Story by Sierra Breanna
News
Story by Adventist Health and ADRA Staff
Six shipping containers filled with medical supplies from Adventist Health are on their way to Africa to assist with COVID-19 emergency responses in Ghana, Malawi, Namibia, Uganda, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
This $3 million project is the result of a partnership between California-based Adventist Health and the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), the international humanitarian branch of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Each shipping container is filled with general medical supplies, personal protective equipment, medication, operating room supplies and mobile medical testing equipment for COVID-19 and other diseases.
“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7, NKJV).
It had been a difficult and long month. Rent was due, and we were running out of diapers and food. We were going crazy.
On Friday evening, after our “Sabbath Welcome” worship, I prayed, “Lord, I can’t carry these worries into the Sabbath. I’m just going to give them to you! I know You will take care of us.” At that moment, an amazing peace entered my heart. Our Sabbath day was a delight. So much so that when Monday came around, I was still at peace.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jer. 29:11, KJV).
In my early twenties, I began wondering about everything I had experienced in my life. I endured verbal abuse as a child. My heart was badly broken at age 16. I was kicked out of my home at 17. I experienced a fire that claimed all my belongings at 20. What was my life’s purpose?
“Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel” (Josh. 1:2, NKJV).
The servant of God has died. Moses, who spoke to God as a friend, has perished. The Israelites’ leader, friend and loving intercessor would no longer be with them.
Even in the midst of loss or pain, God always has a plan. After Moses’ death, God said to Joshua, “Now therefore, arise ...” Arise is a difficult word when living in sadness, clueless about how to confront the challenges of life. However, God invites us to trust in Him and calls us to “arise.”
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Cor. 10:13, NKJV).
Victory is won by standing on the promises of God. As I neared the end of 2016, I never would have guessed it would mark the end of some 20 years of my pornography addiction. I was in absolute darkness with almost no hope left. But Jesus always pursued me, and He found me as I looked to heaven for help. In that moment, my chains broke, and I found a way of escape. God proved His faithfulness by giving me victory.
“And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions” (Joel 2:28, NKJV).
We need to understand that near the close of earth’s harvest, there will be a special outpouring of spiritual grace to prepare each and every one of us for the coming of Christ.
“The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them” (Ps. 34:7, NKJV).
This verse is so powerful because it reminds us that God is always ready to deliver us, and that we have no reason to be afraid. In my personal experience, I found Psalms 34:7 to be true.
A few years ago, my house caught on fire. My family was at church when it happened, so luckily no one was injured. One of our friends, however, was living with us at the time. She stayed home that Sabbath to watch a couple of baby birds we had found the day before.
“But as for me, I will sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your faithfulness in the morning, for You have been my refuge and a place of refuge on the day of my distress” (Ps. 59:16, NASB).
This verse outlines the many problems, mountainous difficulties, troubling times and numerous enemies that were surrounding David on every side. David opened up his heart to the Lord, and his urgent prayer for help and deliverance poured forth unabated. This surrender of heart has also worked in my life.
“How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matt. 7:4–5, NIV).
Most of us have experienced a time when we’ve completely underestimated someone’s point of view, whether in an argument or in a situation where one lacks confidence to support themselves. I have been on both ends of the spectrum in my education and everyday life, making Matthew 7:4–5 my favorite verse.