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Meriden Seventh-day Adventist Church, 300 Paddock Avenue, Meriden, CT (2026)

09/06/2026

The Dirty Cup
By Jill Morikone | September 5

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7

The music swelled as we approached the refrain. “I need Thee, O I need Thee; every hour I need Thee.” My eyes traveled around the room as my sisters sang with gusto—some off-key, others monotone, and still others true and clear. “O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee.”

We held hands, and my friend from church prayed. Tears fell as we pleaded for shattered homes, hurting children, and freedom from addictions. Then peace filled the room as they opened the Bibles we’d brought them for a study on temptation.

There were never enough seats, so my blue-clad sisters shared chairs, desks, and the floor. As each one shared a temptation—food, fear, anger, cutting, s*x, and drugs—I was struck by the similarities. Same pain. Same emptiness. Same need to fill the void inside with junk because they couldn’t see a way out. But while I could see some eagerly reaching out and grasping onto God any way they could, others whispered and giggled. Perhaps some even wished they’d never left their jail cell.

It was time.

I pulled out the mud-smeared Styrofoam cups I’d brought and watched their attention snap back into focus.

The first cup was dirty, inside and out. I talked about the effects of sin, how Satan twists our thinking and defiles our hearts, then smears us up on the outside like Mary Magdalene when she was dragged before Jesus, caught in the act of adultery.

The second one was clean, but a tip of the cup showed the filth inside. I talked about hypocritical Christians, and holier-than-thou attitudes.

The third cup was dirty outside, but clean inside. The thief on the Cross fell into this category after Jesus forgave him. Onlookers saw a dying sinner, but Heaven saw a cleansed and pure heart—and rejoiced!

The fourth cup was pure white, without a trace of mud. It represented the purity of Jesus. How He longed to change our hearts from the inside out.

Suddenly one of my sisters raised her hand. “I know what cup I am!” she said, sitting cross-legged on the floor, orange Crocs sticking out from her blue jail uniform.

I glanced her way. “What cup, Karen?” *

“This one,” she said, picking the one that was dirty outside, yet pure inside. “Jesus cleansed my heart and forgave me, but I’m still filthy on the outside.”

Tears filled my eyes. What a spiritual leader Karen was in our jail! In the past year, she’d encouraged the other girls, studied her Bible, and her countenance had changed from guarded and dark to open and transparent sunshine! No, she wasn’t a dirty cup at all, but she couldn’t see that.

I knelt down by the cups on the floor, slowly picked up the pure white one, and held it out to her. “Karen, you may feel like that dirty old cup on the outside, but when we look at you we see the pure cup. The cleansing blood of Jesus has spilled out of your heart and transformed your life—and your face!”

Her eyes welled up with tears.

“We’re so blessed by your walk with God,” I continued. “You reflect Him! You see yourself dirty, and yes, you are in jail; but we see that you’re free from your past. We see the peace and purity of Jesus in you.”

Our study continued, but my heart was pierced. How many of my sisters and brothers can’t see the change God is making in their hearts? I wondered. How many have I failed to encourage, or neglected to pray for? Worse yet, how many times have I judged a dirty cup, failing to recognize that the streaks flowing down their face are really the washing from the water of the Word and the oil of the Holy Spirit as they spill out, doing their cleansing work.
Oh, God, give me eyes to see.

09/05/2026

No deeper love
Ephesians 5:1-2 KJV - Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Sometimes this world can seem so huge and overwhelming that you’re tempted to believe that with the millions of people on this earth, you are too insignificant to matter. Some even believe that if they were to die, no one would even notice they were gone. But no one is “insignificant” to God! He not only created you, but He “knows you” by name and has counted every hair on your head! (yes, He knows how many hairs you have lost too!) The Bible says in Hosea 2:19, “I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion.” And in Isaiah 54:10, He tells us, “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord.” What a beautiful expression of God’s love for His children. On days when you are in the depths of despair, feeling unloved, unnoticed, and everything seems dark, think on this: Jesus loves you more than you could possibly know! You are so important to Him that He left heaven to come to this earth and die on a cross, just so that you could live with Him forever! Love just doesn’t get deeper than that!
Good morning. Happy Sabbath. Father in heaven, thank you for waking us this morning to a blessing of a new day of life and for this reminder of your great love. Praying for God’s continuous leading and blessings in our lives my dearest family and friends.

09/05/2026

We Have Hope

Jeremiah 29:11 KJV - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end

The expression “I hope so” is often said in response to someone trying to reassure us that everything is going to turn out fine. But as Christians, we know that our “hope” is backed up with the power of God’s promises, and there is nothing “iffy” about that! God is a “sure thing,” and we can always count on Him to keep His Word! Sadly, there are people who put their hope in all the wrong places and end up despondent and disillusioned. They learn the hard way that there is only one place to put our hope, and that is in Jesus Christ. Because of His sacrifice on Calvary, we have hope! God is faithful and trustworthy, and He will do what He says He will do! We can count on Him 100% of the time to comfort, strengthen, guide, heal, and forgive. The Bible says in Isaiah 40:31, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” No matter what trial or struggle we are going through . . . with God, we always have hope!

09/04/2026

Romans 5:10: "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
“We are to reveal to the universe, to the world fallen and to worlds unfallen, that there is forgiveness with God, that through the love of God we may be reconciled to God. Man repents, becomes contrite in heart, believes in Christ as his atoning sacrifice, and realizes that God is reconciled to him.”—Ellen G. White, Special Testimonies On Education, p. 223.
Good morning. Happy Friday. Father in heaven, thank you for waking us up this morning to a blessing of a new day of life and this reminder that we are reconciled with you through the date of your son, Jesus Christ. Praying for God’s continuous leading and blessings in our lives my dearest family and friends.

09/04/2026

I Get Excited
By Hal Steenson | September 3

“This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

I love the changing of the seasons. As October colors itself in the beauty of flame and fire, I get excited.

I get excited because of the nip in the air and the crunch of frost under my boots as I start my early morning walk.

I get excited when I smell smoke from fireplace logs wafting in the wind as the smoke rises like whispy shadows toward the sky.

I get excited when I breathe out—and there, before me, is the reality of the air I breathe as it forms a frosty cloud and floats off heavenward.

I get excited as I see houses waking up and opening the eyes of their windows—kitchen lights blinking on at dawn. I get excited.

I get as excited opening my window blinds on a new season’s morning as a small child gets when opening a gift-wrapped present.

I get excited because God has given me another day to behold the magnificence of His Creation. He’s also afforded me the same opportunity to accept the seasons of change in my life—just like I accept the season changes of this world.

Sure, there will be seasons in my life that may seem dreary or even bitterly cold. But what about spring or summer? There’s always the thrill of pulling back the blinds of God’s new day and declaring, “This is the day that the Lord has made.”

I get excited, because no matter whether it’s summer or winter, sunshine, or rain, I’ve been given another day for God.

I get excited about the seasons of my children, grandchildren, friends, and family.

I get excited. I rejoice in it. And then I’m glad.

09/03/2026

The mighty deliverer

I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts; Isaiah 65:2

The Lord God through Christ holds out His hand all the day long in invitations to the needy. He will receive all. He welcomes all. He rejects none. It is His glory to pardon the chief of sinners. He will take the prey from the mighty, He will deliver the captive, He will pluck the brand from the burning. He will lower the golden chain of His mercy to the greatest depths of human wretchedness and guilt and lift up the debased soul contaminated with sin. But man must will to come, and cooperate in the work of saving his soul by availing himself of opportunities given him of God. The Lord forces no one. The spotless wedding robe of Christ's righteousness is prepared to clothe the sinner, but if he refuses it he must perish.

The record of the past can be blotted out with His [Christ's] blood, the page made clean and white. "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool" (Isa. 1:18)....

The words falling from the lips of Jesus, "Thy sins be forgiven thee" (Matt. 9:2), are worth everything to us. He saith, I have borne your sins in My own body on Calvary's cross. He sees your sorrows. His hand is laid upon the head of every contrite soul, and Jesus becomes our Advocate before the Father, and our Saviour. The lowly, contrite heart will make very much of forgiveness and pardon. . . .

We may repeat His tender compassion for us to others who are wandering in the mazes of sin. The grace of Christ revealed to us must be tenderly revealed to others. A great tenderness and compassion will fill the soul for human beings who are still under the control of Satan. Christ is to be multiplied in every man and woman who believes in Him, for they are to live over the life of Christ in blessing and enlightening and bringing hope and peace and joy to other hearts.
Good morning. Happy Thursday. Father in heaven thank you for waking us this morning to a blessing of a new day of life and for taking our sins from us and our advocate. Please help us to made willing to come to you. Praying for God’s continuous leading and blessings in our lives my dearest family and friends.

09/03/2026

In Need of a Savior

Ezekiel 36:26-27 KJV - A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do [them].

"People watching” is fast becoming a favorite pastime. It’s quite interesting to just sit and watch people as they go by. Some are busy talking on their phones, while others walk with purpose at a fast pace, and then there are those who just saunter along as if they have no place to go. You’ll see people smartly dressed as if they stepped off a fashion runway, others are casual and comfortable-looking, and then there are those with the “thrown together” look, as if they just rolled out of bed. But look closely as they pass by; look past the polite smiles and the head nod, then think about the story that lies behind the face. Outward appearances are deceptive, often masking pain, heartache, anxiety, fear, and hopelessness. Everyone has a story and a burden to bear. If only we could see each other through God’s eyes, perhaps we would treat each other differently, having more compassion, patience, and love for our fellow man. People need to know that God has a purpose for their lives, that they are not alone, for He will give them guidance and direction, and most of all, the assurance of His everlasting love. Pray that God will help you judge less - and love more! Remember that there is no such thing as “perfect” people on this earth, for we are all sinners in need of a Savior!

09/02/2026

Psalm 51:10-11 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

Our hearts are evil, and we cannot change them.... Education, culture, the exercise of the will, human effort, all have their proper sphere, but here they are powerless. They may produce an outward correctness of behaviour, but they cannot change the heart; they cannot purify the springs of life. There must be a power working from within, a new life from above, before men can be changed from sin to holiness. That power is Christ. His grace alone can quicken the lifeless faculties of the soul, and attract it to God, to holiness.
No man receives holiness as a birthright, or as a gift from any other human being. Holiness is the gift of God through Christ. Those who receive the Saviour become sons of God. They are His spiritual children, born again, renewed in righteousness and true holiness. Their minds are changed. With clearer vision they behold eternal realities. They are adopted into God’s family, and they become conformed to His likeness, changed by His Spirit from glory to glory. From cherishing supreme love for self, they come to cherish supreme love for God and for Christ.... Accepting Christ as a personal Saviour, and following His example of self-denial—this is the secret of holiness.—God’s Amazing Grace, p. 120.
Good morning. Happy Wednesday. Father in heaven, thank you for waking us up this morning to a blessing of a new day of life and this assurance that you can change our heart. Please create a new heart within us. Praying for God’s continuous leading and blessing in our lives my dearest family and friends

09/02/2026

Strength of Humility

Proverbs 11:2 KJV - [When] pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly [is] wisdom.

God wants us to be humble, and there are not just one or two, but many texts in the Bible to support it. Ephesians 4:2 says, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Yet there are some people who think if they are humble, then they are in a position of weakness. But true humility is just the opposite - it is a position of strength, because it takes Holy Spirit power to remain humble. However, it does not mean that to be humble . . . you must grovel, enable, or endure cruelty. There is a huge difference between humility and groveling. For instance, when Jesus performed the first ordinance of humility, He “washed” the disciples’ feet - He didn’t lick them! God doesn’t expect His children to be doormats or to be bullied. There are some men in this world who mistake their Christian duty as “head of the household,” and instead of leading in a Christ-like manner, they are demanding, arrogant, pushy, and abusive. It is not God’s plan for wives to take such abuse, although there are many precious women of God who endure the suffering because they mistakenly feel it is their Christian duty to do so. How sad that they are so deceived. Jesus was humble, yet strong. He faced his enemies with a silent, kind, and gentle manner, all the while standing firm and strong. Even in the events leading up to His crucifixion, He took each blow with dignity and humility - never once raising His voice in anger. Experience the strength of humility by following Christ’s example and claim His promise in James 4:10: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

09/01/2026

Christian Principles

Deuteronomy 4:40 KJV - Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong [thy] days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever.

In order to live a godly life, we must stand on the firm foundation of God’s commandments. They are our roadmap to heaven and eternal life with Jesus! God didn’t just insist on some strict rules to make us miserable and outline all the things we “can’t do.” No, quite the opposite. He gave us the Ten Commandments so that we would have a guide to help us avoid the pitfalls of sin, and enjoy a more abundant life here on earth. He did that because He loves us and wants to see us happy. By following God’s principles we are able to experience the peace we long for. There are times when living up to biblical principles can really put our true characters to the test! It’s not always the popular thing to do, and friends may ridicule or even turn their backs on us because we stand up for what we know to be right. But our salvation depends on our commitment to our Lord and Savior and not to what our friends, family, or even strangers may think of us. We are a “walking witness” to all those around us. People are watching our every move - even when we don’t think they are. They see if we make compromises in our beliefs and they also see when we are living each day with Christian principles.
Good morning. Happy Tuesday. Father in heaven, thank you for waking us this morning to a blessing of a new day of life and for giving us the 10 commandments to guide us in the path of righteousness. Praying for God’s continuous leading and blessings in our lives my dearest family and friends.

Meriden Seventh-day Adventist Church

09/06/2026

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