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Do You Squander God's Gifts?
Do You Squander God's Gifts?

Do You Squander God's Gifts?

In "God's Word for Today" David Woods writes:

There is something to be said for simply stopping to enjoy the beauty of God's creation. For example, when you stand on the rim of the Grand Canyon, it is proper to feel a quiet awe. Furthermore, the beauty of God's law is like a sweet perfume. Yet if awe is our only response, we squander the privileges afforded us by the gifts of God. The holiness of God's works and God's Word should inspire our desire to share His holiness. When we recognize the beauty of God's creation and God's Word, it is like bright sunlight revealing stained cloth-ing that had gone unnoticed in the darkness or artificial light.

Source: Studies in the Psalms: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 13.

Herald & Banner Press2016-09-10T09:00:00+00:00September 10th, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Gifts|0 Comments

The Music of Nature
The Music of Nature

The Music of Nature

In "Biblical Perspective" Gordon Snider writes concerning Psalm 19:3:

There is no speech nor language, no place on earth, that can block out the music of nature. Another possible interpretation is that the heavens do not need human speech to say what they wish to declare. We often talk about natural revelation, and we base that revelation in part upon this verse. But it is questionable whether the intent of nature's song is to inform about God so much as it is to glorify Him (Ps. 148:1).

Source: Studies in the Psalms: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 11.

Herald & Banner Press2016-09-09T09:00:00+00:00September 9th, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Nature|0 Comments

What is "the glory of God"?
What is "the glory of God"?

What is "the glory of God"?

In "Word Focus" Danny McCain writes:

One of the common expressions of Old Testament writers is “the glory of God.” The word glory is most often the Hebrew word kabed, which occurs 376 times in the Hebrew Bible. The basic meaning of the word is “to be heavy, weighty.” It is used in this sense in 2 Samuel 14:26 concerning Absalom's hair. It is not difficult to see how the word evolved to refer to a “weighty” person — someone with a lot of authority, hence worthy of honor and respect. Glory denotes the honor, respect, and reverence that others have toward a worthy person. When used in this way, it meant that which impressed others — the thing that caused one to stand out by himself. The wonders and beauties of nature are the natural items which impress the world, which cause their Author and Maker to stand out by Himself in glory. The expression also refers to other ways God is manifest, such as the visible form that filled the Temple.

Source: Studies in the Psalms: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 10.

Herald & Banner Press2016-09-08T11:20:00+00:00September 8th, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: God|0 Comments

The Gift of Righteousness
The Gift of Righteousness

“For if by one man's offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:17).
The story is told of a young African boy who gave his teacher a beautiful sea shell for Christmas. As the teacher was admiring its delicate beauty, she inquired where the lad had found it. He told her there was only one place where such rare gems could be found, a bay several miles away. As she expressed her astonishment that he would go to such lengths to secure a gift for her, He replied, "Long walk, part of gift."
When we consider the great sacrifice that Jesus made for our redemption, it is hard for us to fathom the extent of His journey from heavenly majesty to earthly poverty. "For God so loved…" Not only did He provide redemption for our transgressions, but He also gives us the gift of righteousness as part of the package deal. He is so far above us, yet He came all the way to earth to present himself as a sacrifice for our sins. (Daniel Edwards)

God looked from the throne of heaven,
Saw the clay his hands had formed;
Love flowed from his heart of mercy,
As he viewed man bruised and torn,
So, He wrapped himself in glory,
Tied it with a bow of flesh,

Tucked it in a lowly manger,
Jesus was his Christmas best.
(Daniel P. Edwards)

He came all the way for me!

This devotional is the Thursday, September 8, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.

Herald & Banner Press2016-09-07T09:00:00+00:00September 7th, 2016|Categories: Opening the Word|0 Comments

The Barrier of No Friends

A young couple came for counseling to the parsonage. The young man was struggling with a bad habit, but wanted to be free and to serve Christ. The problem was that all his friends engaged in this sinful activity and made fun of him when he said no. The young man accepted Christ during the visit, but his lack of Christian friends remains a challenge to his spiritual growth and vitality.

People like to be with people they know. People like to be with people who look like them, think like them, and have similar interests. Breaking into a group of which you know no one is quite intimidating, even for the most outgoing. Therefore, you should be aware that the unchurched people who attend your Sunday school class may not have any friends within your class, or even your church. You probably recognize this already, but what will you do about helping the unchurched who visit your class develop friendships in your class?

Herald & Banner Press2016-09-06T09:00:00+00:00September 6th, 2016|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: Sunday School|0 Comments

Responding to the Gifts of God

Lesson 2 - September 11, 2016
Focus Text: Psalm 19:1-14
Central Truth: While all people are blessed by God's gifts, the truly blessed are those who respond positively to those gifts.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify at least three ways they can respond positively to the gifts they have received from God.
Lesson Outline:

The Gift of Creation (Psalm 19:16)
The Gift of Revelation (Psalm 19:711)
The Gift of Cleansing (Psalm 19:1214)

Herald & Banner Press2016-09-05T09:00:00+00:00September 5th, 2016|Categories: Weekly Lesson Summaries|Tags: Gifts|0 Comments

Prayer – Lesson 1, Studies in the Psalms

Heavenly Father, as our classes begin this new quarter, enrich our faith as we study the "hymnal" of the Bible. Help us to respond to crises by worshiping Christ. In Jesus' name, we pray.

Herald & Banner Press2016-09-04T08:00:00+00:00September 4th, 2016|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: prayer|0 Comments

How do you approach God in times of trouble?
How do you approach God in times of trouble?

How do you approach God in times of trouble?

In "God's Word for Today" David Woods writes:

The faithful respond to crises by expressing faith in God. David was surrounded by wicked nations. He was distressed. Instead of uttering a panicky prayer, however, he worshiped God, and while doing so poured out his concerns and desires to God.

Source: Studies in the Psalms: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 5.

Herald & Banner Press2016-09-03T09:00:00+00:00September 3rd, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: prayer|0 Comments

What does it mean for God to be "sovereign"?
What does it mean for God to be "sovereign"?

What does it mean for God to be "sovereign"?

In "Doctrinal Discussion" William Sillings writes:

Sovereignty can be defined as the essential quality of God by which He exercises His supremacy because of who He is and in harmony with whom He has revealed Himself to be. His sovereignty does not allow Him to act outside of His other essential characteristics. That is, being sovereign, He is also holy, just, loving, eternal, etc. His sovereignty does not detract from or diminish His other attributes.

For practical implications of the sovereignty of God, see the "Doctrinal Discussion" in Adult Teacher's Insights!
Source: Studies in the Psalms: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 8.

Herald & Banner Press2016-09-02T09:00:00+00:00September 2nd, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Sovereignty|0 Comments

King of Kings
King of Kings

King of Kings

“The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret” (Daniel 2:47).

Each ancient nation had its own god. These gods were territorial gods who ruled the land in which their worshipers lived. Jehovah is unique. He is not a god; He is the God of gods. He is the creator of the heavens and the earth. The Babylonians considered Marduk as supreme in the pantheon of gods. However, when Nebuchadnezzar saw the power of Daniel’s God, he exclaimed, “Of a truth, your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings.”
In the ancient world, the status of a god gave status to his worshipers. The Jewish people were captives, but they were worshipers of the King of kings. How they must have rejoiced when even Nebuchadnezzar recognized the power and majesty of their God.
Today, Christians face scorn from society’s elites. But never forget that you serve the King of kings. Someday, every knee will bow before Him. Regardless of the opposition of this world, our Lord reigns forever and ever. (Randall McElwain)

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
King of Kings! And Lord of Lords!
And He shall reign forever and ever. Hallelujah!
(Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus: Public Domain)

<
p style="text-align:center;font-style:italic;">Do not live in defeat and discouragement.
You are a child of the God of gods and King of kings.
This devotional is the Saturday, September 3, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.

Herald & Banner Press2016-09-01T09:00:00+00:00September 1st, 2016|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: King|0 Comments

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