And Israel said to Joseph, “I had not thought to see your face; but in fact, God has also shown me your offspring!” Genesis 48: 11, NKJV. Merciful God, please help us to live within the reality, that Your goodness to us will always be greater than our expectations! In the name of our Savior Jesus Christ we give You thanks. Amen. Most of us have heard the Gospel song, "You Can't Beat God's Giving. Isn't that the Gospel truth? I have proven that over and over, and over, again. While I am giving God thanks for what I believed was more...

To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego. But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Daniel 1: 7, 8, NKJV. Heavenly Father and Creator, thank you for being willing to change not only our names, but also our characters. Please help us to be more like You. This is our...

When David saw that his servants were whispering, David perceived that the child was dead. Therefore David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” And they said, “He is dead.” So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. 2 Samuel 12: 19, 20, NKJV. Merciful God, thank You for not dealing with us, according to our sins. Please continue to have mercy upon us, for Christ's sake. Amen. For many years David has been one of my favorite Bible characters. Nevertheless, as I studied the...

It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 11: 1, NKJV. Merciful God, Your Word reminds us that there is a time and a season for everything under the sun. Please help us to be mindful of the seasons in our life. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. As we continue to feast on these marvelous Sabbath School lessons,...

Then Elkanah went to his house at Ramah. But the child ministered to the LORD before Eli the priest. Now the sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the LORD.  .  . But Samuel ministered before the LORD, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod. 1 Samuel 2: 11, 12, 18, NKJV. Dear God, we are grateful for Your Word. Please help us to learn from it, and apply our hearts unto Your wisdom. In the holy name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen. Hannah was an extraordinary woman! That is the very least that I can say about...

Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the mountains of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. And he had two wives: the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.  .  .  And whenever the time came for Elkanah to make an offering, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he would give a double portion...

When he (Samuel) had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was chosen. And Saul the son of Kish was chosen. But when they sought him, he could not be found. therefore they inquired of the LORD further, "Has the man come here yet?"And the LORD answered, "There he is, hidden among the equipment." 1 Samuel 10: 21, 22, NKJV. Almighty God, as we come to You today, we do it in humility. We pray that Your mercy will not depart from us, but that You will enable us to follow where...

Then Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God. And he said to him, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Even my father Saul knows that." 1 Samuel 23: 16, 17, NKJV. Merciful God, we thank You for working beyond our circumstances and upbringing, and offering us an opportunity to triumph by having a personal relationship with You. May this be our reality, in the blessed name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Those...

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ Philippians 3: 20, NKJV. Dear God, please bless our study as we come seeking Your face. This we ask in the holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen. As we continue with our study today, we will be looking closely at the end of verse 12, "but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me." Emphasis provided. The phrase lay hold (some versions render it, apprehend) in this verse, carries with it an...

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ Philippians 3: 20, NKJV. Heavenly Father and Gracious God, we thank You and we praise You, for we are fearfully and wonderfully made - fully equipped for eternity! May we always dwell in Your presence that we might be transformed into Your image. In the holy name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.  We will continue with our study on our heavenly citizenship. It is a study that thrills me. We, sinful creatures, in spite of the fact that we have fallen...