Whether it be your mind, body, living environment or belonging, as Christians, or even just living creatures we are to be clean in everything we do. As a young girl, being clean was not a part of my daily ritual, but also neither was my character. Does our unclean character come from being unclean over all? Why is it so important for us to be clean? Does God really care and do the angels take note of how our homes are?? The answer to all of these are yes. Plain and simple, yes.

 Uncleanliness of the Clothes

“And the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes and be ready by the third day, because on that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. ” Exodus 19:10-11

God had spoken to Moses about the dirty clothing of the Israelites. But what about “Come as you are?” you may ask and is the popular excuse today. No, when you are coming to the presence of God, you come to be cleansed. But when the presence of God is coming to visit you, you better tidy up and be prepared. God CANNOT dwell in uncleanliness. Though we are not the Israelites, after Christ died on the cross we became the chosen people. Are your clothing as clean as possible on a daily basis? Would not you want the Spirit of God to visit you everyday? Think on that. Lastly, unclean clothes can affect our health and damage our skin pores.  When clothes are not washed, and are worn again, “the impurities will be reabsorbed” (Child Guidance, p.109).

Cleanliness of the Home

Our living homes should be our earthly heaven. In that, we should worship God in our homes with our families and individually, we ought to also keep our homes in order. When keeping our homes in order we then prove to God that we can live in a cleaner home called, Heaven. And remember in order for the Spirit to visit us, we ought to not just have our homes cleaned, but also our sins must be washed away. When you pray, is there a clutter in the corner? Where you pray, is there room to enter? Though these may seem like small matters, our God is a God of order and cannot dwell where the atmosphere is unclean.

Cleanliness of the Soul

“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.” – Isaiah 1:18

I remember my current Pastor sharing how cow milk should be stored. He clearly gave instructions saying whatever you place your cow milk in, make sure it is clean! If it happens not to be clean and you store your cow milk in that very container, your milk will turn. With that he gave the analogy of the Holy Spirit. If we are calling on the Spirit of God to enter our hearts, not to visit us, but to stay in us, we must be cleansed!! The Spirit of God cannot dwell in whats unpure. For if our hearts are unclean the Holy Spirit will not just turn, it will leave!

And all these three connect. If your desire is to keep a clean spirit daily, it will reflect in your clothing, it will reflect in your character and also in your homes. Let us not be mistaken because Ellen G White says, that this should not be carried too far because there are greater things to be fulfilled. But do not forget where the Spirit of God can and cannot dwell. And do not forget that our God is not unclean. Matter of fact, He has told us of many unclean things to stay away from because He does not allow His children to be involved with impurities. I pray that you may think this over and think about your home, your room, your clothes, but most of all, your salvation. Amen.

http://seg.sharethis.com/getSegment.php?purl=http%3A%2F%2Fhebronfrenchsda.wordpress.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost-new.php%3Fpost_type%3Dpost&jsref=&rnd=1326772424456

Satan has really programmed a large percentage of the population to believe that either heaven isn’t real, or that it’s okay we don’t make it in!WHAT?! yup, i know that true because in junior high school, I didn’t really care about heaven either, i thought my life was already a waste. So imagine what others think?!

But we forget how important we are to God. Yes, we are empty without Him, but you want to know something? God has a spot missing on His wing where you are suppose to be. And that spot, NOBODY else can fill it up. Because He created you, and you are an individual Hes loves! He loves you more than life! hmm.. When we get to heaven, yes it’s about Jesus and finally seeing His face ( oh, my heart is screaming GLORY!!!!!) but  He has planned for our lives to be prosperous (Jer 29:11) both on earth and in heaven. why seek temporary fulfillment just to die eternally?

Numero dos, you have a spot in heaven as well. Yes, Jesus did create many mansions. And if it wasn’t true, He wouldn’t have even said so! So you already are reserved! yes, and personally I love having a reserved spot, because I feel special, and I know I am special. Especially to Him. But not just I, so are you friend. (John 14:2)

But here’s something new that I’ve learned. Remember the third of angels that fell upon this earth? You know the angels that were on the enemies’ side? Now imagine how many angels existed in heaven before the fall? ALOT!  But imagine a third of that large number. A third is still alot! So imagine how empty worship service is in heaven at this moment. The angels worship God and sometimes when they look around (doubt they do, cause I know they don’t get distracted when worshiping) , they see the empty seats. But who are those empty seats for? For you and me! God didn’t create new angels because He knows He has people that belong in Heaven!  (empty seats was an analogy to just have you visualize, that is not fact)

Brothers, sisters, friends heaven is our home. ugh, we DO NOT belong on this earth. The devil has made this place his home, but this also is temporary for him too, for he will burn. David said it, ” I am a stranger in the earth”( Ps. 119:19). Why make somewhere which was never intended to be our home, our home. Its like saying, ya, I’ll lay in the lions mouth, its fine. noo, we have a home, its heaven. But do you want to go to that home? Do you really?

I mean my life is a mess, but why do some of us chose to worship music, our future, things, relationships, ourselves and etc? Why do we fall into the trap and think “but everyone is doing it?” (chuckles), I can’t be everyone, there’s a home I want to be in. I don’t know about you but I am so fatigue with this world. I am tired of school because I am only going to school so I can make a living for myself and others? Time is wasting but I don’t want to waste this time. Our God is judging, and I want to be in that book of Life! I wanna go to heaven! And I want to see you there :-*

Jesus is talking to the disciples in Mark 13 telling them what is to come. He tells them what to beware of! And Jesus knew this all would occur so He spoke. In verse 31-32, He simply tells the disciples this, “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.”

Not even the one who will return for us knows His departure time, Jesus Christ! The Word of God says that the angels do not have a clue either. So how can we, who are a little lower than the angels, and who are unworthy before Christ can figure out a date ?

And have not Christ reminded us to “beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly they are ravening wolves”(Matthew 7:15)?

Saints, we ought to be careful with what foolishness we are filling our heads with and pray to God to reveal the truth. What will happen on May 21, 2011? I do not know however, God knows. Maybe Jesus will come before that date, or after, but we do not know. All we must do is watch and pray like He commanded. At this moment, Christ is only asking us to seek His Kingdom and His face. Let us stay in communion with Christ praying that we are not deceived but are true hearers and doers of the Word of God.

P.S. The real date of Jesus Arrival: Matthew 24:35-36. Share the good news!

In Deuteronomy 6:5, Moses inspired by God said,” And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. In Luke 10:27, Luke inspired by God said, ” And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.”

Many of us if asked, can confess saying, ” Lord, I love you” but those are just words. ” God so loved the world that…”(John 3:16). There is something that God has done to prove and to show in action that He loves the world. But us, we love God in that..what ? What action are we doing to prove to God that we love Him?What is our daily worship like? Is it fully for Christ or what?

When loving the Lord God with our all, sin becomes disgusting and easy to come out of. But if it happens that one who loves the Lord with their all does fall into sin, true conviction comes upon them to ask for forgiveness. But some of us do not truly love God, we just like the thought of “being religious”  that’s when we ask for forgiveness after we fall, our sorry is not realistic. Are we a people that when we fall, we are truly sorry or are we afraid and guilty?

How can we please God if everything we do is in vain? Our worship is not about Him, and our lives do not please Him. So how can we even say the words we love Him ? Readers, loving God is not that easy. He is searching for real lovers. And sinners cannot be real lovers. Sinners love their sins, but it takes a sinner to confess to God, He wants us to love Him and only Him. It takes a sinner to fall and say that he/she is tired of falling and wants to be royal like he or  she was told that they were. If we feel that we do not truly love God, do not lie to Him. Ask Him to give you the desire to love Him and the strength to choose Him, when you are weak. Love is not the easiest thing, but it has been the best choice since God created this world. When we love God with all our heart, our soul, our mind, and our might that is where everything else will fall into place. God will be so pleased that He will lift you up. God bless.

” He said, Love me, love me with your whole heart. He wants it all today. Serve me, serve me with your life now. He wants it all today. Bow down, let go of your idols. He wants it all today.” – Forever Jones

In Proverbs 31, many of us are familiar with the virtuous woman. If you read from verses 10-31, you will see the true essence of womanhood. Countless churches have held bible studies and programs further exploring the characteristics and qualities needed to become such a woman.

Too often we look to the women of our days for wisdom, knowledge, and examples. We rarely ever look to the women of the bible. Ever wondered which woman you identify the most with?

Would it be Esther, a young Jewish woman who God called to save her people? Or how about Mary Magdalene, who had lost her way and showed how your life can be turned around if you accept God’s love and everlasting promise for eternal life? Let’s not forget Hannah who prayed to God for a child. She was ridiculed by everyone, for her inability to have children.  Hannah never lost faith and God blessed her with three sons and two daughters. One of her sons, Samuel became a great man of God. Finally, Ruth who had lost her husband and stayed to look after Naomi, her mother-in-law despite her request to return home and seek a new husband. She did later marry another man named Boaz who cared for her and her in-law.

As the final days of this sinful earth quickly pass by, I see one woman who is too often emulated–Jezebel, a prophetess, seducer, and fornicator. Do you party like Herodias’ daughter? Some of our families are so desperate for marriage that they quickly find suitable men to freely offer their daughters like Delilah and Leah. Marriage is marriage, right? Don’t forget those of us who can’t wait to have children because we’re not getting any younger. So like Sarah, who did the opposite of Hannah, we take matters into our own hands. In Sarah’s case, she  encouraged her husband, Abraham to sleep with their handmaid, Hagar. She didn’t trust that God would bless her with child. How many of us lack the trust and faith in Christ that in His time He will bless us with the things and people we ask for? Then there’s Eve who was naive enough to listen to a talking serpent in a tree who tempted her with the power to gain the knowledge of good and evil.

These are just a few of the many women and personalities in the Bible. Some had characteristics that we lack, while others share our same traits as today’s women that is contrary to how a Christian ought to be. So which women of the Bible do you identify with?

“Freud thought religion was the manifestation of an immature personality. ‘The more the fruits of knowledge become accessible to men,’ argued Freud, ‘The more widespread is the decline of religious belief.’” Let us examine Freud’s saying.

Freud mentioned that religion causes mankind to be undeveloped in character and that once we are exposed to knowledge; we no longer relinquish our personal control to what is considered to be sacred and pure. But instead, we choose to abandon the norms and values that religion has constructed. When I think of this “Fruit of Knowledge” that Freud addressed, my mind brings me back to the beautiful scenery pictured in the first book of God’s Holy word; Genesis. The story of life itself is manifested in the book of Genesis, where God created every living thing from nature, animal, and mankind. After His work, it was said, “And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.” Gen 1:31.

Everything in heaven and in earth had been in excellent condition; however, God had commanded the man, which is later known as Adam, to refrain from doing one thing that would change matters for the worst by resulting in death. This was considered to be a warning to help protect Adam and Eve.  “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Gen. 2:16, 17.

Now God had given Adam and Eve many options to choose from, a selection of trees in the Garden of Eden, and had told them they were not to eat from just one; the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

“Now the serpent was more subtile than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” (Gen 3:1-7).

Presented in these scriptures is the desire for one to gain power. The serpent had stated to the women that “ye shall be as gods”, this had brought to her attention that she would now be responsible for herself, no longer having to follow the commands of God, but now having similar characteristics as Him by “knowing good and evil”. Although in reality this was self-endangerment, it had appeared to be self-empowerment to the women.

The serpent had proven itself to be correct. After all the women had eaten from the fruit and was still left alive. This had given her even greater assurance to cause her husband to follow her actions. Little did the women and Adam know of the serious and now lasting consequences they would have to endure for not taking heed to God’s warning. It is through self-empowerment and rebellion that we seek to disobey God’s word. We desire to “open our eyes, to be as gods, knowing good and evil”. This is the fruit of knowledge that Freud is referring to! How selfish of mankind! This is what happens when we think so much about our self-gratification and instinctual needs.

God was not trying to restrict Adam and Eve from living freely; in fact, they did live freely before sin entered their bodies! God was merely trying to protect Adam and Eve from destroying and defiling mankind with this infectious disease called sin. He warned them from the snares of Satan in attempt to preserve their holiness. Freud was correct in his saying. He stated that, “The more the fruits of knowledge become accessible to men, the more widespread is the decline of religious belief.” Were not Adam and Eve separated from the Father after they sinned? Eating from the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil had defiled their character, and caused their once mature and pure personality to become immature and impure.

Psalm 119:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.” When we learn to do God’s will, wisdom comes to us freely from He owns wisdom. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5. If Freud were alive today, I would tell him to pick from the tree which bears fruit that does not only contain knowledge, but pure wisdom and knowledge; the tree of life, Jesus Christ! Not all fruits that look good, and taste good are good for the soul. But the Father bids us to “taste and see that the Lord is good…” Psalm 34:8.

“And he said unto me (John), It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, ths beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be His God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murders, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with the fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

-Revelation 21:6-8

Today we are wonderfully blessed with love from God. God had sent His only begotten Son to die for many filthy people who could care less. In dying for us, Jesus yearns to save souls to come back home with Him. Though sinners, we can rely on the blood of Jesus through true repentence in prayer. But prayers can only last for so long. There must be a time where we plead with God to forgive our unrighteousness but to help us overcome sin. There must be a time where we fall and say “Lord I just cannot take sin anymore.” The scripture above tells us that Jesus will say “It is done.” Do we quite understand that? What is done? Where are we going? This is not His arrival rather this is the time where His grace will be gone. Saints, do we know that there will be a time that the angels will have to fulfill the order of God by dropping the plagues here on earth?(Revelation 15).  Also, the Holy Spirit will no longer abide with us here on earth. That is what Jesus means when He says “It is done”. His grace will be done and God’s people will be sealed. Here is where God’s people will be saved even in the midst of the plagues. Isn’t that just too kind?! But the important question is, when will it be done? And also when will the plagues drop? Or how will we know we are sealed? Friend, we do not know. It can be tommorow. What are your plans for tommorow? Are they obedient to God’s law? Many believe that they can continue to sin and have fun up until Christ come. But we lack knowledge in knowing that God can only seal those who overcome sin through the blood of the Son! This is serious. It is time we let go of sin. It is time we stop pleasing ourselves and start pleasing God! Those who are thirsty to let go of sin, those who hate sin can only overcome. God will not have addicts in heaven. Tonight, we must resubmit and recommit. We must ask God for the desires to hate sin. Tell Him, how you really feel. Personally, I had to tell God, I don’t like reading my Bible. But He helped me because I had the desire but flesh held me back. Do not cause your flesh to make you fall when your flesh will not make it into the Kingdom. Friends it is time to overcome it all. Become thirsty, become hungry, become desperate. And He will fulfill your voids. Your cup will be overflowing, your plate will be heavy but indeed satisfying. He is waiting for your soul.

Speaker: Pastor Larry Bailey, Executive Secretary for the Northeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Scripture Reading: 2 Chronicles 7: 13, 14

Many people, including Christians, underestimate the awesome power of prayer. Do you know the ABCs of prayer? We must Ask, Believe, then Claim it. How can we utter our requests to Christ and lack the faith that he will answer our prayers?

We tend to pray when we’re in despair, but what about when things are going well. Should we not say a prayer of thanksgiving or praise?

Over the last year, we have witnessed the signs of the times. Earthquakes and tsunamis in regions we never would have imagined; the mysterious deaths of animals; the economic crisis; and civil unrest in the Middle East. Experts are trying to identify the solution to these problems, but there is no need if you will solve the underlying problem–the lack of spirituality.

In the Bible, there are stories of countless miracles that were performed by Christ throughout his ministry here on Earth. He raised Lazarus from the dead. He healed the incurable. He parted the Red Sea so that the Israelites can escape bondage from Egypt. He caused the blind to see and the lame to walk. They all had faith that he could heal them. Let us not forget the woman with the issue of blood for 12 years, who tried so many remedies, but none worked. She knew if she just touched the hem of his garment, she would be healed. What did Jesus say in Luke 8: 48? “Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.”

If we had not relied on our own understanding, and instead turned to Christ where would we be? He knows our needs before we even tell him. We must always seek his counsel. Place your faith and trust in him first.  We may face great obstacles in our lives, but through prayer and faith, we can overcome.

Did you know that most Americans suffer from one or more addictions? Did you know that the majority of them don’t even know they’re addicted?

Sex, drugs, and alcohol are the usual culprits, but there are other addictions that exist such as gambling, shopping, food consumption, loved ones, and even sin. An addiction is the condition of being abnormally dependent on some habit.

There are three ways to get addicted: your flesh, your eyes, and your lifestyle. When Jesus fasted and prayed for 40 days and nights in the wilderness, what do you think happened? In Matthew 4, Jesus was tempted to satisfy his hunger by turning the stones into bread (flesh). He was then tempted to throw himself down from a pinnacle of the temple, to prove that the angels watching him would catch him –keeping him from harm (eyes). Lastly, he was shown all of the kingdoms around the world he would inherit if he were to worship the devil (lifestyle).  Thankfully, Christ chose to stand firm, resist temptation, and follow the Lord thy God.

Addiction is a choice, but genetics may also have a role to play. We have to be mindful that moderation and temperance is the key to leading a Christian lifestyle.

The only addiction we ought to have is Jesus Christ. He gave us life, he sustains us, and it is only he who can free us from the things or people in our lives who have tried to keep us in bondage.

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36 NIV

Today we ask, what is your addiction?

Here’s the link to the lesson on addiction in its entirety.