Last weekend, as we reflected on the significance of mothers, we highlighted Mary as one of the most elevated examples of godly motherhood. She is one of the very few people in the Scriptures with an almost spotless record of righteous living and is called “blessed” among women. What’s remarkable about Mary is not her great feats of strength or her overcoming incredible obstacles to achieve something, but rather her willingness to accept and support the mission God gave her. What makes her stand out is her humble obedience. From Mary, we learn what a reverent fear of God looks like when the angel Gabriel first visits her with the announcement of her virgin conception. We then see her courageously accept this gift and submit to the plan God lays out for her life. As her life progresses, she takes on the role of an equipper—especially to her son Jesus—when he demonstrates incredible insight and wisdom rooted in the Torah. Later in Jesus’ life, we see his mother continually encouraging him to step into his mission, such as at Cana, when she prompts him to turn water into wine. Throughout Mary’s story, she demonstrates what real parenting should look like. Being a mom is a calling, and that calling involves equipping your children to accept God’s purpose for their lives and to live it out. I’m so thankful for stories like Mary’s, which help us understand what raising children in this world should look like—and what making disciples should look like as well. After all, it’s the same mission: to raise and equip a generation to reveal Christ to the world! Blessings, Pastor Troy Wallace

My brothers and sisters in Christ, we’ve all been called to run a race. Not a physical one—but a spiritual race. We don’t run for applause or comfort—we run to finish . The Christian life isn’t about how fast you start, but whether you endure to the end. Romans 1:8. "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world." Your Faith – That is, your loyalty and devotion to Christ, YOUR CHRISTIANITY! Romans 1:16-17 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel [a]of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Hebrews 11:1-2 "Now faith is the [a]substance of things hoped for, the [b]evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony." Faith isn't just a belief; it's a dynamic life experience. It's about trusting in God's promises, even when we don't see them, and living in a way that reflects that trust. It's a journey of growth, where we learn to depend on God in all areas of life, trusting in His wisdom and power, even through difficult times. Faith as a Foundation: • Faith is the foundation of our relationship with God, allowing us to experience His blessings and grace. • It's confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we don't see, as described in Hebrews 11:1. • Without faith, it's impossible to please God, as stated in Hebrews 11:6. Faith in Action: • Faith is not just a belief system; it's a way of living. • It's trusting God's plan for our lives, even when we don't understand. • It's acting on God's Word and trusting in His promises. Faith and Trials: • Trials can be opportunities to grow in faith and endurance. • We can trust that God will guide us through difficult times, and even bring good from them. • Wavering in faith can hinder our spiritual growth and hinder our ability to receive God's blessings, as James warns. Faith and the Future: • Faith gives us hope for the future, even when we don't know what it holds. • It's a source of peace and joy, knowing that God is with us every step of the way. • It's faith that will carry us through this life and into the eternal life to come. Hebrews 12:1-2. "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, 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." The Christian life is a race, but the finish line is certain. We must run with endurance, cast off distractions, and always look to Jesus. Hebrews 12:1–2 is a powerful reminder to us that we’re surrounded by a cloud of faithful witnesses. We’re called to throw off every weight, run with perseverance, and most importantly— fix our eyes on Jesus , the One who not only began our faith journey, but will finish it with us. Are you tired in your race? Distracted? Weighed down by sin? Come to Jesus today. Fix your eyes on Him again and let Him carry you through to the finish line. Friends, you may feel tired. You may be limping spiritually. You may have fallen under the weight of sin, guilt, or disappointment. But today, Jesus—the Author and Finisher of your faith—is standing at the edge of your life, whispering: “Don’t quit. Don’t look at others. Look at Me. Finish the race.” You weren’t called to just start the Christian walk—you were called to finish with Christ. Blessings, Pastor Chris Camacho

Last Sabbath we as a church got to explore the meta-narrative of the Bible– the big overarching story. Surprisingly, the biblical story follows a very predictable plot line comparable to almost every other compelling story out there! It begins with peace that leads to disruption, bringing about a tension that requires resolution. Then a hero arises to resolve the tension, and that hero is Jesus! However, many don’t read the bible in the lens of a big narrative, but instead often treat it like a manual, a lawbook, a devotional book, or some other resource. At its core though, it’s the story of God, and it’s the story of us. Like all good stories, the hearer of that story gets signals about what may be coming down the line. The bible does an astounding job, masterfully weaving in signposts of what will happen, and repeating cycles of events that retell the main points of the message. For believers, the cycle of events that keeps coming up is the journey of the slave to the deliverance that awaits in the promised land. Israel first encounters God as deliverer when they are rescued from Egypt, and begin their journey through the wilderness towards their glorious destination. But they stumble, and fail to achieve their true deliverance because of it. But Jesus comes, and he relives their story, never faltering in the journey, and realizes the complete deliverance of God, when his lifeless body returns from death back to life. With that salvation, He then offers to all of us that same gift, and a return to the tree from where the whole story of Scripture begins. The cross is that tree revisited– the opportunity to begin again with Jesus and live in his redeemed story. Will you say yes today to starting again with Jesus? Pastor Troy Wallace

Trust in the Lord to have a solid foundation. We all know that since the Garden of Eden, that there has been sin in the world. And with that, comes a multitude of attacks on Christ through us, one of which is trust. With all the world throws at us today, I believe the biggest struggle is with doubt, which imitates distrust. If the evil one can put doubt or mistrust in our beliefs, he then makes us question our Faith. A ripple affect from that is distrust in all other avenues of our life. One mistrust in our faith has the ability to contaminate the way we see the world. When we believe what social media has to say, instead of going to the Bible, or are unable to answer questions with a solid answer and understanding, we can then start to question our own biblical foundation. The Bible tell us in Psalms 125:1 “They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.” But what does that really mean? I believe that means we need to have a solid and grounded foundation in our belief. Not just knowing the Bible but having a clear and solid understanding of what it tell us. Evil wants to break our faith, our foundation of truth, and wants us to question what we believe is true. By studying the Word, understanding our Faith and having trust in the Lord we can build a solid foundation of Truth and Faith. Just as we build the house we live in on a solid foundation, our spiritual house is to be built on a solid foundation of Christ, which means we need to trust Him. Let today be the day that you consecrate your life in the Lord and know His truth, as this is the foundation to our Salvation. Elizabeth

To be bold in your faith, To be bold in your faith, as encouraged by the Bible, means to stand firm in your beliefs and convictions , even when facing opposition or fear, and to share your faith with others. It's about having courage to live out your faith authentically and without shame. One of the biggest excuse that keeps us from talking about Jesus is fear. Society today, wants to silence the voice of truth. They want everyone to be politically correct according to their standards and will try to shame anyone who steps out of there imagined paradigm. And because of that we are afraid to talk to someone we don’t know. We are afraid of how they will respond. We are afraid of looking foolish or saying the wrong thing. We are afraid of getting into a conversation that will go over our heads. Fear paralyzes. In Acts 3-4, Peter and John were headed to the temple in Jerusalem to worship when they encountered a man who couldn’t walk. Sensing the prompting and power of the Holy Spirit, Peter reached out his hand to this man and miraculously healed him. While everyone saw this miracle as a mighty movement of God, the religious leaders were not so excited. Peter and John were quickly called before the high court and interrogated by the very men that had plotted the death of Jesus. You would think that in this intense and intimidating situation Peter and John would cower in fear — but they didn’t. Acts 4:8-13 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” The Name of Jesus Forbidden 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. NKJV My Brothers and Sister, the Holy Spirt can make you bold and He will lead you to do radically courageous things. Now far from being fearful or quiet, Peter and John became bold. They boldly spoke the name of Jesus. On the out side it may appear that they were reckless. The Bible says that they declared that Jesus died and rose from the dead. They even radically proclaimed that Jesus is the only way to salvation. And their boldness was shockingly noticeable! Look again at Verse 13: “When they saw the courage of Peter and John … they were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Peter and John were common, ordinary men standing before the most learned and religious men of their day. They certainly didn’t have the education and knowledge that the Pharisees and religious leaders had, but they did have one thing boldness because they were filled with the Holy Spirt. They were courageous and unafraid. That is what God wants from you and me a courageous boldness to step into any situation and declare the hope we have in Jesus. And it is God who will supply the measure of the Holy Spirit to enable us to be bold and courageous. Now afterward, Peter and John were warned and released. And quickly they ran back to the other disciples and they all began to pray. “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness,” (Acts 4.29 NIV). Notice they didn’t pray, “Lord, protect us from these leaders,” or, “Lord, help us be wise in how we react to these threats.” They prayed for boldness to speak unashamedly and fearlessly. God desires to fill us with the Holy Spirt so that may live a life of Boldness for the Lord. May He who is above all fill you with His Glory that you may be a bold beacon of light in this dark world. Maranatha God Bless, Christopher Camacho “The greatest work, the noblest effort, in which men and women can engage, is to point sinners to the Lamb of God.” GW p.18

Science has told us that a human body can only last about 7 days without water. But what does it mean to "need" water? Needing water isn't just washing ourselves in it, soaking in a pool, or rinsing it over our bodies. We have to drink the water, we need it inside of us. As we drink, the water becomes part of us, not just inside us, but it actually becomes part of us, hydrating us on a cellular level. Without it we get dehydrated, sick and sometimes even die. Such is the Holy Spirit. You cannot just be around Him, hear about Him or even just read about Him. You need to consume Him. What does that mean? That means you have to INVITE Him into you. Allow Him to consume you, on a spiritual level and a cellular level. When Mary got pregnant with Jesus, the Holy Spirt was in her, on a much more intimate level than anyone has ever been. She was growing a child, the Christ child inside her. We need to imagine ourselves the same, as the Holy Spirit is to live IN us. We are to ask Him to transform us, to change us, to mold us into the Christ like child God has intended us to be. What does that mean for us? Well just as water binds to us and helps us live, so should the Holy Spirit. Binding to us doesn't mean to just ask for Him to live within us, but to become one with Him. On a much deeper level, as water binds to our cells. Just like when you have drank the water, it stays within us. But you can't just drink water today and expect it to last everyday. We need 8 - 8oz glasses a day. Just like we need to ask for the Holy Spirit to bind to us, we need to ask every day, if not many times a day. And just like hydration, it takes work. We have to continue to drink the water of our Lord & King. We need to allow Him to do His job. If you drink water that is made into juice, it isn't as pure and effective as if you drink pure water. We have to filter our water, just like we need to the Holy Spirit to filter out the sin by asking the Holy Spirit to help us.. Matthew 7:7 KJV Tells us: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:" You need to seek out the Holy Spirit, invite Him in, Let Him be your living water and most of all, let Him hydrate you and wash away the sins of our human nature. I will drink of His Spirit...... will you? Elizabeth

For some of us, as a child, life has dealt us challenges that make us feel like nothing we do will ever amount to anything. Sometimes we are born into families where we are even rejected. I know all to well what those things feel like. Growing up always brought obstacles and hurdles that seemed insurmountable, even just existing was somehow not good enough. When you grow up the “outcast, the one talked about, the one talked down to and ridiculed, you grow up believing that you will never be worthy enough for the Lord. Even to the point of being disowned and thus feeling unwanted nor needed by those you call relation. But just as the Bible says, God uses all things for His good. Those same people may one day need you. Rather God needs you. And those who rejected you are now coming to you for help and aid. In the book of Judges it speaks of such a man who also went thorough that, Jephthah. From before birth his family thought less of him then others and I am sure growing up for him was challenging and difficult. Wanting so bad to just be accepted and belong. As he got older he was actually shunned to the point that he fled to another land. But we know that God always has a plan. And His plan was later to use Jephthah to help the Israelites conquer the people of Ammon. 1 Corinthians 1:26 tell us that: "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:" KJV So when you think that you are not worthy by man, Remember you are still worthy to God. And only through Him can we accomplish great things. And God chooses those who are less chosen to do and accomplish great and mighty things, for His Glory. Elizabeth

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein." Mark 10:15. Whosoever… the question is are you DETERMINED? Determination in the dictionary is described as firmness of purpose; resoluteness. So, the question I have for you is, are you determined? Christ does not acknowledge any caste, color or grade as being necessary to be a subject of His Kingdom. Admittance to His Kingdom does not depend upon wealth or a superior heredity. But those who are born of the Spirit are the subjects of His Kingdom. Those who are determined to be there. Spiritual character is that which will be recognized by Christ. His Kingdom is not of this world. His subjects are those who are partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. A key to change is, yup you guessed it, determination. And this grace is given them of God. Christ does not find His subjects fitted for His kingdom, but He qualifies them by His divine power. Are you determined to change? God will provide the Grace to enable you to change. Those who have been dead in trespasses and sins are quickened to spiritual life. And this can only happen if we are determined to change. We don’t have the ability to change ourselves but if we are determined, God will send His Spirit to work in us to help us to change. The faculties which God has given them for Holy purposes are refined, purified and exalted, and they are led to form characters after the divine similitude.... After the character of Christ! Christ draws them to Himself by an unseen power. He is the light of life, and He imbues them with His own Spirit. As they are drawn into the spiritual atmosphere, they see that they have been made the sport of Satan's temptations, and that they have been under his dominion; but they break the yoke of fleshly lusts, and refuse to be the servants of sin.... They realize that they have exchanged captains, and they take their directions from the lips of Jesus. As a servant looks to his master, and as a maid looks to her mistress, so these souls, drawn by the cords of love to Christ, constantly look unto Him who is the Author and Finisher of their faith. By beholding Jesus, by obeying His requirements, they increase in the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ whom He hath sent. Thus they become changed into His image from character to character until they are distinguished from the world, and it can be written of them: “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2:9, 10) And this all starts with Determination! Come this Sabbath to hear the rest of the story! May God's blessings be poured out upon you as you determine to walk with Him! https://whiteestate.org/devotional/ag/02_13/ Excerpts from The Review and Herald, March 26, 1895.

I am sure like many, there has been a day that we wished we had all of the answers to life and all its problems. Well lucky for us.... we do. The Bible... God gave us our ancestry line, a history book and an instruction manual. If you have a problem we are told to go to God... That also means going to The Word. The Bible... When nothing else has the answers ( like how to find Jericho) we turn to.... The Bible... 25 "Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." Luke 24:25-27 KJV Jesus says, "Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? What he is telling them is that it was written…. That their hope for something different should have been already solidified in the writings of Old Testament. That speak of his sacrifice and the whole sacrificial system. That indeed the Bible is our basic instructions, and if we look, study and search for answers….. we will find them. "We would have hoped" had to have been so disappointing to Jesus. After all they had witnessed first hand and experienced, and to still have wanted something else. Jesus reminded them to forget their hope and remember what they were taught and instructed to do. It was all written down for us to use, for us to study and for us to follow. As large as this book is, it really is simply “Basic” to be a Christian. To be Christ like and to Love. Our instructions are given to us, and when we follow them, we get to leave this earth to spend eternity with our King. Happy Sabbath Elizabeth