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Showing posts from June 14, 2026

Holding On to Hope Until We See Jesus

  Sabbath School Growing in a Relationship with God  Into Eternity Lesson 13 - Friday Further Thought  A Hope Worth Sharing As Christians, we live with a wonderful promise: one day we will see Jesus face-to-face. Faith will become sight, hope will become reality, and we will finally be with our Savior forever. Until that day comes, however, we are called to remain faithful and nurture our relationship with Him. A strong relationship with God does not happen by accident. Just as any healthy relationship requires time and attention, our walk with Christ grows stronger when we spend time with Him daily. Prayer keeps our hearts connected to Him. Studying His Word helps us know His character and understand His will. Worship, fellowship with other believers, and obedience to His leading deepen our trust and strengthen our faith. There will be seasons when following Christ feels easy and seasons when it feels difficult. During those challenging times, it is important to remember...

“Come!”

  Sabbath School Growing in a Relationship with God  Into Eternity Lesson 13 - Thursday Come to Jesus and Trust Him Completely One of the most beautiful themes throughout Scripture is God's invitation to come to Him. He does not force us, threaten us, or push us away because of our weaknesses. Instead, He lovingly calls us to Himself, offering rest, life, and salvation. In Matthew 11:28–30, Jesus says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” These words were spoken to people burdened by sin, worry, guilt, and the pressures of life. They are just as relevant today. Many of us carry heavy loads—disappointments, fears, temptations, regrets, and uncertainties about the future. Jesus does not ask us to carry them alone. He invites us to bring them to Him and find rest in His grace. Isaiah 55:1–3 extends a similar invitation. God calls the thirsty to come and drink freely. He offers spiritual nourishment without cost because salvation is a gift...

Follow the Lamb

  Sabbath School Growing in a Relationship with God  Into Eternity Lesson 13 - Wednesday Following the Lamb Forever The Bible gives us glimpses of eternity that fill our hearts with hope and anticipation. While we cannot fully comprehend all that God has prepared for His people, Scripture reveals enough to assure us that the best is yet to come. Isaiah 25:8 declares that God “will swallow up death forever.” Death is humanity’s greatest enemy. It has brought sorrow, separation, and pain to every generation. Yet God promises a day when death itself will be destroyed. No more funerals. No more goodbyes. No more fear of losing those we love. Death will be gone forever. Revelation 7:17 adds another beautiful promise: “For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” What a remarkable picture! Jesus, the Lamb who gave His life for us, will also be our Shepherd. Throug...

The Bride

  Sabbath School Growing in a Relationship with God  Into Eternity Lesson 13 - Tuesday The Bride of Christ and the Glory to Come When John was shown the future in Revelation 21, an angel said, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife” (Revelation 21:9). We might expect to see a person, but instead John was shown the Holy City, New Jerusalem, descending from heaven. The city is presented as a bride beautifully prepared for her husband. Why was this analogy used? A wedding is one of the most joyful and anticipated events in life. It represents love, commitment, celebration, and the beginning of a new chapter. God uses the image of a bride to help us understand the deep relationship He desires with His redeemed people. The New Jerusalem symbolizes the eternal home of those who belong to Christ, and the bride imagery emphasizes the closeness, joy, and permanence of that relationship. As John describes the city in Revelation 21:9–27, the details are astonishing. The city s...

Finally, Face-to-Face

  Sabbath School Growing in a Relationship with God  Into Eternity Lesson 13 - Monday Every Knee Will Bow One of the greatest promises in Scripture is that Jesus is coming again. For believers, this is not merely a future event—it is our blessed hope. In 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Paul describes a glorious moment when God's people will be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air, and then, he says, “thus we shall always be with the Lord.” Think about that promise: always with the Lord. No more separation. No more pain. No more death. No more struggles with sin. The long story of redemption will reach its beautiful conclusion as God's people are gathered into His presence forever. But what happens next? Paul gives us a glimpse in Philippians 2:10, 11. He writes that one day, at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow—in heaven, on earth, and under the earth—and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. This scene is breathtaking. ...

Living Today

  Sabbath School Growing in a Relationship with God  Into Eternity Lesson 13 - Sunday When God’s Face Shines on Me Psalm 80 is a heartfelt prayer from God’s people during a time of distress. Again and again, the psalmist cries out, “Restore us, O God; cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved” (Psalm 80:3, 7, 19). When we personalize these words and replace “us” with “me,” the psalm becomes deeply personal: “Restore me, O God; cause Your face to shine, and I shall be saved.” Many of us can relate to this prayer. There are times when we feel weak, discouraged, distant from God, or overwhelmed by the struggles of life. We may see areas where we have failed, seasons where our faith has been inconsistent, or burdens that seem too heavy to carry. Like the psalmist, we long for restoration. We long for God to draw near and renew our hearts. The beautiful truth of Psalm 80 is that the focus is not on what we can do to save ourselves. The psalmist does not plead, “Look at my goo...

First and Second Corinthians: Sabbath School 3rd Quarter 2026

Sabbath School 3rd Quarter - 2026 First and Second Corinthians While 1 Corinthians focuses on how a church should function according to God's design, addressing issues such as division, immorality, worship, spiritual gifts, and the resurrection, 2 Corinthians reveals the heart of Christian ministry and the sustaining power of God's grace. In 1 Corinthians, Paul instructs believers on living together in unity, holiness, and love as members of Christ's body. In 2 Corinthians, he shares his personal struggles, defends his ministry, and demonstrates how God works through weakness, suffering, and hardship to accomplish His purposes. Together, these letters teach that God not only cares about the health and conduct of His church but also equips His people with sufficient grace to endure trials, serve others faithfully, and represent Christ in a broken world. Weekly commentaries also appear below.  English is below. Other languages are availabe here:  Sabbath School other langua...

Sabbath School Lesson 13: Into Eternity

  Growing in a Relationship With God Lesson 13  Into Eternity   You may use this for presenting and studying the current Sabbath School Lesson.

Christ's Love: Beyond Knowledge, Beyond Measure

  Beyond Knowledge, Beyond Measure Ephesians 3:17–19 is one of the most beautiful prayers in Scripture. In these verses, the apostle Paul the Apostle prays that believers would experience a deeper relationship with Christ, be firmly grounded in His love, and understand the immeasurable greatness of that love. Rooted and Grounded in Love Paul first prays that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith. This is more than simply believing that Jesus exists; it is inviting Him to take up residence in every area of our lives. Just as a tree sends its roots deep into the soil for nourishment and stability, Christians are called to be rooted and grounded in God's love. When life's storms come, those deep roots keep us from being shaken. Too often we seek security in circumstances, achievements, or the approval of others. Yet Paul reminds us that our true foundation is Christ's love. The more we understand His love, the stronger our faith becomes. Knowing the Unfathomable Love o...

Brought Back by His Grace

  Brought Back by His Grace If you have walked with God for any length of time, you know that the Christian journey is not always lived on the mountaintop. There are seasons when our faith feels strong and vibrant, but there are also valleys—times when our hearts grow cold, our priorities drift, and our relationship with God becomes distant. Sometimes we wander through outright disobedience; other times we simply settle into spiritual complacency. Yet the wonderful news of Scripture is that God does not give up on His people. Think for a moment about your own experience. What brought you back when your walk with God weakened? Was it a difficult circumstance that reminded you of your need for Him? Was it the loving encouragement of another believer? Perhaps it was a passage of Scripture that pierced your heart or a quiet conviction from the Holy Spirit. Whatever the means, behind it all was the faithful love of God calling you home. Zechariah 10 paints a beautiful picture of that...

God Has Not Given Up

  Hope for the Wandering Few pains are as deep as watching someone you love drift away from God. Parents grieve for children, spouses for loved ones, and friends for those who once walked closely with the Lord but have wandered from Him. In Jeremiah 31, Rachel is pictured as weeping for her children, symbolizing the sorrow of God's people over those who have been lost and scattered. Yet God responds with a message of hope rather than despair. The Lord directs Rachel's attention beyond her tears and toward His redeeming work. In Jeremiah 31:18–19, Ephraim—the wayward child—finally speaks: "You have chastised me, and I was chastised... Turn me, and I shall be turned, for You are the Lord my God. Surely, after my turning, I repented." These words reveal something remarkable: God never stopped pursuing Ephraim. Though Ephraim had wandered far, the Lord continued working on his heart until he recognized his need and returned in repentance. The story is not merely abo...

Hope for the Wandering Heart

  Hope for the Wandering Heart Scripture Reading: Hosea 4:17; Hosea 7; Jeremiah 31:18–19 One of the most heartbreaking realities in Scripture is seeing God's people drift away from Him. Ephraim, one of the leading tribes of Israel, became a symbol of spiritual unfaithfulness. Though God had blessed and protected His people, they repeatedly turned from Him. In Hosea 4:17 , the Lord declares, “Ephraim is joined to idols; let him alone.” What a sobering statement. Ephraim had become so attached to false gods that its heart was hardened against God's appeals. Hosea 7 expands on this picture. The people were marked by deception, pride, political compromise, and a lack of genuine repentance. They sought solutions everywhere except from the Lord. Though they faced difficulties and consequences for their choices, they did not sincerely return to Him. Yet the story does not end with judgment. In Jeremiah 31 , God speaks words of hope. Rachel, representing the mothers of Israel, is...

Sharing Jesus Intentionally

  Sharing Jesus Intentionally One of the greatest privileges God gives His followers is the opportunity to share Jesus with others. While not everyone is called to preach from a pulpit, every believer is called to reflect Christ in daily life. The people we encounter each day—neighbors, coworkers, store clerks, delivery drivers, friends, and family members—are all individuals whom God loves deeply. The question is not whether God wants to reach them, but whether we are willing to be His hands and feet. Jesus Himself showed us how to connect with people. He spent time with them, listened to them, and cared about their needs. Before He taught the woman at the well about living water, He first engaged her in conversation (John 4). Before He called Zacchaeus to repentance, He invited Himself to his home (Luke 19:1–10). Jesus built relationships that opened hearts to truth. One practical way to share Jesus is by building genuine friendships. People are often more willing to listen to...

Sharing Jesus Daily

  Sharing Jesus With Grace and Readiness One of the simplest yet most important questions every Christian can ask is: Who am I sharing Jesus with? God places people in our lives every day—a postal carrier, a store clerk, a neighbor, a coworker, or someone we regularly pass while walking. These encounters may seem ordinary, but they often provide opportunities to reflect Christ's love and point others to Him. In 1 Peter 3:8–15, Peter describes the attitude believers should have as they interact with others. He urges Christians to be like-minded, compassionate, loving, tenderhearted, and humble. Instead of returning evil for evil or insult for insult, we are called to bless others. Such a spirit stands out in a world often marked by conflict and harshness. Peter also reminds us that those who desire life and good days should guard their words and pursue peace. This does not mean life will always be easy. In fact, believers may suffer for doing what is right. Yet Peter encourages us ...

Compelled by Love

  Compelled by Love Scripture Reading Matthew 9:36 – “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd” (NKJV). Devotional Thought Have you ever wondered how Jesus found the strength and motivation to minister to people day after day? Crowds constantly surrounded Him. The sick sought healing, the brokenhearted needed comfort, the confused longed for truth, and the lost needed a Savior. Yet Jesus never viewed people as interruptions. He saw them through the eyes of divine love. Matthew tells us that when Jesus looked upon the multitudes, He was “moved with compassion.” He saw beyond the faces in the crowd. He saw weary souls searching for hope, purpose, and peace. His ministry flowed from a heart overflowing with love. Compassion was not merely an emotion for Jesus—it was the driving force behind everything He did. The same love that motivated Christ should motivate His followers today....

They Had Been With Jesus

  Witnessing With Boldness Scripture Reading Acts 1:8 Acts 4:13, 20 1 John 4:7–11 Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He gave His followers a remarkable promise: “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me” (Acts 1:8, NKJV). The early church did not rely on clever arguments, social influence, or personal prestige. They relied on the power of the Holy Spirit. When we read Acts 4:13, we discover something extraordinary. Peter and John were not viewed as highly educated religious leaders. Yet the people who listened to them were astonished by their courage and confidence. The religious authorities recognized something unmistakable about them: “they realized that they had been with Jesus.” This reveals an important truth about witnessing. Effective witnessing is not primarily about having all the answers or possessing extraordinary talents. It begins with spending time with Jesus. The more we know Him, the more naturally we will...

The Great Commisson

  The Promise of “All” and “Always” Before ascending to heaven, Jesus gathered His disciples and gave them what we now call the Great Commission: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18–20, NKJV). These final words of Jesus are filled with a remarkable repetition. Four times He uses the word translated as “all” or “always.” In Greek, these words come from the same root, pas , meaning “all,” “every,” “the whole,” or “without exception.” This repetition is not accidental. Jesus was assuring His followers that His mission would be completely covered by His power, His purpose, His truth, and His presence. All Authority Jesus begins by declaring, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and o...