Jesus was in Jerusalem, about to die. According to Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus’ last teaching hour before Passover is spent telling His disciples parables, including the ones about the ten virgins and the sheep and the goats. These stories are related to the way we should live as we wait for Jesus to come. Thus their … Continue reading –>
It’s one thing to be in a battle; it’s another not even to see the forces arrayed in that battle. In a sense, this is what we as Christians deal with. We know that the forces are out there, we can feel them in our lives, and yet, we have to press ahead in faith, … Continue reading –>
“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29, NKJV). In the beginning, God made us in His image (Genesis 1:27), but that image has been corrupted by sin. In what ways do we see this defacing of God’s image … Continue reading –>
Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: Matthew 5:16, 1 Corinthians 4:9, Ephesians 3:10, Job 23:1-10, Matthew 25:1-12, Daniel 12:1-10, Ephesians 4:11-16. Memory Text: “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18, NKJV). Amy … Continue reading –>
Part 3: Abandoned by Father By Andrew McChesney Father always seemed to be angry after Mother told him that she was going to the Adventist church. Every little thing irritated him. One night, he exploded with rage when Mother arrived home late from a church event. The next morning, Mother arrived at the dental clinic, … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “The Exodus,” Pages 281-290; “From the Red Sea to Sinai,” Pages 291-302, in Patriarchs and Prophets; “The Temptation,” Pages 114-123, in The Desire of Ages. “But of old the Lord led his people to Rephidim, and he may choose to lead us there also, to test our loyalty. He does not always … Continue reading –>
There was a young man whom we’ll call Alex. He had come out of a very troubled youth: drugs, violence, even some time in jail. But then, through the kindness of a local church member (whom Alex had stolen from), Alex learned about God and gave his heart to Jesus. Though he still had his … Continue reading –>
Read 1 Peter 1:6-7. What is Peter saying? Peter is writing to people who were battling through difficulties and often felt very alone. He was writing “to God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia” (1 Peter 1:1, NIV). This is the area we know today as western Turkey. A few … Continue reading –>
“Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil” (Luke 4:1-2, , NKJV). Read Luke 4:1-13. What lessons can you learn from this account about how to overcome temptation and not give in to sin? Temptations can be … Continue reading –>
“The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink” (Exodus 17:1, NIV). Perhaps we might not get from God everything we want, but couldn’t we expect to get all that we … Continue reading –>
