Memory Verse
“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts”
2 Peter 1:19
First Sabbath Offering
Your brethren from the Italian Field
Italy, a beautiful country located in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, is famous throughout the world for its ancient history, incomparable art, exquisite cuisine, and breathtaking landscapes. In addition to being one of the world’s top tourist destinations, it is also an important industrial and agricultural producer. With over 60 million inhabitants, Italy guarantees religious freedom through its Constitution. However, Catholicism remains the predominant faith with 74% of the population, followed by non-Catholic Christians at 9.3%, and—due to recent migratory flows—a growing Islamic presence currently at 3.6%. These are followed by other religious minorities, plus atheism and agnosticism are on the rise as well.
The message of the SDA Reform Movement was preached for the first time in Italy in 1926, but it was not until 1939/40 that the first groups of Reformers were organized. Starting in the 1990’s, with the arrival of some missionaries from South America, Portugal and then Romania, the work developed with the establishment of other groups in various parts of the country. Since then, the message has been proclaimed with perseverance and has been established in various places within the territory; today we have more than 130 members distributed among 6 churches, two groups, and isolated members.
Currently we have only one church building, located in the far northeast of the country, in the city of Trieste. However, we see the urgent need for a strategic space to function as a pillar of strength and spiritual growth for our people.
This space will be the headquarters of the Field –and its centralized geographic location will allow a large number of brethren to participate in the planned activities, such as the missionary training of young people through seminars, musical programs, missionary projects focused on health conferences, and plant-based cooking classes. We believe that this place will be fundamental to advancing the work of the Lord in Italy, so we invite our brothers, sisters, and friends from all over the world to generously support this initiative through their offerings.
By the grace of Jesus and with your collaboration, we will achieve this goal, strengthen evangelization in this country, and bring the message of salvation to many more souls. May the Lord bless you and reward you abundantly!
Daily Lessons
“I AM means an eternal presence; the past, present, and future are alike to God. He sees the most remote events of past history, and the far distant future with as clear a vision as we do those things that are transpiring daily.”— — EGW SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 1, p. 1099.
“Above the distractions of the earth [God] sits enthroned; all things are open to His divine survey; and from His great and calm eternity He orders that which His providence sees best.”— — The Ministry of Healing, p. 417.
“In the annals of human history, the growth of nations, the rise and fall of empires, appear as if dependent on the will and prowess of man; the shaping of events seems, to a great degree, to be determined by his power, ambition, or caprice. But in the word of God the curtain is drawn aside, and we behold, above, behind, and through all the play and counterplay of human interest and power and passions, the agencies of the All-merciful One, silently, patiently working out the counsels of His own will.”— — Prophets and Kings, p. 499, 500.
“‘The Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets.’ While ‘the secret things belong unto the Lord our God,’ ‘those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever.’ Amos 3:7; Deuteronomy 29:29. God has given these things to us, and His blessing will attend the reverent, prayerful study of the prophetic scriptures.”— — The Desire of Ages, p. 234.
“The Bible is a wonderful book. It is a history that opens up to us the past centuries. Without the Bible we would have been left to conjectures and fables in regard to the occurrences of past ages. It is a prophecy that unveils the future. It is the word of God unfolding to us the plan of salvation, pointing out the way by which we may escape eternal death and gain eternal life. Of all the books that flood the world, however valuable, the Bible is the Book of books, most deserving of our study and admiration. It gives not only the history of this world but a description of the world to come. It contains instruction concerning the wonders of the universe, it reveals to our understanding the character of the Author of the heavens and the earth. In it is the revelation of God to man.”— — The Signs of the Times, January 30, 1893.
“In the word of God the mind finds subject for the deepest thought, the loftiest aspiration. Here we may hold communion with patriarchs and prophets, and listen to the voice of the Eternal as He speaks with men. Here we behold the Majesty of heaven as He humbled Himself to become our substitute and surety to cope singlehanded with the powers of darkness and to gain the victory in our behalf. A reverent contemplation of such themes as these cannot fail to soften, purify, and ennoble the heart, and, at the same time, to inspire the mind with new strength and vigor.”— — Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 25.
“God intends that, even in this life, truth shall be ever unfolding to His people. There is only one way in which this knowledge can be obtained. We can attain to an understanding of God’s word only through the illumination of that Spirit by which the word was given.”— — Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 703.
“Never should the Bible be studied without prayer. Before opening its pages we should ask for the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, and it will be given. When Nathanael came to Jesus, the Saviour exclaimed, ‘Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!’ Nathanael said, ‘Whence knowest Thou me?’ Jesus answered, ‘Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.’ John 1:47, 48. And Jesus will see us also in the secret places of prayer if we will seek Him for light that we may know what is truth. Angels from the world of light will be with those who in humility of heart seek for divine guidance.”— — Steps to Christ, p. 91.
“In your study of the word, lay at the door of investigation your preconceived opinions and your hereditary and cultivated ideas. You will never reach the truth if you study the Scriptures to vindicate your own ideas. Leave these at the door, and with a contrite heart go in to hear what the Lord has to say to you. As the humble seeker for truth sits at Christ’s feet, and learns of Him, the word gives him understanding. To those who are too wise in their own conceit to study the Bible, Christ says, You must become meek and lowly in heart if you desire to become wise unto salvation.
Do not read the word in the light of former opinions; but, with a mind free from prejudice, search it carefully and prayerfully. If, as you read, conviction comes, and you see that your cherished opinions are not in harmony with the word, do not try to make the word fit these opinions. Make your opinions fit the word. Do not allow what you have believed or practiced in the past to control your understanding. Open the eyes of your mind to behold wondrous things out of the law. Find out what is written, and then plant your feet on the eternal Rock.”— — Messages to Young People, p. 260.
“The evidence of the truth of God’s word is in the word itself. Scripture is the key that unlocks scripture. The deep meaning of the truths of God’s word is unfolded to our minds by His Spirit.”— — Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 157.
“No one with a spirit to appreciate its teaching can read a single passage from the Bible without gaining from it some helpful thought. But the most valuable teaching of the Bible is not to be gained by occasional or disconnected study. Its great system of truth is not so presented as to be discerned by the hasty or careless reader. Many of its treasures lie far beneath the surface, and can be obtained only by diligent research and continuous effort. The truths that go to make up the great whole must be searched out and gathered up, ‘here a little, and there a little.’ Isaiah 28:10.
“When thus searched out and brought together, they will be found to be perfectly fitted to one another. Each Gospel is a supplement to the others, every prophecy an explanation of another, every truth a development of some other truth. The types of the Jewish economy are made plain by the gospel. Every principle in the word of God has its place, every fact its bearing. And the complete structure, in design and execution, bears testimony to its Author. Such a structure no mind but that of the Infinite could conceive or fashion.”— — Education, p. 123, 124.
“We should not take the testimony of any man as to what the Scriptures teach, but should study the words of God for ourselves. . . . The mind will enlarge if it is employed in tracing out the relation of the subjects of the Bible, comparing scripture with scripture and spiritual things with spiritual. . . .
“We cannot obtain wisdom without earnest attention and prayerful study. Some portions of Scripture are indeed too plain to be misunderstood, but there are others whose meaning does not lie on the surface to be seen at a glance. Scripture must be compared with scripture. There must be careful research and prayerful reflection. And such study will be richly repaid. As the miner discovers veins of precious metal concealed beneath the surface of the earth, so will he who perseveringly searches the word of God as for hid treasure find truths of the greatest value, which are concealed from the view of the careless seeker. The words of inspiration, pondered in the heart, will be as streams flowing from the fountain of life.”— — Steps to Christ, p. 89-91.
“The spirit in which you come to the investigation of the Scriptures will determine the character of the assistant at your side. Angels from the world of light will be with those who in humility of heart seek for divine guidance. But if the Bible is opened with irreverence, with a feeling of self-sufficiency, if the heart is filled with prejudice, Satan is beside you, and he will set the plain statements of God’s word in a perverted light.”— — Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 108.
“Satan has led many to believe that the prophetic portions of the writings of Daniel and of John the revelator cannot be understood. But the promise is plain that special blessing will accompany the study of these prophecies.”— — Prophets and Kings, p. 547.
“The meek are guided by the Lord, because they are teachable, willing to be instructed. They have a sincere desire to know and to do the will of God. The Saviour’s promise is, ‘If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.’ John 7:17. And He declares by the apostle James, ‘If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.’ James 1:5. But His promise is only to those who are willing to follow the Lord wholly.”— — Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 384.
“If you would know the mystery of godliness, you must follow the plain word of truth—feeling or no feeling, emotion or no emotion. Obedience must be rendered from a sense of principle, and the right must be pursued under all circumstances.”— — Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 125.