Read Ephesians 4:30. Here Paul uses an imperative and admonishes us not to grieve the Holy Spirit. What does it mean to grieve the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is a personal being, not just a divine force. That is why He can be grieved. But how do we grieve the Holy Spirit? Perhaps we … Continue reading –>
Read Acts 7:51. What warning was given here, and how does it apply to us today, as well? There are a number of sins specifically mentioned in Scripture as sins against the Holy Spirit. Many of those sins are on the individual level. However, there is also a corporate dimension involved, as we can conclude … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Acts 7:51; Heb. 10:24-25; Eph. 4:25-5:2; 1 Thess. 5:19-21; Mark 3:28-29. Memory Text: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30, NKJV). The Holy Spirit has the unique ability to lead sinners to an awareness of their … Continue reading –>
Read Ellen G. White, “Asking to Give,” pp. 139-149, in Christ’s Object Lessons. For a helpful collection of encouraging promises read Ellen G. White, “God has Promised” (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald, 1982). Without prayer, we would have no spiritual power in our lives, because prayer connects us to the Source of that power. Without … Continue reading –>
Read Ephesians 3:16 and Acts 2:38. What do these texts tell us about receiving the Holy Spirit in our lives? There are many things we can pray for, but there is one great need in this time of peril in which we live: it is the gift of the Holy Spirit. This is the greatest … Continue reading –>
You can view an in-depth discussion of “The Holy Spirit, the Word, and Prayer” in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. (Adobe Flash Player version.) A Youtube version of this week’s lesson at Hope Sabbath School is below. You can download the video, the MP3 audio, and the lesson outline from … Continue reading –>
All faith is useless if we do not claim the things for which we have prayed. Read 1 John 5:14-15. What is the reason that we can be confident that God hears us and that we receive what we have requested from Him? The third aspect of Bible prayer is reception. After asking God and … Continue reading –>
Read Mark 11:24. Besides asking, what other aspect does Jesus mention in connection with prayer? Asking alone is not enough. There is a second important aspect that needs to be present in our prayers: faith. The book of Hebrews tells us that “without faith it is impossible to please” God (Heb. 11:6, NASB). When we … Continue reading –>
Read Matthew 7:7. Before we can receive anything from God, we have to ask for it. Why is our asking so important, if God knows everything anyhow? Asking reveals our desire and expresses our trust in God. Through prayer we approach Him, from whom we seek support and help. When we ask God, we also … Continue reading –>
Even though clothed in a pious cloak, many prayers are guided by questionable motives. We might pray that someone’s life be spared because we do not like living alone. We might pray for success in God’s work because we are playing an important role in it. We might pray for the conversion of a person … Continue reading –>
