July 4th, 2026
Read; 1 Corinthians 13: 1-3

Love! We want to remember what love really means during the week of Valentine's Day. Without love, all "Christian" activities are more "activities" than they are "Christian." Love is how we show the character and presence of Christ in our lives through the things we do for other people. So don't get lost in the trip down memory lane that happens every year. Too many of us forget to give each other the love we need every day, which is easy to do in the busyness of day-to-day relationships. Let's be loving all year long to show that we are following Jesus. (See John 13:34-35.)

Prayer

Thank you so much, loving Heavenly Father, for showing us what love looks like through Jesus. Help me to love as He did: sacrificially, selflessly, and consistently, so that others may see Your love in what I do. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.

Testimony: An Encounter of Love with the King of Kings

I was born again in 2008, and I immediately began serving God. In 2012, I started preaching the Gospel. I was already a servant, I loved God, and I served Him with zeal, but deep inside, something was still missing.

One day, while I was in middle school, I came across Ecclesiastes 7:28. That verse changed my life. I said to myself: I must find God… or rather, He must find me alive. That word awakened in me a deep thirst, an inner pursuit that nothing else could satisfy.

After a long season of waiting, seeking, and passionate service, February 14, 2016 marked a decisive turning point. That evening, I was standing at the gate with my sisters, watching people going back and forth for Valentine’s Day. While the world was celebrating love in its own way, I felt a strong desire in my heart to pray.

I went back to my room and began to worship the Lord with the song Yesu azali awa.

During worship, I was carried away in the Spirit. I found myself in the Holy of Holies. I saw my Master approaching me. Immediately, I fell down and saw His feet. I knew without a doubt that it was truly Him.

He lifted me up with His own hands and said to me in a gentle voice:
🏽 “Do not be afraid.”

Then He explained to me why I was on earth and what I was called to accomplish for Him. Like in His encounter with Jeremiah, He showed me large screens where scenes were playing.

In the first scene, I saw a multitude of people gathered on the sea. Some were drinking, others were by the shore. It was a celebration. Thousands of people, as if all humanity was gathered in one place. Then suddenly, everything changed: a war broke out. People began to flee. Sparks of fire appeared everywhere.

🏽 He said to me, “Turn around.”
I saw another giant screen. A room. A man and a woman on a bed.

🏽 Again: “Turn around.”
I saw someone stealing an object, looking around to make sure no one was watching, then running away with it.

Then He said to me:
🏽 “You are called to bring them out of this life.”

I answered Him:
🏽 “But how will I do it? I also have difficulty speaking…”

He replied:
🏽 “Do not be afraid, I will be with you.”

Before letting me return from the spiritual realm, He touched my mouth and my hands, then said:
🏽 “Go now.”

I woke up standing on my bed.

That was the beginning of a personal story with the King of Kings.
An encounter of love that changed my life forever.

#Testimony
#Faith
#Christian Less
#ChristianTestimony
#JesusSaves
#EncounterWithGod
#HolySpirit
#GodsLove
#SpiritualEncounter
#Worship
#PresenceOfGod
#FireOfGod
#Obedience
#LightInTheDarkness
#Transformation
#GloryToJesus

DAILY BIBLE LESSON.

YOU OBSERVE DAYS, MONTHS, SEASONS, AND YEARS. YET YOU IGNORE GOD'S HOLY SEVENTH-DAY SABBATH.

Please, share this study with your family, friends co-workers, and all who you can, for the expansion of the Kingdom of GOD.

I am going to share something with you that you may not have seen or noticed before. In Galatians 4, the apostle Paul gives a warning to the Galatian converts to Christianity, specifically the Gentile converts. We know they are Gentile converts because of what Paul said, which I will share with you. Let's take a look at the verses in question:

Galatians 4:8-11 ...'Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.'

It is amazing how many professed Christians use verse 9 and 10 to argue against Sabbath keeping, and yet they ignore the context of what Paul was saying and don't even realize WHO Paul was speaking to. He was NOT speaking to the Jews, but the gentile converts. How do we know this? Look at what the apostle said ...

"when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

"Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.' This language shows to whom Paul was writing. The members of the Galatian churches had been heathen, doing service to 'them which by nature are no gods,' and not to the God who created all things; that is, before they knew the true God' they worshiped idols." (E.J.Waggoner, Signs of the Times, Spet 18, 1884, Vol.10, No.36, p.569)

Anyone can see from the language of Paul that He is addressing those who were Gentiles (heathen) who had converted to Christianity. But what were they doing? They were going back to those 'weak and beggarly elements' ... "the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world." (Colossians 2:8). But why? There were unconverted Jews who were trying to turn the Gentile converts of Galatia into Judaism, telling them that they must be circumcised in order to be saved. Which is why we see Paul addressing this issue in Galatians. And thus this caused the gentile converts to step back into their heathen customs of observing 'days, months, seasons and years.'

As you can see, this has nothing to do with the 7th day Sabbath. It is about the Gentile converts going back to HEATHEN days, which brings me on to our current time!

What do the majority of professed Christian believers in the world do today? They ignore the one day that God set aside at creation for holy use - the 7th day weekly Sabbath, and they continue to celebrate (very religiously) man made HEATHEN days - New Years Day - Valentine's Day - Birthdays - Mother's day - Halloween - Guy Fawkes Night - Easter - Christmas - Lent, Sunday keeping, etc, etc. These are all Pagan festivals, invented by man which have no authority from the Word of God, and have been adopted into the churches and RELIGIOUSLY kept by many a professed Christian; while the one day that JEHOVAH our Creator set aside for us to 'REMEMBER' and keep holy - the 7th day Sabbath, has been forgotten, rejected and even scourned!

"This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men." (Mark 7:6-8)

Exodus 20:8-11 ...'Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.'

Matthew 5:18 ...'For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.'

You see, the 7th day Sabbath is NOT the 'Sabbath of the Jews', it is the "Sabbath OF THE LORD." And neither was the 7th day Sabbath made for the Jews. It was "made FOR MANKIND." (Mark 2:27). The keeping of God's commandments is the "whole duty of MANKIND." (Ecclesiastes 12:13), not just the Jews. But this can ONLY be achieved through Jesus Christ by faith (Revelation 14:12).

So what is the apostle Paul also saying to professed Christians today? ... "I am afraid for you ... You have turned to the week and beggarly elements of the world ... You observe days, months, seasons and years!" It is amazing how many professed Christians actually use Galatians 4 against 7th day Sabbath keepers for being obedient to God, while they themselves are holding onto the "weak and beggarly elements" of the world, by 'religiously' keeping Pagan holidays! Sorry, but you are not following God. You are following the world.

Now I hear many a Christian scrambling to say ... "we are no longer under the law, but under grace!" ... "Paul said in Colossians 2, do not judge anyone concerning the sabbath." ... And again, context is removed and false theories arise. Please, I ask you, do not follow the false teachings of man, but seek the truth yourself with all your heart. So let us quickly deal with those two points.

Colossians 2:16-17 ... 'Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.'

What do Christians misunderstand with regards to the above verse? The CONTEXT. What is Paul speaking of? 'meat, drink, holyday [feast day], new moon, and sabbath DAYS.' Now take a look at a verse from the Old Testament:

Ezekiel 45:17 ...'And it shall be the prince's part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel.'

Do you see what these are? They are the 'carnal' ordinances that were imposed upon Israel that POINTED TO CHRIST to make reconciliation for the house of Israel. Did the 7th day Sabbath of the 4th commandment contain meat offerings, drink offerings or animal offerings? Did it 'make reconciliation for the house of Israel.'? No. The 7th day Sabbath is that institution that God set up at creation BEFORE sin came into the world to be an everlasting 'sign' between God and His people. The 'sabbaths' that Paul was speaking of in Colossians 2, were the 'carnal' ordinances that God set up as 'shadows' pointing to Christ.

Please Note: The 7th day Sabbath was NEVER called the 'Sabbath of the Jews.' It was always called the 'Sabbath of the Lord' (Exodus 20:10). Whereas the FEASTS were called the 'Feast of the Jews' (John 5:1, 7:2). Do you see the difference?

Paul also states in Romans 14 ... "One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike." ... Paul never mentions the Sabbath of the Lord in these verses. But simply mentions 'days.' So what days are Paul speaking of? Clearly he is speaking of non-essential days, like the Jewish feast days, which were shadows pointing to Christ. Let me give you an example from today's perspective. Many people in America keep thanksgiving each year and refrain from labour on that day, while others don't. You could say that Paul had no objection to whether you keep that day or not, and don't judge someone if they do or don't keep it. And if you read the context of Romans 14, Paul is also speaking of 'eating', which relates to the feast days of the Jews, which were the shadows that pointed to Christ. He is not speaking of the weekly Sabbath which was instituted before sin at creation and confirmed in the moral law of God - the ten commandments.

The shadows ceased when the body (Christ) appeared. The 'shadowy' dispensation is in the past. But what of the things which are not shadows? Can the day that God set aside for holy use at creation BEFORE sin be a 'shadow' like the ceremonial laws? No, there was no need of a redeemer when God first made Adam and Eve and the Sabbath. Therefore, the 7th day Sabbath could not be a shadow. The seventh day, the Sabbath of the Lord, is God's holy day, the memorial of creation, and stands in the bosom of that law of which Christ said: 'It is easier for Heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.' (Luke 16:17). It is one of those things of which David says: 'They stand fast forever and ever.' (Psalm 111:8). And it will be kept in the immortal state on the new earth. (Isaiah 66:22,23).

Romans 6:14-16 ... 'For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?'

This is yet another verse that is stripped from it's context and misunderstood by many professed Christians today. But when you look at the context, as above, it becomes clear what being 'under the law' means. Look at what Paul connected with being under the law - 'sin having dominion over you.' That is what being under the law means - being in a state of sin and under the condemnation of the law because of sin. Put it this way. We have laws that govern the land we live in. If you break any of those laws, what happens? You come under the condemnation of the law and have to suffer the penalty. This is the same as God's law - His moral law that governs the universe and which is summed up in the ten commandments. Man broke God's moral law (yes, Adam and Eve broke the 1st commandment) and therefore came under its condemnation. But Jesus came to set us free from that condemnation, which is why we are no longer 'under' the law, but under grace. But does that mean we can now ignore the law of God and are free to break it, because we are under grace? Read what Paul said - 'GOD FORBID.'

In 1 John 3:4 we are told that 'sin is transgression of the law.' And in Ezekiel 18:20 we are told that 'the soul that sinneth, it shall die.' So if sin is transgression of God's law (which by the way is an expression of His character -love- meaning ANYTHING we do which goes against the character of God is sin) and the person who sins against God is worthy of death, then being 'under the law' clearly means to be under its condemnation. And there is only one way to escape that condemnation - faith in Jesus Christ. Christ sets us free from the condemnation, but He does NOT set us free from having to keep that law, no, He gives us grace and strength TO KEEP IT!

Romans 8:1-4 ...'There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.'

Friends, the 7th day Sabbath has never been abolished or changed. It was never the Sabbath of the Jews. It has always been 'the Sabbath of the Lord thy God' (Exodus 20:10). God calls it 'My holy day' (Isaiah 58:13). And Jesus said it was 'made for mankind' (Mark 2:27). Paul said He was 'afraid' for those who turn to worldly traditions. So what are you going to do? Keep religiously celebrating worldly days, while ignoring God's holy Sabbath? Or will you show your LOVE for God and honor the one day He set aside for you?

To learn more about our Lord Jesus Christ, the Word of God, and the Sabbath, please visit your local Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Or please visit us at Rossville Seventh-day Adventist Church, located at 1737 Mission Ridge Road, Rossville Georgia 30741

Pastor; Greg Hudson

Services start at 11am on Saturday (Sabbath) morning.

Peanut Butter & Hershey: A War of Words

In a world where the love for chocolate is almost as sacred as our faith, the grandson of the inventor of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups has made headlines with a bold statement against Hershey. In a recent LinkedIn post, he accused the candy giant of compromising quality by “cheaping out” on ingredients. Talk about stirring the pot!

As we all know, it’s not uncommon for manufacturers to cut corners these days—decreasing the quality of ingredients while simultaneously increasing prices. In late 2025, fans of Reese’s and other beloved Hershey products were hit with an 8% to 10% price increase. Some varieties even skyrocketed by a whopping 22%! The news left many chocoholics wondering, “Are we really getting less for more?”

Hershey has hinted at a troubling trend of reducing package sizes and altering recipes to include more non-chocolate components—all under the guise of rising cocoa prices. But something seems off. While cocoa prices surged in 2025, they dipped significantly in early 2026. Yet, retail prices remain high, leaving consumers scratching their heads.

As we look for answers, consider these recent headlines:
-Cocoa production has decreased by 400,000 tons- Codex
-The Great Cocoa Collapse continues, with prices hitting lows not seen since June 2023- Barchart
-Why cocoa prices are falling - Businessday

It begs the question: are consumers willing to pay for what seems to be corporate greed? With cocoa prices falling nearly 70% since last Valentine’s Day, why aren’t we seeing reduced prices for heart-shaped boxes or Easter bunnies?

This situation reminds us of Proverbs 20:17, “Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.” It’s a gentle nudge to reflect: are we really valuing quality and integrity in what we consume?

As Christians, we’re called to be good stewards, and that extends to our choices alongside our faith. So, in this battle of peanut butter and chocolate, let’s keep our eyes on what truly matters—honesty, quality, and faith in the process.

What do you think? Are you still reaching for that Reese’s cup, or has the price and quality made you reconsider? Let’s talk about it!

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

Today’s verse is a favorite for weddings and Valentine’s Day cards. It is often quoted and many people recognize it, even if they are not regular church goers. The Greek word used for love in this verse is again agape.

Though it is used greatly in weddings, it is not romantic love (eros). Instead, the verse actually refers to the perfect love or divine, unconditional love of God. It is probably widely used because it is an active love, not a one time emotion. As we said, it is selfless and unconditional in approach, which is the way the Father feels for us. It focuses on the needs of others, making it an easy jump from God’s perfect love to the love a couple is proclaiming for one another.

Love is patient. Sometimes it is hard to be patient with others, especially when they are getting on your last nerve or testing you. As a parent myself, this is a great reminder to me to be patient with my youngest because I love her. I am reminded to actively choose to show love rather than annoyance or irritation. This type of love is controlled and holds back, even when provoked. There is no retaliation when your love demonstrates patience.

Love is also kind. It takes action, looking for different ways in which it might be helpful and serve others. And in some cases serving others comes at a great personal cost. In addition to patience and kindness, love also doesn’t envy, boast, and is not proud.

Each of these attributes can be used to describe perfect love, the love of God in action and which we seek to emulate. We are not perfect and we have our flaws, but we strive to love as God has loved us. Look for opportunities to love others in the same way that God loves you.

#TEENS4JESUS #devotion #dailydevotional #christianteens #DailyBibleVerse

The whole town was RED on Saturday.

I'm talking about red dresses, red shirts, red everything. You didn't need to check your calendar to know what day it was.

Valentine's Day had arrived.

And oh, the shops were PACKED. Restaurants? Fully booked. Hotels? No vacancies. Everyone—and I mean everyone—was out there buying gifts. Married couples, dating couples, "it's complicated" couples... all scrambling to show love.

I even heard some wives were seriously vexing for their husbands because... no gift. Can you imagine the cold war at home?

But here's what breaks my heart: Some young girls gave away pieces of themselves for temporary affection. For one night of feeling "special." And in about nine months, some will realize that Valentine's "love" came with a price tag they weren't ready to pay.

My question is simple: Who made this rule that love can only be celebrated one day a year?

I saw singles genuinely depressed, scrolling through posts of their friends receiving flowers and chocolates, wondering why nobody thought of them. I know couples who literally wait 365 days before they give each other anything meaningful.

Don't get me wrong—celebrating love is beautiful. But boxing it into February 14th? That's where we're getting it wrong.

God isn't anti-love. Actually, He's the biggest lover of all. He speaks every love language fluently, and guess what? He does it DAILY. Not once a year. Daily.

So why are we limiting ourselves?

Dear wife, maybe it's time to let go of that anger from Saturday. Your husband forgot Valentine's—okay. But if you both make celebrating each other a daily habit, one missed day won't feel like the end of the world.

Dear singles, listen to me: Your worth is NOT tied to February 14th. You are valuable every single day of the year. You deserve love and celebration 365 days straight, not just when Hallmark says so.

Anyway, what do I even know? I'm just thinking out loud. I come in peace o!


By the way! 2 Months Before Part 2 drops tonight at 8pm. Don't miss it!

The full novel is coming soon for all my Back2Eden family.


© Adebimpe Obafemi

Share with someone who deserves some love.

Spurgeon’s Valentine
"The marriage of Charles and Susannah Spurgeon provides an encouraging example of what love and marriage can be when Christ is front-and-center in the relationship.
Charles Spurgeon had a realistic view of marriage, realizing it “is not all sugar.” However, he also believed that “grace in the heart will keep away most of the sours.” He wrote: “It should be the husband’s pleasure to please his wife, and the wife’s care to care for her husband.” Encouragingly, Spurgeon counseled, “When home is ruled according to God’s word, angels might be asked to stay the night with us, and they would not find themselves out of their element.” What Charles and Susannah provide for those who will contemplate the pattern of their lives is not only a vision for a happy marriage, but also Scripture as an anchor that holds strong amidst trials and temptations.
Spurgeon considered the family to be “the grandest of all institutions.” He sought to please Susannah, even in the small things of life. As Susannah recovered from surgery in 1869, the Spurgeons were also relocating to a new home. Susannah’s affliction was so severe that she could contribute little in the way of planning for their move. Lovingly, Charles took the lead and purchased items for their new home that would make it more enjoyable and accessible for Susannah.
It is impossible to contextualize the greatness of Charles Spurgeon apart from the contribution of Susannah. Spurgeon biographer Russell Conwell wrote that Susannah “was as remarkable a woman as he was a man.”
Once while Spurgeon was traveling for ministry, he wrote a love song to Susannah titled “Married Love.” His beautifully crafted words include:
Over the space which parts us, my wife,
I’ll cast me a bridge of song.
Our hearts shall meet, O joy of my life,
On its arch, unseen, but strong.
Some years after Spurgeon died, Susannah reflected:
'None can be expected to feel the same rapturous delight in the sweet verses as I did, when I first read them; I was far more proud of them that I should have been of chains of gold or strings of pearls; and they have still the power to move my soul to an overwhelming tenderness both of memory and anticipation;—but they may at least touch a chord of sympathy in some loving heart, and set it trembling with the tones of the long-forgotten music of bygone years.'
Spurgeon reveals a husband who was in tune with and who delighted in serving his wife. He believed that it was a husband’s responsibility to put his wife above himself, and he therefore opposed any postulating that man was the center of all things."

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about candy hearts, roses, and romance. The true history of Valentine’s Day goes much deeper. In the third century under the rule of Emperor Claudius II, marriage was reportedly restricted for young soldiers. A Christian priest named Saint Valentine chose obedience to God over obedience to culture. He secretly married Christian couples, believing that marriage was sacred and instituted by God. Because of his faithfulness, he was arrested and ultimately gave his life for Christ. Valentine’s Day didn’t begin as a celebration of romance — it began as a testimony of sacrifice, courage, and unwavering faith. Saint Valentine’s story reminds us that love is not just a feeling — it’s commitment. It’s obedience. It’s choosing God even when it costs you something. Real love is sacrificial. Real love stands firm. Real love puts Christ first. In a culture that reduces love to emotion, attraction, or aesthetics, Valentine’s example points us back to biblical love — the kind described in 1 Corinthians 13. Patient. Kind. Enduring. Faithful. This Valentine’s Day, remember: Love is not fragile. Love is not just romantic. Love is rooted in truth. Love is willing to sacrifice. The true meaning of Valentine’s Day is about faith over fear, obedience over comfort, and loving God more than our own safety. Let’s reclaim the meaning.

#valentinesday #saintvalentine #FaithReels #DailyDevotional #Bible #Scripture

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about candy hearts, roses, and romance. The true history of Valentine’s Day goes much deeper. In the third century under the rule of Emperor Claudius II, marriage was reportedly restricted for young soldiers. A Christian priest named Saint Valentine chose obedience to God over obedience to culture. He secretly married Christian couples, believing that marriage was sacred and instituted by God. Because of his faithfulness, he was arrested and ultimately gave his life for Christ. Valentine’s Day didn’t begin as a celebration of romance — it began as a testimony of sacrifice, courage, and unwavering faith. Saint Valentine’s story reminds us that love is not just a feeling — it’s commitment. It’s obedience. It’s choosing God even when it costs you something. Real love is sacrificial. Real love stands firm. Real love puts Christ first. In a culture that reduces love to emotion, attraction, or aesthetics, Valentine’s example points us back to biblical love — the kind described in 1 Corinthians 13. Patient. Kind. Enduring. Faithful. This Valentine’s Day, remember: Love is not fragile. Love is not just romantic. Love is rooted in truth. Love is willing to sacrifice. The true meaning of Valentine’s Day is about faith over fear, obedience over comfort, and loving God more than our own safety. Let’s reclaim the meaning. #valentinesday #saintvalentine #FaithReels #DailyDevotional #Bible #Scripture