Sunday
June 2
1. AN EVER-ENCOURAGING THOUGHT
a. What does the apostle Peter advise us to consider in order to be strengthened and encouraged when assailed by manifold temptations and afflictions? 1 Peter 4:1; Hebrews 12:3.
“We may strengthen our faith and quicken our love by going often to the foot of the cross, and there contemplating our Saviour’s humiliation.”—Our High Calling, p. 361.
“[1 Peter 4:1 quoted] Let us inquire: What would our Saviour have done in our circumstances? . . . This question is answered by the example of Christ. He left His royalty, laid aside His glory, sacrificed His riches, and clothed His divinity with humanity, that He might reach men where they were. His example shows that He laid down His life for sinners.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 79.
“Christ was tempted in all points as we are tempted. Let those who are bowed down under trial and temptation, and who feel that their friends have forsaken them, think of Christ . . . alone in the wilderness, meeting temptations more severe than any that are brought against them. Let them not give up in despair, but reach out a trembling hand of faith to grasp the hand that is held out to save. Let them cast their helpless souls upon Jesus, who, because He has passed over the ground knows how to deliver them that are tempted.”—Manuscript Releases, vol. 21, p. 12.
Monday
June 3
2. THROUGH SUFFERING INTO VICTORY
a. Why does God purposely allows us to go through suffering and affliction? 1 Peter 4:1 (last part); 2 Corinthians 12:7–10.
“When the Saviour revealed Himself to Paul in the bright beams of His glory. . . . He was made physically blind by the glory of the presence of Him whom he had blasphemed, but it was that he might have spiritual sight, that he might be awakened from the lethargy that had stupefied and deadened his perceptions.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 6, p. 1058.
“One great fear that had oppressed me was that if I obeyed the call of duty, and went out declaring myself to be one favored of the Most High with visions and revelations for the people, I might yield to sinful exaltation, and . . . bring upon myself the displeasure of God, and lose my own soul. . . .
“I now entreated that if I must go and relate what the Lord had shown me, I should be preserved from undue exaltation. Said the angel: ‘Your prayers are heard, and shall be answered. If this evil that you dread threatens you, the hand of God will be stretched out to save you; by affliction He will draw you to Himself, and preserve your humility. Deliver the message faithfully; endure unto the end, and you shall eat the fruit of the tree of life and drink of the water of life.’ ”—Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White, pp. 67, 68.
b. Although tempted by the sinful desires of the flesh, what should be the goal of every Christian? 1 Peter 4:2, 15; Ephesians 4:17, 22–24.
“God requires more of His followers than many realize. If we would not build our hopes of heaven upon a false foundation we must accept the Bible as it reads and believe that the Lord means what He says. He requires nothing of us that He will not give us grace to perform. We shall have no excuse to offer in the day of God if we fail to reach the standard set before us in His word.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 171.
“Conversion is a work that most do not appreciate. It is not a small matter to transform an earthly, sin-loving mind and bring it to understand the unspeakable love of Christ. . . . When [the soul] understands these things, his former life appears disgusting and hateful. He hates sin. . . . He renounces his former pleasures. He has a new mind, new affections, new interest, new will.”—The Faith I Live By, p. 139.
Tuesday
June 4
3. SOME HABITS TO OVERCOME
a. Which of the sinful lusts does Peter mention as common and difficult to overcome? 1 Peter 4:3.
Lasciviousness, lusts: “The liberties taken in this age of corruption should be no criterion for Christ’s followers. These fashionable exhibitions of familiarity should not exist among Christians. . . . If lasciviousness, pollution, adultery . . . are the order of the day among those who know not the truth, . . . how important that the class professing to be followers of Christ, . . . stand in marked contrast to that class who are controlled by brute passions!”—The Adventist Home, p. 329.
Excess of wine: “The only way in which any can be secure against the power of intemperance is to abstain wholly from wine, beer, and strong drinks. . . . It is he that overcometh who will be honored, and whose name will not be blotted out of the book of life.”—Child Guidance, pp. 401, 402.
Revellings, banquetings: “Professed Christians who are superficial in character and religious experience are used by the tempter as his decoys. This class are always ready for the gatherings for pleasure or sport, and their influence attracts others. Young men and women who have tried to be Bible Christians are persuaded to join the party. . . . They do not discern that these entertainments are really Satan’s banquet, prepared to keep souls from . . . receiving the white robe of character, which is the righteousness of Christ. They become confused as to what it is right for them as Christians to do.”—The Adventist Home, p. 518.
“Many who have adopted the health reform have left off everything hurtful; but does it follow that . . . they can eat just as much as they please? They sit down to the table . . . give themselves up to appetite and eat to great excess. . . .
“And what influence does overeating have upon the stomach? It becomes debilitated, the digestive organs are weakened, and disease, with all its train of evils, is brought on as the result. . . .
“They feel bad, and it appears to them that their children are very bad. They cannot speak calmly to them, nor, without especial grace, act calmly in their families. All around them are affected by the disease upon them; all have to suffer the consequences of their infirmity. . . .
“Even health reformers can err in the quantity of food.”—Counsels on Diet and Foods, pp. 135, 136.
Abominable idolatries: “They were not to conform to the customs of the heathen, nor to preserve the monuments of their abominable idolatries. However precious the material, or exquisite the workmanship, all that pertained to the heathen worship must be destroyed.”—The Signs of the Times, January 13, 1881.
Wednesday
June 5
4. CHRISTLIKE EVERYWHERE AND ALWAYS
a. What is the most common consequence we will face in this life once we choose to live according to God’s will? 1 Peter 4:4, 12.
“As the time of the end draws near, Satan . . . will employ human agents to mock and revile those who ‘build the wall.’ ”—Prophets and Kings, p. 659.
“With tears [the people of God] will warn the wicked of their danger in trampling upon the divine law, and with unutterable sorrow they will humble themselves before the Lord in penitence. The wicked will mock their sorrow and ridicule their solemn appeals. But the anguish and humiliation of God’s people is unmistakable evidence that they are regaining the strength and nobility of character lost in consequence of sin.”—Ibid., p. 590.
b. What must every Christian remember while being mocked or despised? 1 Peter 4:5, 13–16; 2 Peter 2:12.
c. What should be our attitude when our mockers are prospering—and, on the other hand, when something bad happens to them? What about towards all those who do evil to us? 1 Peter 4:17–19; Matthew 5:44.
d. What do we need to keep in mind with regard to those persons who mock and despise us—and how can we achieve this state of mind? 1 Peter 4:6; Ephesians 2:3–5; 2 Timothy 2:24–26.
“When you meet those, who . . . are prejudiced against the truth, do not urge your peculiar views too strongly. Talk with them at first of subjects upon which you can agree. Bow with them in prayer. . . . Both you and they will be brought into a closer connection with heaven, prejudice will be weakened, and it will be easier to reach the heart.”—Evangelism, p. 446.
Thursday
June 6
5. REMEMBERING IN ALL SITUATIONS
a. What should we always remember regardless of whether we are prosperous, healthy and happy, or are sick, sad, or suffering loss? 1 Peter 4:7.
“If we take counsel with our doubts and fears, or try to solve everything that we cannot see clearly, before we have faith, perplexities will only increase and deepen. But if we come to God, feeling helpless and dependent, as we really are, and in humble, trusting faith make known our wants to Him whose knowledge is infinite, who sees everything in creation, and who governs everything by His will and word, He can and will attend to our cry, and will let light shine into our hearts. Through sincere prayer we are brought into connection with the mind of the Infinite. We may have no remarkable evidence at the time that the face of our Redeemer is bending over us in compassion and love, but this is even so. We may not feel His visible touch, but His hand is upon us in love and pitying tenderness. . . .
“Perseverance in prayer has been made a condition of receiving. We must pray always if we would grow in faith and experience. . . . Peter exhorts believers to be ‘sober, and watch unto prayer.’ 1 Peter 4:7. . . . Unceasing prayer is the unbroken union of the soul with God, so that life from God flows into our life; and from our life, purity and holiness flow back to God.”—Steps to Christ, pp. 96-98.
“The apostle’s words were written for the instruction of believers in every age, and they have a special significance for those who live at the time when ‘the end of all things is at hand.’ His exhortations and warnings, and his words of faith and courage, are needed by every soul.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 518.
Friday
June 7
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Where should I “go” by faith when afflicted and in distress—and why?
2. For what purpose does God lead us through sufferings and afflictions?
3. Am I still a slave to my former, worldly lusts? If yes, for how long do I plan to postpone my complete surrender?
4. What is to be my attitude towards those who mock me?
5. What might be hindering me from having as intense a prayer life as I should have?