Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. Acts 12:5 NKJV

When Peter was arrested and put in prison for the sake of the Gospel, the church asked God to intervene and free Peter, which He did. Some may wonder how intercessory prayers work. Does it make a difference? First, I don’t necessarily know how it works, but I know it does. When I flip the light switch on, I can’t explain electricity how it lights up the bulb, but I know it does. I don’t have to understand how the switch makes a light bulb turn on, but that does not keep me from turning on the light.

Do intercessory prayers work? Yes, they do. When my mother was dying and was unconscious, I prayed for God to wake her up just long enough for me to tell her I loved her one more time, and that is exactly what happened. A few years ago, I baptized a mother and her three children, while the husband and father thought baptism was the craziest thing in the world. The family and I prayed for the husband and father, and a year later I baptized him too. Others have told me how a spouse or a loved one accepted Jesus as their Savior after 30 or 40 years of intercessory prayer. I remember a friend in Oklahoma gave a testimony about how she left the church as a teenager, but her mother kept praying for her. Years after her mother died, she came back to Jesus. When she was rebaptized her aunt told her, that her mother made her promise to “take over” praying for her when she died. That story has always stirred my heart, as well as affirming the power of intercessory prayer. I remember praying for my friend whom I will call Anne, who had left our small group Bible study and the church. Every night I prayed, “Lord please send your Holy Spirit to work upon Anne’s heart.” After weeks of praying, she called me and told me she was coming back to Jesus because she felt “The Holy Spirit working on her heart.”

Intercessory prayer works, but again how? Like I’ve previously stated, I don’t understand everything but considering this week’s Sabbath School Lesson we are learning there are parameters in the great cosmic battle between Christ and Satan. Satan claims this world as his own, and while I know well that this is my Father’s world, there are rules to the battle. Temporarily, at least, there is some validity to Satan’s claim to this planet. Why else would he be allowed in those meetings with the other sons of God in Job 1 and 2? In John 14:30 and John 16:11 Jesus refers to Satan as the prince of this world.

In Matthew 8:29 in the NLT the demons accuse Jesus of “interfering” with them. While I am sure Jesus was not breaking any rules, that does give us a hint that there are parameters in the cosmic battle. God cannot intervene where He is not invited, as that would be using force and manipulation, as opposed to love. In Revelation 3:20 Jesus stands knocking at the heart’s door but does not force His way in as that would not be love. We have to open the door to let Him in. This is where intercessory prayers come in. When we pray as members of humanity on behalf of humanity for God to intervene in the lives of humanity, He now has an invitation and is not using force. If Satan protests God’s involvement in meddling with human hearts, God can tell Satan, “I am not using force or manipulation. I have been invited to intervene.” 

This is why Jesus encourages us in Matthew 18:19 -20 that when we gather together in His name He is there to work powerfully to grant our requests, Just as he answered Elijah’s powerful prayers. See James 5:14-18. Being gathered in his name does not mean we have to be gathered in a certain building. We may be in separate hemispheres and be gathered in His name. 

In Matthew 6:10 Jesus prays for His Father’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Revelation 12:7-9 Satan was cast out of heaven. When we pray as humanity on behalf of humanity, it opens the way for God to cast Satan out of our hearts, homes and communities. The human heart still has free choice, but God can intervene on behalf of humanity within the parameters of the cosmic battle without using force and manipulation, as He has been invited to intervene just as Elijah prayed for God’s intervention in his day. 

Elijah witnessed a great miracle on Mount Carmel when he prayed for God to intervene with the Baal worshippers in 1 Kings 18. What are some amazing things you have witnessed after praying for God’s intervention? 

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/does-intercessory-prayer-matter/

Daily Lesson for Tuesday 4th of March 2025

In the book of Job, we are given some fascinating insights into the reality of the great controversy.

Many significant details can be gleaned from these verses. First, there appears to be some kind of heavenly council scene, not merely a dialogue between God and Satan; other celestial beings are involved.

Image © Bible Adventure Collection at Goodsalt.com

Second, there is some existing dispute, signaled by the fact that God asks whether Satan has considered Job. Considered Job for what? The question makes sense in the context of a larger, ongoing dispute.

Third, while God declares Job blameless, upright, and God-fearing, Satan claims that Job appears to fear God only because God protects him. This amounts to slander against both Job’s character and God’s (compare with Revelation 12:10, Zechariah 3:1-10).

Fourth, Satan alleges that God’s protection of Job (the hedge) is unfair and makes it impossible for Satan to prove his allegations. This indicates some existing limits on Satan (rules of engagement), and that Satan has apparently tried to harm Job.

God responds to Satan’s accusation before the heavenly council by allowing Satan to put his theory to the test, but only within limits. He first grants Satan power over “all that he has,” but prohibits personal harm to Job (Job 1:12, NKJV). Later, after Satan claims that Job cares only about himself, God allows Satan to afflict Job personally, but Satan must spare his life (Job 2:3-6).

Satan brings numerous calamities against Job’s household, yet in each case Job continues to bless His name (Job 1:20-22; Job 2:9-10), falsifying Satan’s charges.

We learn many things here, such as that there are rules of engagement in the cosmic conflict. There are parameters in the heavenly court within which the allegations raised against God can be settled, but without God violating the sacred principles inherent in love, the foundation of God’s government and how He rules the universe and the intelligent beings in it.

These heavenly scenes in the book of Job offer us fascinating insights into the reality of the great controversy, and how it is played out here on earth.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25a-10-the-case-of-job/

Daily Lesson for Monday 3rd of March 2025

The overarching perspective of celestial rulers in the cosmic conflict is encapsulated in the book of Revelation, where the devil is depicted as “the great dragon” who opposes God and “deceives the whole world” (Revelation 12:9, NKJV).

The dragon (Satan) not only wars against God (Revelation 12:7-9) and His servants (for example, Revelation 12:1-6), but he is depicted as the ruler behind the earthly kingdoms who persecute God’s people throughout the ages.

Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com

The dragon “gave . . . his power, his throne, and great authority” to the beast from the sea (Revelation 13:2, NKJV; compare with Revelation 13:5; Revelation 17:13-14). This beast from the sea is “given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months” (Revelation 13:5, NKJV).

So, Satan (the dragon) gives power and ruling authority to a beast (an earthly religious-political power). This power is exercised in order to usurp the worship due to God. The beast blasphemes God’s name; it also wars against, and even overcomes, God’s holy ones (saints), at least for a period of time. This worldwide authority and jurisdiction is given to him by the dragon, the usurping ruler of this world.

Yet, there are clear limits on Satan and his agencies, as well, including temporal limits. “ ‘Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time’ ” (Revelation 12:12, NKJV).

Satan “knows that his time is short” (Revelation 12:12, ESV), and the events described in Revelation proceed along prophetic time lines, which show specific limits (see Revelation 12:14, Revelation 13:5) to the reign of these evil forces.

Indeed, God finally triumphs. “ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away’ ” (Revelation 21:4, NKJV).

<–Sunday Tuesday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25a-10-the-dragon-of-revelation/

The studies in this quarter’s pamphlet encourage us to see God’s Love and Justice, just as we may sing in
Hymn 79 – O Love of God, How Strong and True! which is a beautiful theme hymn for our studies.

Rather than the fake gods that we read a lot about this week while studying, it is wonderful to be able worship our Creator God by singing 
Hymn 6 – O Worship The Lord and 
Hymn 83 – O Worship The King.

A part of a sentence in Sunday’s study caught my eye, “God works only by love”, and brings us several hymns that echo throughout the week:
Hymn 77 – O Love Of God Most Full,
Hymn 78 – For God So Loved The World,
Hymn 79 – O Love Of God, How Strong And True!,
Hymn 354 – Thy Love, O God, and
Hymn 641 – God In His Love For Us.

Later in the week, we are encouraged to look at just two of the many factors to open “up avenues for divine action that otherwise might not be (morally) available”:
Hymn 517 – My Faith Looks Up To Thee,
Hymn 523 – My Faith Has Found A Resting Place,
Hymn 533 – O For a Faith,
Hymn 602 – O Brother, Be Faithful, and
Hymn 608 – Faith Is The Victory.

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.”

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/10-rules-of-engagement-singing-with-inspiration/

Key Thought : Satan is limited hby God in his rulership. He is an illegitimate ruler, especially from the standpoint of his character..
March 8, 2025

1. Have a volunteer read Daniel 10:1-14.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What do these verses teach about the cosmic conflict?
3. Personal Application: Have you experienced trying to work through principles of love and not coercion? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, Why did the angel get withstood 21 days? Why didn’t God’s angel immediately get the king of Persia to begin the process of delivering God’s people? How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Revelation 13:1-8.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What does this reveal about the extent of the dragon’s jurisdiction?
3. Personal Application: Why is it important that we never forget that good will triumph over evil in the end? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “If a person is Satan’s lawful captive, does that mean he can do whatever he wants with that person? Does he have complete control? If not, why not?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Job 1:1-12. 2:1-7.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What principles of the great controversy do we see here?
3. Personal Application: How does Jesus calling Satan the ruler of this world help us understand the evil that is in the world? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “Why was Satan included in this counsel meeting of the sons of God? Why did God ask Satan where he came from?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Mark 6:5, 9:29.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. How do these verses show even God’s action might be related to things like faith and prayer?
3. Personal Application: How do you respond to those who deny the existence of Satan as a real, personal being? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared. ”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/10-rules-of-engagement-teaching-plan/