Lesson
13
December 23 -
29
To
Make a Disciple
Sabbath
Afternoon
The Holy Scriptures are the perfect
standard of truth, and as such should be given the highest place in education.
To obtain an education worthy of the name, we must receive a knowledge of
God, the Creator, and of Christ, the Redeemer, as they are revealed in the
sacred word. {Ed
17.1}
Every human being, created in the image of God, is endowed with a
power akin to that of the Creator-- individuality, power to think and to
do. The men in whom this power is developed are the men who bear
responsibilities, who are leaders in enterprise, and who influence character.
It is the work of true education to develop this power, to train the youth
to be thinkers, and not mere reflectors of other men's thought. Instead of
confining their study to that which men have said or written, let students
be directed to the sources of truth, to the vast fields opened for research
in nature and revelation. Let them contemplate the great facts of duty and
destiny, and the mind will expand and
strengthen. (p. 18) Instead
of educated weaklings, institutions of learning may send forth men strong
to think and to act, men who are masters and not slaves of circumstances,
men who possess breadth of mind, clearness of thought, and the courage of
their convictions. {Ed
17.2}
(Prov 22:6 NKJV)
Train up a child in the way
he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from
it.
(Prov 3:11, 12
NKJV) My son, do not despise
the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction; {12} For whom the
LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he
delights.
(Prov 13:24
NKJV) He who spares his rod
hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him
promptly.
(Prov 12:15
NKJV) The way of a fool is right
in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.
(Prov 6:16-19
NKJV) These six things the LORD
hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: {17} A proud look, A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood, {18} A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet
that are swift in running to evil, {19} A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren.
(Prov 3:1
NKJV) My son, do not forget
my law, But let your heart keep my commands;
Sunday
Parenting
Read to Your Children.--Fathers and mothers, obtain all the help you
can from the study of our books and publications. Take time to read to your
children. . . . Form a home reading circle, in which every member of the
family shall lay aside the busy cares of the day, and unite in study. Especially
will the youth who have been accustomed to reading novels and cheap storybooks
receive benefit from joining in the evening family
study. {CG
38.1}
"Train," Not "Tell."--To parents is committed the great work of educating
and training their children for the future, immortal life. Many fathers and
mothers seem to think that if they feed and clothe their little ones, and
educate them according to the standard of the world, they have done their
duty. They are too much occupied with business or pleasure to make the education
of their children the study of their lives. They do not seek to train them
so that they will employ their talents for the honor of their Redeemer. Solomon
did not say, "Tell a child the way he should go, and when he is old, he will
not depart from it." But, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and
when he is old, he will not depart from
it." (p. 39) {CG
38.2}
Educate for Self-control.--No work ever undertaken by man requires
greater care and skill than the proper training and education of youth and
children. There are no influences so potent as those which surround us in
our early years. . . . The nature of man is threefold, and the training enjoined
by Solomon comprehends the right development of the physical, intellectual,
and moral powers. To perform this work aright, parents and teachers must
themselves understand "the way the child should go." This embraces more than
a knowledge of books or the learning of the schools. It comprehends the practice
of temperance, brotherly kindness, and godliness; the discharge of our duty
to ourselves, to our neighbors, and to
God. {CG
39.1}
The training of children must be conducted on a different principle
from that which governs the training of irrational animals. The brute has
only to be accustomed to submit to its master, but the child must be taught
to control himself. The will must be trained to obey the dictates of reason
and conscience. A child may be so disciplined as to have, like the beast,
no will of its own, his individuality being lost in that of his teacher.
Such training is unwise, and its effect disastrous. Children thus educated
will be deficient in firmness and decision. They are not taught to act from
principle; the reasoning powers are not strengthened by exercise. So far
as possible, every child should be trained to self-reliance. By calling into
exercise the various faculties, he will learn where he is strongest, and
in what he is deficient. A wise instructor will give special attention to
the development of the weaker traits, that the child may form a well-balanced,
harmonious character. {CG
39.2}
(Prov 22:6
NKJV) Train up a child in the
way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from
it.
(Prov 22:6
GWT) Train a child in the way
he should go, and even when he is old he will not turn away from
it.
(Prov 10:1
NKJV) The Proverbs of Solomon:
A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his
mother.
(Prov 27:11
NKJV) My son, be wise, and make
my heart glad, That I may answer him who reproaches me.
(Prov 28:7
NKJV) Whoever keeps the law
is a discerning son, But a companion of gluttons shames his
father.
(Prov 29:15
NKJV) The rod and rebuke give
wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his
mother.
(Prov 30:11-14
NKJV) There is a generation
that curses its father, And does not bless its mother. {12} There is a generation
that is pure in its own eyes, Yet is not washed from its filthiness. {13}
There is a generation; oh, how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are
lifted up. {14} There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, And whose
fangs are like knives, To devour the poor from off the earth, And the needy
from among men.
(Prov 22:6
NKJV) Train up a child in the
way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from
it.
Monday
Disciplining
(Prov 3:11, 12
NKJV) My son, do not despise
the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction; {12} For whom the
LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he
delights.
(Prov 13:24
NKJV) He who spares his rod
hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him
promptly.
To direct the child's development without hindering it by undue control
should be the study of both parent and teacher. Too much management is as
bad as too little. The effort to "break the will" of a child is a terrible
mistake. Minds are constituted differently; while force may secure outward
submission, the result with many children is a more determined rebellion
of the heart. Even should the parent or teacher succeed in gaining the control
he seeks, the outcome may be no less harmful to the child. The discipline
of a human being who has reached the years of intelligence should differ
from the training of a dumb animal. The beast is taught only submission to
its master. For the beast, the master is mind, judgment, and will. This method,
sometimes employed in the training of children, makes them little more than
automatons. Mind, will, conscience, are under the control of another. It
is not God's purpose that any mind should be thus dominated. Those who weaken
or destroy individuality assume a responsibility that can result only in
evil. While under authority, the children may appear like well-drilled soldiers;
but when the control ceases, the character will be found to lack strength
and steadfastness. Having never learned to govern himself, the youth recognizes
no restraint except the requirement of parents or teacher. This removed,
he knows not how to use his liberty, and often gives himself up to indulgence
that proves his ruin. {Ed
288.1}
Since the surrender of the will is so much more difficult for some
pupils than for others, the teacher should make obedience to his requirements
as easy as possible. (p. 289) The
will should be guided and molded, but not ignored or crushed. Save the strength
of the will; in the battle of life it will be
needed. {Ed
288.2}
Every child should understand the true force of the will. He should
be led to see how great is the responsibility involved in this gift. The
will is the governing power in the nature of man, the power of decision,
or choice. Every human being possessed of reason has power to choose the
right. In every experience of life, God's word to us is, "Choose you this
day whom ye will serve." Joshua 24:15. Everyone may place his will on the
side of the will of God, may choose to obey Him, and by thus linking himself
with divine agencies, he may stand where nothing can force him to do evil.
In every youth, every child, lies the power, by the help of God, to form
a character of integrity and to live a life of
usefulness. {Ed
289.1}
The parent or teacher who by such instruction trains the child to
self-control will be the most useful and permanently successful. To the
superficial observer his work may not appear to the best advantage; it may
not be valued so highly as that of the one who holds the mind and will of
the child under absolute authority; but after years will show the result
of the better method of training. {Ed 289.2}
The wise educator, in dealing with his pupils, will seek to encourage
confidence and to strengthen the sense of honor. Children and youth are benefited
by being trusted. Many, even of the little children, have a high sense of
honor; all desire to be treated with confidence and respect, and this is
their right.
Education, pp. 288 - 289
(continued)
They should not be led to feel that
they cannot go out or come in without being watched. Suspicion demoralizes,
producing the very evils it seeks (p. 290) to prevent. Instead of watching
continually, as if suspecting evil, teachers who are in touch with their
pupils will discern the workings of the restless mind, and will set to work
influences that will counteract evil. Lead the youth to feel that they are
trusted, and there are few who will not seek to prove themselves worthy of
the trust. {Ed
289.3}
(Eph 6:4
NKJV) And you, fathers, do not
provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition
of the Lord.
(Col 3:21
NKJV) Fathers, do not provoke
your children, lest they become discouraged.
More Prayer Means Less Punishment.--We should pray to God much more
than we do. There is great strength and blessing in praying together in our
families, with and for our children. When my children have done wrong, and
I have talked with them kindly and then prayed with them, I have never found
it necessary after that to punish them. Their hearts would melt in tenderness
before the Holy Spirit that came in answer to
prayer. {CG
525.1}
Benefits of Solitary Prayer.--It was in hours of solitary prayer that
Jesus in His earth-life received
wisdom and power. Let the youth follow His example in finding at dawn
and twilight a quiet season for
communion with their Father in heaven. And throughout the day let
them lift up their hearts to God. At every step of our way He says, "I the
Lord thy God will hold thy right hand; . . . fear not; I will help thee."
Isaiah 41:13. Could our children learn these lessons in the morning of their
years, what freshness and power, what joy and sweetness, would be brought
into their lives! {CG 525.2}
The Gates of Heaven Are Open to Every Mother.-- When Christ bowed
on the banks of Jordan after His baptism and offered up prayer in behalf
of humanity, the heavens were opened; and the Spirit of God, like a dove
of burnished gold, encircled the form of the Saviour; and a voice came from
heaven which said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased." {CG
525.3}
What significance does this have for you? It says that heaven is open
to your prayers. It says that you are accepted in the Beloved. The gates
are open for every mother who would lay her burden at the Saviour's feet.
It says that Christ has encircled the race with His (p. 526) human arm, and
with His divine arm He has grasped the throne of the Infinite and united
man with God, and earth with heaven.
{CG 525.4}
Tuesday
Despise Not
Correction
(
(Jer 10:23
NKJV) O LORD, I know the way
of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own
steps.
(John 15:5
NKJV) "I am the vine, you are
the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without
Me you can do nothing.
(Phil 4:13
NKJV) I can do all things through
Christ who strengthens me.
(3 John 1:2
NKJV) Beloved, I pray that you
may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul
prospers.
(Prov 12:15
NKJV) The way of a fool is right
in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.
(Prov 15:25
NIV) The LORD tears down the
proud man's house but he keeps the widow's boundaries
intact.
(Prov 15:25
NKJV) The LORD will destroy
the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the
widow.
(Prov 13:18
NKJV) Poverty and shame will
come to him who disdains correction, But he who regards a rebuke will be
honored.
(Prov 29:21
NKJV) He who pampers his servant
from childhood Will have him as a son in the end.
(Prov 17:6
NRSV) Grandchildren are the
crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their
parents.
(Prov 17:6
NKJV) Children's children are
the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their
father.
The Ministry
of Healing, p. 417
The mechanism of the human body cannot
be fully understood; it presents mysteries that baffle the most intelligent.
It is not as the result of a mechanism, which, once set in motion, continues
its work, that the pulse beats and breath follows breath. In God we live
and move and have our being. The beating heart, the throbbing pulse, every
nerve and muscle in the living organism, is kept in order and activity by
the power of an ever-present God.
{MH 417.1}
The Bible shows us God in His high and holy place, not in a state
of inactivity, not in silence and solitude, but surrounded by ten thousand
times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of holy beings, all waiting
to do His will. Through these messengers He is in active communication with
every part of His dominion. By His Spirit He is everywhere present. Through
the agency of His Spirit and His angels He ministers to the children of
men. {MH
417.2}
Above the distractions of the earth He sits enthroned; all things
are open to His divine survey; and from His great and calm eternity He orders
that which His providence sees best.
"The way of man is not in himself:
It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps."
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart. . . .
In all thy ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct thy paths."
"The eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him,
Upon them that hope in His mercy;
To deliver their soul from death,
And to keep them alive in famine."
"How precious is Thy loving-kindness, O God! . . .
The children of men take refuge under the shadow
of Thy wings."
"Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help,
Whose hope is in the Lord his God."
(p. 418)
"The earth, O Jehovah, is full of Thy loving-kindness."
Thou lovest "righteousness and justice."
The Ministry of Healing, p. 417
(continued)
Thou "art the confidence of all the ends of the earth,
And of them that are afar off upon the sea:
Who by His strength setteth fast the mountains,
Being girded about with might;
Who stilleth the roaring of the seas, . . .
And the tumult of the peoples."
"Thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening
to rejoice."
"Thou crownest the year with Thy goodness;
And Thy paths drop fatness."
"The Lord upholdeth all that fall,
And raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
The eyes of all wait upon Thee;
And Thou givest them their meat in due season.
Thou openest Thine hand,
And satisfiest the desire of every living thing."
Jeremiah 10:23; Proverbs 3:5, 6; Psalms 33:18, 19;
{MH 417.3}
(Isa
8:20 NKJV) To the law and to
the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because
there is no light in them.
(John
14:26 NKJV) "But the Helper,
the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you
all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to
you.
(John
16:13 NKJV) "However, when He,
the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will
not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and
He will tell you things to come.
Wednesday
What
God Hates
(Prov 6:16-19
NKJV) These six things the LORD
hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: {17} A proud look, A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood, {18} A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet
that are swift in running to evil, {19} A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren.
(Prov 15:26
NKJV) The thoughts of the wicked
are an abomination to the LORD, But the words of the pure are
pleasant.
(Prov 20:10
NKJV) Diverse weights and diverse
measures, They are both alike, an abomination to the
LORD.
(Prov 20:19-22
NKJV) He who goes about as a
talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters
with his lips. {20} Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp will
be put out in deep darkness.
(Prov 20:22
NKJV) Do not say, "I will recompense
evil"; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.
(Prov 6:17
NKJV) A proud look, A lying
tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,
(Job 21:22
NKJV) "Can anyone teach God
knowledge, Since He judges those on high?
(Psa 18:27
NKJV) For You will save the
humble people, But will bring down haughty looks.
(Rom 8:2
NKJV) For the law of the Spirit
of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and
death.
(Prov 15:8
NKJV) The sacrifice of the wicked
is an abomination to the LORD, But the prayer of the upright is His
delight.
(Prov 21:27
NKJV) The sacrifice of the wicked
is an abomination; How much more when he brings it with wicked
intent!
(Prov 28:9
NKJV) One who turns away his
ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an
abomination.
(John 6:37
NKJV) "All that the Father gives
Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast
out.
Thursday
Heart
Work
(Mat 15:7-9
NKJV) "Hypocrites! Well did
Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: {8} 'These people draw near to Me with
their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.
{9} And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of
men.'"
(Rev 3:14-20
NKJV) "And to the angel of the
church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful
and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: {15} "I know your
works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
{16} "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will
vomit you out of My mouth. {17} "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become
wealthy, and have need of nothing'; and do not know that you are wretched,
miserable, poor, blind, and naked; {18} "I counsel you to buy from Me gold
refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may
be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint
your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. {19} "As many as I love, I rebuke
and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. {20} "Behold, I stand at the
door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come
in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
(Prov 3:1
NRSV) My child, do not forget
my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
(Prov 3:1
NKJV) My son, do not forget
my law, But let your heart keep my commands;
(Prov 23:26
NKJV) My son, give me your heart,
And let your eyes observe my ways.
(Rom 12:2
NKJV) And do not be conformed
to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you
may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of
God.
Notwithstanding Christ's warning, men have sought to uproot the tares.
To punish those who were supposed to be evildoers, the church has had recourse
to the civil power. Those who differed from the established doctrines have
been imprisoned, put to torture and to death, at the instigation of men who
claimed to be acting under the sanction of Christ. But it is the spirit of
Satan, not the Spirit of Christ, that inspires such acts. This is Satan's
own method of bringing the world under his dominion. God has been misrepresented
through the church by this way of dealing with those supposed to be
heretics. {COL
74.1}
Not judgment and condemnation of others, but humility and
distrust of self, is the teaching of Christ's parable. Not all that is sown
in the field is good grain. The fact that men are in the church does not
prove them Christians. {COL
74.2}
The tares closely resembled the wheat while the blades were green;
but when the field was white for the harvest, the worthless weeds bore no
likeness to the wheat that bowed under the weight of its full, ripe heads.
Sinners who make a pretension of piety mingle for a time with the true followers
of Christ, and the semblance of Christianity is calculated to deceive many;
but in the harvest of the world there will be no likeness between good and
evil. Then those who have joined the church, but who have not joined Christ,
will be manifest. {COL
74.3}
The tares are permitted to grow among the wheat, to have all the advantage
of sun and shower; but in the time of harvest ye shall "return, and discern
between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him
that serveth Him not." Mal. 3:18. Christ Himself will decide who are worthy
to dwell with the family of heaven. He will judge every man according to
his words and his works. Profession is as nothing in the scale. It is character
that decides destiny.
(p. 75) {COL
74.4}
(Rev 18:1-4
NKJV) After these things I saw
another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth
was illuminated with his glory. {2} And he cried mightily with a loud voice,
saying, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling
place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean
and hated bird! {3} "For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath
of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with
her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance
of her luxury." {4} And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out
of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her
plagues.
The Great
Controversy, pp. 390, 464
Notwithstanding the spiritual darkness
and alienation from God that exist in the churches which constitute Babylon,
the great body of Christ's true followers are still to be found in their
communion. There are many of these who have never seen the special truths
for this time. Not a few are dissatisfied with their present condition and
are longing for clearer light. They look in vain for the image of Christ
in the churches with which they are connected. As these bodies depart further
and further from the truth, and ally themselves more closely with the world,
the difference between the two classes will widen, and it will finally result
in separation. The time will come when those who love God supremely can no
longer remain in connection with such as are "lovers of pleasures more than
lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power
thereof." {GC
390.1}
Revelation 18 points to the time when, as the result of rejecting
the threefold warning of Revelation 14:6-12, the church will have fully reached
the condition foretold by the second angel, and the people of God still in
Babylon will be called upon to separate from her communion.
The Great Controversy, pp. 390, 464
(continued)
This message is the last that will
ever be given to the world; and it will accomplish its work. When those that
"believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (2 Thessalonians
2:12), shall be left to receive strong delusion and to believe a lie, then
the light of truth will shine upon all whose hearts are open to receive it,
and all the children of the Lord that remain in Babylon will heed the call:
"Come out of her, My people" (Revelation
18:4). {GC
390.2}
(p. 464) Notwithstanding the widespread declension of faith
and piety, there are true followers of Christ in these churches. Before the
final visitation of God's judgments upon the earth there will be among the
people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been
witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured
out upon His children. At that time many will separate themselves from those
churches in which the love of this world has supplanted love for God and
His word. Many, both of ministers and people, will gladly accept those great
truths which God has caused to be proclaimed at this time to prepare a people
for the Lord's second coming. The enemy of souls desires to hinder this work;
and before the time for such a movement shall come, he will endeavor to prevent
it by introducing a counterfeit. In those churches which he can bring under
his deceptive power he will make it appear that God's special blessing is
poured out; there will be manifest what is thought to be great religious
interest. Multitudes will exult that God is working marvelously for them,
when the work is that of another spirit. Under a religious guise, Satan will
seek to extend his influence over the Christian
world. {GC
464.1}
In many of the revivals which have occurred during the last half century,
the same influences have been at work, to a greater or less degree, that
will be manifest in the more extensive movements of the future. There is
an emotional excitement, a mingling of the true with the false, that is well
adapted to mislead. Yet none need be deceived. In the light of God's word
it is not difficult to determine the nature of these movements. Wherever
men neglect the testimony of the Bible, turning away from those plain,
soul-testing truths which require self-denial and renunciation of the world,
there we may be sure that God's blessing is not
bestowed. (p. 465) And by the
rule which Christ Himself has given, "Ye shall know them by their fruits"
(Matthew 7:16), it is evident that these movements are not the work of the
Spirit of God. {GC
464.2}
A View of the Conflict
In vision I saw two
armies in terrible conflict. One army was led by banners bearing the world's
insignia; the other was led by the bloodstained banner of Prince Immanuel.
Standard after standard was left to trail in the dust as company after company
from the Lord's army joined the foe and tribe after tribe from the ranks
of the enemy united with the commandment-keeping people of God. An angel
flying in the midst of heaven put the standard of Immanuel into many hands,
while a mighty general cried out with a loud voice: "Come into line. Let
those who are loyal to the commandments of God and the testimony of Christ
now take their position. Come out from among them, and be ye separate, and
touch not the unclean, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto
you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters. Let all who will come up to the
help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the
mighty." {8T
41.1}
The battle raged. Victory alternated from side to side. Now the soldiers
of the cross gave way, "as when a standardbearer fainteth." Isaiah 10:18.
But their apparent retreat was but to gain a more advantageous position.
Shouts of joy were heard. A song of praise to God went up, and angel voices
united in the song, as Christ's soldiers planted His banner on the walls
of fortresses till then held by the enemy. The Captain of our salvation was
ordering the battle and sending support to His soldiers. His power was mightily
displayed, encouraging them to press the battle to the gates. He taught them
terrible things in righteousness as He led them on step by step, conquering
and to conquer. {8T 41.2}
At last the victory was gained. The army following the banner with
the inscription, "The commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus," was
gloriously triumphant.
Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 41
(continued)
The (p. 42) soldiers of Christ were
close beside the gates of the city, and with joy the city received her King.
The kingdom of peace and joy and everlasting righteousness was
established. {8T
41.3}
(Ezek 36:26, 27
NKJV) "I will give you a new
heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out
of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. {27} "I will put My Spirit within
you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments
and do them.
(Rom 7:14
NKJV) For we know that the law
is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.
(Rom 7:24, 25
NKJV) O wretched man that I
am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? {25} I thank God; through
Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God,
but with the flesh the law of sin.
(Prov 20:9
NIV) Who can say, "I have kept
my heart pure; I am clean and without sin"?
(Prov 20:9
NKJV) Who can say, "I have made
my heart clean, I am pure from my sin"?
(Rom 3:23
NKJV) for all have sinned and
fall short of the glory of God,
Messages to
Young People, p.
112
Satan
may whisper, "You are too great a sinner for Christ to save." While you
acknowledge that you are indeed sinful and unworthy, you may meet the tempter
with the cry, "By virtue of the atonement, I claim Christ as my Saviour.
I trust not to my own merits, but to the precious blood of Jesus, which cleanses
me. This moment I hang my helpless soul on Christ." The Christian life must
be a life of constant, living faith. An unyielding trust, a firm reliance
upon Christ, will bring peace and assurance to the
soul. {MYP
112.1}
Be Not Discouraged
Be
not discouraged because your heart seems hard. Every obstacle, every internal
foe, only increases your need of Christ. He came to take away the heart of
stone, and give you a heart of flesh. Look to Him for special grace to overcome
your peculiar faults. When assailed by temptation, steadfastly resist the
evil promptings; say to your soul, "How can I dishonor my Redeemer? I have
given myself to Christ; I cannot do the works of Satan." Cry to the dear
Saviour for help to sacrifice every idol, and to put away every darling sin.
Let the eye of faith see Jesus standing before the Father's throne, presenting
His wounded hands as He pleads for you. Believe that strength comes to you
through your precious Saviour. (p. 113) {MYP 112.2}
(Prov 4:23
NIV) Above all else, guard your
heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
(Prov 4:23
NKJV) Keep your heart with all
diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
Friday
(2 Sam 11
NKJV) It happened in the spring
of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab
and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people
of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. {2} Then it
happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof
of the king's house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman
was very beautiful to behold. {3} So David sent and inquired about the woman.
And someone said, "Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife
of Uriah the Hittite?"
{2 Sam 11:4-27} Then David sent
messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she
was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house. {5} And the
woman conceived; so she sent and told David, and said, "I am with child."
{6} Then David sent to Joab, saying, "Send me Uriah the Hittite." And Joab
sent Uriah to David. {7} When Uriah had come to him, David asked how Joab
was doing, and how the people were doing, and how the war prospered. {8}
And David said to Uriah, "Go down to your house and wash your feet." So Uriah
departed from the king's house, and a gift of food from the king followed
him. {9} But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants
of his lord, and did not go down to his house.
{2 Sam 11:10-27} So when they told
David, saying, "Uriah did not go down to his house," David said to Uriah,
"Did you not come from a journey? Why did you not go down to your house?"
{11} And Uriah said to David, "The ark and Israel and Judah are dwelling
in tents, and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are encamped in the
open fields. Shall I then go to my house to eat and drink, and to lie with
my wife? As you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do this thing."
{12} Then David said to Uriah, "Wait here today also, and tomorrow I will
let you depart." So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the next. {13}
Now when David called him, he ate and drank before him; and he made him drunk.
And at evening he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord,
but he did not go down to his house. {14} In the morning it happened that
David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah. {15} And he
wrote in the letter, saying, "Set Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle,
and retreat from him, that he may be struck down and die." {16} So it was,
while Joab besieged the city, that he assigned Uriah to a place where he
knew there were valiant men. {17} Then the men of the city came out and fought
with Joab. And some of the people of the servants of David fell; and Uriah
the Hittite died also. {18} Then Joab sent and told David all the things
concerning the war, {19} and charged the messenger, saying, "When you have
finished telling the matters of the war to the king, {20} if it happens that
the king's wrath rises, and he says to you: 'Why did you approach so near
to the city when you fought? Did you not know that they would shoot from
the wall? {21} 'Who struck Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? Was it not
a woman who cast a piece of a millstone on him from the wall, so that he
died in Thebez? Why did you go near the wall?'; then you shall say, 'Your
servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.'" {22} So the messenger went, and
came and told David all that Joab had sent by him. {23} And the messenger
said to David, "Surely the men prevailed against us and came out to us in
the field; then we drove them back as far as the entrance of the gate. {24}
"The archers shot from the wall at your servants; and some of the king's
servants are dead, and your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also." {25}
Then David said to the messenger, "Thus you shall say to Joab: 'Do not let
this thing displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another.
Strengthen your attack against the city, and overthrow it.' So encourage
him." {26} When the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead,
she mourned for her husband. {27} And when her mourning was over, David sent
and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son.
But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.
(2 Sam 12:1-25
NKJV) Then the LORD sent Nathan
to David. And he came to him, and said to him: "There were two men in one
city, one rich and the other poor. {2} "The rich man had exceedingly many
flocks and herds. {3} "But the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe
lamb which he had bought and nourished; and it grew up together with him
and with his children. It ate of his own food and drank from his own cup
and lay in his bosom; and it was like a daughter to him. {4} "And a traveler
came to the rich man, who refused to take from his own flock and from his
own herd to prepare one for the wayfaring man who had come to him; but he
took the poor man's lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him."
{5} So David's anger was greatly aroused against the man, and he said to
Nathan, "As the LORD lives, the man who has done this shall surely die! {6}
"And he shall restore fourfold for the lamb, because he did this thing and
because he had no pity." {7} Then Nathan said to David, "You are the man!
Thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'I anointed you king over Israel, and I
delivered you from the hand of Saul. {8} 'I gave you your master's house
and your master's wives into your keeping, and gave you the house of Israel
and Judah. And if that had been too little, I also would have given you much
more! {9} 'Why have you despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil
in His sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you have
taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the
people of Ammon.
{2 Sam 12:10-25} 'Now therefore,
the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me,
and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.' {11} "Thus
says the LORD: 'Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own
house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your
neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. {12}
'For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, before
the sun.'" {13} So David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD."
And Nathan said to David, "The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall
not die. {14} "However, because by this deed you have given great occasion
to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you
shall surely die." {15} Then Nathan departed to his house. And the LORD struck
the child that Uriah's wife bore to David, and it became ill. {16} David
therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and
lay all night on the ground. {17} So the elders of his house arose and went
to him, to raise him up from the ground. But he would not, nor did he eat
food with them. {18} Then on the seventh day it came to pass that the child
died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was
dead. For they said, "Indeed, while the child was alive, we spoke to him,
and he would not heed our voice. How can we tell him that the child is dead?
He may do some harm!" {19} When David saw that his servants were whispering,
David perceived that the child was dead. Therefore David said to his servants,
"Is the child dead?" And they said, "He is dead." {20} So David arose from
the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he
went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house;
and when he requested, they set food before him, and he ate. {21} Then his
servants said to him, "What is this that you have done? You fasted and wept
for the child while he was alive, but when the child died, you arose and
ate food." {22} And he said, "While the child was alive, I fasted and wept;
for I said, 'Who can tell whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the
child may live?' {23} "But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring
him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me." {24} Then
David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in to her and lay with her.
So she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. Now the LORD loved him,
{25} and He sent word by the hand of Nathan the prophet: So he called his
name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.
(Psa 51
NKJV) Have mercy upon me, O
God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your
tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. {2} Wash me thoroughly from my
iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. {3} For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me. {4} Against You, You only, have I sinned,
And done this evil in Your sight; That You may be found just when You speak,
And blameless when You judge. {5} Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me. {6} Behold, You desire truth in the inward
parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. {7} Purge
me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than
snow. {8} Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may
rejoice. {9} Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities.
{10} Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within
me. {11} Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy
Spirit from me. {12} Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold
me by Your generous Spirit. {13} Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted to You. {14} Deliver me from the guilt of
bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud
of Your righteousness. {15} O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show
forth Your praise. {16} For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would
give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. {17} The sacrifices of God
are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart; These, O God, You will
not despise. {18} Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; Build the walls
of Jerusalem. {19} Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of
righteousness, With burnt offering and whole burnt offering; Then they shall
offer bulls on Your altar.
Education, pp. 287 - 297 (not included
with lesson help)
It is because God is leading them that these things come upon them.
Trials and obstacles are the Lord's chosen methods of discipline and His
appointed conditions of success. He who reads the hearts of men knows their
characters better than they themselves know them. He sees that some have
powers and susceptibilities which, rightly directed, might be used in the
advancement of His work. In His providence He brings these persons into different
positions and varied circumstances that they may discover in their character
the defects which have been concealed from their own knowledge. He gives
them opportunity to correct these defects and to fit themselves for His service.
Often He permits the fires of affliction to assail them that they may be
purified. {MH
471.1}
The fact that we are called upon to endure trial shows that the Lord
Jesus sees in us something precious which He desires to develop. If He saw
in us nothing whereby He might glorify His name, He would not spend time
in refining us. He does not cast worthless stones into His furnace. It is
valuable ore that He refines. The blacksmith puts the iron and steel into
the fire that he may know what manner of metal they are. The Lord allows
His chosen ones to be placed in the furnace of affliction to prove what temper
they are of and whether they can be fashioned for His
work. {MH
471.2}
The potter takes the clay and molds it according to his will. He kneads
it and works it. He tears it apart and presses it together. He wets it and
then dries it. He lets it lie for a while without touching it. When it is
perfectly pliable, he (p. 472) continues the work of making of it a vessel.
He forms it into shape and on the wheel trims and polishes it. He dries it
in the sun and bakes it in the oven. Thus it becomes a vessel fit for use.
So the great Master Worker desires to mold and fashion us. And as the clay
is in the hands of the potter, so are we to be in His hands. We are not to
try to do the work of the potter. Our part is to yield ourselves to be molded
by the Master Worker. {MH 471.3}