February 19, 2015 Steps to Life Newsletter

Dear STL Supporter

On July 27, 1868, Ellen White wrote a letter to one of her sons on his nineteenth birthday. (2T 38 - A Birthday Letter, 261.2 -Reference for the letter if you wish to read it). It encouraged him to look back on the growth in his spirituality over the past year and to take up the challenge of continuing in the growth of his Christian maturity in the year to come. In reality it was a Do It Yourself Spiritual Check List.

What a contrast to the birthday cards on sale today with their pictures of parties, champagne, fast cars and sports emblems.

As we start a new year it's an opportunity for each one of us personally to undertake a spiritual assessment of how we grew in 2014 and what we can ask God to help us achieve in personal spiritual growth in 2015.

Distilled from Ellen White's letter to her nineteen year old son is the following Do It Yourself Spiritual Check List.

Take the time to prayerfully reflect on the Do It Yourself Spiritual Check List provided that follows. As you work through the check list ask the question - What is my evidence, how do I know?

Do It Yourself Spiritual Check List

• Have I made advancement in the divine life in the past year?
• Have I increased in spirituality?
• Have I crucified self, with the affections and lusts?
• Have I an increased interest in the study of God's word?
• Have I gained decided victories over my own failings and waywardness?
• Is my life more elevated and exalted than it has been?
• Is it my aim not to seek my own interest and pleasure, but to advance the cause of my Redeemer?
• Am I always needing to be spiritually encouraged by others to stay strong and true or am I able with God's help to be a person who strengthens and encourages others?
• Am I a sanctifying influence upon others or does my example discourage and lead others astray?
• Do I aim to honor God in everything, always and everywhere?
• Do I carry my religion into everything being thorough in whatever I undertake?
• Do I long to bear His image, breathe His Spirit, do His will, and please Him in all things?
• Have I been a worker for God in His vineyard just where I find He has placed me?
• Have I made an entire surrender to God?
• Do I cultivate religious thoughts and devotional feelings as a part of my self-education in spiritual things?
• Do I have the habit of doing right as a principle of how I think?
• Physical exercise produces growth and strength. Do I exercise my spirituality in sharing Jesus with others?
• Am I satisfied with being a spiritual dwarf or weakling? Would I like to be a spiritual giant and strong person?

Ellen White concludes the birthday letter to her son this way - A new year of your life now commences. A new page is turned in the book of the recording angel. What will be the record upon its pages? Shall it be blotted with neglect of God, with unfulfilled duties? God forbid. Let a record be stamped there which you will not be ashamed to have revealed to the gaze of men and angels. Good advice for us, to!

New Book Release by Retired Evangelist, Pastor Austin Cooke: An Enduring Vision: Revelation Revealed

It's an amazingly detailed, interesting in depth study of the Book of Revelation. It closely compares the record of history with the prophecies found in Revelation. Pastor Cooke has drawn on contemporary Biblical research as well as referencing sources that date back into the 1700's For his whole adult life, Australia's own Pastor Cooke has been a keen Bible, Spirit of Prophecy and history student. He is always direct in his appraisals and has kindly presented his conclusions without fear or favour. If you want to have a deep knowledge of the Book of Revelation this is a book you must have!

Don Sforcina's Amazing Bible History Timeline - It's Free.

You have never seen anything like this amazing Bible study tool! It was developed by Australia's own Don Sforcina. It's linked to the Steps to Life web site at www.steps.org.au .You can find it under the Resources tab on the main menu. There are no hard copies available. From the creation of the world to the last-day events of Revelation, the timeline is a comprehensive guide to major Bible events, characters, and prophecies.

Dr Coralia Jigau's Sunday Health Seminar: Real Health!

Dr Jigau's Sunday Health Seminar at STL took place on February 15. The DVD is now available at STL. Dr Jigau covered the latest in powerful lifestyle medicine, the role of antioxidants in disease prevention and cure and explained how un-healthy people can rewrite their future health.

Jenifer Skues - Healthy Mind, Healthy Body - April 12th, at Steps to Life

Our April Sunday Health Seminar will be hosting Health Psychologist Jenifer Skues on "Happy Mind, Happy Body". Jenifer has been working as a Health Psychologist since 1993 and is committed to raising community awareness about the importance of physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Plan to come and be inspired by the exciting and practical information about our amazing mind-body relationship that she will be sharing with you. Book Online Today!

Christian greetings from Cherryl & the Steps to Life Team.

Brian Way/Programs Coordinator

Just released in Australia:

An Enduring Vision: Revelation Revealed by Pr Austin Cooke

The book of Revelation begins with a promise: "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near" (Rev. 1:3). God calls us to faithfully study His Word and understand the truths about where we have been, where we are, and where we are going so that we may stand firm in these last days.

An Enduring Vision: Revelation Revealed is an in-depth, verse-by-verse exposition of the book of Revelation. An avid student of the Bible, history, and Spirit of Prophecy, Pastor Austin Cooke thoroughly examines Revelation in light of history and presents a solid interpretation of prophecy based on Bible truth, drawing from sources that date back to the 1700s all the way to recent publications, including current media.

This book will engage you with its in-depth study of history, amaze you as to the accuracy of God's prophecies, and inspire you to be ready for the second advent of Jesus.

Click here to order online or call 03 9739 4093

Just Arrived! Exodus:
The Great Deliverance

What is the real Exodus story? Hollywood's version or the Bible's version? Compare the difference. Cost: $4.50 plus GST and postage. Click here to order online or call 03 9739 4093