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Tuesday: God’s Changeless Character

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Daily Lesson for Tuesday 4th of February 2025

Read Malachi 3:6 and James 1:17. What do these passages teach about God’s character?

In Malachi 3:6, God declares, “ ‘I am the Lord, I do not change’ ” (NKJV). While some read this part of the verse and take it to mean that God does not change in any way whatsoever, the rest of the verse and its immediate context shows that the changelessness of God affirmed here is God’s moral changelessness. The rest of the verse indicates that God may change relationally, for God says: “ ‘Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.’ ” And in the very next verse, God proclaims to His people, “ ‘Return to Me, and I will return to you’ ” (Malachi 3:7, NKJV).

The Cross of Love

Image © Jim Howard at Goodsalt.com

So, God does enter into back-and-forth relationships with His creation, but through all such back-and-forth relationships, and through everything else, God’s character is constant. This is likewise affirmed in James 1:17, which proclaims that all good and perfect gifts come from God, with whom there is no variation. God is not the source of evil.

Here and elsewhere, Scripture repeatedly teaches that God’s charac­ter is unchangeable. In other words, the Bible consistently teaches that God is morally changeless. Yet, God can and does enter into real relationship with creatures, to whom God responds, but always with love and justice.

Read 2 Timothy 2:13; Titus 1:2; and Hebrews 6:17-18. What do these texts teach about God?

God cannot deny Himself; God never lies; and God’s promises are unbreakable. We can be confident that the God of the Bible is the same God who (in Christ) willingly gave Himself for us on the cross. He is a God who can be trusted, without reservation, and we can have confidence and hope for the future because, as Hebrews 13:8 puts it, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (NKJV).

How can you learn to trust in the goodness of God even when things have gone really badly in your life? What does the image of God on the cross do to help you learn to trust in His goodness?

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25a-06-gods-changeless-character/

Pastors tell me it’s a sin to braid my hair, Aunty! What do you say?

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3 February 2025  | As an African lady I like to braid my hair. It’s practical: I’m a busy person, and it lets me look nice with minimum fuss. Yet some pastors here preach that it is a sin for women to braid their hair, giving as justification 1 Timothy 2:9. What do you think, […] Source: https://atoday.org/pastors-tell-me-its-a-sin-to-braind-my-hair-aunty-what-do-you-say/

Empowering Kids to Embrace Their Faith In Jesus

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As Adventist Christians, teaching our children that Jesus is coming back soon and helping them understand the importance of the Sabbath is at the heart of our faith. While public schools have many wonderful Christian teachers, church schools provide a unique space where pastors, teachers, and parents can instill a vision of a life devoted to Jesus." Join us as we explore the value of Adventist education and its impact on the next generation. Tune into Episode 11: Education and Discipleship now on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple. #AdventistEducation #FaithAndLearning #JesusIsComing #ChurchTalkPodcast Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdoZ5t2qyFY

God First: Your Daily Prayer Meeting #904

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"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer" (Matthew 21:22, NIV).  Tag someone in need of prayer, and kindly share your prayer requests here: https://wkf.ms/3DBuapQ Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q10dnafi01k

6: God’s Love of Justice — Singing with Inspiration

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The studies in this quarter’s pamphlet encourage us to see God’s Love and Justice, just as we may sing in
Hymn 79 – O Love of God, How Strong and True! which is a beautiful theme hymn for our studies.

 Once again, our theme hymn shines throughout the week. This is followed by our amazement in 
Hymn 75 – The Wonder Of It All and teaches us of 
O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go – Hymn 76. All these then show us
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise – Hymn 21.

Sunday shows us 
There’s A Wideness In God’s Mercy – Hymn 114, with Monday encouraging us to see 
God, The Omnipotent – Hymn 84 Who shows us all about righteousness and mercy.

We are learning to pray and want for 
My Faith Looks Up To Thee – Hymn 517 (especially in verse 2) asking that “may my love to Thee, pure warm and changeless be” . . . just like God’s changeless and abundant love. 
If You But Trust In God To Guide You – Hymn 510 we may be encouraged and learn so much more of our precious God.

Thursday expounds on “God’s love as perfect love” which we may sing in verse 3 of 
Hymn 191 – Love Divine. Oh, to see that 
There’s A Wideness In God’s Mercy – Hymn 114 as we saw in Sunday’s study time.

Please continue to search the scriptures this week to be blessed, and to bless others.

 To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org/Search and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/5-gods-love-of-justice-singing-with-inspiration/

6: God’s Love of Justice – Teaching Plan

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Key Thought: Considering that God may change relationally toward His people when they choose to accept or reject Him, how can we reflect God’s justice to wrongdoing and injustice in the world?
February 8, 2025

1. Have a volunteer read Psalm 23:5; Isaiah 61:8; Jeremiah 9:24; Psalm 85:10.

  1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
  2. How do these texts shed light on God’s concern for justice?
  3. Personal Application: What are some examples of perverted human justice? Share your thoughts.
  4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “I sometimes question God’s goodness because of the people who claim to be Christian. If they are Christian, then God influences people in strange ways in selfish pride, judgmentalism, crimes of all kinds with no remorse or some type of guilt, and a lack of compassion for others.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalm 9:7,8; 92:15: 145:9-17.

  1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
  2. What do these passages tell us about God?
  3. Personal Application: How can you learn to trust the goodness of God even when things have gone really bad in your life? Share your thoughts.
  4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Why does God allow for so much evil that is in this world? Can’t He stop it?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Exodus 32:14; Jeremiah 18:4-10.

  1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
  2. What do we understand about God relenting in these passages?
  3. Personal Application: How does God’s repentance and change in judgment relate in any way to restoration? Share your thoughts.
  4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “Does God ever change His mind? I thought He never changes. How would or could God change His mind?.” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Matthew 5:43-48.

  1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
  2. How does the great controversy explain all the evil that exists now?
  3. Personal Application: Have you ever been treated unjustly? How does your past experiences influence the way you treat others? Share your thoughts.
  4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared. ”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/6-gods-love-of-justice-teaching-plan/

Why You Should Never Be Ashamed of Jesus

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What does it mean to be unashamed of Jesus? This video explores the courageous work of a preacher in Israel who shares the gospel among Arab communities. Reflecting on Mark 8:38, he explains why being shy about Jesus is the greatest failure and how trust in the Holy Spirit enables bold faith. Watch to be inspired by his story and learn how to stand firm in your faith. Like and subscribe for more content like this. #Mark838 #ChristianMission #FearlessFaith #awr #adventistworldradio Watch the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaImKJ7j69U #short Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uew9MoiEZqc

Matteo 22:39 – Apri la porta del tuo cuore

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“Il secondo, simile a questo, è: ‘Ama il tuo prossimo come te stesso’”. 📖 Matteo 22:39 —
💌 Apri la porta del tuo cuore
🗣 Speaker: Bianca Stoian Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuCc_wwyUGI

The story behind the hymn “What a Friend…” #shorts

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The Irish-born Canadian poet behind the hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” suffered loss upon loss when just a young man. Joseph Scriven lost his wife-to-be when she drowned the night before the wedding and then, after moving to Canada, learned his mother was very ill. The song we know and love was written for his mother—a poem entitled “Pray Without Ceasing.” The next time you sing “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” remember this story and the writer, who sought comfort in and sought to bring comfort to others through Jesus’ name. Share this post with a friend today. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbsjLyjdQNY

Lesson 6.God’s Love of Justice | 6.2 God Is Entirely Good and Righteous | THE GOD OF LOVE AND JUSTICE | LIVING FAITH

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6.2 God Is Entirely Good and Righteous
God is Perfect – in Justice, Faithfulness, and Love
Read Deuteronomy 32:4 and Psalm 92:16. What do these verses teach us about God’s faithfulness and justice?
The Bible reveals to us a God who not only demands love and justice but lives them in a perfect way. His faithfulness and justice are unwavering and limitless. Deuteronomy 32:4 describes God as the “Rock,” whose “deeds are perfect” and whose ways “are all just.” Psalm 92:16 confirms that He is just and that no injustice can be found in Him.
These truths stand in direct contrast to human nature. While people are often led astray by selfishness, ignorance, or sin, God always acts according to perfect wisdom and love. Zephaniah 3:5 shows that God’s justice is consistent – every morning He brings His righteousness to light, yet the wicked remain stubborn in their behavior.
God’s perfect justice means that He does not act in a partisan or arbitrary way. He knows the best way for all people and always works to achieve what is best for them. Even if we sometimes do not immediately understand God’s actions, we can be sure that He operates in love and justice.
This realization should strengthen our faith and encourage us to follow Him with complete trust. When we recognize God’s perfect justice, we can live in the assurance that He directs everything in His wisdom – for our good and for the glorification of His name.
Read Psalm 9:8–9 and Psalm 145:8–18. What do these verses teach us about God?
The Bible teaches us that God is a just judge who rules the world with justice (Psalm 9:8–9). He judges impartially and perfectly because His very nature is the source of all justice. Unlike human judges, who are fallible, God is absolutely just, without any injustice or malice (Psalm 5:5).
Psalm 145:8–18 reveals another wonderful dimension of God’s nature: His justice is always coupled with mercy and kindness. He is “gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love” (v. 8). His love and justice do not contradict one another – rather, they complement each other perfectly. While human power is often misused for selfish purposes, God always employs His omnipotence in accordance with His love and truth.
This divine balance is also evident in Exodus 33:18–19, where Moses asks to see God’s glory. God’s response is astonishing: He reveals His glory by showing His goodness. This makes it clear that true glory does not lie solely in power, but in the perfect union of love, mercy, and justice.
These attributes of God give us hope and confidence. They remind us that God not only judges justly but also acts kindly, lovingly, and full of grace. His judgment is not characterized by arbitrariness or harshness but by the deepest wisdom and goodness. In a world full of injustice, we can trust that God’s justice will ultimately be revealed and that even now He watches over His creation in love and mercy.
Why does such a good God allow so much evil in this world? Discuss this on the Sabbath.
This question is among the deepest and most difficult in the Christian faith. If God is perfectly good and just, why then is there suffering, injustice, and evil in the world? The Bible offers us various insights to help better understand this challenge.
  1. God Created Man with Free Will
    God is love (1 John 4:8), and true love cannot be forced. That is why God created man with free will – the ability to choose between good and evil. Unfortunately, man often chooses the wrong path, and the consequences of these choices are evident in our world (Deuteronomy 30:19).
  2. Evil Is a Consequence of Sin
    The Bible teaches us that evil originated in Satan’s rebellion against God (Isaiah 14:12–14; Ezekiel 28:15–17). Since the fall in the Garden of Eden, the world has been affected by sin and its consequences (Romans 5:12). Disease, suffering, injustice, and death are not created by God but are the result of separation from Him.
  3. God Is Patient and Gives Room for Repentance
    One reason why God still allows evil is His patience and His desire for people to turn back to Him (2 Peter 3:9). He does not want to lose anyone but rather gives everyone the opportunity to accept His love.
  4. God Can Bring Good Out of Evil
    Although evil exists in the world, God can ultimately turn it to good. The story of Joseph clearly shows this (Genesis 50:20): “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.” Even if we do not understand suffering, we can trust that God, in His wisdom, will work everything out for the best (Romans 8:28).
  5. God’s Justice Will Ultimately Be Revealed
    The Bible promises that God will not allow evil to reign forever. A day will come when He will judge all injustice and ultimately reveal His justice (Revelation 21:4). Until then, we are called to shine as lights in a fallen world, to pass on God’s love, and to trust in His justice.
The fact that God is perfectly good and just should not remain merely a theological truth, but should directly influence our daily lives and our faith. When we recognize that God’s justice and goodness are absolute and unchanging, it has several practical implications for our everyday life.
  1. Trust in God’s Guidance
    We often encounter situations where we experience injustice or do not understand why certain things happen. Yet the Bible assures us that God is “the Rock” whose “deeds are perfect” (Deuteronomy 32:4). This means we can trust Him in all circumstances – even when we do not immediately understand what He is doing. This trust helps us let go of worries and fears and strengthens our faith.
  2. Reflect Justice in Our Actions
    God’s character is our model. Psalm 145:8–18 shows that God is gracious, compassionate, and abounding in kindness. As His children, we should reflect these attributes in our daily lives. This means:
    • Fairness in Our Decisions – Whether at work, in the family, or with friends, we are to act honestly, justly, and without prejudice.
    • Practicing Patience and Mercy – Just as God is patient and abounding in kindness, we should show patience toward others, even when they wrong us.
    • Advocating for Justice – God expects us not to stand by idly when injustice occurs. Whether it is social injustice, poverty, or discrimination, we are called to stand up for justice within our capacity.
  3. Hope in Difficult Times
    In a world full of injustice, many wonder: Why does God not intervene immediately? But the Bible explains that God is long-suffering and gives everyone the opportunity to repent (2 Peter 3:9). This means we do not have to despair when we experience injustice. We can trust that God’s justice will one day be fully revealed (Revelation 21:4). This hope helps us remain steadfast in challenging times.
  4. Peace Through God’s Unchanging Faithfulness
    God’s nature remains eternally faithful and just. This means that His promises are reliable and we do not have to rely on human justice, which is often flawed. Psalm 9:8–9 tells us that God will judge in righteousness. So when we see injustice prevailing on earth, we can trust that God will ultimately set everything right.
Conclusion: God as a Model for Our Lives
God’s perfect justice and goodness are not merely theoretical concepts – they have a direct impact on our daily lives and our faith. We are called to place our trust in Him, to live in justice and mercy, to hold on to hope in difficult times, and to reflect His character in our actions.
“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.” (Psalm 145:8)
Let us be guided by this truth as we lead lives that honor God in our everyday actions.

God’s justice is perfect, His love unwavering – in Him we find true hope and peace.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-6-gods-love-of-justice-6-2-god-is-entirely-good-and-righteous-the-god-of-love-and-justice-living-faith/

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