The book of Hebrews describes the new covenant as better than the old covenant (Heb. 8:1-2, 6, NRSV). The obvious question, then, is Why did God establish the old covenant if it was faulty? The problem, however, was not with the covenant but with the response of the people to it. Read Hebrews 7:19, Hebrews … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : We are indeed saved by faith which works by love and purified the soul. Every second God is using all His power, grace, and mercy to reconcile us to Him. [Lesson plan for The Everlasting Gospel December 29, 2014] 1. Have a volunteer read Luke 15:29-32. a. Ask class members to share … Continue reading –>
Like many of his countrymen, Paul thought he was in good spiritual standing. But then he saw Jesus as the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself up for me (Gal. 2:20, NASB). Suddenly he saw himself not saved, but lost; not God’s servant, but God’s enemy; not righteous, but the chief of … Continue reading –>
A member of my New Believer’s Sabbath School class, in the Tampa First Seventh-day Adventist Church, had been struggling with getting Sabbaths off at work so she could observe the Bible Sabbath. She told me she had to work on Sabbath, and I would gently tell her that she did not have to work. She had a … Continue reading –>
Some have a very hard time finding the gospel in the Gospels! The teachings of Jesus can seem legalistic but only if we fail to hear the rest of the story. Most people in Israel at the time of Jesus considered themselves to be in a good position before God. They supported the temple by … Continue reading –>
For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith (Heb. 4:2, NIV). This verse is startling in its implications. Foremost is that the gospel, not simply good news but … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Heb. 4:2; Ps. 130:3-4; Luke 15:11-32; Rom. 3:24-26; Heb. 10:1-4; Rev. 14:12. Memory Text: The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you (Jeremiah 31:3, NKJV). In our study of James, we have looked … Continue reading –>
Giovanni Zaldivar My pastor was planning to hold evangelistic meetings. He printed some invitation cards for members to give their friends to remind them of the meetings. He urged everyone to invite their families, friends, and neighbors, and we young people of the church wanted to be included. At that time Cuba’s government was more … Continue reading –>
Further Study: Read Ellen G. White, Prayer for the Sick, p. 225-233, in The Ministry of Healing;Snares of Satan, p. 518-523, in The Great Controversy. “Christ . . . asks us to become one with Him for the saving of humanity. Freely ye have received, He says,freely give. Matt. 10:8. Sin is the greatest of … Continue reading –>
Shepherds and academics do not appear to have a lot in common, but I grew up on a small sheep farm and later became an academic. Both jobs can be quite lonely at times. I can remember as quite a young lad having to go around our small flock of about 200 sheep in the … Continue reading –>
God’s Spirit worked through Elijah to restore the relationship between Israel and Himself. But most of Elijah’s work was not on Mount Carmel. That was just the beginning! He carried it forward in small villages and homes and in training future spiritual leaders through the schools of the prophets to multiply his work of revival … Continue reading –>
[Thought questions for Prayer, Healing, and Restoration December 16, 2014] 1. Words with power. One of my favorite texts growing up in Sabbath school is this week’s memory text containing these words, “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” I repeated those words until they were embedded in my heart. But what did they … Continue reading –>
