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Lesson 8: Wisdom for Righteous Living | 8.3 The Lord’s Test

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8.3 The Lord’s Test

Read Psalm 81:8–9; 95:7–11, and 105:17–22. What does divine testing entail in these verses?

In the given Bible verses, we find various examples of divine testing that illuminate a central aspect of faith and the relationship between God and His people.
In Psalm 81:8–9 and 95:7–11, reference is made to the event at Meribah, where the people of Israel tested God by doubting His faithfulness and power. This episode illustrates how human disobedience and doubt can strain the relationship with God. Although the people did not pass God’s test, God continues to show His grace and help, even when they are in trouble. This underscores the importance of trust and obedience to God in seeking His guidance and assistance.
Psalm 105:17–22 sheds light on a different type of divine testing, illustrated by the example of Joseph. Here, it becomes clear that God’s tests serve to strengthen and purify faith. Joseph’s trust in God’s promises was tested, but through the trial, his faith was cleansed and strengthened. This shows that God’s intention behind trials often lies in preparing us for the fulfillment of His promises and strengthening our faith.
It is important to emphasize that divine tests are not meant to punish us, but rather to shape and strengthen us. Through trials, we learn to trust our faith and rely on God’s guidance. However, persistent disobedience and doubt can lead to hardening of the heart and impair our relationship with God.
Ellen White highlights an important aspect in her quote from the “Testimonies for the Church”: Rejecting God’s instruction can not only harden the heart and conscience but also influence and corrupt the faith of others. This underscores the serious consequences of disobedience and doubt towards God.
Overall, these Bible passages show that divine tests play an important role in the life of a believer by strengthening faith, solidifying trust in God, and preparing us for the fulfillment of His promises. It is therefore crucial that we recognize the lessons from these trials and strengthen our faith through obedience and trust in God.

What experiences have you had with how sin hardens the heart? Why should this thought drive us to the cross, where we can find the power for obedience?

Experience shows that sin can harden the heart by initiating a gradual process of habituation and desensitization. If someone repeatedly violates God’s commandments or consciously persists in sinful behavior, this can lead to the dulling of the conscience and insensitivity of the heart to God’s voice. This process can result in a person becoming increasingly less receptive to the convincing power of the Holy Spirit and instead remaining in a state of spiritual numbness.
Sin can also lead to a state of self-righteousness, where a person elevates themselves above God and sets their own judgment above divine law. This leads to a hardening of the heart towards the truth and love of God.
The thought that sin hardens the heart should drive us to the cross because it is at the cross that we find the solution to our sins. Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for our sins, offers us forgiveness, healing, and liberation from the power of sin. Through His sacrificial death on the cross, He opens the way for us to reconcile with God and renew our hearts through the Holy Spirit.
By coming to the cross and confessing our sins, we can find the power for obedience that we need to lead a life that pleases God. Through faith in Jesus Christ and acceptance of His grace, we can open our hearts again to the love of God and overcome the hardening influences of sin.

 

The connection between the hardening of the heart by sin and our everyday life in faith is extremely significant and present in many aspects of our daily lives.
  1. Decisions and Behavior: In our daily lives, we face countless decisions that influence our relationship with God and other people. If our heart is hardened by sin, we may tend to make decisions that align with our own selfish desires and needs, rather than following God’s will. Our actions and behavior may be characterized by selfishness, greed, pride, and other sinful inclinations, leading us away from God’s commandments.
  2. Relationships: The hardening of the heart can also affect our interpersonal relationships. If we are hardened by sin, we may struggle to show love, forgiveness, and compassion. Our relationships may be characterized by mistrust, hostility, and unforgiveness, leading to conflicts and separations.
  3. Spiritual Growth: The hardening of the heart can also hinder our spiritual growth and closeness to God. If we are blinded by sin, we may struggle to hear God’s voice and recognize His guidance in our lives. Our prayer time and Bible reading may become superficial, and we may isolate ourselves from fellowship with other believers.
  4. Mercy and Grace: The realization that sin hardens the heart should lead us to appreciate even more the mercy and grace of God. We should be humble and recognize that we are all sinners in need of God’s grace. This should lead us to a life of gratitude and dedication to God, as we strive to live according to His will and free ourselves from the power of sin.
Overall, the connection between the hardening of the heart by sin and our everyday life in faith underscores the need for a constant struggle against sinful inclinations in our lives and a continuous pursuit of a deeper relationship with God and a life that aligns with His will.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-8-wisdom-for-righteous-living-8-3-the-lords-test/

What if You Had a Conversation With Your Younger Self?

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For all our days have passed away in Your wrath; We finish our years like a sigh. The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath. So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:9-12 NKJV 

Inagine you are in the Twighlight Zone and you are having a conversation with your teenage self. What would you tell yourself? Here are just a few things I would tell the 15 year old version of me. 

Be kind to your parents and family elders. You won’t understand their struggle until you are older and they are gone. Once you understand it will be too late to tell them you get it now, because they will be gone. 

Two Men

Image © Pacific Press

Be kind to your teachers who act like they are superior and so much smarter and better than you. They want you to think they have it all together and have arrived, but they are actually fighting insecurities and battles that go back to their own childhood. They cover it up well now so you can’t see it. But when you get older you will look back and see it. But it will be too late to do anything about it, because they will be gone by then. 

Be kind to your peers. When you get older you will hear stories about how they were abused at home or at school in ways you can’t even imagine now. When you find out 20 or 30 years later, you will wish you had been kinder to them while you were growing up. You will tell yourself, If only I had known what they were going through I would have been more kind to them. Then you will realize you didn’t need to know what they were going through in order to be kind. You could just be kind. 

Savor every bite of your grandmother’s cooking. You will never taste anything that good for the rest of your life.

Don’t stop writing in your journal. Your life may seem routine and mundane now but it will help you see things about yourself later that will help you grow.

Eat healthy food now, so when you get older, healthy food will be your comfort food. 

Don’t worry about making stupid mistakes in front of people. The people who see your silly mistakes are just as human as you are. You don’t need to impress them. 

Oh and just so you know, the kid you just made fun of in class will be at the airport at 2 am to pick you up, when you fly back home in about 35 years to see your mother right before she dies. 

Also, you know you are pretty sure you know who made that generous anonynmus donation to your tuition? Well you’re wrong. Its actually someone you would never guess in a million years. So just be kind to everyone. 

I know you were humiliated when the teacher caught you cheating on that test. Don’t worry, she does not think any less of you. The only way she knew you were cheating is because that’s how she cheated when she was in school and got caught. She knows you will never do it again, She’s an honest person now, and she knows you are too. 

Learn how to manage your money wisely. Don’t let yourself feel inferior to those who may have more than you. Your self-worth has nothing to do with your bank account. Pay cash. If you can’t afford to pay cash for it, then you certainly can’t afford to pay interest on it as well. You can do without it until you can pay cash for it. 

Find the beauty in people. By the time you see the beauty in a flashing star it’s already gone. People are flashing stars too. Don’t wait until they are gone before you realize how beautiful they are. 

By the tine you realize how short life is, it will mostly be gone.  Use your time wisely.

When you get older, there will be this thing called the Internet and Sabbath School Net. You’re going to love writing for Sabbath School Net, and you will meet a lot of wonderful people doing so! 

Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator…… Remember him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds will grow faint. Remember him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets; before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caperberry no longer inspires sexual desire. Remember him before you near the grave, your everlasting home, when the mourners will weep at your funeral.  Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it……Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad. Ecclesiastes 12:1-14 NLT

One last thing: Don’t worry about the future. Everything will turn out way better than you even dreamed possible! 

So, if you talked to your younger self, what would you have to say? Please do tell. 

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The post What if You Had a Conversation With Your Younger Self? appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/what-if-you-had-a-conversation-with-your-younger-self/

AWR360° A Student’s Faith Is Tested Ep.1

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AWR360° A Student's Faith Is Tested Ep.1 #AWR #Faith #Tested #Student MB01ZDAUAIWEYRC
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The Pastoral Impact in the Adventist Church | ANN In-Depth

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In this episode of ANN In-Depth, Sam Neves welcomes Pastor Pavel Goia, Associate Ministerial Secretary, to discuss the significance of pastors in the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the support these spiritual leaders receive to carry out their ministry. They also touch upon the crucial role of local church elders in the mission of evangelization and pastoral care. Join in on this conversation about leadership, ministry, and the global mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The Seventh-day Adventist Church has been an established denomination since 1863. It is a global Christian family with over 21 million members who hold the Bible as the ultimate authority. We are believers who promise to help people understand the Bible to find freedom, healing and hope in Jesus.
Want to learn more about the Seventh-day Adventist Church? Visit our website at: https://www.adventist.org/ To ensure you never miss a new video, click the notification bell! Find us on social media by following the links below:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheAdventistChurch
Twitter:https://twitter.com/adventistchurch
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adventistchurch/ Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSBUY_040Us

Quando il leone comincia a belare

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Versetto introduttivo: Giudici 16:15 Meditazione a cura di: Lupu Cornelio Benone  Registrato presso: Chiesa di Roma Lungotevere il 20 Gennaio 2024 Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdBwD0COQwg

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