Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: Luke 2:7, Luke 2:22-24; Matthew 2:1-18; John 8:58-59; Luke 22:41-44; Matthew 27:51-52; Romans 6:23; Titus 1:2. Memory Text: “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). Whenever we look at the issue of suffering, the … Continue reading –>
Part 12: Father is Baptized! By Andrew McChesney The day of Father’s baptism finally arrived, and he arrived with Mother and Junior at Manaus Central Seventh-day Adventist Church, a larger church where the baptism would be held, in Manaus, Brazil. About 400 people were seated in the main sanctuary. Pastor Sergio Alan A. Caxeta, president … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “Eli and His Sons,” Pages 575-580, and “The Presumption of Saul,” Pages 616-626, in Patriarchs and Prophets. Submission to God’s will comes as we die to our own desires and ambitions. This opens the way for true service to others. We cannot live for God without becoming a sacrifice and living … Continue reading –>
As we saw yesterday, submission to God’s will can be undermined as we rely on our own strength. It also is possible to rely on other substitutes for God. When some people feel depressed, they go shopping for something to make them happy. When some feel inadequate, they pursue fame. When others have difficulties with … Continue reading –>
When Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, it wasn’t simply because she doubted God’s word. At the heart of the problem was her belief that she had enough wisdom to decide for herself what was good and right. She trusted her own judgment. When we rely on our own judgment as opposed to trusting … Continue reading –>
“The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Then Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening’” (1 Samuel 3:10, NIV). Have you ever heard that still small voice of the Holy Spirit but ignored it? Consequently, everything went wrong, and you thought to yourself later, Oh no, why didn’t I … Continue reading –>
Many Christians sincerely seek to know God’s will for their lives. “If only I could know God’s will for my life, I would sacrifice everything for Him.” But even after promising God this, we still may be confused about what His will is. The reason for this confusion may be found in Romans 12:1-2. Paul is … Continue reading –>
Read Philippians 2:5-9. What important message is there for us in these verses? Contemporary culture urges us all to demand and assert our rights. And all this is good and is often the way it should be. But as with Jesus, the will of God may ask us to give up our rights freely in order … Continue reading –>
Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Lesson: Philippians 2:5-9; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Samuel 2:12-3:18; 1 Samuel 13:1-14; Zechariah 4:1-14. Memory Text: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain” (John 12:24, NKJV). Jesus’ picture of a kernel of wheat dying is a … Continue reading –>
Part 11: The Final Attack By Andrew McChesney Two weeks before Father’s baptism, he inexplicably grew angry after guests left the house following a small group Bible study in Manaus, Brazil, on Friday evening. He announced that he would sleep in the living room. The night was darker than usual. Electricity went out in the … Continue reading –>
