Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “Mind Cure,” Pages 241-259, in The Ministry of Healing; “True and False Theories Contrasted,” Pages 7-16, in The Sanctified Life.

Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com

“The great controversy is nearing its end. Every report of calamity by sea or land is a testimony to the fact that the end of all things is at hand. Wars and rumors of wars declare it. Is there a Christian whose pulse does not beat with quickened action as he anticipates the great events opening before us? The Lord is coming. We hear the footsteps of an approaching God.” — Ellen G. White, Maranatha, p. 220.

“Live the life of faith day by day. Do not become anxious and distressed about the time of trouble, and thus have a time of trouble beforehand. Do not keep thinking, ‘I am afraid I shall not stand in the great testing day.’ You are to live for the present, for this day only. Tomorrow is not yours. Today you are to maintain the victory over self. Today you are to live a life of prayer. Today you are to fight the good fight of faith. Today you are to believe that God blesses you. And as you gain the victory over darkness and unbelief, you will meet the requirements of the Master, and will become a blessing to those around you.” — Ellen G. White, Signs of the Times, October 20, 1887.

“The Lord is soon to come, and we must be prepared to meet Him in peace. Let us be determined to do all in our power to impart light to those around us. We are not to be sad, but cheerful, and we are to keep the Lord Jesus ever before us. … We must be ready and waiting for His appearing. Oh, how glorious it will be to see Him, and be welcomed as His redeemed ones! Long have we waited, but our faith is not to become weak. If we can but see the King in His beauty, we shall be forever and forever blessed. I feel as if I must cry aloud, ‘Homeward bound.’ We are nearing the time when Christ will come with power and great glory, to take His ransomed ones to their eternal home.” — Ellen G. White, Heaven, Pages 165, 166.

Discussion Questions:

<–Thursday

Amen!(1)

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/friday-further-thought-biblical-worldview/

We live in a frenetic world with too many artificial needs and eye-catching distractions. If we are not careful, these can take all our time and pervert our priorities. This is not just another byproduct of our globalized cyber world; Christians in every age, to one degree or another, have to be on guard against Satan’s attempts to distract them from what really matters in this life.

Who, if not careful, is not in danger of looking away from the Lord and dwelling on worldly, carnal things, things that, in the end, cannot ultimately satisfy us, and that, in the end, can lead to our spiritual ruin?

Read 2 Peter 3:14 and 1 John 3:1-3. What difference do you see between preparing ourselves for the Second Coming and being ready for that glorious event?

Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com

Often the notion of an ongoing preparation for the Second Coming becomes an excuse for procrastination. This notion can easily lead one to relax under the evil servant’s assumption, “My master is delaying his coming” (Matthew 24:48, NKJV).

Read Psalm 95:7-8; Hebrews 3:7-8, , Hebrews 3:15; and Hebrews 4:7. What are these verses saying to us about being ready right now?

From the biblical perspective, the time of salvation is always “today” and never tomorrow (see Psalm 95:7-8; Hebrews 3:7-8, , Hebrews 3:15; Hebrews 4:7). And more: unless a major conversion experience takes place, we will continue to be what we are right now. Time itself does not convert the unconverted. If anything, unless one is continually growing in grace, and pressing on ahead in faith, the tendency would be to fall away, to become hardened, skeptical, cynical, even disbelieving.

From this perspective we can say that every single day of our life is our life in miniature. So, by God’s grace, we should plan for the future but should live each day ready for the return of Jesus — especially because, given the contingencies of this life, today could be your last day.

<–Wednesday Friday–>

Amen!(0)

The post Thursday: Ready for His Appearing first appeared on Sabbath School Net.

The post Thursday: Ready for His Appearing appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/thursday-ready-for-his-appearing/

You can view an in-depth discussion of The Biblical World View in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. Click on the image to view: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uul_Mn-c6HU&w=560&h=315]

With thanks to

Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

Amen!(0)

The post 12: The Biblical World View – HopeSS Video Discussion first appeared on Sabbath School Net.

The post 12: The Biblical World View – HopeSS Video Discussion appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/12-the-biblical-world-view-hopess-video-discussion/

Join It Is Written Sabbath School host Eric Flickinger and this quarter’s author, Dr. Alberto Timm, as they provide additional insights into this week’s Sabbath School lesson, “Resurrections before the Cross.”
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yW4LAHEH83U&w=560&h=315]

Amen!(0)

The post 12: The Biblical Worldview – It is Written – Discussions with the Author first appeared on Sabbath School Net.

The post 12: The Biblical Worldview – It is Written – Discussions with the Author appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/12-the-biblical-worldview-it-is-written-discussions-with-the-author/

The Holy Spirit is God’s powerful Agent who pours out the love of God into our hearts (Romans 5:5), leads us into a true saving experience (John 16:7-11), guides us into all the truth (John 16:13), and empowers us to fulfill the gospel mission (Acts 1:8). Because it is the Holy Spirit who counteracts the degenerating work of Satan, it is no surprise that Satan tries by all means to distort our understanding of the nature and work of the Holy Spirit. While some deny His personality, others emphasize the gifts of the Spirit over His transforming power.

Read Acts 8:4-24. Simon the sorcerer of Samaria wanted to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit without being regenerated by the Spirit. How is this very same attitude still being manifested in our day?

Copyright Kevin Carden @ GoodSalt.com

The children of God are those who are being guided by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14) into all the truth of God’s word (John 16:13, John 17:17). Jesus warned in clear terms, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:21-23, NIV). This means that the Holy Spirit never guides anyone away from God’s Word — which He Himself inspired — but rather always leads us into conformity to that Word.

The same Holy Spirit that guides us into all the truth also empowers us in leading others into that wonderful truth (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8). While fulfilling our sacred mission, we have His special assistance. So, morning by morning, we must kneel before the Lord and renew our vows of consecration to Him. If we do this, He will grant us the presence of His Spirit, with His reviving, sanctifying power.

We must, however, be open to His leading by making conscious choices, every day, to do what we know is right and avoid what we know is wrong. That is, only by seeking, in our God-given strength, to live as we should, will we be open to receiving that power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, which God promises us.

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

Amen!(0)

The post Wednesday: The Guidance of the Spirit first appeared on Sabbath School Net.

The post Wednesday: The Guidance of the Spirit appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/wednesday-guidance-of-spirit/