Alright, you can make one phone call

He couldn’t remember his family members’ phone numbers and the police officer gave him one phone call. The night before, he drank too much, got into an argument, and started yelling at the top of his lungs outside in the street. His phone fell and was lost in the drama. He was arrested for public disturbance, spent the night in jail and woke up in a daze. Again the officer said, “You can make one phone call”.

He rattled off the number of the church by heart to the officer and said, “Ask for the Pastor. They know me there. Tell them I’m in trouble and need some help”.

Today, It’s a great thing to be a part of a church and ministry where the community knows the phone number by heart. On Sabbaths, I meet people who know the number of Adventist Radio London more than their family member’s numbers. Daily we get calls from our community, far and wide, who are in trouble. I am grateful to be part of a church and ministry where somebody in their lowest state, humiliated by bad decisions, disease, addiction, or trouble, can say, “Call them; they know me there”. No matter how badly you have messed up or who you may have become, let us be grateful for a God who we can call on, no matter the situation. He knows you by name and claims you. You belong to Him.

“I have summoned you by name. You are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1).

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank you for allowing us to be a lighthouse for those in trouble. Father, I am grateful that you call me by name and claim me, no matter the mess I find myself in. I am grateful that I belong to you. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Don’t Just Think Your Thanks, Show It!

What a great weekend ministering on Adventist Radio London. On Friday we praised and thanked God. On Saturday we learnt to thank God in advance. Then on Sunday we thanked God for 2 years of broadcasting the Ray of Hope Show. Are you overflowing with thankfulness today? Is your thankfulness spilling out on to the people around you? Don’t just think your thanks, show it! Don’t let the kindness of others go unnoticed.

It’s easy to take for granted the people who are closest to us, but those are the people we should thank the most. Your family, your friends, the ones who love and support you are the ones who should feel your thankfulness the most. Today’s scripture says to live in Christ and be built up in Him. When you build yourself up by studying the Word and praying in the Spirit, then the second part of the verse will happen naturally, you will be strengthened in your faith, and your heart will be filled with thankfulness.

Today, take a step of faith and begin to show your thankfulness to those around you. Let it overflow! Sow seeds of gratitude and blessing, so you can reap an abundant harvest of blessing in return!

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” 

(Colossians 2:6—7, NIV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for an awesome weekend and for strengthening me with Your faith and love. Father, help me be a blessing to those around me, and give me creative ways to let my life overflow with thankfulness. God, I bless You today and give You thanks, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

Speaking In Numbers

Many ask how does God speak? He speaks directly, He speaks through His Word, He speaks through dreams and visions, and He also speaks through others. Are you facing an important decision today? God wants to give you the answer. He wants to direct your steps. Many times, He will speak to us through the people He has placed in our lives. That’s why the Bible says that safety is found in a multitude of advisers.

Remember, God designed us to live in families, communities and congregations. We need to be open to receiving input from the people who are close to us. That doesn’t mean you have to follow everything everyone tells you. But if you’re in a particular situation or relationship, and all the people around you are giving you the same word of caution, it may be God trying to get a message to you. Take that advice and bring it before the Lord in prayer, and make sure the advice doesn’t contradict His Word.  Ask Him to confirm His perfect plan to your heart. Remember, wisdom comes from God, and wise counsel will always be in agreement with God’s Word. He will always confirm the answer when you ask Him.

Today, whatever you are facing, be open to receiving wise counsel. As you do, you will be blessed and protected, and walk in confidence down the path the Lord has prepared for you!

“Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in abundance of counsellors there is victory.” (Proverbs 11:14, NASB)

Pray With Me

Yahweh, thank You for the spiritual people You have placed in my life as wise counsel. Father, please confirm and give me answers to the issues in my life. Help me understand Your truth, so that I can make godly choices. Keep me close to You always so I will clearly know when You are speaking, and lead me in Your way, in Jesus’ name! Amen.

Is Organ Donation A Sin? Should Christians Donate Their Organs?

Organ donation is the donation of biological tissue or an organ of the human body, from a living or dead person to a living recipient in need of a transplantation.

General misconceptions connected to Christianity and organ donation  have made many people think that the act is prohibited by their religion  when in reality, there little or  no rules that actually prevent people from receiving  blood transfusions or organ  transplants.

Some religious denominations are against organ donation, but major religions by and large allow the act and even encourage it. Some profess that the teachings of  Christianity and organ donation go hand in hand.  However, within each religion there are different schools of thought, which means that views differ.

Heart and Lung Transplant Success After 2.5 Years.

It’s safe to say that most  Anglican, Protestant and Catholic scholars agree that the organ donation is a beautiful selfless act.

Protestant denominations have given their seal of approval to organ donations. The Lutheran Church refereed to  the act as manifestation of sacrificial love for people who are in need. The Presbyterian Church has encouraged its members to have Universal Donor Cards. The Seventh Day Adventist Church has a pediatric heart transplantation floor in its California hospital. Even the Amish, who have been seen to generally avoid  modern technology, allow organ donation in order to help others.

The Church of England has declared that it is the duty of a Christian to donate one’s organs. But the church stated that there are different views on whether an opt-in system was proper.

We believe  that Christianity and organ donation  are entwined  with each other as Christians we are taught to love our  neighbours.

The Merit of Self-Sacrifice    #Godinterest .

The Catholic Church has voiced out its support to donation. The late Pope John Paul II praised the work of transplant surgeons during an international conference in 2000, but he asked them to avoid transplants with stem cells. Former Pope Benedict XVI has announced that he is an organ donor.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Quakers do not object to the practice and leave it up to their members if they want to put up their organs for donation or have transplants.

Love one another is the most basic teaching of Christianity and we believe organ donation is one example of how you can apply it to your life.

Remember there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13) Being an organ donor is the Christian way of showing you care for your neighbors.

Visual Journalism for a Cause: The Waiting List | the Visual Student.

Most would agree that nothing’ could possibly be worse than when a chance to donate an organ is missed because of a  false belief that donation is prohibited.

 

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Jesus Christ the Original Blood Donor.

Ever Thought of Jesus as a Blood Donor? For  Ephesians 1.7  States “In Him We Have Redemption Through His Blood, the Forgiveness of Our Trespasses, According to the Riches of His Grace.    Christians should be encouraged to help others in need and look upon organ donation as an act of love, and a way of following Jesus’ example.

Sacrifice and Helping Others Are Key Themes Across All Forms of Christianity, and Therefore a Decision to Donate Organs Is Seen as a Positive Thing.

Is organ donation prohibited by your religion? Do you agree with organ donation?

 

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