The showdown on top of Mount Carmel had ended (1 Kings 18:1-46). Fire had come out of heaven, all the people had acknowledged the true God, and the false prophets had been put to death. God had been vindicated. You would have thought that Elijah had been growing in spiritual strength as the day went … Continue reading –>
In 1 Samuel 16:1-13, we see the young lad David anointed by Samuel as king. However, it was a long journey from the fields of his father, Jesse, to the throne in Jerusalem. No doubt, at times he felt in the midst of a crucible. First, the lad is called to play music to soothe Saul’s … Continue reading –>
Read Romans 5:6 and Galatians 4:4. What do they tell us about God’s timing? In these verses, Paul tells us that Jesus came to die for us at exactly the right time. But Paul does not tell us why it was the right time. It is very easy to read these verses and wonder, Why did Jesus wait for thousands … Continue reading –>
Read Romans 15:4-5. What is found in these verses for us? We are normally impatient about things that we really want or have been promised but don’t have yet. We are often satisfied only when we get what we are longing for. And because we rarely get what we want when we want it, it means … Continue reading –>
Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: Romans 15:4-5; Romans 5:3-5; 1 Samuel 26:1-25; Psalm 37:1-11. Memory Text: “But the fruit of the Spirit is … longsuffering” (Galatians 5:22, NKJV). Scientists did an experiment with 4-year-old children and marshmallows. Each child was told by a scientist that they could have a marshmallow; however, if the child waited until the scientist … Continue reading –>
Part 10: Power of a Name By Andrew McChesney Father was awakened by invisible hands clutching his throat in Manaus, Brazil. Futilely he tried to pull away the hands. Finally, he gasped, “Lord, please help me!” But the deadly grip tightened. When all hope seemed lost, he heard a soft voice say, “Ask Jesus to … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “The Importance of Seeking True Knowledge,” Pages 453, 454, in The Ministry of Healing; “The Sermon on the Mount,” Pages 298-314, in The Desire of Ages; “The Worker and His Qualifications,” p.630, in Evangelism . “The difficulties we have to encounter may be very much lessened by that meekness which hides itself in Christ. … Continue reading –>
So often the most proud people, the most arrogant and pushy, are those who suffer from low self-esteem. Their arrogance and pride — and total lack of meekness or humility — exist as a cover, perhaps even unconsciously, for something lacking inside. What they need is something we all need: a sense of security, of … Continue reading –>
The most powerful examples of meekness in the crucible come from Jesus. When He said to come and “learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29), He meant it in ways we probably can’t imagine. Read 1 Peter 2:18-25. Peter is offering some surprising advice to slaves. He describes how Jesus responded … Continue reading –>
Someone once said: “Loving our enemies, then, does not mean that we are supposed to love the dirt in which the pearl is buried; rather it means that we love the pearl which lies in the dust … . God does not love us because we are by nature lovable. But we become lovable because … Continue reading –>
