Vol. 3 No. 2     A Publication of the McDonald Road Teen Sabbath School	September 1999

"Salvation is Our's" -- A Special Edition of the Column, Life Unlimited

By Melissa Turner

"Salvation is Our's" What a beautiful phrase! Especially when we think of the reason that Salvation is our's! Jesus. He is our's, we are His; all because of a sweet plan made by our Heavenly Father and Savior -- Salvation.

In this last edition of the quarterly column, Life Unlimited, I want to discuss a topic that is the most beautiful and promising characteristic of the Christian faith.

In Genesis 1: 26, 27 it says, "Then God said, Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."

What does it mean to be made in God's image? "'Man was to bear God's image, both in outward resemblance and in character" (PP 45).' That image was most evident in terms of his spiritual nature. He became a "living soul," or rather living being, endowed with a free will, a self conscious personality" (SDA Bible Commentary 216).

From the very first instant that sin became a part of the human race, our image was shattered. "This nature reflected the divine holiness of its Maker until sin shattered the divine likeness.

It is only through Christ, the brightness of the glory of God and the 'express image of his person' (Heb. 1:3), that our nature is transformed into the image of God again (Col. 3:10; Eph. 4:24)" (216).

So, we realize that we were created in God's image, this image was shattered by sin, and Christ is the only one that can restore the image. "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).

Now, how does the plan work? Read or recite John 3:16. Can we know that we have eternal life? Yes. "An this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God" (I John 5:11-13).

Is there some way that we can save ourselves? No. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8, 9).

Does God care if we are saved or not? Yes. "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (I Timothy 2: 3, 4).

I urge you to make a very important, life or death decision right now, if you haven't already today. Choose Christ as your Lord and Savior! He is the way. Once you invite Him into your life, you will never be the same again! No, this change will not make you a socially inept geek; it will make you anew, you will be happier and you will want to share this happiness with others! So, join the fun! Choose Christ and live as never before.

Footprints

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonging to him, and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it. "LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints, I don't understand why, when I needed you most, you would leave me."

The LORD replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

Teen Leaders Soon to Meet at Kulaqua

During September 15 - 18, the Southern Union Leadership Conference will be held at Camp Kulaqua in Florida. Teen Leaders from union academies will meet to learn new techniques, have enjoyable recreation, and have meaningful spiritual meetings.

Some of the many Teen Leaders that will be in attendance will include: Student Association officers, school newspaper staff, yearbook staff, and drama team members. Recreational activities planned for the attendees include: horseback riding, miniature golf, canoeing, field sports, and many other exciting events.

Some of the religious program line-ups will be Southern Adventist University's drama team, Destiny; Brian Yeager's YouthNet eXtreme; and academy aged musicians.

In the next issue of, The Teen Scene, there will be an update on what happened at the Leadership Conference.

Quote Corner -- Bible Promises and Other Tid-Bits

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Matthew 11:28-30

"The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride."

Ecclesiastes 7:8

"Sorrow looks back. Worry looks around. Faith looks up."

"Live simply that others may simply live."

"A child of the King should bear a family resemblance."

"Failure should be your teacher, not your undertaker."

The Puzzle Place

PROVERBS: Fill in the blanks

"A ______________ woman gains _________ but ruthless ______ gain only wealth."

___:16

"Do not withhold ________ from those who ____________ it, when it is in ________ power to ______." 3:___

"He who trusts in __________ is a ______, but he who ________ in __________ is kept ________."

___:26

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