June 14: The Power of Forgiveness: The Corrie ten Boom Story

Scripture Reading:
"He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." — Colossians 1:13-14

Imagine losing everything you love to a regime of absolute hatred, only to be asked years later to shake hands with the very person responsible for your family's suffering. For Corrie ten Boom, this wasn't a hypothetical test of faith, but a harrowing reality she faced after surviving the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp. Along with her sister Betsie, Corrie had been imprisoned for hiding Jewish refugees in her Dutch home, enduring unimaginable cruelty, starvation, and the eventual death of her beloved sister. When the war finally ended, she dedicated her life to traveling the world, carrying a message of healing and telling audiences that no pit is so deep that God’s love is not deeper still.

The ultimate testing ground arrived in 1947 at a church in Munich, Germany, when a man walked up to her after she finished speaking about God's radical grace. Corrie instantly recognized his face; he had been one of the cruelest guards at Ravensbrück, a man directly woven into the painful memories of her sister's final, agonizing days. He reached out his hand, praising her message, and asked if she would truly forgive him for the atrocities he had committed during the war. In that frozen moment, Corrie felt completely paralyzed, coldness clutching her heart as the intense trauma, anger, and deep grief of her past threatened to choke out the very words she had just preached.

This creates an agonizing pain point because when we face profound injustice or deep personal betrayal, the human impulse to hold onto resentment feels completely justified. We look at the scars left by those who hurt us and wonder how we could ever let go of the anger without minimizing the terrible wrong that was done. In those heavy moments, the enemy whispers that withholding forgiveness protects us, when in reality, bitterness is a silent cage that locks us in our past and poisons our spiritual life. This is the place where human strength completely fails, and the command to love our enemies feels like an impossible, unbearable demand.

Yet, standing face-to-face with her former captor, Corrie realized that forgiveness is not an emotion or a feeling, but an act of the will that relies entirely on supernatural grace. She could not manufacture the love needed to take his hand, so she prayed silently, asking Jesus to supply her with His own divine affection and strength. As she stretched out her arm, a miraculous warmth surged through her shoulder and down into their clasped hands, filling her heart with an overwhelming, tearful compassion for the man who had caused her so much pain. God took her broken, reluctant obedience and transformed it into a breathtaking display of heaven's triumphant power over earthly hatred.

This inspiring testimony demonstrates that even in our deepest moments of brokenness, God's grace can rebuild a shattered life, turning pain into a beautiful and impactful witness. It serves as a living illustration that the chains of past trauma and resentment can be permanently broken when we surrender our grievances to the Savior. When we choose to forgive, we discover that the prison door we are opening belongs to our own souls, revealing that the true captive being set free is ourselves. Our scars cease to be reminders of the malice of our enemies and become radiant proof of the conquering love of the Healer.

Reflection Questions:

Corrie ten Boom had to face a person who represented the absolute worst season of her life and suffering. Is there someone in your past whose memory still triggers anger or resentment, and are you willing to ask God for the strength to release them today?

We often wait to feel like forgiving someone before we actually do it. How does Corrie’s story challenge you to treat forgiveness as an act of obedience and an investment in your own spiritual freedom, rather than an emotion?

Sources:

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

One Voice
by Rodney Bowes

Main Scripture from the Sermon
James 1:5–8: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God... But let him ask in faith, with no doubting... he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."

Joshua 24:15: "...But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Deuteronomy 6:5–7: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart... And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children..."

John 17:20–21: "...that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me."

Sermon Summary
The message focuses on the urgent spiritual need for clarity, alignment, and absolute unity across three distinct levels of life: personal, family, and church.

The backdrop of the message is a massive global initiative slated for September 2027 called "One Voice 27", where the Seventh-day Adventist world church aims to collectively proclaim the Three Angels' Messages of Revelation 14.

The three core movements:

1. One Voice Personally
Believers must eliminate personal "double-mindedness" and learn to drown out the modern world's endless noise. True spiritual focus requires practicing what we preach and creating quiet windows of time to explicitly listen to God's direction rather than media, podcasts, or external anxieties. Pastor Bowes shares the story of missionary John "Praying" Hyde, who dedicated his life to targeted daily prayer for individual souls, highlighting that true wisdom is found in actively winning others to Christ.

2. One Voice as a Family
Because the family is the foundation of society, it is the primary target for spiritual disruption. Families must build a single, shared spiritual direction. The home is where the most continuous, impactful sermons are lived out 7 days a week. True revival begins internally within parents’ hearts and naturally overflows into intentional, conversational discipleship with children and outward hospitality to neighbors.

3. One Voice as a Church
Reflecting on the early church at Pentecost, true power only came when they were "with one accord in one place." In an era where 40 million Americans have disengaged from organized religion over the last 25 years, there is a massive counter-cultural hunger, especially among the younger generation, for genuine Biblical truth . Every department of the local church must align with a single metric: Does what we are doing lead people to Jesus, create Bible study interests, and make active disciples?

Quotes
From the Speaker

"I'm going to be preaching for 35 minutes today, but every home here is a sermon seven days a week—and your audience is probably bigger than mine."

"If we want true investment opportunity, it's investing in souls. Invest in someone in a practical way."

From the Slides & Spirit of Prophecy
"The message will be carried not so much by argument as by the deep conviction of the Spirit of God." — The Great Controversy

"All who are under the training of God need the quiet hour for communion with their own hearts, with nature, and with God... They need to have a personal experience in obtaining a knowledge of the will of God." — Ministry of Healing

"One well-ordered, well-disciplined family tells more in behalf of Christianity than all the sermons that can be preached." — The Adventist Home

Reflection Questions
Personal Focus: Are you trying to listen to God while maintaining constant background noise (TV, radio, social media, podcasts)? What is one practical "noise" you can intentionally turn off this week to better hear God's still, small voice?

The Integrity Check: Is there an area in your spiritual life where you are "talking out of both sides of your mouth"—holding a high standard for others but failing to practice it yourself? How can you seek grace to align your daily actions with your professed faith?

Family Mission: Joshua declared, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." If an outside observer looked at your home's schedule, dynamic, and conversations, what "sermon" is your household actively preaching to the neighborhood?

Neighborly Intentionality: Do you know your closest neighbors by name? Who is the "difficult" or unliked neighbor in your life that God might be calling you to intentionally pray for, befriend, or serve this week?

Church Alignment: When you look at the ministries or roles you support within the church body, are they evaluated by how many people attend, or by whether they are actively leading people to Jesus and creating lasting Bible disciples? 

Prelude: Organ
Welcome and Announcements: Elder Michael Robinson
Introit+: Organ
Invocation: Elder David Smith
Songs of Praise: #304 Faith of Our Fathers #602 O Brother, Be Faithful
Opening Hymn: #608 Faith Is the Victory
Worship in Giving (Women's Ministry, NAD): Michael Robinson
Offertory: Your Ways Are Higher Than Mine by Gabrielle Simmonds 
Children's Story: Mickey McDermott
Lambs Offering: Michael Robinson
Scripture Reading (Luke 18:8b): Michael Robinson
Prayer Song+ (#668 O Thou Who Hearest): Congregation)
Worship in Prayer: Michael Robinson* Sean Rogers**
Worship in Song: Your Grace Still Amazes Me by Gabrielle Simmonds
Sermon: Faith in the Final Days by Elder David Smith
Closing Hymn: #511 I Know Whom I Have Believed 
Benediction: Elder David Smith  
Postlude: Organ

+ Please Kneel
Hymns have a link for words from the Adventist Hymnal

Children's Classes
Beginners Class A (Ages 0-3)
Beginners Class B (Ages 0-3)
New Beginner's (Ages 2-3)
Kindergarten (Ages 4-6)
Primary (Ages 7-9)
Juniors (Ages 10-12)
Earliteens (Ages 13-15)

Youth
Youth (Ages 15+) in the Pathfinder Room

Adult Classes
Young Adults (Ages 18-35, Co-op Room)
Adult Lesson Study (Sanctuary Front)
Adult Lesson Study (Room behind the piano)
Spirit of Prophecy class now studying "The Desire of Ages" (Multi-Purpose Room)
New Believer's Class ("Upper Room")
Spanish (Fellowship Hall)

June 10: Sacred Ceremonies (Chapter 10)

June 9: Sacred Assemblies (Chapter 9)

June 8: Called to Witness

Chapter 8

Scripture Theme: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8

Are you waiting for a pastoral ordination before you start sharing your faith with others?

The Great Commission was not given exclusively to paid, professional ministers, but to every person who claims ownership of Christ’s salvation. Every disciple is explicitly called to be an active, functioning witness in their personal sphere of influence.

When members act as passive observers in the pews, the progress of the gospel slows to a crawl, and the church itself stagnates. Furthermore, a non-witnessing Christian rapidly loses their own spiritual vitality, becoming prone to doubts and complaints.

The blueprint for church growth requires total member involvement: "The work of God in this earth can never be finished until the men and women comprising our church membership rally to the work, and unite their efforts with those of ministers and church officers" (*Testimonies for the Church*, Vol. 9, p. 117).

Ecclesiastical doctrine confirms that witnessing is a vital, non-negotiable expression of a genuine conversion experience. The church functions at its best when it operates as a training center, equipping every believer for personal ministry.

Reflection Question 1: Who has God placed in your immediate circle of influence—at work, at home, or in your neighborhood—who needs your unique testimony?

Reflection Question 2: What personal fear or insecurity is stopping you from viewing yourself as a fully capable, active minister for Christ?

June 7: Our Mission and Identity

Chapter 7

Scripture Theme: "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water." Revelation 14:7

Do you view your church simply as a local social club, or as God's prophetic movement for these last days?

The Seventh-day Adventist Church was raised up by God with a distinct, urgent message to prepare the world for Christ's return. If we lose sight of this specific identity, we lose our entire reason for existence as a movement.

When a church drops its prophetic focus, it falls into a state of lukewarm self-satisfaction. Members lose their missionary zeal, ministries become entirely inward-focused, and the church becomes completely irrelevant to the community.

Our prophetic mandate is clear, precise, and urgent: "In a special sense Seventh-day Adventists have been set in the world as watchmen and light bearers. To them has been entrusted the last warning for a perishing world" (*Testimonies for the Church*, Vol. 9, p. 19).

Theological research places the identity of the remnant church squarely within the framework of the Three Angels' Messages of Revelation 14. This global mission requires every single disciple to understand their unique role in sharing God’s final warning message with love and conviction.

 Reflection Question 1: How does the reality of the Three Angels' Messages change the way you view your ordinary, day-to-day interactions with neighbors?

Reflection Question 2: In what ways can you actively protect your local church from drifting into a social club, keeping it focused on its global prophetic mission?

Sermon Summary: Spiritual Warfare & The Remnant 

Scripture Reading

June 6: The Family Altar

Chapter 6

Scripture Theme: "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 6:6–7

Is your home a peaceful sanctuary from the world, or is it just a busy pitstop in the daily rat race?

The family altar is meant to be the absolute spiritual center of the household, a dedicated space where children and parents connect with God together. Yet, in our hurried lives, family worship is often the very first thing we sacrifice.

When family worship is neglected, our homes lose their divine protection, leaving our children exposed to worldly values. The family unit splinters, and the home becomes a place of stress rather than a source of spiritual encouragement.

The messenger of the Lord emphasizes the high stakes of this domestic duty: "If ever there was a time when every house should be a house of prayer, it is now. Infidelity and skepticism prevail... Abraham, the friend of God, set us a worthy example. His life was a life of prayer" (*The Adventist Home*, p. 322).

Biblical ethics identify the home as the primary location for discipleship and spiritual education. A healthy, organized church is simply the natural reflection of well-ordered, Christ-centered families who worship together daily.

Reflection Question 1: What major barriers or distractions are currently preventing your home from becoming a daily, consistent sanctuary of prayer?

Reflection Question 2: How can you practically simplify or restructure your household's daily routine to ensure that corporate family worship takes priority?

June 5: By Beholding

Chapter 5

Scripture Theme: "Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

What are you allowing your mind to constantly look at, dwelling on throughout the day?

The mind naturally adapts and conforms to the objects, thoughts, and media that we choose to focus on most. By an unchangeable law of human nature, we are fundamentally changed by whatever we choose to look at.

If we constantly feed our minds on the sensationalism, vanity, and pride of worldly entertainment, we cannot expect to develop a holy character. We become spiritually blind, insensitive to sin, and completely indifferent to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

The antidote to this spiritual decay is found in a profound truth: "By beholding Jesus, talking of His merits, telling of His love, we are changed into the same image. And while the mind dwells upon the imperfections of others, it is changed into the same likeness" (*Mind, Character, and Personality*, Vol. 2, p. 555).

Theology teaches that character transformation is never achieved through self-determination, but through consistent contemplation of Christ's character. True discipleship means intentionally guarding the avenues of the soul so that the Holy Spirit can print the likeness of Jesus onto our hearts.

 Reflection Question 1: If you audit the media, thoughts, and conversations you focused on yesterday, what kind of character are you currently cultivating?
 
Reflection Question 2: What practical step can you take right now to turn your gaze away from the defects of others and onto the beauty of Jesus?

June 4: Secret Prayer

Chapter 4

Scripture Theme: "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6:6

When was the last time you locked the world out to be completely alone with your Heavenly Father?

Public prayers and corporate worship are wonderful, but they can never replace the raw honesty of private devotion. Secret prayer is the spiritual lifeblood where the deepest victories of the soul are won or lost.

Without a thriving, private prayer life, our public spiritual actions quickly become an empty performance. We find ourselves lacking real spiritual power, easily shaken by trials, and constantly vulnerable to secret sins.

The inner chamber of prayer is our vital defense against the adversary: "Secret prayer is the life of the soul. With a heart open to the inspection of the eye of God, we should draw near to Him... Oh, how Satan triumphs when he sees the people of God neglecting secret prayer!" (*Our High Calling*, p. 130).

Exegesis of Christ's personal prayer habits shows that private communication with God is the foundational source of spiritual power. A disciple’s public usefulness is entirely dependent on their private reliance upon the Father.

Reflection Question 1: If your public spiritual life was a direct reflection of your secret prayer life, how vibrant would your faith appear to others?
 
Reflection Question 2:  What specific time and distraction-free place can you set aside today to meet completely alone with God?

Prelude: Organ
Welcome and Announcements: Elder Arun Muthiah
Introit+: Organ
Invocation: Pastor Rodney Bowes
Songs of Praise: #240 Fairest Lord Jesus, #36 O Thou in Whose Presence
Opening Hymn: #245 More About Jesus
Worship in Giving (Local Church Budget):  Arun Muthiah
Offertory: 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus by Kevin Del Amen 
Children's Story: Anique Augustus 
Lambs Offering: Arun Muthiah
Scripture Reading (John 17:20-24): Melissa Aree* Ailsie Rasman**
Prayer Song+ (#668 O Thou Who Hearest): Congregation)
Worship in Prayer: Andrew Gonzales* Irfan Rasman**
Worship in Song: I Surrender All by Kevin Del Amen
Sermon: One Voice by Pastor Rodney Bowes 
Closing Hymn: #492 Like Jesus
Benediction: Pastor Rodney Bowes 
Postlude: Organ

+ Please Kneel
Hymns have a link for words from the Adventist Hymnal

Children's Classes
Beginners Class A (Ages 0-3)
Beginners Class B (Ages 0-3)
New Beginner's (Ages 2-3)
Kindergarten (Ages 4-6)
Primary (Ages 7-9)
Juniors (Ages 10-12)
Earliteens (Ages 13-15)

Youth
Youth (Ages 15+) in the Pathfinder Room

Adult Classes
Young Adults (Ages 18-35, Co-op Room)
Adult Lesson Study (Sanctuary Front)
Adult Lesson Study (Room behind the piano)
Spirit of Prophecy class now studying "The Desire of Ages" (Multi-Purpose Room)
New Believer's Class ("Upper Room")
Spanish (Fellowship Hall)

June 3: The Testimony of Jesus

Chapter 3

Scripture Theme: "Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus." Revelation 12:17

How anchored are you in the prophetic guidance given specifically to God’s end-time remnant church?

In a world drowning in conflicting voices and clever spiritual counterfeits, we cannot afford to guess our way forward. The Seventh-day Adventist movement was intentionally gifted with the Spirit of Prophecy to provide vital clarity, direction, and protection.

If we choose to ignore or minimize this prophetic gift, we leave ourselves completely exposed to spiritual drift. We lose our distinct sense of mission and quickly find ourselves swept away by the prevailing secular or compromised religious culture around us.

We are strictly warned about the consequences of neglecting this counsel: "There will be a hatred kindled against the testimonies which is satanic. The workings of Satan will be to unsettle the faith of the churches in them, for this reason: Satan cannot find so clear a track to introduce his deceptions" (*Selected Messages*, Book 1, p. 48).

The biblical framework identifies the "testimony of Jesus" as a defining mark of the final, historical remnant church. This prophetic lens does not replace the Bible, but rather acts as a smaller light that brilliantly illuminates the supreme authority of the Holy Scriptures.

 Reflection Question 1: How often do you allow the specific, practical counsels of the Spirit of Prophecy to challenge and reshape your lifestyle choices?
 
Reflection Question 2: In what ways can you better integrate prophetic guidance into your daily study habits to guard against deception?

June 2: Spirit and Life

Chapter 2

Scripture Theme: The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life."* — John 6:63

Is your Bible study a routine chore or an active conversation with the Creator of the universe?

It is dangerously easy to read the Scriptures merely out of habit or to gather data to win theological arguments. Yet Jesus declared that the words He speaks to us are spirit and they are life, meant to feed our hungry souls.

When we treat the Bible like a cold textbook, our spiritual development completely stalls out. We become dry, formalistic, and entirely unprotected against the sophisticated deceptions of the enemy in these last days.

Ellen White emphasizes our desperate daily need for this living Word: "The Bible is God’s voice speaking to us, just as surely as if we could hear it with our ears. If we realized this, with what awe would we open God’s Word, and with what earnestness would we search its precepts!" (*My Life Today*, p. 27).

Sound biblical scholarship reveals that the Scriptures are inherently dynamic, operating through the presence of the Holy Spirit. A disciple who studies under the guidance of the Spirit will always find that the Word convicts, builds up, and equips them for real-world ministry.

 Reflection Question 1: When you open the Scriptures, do you approach them looking for academic arguments, or are you listening for a personal word from God?
 
Reflection Question 2: What is one distraction you need to intentionally eliminate today to hear God's voice more clearly through His Word?

June 1: To Be Like Jesus

Chapter 1

Scripture Theme: "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."* — **2 Corinthians 3:18

Are you following a set of doctrines, or are you following a living Person?

Many well-meaning believers focus so much on checking off religious boxes that they completely lose sight of the Teacher Himself. True discipleship is not merely an intellectual agreement with a list of historical facts; it is an active, daily choice to transform into the image of Jesus Christ.

When we try to mimic Christ's actions without spending intimate time in His presence, our faith becomes a legalistic burden. We find ourselves exhausted, frustrated, and unable to display the genuine fruits of the Spirit to a hurting world.

The Spirit of Prophecy beautifully clarifies this dynamic: "A profession of Christ without law-abiding faith and love, is a mere pretense. If the life does not reveal the fruits of righteousness, it is a proof that the faith is not a saving faith" (*The Faith I Live By*, p. 119).

Theological analysis confirms that the ultimate destination of Biblical justification and sanctification is the restoration of the divine image in humanity. True discipleship relies entirely on Christ’s ongoing, intercessory power to turn our willing surrender into actual, lived righteousness.

 Reflection Question 1:  In what areas of your life today are you trying to mimic Christ's behavior using your own willpower rather than surrendering to His presence?
 
Reflection Question 2: How can you shift your spiritual focus this morning from "doing things for Christ" to simply "abiding with Christ"?

May 31: The Unfolding of the Eternal Plan

Scripture: "...to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers..." — Ephesians 3:10

As we "close the month of May," we see that "God’s Plan B" was actually a "Masterpiece of Wisdom." Through the "Redemption of the Broken," God is "teaching the universe" about His "Manifold Wisdom" and His "Unfathomable Love." We are the "Gallery" of His "Grace."

The "Truth of our Journey" is that it "never ends." We will spend "eternity" "studying the Plan of Redemption" and "discovering new depths" of the "Character of God." "Plan B" is just the "beginning" of an "Eternal Adventure" of "Love and Truth."

"Restoration" is the "Final Word." "Behold, I make all things new." The "swarming locusts," the "dry bones," the "marred clay"—they are all "gone." Only the "Beauty of the Finished Work" remains. This is the "Ultimate Truth"—that "God is Love" and His "Plan for You" is "Perfect."

"Rest in the Masterpiece" today. Look back on the "lessons of May" and see the "Hand of the Potter" at work. Look forward with "joy" to the "Unfolding of the Eternal Plan." You are "loved," you are "redeemed," and you are "His forever."

Reflection Questions:
What is the "greatest thing" I have learned about "God's Heart" this month?
How can I "continue to grow" in the "study of Redemption" in the months ahead?
Do I believe that I am a "Masterpiece of God's Wisdom" in progress?

Source: Inspired by The Great Controversy, Final Chapter: "The End of the Controversy," Ellen G. White; BRI articles on the Eternal Kingdom.

May 30: The "Plan B" of the Finished Work

Scripture: "So Jesus said to them again, 'Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.'" — John 20:21

As we reach the "end of the month," we realize that "God’s Plan B" is a "Finished Work." Christ "accomplished" the "Plan of Redemption" on the cross and "confirmed" it at the resurrection. Now, He "sends us" as His "representatives" to "finish the work" of "sharing the Truth" with the world.

The "Truth of the Mission" is that we are "Sent Ones." We are the "hands and feet" of the "Greatest Plan B." Our "lives" are the "continuation" of the "Story of Redemption." We are "invited" to "partner" with the "Father and the Son" in the "Final Restoration of all things."

"Peace" is the "foundation" of the "Mission." We don't "go" in "anxiety" or "fear"; we "go" in the "Peace of the Finished Work." We are "messengers of a Victory" that has "already been won." This is the "Love of God" providing us with a "Purpose that cannot fail."

Are you "ready to be sent" today? Accept the "Peace" of the Savior. Step into the "Finished Work." Let the "Truth of your Mission" "drive your actions." You are part of the "Greatest Restoration Project" in the universe. "Go in His Power."

Reflection Questions:
Do I feel "sent" by God in my "daily life"?
How does the "Peace of the Finished Work" change my "approach to mission"?
What "part of the work" is God "calling me" to "finish" today?

Source: Inspired by The Acts of the Apostles, Ellen G. White; "The Great Commission" series by Doug Batchelor.

May 29: The Restoration of the Song

Scripture: "He has put a new song in my mouth—praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord." — Psalm 40:3

Sin "silenced" the "Plan A" song of our "hearts." We "lost our music" in the "miry clay" of "fear" and "guilt." But God’s "Plan B" is the "Restoration of the Song." He "lifts us up," "sets our feet on a rock," and "puts a New Song" in our "mouths." We are "singing again."

The "Truth of the New Song" is that it is a "Song of Deliverance." It is the "testimony" of what God "has done" in our "Plan B" lives. When others "hear the song," they "see the Truth" and "trust in the Lord." Our "worship" is our "greatest witness."

"Singing" is a "Health Blessing." It "lifts the spirit," "regulates the breath," and "focuses the mind." God designed us to be "musical beings." By "singing His praise," we are "aligning our vibration" with the "harmony of heaven." This is the "Love of God" providing a "Soundtrack for Redemption."

Don't be "silent" today. "Sing your Song." Even if it’s a "whisper" or a "croak," let it out. Praise God for the "Rock" and the "Rescue." Let the "Truth of your New Song" reach the "ears of the broken." You are a "Lyrical Witness" to His Grace.

Reflection Questions:
What "New Song" has God given me lately?
How can I use "praise" to "overcome my current discouragement"?
Who needs to "hear my song" of "deliverance" today?

Source: Inspired by Steps to Christ, Chapter: "Rejoicing in the Lord," Ellen G. White; "Music" series by John Bradshaw.

May 28: The "Plan B" of the Second Mile

Scripture: "And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two." — Matthew 5:41

In the "Kingdom of Grace," God has a "Plan B" for "oppression" and "compulsion." The "world’s Plan A" is to "resist" or to "do the bare minimum." But God’s "Plan B" is the "Second Mile." It is the "Truth of Radical Generosity"—doing "more than is required" to "reveal the Love of Christ."

The "Second Mile" is the "Mile of Freedom." The first mile is "duty"; the second mile is "gift." When we go the "Second Mile," we are "no longer slaves" to the person compelling us; we are "servants of the King." This is the "Plan B" of "Overcoming Evil with Good."

"Radical Love" is a "Mental Health" breakthrough. It "breaks the cycle" of "resentment" and "retaliation." It "empowers" us to "act" rather than "react." This is the "Love of God" providing a "Path to Inner Victory" in the "midst of unfairness."

Who is "compelling" you today? What "demand" is being "made" on you? Go the "Second Mile." Do it with "joy" and "generosity." Let the "Truth of your Freedom" shine through your "service." You are "revealing the character" of the "Two-Mile God."
Reflection Questions:

What "First Mile" (duty) am I currently "resenting"?
How can I "turn it into a Second Mile" (gift) today?
What does "going the Second Mile" tell others about my God?

Source: Inspired by Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, Ellen G. White; "The Sermon on the Mount" series by Doug Batchelor.

Prelude: Organ
Welcome and Announcements: Elder Jason Lohr
Introit+: Adoration by Church Choir
Invocation: Pastor Daniel Gomez
Songs of Praise: #308 Wholly Thine, #590 Trust and Obey
Opening Hymn: #294 Power in The Blood
Worship in Giving (Local Church Budget): Jason Lohr
Offertory: My Jesus, I Love Thee by Church Choir 
Baptisms: Bianca & Gianmarco Zaninovic, Paula Moretta, & Sophia Shin by Pastor Fred Dana 
Children's Story: Anique Augustus
Lambs Offering: Jason Lohr
Scripture Reading (Ephesians 6:12): Andrew Gonzales* Judah Smith**
Prayer Song+ (#668 O Thou Who Hearest): Congregation)
Worship in Prayer: Andrew Gonzales* David Smith**
Prayer Response: Ask in My Name by Church Choir
Worship in Song: Fairest Lord Jesus by Church Choir 
Sermon: Spiritual Warfare & The Remnant by Pastor Daniel Gomez 
Closing Hymn: #318 Whiter Than Snow
Benediction: Pastor Daniel Gomez
Postlude: Organ

+ Please Kneel
Hymns have a link for words from the Adventist Hymnal

Children's Classes
Beginners Class A (Ages 0-3)
Beginners Class B (Ages 0-3)
New Beginner's (Ages 2-3)
Kindergarten (Ages 4-6)
Primary (Ages 7-9)
Juniors (Ages 10-12)
Earliteens (Ages 13-15)

Youth
Youth (Ages 15+) in the Pathfinder Room

Adult Classes
Young Adults (Ages 18-35, Co-op Room)
Adult Lesson Study (Sanctuary Front)
Adult Lesson Study (Room behind the piano)
Spirit of Prophecy class now studying "The Desire of Ages" (Multi-Purpose Room)
New Believer's Class ("Upper Room")
Spanish (Fellowship Hall)

May 27: The Restoration of the Inheritance

Scripture: "For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds... I will bring back the captivity of Jacob’s tents and have mercy on his dwelling places." — Jeremiah 30:17-18

Sin "robbed" us of our "Plan A" inheritance—the "Earth made new" and "unbroken fellowship." We became "captives" in a "foreign land." But God’s "Plan B" is the "Restoration of the Inheritance." He is "bringing back the captivity" and "restoring the dwellings." We are "returning to our Home."

The "Truth of the Return" is that we are "Heirs of God." Our "inheritance" is "reserved in heaven" and is "fadeless." His "Plan B" is to "re-possess" what was "lost" and to "give it back" to His "children." This is the "Justice of Love" in "Final Restoration."

"Mercy on the dwelling places" includes our "current homes." God wants to "bring peace" to our "tents" and "healing" to our "wounds." By "centering our homes on Christ," we are "experiencing a foretaste" of our "Eternal Inheritance." This is the "Plan B" of "Heaven on Earth."

Don't live like a "dispossessed person" today. Remember your "Inheritance." You are a "Child of the King," and the "Kingdom is yours." Let the "Truth of your Future" give you "dignity" in your "Present." You are "going Home."

Reflection Questions:
Do I live like an "heir" or like a "slave"?
How can I make my "current home" more like my "eternal inheritance"?
What "wound" do I need the "Great Physician" to "heal" today?

Source: Inspired by The Great Controversy, Chapter: "The Earth Made New," Ellen G. White; "Heaven" series by John Bradshaw.