Fabrice knew nothing of God or Jesus. As a fisherman, he spent weeks at a time on board a ship. One day one of the sailors gave him a book about God. He read it with great interest. Following the book’s instructions, Fabrice prayed his first prayer. Fabrice wondered which Christian faith was the true … Continue reading –>
A boy stood on the bank of a lake tossing bread crumbs into the water. Small minnows and larger fish came to the surface to grab the crumbs. I thought of Ecclesiastes 11:1 which says, “Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again” (NIV). The Church’s radio and television ministries … Continue reading –>
I am a Christian, but not an Adventist. My husband follows a different religion. We chose to send our two sons to Zamboanga Adventist Elementary School in the Philippines because we wanted them to study in a school with strong moral values. We looked at several schools, most of which had better facilities, but we … Continue reading –>
The foreign evangelist wasn’t sure what to expect as the evangelistic meetings among the Romani (Gypsy) people of Bulgaria neared. The leaders couldn’t locate a suitable hall to rent. But the Romani Adventist community would let nothing stand in their way. They built a platform on a dead-end street and put benches in the street. … Continue reading –>
More than half the world’s population lives in cities, yet the Adventist work in the cities languishes. God has a heart for cities. Speaking of Nineveh, He asked, “Should I not be concerned about that great city?” (Jonah 4:11, NIV). When Jesus came to this earth, He “had compassion on [the people] because they were … Continue reading –>
Gustave read the notice of evangelistic meetings in his town in Burundi. He had heard about Adventists-heard that they are sinners because they work in their gardens on Sunday. But Gustave decided to attend the meetings anyway. He hoped to learn something new about God. The messages touched his heart. Gustave couldn’t attend the meetings … Continue reading –>
“The Thessalonian believers were greatly annoyed by men coming among them with fanatical ideas and doctrines. Some were ‘disorderly, working not at all, but . . . busybodies.’ The church had been properly organized, and officers had been appointed to act as ministers and deacons. But there were some, self-willed and impetuous, who refused to … Continue reading –>
People living in the small West African country of Guinea Bissau lead lives of uncertainty and fear. Ongoing political unrest breeds fear for the future. But an even greater fear comes from the spirits which, they believe, control their lives. Throughout the country “devil trees” stand as a reminder that the devil and evil spirits … Continue reading –>
According to Matthew 18:15-17, how is the church supposed to treat a person who has been disfellowshiped? The matter of church discipline is one of the most difficult issues that a local church faces. Often an errant member is another member’s brother, mother, son, cousin, or best friend. Some members prefer never to discipline anyone; others prefer … Continue reading –>
What unique type of problem does Paul face in the Thessalonian church? 2 Thess. 3:9-12. In these verses Paul applies the tradition of what he did and said to a specific situation. A significant group of members were disorderly or out of order 2 Thess. 3:6-11). Paul had mentioned the problem in the previous letter, and addressed it … Continue reading –>
