Seneca Seventh-day Adventist church

06/08/2026

Nothing is More Important
Children are a gift from God, but raising them is one of the most challenging jobs in the world. Once that little bundle is placed in your arms, there is a tremendous amount of love and joy - but also a bit of fear knowing that you are 100% responsible for this helpless baby! It takes a tremendous amount of prayer to know exactly what to do - especially in this sinful world we live in today. The Bible says in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” That is a wonderful promise that parents can claim! It can be a frustrating time just trying to figure out what to do - whether to say “yes” or “no.” And then there’s the whole issue of how to discipline. Scripture says in Ephesians 6:4, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” It’s important to discipline with “love” and pray for wisdom each and every day. Remember that God loves your child even more than you do - and the most important goal for any parent isn’t to “spoil them rotten,” but rather to prepare their child for eternity. Nothing is more important!

06/05/2026

Giver or Taker
There are usually two types of people in this world: those who give and those who take. Takers are those who are self-centered, wanting the best and putting themselves first. They don’t make the best of friends because it is practically impossible to get along with someone who is always thinking of themselves. It might surprise you to know that those in this category are quite often the most insecure. Their low self-esteem drives them to put others down, thus making themselves feel superior. However, the “givers” are never lacking in friends because they are always thinking of others. They are kind, thoughtful, and truly a blessing to friends, family, and even strangers. The Bible encourages us to be givers. In Philippians 2:4, we’re told, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Jesus is the perfect example of a “giver.” He gave the ultimate gift anyone could possibly give when He died on a cross so that we might live. It just doesn’t get better than that! Ask yourself today, “Am I a giver or a taker?

06/03/2026

Putting Limits on God
Christians often put limits on what God can do. Instead of giving God full control and trusting Him to provide for their every need, they start doubting God’s power, forgetting that “with God, all things are possible. “ It’s important to remember that it’s never about what you can do - but rather what God can do through you! For instance, if you feel God calling you to teach in a children’s department at church- don’t start thinking of a million reasons why you should say “No,” such as: “I can’t do that, I don’t even like kids, I hate being up front,” or “I’m too scared.” Instead, your response should be, “I’ll pray about it.” Then, if you feel impressed by the Holy Spirit to take the position, go forward with confidence knowing that Jesus will be with you every step of the way, giving you everything you need to accomplish His task; you have nothing to fear! This is true in every situation - God will never call you to do a task for Him and then leave you in the lurch! He is trustworthy and loves you more than you could possibly know! Search your heart and think about what is getting in the way of a full commitment to Jesus! Then pray and ask God to create within you a clean heart and fill you to overflowing with His Holy Spirit. Stop putting limits on what God can do, and make that giant step of faith in whatever direction God leads.

06/01/2026

Don't Tell Anyone
Seems like you can’t have a conversation these days without someone starting with, “Now, don’t tell anyone,” and then they proceed to tell you some juicy piece of gossip, ending with, “Now, keep this between us, ok?” And of course, the first person you run into hears the whole story, but you’re careful to give the same admonition to “keep it quiet.” Some feel more justified in sharing the forbidden information as long as they “only” tell someone who they are close to and are quite sure would keep their confidence. And then there are others who wouldn’t dream of breaking their word but have no problem giving “hints” so that their most trusted friend can “figure it out,” without them having to actually come right out and verbalize the secret knowledge. But no matter how you rationalize it in your own mind, it won’t make it right in God’s eyes. If you promise not to tell anyone, then God expects you to keep your word. Doing otherwise, quite simply, is a lie, and it is breaking one of the ten commandments found in Exodus 20:16, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” The next time someone says, “Don’t tell anyone,” - stop and ask yourself: “Is this a promise I can keep?

05/30/2026

Conversation with God
What a privilege it is to have full access to the King of the Universe! And although God in all His glory has an endless amount of critical and important matters to attend to, He wants to hear from you! In fact, it is God Himself who gave you this gift of open communication with Him. That’s because He loves you and wants to hear from you. He is interested in everything you do and say and can’t wait for you to tell Him about your day! He wants to hear the details, and you can trust that He doesn’t see you as a pest or a bother. One thing you can know for sure is that God doesn’t glance down at His cell phone and see your name, then roll His eyes while He pushes the decline button! Rather, He gets excited knowing you, His beloved child, is reaching out to Him. The Bible says in Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.” And in 1 John 5:14 we are given this assurance that God not only listens, but He hears us; “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” Make no mistake, God wants to communicate with you! He loves you and wants you to share what is on your heart, including the good, the bad, and the ugly. And don’t forget to listen, for real communication is a two-way street! So start your conversation with God today. He can’t wait to hear from you!

05/29/2026

Don’t Tell Me, Show Me
All too often, someone will share a personal heartache or struggle, and we are quick to respond by saying, “I’ll pray for you,” then walk away as if we’ve done all we could. Although praying for others is always a good thing to do, it may not be all you can do. If you see a homeless person sitting on the cold sidewalk, do you say, “I’ll pray for you,” or do you bring them a warm blanket and some food? If your child falls down and breaks their leg, do you merely say, “I’ll pray for you,” or do you get them medical care? When Jesus was here on earth, He met the physical needs of people before He preached to them, setting a wonderful example of “living” God’s love and not just “speaking” it. “Don’t tell me - show me,” is a good motto to live by. Matthew 25:35 tells us, “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited me in.” And in Matthew 25:40 we’re told, “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Be kind, be generous, be gracious, and let your actions speak louder than your words.

05/28/2026

Fake-free Life
People are really getting sick of all the “fake” in the world today - fake news, fake politicians, fake family, fake friends, etc. What’s missing in so many relationships is honesty and integrity. It’s a common occurrence to meet up with an acquaintance who is dripping with gushy, sweet compliments that are so sicky-fake, you can almost feel your blood sugar rising. You can’t buy a thing they are saying because their words lack a genuine heartfelt sincerity. If you want someone to know that you love them and truly care, be real, honest, and sincere! It is the same in our relationship with God. Too often, people will go through the motions of acting like the perfect Christians, praying impressive, beautiful prayers, walking around with a “holier-than-thou” arrogance, but God knows the heart, and He knows “fake” when He sees it . . . and “fake” is never pleasing to Him. Show God how much you love Him by being an authentic Christian - one who is real, genuine, and lives a “fake-free” life. Text: 1 Peter 1:22, Titus 2:7, 2 Corinthians 2:17, 1 Peter 2:1-5 © Brenda Walsh Ministries

Brenda Walsh is the president of Kids Club For Jesus and is a best-selling author, television producer/host, and international speaker.

05/27/2026

Using Your Talents
Did you know that your talents are actually God’s gift to you - and how you use them is your gift to God? He has given each of us talents to use for His honor and glory, and as we develop and utilize those talents, He blesses us with more. However, some people are not satisfied with their talents and become envious of others. Perhaps they feel that God doesn’t love them because their talents are less visible, and they may even fail to recognize that they have any talents at all. But because they choose to bury their talent, it never develops into the blessing God intended for them. The Bible tells a story in Matthew 25:14-30 about talents and how they were used. It’s a wonderful parable demonstrating how God wants us to live and shine for Him. And in 1 Peter 4:10 we’re told, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.” Embrace the talents God has given you and ask Him to use each one according to His will. Avoid looking at the gifts God has given others. Instead, focus on what He wants you to do with yours and don’t forget to thank Him for each one He has given you! Using your talents for the glorification of God will not only be a blessing for others - but for you as well.

05/26/2026

Consult God First
Every day, decisions are made - some big and others small and insignificant. From the moment you wake up, you begin a day of endless decisions, such as what to wear, what to have for breakfast, what time to leave for work, and so on. Then there are times of more serious decisions, such as accepting a new job, ending a relationship, or moving across the country. Making major life decisions should always be based on your commitment to God’s principles. When you are struggling with which way to go, ask God for wisdom and guidance. Be specific! Talk to Him as you would your most trusted friend - because He is! Sometimes God answers through Scripture or the whisper of the Holy Spirit. Other times He may use circumstances to give you His answer or even use an individual when you least expect it. However God chooses to deliver His message, you can count on Him to always respond. He listens, hears, and answers when you reach out to Him. Isaiah 30:21 tells us, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’ ” Never make a major decision without consulting God first!

05/25/2026

Acceptance of Others
There’s a lot of talk these days about being accepting of others. Views on death penalties, politics, illegal immigrants, alternative lifestyles, legal abortions, or anything else people want to live or believe in must be accepted. If you disagree with someone on any topic, then you are accused of being intolerant. But that’s not what being intolerant really means. Tolerance doesn’t mean you support or are in agreement with others - you merely recognize their right to believe what they choose to believe in. You can be accepting of the rights of others even if you are adamantly opposed to their way of thinking. Remember, you are only responsible for your own actions, so leave the correcting of others up to God. There is a fierce battle going on between good and evil, but as Christians, we know it is a battle God will win. The wickedness of this earth will soon be over - Jesus is coming soon. In the meantime, we need to learn to get along with people who don’t share our opinions, and when we do engage in conversation, make sure it is done peacefully. Recognizing and respecting the rights of others doesn’t stop you from believing in what you know to be right. Be a person of integrity and live your life according to what is pleasing to God. Stand up for truth even if you are the only one standing - but leave the fighting to God.