View an in-depth discussion of Ultimate Loyalty: Worship in a War Zone in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris.
Click on the image below to view the video:

With thanks to Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/7-ultimate-loyalty-worship-in-a-war-zone-hope-sabbath-school-video-discussion/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=7-ultimate-loyalty-worship-in-a-war-zone-hope-sabbath-school-video-discussion

Daily Lesson for Tuesday 11th of November 2025

In the time of the patriarchs, altars marked the path of their pilgrimage and became tangible representations of their claim to the land, which had been promised by God. Now, by erecting an altar, the Israelites bore witness to the fulfillment of the promises given to their forefathers. In this case, the erection of the altar is the direct fulfillment of the instructions given by Moses (Deuteronomy 11:26-30, Deuteronomy 27:2-10).

Image © Jim Howard at Goodsalt.com

Joshua 8:30-35 plays a significant role in shaping the whole theological message of the book. By linking one of the most gruesome, violent stories (war) to something totally different—a scene of covenant reaffirmation (worship)—Joshua takes us back to one of the most important theological themes launched in the book at the outset: Joshua has the mandate of leading Israel to a life of covenantal obedience (Joshua 1:7). This is also the picture of Joshua at the end of the book (Joshua 24:1-33).

Notwithstanding the importance of warfare and the conquest, there is something even more vital: loyalty to the requirements of God’s law. The conquest is only one step in the fulfillment of God’s plan for Israel and the restoration of all humanity. Faithfulness to the precepts of the Torah constitutes the ultimate question in the destiny of humanity. Joshua writes the copy of the law on large, whitewashed stones, different from the stones of the altar (compare with Deuteronomy 27:2-8). Thus, the stones, which probably contained the Ten Commandments, formed a separate monument in the vicinity of the altar, constantly reminding the Israelites of the privileges and duties implied in the covenant.

Joshua foreshadows the New Testament Jehoshua (Jesus), whose mission was, among other things, to lead humanity back to obedience to God. In order to accomplish this goal, He had to undertake a conflict with the powers of evil. His ultimate goal was to fulfill the covenant requirements on our behalf: “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us” (2 Corinthians 1:20, NKJV).

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25d-07-altars-of-renewal/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=25d-07-altars-of-renewal

Immediately, Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now, when evening came, He was alone there. Matthew 14:22-23 NKJV

When I was in my early teens, I found being seen alone in public awkward. I was afraid it made me look unpopular. However, when I was 14, my family took a vacation to Washington, DC. One of the places we visited was the Arlington National Cemetery. While looking around, I somehow got separated from my family. For some reason, I felt no need to panic. I continued to look around, reading the monuments and contemplating the meaning of life, country, and other sobering issues one might ponder in a national cemetery. Soon enough, I met up with my family again.

Photo by Shaun Jones on Unsplash

I am not sure how long I was on my own. It seemed like a while. By the time I had reunited with my family, I had made a self-discovery. I realized I had gotten more out of the visit to the cemetery while I was alone. It allowed me to spend time in thoughtful contemplation and self-reflection. I changed my attitude about alone time. Instead of feeling awkward, I began to embrace alone time.

At the time, I had never heard the word “introvert, much less considered myself one. My friends are surprised today when I tell them I am an introvert, since they know I love people so much. I have to say to them that introverts love people. Much of my time in solitude allows me to reflect on relationships and how to be a better friend. I love to spend my alone time reading and gathering ideas to share with my friends when we’re together again. Solitude allows me to prepare to be a better friend to those I serve. Often, it is while I am enjoying my alone time that I write my weekly articles for Sabbath School Net, so even though I am alone, I am still being sociable.

Jesus made time alone with His Father. It prepared Him to serve His disciples and the multitudes. I strive to emulate Jesus’ example of striking the right balance between solitude and the crowd. Sometimes I will wake up in the morning with a hundred things to do. I will start reading my Bible and praying, when suddenly I get this urge to put my Bible down and get busy. After all, I have a friend in the hospital whom I must see. They need me, so how dare I sit here praying and reading my Bible? Thankfully, I have learned not to feel guilty for studying my Bible and praying when there are so many people to see and work to be done. I have learned that I am no good around people until I have been alone with Jesus.

Being alone is not antisocial; when you spend time alone with Jesus, you find ways to share His love with others more effectively. It’s nice to be alone sometimes, so I can learn how to be more effective socially.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/its-nice-to-be-alone-sometimes/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=its-nice-to-be-alone-sometimes