Daily Lesson for Sunday 18th of February 2024

The Bible depicts a daily life of faith as a pilgrimage (“walk”) with God in His path of righteousness. The life of faith is maintained by walking “in the law of the Lord” (Psalms 119:1, NKJV) and by walking “in the light of Your countenance” (Psalms 89:15, NKJV). These are by no means two different walks. Walking in the light of God’s countenance implies upholding God’s law. Equally, walking “in the law of the Lord” involves seeking God with the whole heart (Psalms 119:1-2,10).

Image © Kevin Carden at Goodsalt.com

Being “undefiled in the way” is another way the Psalms describe the righteous life (Psalms 119:1). “Undefiled” describes a sacrifice “without blemish” that is acceptable to God (Exodus 12:5). Likewise, the life of the righteous individual is a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). Thus, a love for sin must not defile it. A life devoted to God is also a “perfect way,” meaning that the person assumes a right direction in life that is pleasing to God (Psalms 101:2,6; see also Psalms 18:32).

Keeping God’s commandments has nothing to do with a legalistic observance of divine rules. On the contrary, it consists of “a good understanding” of the difference between right and wrong and good and evil (Psalms 111:10; see also 1 Chronicles 22:12), and involves the whole person, not merely outward actions. Being “undefiled,” keeping God’s commandments and seeking God with the whole heart, are inseparable attitudes in life (Psalms 119:1, 2).

God’s commandments are a revelation of God’s will for the world. They instruct people on how to become wise and to live in freedom and peace (Psalms 119:7-11,133). The psalmist delights in the law because the law assures him of God’s faithfulness (Psalms 119:77,174).

“Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble” (Psalms 119:165, NKJV). The image of stumbling depicts moral failure. As the lamp to the psalmist’s feet (Psalms 119:105), God’s Word protects us from temptations (Psalms 119:110).

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24a-08-your-word-i-have-hidden-in-my-heart/

Daily Lesson for Saturday 17th of February 2024

Image © Pacific Press

Read for This Week’s Study

Psalms 119:1-16, Psalms 90:1-17, John 3:16, Psalms 95:7-11, Psalms 141:1-10, Psalms 128:1-6.

Memory Text:

“So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalms 90:1-17:12, NKJV).

As we have seen, God’s grace provides for the forgiveness of sin, and it creates a new heart in the repentant sinner, who now lives by faith.

God’s Word also provides instructions for righteous living (Psalms 119:9-16). Keeping God’s law is by no means a legalistic observance of rules but life in an intimate relationship with God, a life full of blessings (Psalms 119:1-2; Psalms 128:1-6).

However, the life of the righteous person is not without temptations. Sometimes the righteous can be tempted by the cunning nature of sin (Psalms 141:2-4) and even fall to that temptation. God allows times of testing to let His children’s faithfulness (or unfaithfulness) be clearly revealed. If God’s children heed God’s instruction and admonishment, their faith will be purified and their trust in the Lord strengthened. Wisdom for righteous living is gained through the dynamics of life with God amid temptations and challenges. Thus, the prayer that God would teach us to number our days so that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalms 90:12) reflects an ongoing commitment to walk in faithfulness to the Lord.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 24.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24a-08-wisdom-for-righteous-living/

The Mission program of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is an opportunity for us to understand the needs of others and share in supporting them. Please click on the image below to watch the Mission Spotlight presentation for this week:

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/mission-spotlight-for-february-17/

What should be the effect of receiving God’s mercy in one’s heart? Join us as we discuss Lesson 7 – Your Mercy Reaches Unto the Heavens.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/your-mercy-reaches-unto-the-heavens-hit-the-mark-sabbath-school/

Inside Story for Friday 16th of February 2024

By Andrew McChesney

On a Friday evening, Sekule was waiting outside the boys’ dormitory at his high school in Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He was waiting for a boy who had insulted him, and he planned to beat him up.

As he waited, a friend offered him cognac. He drank and, after many more drinks, passed out in a drunken stupor. In the morning, he knew that his friends would tease him mercilessly for not getting revenge. He decided to hide for the day. But where? Then he remembered the invitation from his Adventist teacher to go to church. It was Sabbath morning.

Sekule’s hair was long and greasy. He hadn’t washed it for a month. His breath reeked. But he went to church. When he arrived, he looked carefully for a place to sit. He had heard that Adventists celebrated “Sweet Sabbath” orgies every week, and he didn’t want to be found sitting next to a grandmother. Spotting an attractive young woman, he sat down near her.

When the church pastor began to preach, Sekule’s mouth dropped open in surprise. The pastor was giving Bible answers to his questions about God and hell. A huge burden was lifted from his heart as he heard that God, indeed, is love (1 John 4:8), desires to save every sinner (Luke 19:10), and will cast no one into an eternal hell (Malachi 4:1,3; Psalms 37:10-11).

After the sermon, someone invited Sekule to evangelistic meetings, and he went. At the end of the meetings, he asked the church pastor, “Tell me, please, what am I allowed to do, and what am I not allowed to do?”

“You can do whatever you want,” the pastor said.

“Don’t talk that way,” Sekule said. “Tell me what I can and cannot do.”

“You cannot work on Sabbath anymore,” the pastor said.

“OK, done.”

“You cannot go to school on Sabbath anymore.”

“OK, done.”

“You cannot fight anymore.”

“OK, done.”

“You cannot eat unclean meat.”

“OK. I won’t eat unclean meat.”

“Actually, we suggest that you not eat any meat at all.”

“OK, I won’t eat meat anymore.”

From that day, Sekule never worked or went to school on Sabbath. He never fought, and he never ate meat. He was baptized six months later, at the age of 18. But he accepted Adventist teachings on the spot—all because his questions of God and hell had been answered from the Bible.

Sekule Sekuli´c is an affluent entrepreneur and faithful Seventh-day Adventist in Montenegro. Read more of his story next week. Thank you for your Sabbath School mission offerings that help spread the good news of Jesus’ soon coming in Montenegro and around the world.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24a-07-inside-story-burden-is-lifted-part-3/