Our bodies are wonderful creations of our Lord. How we care for them matters. We can make decisions that improve our health. The Bible says: "If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee." Exodus 15:26 The Bible has health principles that we can implement in our daily lives. Read the following verses for inspiration: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 1 Corinthians 10:31, 1 Timothy 4:8. Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy God's special day of rest, the Sabbath! S.

Every autumn we revel in the beauty of the various fall colors God painted across the landscape. Did you know, the mixture of red, purple, orange and yellow is the result of chemical processes He designed to take place in the tree as the seasons change from summer to winter. As many of you may know, tree leaves contain cells that create food for the entire tree. During the spring and summer the leaves serve as factories where foods are manufactured. Chlorophyll cells within the leaf are green in color. This extraordinary chemical absorbs energy from sunlight through a process call photosynthesis and is used in transforming carbon dioxide and water to carbohydrates-- better known as sugars and starch. Even though green is what you see during the growing season, there are hidden colors in the leaves. Those are carotenoids. They're the same pigments that make carrots orange and corn and daffodils yellow. Well, most of the year these colors are masked by heavy green coloring due to high levels of chlorophyll through photosynthesis. But in the fall, because of changes in the length of daylight and changes in temperature- there’s less energy for food-making. Chlorophyll breaks down, causing the green color to fade, allowing the yellow & orange carotenoids visibility-- giving trees as hickory, ash, birch, maple, sycamore, cottonwood, and sassafras a chance to show off their fall splendor. The red and purple colors, however, aren't hiding in the leaves. They're newly created in the fall when sugars are made during warm days, then trapped in the leaves during cool nights. The trapped sugars change chemically into anthocyanin, which appear red and purple. The more sunshine during the day, the more red is created. That's why hidden or shaded leaves will be less red than those that get lots of sun. Also, the redder the leaf, the more sugar that leaf is storing. (Which is why Maple trees are so vibrant.) If the weather is cloudy and the nights stay warm, there won't be as much vivid red in such trees as maple, sweetgum, oak, and dogwood. Other factors affect fall color. Trees that don't get enough water during the growing season may drop their leaves quickly before they color. And an early frost will cause the leaves to die before they have time for a fall display. As the fall colors appear, other changes are taking place. At the point where the stem of the leaf is attached to the tree, a special layer of cells develops and gradually severs the tissues that support the leaf. At the same time, the tree seals the cut, so that when the leaf is finally blown off by the wind or falls from its own weight, it leaves behind a leaf scar. Most of the broad-leaved trees in the North shed their leaves in the fall. However, the dead brown leaves of the oaks and a few other species may stay on the tree until growth starts again in the spring. In the South, where the winters are mild, some of the broad-leaved trees such as magnolias and hollies are evergreen; that is, the leaves stay on the trees during winter and keep their green color. Evergreens don’t change because their leaves have a thick wax covering that protects the chlorophyll (green) in the leaves. Boy, isn’t nature fascinating? So why have I shared these facts with you this morning? Ecclesiastes 3:1 says: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Like the ever-shifting seasons, change in inevitable in this life. We know this not only through personal experience, but the Bible talks about a changing world full of trials and battles large and small. But if you’re anything like me, when I study God’s creation I am filled with hope and reflection. A thought for us to ponder on today: will we equip ourselves with the spiritual “food” necessary to navigate change with grace and assurance? When trying times display our true colors, will they be as beautiful autumn leaves? Let’s turn to a few verses full of spiritual nutrition: 2 Corinthians 4: 16-18 “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Philippians 4: 6-8 “Be anxious for nothing, but in every situation, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Clemmons SDA Fellowship Church, Grace and Peace be unto you from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I pray that these cold winter days and nights find you warm in His love. My how 2019 is off to a fast start. It is said that time waits for no one and lately I have found that to be so true. January is almost gone,events are happening quickly, and the signs all tell us that we must be watching and praying so that we are not caught by surprise by the things which will soon break upon the world. I urge all of you to seek the Lord like never before. Make it a habit to spend special quality time with God each and every day. Missed opportunities can seldom be done over. Now more than ever Satan is working to separate us from our God, and he can only be successful if we allow it. In John chapter 15 Jesus said, “ I am the vine,ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (verse 5) How true His word is. As we as a church strive to accomplish His will in Clemmons this year, we will not bear fruit unless we are connected to that only source of life, Jesus himself. A church, ( a group of God’s people) can only be as strong as the connection with Jesus of the individual members. By beholding we become changed, by beholding His word, by abiding in His word daily , we will be changed into the individual that He would have us become. Without quality time with Him , a change will not come for the better, but rather we will become fuel for the fire. (See verse 6 of John 15). Notice what else comes as a by product of being connected to the vine. “ If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (verse 7, same chapter) If it seems as though our prayers are not heard, perhaps we need to spend more time with Him. Seek Him in His word, pray earnestly for His spirit, and watch for the ways in which He will work mightily in you this year. At the end of 2018 we had a week of prayer. It was great to experience that with all of you who attended. If you could not attend I encourage you to make it a point to attend the next one as we will be having a week of prayer time at the end of each quarter. It would also be great to see more of you at our weekly Wednesday night prayer and study time as well. With the topic of prayer in mind let us all ask of God what He would have us do this year to be His missionaries, and that this will be our best year yet in Clemmons. It is His desire that we all grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and that we become successful disciples, giving Glory to God. (Jn.15:8) Please let me know if I can help you in any way in your walk with Jesus. Let us press together encouraging one another as we see the day approaching. Your servant in Christ, Dale

Have we ever had the misconception that just because we strive to do our best we won’t make mistakes? Or if we do “what’s right” this qualifies us for an automatic reward? We’ll be the richest in our circle, excel past our peers, or have the kind of marriage that friends and family envy? Do we think just because we strive to do what’s right it’ll automatically give us a 6th sense to avoid trials and errors? Well, I for one, have learned a very humbling lesson over these past few weeks. About 2 months ago, my job began planning to implement Saturday hours. When hired over a year ago, that possibility wasn’t on the table. I expressed my concern to my manager and she said it would be a process with no promises, but we would take the necessary steps to plead my case to refrain from working all Saturday hours. For me it was a long period of uncertainty. While I made the decision to stand against compromising my beliefs, I was now faced with the possibility that if denied, I would have to leave my job. Two weeks ago, HR requested a letter of accommodation from me for them to review and consider along with a letter from my pastor. Things were progressing, and wouldn’t you know it, the devil likes to mess with our head when we’re in the thick of things. In addition to stirring the pot at work, I began to make terrible errors in my day to day tasks. Errors that, not only had me doubting my accuracy and capabilities, but errors that poorly reflected upon my team and company’s reputation. My fears skyrocketed that these setbacks would somehow affect my Saturday circumstances. I could delve into detail, but, let me tell you—it’s only thanks to God that I was able to rectify all mistakes and my coworkers and customers didn’t chastise me for them. While conscious that the enemy was attempting to discourage me and steal my value, it still left me feeling incredibly unworthy and insufficient. Friends, we are foolish to think we can live an error free life. Not only is it impossible, but it puts us in a dangerous area of pride. While it’s important to give your best at whatever your hands findeth to do, our best is only possible thru the talents and capabilities God blesses us with! All credit and glory goes to God and I realized I was so focused on the shame of my mistakes that in turn I was subconsciously doubting that God was more powerful than circumstances that caused me stress and pain. Wow… scary, huh? Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” When I read Proverbs 11:2, it hit me like a stack of bricks. I was putting so much stock in my own performance that I was straying away from where my center should remain. It was only then I could allow my mind and heart to lay meekly before my Savior. And friends, I am SO grateful that I did. It’s amazing what weight is lifted when we HUMBLY and COMPLETELY give to God our worries. I felt my mindset shift. A perfect peace fell over me the remainder of last week. This past Wednesday my manager called me into her office and informed me my request to honor the Sabbath at my job had been granted. Praise the Lord! Through it all, it struck me in the realest sense that circumstances of uncertainty are amazing opportunities to exercise our faith and draw closer to Christ. It left me filled with a stronger need to follow His will. As humans it’s easy for us to forget this lesson when faced with turbulent situations. As a family in Christ, I encourage you to remind not only yourself, but your brothers and sisters every day that God is ABLE whether we fail or not, to carry us through.

Sometimes with all the pressures and demands of our lives, we feel overwhelmed. Fatigue inevitably ensues. Perhaps some of it we bring on ourselves. We agree to do more than we intended to, or maybe more than what God wants us to do. The Bible has something to say about this issue, which is very encouraging: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30. So, the next time you feel the load on your back, give it to God, and he will surely lighten your burden.

Can we truly live without hope? Life seems dull without it. Gratefully, God has provided all the hope we need. The Bible says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." Romans 15:13, ESV May God continue to be an everlasting source of hope for you on life's journey.

Do you ever wonder how you will get through the week? Does it seem overwhelming? There is a solution to the worries that encompass us. God is the solution, and his Word is the guide. So, when you are feeling anxious this week, think about the following text: "Do not be axious about anything, but in every stiuation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6, NIV