Waterman Visayan Fil-Am SDA, 882 S. Waterman Avenue, San Bernardino, CA (2026)

01/09/2022

The Three Angels Call to Prayer
Day 5 — The Obedient Lifestyle and Prayer

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” – 1 John 5:14,15

We Are Powerless, But He Is All-Powerful
The three angels’ messages call us to a life of obedience. The first angel’s message declares, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come” (Revelation 14:7). The New Testament was written in the Greek language and the word for fear used in this text can also be translated respect, reverence, or honor. It is an attitude of loyalty to God, a mental ascent to be obedient to His will. The wise man states it this way: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14).

When we think of keeping God’s commandments it is very easy to reflect on our weaknesses, our frailty, and our inability to do what we in our inmost souls desire. Too often we desire to do right but fail to find the strength to carry out those desires. With the apostle Paul we must acknowledge, “For what I am doing I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do” (Romans 7:15). What was the apostle’s solution to this dilemma? At the end of the chapter he asks the question, “Who will deliver me from this body of death?” And he responds with this positive statement of affirmation: “I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24, 25). There is a solution to the problem of constantly failing, repenting, and failing again. Paul says it is Jesus Christ our Lord. We are weak, but He is strong. We are frail, but He is almighty. We are powerless, but He is all-powerful. Ellen White states it beautifully in an article that she wrote in 1897:

“Christ's example shows us that our only hope of victory is in continual resistance of Satan’s attacks. He who triumphed over the adversary of souls in the conflict with temptation understands Satan’s power over the race, and has conquered in our behalf. As an overcomer, He has given us the advantage of His victory, that in our efforts to resist the temptations of Satan, we may unite our weakness to His strength, our worthlessness to His merits. And, sustained by His enduring might, under strong temptation, we may resist in His all-powerful name and overcome as He overcame” (Signs of the Times, May 27, 1897)..

Claiming His Victory
We become overcomers in the Christian life when we focus on Christ’s power, not our weakness. As we enter into prayer, let’s claim the promise of 1 John 5:14, 15: “Now this is the confidence we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions we that we have asked Him.” As we claim this promise by faith, Jesus will do marvelous things and strengthen us to live godly lives as we prepare for His soon return.

Praying God’s Word – Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.”

“Fear God”

Lord, we recognize that You are the Creator God, almighty, all-powerful, all-knowing. You are beyond our limited human comprehension, and yet You are closer to us than even our closest loved ones. We are in awe of Your majesty, and we worship You and desire to honor You with our lives.

“Keep His Commandments”

God, we have no ability inside of us to keep Your commandments, to be in harmony with Your will. Only Jesus can help us. We desire to do Your will, to be faithful, but so often we have failed. Thank You that Jesus has the power to bring victory into our lives. We look to Him and surrender ourselves into His faithful hands. Jesus, we ask that You live out Your life within us.

“Every Secret Thing Whether Good or Evil”

Father, I realize that nothing is hidden from You. You know my heart, You know my ups and downs. You are also fully aware of everything that happens all around the world. Thank You that despite how I might feel, Your thoughts toward me are full of love and grace, and I do not have to fear the judgment as I abide in Jesus.

01/09/2022

The Three Angels Call to Prayer
Day 4 — God's Mission and Prayer, Part 2

“We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth” – Colossians 1:3-6

Rapid Growth
The New Testament church exploded in growth. In answer to earnest, heartfelt prayer the Holy Spirit was poured out in mighty power. Three thousand were baptized in one place on a single day. In Acts 4 the record states that “many who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand” (Acts 4:4). If we include women and children, the number of believers a few short months after Pentecost would have surely numbered 15,000–20,000. Throughout the book of Acts the church continued to grow rapidly. Acts 6 declares that many priests or religious leaders were obedient to the faith (verse 7). The narrative tells the story of Philip’s preaching in Samaria, Paul’s missionary journeys throughout the Mediterranean world, Peter’s studying the Scriptures with Cornelius, and believers filled with the Holy Spirit and sharing Christ’s message everywhere. The impact of the gospel was so great that the apostle Paul could declare that the gospel was preached to every creature under heaven (Colossians 1:23).

The experience of the New Testament church is instructive to the church today as we wait for the coming of our Lord. What was the key to their success? Why did the church in the New Testament grow so rapidly? Let’s examine just a few reasons. The New Testament church saturated everything they did in prayer. They lived life totally dedicated to and dependent on God. They recognized that they were powerless to accomplish Jesus’ mission without Jesus’ power. Ellen White states it succinctly:

“We need to look constantly to Jesus, realizing that it is His power which does the work. While we are to labor earnestly for the salvation of the lost, we must also take time for meditation, for prayer, and for the study of the word of God. Only the work accomplished with much prayer, and sanctified by the merit of Christ, will in the end prove to have been efficient for good” (The Desire of Ages, p. 362).

God’s Mission—God’s Way
Notice this instruction carefully. It is Christ’s power that accomplishes His work through us. It is not our wisdom, our intellect, our charisma, or our knowledge. The wisdom for soulwinning comes from Jesus. The power to change lives is Christ’s and Christ’s alone. In the final analysis, only the work accomplished with much prayer and sanctified by the merit of Christ will prove to have been efficient for good. God’s mission must be accomplished God’s way.

Is there a loved one you long to see in the kingdom of God? Is there a friend or co-worker who needs Jesus? Is there someone you know who once walked with God’s people but has drifted away? Write their names on a plain piece of paper and place that paper in your Bible right at 1 John 5:14-17. Each day claim the promise of God in behalf of your loved ones. Right now, let’s spend a few moments asking God to bring people to our minds that He would have us witness to, and then let’s kneel together to pray for them.

Praying God’s Word – Colossians 1:3-6
“We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth.”

“Praying Always”

Lord, we confess that we have not spent enough time in prayer. So often we rely on our own wisdom and our own plans in all that we do. And when it comes to fulfilling Your mission, we do not seek Your guidance enough. Please forgive us. Help us to be a praying church and a church that relies on You for success and not on human ideas and plans. Convert our prayer life and bring revival to us.

“Your Faith in Christ Jesus”

Lord, we realize that only the work accomplished with much prayer, and sanctified by the merit of Christ, will in the end prove to have been efficient for good. Please help us to make sincere and intense prayer a higher priority in all mission efforts and activities of our church, but also in our personal lives and families. Increase our faith in Your ability to fulfill Your promises to us.

“Your Love for All the Saints”

God of Love, You created us with an eternal capacity to grow in Your love. Thank You for pouring out Your love into our hearts so that we in turn may be enabled to love those around us.

01/07/2022

The Three Angels Call to Prayer
Day 3 — God's Mission and Prayer, Part 1

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” – Acts 1:8

The Promise for an Impossible Mission
The three angels’ messages are an urgent appeal to mission. The seemingly impossible task of reaching the world with the gospel is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. The challenge of mission at the end time is similar to the challenge faced by the New Testament church in the book of Acts. The promise of the Spirit is given to us just as it was given to them by Jesus in Acts 1:8: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the New Testament Church impacted the world. Tens of thousands accepted Christ as Messiah and were baptized.

The book of Acts reveals the intimate relationship between a praying church and a Spirit-filled witnessing church. Acts 1:14 states, “these all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication.” In Acts 2:42 they “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 4:31 adds, “and when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” Notice three things in this last passage. The believers prayed, they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and the result was they spoke the Word of God with boldness or—better translated—with confidence. Prayer, the Holy Spirit, and mission are a united whole.

We Must Have It
Commenting on the disciples’ experience, Ellen White observes, “We should pray as earnestly for the descent of the Holy Spirit as the disciples prayed on the Day of Pentecost. If they needed it at that time, we need it more today” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 158). What divine insight! If the disciples needed the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to reach their world with the gospel, we are in much more need of the Holy Spirit’s power. The world is larger, more complex, and more godless today.

This is the time to seek God in prayer for the limitless power of the Spirit to accomplish the otherwise impossible. Ellen White writes, ”The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the church is looked forward to as in the future, but it is the privilege of the church to have it now. Seek for it, pray for it, believe for it. We must have it, and Heaven is waiting to bestow it” (Evangelism, p. 701).

May we all seek the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish the proclamation of the three angels’ messages in this generation. Let’s seek God together in prayer for this mighty outpouring of His Spirit.

01/07/2022

The Three Angels Call to Prayer
Day 2 — The Everlasting Gospel and Prayer

“Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people” – Revelation 14:6

A Message of Utmost Importance

God has given this planet a message of utmost importance designed especially for our time in the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14:6-12. Exiled on the Isle of Patmos, the apostle John introduces us to these messages. We must carefully consider three points before we look at the message itself. First, it is of divine origin. It comes directly from the throne of God. It is pictured as being given to humanity by an angel flying in midheaven. The second point to notice about this message is that the angel “flies.” This message is urgent. It must be proclaimed without delay. And thirdly, it is an eternal message that applies to every generation. It is not culturally conditioned to reach one ethnic or language group. It must be proclaimed to “every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.”
The heart of this message is the “everlasting gospel,” or the good news of Christ’s self-sacrificial life, His loving ministry, His atoning death, His dramatic resurrection, His interceding high priestly ministry, and His glorious second coming. The vision of the everlasting gospel in Revelation 14 confirms Jesus’ words in Matthew 24: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). Christ’s words are a promise that the “gospel will be preached in all the world” before His return. There will be a mighty revival among God’s people. They will rise to the challenge, realize the urgency of the hour, and, filled with the Holy Spirit, reveal Jesus’ love, grace, and truth to a sin-polluted world dying in sin.

Ellen White states it this way, “Before the final visitation of God's judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children. At that time many will separate themselves from those churches in which the love of this world has supplanted love for God and His Word. Many, both of ministers and people, will gladly accept those great truths which God has caused to be proclaimed at this time to prepare a people for the Lord’s second coming” (The Great Controversy, p. 464).

Before the message of Revelation 14 is proclaimed to the entire world, a spiritual revival among God’s people will enable them to cooperate with God in finishing His work. Let’s pray together for that spiritual revival to take place in our own lives, preparing us for the final climactic events of Earth’s history.

Testimony from 2021 Ten Days of Prayer
“The Ten Days of Prayer led to a healing miracle for me. I was admitted to the hospital due to a sudden illness prior to the start of the Ten Days of Prayer. I felt hopeless, like my prayers weren’t enough because my condition seemed to be worsening each day. I was invited to join the Ten Days of Prayer on my hospital bed. It was my first time participating. In the nightly meetings through a Zoom video call, many prayed for my healing. I praise God for the wonderful souls who fervently prayed for each of our prayer requests every night. . . . God has been so gracious to me because I was discharged even before the Ten Days of Prayer ended. It was His healing power that made me whole. I was sick and He touched me. It was indeed an answered prayer!” (Harley).

Praying God’s Word – Revelation 14:6
“Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.”

“The Everlasting Gospel”

God, give me an ever-growing appreciation for the gospel message. Give me the joy of salvation and transform my life so that when others see me, they can see the power of the gospel at work and be drawn to Jesus.

“To Preach to Those Who Dwell on the Earth”

Father, I desire a gospel experience with You so that I may share this good news with others in words and deeds. Use me to witness to my family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and people in my sphere of influence.

“To Every Nation”

This world is coming to an end, and billions are in the dark. Jesus, please give me an opportunity this week to share the good news about Your offer of salvation with somebody else. Give me the tact and wisdom to witness to people of other nations, cultural backgrounds, and ethnicities. Thank You that You call every human being to believe in You.

More Prayer Suggestions
Thanks and Praise: Give thanks for specific blessings and praise God for His goodness.

Confession: Take a few minutes for private confession and thank God for His forgiveness.

Guidance: Ask God to grant wisdom for current challenges and decisions.

Our Church: Pray for regional and world church needs (see separate sheet with requests).

Local Requests: Pray for current needs of church members, family, and neighbors.

Listen and Respond: Take time to listen for God’s voice and respond in praise or song.

Song Suggestions
SDA Hymnal: Seeking the Lost ( #373); More About Jesus ( #245); At the Cross ( #163); Tell Me the Story of Jesus ( #152); Blessed Assurance ( #462); Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary ( #476); Holy, Holy, Holy ( #73)

01/07/2022

The Three Angels Call to Prayer
Day 1 — The Urgency of Prayer

“How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” – Luke 11:13

A Daunting Task
The world’s population is exploding. The latest population figures reveal that our world has 7.8 billion people crowded onto this spinning globe called Earth as it catapults through space at 67,000 miles per hour. With approximately 385,000 babies born each day, or 140 million each year, we wonder how we can ever reach this world with the good news of the gospel and Christ’s soon return. Each year nearly seven times more people are born than are currently members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Or consider the challenge another way. The world’s cities are growing rapidly. There are at least 548 cities with a population of one million or more. Many of these cities are in countries where the Seventh-day Adventist Church has very little presence. The daunting task of reaching this world with the three angels’ messages looms large before us. Millions are dying without Christ and a knowledge of the good news of salvation and the hope of His second coming. The task before us at times seems impossible—and this should drive us to our knees in earnest prayer.

Through the Power of the Holy Spirit
No amount of human effort is sufficient to reach our world for Christ. Human plans are powerless unless they are empowered by the Holy Spirit. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit will this world be reached with heaven’s end-time message. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit can millions in the great cities of this world be reached. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit can unentered countries resistant to the gospel be reached. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit can our communities be reached. And the incredibly good news is that God is already working in these “difficult to reach” places. He invites us to seek Him for the power to accomplish the task before us.

How Much More
Jesus said, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him” (Luke 11:13). Notice the expression “how much more” in this text. Jesus wants to do much more for us personally and much more for His church than we can possibly imagine. He urges us to ask for the Holy Spirit, to plead for the Spirit, to seek the Spirit’s blessing with our whole heart—not because He is unwilling to give it but because we are unprepared to receive it. As we begin these ten days of prayer this year, let’s claim this promise together.

“The promise of the Holy Spirit is not limited to any age or to any race. Christ declared that the divine influence of His Spirit was to be with His followers unto the end. From the Day of Pentecost to the present time, the Comforter has been sent to all who have yielded themselves fully to the Lord and to His service” (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 49).

Let’s pray together.

Waterman Visayan Fil-Am SDA

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