Moreno Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church

09/12/2026

The God Who Waits
Series: Knowing God in His Promises (Year 4)

Mhc

09/12/2026

“As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,” even so was the Son of man “lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:14, 15). All who have lived on earth have felt the deadly sting of “that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan” (Revelation 12:9). The fatal effects of sin can be removed only by the provision that God has made. The Israelites saved their lives because they believed God’s word and trusted in the way provided for their recovery. So the sinner may look to Christ and live, receiving forgiveness through faith in the atoning sacrifice. Christ has power and strength to heal the repenting sinner.
While sinners cannot save themselves, they still have something to do to obtain salvation. “The one who comes to Me,” says Christ, “I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37). We must come to Him, and when we repent we must believe that He accepts and forgives us. Faith is the gift of God, but the power to exercise it is ours. Faith is the hand by which the sinner takes hold of the divine offers of grace and mercy. . 1TC 288.3-1TC 288.4

09/12/2026

Judges 9 — Serve, Don’t Seek Power

Abimelech’s selfish ambition led to destruction. Through the parable of the trees, Jotham warned that while fruitful trees served, the bramble wanted to rule.

📖 “Thus God repaid the wickedness of Abimelech.” (Judges 9:56)

🔑 For Today: Seek to serve, not control. Evil may prosper temporarily, but God sees and ultimately brings justice.

👣 Action: Ask: Am I seeking God’s glory or my own?

🙏 Prayer:
Lord, keep me humble. Help me serve faithfully and trust Your justice. Amen.

💭 Reflection:
Am I seeking to be fruitful for God—or important to others?

09/12/2026

Happy Sabbath 🙏

09/11/2026

Judges 8 — Stay Humble, Finish Well

After Gideon’s victory, Israel wanted him to rule over them. He wisely answered:

📖 “I will not rule over you… the Lord shall rule over you.” (Judges 8:23)

Gideon recognized that God alone deserved the glory. Yet later, the ephod he made became an idol and a snare (v. 27)—a warning that even after great victories, we must guard our hearts.

🔑 For Today: Stay humble after success. Give God the glory, and never let His blessings take His place.

👣 Action Step: Thank God for one success today and give Him the credit.

🙏 Prayer:
Lord, keep me humble and faithful. May You always have first place in my heart. Amen.

💭 Reflection:
After success, do I remain dependent on God?

09/11/2026

God commanded Moses to make a serpent of bronze and to lift it up among the people. All who had been bitten were to look to it and find relief. The wonderful news was told that all who had been bitten might look at the bronze serpent and live. Many had already died, and when Moses raised the serpent on the pole, some would not believe that merely looking at that metallic image could heal them; these died in their unbelief.
Yet many people had faith in the provision that God had given. Fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters were busy in helping suffering, dying friends to turn their listless eyes on the serpent. Though faint and dying, if they could only look once, they were healed. . 1TC 287.4-1TC 287.5

09/10/2026

“And the people spoke against God and against Moses: ‘Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.’”
Moses faithfully explained their great sin to the people. God’s power alone had preserved them in “that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water” (Deuteronomy 8:15). In all the journeys they had found water, bread from heaven, and peace and safety under the shadowy cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. Angels had cared for them as they climbed rocky heights or threaded the rugged paths of the wilderness. There was not a weak or sickly person in the entire camp. Their feet had not swollen in their long journeys, nor had their clothes worn out. God had subdued before them the fierce beasts of prey and the poisonous reptiles of the forest and desert. . 1TC 286-1TC 286.5

09/10/2026

Judges 7 — Victory Belongs to God

God reduced Gideon’s army from 32,000 to just 300 so Israel would know the victory came from Him.

📖 “The people who are with you are too many… lest Israel claim glory for itself.” (Judges 7:2)

🔑 For Today: God doesn’t need our strength to accomplish His purpose. Sometimes He allows us to feel weak so we learn to depend completely on Him.

👣 Action Step: Surrender one situation you cannot handle on your own to God today.

🙏 Prayer:
Lord, help me trust Your strength instead of my own. May every victory bring glory to You. Amen.

💭 Reflection:
Where do I need to depend more fully on God today?

09/09/2026

The Scriptures give only the simple record, “There Aaron died, and there he was buried” (Deuteronomy 10:6, KJV). In striking contrast, in modern times the funeral services of a person of high position are often turned into opportunities for extravagant display. When Aaron died, there were only two of his nearest friends to attend his burial. That lonely grave was forever hidden from the sight of Israel. God is not honored with great display and extravagant expense when returning bodies to the dust. . 1TC 285.3-1TC 285.4

09/09/2026

Judges 6:33–40 — When Faith Needs Strengthening

Gideon asked God for the sign of the fleece—not because his faith was strong, but because his faith was still weak and needed reassurance. And God patiently met him where he was.

📖 “Let me test, I pray, just once more with the fleece.” (Judges 6:39)

God sometimes gives signs or miracles to strengthen struggling faith. But mature faith learns to trust God’s Word and character even when no sign is given. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

🔑 For Today: Don’t be ashamed when your faith needs strengthening—but don’t become dependent on signs. Grow toward trusting God because He is trustworthy.

👣 Action Step: Instead of asking God for a sign today, choose one promise from His Word and trust Him based on that promise.

🙏 Prayer:
Lord, thank You for being patient when my faith is weak. Strengthen my trust until I can follow You even when I cannot see a sign. Amen.

💭 Reflection:
Do I need signs to trust God—or am I learning to trust Him because I know His character?