Levin Seventh-day Adventist Church

09/09/2026

Breaking Hard Ground

Imagine yourself as a farmer, and your life is a vast field. You sow seeds on soil sparingly, and these seeds represent your intentions, choices, and actions.

Hosea uses a similar analogy in Hosea 10:12 to describe God’s people. Israel had sown seeds of sin and unrighteousness, causing the soil of their hearts to become unreceptive to God's commands. And right as God's people were about to reap a harvest of God’s judgment, the prophet Hosea spoke with urgency:

"Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD until he comes and showers his righteousness on you."
Hosea 10:12

Just as a farmer reaps far more than they sow, our God promises that we, too, will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7-9). But, this verse also shows us it’s not enough to sow righteousness. We must also break up the uncultivated ground (Hosea 10:12).

Our hearts become like idle ground when we allow it to grow hard and stubborn resisting God's Word and work in our lives. But God wants His people to prepare the soil of their hearts to receive the seed of His Word by seeking Him. Seeking the Lord is like the early rain in farming season; it’s that essential ingredient that softens the soil and readies it for growth.

Do you desire to grow spiritually?
"It is time to seek the Lord."
"It is time to seek the Lord."
"It is time to seek the Lord."

Don't wait. Seek Him eagerly and expectantly today. Meditate on Hosea 10:12; let it move you to examine your own life: Are you sowing seeds of righteousness and reaping the fruit of unfailing love?

It is never too late to seek the Lord turn your heart to the One who promises to shower His abundant mercy and grace upon you.

06/09/2026

The Truth of God

John 8:32 NIV
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

What is truth? Various generations have had different ways of answering that question. It's a popular belief in today’s culture that truth can be whatever you want it to be. This is the idea that truth is relative and unique to every individual person.

But if everyone lives their own truth, then nobody can truly know which one is right. And if one person’s truth contradicts another person’s truth, one of them must be wrong.

Scripture tells us that there is an objective truth available; a truth that we can live by. Rather than truth being grounded in the individual, it is grounded in something much bigger than ourselves.

Truth is sourced from God.

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe and everything that exists, and the one from whom truth and beauty come. God’s Word contains the truths that He has spoken to us so that we might live according to His truth and His ways.

Jesus says that His teachings are true because they come from God. He goes on to say that anyone who knows the truth of God will be set free in their life.

When we know the truth, we are no longer living according to a lie. God’s Word tells us the truth and leads us to life. This is why Jesus says that the truth will set us free. That's when we become truly free to live according to how God designed us to live.

An important part of learning what's true and what isn’t is reading God’s Word. He has spoken to us through His Word, and all that He has spoken is true. When we read and memorize God’s Word, we learn more and more about God.

Take some time today to thank God for revealing Himself to us through His Word, and for illuminating our lives with His truth.

06/09/2026

Today, as we celebrate Father's Day, we honour not just our earthly fathers, but also the ultimate Father God. Psalms 121:2 reminds us that our help comes from the Lord, the Creator of everything. In moments where we may feel overwhelmed, it is vital to recognize that our true source of strength and support lies in Him.

Psalms 121:2 (NIV): "My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."

As we navigate the complexities of life, it’s easy to slip into patterns of self-reliance, forgetting where our true help originates. Psalms 121:2 reminds us that our help comes from the Lord, the Creator of all things. In this verse, we find assurance and comfort; we are not alone in our struggles, for the Almighty sustains and supports us.

Consider the story of David when he faced Goliath. The young shepherd did not rely on his own strength or prowess; instead, he declared in 1 Samuel 17:45, “I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty.” David recognized that true victory and support come from God. Similarly, in our battles whether they are financial difficulties, health crises, or relational challenges turning to God first is essential.

In her writings, Ellen G. White emphasizes the importance of seeking divine assistance. In "Steps to Christ," she states, “Prayer is the breath of the soul. It is the secret of spiritual power” (p. 93). This highlights how connecting with God can supercharge our situations, allowing us to receive His guidance and strength.

Another biblical reference is Philippians 4:19, which assures us, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” This verse challenges us to trust in God's provision, reinforcing the idea that He is indeed our ultimate source of help.

As we face each day, let’s remember to look up to the One who made heaven and earth. By doing so, we align ourselves with His plans and purposes, experiencing peace and assurance that we are not carrying our burdens alone.

Let’s pray, Lord, help me to always remember that my help comes from You. Grant me the faith to seek your guidance in every area of my life. Amen. 🙏

05/09/2026

04/09/2026

03/09/2026

God Our Rock 🙏

There are hundreds of different names and titles for God throughout Scripture. And since the Psalms are written from various seasons of life, there are many different perspectives of how God acts within those seasons.

Psalm 18 is written at a time when the author, King David, was delivered from his enemies by God. In this Psalm, David almost immediately calls God his rock, because God was dependable and stable. There was nothing that could overtake God or move Him. And this truth wasn't just for David, but for anyone who relies on God.

When we belong to God, He is a rock and a fortress for us as well. Everything in the world is constantly shifting, but we belong to a God who never changes. He is our protection from things that might seek to harm us.

We belong to a God who can protect us throughout our lives. Even if we don’t have physical enemies, we can run to God when life gets difficult. That’s why, like David, our response to God should be filled with praise. We need to remember what God has done—so we can praise Him for who He is.

Take some time today to thank God for how He has led and protected you so far in your life. And if you’re currently in a difficult season, run to God and ask Him for help. He is able and willing to be your rock.

27/08/2026

Steady and Unchanging

In an ever-changing, always-moving, constantly-shifting world, we can count on the unchanging nature of God.

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the author of Hebrews said it like this:

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT

A title for the three distinct parts, or “Persons” of God, is the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And the SonJesus Christ is the purest reflection of the Father, who never changes.

When you unpack the stunning mystery that is God made flesh in the Person of Jesus Christ, you’ll notice that He said audacious things like: “I and the Father are one,” (John 10:30) “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father,” (John 14:9) and, “Now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” (John‬ ‭17‬:‭5‬)

John described Jesus as the Word: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬)

God said of Himself, “I the Lord do not change...” (Malachi 3:6) This unchanging quality is called the immutability of God.

From generation to generation, God is the immovable rock where we can firmly plant our faith.

God cannot lie. He cannot be unjust. He’s always good. He’s always faithful. He’s fully perfect. He’s self-sufficient. He’s continuously steady and constant, enduring and everlasting.

If your world has been rocked, or if everything around you seems to be shifting, or if it's challenging to tell what is solid rock and what is shifting sand, you can trust in, count on, and place your hope in Jesus.

He’s not only your righteous Savior, but He’s also your unchanging God.

It’s great to know that our God is faithful and never change. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and most importantly his love towards us remain constant and consistent.

I pray that we will treasure this God who is faithful and his love endures forever. May we make connections and stay connected with him daily.

26/08/2026

It’s great to be reminded to think about things that are of eternal. Therefore, spending more time and setting our priorities become crucial and important.

Life is full of uncertainties and let’s continue sharing God’s plans to inherit His kingdom and spend eternity with him in heaven.

Look Up

It’s normal, as well as understandable, to spend our time, energy, and attention focusing on the here and now. We’re busy, after all. Sometimes we're preoccupied. And when we stop to really think about it, it’s difficult to perceive something beyond our five senses.

But in his letter to the Colossians, Paul encourages his fellow believers to look up:

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As you think about Paul’s words and the realities of heaven, here are four things to consider:

- First, heaven isn’t some vague, dream-like state. It’s a real place, with real people, where God is the true King.

- Second, there will come a day when we will all meet God face to face. We will no longer need faith or hope, because that which we’ve hoped for will finally be revealed.

- Third, our troubles and our heartbreaks (and even death itself) are temporary! Scripture tells us that, eventually, God will do away with pain and death and sickness and suffering forever.

- Lastly (and most importantly), God is still on His throne, with Jesus beside Him in the place of honor. No matter how crazy, senseless, or heartbreaking the world can seem, we can have confidence knowing that nothing is outside of God’s sovereign plan.

So when you’re tempted to look around at others or look inward at yourself, look up instead. Heaven is wherever God is, and that’s the truest reality of all.

25/08/2026

The Greatest Commandment

In Matthew 22:37, Jesus said: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."

This verse is a powerful reminder of the greatest commandment, calling us to a wholehearted devotion to God. It challenges us to examine the depth and sincerity of our love for Him, urging us to go beyond following the rules of religious traditions and to cultivate an intimate, all-encompassing relationship with our Creator.

Loving God with all our heart means that our emotions and desires are aligned with His will. It means that we prioritize Him above all else, allowing His love to shape our affections and guide our decisions. When we love God with all our soul, we are committing our very being to Him. Our identity, purpose, and existence are rooted in His love, and we find our true fulfillment in living for His glory.

To love God with all our mind is to engage our intellect in the pursuit of knowing Him more deeply. It involves meditating on His Word, seeking His wisdom, and allowing His truth to transform our thoughts and perspectives. This holistic love for God is not a one-time event but a daily, intentional choice to surrender every aspect of our lives to Him.

Reflecting on this commandment, we are reminded that our love for God should be evident in every area of our lives. It should influence how we interact with others, how we spend our time, and how we use our resources. As we grow in our love for God, we become more attuned to His presence and more responsive to His leading.

Today, let’s surrender our hearts, souls, and minds to God. Let us seek to deepen our relationships with Him, knowing that as we do, we will experience the fullness of His love and the abundant life He promises. Amen.

24/08/2026

Creating a Heart of Gratitude

One of the most powerful emotions is gratitude. If we can find ways to be thankful and grateful throughout our life, we will find the power and emotional strength to walk through some of life’s hardest seasons.

It's not always easy to find ways to be thankful and grateful. But, one of the things Scripture teaches us throughout the Psalms is that there is always something to be grateful for.

The Psalms teach us various songs and poems for every season of our life. But more than that, they also teach us how to cultivate a heart of gratitude and worship towards God.

We belong to a God who loves us and cares deeply for us. God’s love and goodness will never end. Psalm 100:5 praises God for these things:

"For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."

Through Psalms like this, we can begin to build a habit of gratitude towards God and all that He has done. We can thank God for what He has done in our lives, what He is currently doing, and what He will do in the future as we follow after Him.

Because God is always good, loving, and faithful, there is always something we can be grateful for—even in the midst of difficult seasons of life.

Take a few moments today to strengthen the habit of gratitude in your life.

- First, begin by thanking God for who He is: that He is good, faithful, and loving towards you.
- Next, thank God for all that He has done. Thank Him for the good things in your life, and that He has walked with you through the hard times.
- Lastly, thank God for all He will continue to do in the days and years to come. He is trustworthy! 🤍