Thursday, December 2, 2021

Thursday of the First Week of Advent

END OF SLAVERY DAY

Proverbs, Chapter 23, Verse 17-18

¹⁷Do not let your heart envy sinners, but only those who always FEAR the LORD; ¹⁸ For you will surely have a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

Those whom one admires or associates with exercise enormous influence. Do not join the wicked, who are a doomed group.[1] Nor desire to be with them for the mind is a terrible thing to waste. Let your hope be in Christ.

Vision: Hope for a Preferred Future[2]

Leaders understand the importance of their minds to the future of their organizations. Consider some of the timeless principles offered in Proverbs 23 about our minds and a godly vision for tomorrow:

1. Your thoughts determine your character.

2. Be careful of your thoughts; they may break into words at any time.

3. Don’t waste your thoughts on those who don’t hunger for them.

4. The first person you lead is you, and the first organ you master is your mind.

5. Don’t let your mind drift away from God’s truth and into vain envy.

6. Stay confident that your vision will come to pass.

7. Discipline your thoughts to remain steadfast in what you know is right.

International Day for the Abolition of Slavery[3]

The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery aims to end slavery in the world. Contemporary forms of slavery include sexual exploitation, forced marriage, trafficking of persons and recruitment of children for armed conflict. The International Labour Organization estimates that there are currently 21 million people enslaved in the world, a business that generates around 150 billion US dollars in illegal profits every year. The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery was designated by the United Nations General Assembly as a day to be celebrated every December 2nd. The day marks the 1949 adoption of the UN Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others.

International Day for the Abolition of Slavery Facts & Quotes

· The average cost of a slave globally is $90.

· Human trafficking is the third largest international crime industry after illegal drugs and arms trafficking. It generates a profit of approximately 32 billion every year.

· 1 million children are enslaved worldwide.

· Child slavery is a crime against humanity. Humanity itself is at stake here. A lot of work still remains, but I will see the end of child labor in my lifetime. – Kailash Satyarthi, Indian children’s rights advocate and founder of Bachpan Bachao Andolan.

International Day for the Abolition of Slavery Top Events and Things to Do

· Watch a movie about the horrors of slavery. Some suggestions are: 12 Years a Slave (2014), Django Unchained (2014) and Amistad (1997)

· Donate to a charity fighting to end slavery.

· Spread awareness by using the hashtags #InternationalDayforAbolitionofSlavery, #EndSlavery and #HumanRightsMatter.

· Volunteer your time at a local rescue center for victims of human trafficking. These centers assist victims in sharing their stories, regaining their lives and dignity and helping to reduce this problem.

· Read a book about the horrors of slavery. Some suggestions are: Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Beloved and Chains.

Jesse Tree[4]

Jesse Tree Scriptures (The Symbols Are Only Suggestions)

· December 1 Creation: Gen. 1:1-31; 2:1-4 Symbols: sun, moon, stars, animals, earth

· December 2 Adam and Eve: Gen. 2:7-9, 18-24 Symbols: tree, man, woman