SDA Youth in the Last Days

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Exodus 20:11    What's makes the Sabbath extra special?    “Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.” Exodus 31:13    The Sabbath is a sign of the relationship existing between God and His people—a sign that they are His obedient subjects, that they keep holy His law. The observance of the Sabbath is the means ordained by God of preserving a knowledge of Himself and of distinguishing between His loyal subjects and the transgressors of His law. CH 358.4    All of God’s commandments are important, but the Sabbath is extra special. The Sabbath is a special sign between God and us. It is a way He distinguishes between His faithful followers and the transgressors of His law. It is a test. A test of our loyalty to Him.  ...

“I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” Pastor Jason Sliger baptized four young people on that hot summer day at Young Disciple camp. As I watched, I felt a burning inside me to be baptized as well, and throughout the rest of that day I thought about it. That evening, at campfire, I hardly heard half of the testimonies, because I was so deep in thought about baptism. About halfway through, I made the decision to go up, give my testimony, and say that I had decided to be baptized. It was a really solemn moment, and I guess I sort of broke down in gratitude or something. (hard to explain…) This was in July 2016, when I was 14. After YD I went and told my mom of my decision, and she agreed to get me started on Bible studies with our pastor. I could’ve gotten baptized at our church, but I decided that I wanted to get baptized at Young Disciple camp next year, in 2017. Months past, and around May we met with our Pastor. By this time, my sister...

A s mall figure of a girl runs down the street. Her clothes are in tatters, her hair is a mess, she has no shoes, and she looks like she hasn’t eaten in days. A chilly breeze blows, making her wrap her arms around herself and run to shelter. She stops short, in front of a nearby restaurant, smelling the delicious smells wafting out the windows. The warmth from the inside blows softly onto the little girl, and she smiles. Suddenly, the owner of the building comes outside, and yells at her, telling her to go away. She runs to a corner, curls up to try to keep warm, and quiet tears trickle down her cheeks. Why wouldn’t anyone help her? ~~~~~~~ People did the same to Jesus when He came down to earth. They rejected Him, throwing Him out of towns, including His hometown! Most people didn't want Him around, they even preferred Barabbas over Jesus.  “When Christ was upon this earth, the world preferred Barabbas. And today the world and the churches are making the s...

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). Something beautiful happens when people give their lives to God. “Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:11) When we let the Holy Spirit fill our hearts and guide us towards heaven, we will receive the power to be filled with the fruits of righteousness. He will give us power to overcome temptation and have the victory, and He will create a complete change of character and purpose in our lives. There is an interesting verse in Isaiah that gives an amazing promise. “Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance” (Isaiah 19:25). In those days, Egypt, Assyria, and Israel had become full-on pagan countries. Both Egypt and Assyria had persecuted and hurt Go...

"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."   Matthew 24:14 What are we waiting for?!  Jesus will come when the gospel has been preached in all the world.  And yet we just wait for others to do it?  We can make a difference!  In Isaiah 60:1-3, we are given a divine command.  Notice it's not a suggestion, but a command. " Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the  Lord  is risen upon thee.   For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth...but the  Lord  shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.  And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising." "The Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee."  When we do God's work, do others see Jesus in us?  Are we shining lights in our communities?  Do ...

It was a beautiful spring day. The sun shone brightly, making paths of light through the thick branches of tall pine trees. Little birds flitted through the branches and chirped merry songs.     Nearby, a boy stepped onto some melting ice. He nervously moved his feet, noticing little pools of water forming at every step. His eyes flashed and his mouth curved into a confident grin as he neared the center of the ice. He turned around and looked back at his friends who were watching him.    “Look at me!” He yelled and jumped on the ice. His friends gasped and told him to stop jumping.    “You might fall through!” they cried. But he only shrugged it off and laughed and began to jump some more, his feet pounded into the weakening ice. He didn’t notice the crack that had started to form and that was gradually getting larger with every jump. Then suddenly, without warning, he heard the ice splinter and felt freezing cold water begin engulf him. His friend...

“Abide in me, and I in you.   As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me” (John 15:4).   The greatest battle ever fought by man is the battle against self.   It first showed its ugly face thousands of years ago in the most beautiful place you could imagine.   The highest official under the King in this majestic land, covered in beauty and excellent in skill, began turning his eyes towards his own charm and strength.   He turned his eyes away from his King, and rapidly began to desire to the King’s status and homage.   Whispering seeds of doubt into the minds of his associates, he caused them to waver in trust, and one out of three in that beautiful place chose to listen to him.   Unfortunately, Lucifer had created a war in heaven against the Creator who loved all of the angels very deeply.   Christ came to Lucifer and begged that he would change and repent of his dan...