Potomac Conference | Seventh-day Adventist Church

September 29, 2021: Take a Stand

“‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matt. 22:36–39, NIV).

In 2020, I performed with Takoma Academy’s chorale at the Capitol Hill church in Washington, D.C. Earlier that week, I had celebrated my 16th birthday. But sadly, I lost a family member the next day. I walked into church that Sabbath with intense emotions.

September 30, 2021: ‘In Remembrance of Me’

“Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me” (1 Cor. 11:24, NKJV).

I woke up this morning with “The Lord’s Last Supper” on my mind. We participate in this ceremony once a quarter, but do we really think about its meaning? Does it stimulate our remembrance of Christ?

For me, the Lord’s Supper reminds me that God is the Sustainer of our lives. We are not self-sustaining; a loving God provides for us. We are dependent on Him, not just as our Creator but our Redeemer. With the inability to save ourselves, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to die for our sins that we might be saved. We rely on Christ, the Bread of Life, to sustain us physically and spiritually.

September 10, 2021: Walk With God

“And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him” (Gen. 5:24, NKJV).

As a child, I was desperate to know more about God. From what I can remember, I was introduced to God in grade school by neighbors. I proceeded to invite myself to many different church denominations with several of my neighbors and relatives. Looking back, I realize something was missing in my life, and I believe that, even as children, the Holy Spirit works to draw us closer to God.

September 8, 2021: How I ‘Log in’ to God

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10, NIV).

College is a hard time for most young adults. Personally, that period of my life was lonely and discouraging, full of seemingly endless work on top of regular everyday life while figuring out how to be and act like an adult.

In 2017, the American College Health Association conducted a survey of nearly 48,000 college students that revealed 64 percent felt “very lonely” and 62 percent felt “overwhelming anxious” within the previous 12 months. For some students, college is just a bunch of lonely people together.

August 29, 2021: The Choice

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6, NKJV).

I have always believed that logical thinking, risk analysis and dealing with life in a sensible and realistic way would guarantee success. I used to consider myself pragmatic, focusing on the processes behind any task, initiative or goal.

When you are pragmatic, you are practical. You follow the rules and expect to be rewarded. You are usually successful, but are often still searching for “the answer.” You may attend church, but a true understanding of the Bible eludes you; it stays hidden.