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Lesson References Index - Lesson 7 – February 9 to February 15
Through a Glass, Darkly
(All Bible texts are in the NKJV Bible unless otherwise indicated)Sabbath Afternoon
Memory text: 1 Corinthians 3:19
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”;
Introduction: Take Nothing for Granted Ps. 8:3-9
I don't see how the cleverly camouflaged lizard crawled out of the primordial ooze or that the efficiency of fungi cleaning the forest floor was anything but planned. Evolutionists base their theories on the concept that nature evolved out of the instinct for survival—the dog-eat-dog world. But what about the things in this world whose only function is beauty? Or what about the thoughts and actions that cannot possibly stem from competitive survival, such as human kindness?
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; / your works are wonderful, / I know that full well. / My frame was not hidden from you / when I was made in the secret place” (Ps. 139:14, 15, NIV). Tamara Naja, Bowling Green, Kentucky, U.S.A. in Collegiate Quarterly, Sabbath February 9, 2013, www.cqbiblestudy.org, Citation of the day added by us here at sse6.blogspot.com
Introduction: Take Nothing for Granted Ps. 8:3-9
I don't see how the cleverly camouflaged lizard crawled out of the primordial ooze or that the efficiency of fungi cleaning the forest floor was anything but planned. Evolutionists base their theories on the concept that nature evolved out of the instinct for survival—the dog-eat-dog world. But what about the things in this world whose only function is beauty? Or what about the thoughts and actions that cannot possibly stem from competitive survival, such as human kindness?
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; / your works are wonderful, / I know that full well. / My frame was not hidden from you / when I was made in the secret place” (Ps. 139:14, 15, NIV). Tamara Naja, Bowling Green, Kentucky, U.S.A. in Collegiate Quarterly, Sabbath February 9, 2013, www.cqbiblestudy.org, Citation of the day added by us here at sse6.blogspot.com
Sunday – The Earth Is the Lord’s
Psalm 24:1-2
1 The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.
2 For He has founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the waters.
The world and those who dwell therein.
2 For He has founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the waters.
Job 41:11
11 Who has preceded Me, that I should pay him?
Everything under heaven is Mine.
Everything under heaven is Mine.
Psalm 50:10
10 For every beast of the forest is Mine,
And the cattle on a thousand hills.
And the cattle on a thousand hills.
Isaiah 43:1-2
1 But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Ellen G. White, Conflict and Courage, p. 32.
In the days of Noah a double curse was resting upon the earth in consequence of Adam’s transgression and of the murder committed by Cain. Yet this had not greatly changed the face of nature.... The human race yet retained much of its early vigor. But a few generations had passed since Adam had access to the tree which was to prolong life; and man’s existence was still measured by centuries. Had that long-lived people with their rare powers to plan and execute, devoted themselves to the service of God, they would have made their Creator’s name a praise in the earth.... But they failed to do this.
Not desiring to retain God in their knowledge, they soon came to deny His existence. They adored nature in place of the God of nature.... Extensive groves, that retained their foliage throughout the year, were dedicated to the worship of false gods.... Men put God out of their knowledge and worshiped the creatures of their own imagination; and as the result, they became more and more debased.
The men of that generation were not all, in the fullest acceptation of the term, idolaters. Many professed to be worshipers of God. They claimed that their idols were representations of the Deity and that through them the people could obtain a clearer conception of the divine Being. This class were foremost in rejecting the preaching of Noah. As they endeavored to represent God by material objects, their minds were blinded to His majesty and power; they ceased to realize the holiness of His character, or the sacred, unchanging nature of His requirements.
Man will rise no higher than his conceptions of truth, purity, and holiness. If the mind is never exalted above the level of humanity, if it is not uplifted by faith to contemplate infinite wisdom and love, the man will be constantly sinking lower and lower. The worshipers of false gods clothed their deities with human attributes and passions, and thus their standard of character was degraded to the likeness of sinful humanity.
More so, we are God’s not only by creation but, even more important, by Redemption. Though a wonderful gift from God, human life has been greatly damaged through sin and will end in death, a prospect that denudes life of all meaning and purpose. Life, as it now exists for us, isn’t all that great. Our only hope is the wonderful promise of redemption, the only thing that can make things “right” again. Thus, we are Christ’s by Creation and by Redemption. L. James Gibson, Sabbath School lesson of the day. He's director of the Geoscience Research Institute (www.grisda.org) in Loma Linda, California. Citation of the day added by us here at sse6.blogspot.com
Logos: The World Around Us Isa. 43:1; John 12:31, 32; Rom. 8:20-22
God Made a Perfect World (Isa. 43:1; Ps. 24:1), Humans Ruined It (Gen. 3:17; Rom. 8:20-22), The Devil Gained Control . . . Sort Of (John 12:31, 32; Eph. 2:1, 2), God Won the World Back (Psalms 8; 19) from Amanda Ernst, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.A., in Collegiate Quarterly, Sunday February 10, 2013, www.cqbiblestudy.org, Citation of the day added by us here at sse6.blogspot.com
More so, we are God’s not only by creation but, even more important, by Redemption. Though a wonderful gift from God, human life has been greatly damaged through sin and will end in death, a prospect that denudes life of all meaning and purpose. Life, as it now exists for us, isn’t all that great. Our only hope is the wonderful promise of redemption, the only thing that can make things “right” again. Thus, we are Christ’s by Creation and by Redemption. L. James Gibson, Sabbath School lesson of the day. He's director of the Geoscience Research Institute (www.grisda.org) in Loma Linda, California. Citation of the day added by us here at sse6.blogspot.com
Logos: The World Around Us Isa. 43:1; John 12:31, 32; Rom. 8:20-22
God Made a Perfect World (Isa. 43:1; Ps. 24:1), Humans Ruined It (Gen. 3:17; Rom. 8:20-22), The Devil Gained Control . . . Sort Of (John 12:31, 32; Eph. 2:1, 2), God Won the World Back (Psalms 8; 19) from Amanda Ernst, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.A., in Collegiate Quarterly, Sunday February 10, 2013, www.cqbiblestudy.org, Citation of the day added by us here at sse6.blogspot.com
Monday – A Fallen World
Genesis 3:17
17 Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’:
“Cursed is the ground for your sake;
In toil you shall eat of it
All the days of your life.
“Cursed is the ground for your sake;
In toil you shall eat of it
All the days of your life.
Genesis 4:11-12
11 So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth.”
Genesis 5:29
29 And he called his name Noah, saying, “This one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD has cursed.”
Genesis 8:21
21 And the LORD smelled a soothing aroma. Then the LORD said in His heart, “I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done.
Romans 8:19-22
19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.
...The curse on the ground for Adam’s sake must have involved the plant kingdom, because its results would include the production of thorns and thistles. The implication is that all of the Creation is affected by the curses resulting from sin. The Ellen G. White quote above states very clearly that the curse upon Cain was not limited merely to him but rested on the whole world...
The Flood disrupted the system of watering that God had established at Creation, stripping the soil from parts of the earth and depositing it in other parts. Even now, rain continues to leach the soil, robbing it of its fertility and further reducing the crop yield. God graciously promised not to curse the earth again, but the soil we have inherited is a far cry from the rich, productive soil God originally created. L. James Gibson, Sabbath School lesson of the day. He's director of the Geoscience Research Institute (www.grisda.org) in Loma Linda, California. Citation of the day added by us here at sse6.blogspot.com
Testimony: God's Love in Nature Pss. 24:1; 50:10
“Even amid the suffering that results from sin, God's love is revealed. . . . The thorn and the thistle—the difficulties and trials that make [a human's] life one of toil and care—were appointed for [man's] good as a part of the training needful in God's plan for his uplifting from the ruin and degradation that sin has wrought. The world, though fallen, is not all sorrow and misery. In nature itself are messages of hope and comfort. There are flowers upon the thistles, and the thorns are covered with roses.
“ ‘God is love’ is written upon every opening bud, upon every spire of springing grass. The lovely birds making the air vocal with their happy songs, the delicately tinted flowers in their perfection perfuming the air, the lofty trees of the forest with their rich foliage of living green—all testify to the tender, fatherly care of our God and to His desire to make His children happy.”2 2 Elle n G. White, Steps to Christ, pp. 9, 10. from Karen Pires, Pendleton, South Carolina, U.S.A. in Collegiate Quarterly, Monday February 11, 2013, www.cqbiblestudy.org, Citation of the day added by us here at sse6.blogspot.com
...The curse on the ground for Adam’s sake must have involved the plant kingdom, because its results would include the production of thorns and thistles. The implication is that all of the Creation is affected by the curses resulting from sin. The Ellen G. White quote above states very clearly that the curse upon Cain was not limited merely to him but rested on the whole world...
The Flood disrupted the system of watering that God had established at Creation, stripping the soil from parts of the earth and depositing it in other parts. Even now, rain continues to leach the soil, robbing it of its fertility and further reducing the crop yield. God graciously promised not to curse the earth again, but the soil we have inherited is a far cry from the rich, productive soil God originally created. L. James Gibson, Sabbath School lesson of the day. He's director of the Geoscience Research Institute (www.grisda.org) in Loma Linda, California. Citation of the day added by us here at sse6.blogspot.com
Testimony: God's Love in Nature Pss. 24:1; 50:10
“Even amid the suffering that results from sin, God's love is revealed. . . . The thorn and the thistle—the difficulties and trials that make [a human's] life one of toil and care—were appointed for [man's] good as a part of the training needful in God's plan for his uplifting from the ruin and degradation that sin has wrought. The world, though fallen, is not all sorrow and misery. In nature itself are messages of hope and comfort. There are flowers upon the thistles, and the thorns are covered with roses.
“ ‘God is love’ is written upon every opening bud, upon every spire of springing grass. The lovely birds making the air vocal with their happy songs, the delicately tinted flowers in their perfection perfuming the air, the lofty trees of the forest with their rich foliage of living green—all testify to the tender, fatherly care of our God and to His desire to make His children happy.”2 2 Elle n G. White, Steps to Christ, pp. 9, 10. from Karen Pires, Pendleton, South Carolina, U.S.A. in Collegiate Quarterly, Monday February 11, 2013, www.cqbiblestudy.org, Citation of the day added by us here at sse6.blogspot.com
Tuesday – The Ruler of This World
Job 1:7
7 And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?”
So Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”
So Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”
1 Peter 5:8
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
John 12:31
31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
John 14:30
30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.
John 16:11
11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
Ephesians 2:2
2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
Ephesians 6:12
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
As we have seen, the world belongs to God, both by Creation and by Redemption. But we mustn’t forget, either, the reality of Satan, the reality of the great controversy, and the reality of Satan’s attempt to wrest control over all that he possibly can. Even though, after the Cross, his defeat was made certain, he’s not going down quietly or gently. His wrath and destructive power, though limited to a degree by God in ways that we certainly don’t understand now, must never be underestimated. We mustn’t forget, either, that however often issues may come to us in shades of gray, the ultimate battle boils down to only two forces: Christ and Satan. There is no middle ground. And, as we know, so much of this world falls under the banner of the wrong side. Is it any wonder, then, that the world is so damaged?
Whatever the phrase “the prince of this world” entails, it’s clear that in this role Satan still exerts a powerful and destructive influence on the earth. This truth gives us all the more reason to realize that the natural world has been greatly damaged, and we need to be very careful about the lessons that we draw from it regarding God. After all, look at how badly Darwin misinterpreted the state of the world. L. James Gibson, Sabbath School lesson of the day. He's director of the Geoscience Research Institute (www.grisda.org) in Loma Linda, California. Citation of the day added by us here at sse6.blogspot.com
Evidence: Creator—Loving and All Powerful Gen. 3:6
But because sin entered this world and because many of us consider ourselves as great as God, we, too, have made the world what it is today. We must thank God daily for His Son's sacrifice for sinful humans who have perverted and destroyed His perfect creation. One day everyone will know the true power of God. Not everyone, however, will experience the new beautiful creation He has in store for us. Let God help you not to be a member of that group! From Ross Knight, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.A. in Collegiate Quarterly, Tuesday February 12, 2013, www.cqbiblestudy.org, Citation of the day added by us here at sse6.blogspot.com
As we have seen, the world belongs to God, both by Creation and by Redemption. But we mustn’t forget, either, the reality of Satan, the reality of the great controversy, and the reality of Satan’s attempt to wrest control over all that he possibly can. Even though, after the Cross, his defeat was made certain, he’s not going down quietly or gently. His wrath and destructive power, though limited to a degree by God in ways that we certainly don’t understand now, must never be underestimated. We mustn’t forget, either, that however often issues may come to us in shades of gray, the ultimate battle boils down to only two forces: Christ and Satan. There is no middle ground. And, as we know, so much of this world falls under the banner of the wrong side. Is it any wonder, then, that the world is so damaged?
Whatever the phrase “the prince of this world” entails, it’s clear that in this role Satan still exerts a powerful and destructive influence on the earth. This truth gives us all the more reason to realize that the natural world has been greatly damaged, and we need to be very careful about the lessons that we draw from it regarding God. After all, look at how badly Darwin misinterpreted the state of the world. L. James Gibson, Sabbath School lesson of the day. He's director of the Geoscience Research Institute (www.grisda.org) in Loma Linda, California. Citation of the day added by us here at sse6.blogspot.com
Evidence: Creator—Loving and All Powerful Gen. 3:6
But because sin entered this world and because many of us consider ourselves as great as God, we, too, have made the world what it is today. We must thank God daily for His Son's sacrifice for sinful humans who have perverted and destroyed His perfect creation. One day everyone will know the true power of God. Not everyone, however, will experience the new beautiful creation He has in store for us. Let God help you not to be a member of that group! From Ross Knight, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.A. in Collegiate Quarterly, Tuesday February 12, 2013, www.cqbiblestudy.org, Citation of the day added by us here at sse6.blogspot.com
Wednesday – The 'Wisdom' of the World
1 Corinthians 1:18-21
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
1 Corinthians 3:18-21
18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; 20 and again, “The LORDknows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” 21 Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours:
Knowledge and information, however, are not necessarily the same thing as “wisdom.” ...
A “greater understanding,” however, isn’t the same thing as wisdom either...
Also, as stated earlier, so much science today, especially in the context of human origins, begins from a purely naturalistic perspective. Even though many of history’s greatest scientific geniuses-Newton, Kepler, Galileo-were believers in God and saw their work as helping to explain the work of God in creation (Kepler once wrote: “O God, I think Thy thoughts after Thee . . .”), such sentiments today are often mocked by segments of the scientific community. L. James Gibson, Sabbath School lesson of the day. He's director of the Geoscience Research Institute (www.grisda.org) in Loma Linda, California. Citation of the day added by us here at sse6.blogspot.com
How-to: Seeing Through the Glass Eph. 2:10
Acknowledge your own poor sight. One thing we know for sure: when we actively seek God, He will not hide from us (Jer. 29:12). Decide what you will look for. Beware of self-confidence. “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 6:12, NIV). “We are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph. 2:10, NIV). God knows when the sparrow falls (Matt. 10:29); do you not believe that He knows when you fall because you're trapped in darkness? He created you with a purpose. Let your roots grow deep in Him. Let your eyesight be guided by His healing hands. Let Christ clean the glass. Aimee Shantell Burchard, Lookout Mountain, Georgia, U.S.A. in Collegiate Quarterly, Wednesday February 13, 2013, www.cqbiblestudy.org, Citation of the day added by us here at sse6.blogspot.com
Knowledge and information, however, are not necessarily the same thing as “wisdom.” ...
A “greater understanding,” however, isn’t the same thing as wisdom either...
Also, as stated earlier, so much science today, especially in the context of human origins, begins from a purely naturalistic perspective. Even though many of history’s greatest scientific geniuses-Newton, Kepler, Galileo-were believers in God and saw their work as helping to explain the work of God in creation (Kepler once wrote: “O God, I think Thy thoughts after Thee . . .”), such sentiments today are often mocked by segments of the scientific community. L. James Gibson, Sabbath School lesson of the day. He's director of the Geoscience Research Institute (www.grisda.org) in Loma Linda, California. Citation of the day added by us here at sse6.blogspot.com
How-to: Seeing Through the Glass Eph. 2:10
Acknowledge your own poor sight. One thing we know for sure: when we actively seek God, He will not hide from us (Jer. 29:12). Decide what you will look for. Beware of self-confidence. “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 6:12, NIV). “We are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph. 2:10, NIV). God knows when the sparrow falls (Matt. 10:29); do you not believe that He knows when you fall because you're trapped in darkness? He created you with a purpose. Let your roots grow deep in Him. Let your eyesight be guided by His healing hands. Let Christ clean the glass. Aimee Shantell Burchard, Lookout Mountain, Georgia, U.S.A. in Collegiate Quarterly, Wednesday February 13, 2013, www.cqbiblestudy.org, Citation of the day added by us here at sse6.blogspot.com
Thursday – Through the Eye of Faith
Read Psalm 8
Psalm 19:1-4
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork.
2 Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.
And the firmament shows His handiwork.
2 Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.
John 14:9
9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Only in the last hundred years have we really come to begin to grasp the vastness of the cosmos and, hence, our physical smallness in comparison. One can’t even imagine someone like David, apart from divine revelation, having any idea of just how big the “heavens” were. If he was in awe back then, how much more so should we be, knowing that despite the size of the universe, God loves us with a love that we can’t even begin to fathom?
...Others have focused on the problem of evil in nature and blamed God for the problems that are, in fact, the result of their own choices or of the devil’s activities.
To the believer, the creation truly speaks of God’s care, even amidst the evil introduced by Satan. Yet, even as powerful of a testimony and witness that the created world is, the revelation is incomplete, especially due to the results of the Fall and the curses it has brought. L. James Gibson, Sabbath School lesson of the day. He's director of the Geoscience Research Institute (www.grisda.org) in Loma Linda, California. Citation of the day added by us here at sse6.blogspot.com
Opinion: Dos and Don'ts, or Something More? Mark 2:27
I discovered that the Sabbath isn't about a list of dos and don'ts. Instead, the Sabbath is about building a relationship with God. Think of it this way: the Sabbath is like a wedding ring (or watch). Such a wedding gift signifies a commitment to a relationship. And that's what the Sabbath is for Christians. It shows the world that we are committed to the God who made the heavens and the earth. This relationship signifies that He justifies and sanctifies us. He alone can save us and when He does, He places His robe of righteousness on us.
With Christ's robe covering us, He then sees us without sin; and even though we still may sin, if we ask for repentance, His robe continues to cover us. Sabbath is a reminder that we are seen as spotless and that we are saved as long as we remain in Him. And the beautiful thing is that all of creation points to that one day, that one relationship. Now for me, the Sabbath is not about a list of dos and don'ts but about building that relationship with God. Suzanne Ocsai, Collegedale, Tennessee, U.S.A. in Collegiate Quarterly, Thursday February 14, 2013, www.cqbiblestudy.org, Citation of the day added by us here at sse6.blogspot.com
Only in the last hundred years have we really come to begin to grasp the vastness of the cosmos and, hence, our physical smallness in comparison. One can’t even imagine someone like David, apart from divine revelation, having any idea of just how big the “heavens” were. If he was in awe back then, how much more so should we be, knowing that despite the size of the universe, God loves us with a love that we can’t even begin to fathom?
...Others have focused on the problem of evil in nature and blamed God for the problems that are, in fact, the result of their own choices or of the devil’s activities.
To the believer, the creation truly speaks of God’s care, even amidst the evil introduced by Satan. Yet, even as powerful of a testimony and witness that the created world is, the revelation is incomplete, especially due to the results of the Fall and the curses it has brought. L. James Gibson, Sabbath School lesson of the day. He's director of the Geoscience Research Institute (www.grisda.org) in Loma Linda, California. Citation of the day added by us here at sse6.blogspot.com
Opinion: Dos and Don'ts, or Something More? Mark 2:27
I discovered that the Sabbath isn't about a list of dos and don'ts. Instead, the Sabbath is about building a relationship with God. Think of it this way: the Sabbath is like a wedding ring (or watch). Such a wedding gift signifies a commitment to a relationship. And that's what the Sabbath is for Christians. It shows the world that we are committed to the God who made the heavens and the earth. This relationship signifies that He justifies and sanctifies us. He alone can save us and when He does, He places His robe of righteousness on us.
With Christ's robe covering us, He then sees us without sin; and even though we still may sin, if we ask for repentance, His robe continues to cover us. Sabbath is a reminder that we are seen as spotless and that we are saved as long as we remain in Him. And the beautiful thing is that all of creation points to that one day, that one relationship. Now for me, the Sabbath is not about a list of dos and don'ts but about building that relationship with God. Suzanne Ocsai, Collegedale, Tennessee, U.S.A. in Collegiate Quarterly, Thursday February 14, 2013, www.cqbiblestudy.org, Citation of the day added by us here at sse6.blogspot.com
Friday – Further Study
Ellen G. White, Medical Ministry, p.98
I have been warned [1890] that henceforth we shall have a constant contest. Science, so called, and religion will be placed in opposition to each other, because finite men do not comprehend the power and greatness of God. These words of Holy Writ were presented to me, “Of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
This will surely be seen among the people of God, and there will be those who are unable to perceive the most wonderful and important truths for this time, truths which are essential for their own safety and salvation, while matters that are in comparison as the merest atoms, matters in which there is scarcely a grain of truth, are dwelt upon and are magnified by the power of Satan so that they appear of the utmost importance. The moral sight of these men is diseased; they do not feel their need of the heavenly anointing that they may discern spiritual things. They think themselves too wise to err.
Men who have not a daily experience in the things of God will not move wisely in dealing with sacred responsibilities; they will mistake light for error, and specious error they will pronounce light, mistaking phantoms for realities and realities for phantoms, calling a world an atom and an atom a world. They will fall into deceptions and delusions that Satan has prepared as concealed nets to entangle the feet of those who think they can walk in their human wisdom without the special grace of Christ. Jesus wants men to see not men as trees walking, but all things clearly. There is only one remedy for the sinful soul, and unless it is received, men will accept one delusion after another until their senses are perverted.
Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts, vol. 3, p. 88
By transgressing God's commandments a curse fell upon Adam and Eve, and they were deprived of all right to the tree of life. Christ died to save man, and yet preserve the honor of God's law. He says “Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the City.” The Son of God here presents the doing of the commandments of God as the condition of a right to the tree of life. The transgression of God's commandments deprived man of all right to the tree of life. Christ died, that by virtue of his blood, obedience to God's law might make man worthy of the heavenly benediction, and grant him a right again to the tree of life.
Ellen G. White, Conflict and Courage, p. 32. – See Sunday
Romans 11:33-36
33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchableare His judgments and His ways past finding out!
34 “For who has known the mind of the LORD?
Or who has become His counselor?”
35 “Or who has first given to Him
And it shall be repaid to him?”
36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.
34 “For who has known the mind of the LORD?
Or who has become His counselor?”
35 “Or who has first given to Him
And it shall be repaid to him?”
36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.
Job 40:1-2
1 Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said:
2 “Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him?
He who rebukes God, let him answer it.”
2 “Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him?
He who rebukes God, let him answer it.”
Job 40:7-8
7 “Now prepare yourself like a man;
I will question you, and you shall answer Me:
8 “Would you indeed annul My judgment?
Would you condemn Me that you may be justified?
Exploration Designer Restores Crash-Test Dummies! Isa. 43:1
CONCLUDE: Some days we feel like crash-test dummies—locked in a vehicle (earth) hurtling uncontrollably toward certain destruction. The cumulative effect of generations of selfishness, coupled with our own sinful errors, guarantees a shattering conclusion to the ride. Piercing this dark hopelessness is a ray of hope that, miracle of miracles, the One who designed and created us is anxious to restore His shattered creation. Although our self-centeredness has marred His creation, He will restore us as only our Creator can. Entrust your wrecked and mangled soul to the One who loves His creation and who will spare nothing to make it new. Dan SolÃs, College Place, Washington, U.S.A. in Collegiate Quarterly, Friday February 15, 2013, www.cqbiblestudy.org, Citation of the day added by us here at sse6.blogspot.com
I will question you, and you shall answer Me:
8 “Would you indeed annul My judgment?
Would you condemn Me that you may be justified?
Exploration Designer Restores Crash-Test Dummies! Isa. 43:1
CONCLUDE: Some days we feel like crash-test dummies—locked in a vehicle (earth) hurtling uncontrollably toward certain destruction. The cumulative effect of generations of selfishness, coupled with our own sinful errors, guarantees a shattering conclusion to the ride. Piercing this dark hopelessness is a ray of hope that, miracle of miracles, the One who designed and created us is anxious to restore His shattered creation. Although our self-centeredness has marred His creation, He will restore us as only our Creator can. Entrust your wrecked and mangled soul to the One who loves His creation and who will spare nothing to make it new. Dan SolÃs, College Place, Washington, U.S.A. in Collegiate Quarterly, Friday February 15, 2013, www.cqbiblestudy.org, Citation of the day added by us here at sse6.blogspot.com
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