Closer To Heaven
|
|
|
For decades Adventists have treated hand-clapping like a theological landmine. One side hears Psalm 47 and feels pure joy. The other side hears Ellen White warning about applause feeding vanity and turning worship into a talent show. “Amen” is safe. Clapping is… complicated. Then came the General Conference Sessions that quietly illustrated how the conversation […] Source: https://atoday.org/should-adventists-clap-in-church/
Daily Lesson for Sabbath 1st of August 2026
Image © Pacific Press
1 Corinthians 12:1-31, Ephesians 4:11-13, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, 1 Peter 4:8-11, 1 Corinthians 14:27, Amos 3:7.
Memory Text:
“Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy” (1 Corinthians 14:1, ESV).
Like a human body, the church is one but has many members, each with different roles, functions, and gifts. Practiced with love, these spiritual gifts promote a sense of unity that reflects the character of the triune God.
This week we will survey 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; 1 Corinthians 14:1-40 and its teaching on spiritual gifts. This section is part of a slightly larger unit, where Paul deals with the expected Christian behavior in religious settings (1 Corinthians 11:1-34; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; 1 Corinthians 14:1-40). Paul’s primary concern has to do with the problem of disorderly gatherings. His answer to this problem is that the church is a body whose parts have different functions that contribute to “the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12, NKJV). In short, God gave the church spiritual gifts in order to promote unity through diversity.
Certainly, Paul still has in mind the factionalism problem addressed in the first four chapters of 1 Corinthians, where the answer to the lack of agreement among church members is unity in Christ. Now, he develops that idea by presenting his understanding of the role of spiritual gifts. According to Paul, unity in Christ and the Spirit is the only means of avoiding schisms.
Rest and be healed. Matthew 11:28-30
Descanse e seja curado. Mateus 11:28-30
Descansa y sé sanado. Mateo 11:28–30
Repose-toi bien et bon rétablissement. Matthieu 11:28–30 Source: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ud0LgHRFtok
Still Awake?
July 31
Knowledge Alone Is Not Enough
Matthew 2:4–6“And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.”
Matthew 2:4
The scribes knew the answer.
Without having to think for long, they said:
“In Bethlehem.”
They knew what the prophet Micah had written.
They knew the Bible.
But they did not set out on the journey.
That makes me think.
The wise men had only a star.
The scribes had the Holy Scriptures.
And yet it was the wise men who went looking for Jesus.
It is possible to know a great deal about God…
… and still not draw any closer to Him.
You can know Bible verses by heart.
You can retell every story in the Bible.
You can attend church every Sabbath.
And yet Jesus can still remain far away.
Because God is not only looking for people with clever minds.
He is looking for people with open hearts.
The Bible is not only meant to be studied.
It is meant to lead you to Jesus.
Every chapter.
Every verse.
Every encounter.
So tonight, do not ask yourself only:
“What did I read?”
Instead, ask:
“Did what I read bring me closer to Jesus?”
Think About ItDo I read the Bible in order to know more…
… or in order to know Jesus better?
PrayerDear Father,
thank You for Your Word.
Protect me from reading the Bible only with my mind.
Open my heart so that I may discover Jesus in every passage.
Let Your Word transform my life and lead me closer to You every day.
Amen.
Sleep well.
Your loving Father rejoices over every heart that seeks Him.
See you tomorrow.
Intercer is a website with biblical materials in Romanian, English, Hungarian and other languages. We want to bring the light from God's Word to peoples homes. Intercer provides quality Christian resources...[Read More]
