The great lesson we learn from dear Paul this quarter is that we are to 
Stand Up! Stand Up For Jesus! – Hymn 618. This is a beautiful theme hymn to give us a great reminder of what we need in our world that is falling apart these days.

There are many times that Paul encourages us with his ability to be so positive in his trying circumstances and great service, and yet he still will say he rejoices: 
Hymn 599 – Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers.

While still in chains (Monday), Paul goes forward with his wonderful advice to 
Go, Preach My Gospel – Hymn 378. “Paul was able to see a brighter side, and that gave him courage to bear up under the stress”. I can question myself in all my worldly trials 
Am I A Soldier Of The Cross? – Hymn 609. To help with our daily toils and not become discouraged, we can ask 
Give Me The Bible – Hymn 272 to read about help and answers God will graciously give all the time. Then, we can 
Rejoice, Ye Pure In Heart – Hymn 27.

There is more encouragement and advice from Paul as he keeps telling everyone to be faithful: 
Hymn 602 – O Brother, Be Faithful as we are welcomed into our 2026 Bible study times.

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.”

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/1-persecuted-but-not-forsaken-singing-with-inspiration/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=1-persecuted-but-not-forsaken-singing-with-inspiration

Daily Lesson for Sunday 28th of December 2025

Philippians and Colossians are called Prison Epistles because they were written while Paul was in prison (the others are Ephesians and Philemon). Most commentators think they were written while Paul was in Rome, about a.d. 60–62 (see Acts 28:16).

Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com

Paul has given his life in service to Jesus Christ. If that service includes being a prisoner, he is ready. Paul describes himself as “an ambassador in chains” (Ephesians 6:20, NKJV). He had been on missionary journeys, raising up churches and training workers for the Lord. He may have asked, “Why am I here when I could be doing so much more without these chains?” Paul was also imprisoned later, when he wrote 2 Timothy, which is considered a Pastoral Epistle. So at least five books of the New Testament were written while he was in prison.

In none of the prison epistles does Paul mention exactly where he was imprisoned; thus, some have suggested either Ephesus or Caesarea. But there is no biblical evidence that Paul was ever imprisoned in Ephesus. Caesarea might seem a more likely possibility, except there is no apparent threat to Paul’s life in this city. There definitely is that threat, however, by the time Philippians was written (see Philippians 1:20, Philippians 2:17).

This epistle gives us some other clues as to where Paul was at the time of his imprisonment. First, there was a praetorium. This can refer to a provincial governor’s official residence, like the one in Jerusalem, where Jesus was examined by Pilate (Matthew 27:27, John 18:33), and in Caesarea, where Paul was imprisoned (Acts 23:35). But Paul clearly uses this term not of a place but in reference to people. He says “the whole palace guard” became familiar with the gospel (Philippians 1:13, NKJV). In Rome, these were elite soldiers, about fourteen thousand, who protected the emperor and guarded his prisoners.

Second, Paul also sends greetings from the believers in “Caesar’s household” (Philippians 4:22). This indicates that Paul was a prisoner in Rome and in contact with those who served the imperial household.

<–Sabbath Monday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-01-paul-the-prisoner-of-jesus-christ/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-01-paul-the-prisoner-of-jesus-christ