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Online Logos March 19, 2005

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Like No Other Day

The caption of this story, "Like No Other Day," is an accurate description of this wonderful Sabbath for many reasons. Consider a few! This is the Sabbath of The Lord set aside from all other days and best of the seven days of the week prescribed for worship by God Himself. Therefore, as we are assembled for worship, we do so knowing that we are complying with God's will for the human race. Of course, this act of obedience does not advantage us in respect to salvation, for salvation is a free gift. However, because we are saved, out of gratitude, we delight to do God's will? Secondly, today is a new day never witnessed or experienced before in history. As such we can be happy and rejoice for the gift of life. Most of all, this day is like no other, because it will mark a significant point or milestone in history as many of you respond to the call of God to be baptized and link up with God's church. Imagine the rejoicing and merry making in heaven today because of you! Doesn't this fact underscore that you and I are special? That heaven's inhabitants would rejoice because of me and my decision to follow Christ clearly shows my worth in the sight of God. Indeed, there is no other day like this one!

Wouldn't it be nice to end this article there? However, do so would be irresponsible and misleading. What do I mean? While there is rejoicing in heaven and on earth among relatives and friends, there is a note of dissatisfaction and disgust with Satan and his cohorts who totally resent today's happenings. Quite naturally, you can expect opposition and some challenges, but rest assured that God will deliver though the way He does is not always known to us; for this reason, explicit trust is required of all who serve God.

There is also something else that I must share with you based on a book I began reading at the beginning of this week. Written by Dr. David Jeremiah, it is titled A Bend In The Road, David, a Lymphoma' recovered patient likens life to traveling on a road that is not straight but one with bends, bumps and pot holes. Given the nature of some of our roads, this is not hard to imagine. Another Christian author, Gordon McDonald, likens these bends to what he terms as "disruptive moments". What is a disruptive moment? A disruptive moment is a disruption that Christians experience. It could be that some of you are experiencing one today. It may be unexpected news such as an unfavorable diagnosis, a tragic death of a loved one, a report of infidelity by your spouse, a collapse of a business, a loss of a job, discovery of your child on drugs or that he is gay, a severe accident or the like. Every child of God has disruptive moments. If you have not experienced one it will come sooner or later. So what can we do? Trust God and allow Him to bring out certain character traits in us He is seeking to develop. Disruptive moments, when approached in the light of God, always result in greater growth, outstanding service and remarkable faith. It is our privilege to ask the Saviour to help us comfort, strengthen and keep us for He is willing to help us; He will see us through. Again, I wish for you a blessed Sabbath! Leonard A. Johnson, D.Min, President, Bahamas Conference of SDA

 

Remembering The Pioneers We, the present generation of Adventists especially the younger ones, must make it our business to pause at intervals and reflect upon the contribution of those workers and members who have paved the way for what is enjoyed today. Such an impression was indelibly made upon my mind as I attended a memorial service for the late Elder Melvin George Nembhard, one who has served West Indies Union with distinction. Through my research, I discovered that Pastor Nembhard began his denominational service in the Bahamas Mission on October 26, 1938 and spent 12 years working mainly in the family islands where he raised up several churches namely the West End SDA and Tarpum Bay Churches in Grand Bahama and Eleuthera, respecitvely. Additionally, he possessed a passion for souls which resulted in hundreds of baptisms among whom was the late Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling former Prime Minister of the Bahamas. Indeed, Elder Nembhard was one who did not resent or looked upon family islands with disdain but saw them as God’s mission field. I regret not knowing such an out standing minister of the gospel, but I am challenged to give my best considering the sterling example of Elder Nembhard. We thank God for this rich legacy and the contribution of his son Dr. Anthony Nembhard, a noted gastrointrologist whom we continually pray for, and Cherrise Nembhard-Gardiner, granddaughter, who taught Bible at Bahamas Academy Secondary and served as an effective elder at the Bethany Church where she was known for solid biblical preaching.

Other notables include W. W. Antonio, W. Charles Antonio,Evangeline Antonio-Wood. Nurse Florence Wood, Sis. Floy Wood-Rollins, the Someillans, Jack Dean, Paul Ward, Leonard Rahming, Oscar Johnson, M. V and Bernice Smith, D.A. and Pearl McMillan, just to name a few. These legends and their contributions must be forever remembered by the current membership, for it is in recalling their devotion and fortitude of spirit that we are encouraged to face the future and whatever it brings.

A Time For Decision On the day of Pentecost, the apostle Peter was moved by the Holy Spirit to deliver a powerful sermon that convinced his listeners that Jesus was Lord and Saviour. "When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: ‘Brothers, what must we do?’

‘Repent,’ Peter said to them, ‘and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus the Messiah for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call" (Acts 2: 36- 40).

The response to Peter’s message was tremendous. Over three thousand persons were baptized and became members of the Christian Church. When they heard the truth about Christ, they decided to follow the direction of the Holy Spirit and were baptized.

Today is decision time for hundreds of persons who have been attending the three evangelistic meetings on the Island of New Providence. Evangelists Peter Joseph, Edward St. Fleur, and T. Basil Sturrup have been used by the Holy Spirit to present powerful messages of truth during the last two weeks. It is time now for those who have heard God’s call and who sense their need of salvation to make a decision for Christ. There is no better time than now to step out in faith to serve the Lord according to His commandments. You will have challenges, but Jesus is able to see you through. God has promised to care for those who obey His will (Prov. 7: 1-2).

It takes men and women of courage to turn away from the things of the world and follow Jesus in doing God’s will. One of the major tests that will confront one who decides to decides to obey God rather than man is the observance of the Sabbath. Those of you who work in situations that require you to work on Sabbath will have to trust God to honour His word. He says in Isaiah 58: 13 – 14:

"If you keep from desecrating the Sabbath, from doing whatever you want on my holy day; if you call the Sabbath a delight, and the holy of the Lord honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, seeking your own pleasure, or talking too much; then you will delight yourself in the Lord, and I will… let you enjoy the heritage of your father Jacob."

God is always true to His promise, so you can accept the invitation to accept Christ, be baptized and become a member of the family of God. Jesus loves you, died for you, and He has gone to prepare a place for you. He is coming soon to take you to live with Him forever (John 14: 1-3).

This may be the last opportunity for some of you to hear the gospel preached with such clarity. Embrace all aspects of the gospel that you have heard and read from God’s Holy Bible, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, prepare for the coming of the Lord.

Western Region Crusade Choir Practice Senior Choir practice for the Western Region Crusade will be held at Hillview Church on Thursday, March 24, at 7:30 p.m. Practice for the youth choir will be at Berea Church Thursday, March 24 at 7:00 p.m. - M. Knowles, Music Coordinat

Western Region "Real Harvest" Crusade Continues Real Harvest Gospel Campaign continues tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. Members, remember to invite your friends to the meetings. Come bring your family and let’s discover God’s promises and prophecies for these end times.

Eastern Region "Power of Truth" Crusade Continues

The "Power of Truth" crusade will continue tomorrow, Sunday, March 20, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. Please contact your guests and friends, and encourage them to come and be blessed. Pastor P.A. Scavella, Coordinator

Eastern Region Crusade Choir Practice Choir rehearsal for the Eastern Region Crusade will be held today at 5:00 p.m. at the Tent. Younger persons are encouraged to join the youth choir for the Eastern Region. Practice for the youth choir will be at Living Faith Church today at 4:00 p.m. -Sis. Althea Tinker, Music Coordinator, ER

Stewardship Bible Institute The West Indies Union and the Inter-American Division are excited at collaborating to conduct the Stewardship Bible Institute jointly between the Bahamas Conference and the North Bahamas Mission, April 15 to 17, 2005, beginning at 8:00 a.m. in Nassau.

The purpose of the Institute is to provide a training program for Pastors, Church Elders, and Local Stewardship Leaders in order to offer Dynamic and Biblical Leadership to the local church focusing on Adventist Theology, Homiletic, Hermeneutic, and other courses. A minimum of two persons is required from each church. Those who attend will receive a certificate of participation. All churches, including the family islands, are encouraged to select a delegate from their Stewardship Department and an elder and submit their names to the Stewardship Department of the Conference as soon as possible.

Adventist Business Directory The Adventist Business Directory is almost ready to be published. All listings should be sent in immediately. Please call Pastor N. E. Scavella at 364- 1460, or Dr. J Carey at 341-4021 for further information

Adventist Men Breakfast Practice Session A very important Breakfast practise session will be held for all Adventist Men on Sunday, March 20th at the Living Faith Church. All Adventist Men are encouraged to attend. - Anthony Roach, Choir Director

Bahamas Academy Announcements The ENTRANCE EXAM for new students desirous of entering grades 1 – 10 of Bahamas Academy of Seventh-day Adventists for the 2005 – 2006 school year will be held on Thursday, March 24 from 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon at the elementary and secondary campuses respectively.

Application Forms for Grades 1 – 6 can be collected from the elementary campus (Penny Savings Bank Lane) during regular school hours. Application Forms for grades 7 – 10 can be collected from the secondary campus (Wulff Road) during regular school hours.

The Application Form and registration fee of $20.00 must be turned in before or by March 24, 2005. Enquires can be made at 393-8898 (Elementary) or 393-3381 (Secondary). -Lynn C. Smith, Principal, BA

Bahamas Conference Office of Education The Bahamas Conference Office of Education is accepting applications for the following positions at Bahamas Academy for the 2005-2006 school year: Auto Mechanics teacher, Biology/Science teacher, Business Education teacher, Chemistry and Physics teacher, Computer Studies teacher, Elementary school teacher, English teacher, History/Social Studies teacher, Home Economics teacher, Music teacher, Physical Education teacher, Religious Studies teacher, Spanish teacher, Technical Drawing teacher.

Interested Bahamians may obtain applications from the school on Wulff Road and mail completed applications to: The Education Director, Office of Education, Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, P. O. Box N-356, Nassau, Bahamas. Applications should reach the Office of Education by March 18. -Dr. Cheryl Rolle, Director of Education

Youth Corner All invested Masterguides are asked to meet on tomorrow, Sunday, at 8 o’clock for a very important meeting at the Hillview Church. Sunday, March 20th is the final day for registration for this year’s Masterguide class. - Pastor A. Burrows, Youth Director

New SDA Radio Program A new radio program was launched recently. Tune in every Friday at 6:00 a.m. for refreshing health and family life tips and just good old Biblical teaching on "Path to Life" with founder and host of "Path to Life Ministries," Pastor Paul A. Scavella.

Be Healthy, Be Happy Health Club Be Healthy, Be Happy Health Club Partners with Z.N.S., Colina Insurance and the Ministry of Health for a month of Health Emphasis began Thursday, March 10th at 10 a.m. on the grounds of the National Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas.

The second major event of the week is the 8th annual Be Healthy, Be Happy Fun Run Walk joining with Z.N.S. 2nd annual Fun Run Walk.

This event takes place on Monday the 28th of March this year beginning at Goodman's Bay to the Crystal Palace.

Registration forms are available at the Adventist Book Center, Z.N.S. and Colina outlets. Registration is twelve dollars ($12.00). Late Registration is fifteen dollars ($15.00).

Hour of Gospel Music at Mary Ingraham Home The Hour of Gospel Music at the Mary Ingraham Home continues on a weekly basis at 5:00 p.m. The schedule for today, March 19, 2005, will be Grant’s Town Church and next week the Hillview Church.

Adventist Book Centre The Adventist Book Centre is pleased to announce that the large SDA Hymnals with notes are available in various colours. For your complete health food needs, come and visit us. Devotionals for 2005 are still available. Thank you for your patronage. -Kenny V.A. Deveaux, ABC Manager

Meistersingers gospel concert coming soon

Sunsets today at 6:21 p.m.  Sun sets next Sabbath at 6:23 p.m.

 

 

 

 
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