Sabbath: Blessed Are Those Who Believe
Daily Lesson for Sabbath 9th of November 2024
Image © Pacific Press
Read for This Week’s Study: John 8:54-58, Genesis 12:3, Romans 4:1-5, John 12:1-8, John 19:4-22, John 20:19-31, Daniel 2:1-49, Daniel 7:1-28.
Memory Text:
“Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed’ ” (John 20:29, NKJV).
Throughout his Gospel, John has a diversity of people—people with different backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences—all testifying to who Jesus was.
“ ‘Behold the Lamb of God!’ ” (John 1:36, NKJV). “ ‘We have found the Messiah’ ” (John 1:41, NKJV). “ ‘We have found Him of whom Moses . . . wrote’ ” (John 1:45, NKJV). “ ‘Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’ ” (John 1:49, NKJV). “ ‘Could this be the Christ?’ ” (John 4:29, NKJV). “ ‘We ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world’ ” (John 4:42, NKJV). “ ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life’ ” (John 6:68, NKJV). “ ‘I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world’ ” (John 11:27, NKJV). “ ‘Though I was blind, now I see’ ” (John 9:25, NKJV). “ ‘Behold your King!’ ” (John 19:14, NKJV). “ ‘I find no fault in Him’ ” (John 19:6, NKJV). “ ‘My Lord and my God!’ ” (John 20:28, NKJV).
Who were some of these people, and why did they testify as they did to the identity of Jesus?
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, November 16.
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We can provide very trite answers about why we believe if we are not careful. And sometimes, it is difficult to describe the reasons for belief because it is so complex. It partly depends on our journey. Obviously, an academic like myself has a very different perspective to someone who left school early.
My mother's highest academic achievement was her primary school completion certificate. It sits in the same drawer as my PhD testamur as a reminder that for all my academic achievements, it was my mother who taught me most of what I know and believe. It is a gentle reminder that we are both loved by God and are saved by his grace, not by academic development.
My beliefs have been challenged by my education, obviously. But I testify that a big part of my belief today is intertwined with the loving, caring relationships I have with Christian family, friends, teachers and lecturers, ministers and colleagues. We do not all believe the same detail, but that deep spiritual bond shared with me makes more sense than reason and argument.
If there is one thing that features in my belief, it is "because I am loved". The love of God, through Jesus, extended to me by other Christians is the evidence that underscores my belief.
So powerful! I have yearned for this Christian love. I've fallen so low, engulfed with grief and miss the support of friends that it's only the grace and love of God that keeps me hanging on. Pray for me, and with me.
Demonstrating good Christian principles and conduct will do far more than any eloquent sermon ever will in making someone believe in Jesus.
Degrees do not matter, eloquence does not matter, even riches do not matter.
What matters is a heart surrendered to Jesus impacting the lives of those around us!!!!!
Blessed are those who believe in every word of the scripture
I find “blessed are those who believe” to be a statement referring to those who already believe but do not yet know that Jesus Christ will become their Teacher and Savior. Their heart and mind have been prepared by God’s Holy Spirit to receive His Word, and when His call comes, they answer with their willingness to accept His Word as Truth - John 6:44.
The rejection of Jesus Christ and His teachings by those who do not ‘believe’ has always puzzled me. Countless people experience the desire to be guided but do not know by whom, and their quest for help leads them to follow inadequate teachers. When one feels/is drawn by the 'Word' to accept the ‘Faith of Jesus Christ', this is a sure sign that God’s Mercy and Grace has prepared the way to 'hear His call' to follow Him.
The call upon the believer is two-fold – personal rebirth as well as living one’s life according to God’s Word. Engaging in service to the ‘needy’ without pointing to God who secures their provisions by His providence through the believer, is shorting God of His Glory in order to bring glory to the giver. This is spiritually unacceptable as it does not lead to the purpose for which mankind is saved – elevating/pointing to the Glory of God which saves this fallen world!
The circumstances the believer finds him/herself in during this process of their evolving faith are not important in themselves. What is important for the believer to know is that they were 'found' because their heart had been prepared to believe by God’s Spirit of Truth and Light; by accepting Him they are able to rejoice in the oneness with the Source.
It is not the believer who finds God, it is God’s Spirit embodied in His living Word - Jesus Christ - preparing the heart and mind of the ones hungering and thirsting for righteousness. He opens their spiritual eyes to accept Jesus Christ as their Teacher and Savior who leads them to accept our heavenly Father as their God.
Although we're sinners, having a daily relationship with the Lord is essential. New challenges shouldn't scare us then because of what He has already done to us in the past! We must know the God we have served.
But now days peaple believe in pastors,bishops more than God🤏...u find some one asking for ablessing from the pastor.