One moment, they are a band of ordinary shepherds caring for an average flock of sheep outside a small town. In the next moment, they are the recipients of an amazing appearance of angels who bear startling, wondrous, world-shattering news. Motivated by that appearance, they seek out the child whom the angels announced. Imagine standing with … Continue reading –>
Human relationships all too often break down. We become estranged from one another. The person who was once our close friend becomes, over time, someone we distrust. However, such a broken relationship can be mended. When that happens, we experience the wonder of reconciliation. Few human experiences are as sweet as this. How does reconciliation lie … Continue reading –>
What concern about the Christian community in Philippi is on Paul’s heart as he writes his letter to them? Phil. 2:1-4; Phil. 4:2-3. Philippians 2:1-11 is one of the most profound passages in all the Bible. It discusses the preexistence of Christ, His divinity, His incarnation, His humanity, His acceptance of death on the cross. It describes the long, … Continue reading –>
In the moving prologue to his Gospel (John 1:1-18), John discusses Jesus as the eternal “Word.” John’s claims for Jesus are not timid or limited; they are bold and cosmic in scope. Jesus was in existence before the world came into being – from eternity, actually. In fact, Jesus is the agent of creation ( John 1.2-3). … Continue reading –>
What are the most important points the apostle makes about Jesus at the beginning of the Epistle to the Hebrews? (Hebrews 1:1-4). New Testament authors repeatedly accent a significant idea: Jesus comes to earth to show human beings who the Father is. In past times, God’s revelation came in a fragmented way through the prophets; in Jesus, … Continue reading –>
Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: Hebrews 1:1-4; 2 Corinthians 4:1-6; John 1:14, John 1:18; John 14:1-14; Philippians 2:1-11; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21. Memory Text: “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians … Continue reading –>
By Merry Grace Baloria I never thought that a single night would be the darkest in my life. It was during that darkest night that God showed me His marvelous light. Heavy rain awakened me at 12:45 a.m. It was completely dark in the one-bedroom house that I shared with a missionary partner in Eastern … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: “The true object of education is to restore the image of God in the soul.” — Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 595. With this idea in mind, we can see why a solid Christian worldview is essential for Adventist education. After all, as we noted earlier, education in and of itself is … Continue reading –>
Years ago, in France, the nation was debating the question of capital punishment: should it be abolished? Advocates for its abolishment contacted a famous French writer and philosopher named Michel Foucault and asked him to pen an editorial on their behalf. What he did, however, was advocate, not for abolishing just the death penalty, but … Continue reading –>
As crucial as the doctrine of creation is to our faith, the doctrine does not appear alone, especially in the New Testament. It often comes coupled with, even inextricably tied to, the doctrine of redemption. And that’s because, frankly, in a fallen world of sin and death, creation alone isn’t enough. We live, we struggle, … Continue reading –>
