Our Father’s Plans for Us Everyone is looking for hope. But where is it found? For some people, hope is found in the smile of a friend. For others, hope grows out of financial security or a stable marriage. Where do you normally look for hope and courage? In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet is writing to people who had lost hope in their exile. “By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion” (Ps. 137:1, NIV). But even though they are heart- broken, Jeremiah lays out reasons t...
Aug 10, 2022•10 min•Ep. 1472
Our Father’s Presence “ ‘For I am the L ord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you’ ” (Isa. 41:13, NIV). Someone once said, “When God seems far away, who is the one who has moved?” When problems strike, we presume that God has deserted us. The truth is that He hasn’t gone anywhere. God’s presence seemed very far away to the Jews in exile. Yet, through Isaiah, God assures them of future deliverance. However, while the actual return to Jerusalem wa...
Aug 09, 2022•8 min•Ep. 1471
Who Our Father Is Oswald Chambers writes, “Have you been asking God what He is going to do? He will never tell you. God does not tell you what He is going to do; He reveals to you Who He is.”—My Utmost for His Highest (Uhrichsville, OH: Barbour & Company, Inc., 1963), January 2. What do you think Chambers means by this idea? As we know, the book of Job begins with great personal tragedy for Job. He loses everything, except his life and his wife, and she suggests that he “ ‘curse God and die!...
Aug 08, 2022•10 min•Ep. 1470
The Big Picture When we are hurting, it is very easy to presume that what hap- pens to us is the only thing that matters. But there is a slightly larger picture than just “me” (see Rev. 12:7, Rom. 8:22). Read Habakkuk 1:1–4. What did Habakkuk face? You might expect that God would say something like, “That’s really terrible, Habakkuk; let Me come and help you immediately.” But God’s answer is the opposite. He tells Habakkuk that it is going to get worse. Read this in Habakkuk 1:5–11. Israel had b...
Aug 08, 2022•14 min•Ep. 1469
Read for This Week’s Study: Hab. 1:1–4, Job 38–41, Isa. 41:8–14, Jer. 29:1–10, Heb. 12:1–13. Memory Text: “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5, NKJV). When in church surrounded by smiling people, how easy it is to talk and sing about hope. But when we find ourselves within the crucible, hope does not always seem so easy. As circumstances press in around us, we begin to question everything, par...
Aug 08, 2022•7 min•Ep. 1468
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “The Night of Wrestling,” pp. 195–203, in Patriarchs and Prophets; “Consecration,” pp. 43–48, in Steps to Christ. “This will, that forms so important a factor in the character of man, was at the Fall given into the control of Satan; and he has ever since been working in man to will and to do of his own pleasure, but to the utter ruin and misery of man.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 515. “In order to receive God’s help, man must real...
Aug 05, 2022•9 min•Ep. 1467
The Need to Persevere Read the story of Jacob wrestling with God (Genesis 32). What does this story say to us about perseverance, even amid great discourage- ment? (Keep the whole context of Jacob’s situation in mind before you answer.) We can know what is right and exercise our wills to do the right thing; but when we are under pressure, it can be very difficult to keep holding on to God and His promises. That’s because we are weak and fearful. Therefore, one of the important strengths of the C...
Aug 04, 2022•13 min•Ep. 1466
Radical Commitment “If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell” (Matt. 5:29, NIV). Dwell on the words of Jesus in the above text. Would you call them radical? If so, why? Radical action is necessary not because God has made the Christian life difficult, but because we and our culture have drifted so far away from God’s plans for us. People often wake up and wonder to t...
Aug 03, 2022•9 min•Ep. 1465
The Disciplined Will One of the greatest enemies of our wills is our own feelings. We are increasingly living in a culture bombarded with pictures and music that can appeal directly to our senses, triggering our emotions—anger, fear, or lust—without our realizing it. How often do we think such things as What do I feel like eating for supper? What do I feel like doing today? Do I feel good about buying this? Feelings have thus become intimately involved in our decision-making. Feelings are not ne...
Aug 02, 2022•9 min•Ep. 1464
The Divine-Human Combination What is your greatest accomplishment ever? Chances are, whatever you achieved did not happen simply by rolling out of bed in the morn- ing. If we want to achieve something worthwhile in this life, it takes time and effort. Our discipleship to Christ is no different. Read Colossians 1:28, 29. Though Paul talks about God working in him, in what ways does he show the human effort also involved? (See also Deut. 4:4, Luke 13:24, 1 Cor. 9:25, and Heb. 12:4.) In Colossians ...
Aug 01, 2022•12 min•Ep. 1463
The Spirit of Truth Have you ever prayed “Please, God, make me good!” but little seems to change? How is it possible that we can pray for God’s great trans- forming power to work within us, but our lives seem to remain the same? We know that God has unlimited supernatural resources that He so eagerly and freely offers us. We really want to take advantage of it all, and yet, our lives don’t seem to change in a way that matches what God is offering. Why? One reason is disturbingly simple: while th...
Jul 31, 2022•10 min•Ep. 1462
Read for This Week’s Study: John 16:5–15; Col. 1:28, 29; 1 Pet. 1:13; Matt. 5:29; Genesis 32. Memory Text: “To this end I strenuously contend, struggling with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me” (Colossians 1:29, NIV). A man and woman sat together on a talk show. Both had expe- rienced the murder of a child. The woman’s son had been murdered 20 years before, and her anger and bitterness were as great as ever. The man was totally different. His daughter had been murdered by terrorist...
Jul 31, 2022•5 min•Ep. 1461
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “The Test of Faith,” pp. 145–155, in Patriarchs and Prophets; “Praise Ye the Lord,” pp. 315–319, in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5. “God has always tried His people in the furnace of affliction. It is in the heat of the furnace that the dross is separated from the true gold of the Christian character. Jesus watches the test; He knows what is needed to purify the precious metal, that it may reflect the radiance of His love. It is by close, testing trials ...
Jul 29, 2022•7 min•Ep. 1460
Extreme Heat So far this quarter, we have considered many examples of the cru- cibles that God uses to bring purity and Christlikeness to our lives. However, some people may view these examples and conclude that God is a severe and demanding taskmaster. Sure, some may say, “We know that God wants something good for us, but these examples don’t reveal much care and love. Instead, God looks more like a bully. He sets out with a purpose that causes us considerable hard times, and there’s nothing we...
Jul 28, 2022•9 min•Ep. 1459
Surviving Through Hope “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead” (2 Cor. 1:8, 9, NIV). As God’s chosen apostle, Paul endured more than most people. Yet, Paul was not crushed. Rather, he grew in his praise for God. Read his list of hardships in 2 Corinthians 11:23–29. Now read 2 Corinthians 1:3–11....
Jul 27, 2022•11 min•Ep. 1458
Surviving Through Worship Read Job 1:6–2:10. What caused Job’s suffering? There is something astonishing here. The angels come to see God, and Satan comes with them. God asks Satan where he has been, and Satan replies that he has been “ ‘roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it’ ” (Job 1:7, NIV). Then God poses this question: “ ‘Have you considered my servant Job?’ ” (Job 1:8, NIV). The question itself is not remarkable; what is remarkable is the One who asks it. It isn’t Satan w...
Jul 26, 2022•13 min•Ep. 1457
Wayward Israel The story of Hosea has some powerful lessons to teach us. Hosea’s situation is remarkable. His wife, Gomer, runs away and has children with other men. Though she is sexually unfaithful, God calls Hosea to take his wife back and fully show his love to her again. This story is meant as a parable about God and Israel. The Israelites had left God and were prostituting themselves spiritually to other gods, but God still loved them and wanted to show His love to them. But just look at G...
Jul 25, 2022•15 min•Ep. 1456
Abraham in the Crucible Read Genesis 22. Out of nowhere and without explanation, God sud- denly calls Abraham to offer his own child as a burnt offering. Can you imagine how Abraham must have felt? It was a totally revolting idea that a holy God should request that he sacrifice his own son. Even if Abraham thought that this was acceptable, what about God’s promises of an inheritance? Without his son, the promise would be gone. Why did God ask Abraham to offer this sacrifice? If God knows every- ...
Jul 24, 2022•11 min•Ep. 1455
Read for This Week’s Study: Genesis 22, Hos. 2:1–12, Job 1:6–2:10, 2 Cor. 11:23–29, Isa. 43:1–7. Memory Text: “Yet it pleased the L ord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the L ord shall prosper in His hand” (Isaiah 53:10, NKJV). As the wife of the famous Christian writer C. S. Lewis was dying, Lewis wrote, “Not that I am (I think) in much danger of ceasing to believe in God. Th...
Jul 23, 2022•7 min•Ep. 1454
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “God Promises Us a New Heart of Flesh,” p. 100, in Sons and Daughters of God; “ ‘To Meet the Bridegroom,’ ” pp. 405–421, in Christ’s Object Lessons; “The Time of Trouble,” pp. 613–634, in The Great Controversy. “Character building is the most important work ever entrusted to human beings; and never before was its diligent study so important as now. Never was any previous generation called to meet issues so momen- tous; never before were young men and young w...
Jul 22, 2022•9 min•Ep. 1453
Character and Community A song goes like this: “I am a rock, I am an island.” Have you ever felt like that—wanting to stand alone? You may even have heard people say, “Well, my walk with God is a private affair. It’s not something I want to talk about.” Read Ephesians 4:11–16. What’s the point Paul is making here? What role does he give here for community? When Paul writes to the Ephesians, he describes the church as a body. Jesus is the Head, and His people make up the rest. If you look at Ephe...
Jul 21, 2022•10 min•Ep. 1452
“The Wise” Yesterday we looked at the importance of character for those waiting for the Second Coming. Today we will look more specifically at the importance of character for those who are alive at the second coming of Jesus. Read Daniel 12:1–10. What is the context? What time in earth’s his- tory is being referred to? Most important, what can we tell from these verses about the character of God’s people during these times? What characteristics are given them, in contrast to the wicked? (See als...
Jul 20, 2022•11 min•Ep. 1451
Jesus’ Last Words Jesus was in Jerusalem, about to die. According to Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus’ last teaching hour before Passover is spent telling His disciples parables, including the ones about the ten virgins and the sheep and the goats. These stories are related to the way we should live as we wait for Jesus to come. Thus, their relevancy to today—with the signs of Jesus’ soon return all around us—has never been more significant. In the parable of the ten virgins (Matt. 25:1–12), many comment...
Jul 19, 2022•10 min•Ep. 1450
Faith Amid the Refining Fire It’s one thing to be in a battle; it’s another not even to see the forces arrayed in that battle. In a sense, this is what we as Christians deal with. We know that the forces are out there, we can feel them in our lives, and yet, we have to press ahead in faith, trusting Him “who is invisible” (Heb. 11:27, NKJV). Read Job 23:1–10. What is the essence of Job’s struggle? What does he not see? At the same time, what does he take on faith, despite all his trials? Even am...
Jul 18, 2022•10 min•Ep. 1449
Wayward Israel The story of Hosea has some powerful lessons to teach us. Hosea’s situation is remarkable. His wife, Gomer, runs away and has children with other men. Though she is sexually unfaithful, God calls Hosea to take his wife back and fully show his love to her again. This story is meant as a parable about God and Israel. The Israelites had left God and were prostituting themselves spiritually to other gods, but God still loved them and wanted to show His love to them. But just look at G...
Jul 18, 2022•15 min•Ep. 1456
“In His Image” “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Rom. 8:29, NKJV). In the beginning, God made us in His image (Gen. 1:27), but that image has been corrupted by sin. In what ways do we see this defacing of God’s image in humanity? It’s obvious: we all have been corrupted by sin (Rom. 3:10–19). Yet, God’s desire is to restore us to what we should have been originally. This is where our verse toda...
Jul 17, 2022•12 min•Ep. 1448
Read for This Week’s Study: Matt. 5:16, 1 Cor. 4:9, Eph. 3:10, Job 23:1–10, Matt. 25:1–12, Dan. 12:1–10, Eph. 4:11–16. Memory Text: “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mir- ror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18, NKJV). Amy Carmichael took a group of children to a traditional gold- smith in India. In the middle of a charcoal fire was a curved roof tile. On the tile was a mixtu...
Jul 17, 2022•7 min•Ep. 1447
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “The Exodus,” pp. 281–290; “From the Red Sea to Sinai,” pp. 291–302, in Patriarchs and Prophets; “The Temptation,” pp. 114–123, in The Desire of Ages. “But of old the Lord led his people to Rephidim, and he may choose to lead us there also, to test our loyalty. He does not always bring us to pleasant places. If he did, in our self-sufficiency we should forget that he is our helper. He longs to manifest himself to us, and to reveal the abundant supplies at ou...
Jul 15, 2022•9 min•Ep. 1446
Trial by Fire There was a young man whom we’ll call Alex. He had come out of a very troubled youth: drugs, violence, even some time in jail. But then, through the kindness of a local church member (whom Alex had stolen from), Alex learned about God and gave his heart to Jesus. Though he still had his problems and struggles, and though elements of his past still lingered, Alex was a new person in Jesus. He loved God and sought to express that love by obeying His commandments (1 John 5:1, 2). At o...
Jul 14, 2022•12 min•Ep. 1445
An Enduring Legacy Read 1 Peter 1:6, 7. What is Peter saying? Peter was writing to people who were battling through difficulties and often felt very alone. He was writing “to God’s elect, exiles scat- tered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia” (1 Pet. 1:1, NIV). This is the area we know today as western Turkey. A few verses later, Peter says that he knows that they are experiencing “grief in all kinds of trials” (1 Pet. 1:6, NIV). What does Peter mean by sa...
Jul 13, 2022•8 min•Ep. 1444
