Posts

Showing posts with the label Priorities

A Place

Image
  Sabbath School Growing in a Relationship with God  How to Study The Bible Lesson 5 - Monday  Seeking God Like Jesus Did Jesus is our perfect example in every area of life, including personal devotion. If we want to grow spiritually, we should look closely at how He spent time with His Father. Mark 1:35 says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” This verse reveals something powerful: Jesus intentionally made time for prayer. He rose early, stepped away from distractions, and sought quiet communion with the Father. If the Son of God needed time alone in prayer, how much more do we? Jesus did not wait until He “felt like it” or until His schedule cleared. He made prayer a priority. That challenges us today. Many people give God leftovers—tired moments at the end of the day, quick prayers in the car, or rushed Bible reading when convenient. But Jesus gave God the first part...

Seeking First the Kingdom of God

Image
  Lessons of Faith from Joshua - Sabbath School Lesson 7 - Friday: Afterthought Seeking First the Kingdom of God To seek first the kingdom of God means giving God the first place in our hearts, decisions, and priorities. It means allowing His will to shape our goals and His righteousness to guide our behavior. Jesus said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). When we live by this principle, we learn to trust God’s timing and provision rather than worry about our own needs. Our focus shifts from building our own comfort to advancing His purpose in our lives and in the world around us. Joshua’s life is a strong example of what it means to live this way. Before leading Israel into the Promised Land, Joshua continually sought God’s presence and direction. When he faced challenges—from crossing the Jordan to conquering Jericho—he waited on the Lord’s instruction before taking action (Joshua 1:7–9; 3:7–8; 6:...

Written on Stones: Engraved in the Heart

Image
   Lessons of Faith from Joshua - Sabbath School Lesson 7 - Wednesday: Written on Stones Written on Stones: Engraved in the Heart Read: Joshua 8:32–35 After Israel’s victory at Ai, Joshua did something surprising. Instead of immediately pressing forward militarily, he paused to build an altar and write the law of Moses upon stones for all to see. Then he gathered the entire nation—men, women, children, and foreigners—with him—to hear the blessings and the curses of the covenant read aloud. In the shadow of battle and conquest, God’s Word took center stage. Why was this public act so important? Joshua understood that victory didn’t come from swords or strategy—it came from God’s faithfulness and Israel’s obedience. Writing the covenant on stones made the relationship permanent, visible, and unforgettable. Israel needed a tangible reminder that their success was rooted in God’s promises and their faithfulness to His ways. Scripture often warns us about forgetfulness: “Take car...

Covenant First...Before Conquest

Image
  Lessons of Faith from Joshua - Sabbath School Lesson 7 - Sunday: Covenant First Covenant First Read Joshua 5:1–7 As Israel crossed the Jordan and stepped into Canaan, the mighty kings of the land trembled. This was a moment of military advantage — the perfect time to strike while the enemy was paralyzed with fear. Yet God issued a surprising command: stop, pause, and circumcise the second generation of Israelites before advancing. Human logic would say, “Move forward! Don’t slow down now!” But God’s logic was clear: before victory, covenant . Before battles, relationship . Circumcision was the physical sign of belonging to God — a mark of loyalty, identity, and faith (Genesis 17:10–14). It celebrated their deliverance from Egypt and affirmed their commitment to the God who saved them. By asking Israel to renew this covenant, God reminded them that success didn’t depend on speed, strategy, or strength — but on faithful connection to Him. They were not merely warriors; they were H...

Only What’s Eternal Will Last

Image
  “Only What’s Eternal Will Last” Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:19–21 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven..." We live in a world that praises success—degrees, wealth, buildings, titles, and achievements. And let’s be honest, much of it can be impressive. Skyscrapers that touch the clouds, medals of honor, and careers built over decades—these things seem solid, even eternal. But Scripture reminds us of a sobering truth: all earthly accomplishments, no matter how great, will one day turn to dust. The kingdoms of Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome once ruled the world—and now, they're only memories, ruins, and history books. Earthly Glory Fades In Daniel 2 , the image of gold, silver, bronze, and iron—all representing powerful empires—was shattered by a stone. That stone, representing God's eternal kingdom, crushed what man built. T...