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Showing posts from July, 2025

🩸 Covered by the Blood: Why Passover Points to the Messiah (Exodus 12) | July 29 Sabbath School

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🩸 Exodus Lesson 5: Covered by the Blood | Sabbath School Study (July 29, 2025) 🖼️ AI-generated image: Israelites marking their doorframes with lamb’s blood during Passover (Exodus 12) Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Weekly Theme: Lesson 5 — Passover 🕊️ Pesach: Covered by the Blood In the first Passover, the blood of the lamb wasn’t symbolic — it was survival. As death loomed, God gave specific instructions: mark your home with blood. The destroying angel would pass over those who obeyed in faith. 📖 Exodus 12:13 (KJBPNV) “‭And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where you are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.” God’s justice passed over them — not because they were better, but because of the blood. That’s the gospel. The lamb had to be perfect, foreshadowing the Messiah Himself. 📖 John 1:29 (KJBPNV) “‭The next day John saw Yahshua coming to him...

🕊️ Exodus 12 Devotional: The Meaning of Passover | July 28, 2025 Sabbath School Reflection

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🕊️ Exodus Lesson 5: The Passover | Sabbath School Study (July 28, 2025) 🖼️ AI-generated image: Israelites marking doorposts and preparing lamb for Passover (Exodus 12) Date: Monday, July 28, 2025 Weekly Theme: Lesson 5 — Passover 🩸 The Passover Just before the great deliverance from Egypt, God didn’t give Moses logistical instructions about the escape — He gave commands about worship. Before anything else, they were to prepare for the Passover, a sacred act that placed redemption at the center of their identity. Every household was to prepare a lamb. No part of it was to be wasted. If a family was too small, they were to share. Blood from the lamb was to be placed on the doorposts — a visible sign of faith and obedience. 📖 Exodus 12:13–14 (KJBPNV) “‭And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where you are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you... And this day shall be to you for a memorial... by an ordinance forever.” The Hebrew word...

⚖️ Exodus Lesson 5: One More Plague | Sabbath School Reflection (July 27, 2025)

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🖼️ AI-generated image: Moses warning Pharaoh about the death of the firstborn (Exodus 11) Date: Sunday, July 27, 2025 Weekly Theme: Lesson 5 — Passover ☠️ One More Plague The final blow was coming. One last plague — not just to punish, but to make a divine point: Yahweh is just, patient, and merciful — but He is also holy. Moses delivered the most devastating warning yet, knowing full well that Pharaoh’s pride would cost innocent lives. 📖 Exodus 11:4–6 (KJBPNV) “‭And Moses said, Thus says Yahweh, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt: And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die… And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more.” There’s something chilling about divine justice when it finally arrives. God gave Pharaoh time — even three days of literal darkness to reflect. But Pharaoh chose resistance. God’s justice is not cruel; it’s grounded in truth and love....

🩸 Exodus Lesson 5: When God Passes Over | Sabbath School Reflection (July 26, 2025)

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🩸 Exodus Lesson 5: Passover | Sabbath School Study (July 26, 2025) 🖼️ AI-generated image: representation of the Passover in Exodus 12 Date: Sabbath, July 26, 2025 Weekly Theme: Lesson 5 — Passover 🩸 When God Passes Over: A Matter of Life and Death Have you ever found yourself in a moment where your next decision didn’t just affect you — but everyone around you? That was Pharaoh’s moment. Egypt’s destiny, Israel’s deliverance, and even the future of his own household all hung in the balance. This wasn’t just a battle of wills. It was a final call. A divine invitation to surrender. But Pharaoh’s refusal — despite plague after plague — brought unimaginable sorrow, not just on himself, but upon an entire nation. God doesn’t force our hand. He calls, warns, and waits. And He gives us what we need to choose right: 📖 1 Corinthians 1:30 (KJBPNV) “‭But of him are you in the Messiah Yahshua, who of God is made to us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and ...

🌍 Faith in Action: Kokila's Silent World | Inside Story (July 25, 2025)

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🌍 Faith in Action: Kokila's Silent World Inside Story – July 25, 2025 📸 Image Source: SSNet.org - Sabbath School Quarterly (Lesson 4, 3Q 2025) No one in town had ever converted to Christianity, and townspeople burned with anger when Kokila’s father and four other families decided to keep the seventh-day Sabbath. Kokila was 9, and her life changed forever. Kokila’s mother had died when she was a baby, and she lived with her father, four older sisters, and an older brother in southern Asia. Her father, an impoverished farmer, was barred from working in the field after he started keeping the Sabbath. He and the other Sabbath-keepers were also forbidden from buying food in local shops. On top of that, town leaders warned that anyone who spoke to the Sabbath-keepers would have to pay a heavy fine. As a result, neighbors refused to talk to Kokila and her family. Kokila, once surrounded by friends, lost them all. She found herself in a strange and silent world. ...

🧱 Exodus Lesson 4: Further Thought | Sabbath School Study (July 25, 2025)

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🧱 Exodus Lesson 4: Further Thought | Sabbath School Study (Friday, July 25, 2025) 🖼️ AI-generated image: symbolic reflection of the aftermath of Egypt’s plagues and Pharaoh’s hardened heart Date: Friday, July 25, 2025 Weekly Theme: Lesson 4 — The Plagues 🪔 Further Thought As we conclude this week’s lesson, we reflect on the spiritual depth of the plagues—beyond their physical impact. Each judgment was a call from Yahweh for repentance, a rejection of idolatry, and an invitation to know Him as the true and living Elohim. Yet Pharaoh resisted until the very end, blinded by pride and hardened in rebellion. 📚 Ellen G. White offers this powerful insight in Patriarchs and Prophets : "His [God’s] people were permitted to experience the grinding cruelty of the Egyptians, that they might not be deceived concerning the debasing influence of idolatry. In His dealing with Pharaoh, the Lord manifested His hatred of idolatry and His determination to punish c...

🌩️ Exodus Lesson 4: Hail, Locusts, and Darkness | Sabbath School Study (July 24, 2025)

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🌩️ Exodus Lesson 4: Hail, Locusts, and Darkness | Sabbath School Study (July 24, 2025) 🖼️ AI-generated image: symbolic representation of the seventh, eighth, and ninth plagues in Exodus Date: Thursday, July 24, 2025 Weekly Theme: Lesson 4 — The Plagues 🌪️ Hail, Locusts, and Darkness As the seventh, eighth, and ninth plagues fell upon Egypt, we see Yahweh directly confronting some of Egypt’s most revered deities. These were not random events, but targeted judgments—each one exposing the powerlessness of false gods and the ultimate authority of the Creator. 📖 Exodus 9:23 (KJBPNV) “‭And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and Yahweh sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and Yahweh rained hail upon the land of Egypt.” ☁️ The hailstorm challenged Nut , the Egyptian sky goddess, and Osiris , god of crops. The fire that mingled with the hail devastated Egypt’s food sources and declared Yahweh’s dominion over weather, life, ...

📖 Exodus Lesson 4: Flies, Livestock & Boils | Sabbath School Study (July 23, 2025)

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📖 Wednesday, July 23 — Flies, Livestock & Boils Illustration: Flies swarm, livestock fall, and boils spread as God defeats Egypt's false gods (AI-generated) 📖 Read: Exodus 8:20–9:12 As the plagues continued, the Lord specifically targeted Egypt’s false gods, stripping them of their so-called powers. Each plague wasn’t just a judgment—it was a spiritual confrontation between the one true God and the counterfeit deities that Egypt revered. 🛡️🐂🦟 🦟 Fourth Plague: Flies Attack (Exod. 8:20–24) The god Uatchit (protector of swamps) and Khepri (god of creation and rebirth, depicted as a beetle) were powerless against the onslaught of flies and biting insects. Yet while Egypt was tormented, Goshen was spared . God declared: “I am the LORD in the midst of the land.” —Exodus 8:22, NKJV Pharaoh tried to compromise—saying Israel could worship, but only within Egypt. Moses refused, because true worship required separation from compromise. 🙅‍♂️🕊️ ...

📖 Exodus Lesson 4: The First Three Plagues | Sabbath School Study (July 22, 2025)

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📖 Tuesday, July 22 — The First Three Plagues Illustration: Nile turned to blood, frogs invade, gnats rise from the dust (AI-generated) 📖 Read: Exodus 7:14 – 8:19 God’s power was put on display through the first three plagues in Egypt—each one targeting a specific Egyptian god. These weren’t just natural disasters—they were divine messages aimed at the spiritual deception Egypt lived under. 🇪🇬⚡ 🔴 First Plague: The Nile Turns to Blood (Exod. 7:17–25) The Nile was worshiped as Hapi , the river god who gave life to Egypt. But when Moses stretched out his staff, the water turned to blood. Fish died, the river stank, and the people suffered. 💀🐟 “By this you shall know that I am the LORD.” —Exodus 7:17, NKJV 💡 Lesson: Only the living God is the true Source of life. Water, food, even breath—all come from Him (Gen. 1; Ps. 104:27-28). 🐸 Second Plague: Frogs Overrun the Land (Exod. 8:1–15) Frogs symbolized the fertility goddess Heqet , often depicte...

📖 Exodus Lesson 4: Who Hardened Pharaoh’s Heart? | Sabbath School Study (July 21, 2025)

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📖 Monday, July 21 — Who Hardened Pharaoh’s Heart? Illustration: Pharaoh resists God’s message from Moses and Aaron (AI-generated) 📚 Read: Exodus 7:3–13, 14, 22 One of the most perplexing theological questions in Exodus is: Who hardened Pharaoh’s heart? Was it God? Or Pharaoh himself? The Bible gives both perspectives. The hardening of Pharaoh’s heart is attributed to God nine times (Exod. 4:21; 7:3; 9:12; 10:1, 20, 27; 11:10; 14:4, 8) and to Pharaoh nine times as well (Exod. 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 34–35). 💡 The first five times, Pharaoh hardens his own heart. Starting with the sixth plague, the Bible says God hardened it . But that doesn’t mean God forced Pharaoh to disobey. Instead, He confirmed the direction Pharaoh had already freely chosen. “So the heart of Pharaoh was hard; neither would he let the children of Israel go, as the LORD had spoken by Moses.” —Exodus 9:35, NKJV 🧠 Think of it this way: The same sun that melts butter ...

📖 Exodus Lesson 4: God vs. gods | Sunday, July 20, 2025

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📖 Exodus Lesson 4: God vs. gods Illustration: Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh (AI-generated image) Date: Sunday, July 20, 2025 Daily Study Passage: Exodus 7:8–15 🧠 When Moses and Aaron stepped before Pharaoh, they weren’t just confronting a king—they were going up against a spiritual and cultural system that worshiped over 1,500 false gods. What made it more intense? Pharaoh himself was seen as a god. 😲 The battle wasn’t just political—it was spiritual. God’s message was direct: “Let My people go.” But this was more than a call to freedom—it was a divine showdown. “On all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD.” —Exodus 12:12, ESV In their first encounter, God gave Aaron a sign—his staff became a serpent 🐍 before Pharaoh’s eyes. This wasn't just any miracle. In Egyptian culture, the cobra was sacred. It represented Wadjet , a goddess linked with royalty and divine protection. Pharaoh even wore her symbol on his crown. But God s...

📖 Exodus Lesson 4: The Plagues | Sabbath School Study (July 19–25)

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🧱 The Plagues Begin: God Confronts Egypt | Exodus Bible Study | July 19 Sabbath 🧱 The Plagues Begin: God Confronts Egypt "So the heart of Pharaoh was hard; neither would he let the children of Israel go, as the LORD had spoken by Moses." — Exodus 9:35 (KJVPNV) Pharaoh’s heart was unyielding. His empire was built on slavery, and he had no plans to let Israel walk free. But God stepped in—not only to bring justice, but to make Himself known. The plagues weren’t random catastrophes. Each one exposed Egypt’s false gods as powerless. God wasn’t just rescuing His people—He was revealing who truly rules the universe. 📜 Imagine being an Israelite, witnessing these wonders after generations of silence. Or imagine being an Egyptian, suddenly realizing that your gods couldn’t help. The God of the Hebrews was no myth. He was real. Active. Present. And He had a message for Pharaoh: “Let My people go.” 🔥 Like a farmer who smacks his stubborn donkey to get it movin...

Monkeys or Church? A Young Man’s Sabbath Decision in Mozambique

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🗓️ Faith in Action – Week 3 Weekend Feature Monkeys or Church? A Young Man’s Sabbath Decision in Mozambique As told by Andrew McChesney, Adventist Mission In southeastern Mozambique, vervet monkeys are more than a nuisance. To small farmers, they are a threat to survival — bold raiders of cassava, sweet potatoes, beans, and peanuts. So when António Cuchata was told by his father to stay and protect their crops on Saturday, he faced a decision that tested his faith. 🙏 A Simple Prayer of Faith António had recently given his heart to Jesus and was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church . For him, Sabbath wasn’t just a doctrine — it was sacred. It was obedience. But the monkeys didn’t care about doctrine. “Dear God,” António prayed, “please stop the monkeys from coming to our farm while I am at church.” And with that prayer, he walked 15 miles to attend Sabbath worship in the town of Casa-Nova . 🐒 When Even the Monkeys Rested When he returned that evening, the ...

When Obedience Hurts First: Why Rough Starts Don’t Mean God Isn’t Working

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🗓️ Week 3 – Friday (July 18)   When Obedience Hurts First: Why Rough Starts Don’t Mean God Isn’t Working (Based on Exodus 5–7 and Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 257–265) You followed God. You said yes. And then… everything fell apart. That’s exactly what happened to Moses. He obeyed the voice from the burning bush, confronted Pharaoh with courage, and hoped for freedom. Instead? Pharaoh tightened his grip. Labor intensified. Israel’s pain multiplied. Hope dimmed. “And they met Moses and Aaron … and said … Ye have made our scent to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh.” — Exodus 5:20-21, KJBPNV 🧱 Sun-Baked Bricks and Broken Spirits Ellen G. White powerfully describes this season: “The same day orders were issued that rendered their labor still more cruel and oppressive... The king now directed that no more straw be furnished.” — Patriarchs and Prophets , p. 258 No straw. Same quota. More beatings. More confusion. And Moses, the newly appointed deliverer, is caught...

When God Says, “I’ll Speak Through You” — Even If You Feel Unqualified

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🗓️ Week 3 – Thursday (July 17) When God Says, “I’ll Speak Through You” — Even If You Feel Unqualified (Based on Exodus 6:28–7:7) Moses had already tried to quit. Multiple times. He wasn’t eloquent. He was discouraged. And the people weren’t exactly cheering him on. So now, when God repeats the command — “Go to Pharaoh again” — Moses offers one more objection: “Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me?” — Exodus 6:30, KJBPNV That phrase — uncircumcised lips — speaks of unworthiness, fear, and insecurity. Moses didn’t think his voice could carry the weight of divine truth. But God had other plans. 🗣️ You Will Be “Like God” God responds with something shocking: “See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.” — Exodus 7:1, KJBPNV Whoa. God wasn’t saying Moses was divine — but that in this mission, Moses would serve as God’s representative , His authority figure, His mouthpiece. Aaron would echo...

When Hearts Go Silent: What to Do When Hope Feels Lost

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🗓️ Week 3 – Wednesday (July 16) When Hearts Go Silent: What to Do When Hope Feels Lost (Based on Exodus 6:9–13) Moses brought God’s promises to the people. He told them the LORD had heard their cries. He spoke of deliverance. He shared the “I will” declarations of Yahweh Himself. But the people didn’t listen. “And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.” — Exodus 6:9, KJBPNV 💔 Too Tired to Hope Have you ever been so discouraged, so overwhelmed, that even good news feels too painful to believe? That was Israel. Their hearts were closed. Their grief was louder than God’s promises. They’d hoped before. And every time, it hurt more. So this time, they stopped listening. 🧠 What Did Moses Say? In verse 12, Moses uses the phrase “uncircumcised lips.” It’s a poetic way of saying: “I’m not qualified. I can’t speak. I’m unworthy. They don’t listen anyway.” Sound familiar? How often do we...

The Divine “I”: When God Reminds You Who’s in Control

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🗓️ Week 3 – Tuesday (July 15)   The Divine “I”: When God Reminds You Who’s in Control (Based on Exodus 5:22–6:8) Moses was frustrated — maybe even heartbroken. He had obeyed. He had stepped out in faith. And it felt like things only got worse. Pharaoh mocked him. The Israelites turned on him. And now Moses does what many of us are afraid to do: “Adonai, why have You brought evil upon this people? Why did You even send me?” — Exodus 5:22, KJBPNV (adapted) 💬 Honest Prayers from Hurting Hearts This wasn’t just a question. It was a complaint. Moses was discouraged. Confused. Bitter. And God didn’t rebuke him for it. Instead, God reminded Moses of who He is — and what He had already promised to do. ✨ The Divine “I” Read Exodus 6:1–8 and you’ll see one phrase over and over again: “I am Yahweh.” “I have heard…” “I have remembered…” “I will bring you out…” “I will redeem you…” “I will take you as My people…” This is the language of covenant . It’s as if God...

When Obeying God Makes Things Worse (At First)

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🗓️ Week 3 – Monday (July 14)   When Obeying God Makes Things Worse (At First) (Based on Exodus 5:3–23) Moses had finally said yes to God. He had gathered the elders. Shared the signs. Spoke the promises. And the people believed. They worshiped (Exodus 4:31). It was happening — the God of Abraham was moving! Then… they went to Pharaoh. And it all fell apart. 🧱 From Hope to Hardship Instead of releasing the Israelites, Pharaoh tightened the grip : No more straw for bricks The same quota of work Harsher treatment Public shaming: “You’re lazy!” The people were crushed — not just by Pharaoh, but by disappointment. So they turned on Moses and Aaron: “Let Yahweh look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our scent to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh…” — Exodus 5:21, KJBPNV That’s a strong accusation. And in their pain? It felt justified. 🧠 When Obedience Seems to Backfire It’s a moment many believers can relate to: You follow God’s call… and ...

“Who Is the Lord?” — When the World Refuses to Acknowledge God

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🗓️ Week 3 – Sunday (July 13)   “Who Is the Lord?” — When the World Refuses to Acknowledge God (Based on Exodus 5:1–2) Moses finally obeys and steps into his divine assignment: “Let My people go, that they may hold a feast unto Me in the wilderness.” — Exodus 5:1, KJBPNV But instead of softening, Pharaoh scoffs: “Who is Yahweh, that I should obey His voice…? I know not Yahweh, neither will I let Israel go.” — Exodus 5:2, KJBPNV This wasn’t curiosity. It was open rebellion. A defiant, almost proud denial of the living God. 🏛️ Egypt as a Symbol of Atheistic Defiance Pharaoh wasn’t just rejecting Moses. He was rejecting God’s authority entirely . In Scripture, Egypt often symbolizes human pride and resistance to divine rule. “I do not know Yahweh.” “I will not let Israel go.” These aren’t just statements — they represent a spirit of self-exaltation , a heart that says: “I don’t need God. I am enough.” Sound familiar? ⚠️ Echoes Through History This isn...

When Obedience Gets Hard: The Rough Start of Moses' Mission

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🗓️ Week 3 – Sabbath (July 12)   When Obedience Gets Hard: The Rough Start of Moses' Mission (Based on Exodus 5:1–2) You’d think that when you finally say “yes” to God’s call, everything would fall into place. Moses probably thought the same. He had stood before a burning bush. Heard the voice of God. Watched a rod become a serpent. Received a clear mission: “Go to Pharaoh. Tell him to let My people go.” So he obeyed. He marched into Pharaoh’s palace with Aaron by his side and spoke the words God gave him. And then… Pharaoh laughed in his face. “And Pharaoh said, ‘Who is Yahweh, that I should obey His voice…? I do not know Yahweh, neither will I let Israel go.’” — Exodus 5:2, KJBPNV ⚔️ When God’s Will Gets Pushback Moses didn’t get a victory parade. He got rejection. Not only that — the situation got worse : Pharaoh increased the Hebrews’ workload The people turned on Moses Moses questioned the entire mission Have you ever obeyed God and things got harde...

A Transformed Mind: From Gang Life to God’s Work

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🗓️ Faith in Action – Week 2 Weekend Feature All-Nations Center Image credit: General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists / Adventist Mission. Used from the official Sabbath School Bible Study Guide, 3rd Quarter 2025. A Transformed Mind: From Gang Life to God’s Work As told by Andrew McChesney, Adventist Mission Mitch was a tough gang member in Washington state. But a violent brawl left him with a traumatic brain injury so serious that doctors said, “You’ll never work again.” But someone believed otherwise. His younger brother, Stephan , invited him to the All Nations Center Seventh-day Adventist Church in Wapato, where he worshiped with their mother and sister. Mitch didn’t go willingly at first — but something happened. He kept going. Week after week. And then, he opened a Bible. 🧠 Hope in the Word Driven by the hope that Scripture could heal his damaged mind, Mitch grabbed hold of Romans 12:2 : “And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of ...