The Trying of Your Faith

“That the proof [genuineness] of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:7)

A young man named James was born in a small town in Washington State.  He was the second oldest of 8 children growing up in the 1960’s and 70’s. As James grew, he got into a lot of trouble with the law. He was in jail a few times and got involved with the wrong crowd. James later met a woman named Theresa during this time in his life.  Within 4 years they had 4 kids.  James’ life was now absorbed with work and helping to take care of 4 little children. 

Unfortunately for James and Theresa their past life was hard to leave behind. Theresa left her home unable to cope with her own personal problems and found her past life of drugs and alcohol to be a comfort to her. Theresa didn’t choose Christ to be her safety and peace.  She left those four children when they were 2, 3, 4, and 5 years old.  She never came back for them.

James was left to take care of them all by himself and later had to divorce Theresa.  Nearly 4 years later, James met a wonderful woman named Lorie. She was a church goer and dragged him and his children along to weekday meetings and Sunday church.  None of James’ children liked church. 

James, convicted that there was more to life than what he was living, started to study the bible. He studied on faith, righteousness, the Sabbath, the love of Jesus, the second coming and found out that the church he was going to, wasn’t telling him the truth about the Bible. 

Day and night he studied and finally came to the conclusion that the little church on the corner of 8th and Ash in Othello called “Othello Adventist Church” was the closest thing to a Bible believing church.

By this time his children were all grown up.  He really started to understand what he needed to do, and that was to pray for his wife and kids and get as close to God as he could. 

His felt his children were so far away from God.  His children began to have their own children.  The conviction he felt as a father and Christian lead him to rely on Jesus through his own trials and also to pray for opportunities to share the Jesus he met with his children.  

James is my father.  I am a lover of Jesus because of my heavenly Father and earthly father working together for my salvation.  I am eternally grateful for his example of dedication to God in every aspect of his life.  Through trial and affliction He has made James, my father, a positive spiritual influence on countless people aside from me.  Sometimes life will turn sour and troubles seem to pile on, like they did for my Dad.  Find comfort in Jesus, He is the only answer to life’s issues.    

My Dad has a genuine faith.  A genuine faith is a life of faith.  It isn’t an emotional response to His blessing.  It’s a life that always trusts, always believes, always submits, and always responds to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  AT ALL TIMES!  Even when there is fire, when there are trials, when there is pain, or hurt coming from a friend or relative. No matter the circumstances, when you find yourself in the refiner’s fire, remember that a genuine faith is and will always be a life of faith that will be found to praise, honor, and glorify God in all situations. Is it your desire to have a faith that rises above your circumstances?  I say, keep the faith, hold fast, and endure! 

 Michael Butler, Youth-Young Adult Pastor

 CENTRAL CORNER

This Week (August 29 to September 2): 

• Monday @ 7:00 PM – Better Health Now!

• Tuesday @ 10:00 AM – Women’s Bible Study

• Tuesday @ 7:00 PM – Prayer Meeting with JeAnn Davis

• Various L.I.F.E. groups (in-home small group Bible studies) take place across Sacramento. To locate one near you contact our small groups’ coordinator, Richard Anger @ (916) 681-3990

• Wednesday @ 7:00 PM - Pasos Hacia La Salud (Steps to Health)

• Sabbath @ 9:00 AM – Morning Manna with Wilson Ntihinuka

• Sabbath @ 9:30 AM – Central Study Hour with Central Pastors + Children/Youth/Adult Sabbath School Classes

• Sabbath @ 10:50 AM – Worship Service with Pastor Chris Buttery

• Sabbath @ 1:00 PM – Guest Fellowship Lunch

• Sabbath @ 2:00 PM – Discipleship University

Upcoming Events

Better Health Now! Continues on Mondays and Thursdays, August 29, September 1 and September 8. Note: There is no class on September 5 due to Labor Day. Classes are free. Reservations are not needed. Please see the flier at the Hostess Desk for you, your family, and your friends.

Discipleship University continues this Sabbath at 2 PM in the Camellia Room.  Study material can be downloaded at https://zqh.orf.mybluehost.me/saccentral/ministries/Discipleship-University/

Health Expo Coming Soon! Sacramento Central will be conducting a Health Expo with Weimar's NEWSTART program on Sunday, September 11 from 11 AM to 4 PM. Free health services and assessments will be offered. We have 12 Health Expo stations that need volunteers. If you are a health professional and are interested in helping, there is a sign-up sheet at the front desk or you can call Karen Medeiros at (916) 961-0289.

Family Matters

Memorial Service: We are sad to announce the passing of our dear brother, Delbert Nichols.  His memorial Service will be held at Central on Sunday, September 4 at 11 AM. Reception to follow.

Informative Door Hangers Available. Over at the "Tree of Life" literature rack (in the church foyer), filled with GLOW tracts, we have included colorful door hangers designed to introduce people to Central Church. Please help yourself and take as many as you will use to put on doors in your neighborhood. Thank you. Personal Ministries Department.

Join Our Group Page on Facebook! We now have a closed group page on Facebook for Central members. Stay connected and share prayer requests, small group and club announcements/reminders, social announcements, member needs or helps requests, recommendations and more! Look for “Sacramento Central SDA Church Members Community Group” and ask to join. A place for us to keep in touch!

Sacramento Central Prayer Ministry has conference calls open to the entire church twice daily, at 5:30 AM and 7 PM, for approximately 30 minutes. If you happen to log in during the prayer time, please do not say your name. Call (712) 770-4010, access code: 361097.

Podcasts Available! If you didn't know, every Central Study Hour and worship service can be viewed and downloaded by going to our website (https://zqh.orf.mybluehost.me/saccentral/sermons). This is an easy way for you to invite friends and family to listen to important Bible messages coming from Central church. The podcasts are uploaded a week after the live presentation.

Watch Us On Television! Enjoy viewing Central’s flagship program, Central Study Hour, every Friday night at 7 PM (NEW TIME) and Sabbath morning at 6 AM (PST) on 3ABN Proclaim! Also enjoy our Receiving the Word, 30-minute programs weekly on Sunday at 11 AM, Tuesday at 11:30 AM, Wednesday at 8:30 PM, and Thursday at 9 PM on Sacramento Faith TV. These can also be viewed on our website (www.saccentral.org) and our YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/thecentralconnection). Let everyone know where they can receive timely Bible messages!

News & Events From Elsewhere

Blood Drive at Sacramento Adventist Academy on Monday, August 29 from 8 AM to 1 PM. To schedule an appointment call Kei Corpuz at (916) 995-9221.

Tell the World. After years of planning, fundraising, and production, Tell the World, which tells the history of the global denomination’s pioneers, is finished. Tell the World was produced by Hope Channel, the official broadcast network of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, in Australia. It is also the largest media production in the denomination’s history. It will air on October this year. To watch the trailer, go here: http://telltheworld.adventist.org/

NEWS HEIGHTS

Resources

Revelation Today - The Mysteries Revealed is a comprehensive study series that focuses on the prophecies of the Bible – especially the book of Revelation, produced by It Is Written. Based entirely on the Word of God, Revelation Today lets the Bible speak for itself, and takes series participants on an exciting journey through the major themes of the Bible.  Order this series to share by clicking here.

Shadow Empire is returning Sept. 15 to17, 2016 and you can host the series in your home! Last spring, hundreds of churches hosted the Voice of Prophecy’s Shadow Empire series. This series, which addresses modern-day religious freedom by exploring the life of Constantine the Great, was filmed on location in Europe and the Middle East and offers a fresh, Bible-based perspective on historical and current events. You can find all the details they need at www.ShadowEmpire.com/Event

Be Inspired 

“By sin we have been severed from the life of God. Our souls are palsied. Of ourselves we are no more capable of living a holy life than was the impotent man capable of walking. There are many who realize their helplessness, and who long for that spiritual life which will bring them into harmony with God; they are vainly striving to obtain it. In despair they cry, ‘O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from this body of death?’ Romans 7:24, margin. Let these desponding, struggling ones look up. The Savior is bending over the purchase of His blood, saying with inexpressible tenderness and pity, ‘Wilt thou be made whole?’ He bids you arise in health and peace. Do not wait to feel that you are made whole. Believe His word, and it will be fulfilled. Put your will on the side of Christ. Will to serve Him, and in acting upon His word you will receive strength. Whatever may be the evil practice, the master passion which through long indulgence binds both soul and body; Christ is able and longs to deliver. He will impart life to the soul that is ‘dead in trespasses.’ Ephesians 2:1. He will set free the captive that is held by weakness and misfortune and the chains of sin.” (Desire of Ages, p. 203)

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