life situations. What's important for us to recognize is
that the joy God promises us is not just any joy: it is a joy that is “of the
Spirit,” or, as Nehemiah called it, the “joy of the Lord.”
This is the joy, that, when set before Christ, caused Him to endure the
cross, despising the shame. This is the joy Christians have that enables
them to face various trials with a spirit of rejoicing. This is the joy that
remains, regardless of outside circumstances, a joy that no one and
nothing can take away, a joy that will grow and flourish until your entire
life is full of it.
This joy—like all joy—is dependent upon circumstance. What makes this
joy special is that it is only dependent on the active, interested, loving
presence of Jesus—the very One who has promised, “I will never leave you
nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5, NKJV).

Father, thank You for the joy Your presence provides. Help me to abide in Your
joy today and every day. Amen.

y Jayburn is the pastor of the Meridian Road, New Castle and Shenango
Valley churches in Pennsylvania.
 Look for the Miracles
“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the
goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (Ps. 27:13, NKJV).

Have you noticed that in the difficult times we’re living in, there have also
_ been many miracles? For example, during the coronavirus pandemic,
~ a young husband and father from New Jersey was on a ventilator, and
doctors prepared his family for the worst. His sister sent out a desperate
plea for prayer, people everywhere interceded for him, and, against
all odds, he recovered. “God defies science!” she later testified, “He
performed a miracle for my brother!”
The Bible recounts many miracles. Miracles happened when there was
someone in need, in trouble, or in crisis. When our world was in crisis,
Jesus came to earth to save us. Our Miracle came wrapped in swaddling
clothing and spent His first nights in a stable. During His ministry, Jesus
BSMase
fed a hungry crowd with just two fish and five loaves of bread. He healed
the sick, the blind, the lame and calmed the storms. In each situation,
Jesus defied the odds and expectations and brought healing, restoration
and peace. His miracles made doubters believe, set captives free and
saved sinners.

At a well, Jesus met a woman who was lost and empty, and transformed
her life and the lives of the people in her town. When Jesus transforms
our lives, that’s the greatest of all miracles.
Troubles won't last always, but when they come—and many will in these
- last days—look for the miracles and the opportunities to witness the work
of our God. He is able, and He is mighty to save!

Dear God, thank You for the miracles—evidence of Your goodness and grace.
_ Amen.

Celeste Ryan Blyden is the vice president for Strategic Comm |

for the Cohghnitsiat7 Union Conference, and editor ands pisleinhes of‘the Visitor ma
 The Best Gift
“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds
unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper;
whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” (Prov. 11:24-25, NIV).

For me, Christmas has always been a time of immense gratitude for all
that God has done in my life. However, amid the wonderful festivities
and excitement—glimmering lights, delicious food and gifts wrapped
with bows—it’s easy to forget that for some, these displays are a further —

reminder of what they don’t have.

Some of these folks live in our communities, go to our schools and work
in our organizations. Some of them wake up, put on a badge and go to
work—just like we do. One day, I was chatting with a staff member at one
of our hospitals who shared the plight of her colleagues struggling to put
food on the table and pay bills, let alone spend money on anything extra. It
touched my heart and was a startling reminder that outward appearances
can be deceiving.

When Jesus came to this earth as a baby more than 2,000 years ago, each
of us were given a remarkable gift—the promise of forgiveness and the
hope of eternal life. The “glad tidings and great joy” that Jesus brought,
and the gifts He gives, transcend economic barriers and earthly status.
When it comes to God's love, we're all on the same level. One way we can
reflect His love to our communities is to give graciously and continuously,
just like He does for us.
This Christmas, I pray that God will open our eyes and hearts to see the
needs of those around us and remind us that giving isn't seasonal.

God, You have given so much to us. May we be Christlike and give freely to
others. Amen.

Fred Manchur is the CEO of Kettering Adventist HealthCare in Ohio.

 The One
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes
to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6, NKJV).

Growing up in a loving Muslim home—led by my generous, strong,

industrious mother—was a tremendous blessing to me. A commitment to
the five pillars of Islam provided a foundation upon which I developed a
reverence for an omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent God.
However, that foundation also left me seeking more. In spite of my
questions and misgivings, I persisted in my desire to walk with God
unreservedly. I wanted to know truth—even if it made me uncomfortable.
One day, while at my university campus job, I lowered my head onto the
desk and prayed, “God, please show me truth. No matter how you direct
me, I just want to know truth.”

Through books, people, music and study helps, God was preparing my
heart and mind to be confronted by a powerful claim by Jesus: “I am the
way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through
Me.” I was struck by the absolute nature of this statement. I was struck
by its simplicity. I grappled with it, nonetheless. Jesus was notA way, but
The way—The One. The more I learned about the exceptional beauty and
overwhelming love and character of this God, the less I could deny His
claim. I became convinced of Christ’s sovereignty.
My life changed completely. I had found Truth! The peace, joy and
strength of choosing to walk in His way, rest in His truth and experience
and anticipate His abundant life is daily encouragement for the world-
ravaged soul.

God, may we walk, rest, abide and trust in the love and care of the One who is
the way, the truth and the life. Amen.

Naeemah Shakir Phillip is a member of the New Market church in Virginia.

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 Hold On to the Rock
“My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me” (Ps. 63:8, NASB).

An item on my bucket list is to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge in

Australia. Adventurers who cross the structure for a 360-degree view of the
waterfront city must wear a special suit that straps them to a railing. Gale
winds at the summit can reach 55 miles per hour, enough force to rip a
roof off a building.
Securing people to a structure for safety harkens back to ancient Greek )
literature. In Homer’s epic Odyssey, the hero Odysseus’ ship passes by
Sirens, monsters disguised as beautiful women who sing enchanting 9

melodies and lure sailors to their deaths. Odysseus demands to be strapped

to the mast so he can hear the music but not be enticed by the Sirens.
The secular world sings a special “Siren” song to each of us that can
—

shipwreck our faith. We all struggle with something—alcohol, sex, drugs,

pornography, other vices and issues—that distracts us from our Creator. I
have often clutched at food for comfort when I should have clung to God.
The pleasures that evil provides seem highly entertaining in the moment.
As the end of time grows closer, the devil.goes about like a roaring lion
seeking to devour us, just as the Sirens sought to devour Odysseus. He
pinpoints our weaknesses and desires and targets us with gale-force
temptations to lure us away from God to our downfall.

When we spend time in God's Word and prayer, we shore up our

harnesses to a Rock that will hold us steady when temptation blows in.

Protector God, we have no power in our own strength to resist the temptations
that buffet us from all sides. Help us to cling to You and uphold us when our
strength fails. Amen.

Connie Kuykendall is a member of the Far West End church in Virginia.

 Crucified With Christ
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ
"liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the
faith of the Son.of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me”
(Gal. 2:20, KJV).

Zz
This text comes alive as I reflect on my past and present Christian
experience. Paul experienced many challenges in sharing the gospel
(2 Cor. 11:24-30). Although not suffering physically like Paul, I gave up
my military career to serve Christ. My plan was to retire after two decades
and go on to another career and then retire from within the public
sector of the same field of service. I could have had two pensions and
been financially set for life. At the time, I thought I was really living
Galatians 2:20. That was nearly 29 years ago.

: But God had other plans. I got married and had four wonderful children,
followed by six grandchildren. I have been involved in a pastoral role for
18 years, five as a part-time pastor/construction worker, and the last 13
full time in West Virginia.
I realize there was, and is, more crucifying that needs to be done in my
life. And I am thankful that I can choose to place myself in Jesus’ hands
each day and be crucified with Him. The pain of this life, although present
at times, is so much easier to deal with than His pain on Calvary for me.
I also realize that whatever I go through in my flesh is because Jesus is
_ allowing me to experience challenges for my best good. He wants me to
someday be like Him (1 John 3:2).

God, thank You for leading my life. May I be crucified daily with Christ. Amen.

james Volpe is the pastor of the Beckley and Bluefield churches in West Virginia
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 ‘Not That State’
“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps”
(Prov. 16:9, NKJV).

Years ago, I started college in Alabama. The degree I chose forced me to

transfer to a sister school in California for nine months. An East Coast native,
I told God that I would never end up this far away from home again.
A few years later, Iwas working in Massachusetts, feeling quite at home.
My then girlfriend was in graduate school in Maryland. The only way ;
we could plan for our future together, without disrupting what she had
started, was to transfer to a school in California. I couldn’t believe that I :
was willing to return to the place that had me homesick.
As they say, man plans, and God laughs. Much like Moses who left Egypt,
thinking he would live out his life in Midian, I had never thought that I would
see that land ever again. Moses reluctantly went to Egypt; with much prayer,
we decided that transferring to California was the right move for us too. We
got married, and, one month later, moved across the country.
That move produced five fruitful years, which springboarded our careers
and strengthened our faith. We left the state with a positive new outlook
and plans to make regular visits. If 1had remained stubborn about whatI
thought I knew about that location, my professional and spiritual growth
would not have flourished. I had to admit that God knew best.

Lord, help us to always remember that when we think we know where to go,
You ultimately have a better destination in mind. Amen.

Spendy Pierre-Louis is a member of the First Church of Montclair in New Jersey.

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 Metamorphosis
“All of us who ... can see and reflect the glory of the Lord.
And the Lord ... makes us more and more like Him as we are
changed into His glorious image” (2 Cor. 3:18, NLT).

Have you witnessed a butterfly leaving its chrysalis? The cycle goes from a
_ tiny egg to a caterpillar moving around and eating leaves, followed by the
chrysalis phase, where other changes take place. Finally, the adult butterfly
emerges from its cocoon. Scientists call this process metamorphosis,
meaning transformation—a significant change in looks and character.
The Bible also tell us about a “spiritual metamorphosis.” Metamorphoo, a
verb not a noun, appears four times in the King James Version, translated
twice as “transfigured” and one time each as “transformed” and “changed.”
Jesus was transfigured before His disciples (Matthew 17:2; Mark 9:2). His
divinity shined through His humanity! We are admonished: “Don’t copy
the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into
a new person by changing the way you think” (Rom. 12:2, NLT). This is a
divine command. Our role is passive by allowing God to transform us.
Finally, we can attain this spiritual metamorphosis by beholding Jesus
through His Word, as is written in 2 Corinthians 3:18.
Ellen White says, “It is a law both of the intellectual and the spiritual nature
that by beholding we become changed” (The Great Controversy, p. 555).
In another one of her writings, she says, “Through close study and
- earnest contemplation of the character of Christ, His image is reflected in
our own lives” (From the Heart, p. 321).

God, let us behold Jesus! Amen.

Preston G. Monterrey-Clark is the district pastor of the Chambersburg, !

Waynesboro churches in Pennsylvania.
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 Waiting and Anticipating!
“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those
who have fallen asleep. ... For if we believe that Jesus died and rose
again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For
this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive
and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede
those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven
with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet
of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive
and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to
meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Therefore comfort one another with these words”
(1 Thess. 4:13-18, NKJV).
;
This passage tells me that at Jesus’ second coming, our Lord will awake the
righteous dead, and, together with the righteous living, take them up to
heaven with Him. This culminating moment will not be a quiet one. It will
be extremely loud, with angels shouting and blasting their trumpets. All in
heaven and on earth will hear and know that Jesus reigns on high!
Iam anticipating that wonderful day! Aren’t you?

God, I pray for Jesus’ soon return, and that I, my loved ones and all who are
willing to accept Him will be ready to leave this earth when we hear the shout!
Amen.

[Indiana church in Pennsylvania.

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