Year of the Bible | Seventh-day Adventist Church

November 26, 2021: Finding the Courage

“An honest answer is as pleasing as a kiss on the lips” (Prov. 24:26, NCV).

I can imagine it is an exceptionally busy day for King Solomon. He calls his advisors together to ask for feedback on proposed strategic plans and initiatives which he hopes will enrich the quality of life for the people entrusted to his care. I imagine him turning to his counselors and asking for their opinion, only to see them glancing at each other in a hesitant and uncertain manner, wondering what answer he, the king, would

November 25, 2021: Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

“Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time” (Heb. 9:28, KJV).

In this Bible verse, the phrase “look for” means to “wait eagerly.” The Greek translation is made up of three parts: apo (away); kara (head); and dokeo (to await). The literal meaning is very similar to a spring turkey hunter. It means to wait with the head outstretched. The prefix, apo, is a turning away from everything else, with your head raised and your eyes fixed on a single object or an object to come.

November 7, 2021: Say ‘I Do’

“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’” (John 21:15, NIV).

There is a powerful truth that comes through this passage. For reasons not entirely clear, Peter had returned to fishing. In the days after the resurrection, he was an uncertain and insecure individual. What lay ahead, he didn’t know. In denial and cursing Jesus, Peter utterly failed when Jesus needed him most. He may have even thought that his sin and failure eliminated the possibility of ever being used by God again.

November 6, 2021: Leave It to God

“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for He grants sleep to those He loves” (Ps. 127:1–2, NIV).

It was my senior year. I was living in the dormitory at Mt. Vernon Academy. We had returned to our rooms after a Saturday evening program in the gymnasium. I no longer recall just what it was that was plaguing my mind. It could have been stress over a test or project in one of my classes. Perhaps there was turmoil with my girlfriend.

November 5, 2021: Everything Happens for a Purpose

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jer. 29:11, NIV).

I was 2-years-old when part of my finger was cut off. My parents had a boat, and I loved to play on it whenever my dad was working in the house. I was playing one day, when I suddenly fell off, and my finger got stuck in the motor. My dad rushed me to the hospital. My life hasn’t been the same since.