Sometimes unresolved conflict and anger may develop into a very negative, destructive dynamic, even an abusive relationship. Abuse can take a number of forms—physical, verbal, emotional, psychological, sexual, et cetera. But any form of abuse is contrary to the central principle of God’s kingdom—unselfish love. What crucial teachings about relationships are found in 1 John 4:7-8 and Colossians 3:19? … Continue reading –>
Who hasn’t experienced anger at one point or another? What makes it harder is when that anger is directed at a family member. Along with refusing to forgive, anger can turn into a poison that will wreak great pain and suffering on the home and family and relationships in general. Read Ephesians 4:26-27 and Ecclesiastes 7:9. How can … Continue reading –>
Marriage, like the Sabbath, is a gift of God to humanity that goes back to Eden. And, as Seventh-day Adventists, we know what the enemy of souls has done, and is still doing, to both the Sabbath and to marriage. Even the best of marriages are, at times, going to suffer from conflict. What follow … Continue reading –>
Read Matthew 7:5 and Proverbs 19:11. What two important principles can help us avoid conflict with others? The writer of the Proverbs makes a very astute observation: “The start of an argument is like a water leak —so stop it before real trouble breaks out” (Prov. 17:14, CEV). Once begun, a conflict can become incredibly hard to shut down. … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Matt. 7:5; Eph. 1:7; Phil. 2:4-8; Eph. 4:26-27; James 1:19-20; Col. 3:19; Matt. 7:12. Memory Text: “Be angry, and do not sin’: do not let the sun go down on your wrath” (Ephesians 4:26, NKJV). Even the best of homes will face times of struggle, times of conflict. It’s just one of the facts of life in a fallen … Continue reading –>
God Had Other Plans By Andrew McChesney As she finished high school, Jo-Anna Clayton devised a plan for college. For the first year, she would enroll in a community college near home in the U.S. state of West Virginia. This way she could take basic classes at reduced tuition costs and stay with her parents … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Many have suffered as a result of their addictions. They have become slaves to their desires and have lost their money, their job, their health, and their freedom. But Jesus came to give us the freedom from our sin and from all our addictions, and “if the Son makes you free, you shall be … Continue reading –>
As human beings, we know the reality of death. We read about it, we see it, and we maybe have even come close to facing it ourselves. Read 1 Corinthians 15:26. How is death described, and why is it described this way? Who, having lost a loved one, doesn’t experience for themselves just how great an … Continue reading –>
God alone knows how many millions, even billions, of people struggle with some form of addiction. To this day, scientists still don’t understand exactly what causes it, even though in some cases they actually can see the part of our brain in which the cravings and desires are located. Unfortunately, finding the locations of those … Continue reading –>
Another way that trust is lost is through family violence. Unthinkable as it is, research reveals that the home is the single most violent place in society. Family violence touches all kinds of families, including Christian homes. Violence is an assault of any kind—verbal, physical, emotional, sexual, or active or passive neglect—that is committed by … Continue reading –>
