I just have to take the time to tell you, “Thank You” for your support and feedback of The Sacred Journey daily devotionals.
People ask me if I write each devotion. The answer is most definitely YES. It is an honor and privilege to be used by God and to share his heart for you. I am simply the vessel that has bowed in obedience to God’s will. If we are willing, God will use our gifts, talent and anointing for His glory.
I am a worshipper, so the reason I end each devotion with a worship or praise video is because the songs support the Word of God. The songs also allows the reader to meditate on the message for the day, all day. You may hear the song on the radio and instantly remember the bible passage that you read just days or weeks earlier.
I pray that you all have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend.
I love you with an AMAZING and Everlasting Love and there is nothing you can do to about it.
Rev. Marcia F. Davis
The Sacred Journey
This worship song means so much to me and it is truly a reflection of my heart. My desire is for God to use ALL of me. My hands, feet, mouth, etc.
The song is entitled, “Use Me” and it is written and performed by Rickie Byars Beckwith.
Today Is Friday and every Friday, at The Sacred Journey, we set aside the morning to give our highest, most energetic, and best praises to God. So, if you are at home, move the furniture, wake up the family, the pets, and get ready to dance like David danced before the Lord. If you are at work, or in the car, give your praise the best way you can, safely. Or just pull over and get out of your car and dance!!!
Today’s devotional has a great message. First, whom the Son sets free is free indeed. (John 8:36). Secondly, the devotion answers the question of how to experience true freedom and deliverance.
Do you remember your “GDD” Grave Deliverance Date?
When Jesus called forth Lazarus from the grave, three important things took place. They also take place EVERY TIME we call on Jesus to set us free from a bondage or sin that is stealing from the freedom that we rightfully have in Christ. Remember, God is the same yesterday, today and forever. If he can deliver Lazarus, he can deliver me and you from ANYTHING?
Let’s take a look at the steps Jesus took:
1. Jesus Identified and acknowledge the type of bondage that Lazarus was in at the time. (In this case the person was in bondage to the grave)
2. Jesus calls the person in bondage by name. (Lazarus, come forth) And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth.
3. Jesus completely removes the chains of bondage, from the person’s life, and the person(s) is reborn into a new life of freedom with Christ. (Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”)
So the question today is, when did God deliver you into a new life of freedom? How did it feel when you stepped out of your “Grave of Bondage”?
Note: If you would like for me to pray for you, and stand in agreement for your deliverance from ANY bondage, send me a message and I would be honored to pray.
John 11:38-44
New King James Version (NKJV)
Lazarus Raised from the Dead
38 Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.”
Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”
40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying.[a] And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!”44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”
Have a safe and happy Labor Day Weekend.
Rev. Marcia F. Davis
Enjoy the praise and worship video today entitled, “Glorious Day” performed by Passion. Listen closely to the lyrics, while you are dancing.
5 Your attitude should be the kind that was shown us by Jesus Christ, 6 who, though he was God, did not demand and cling to his rights as God, 7 but laid aside his mighty power and glory, taking the disguise of a slave and becoming like men.8 And he humbled himself even further, going so far as actually to die a criminal’s death on a cross.
9 Yet it was because of this that God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name which is above every other name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
So many times I wonder, in amazement, why God would have so much love for us.
What would make God strip himself of his Throne and decide to take the form of a lowly human. Not only did God become a human, but out of all of the posh life-style choices he could have made, he chose to come in the form of a servant.
He, even though completely Divine, Jesus humbled himself to the point where he died the most agonizing death, a crucifixion. A punishment set aside for criminals. However, Jesus wasn’t the criminal, WE WERE. He died for our crimes. He died for our sins. HE TOOK OUR PLACE. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN US ON THAT CROSS.
Jesus loved us so much, that while the earth was full of sin and criminals, his deepest desire was to have relationship with us.
When people ask why I trust God so much, I always respond with this statement, “Because he loved me enough, even when I wasn’t worthy. He paid the price just to have an intimate relationship with me. THAT IS LOVE.”
Be blessed today and know that I love you ALL with an AMAZING AND EVERLASTING LOVE.
Rev. Marcia F. Davis
Please enjoy the worship video today performed by Trinity Worship entitled, “Tis So Sweet To Trust in Jesus.”
(If you can, close your eyes and truly listen to this worship song. I still can’t stop crying.)
Good Wednesday morning. I prayed for you last night. May God comfort all of your broken pieces. May his everlasting love bring you to a place of wholeness and healing.
Your heart will begin to long more and more for God’s presence. As you spend more time learning, studying the word, and developing an intimate time with God, you will long for the presence of God even more, just as the deer in Psalm 42. Seek him and chase him with all of your heart.
The two most important commands given to the children of God are to love God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength. Secondly, to love your neighbor as you would want to be loved (even on your not so loveable days).
Be patient with yourself and allow God to complete the work he began in you, before you were even born.
Psalm 139:1-14
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 139
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
1 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. 5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Remember, I love you. God loves you….and there is nothing you can do to change our mind.
Rev. Marcia F. Davis
Enjoy the worship video today performed by Donnie McClurkin entitled, “I Need You.”
I pray this morning’s devotion finds you in a state of hope instead of despair.
Many of us have things that we could complain about. Many of us have things in our past that may cause us to cry… in pain, in shame or in sorrow.
Praise be to God, we have more blessings than we have curses. There are abundantly more reasons for us to say, “Hallelujah and Thank You, Lord.”
When the enemy, or even when we, try to bring up the shame and pain of our past, remind the devil, and remind yourself, that God has been so good, so faithful, so loving, so forgiving, so gracious and so merciful!!!
Speak to the atmosphere and speak to yourself. Get your flesh in submission to your spirit. The flesh is linked to the cravings and desires of this world, but the spirit is linked to God.
Use your words and use The Word.
Go with God today and allow him to do great things in you and through you. Even through the storm.
I love you with an AMAZING Love.
Rev. Marcia F. Davis
Please enjoy the worship video today performed by Casting Crowns entitled, “Praise You In This Storm.”
9 For you, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. 10 Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. 11 Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.
Good morning, Beautiful Ones:
HAPPY Monday morning. We start each Monday with a prayer to God. Please join me as we enter the Throne Room humbly, with thanksgiving and praise.
Father God, Everlasting King, we come to you first to always say that we love you and adore you. You are worthy of 10,000 praise and more. Hear us today as we lift up the thousands of people affected by Hurricane Harvey. Protect, cover and encircle them with your arms of love. Watch over the rescuers and their families as they usher people into safety.
Father, be with us today, and this week, as we know that we will have many opportunities to shine for you and your kingdom. May we be your ambassadors of love, hope and peace.
Father, you have so many names. Allow us to have intimate knowledge of how vast and deep you are, as characterized by your names. We love you and lift you higher than any other.
In the precious and powerful name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen, Amen and Amen.
May we all enjoy the worship video today by Tye Tribbet entitled, “You Are The Most High God.”
At The Sacred Journey, Praise Friday is the day we set aside to give God a radical, hysterical, and full-bodied praise. If you are at home, move the furniture, wake up the family and start the day off giving God your BEST PRAISE. If you are at work just dance in your cubicle or work area. You never know, your praise may be contagious and jump on someone else, Amen.
Today’s devotional is about setting our mind, heart, and spirit on the great things of God.
I serve a Great and Powerful God. Nothing God does is mediocre. When I go to God in prayer, I don’t pray expecting God to fail. I pray in agreement with God’s Word and I leave it at the alter. I walk away expecting miracles and blessings.
Read below about Paul’s thoughts on the greatness of God. The letter was written to the Ephesians, but it could Have just as easily been written to you and me.
Ephesians 3:14-21
New International Version (NIV)
A Prayer for the Ephesians
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father,15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Expect Great Things from God, today, because he is expecting great things from you.
Enjoy today’s praise song performed by Jonathan Nelson entitled, “Expect The Great.”
21 Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.
The above scripture passage is probably most familiarly read as “Life and death are in the power of the tongue.” However, I chose the Message Bible translation because it is so transparent, as it simply says, “Words kill, words give life.”
Why is it so important to be conscious of our words? Words can leave scars or they can be healing.
Do you remember a time when someone spoke an affirming word to You? Do you remember how good it made you feel? In the same way, do you remember when someone spoke a harsh or unkind word and how it made you feel. The hurt of destructive words can sometimes last minutes, hours, days or even years.
I always tell people, “Make sure, when you leave a room or finish a conversation, that you leave it better than you found it.”
Speak Life, in every situation. Even if you don’t see eye to eye, speak with love and not death.
Today’s worship video is entitled, “Speak Life” and it is performed by TobyMac.
Good morning. What do you think of when you hear the phrase to “Set Sail?”
Most people think of a boat opening up her sails and beginning the voyage on the sea. I think of the beginning of an unknown adventure that is both exciting and a little bit scary.
The one thing that gives me comfort is the fact that the captain of the vessel is someone that has plenty experience on the water. Even if the waters get a little rough during the journey, I still trust the experience of the captain.
In the gospel of Mark we see Jesus as the Captain and Conquer of the sea.
Mark 4:35-41
New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Calms the Storm
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
If Jesus asks us to get in the boat, please understand that he has already made a way for us to get to other side. Whatever storms may come in your life, remember who is the Captain.
Please enjoy today’s worship video from Dr. Jonathan Greer and the Cathedral of Faith Choirs entitled, “He’s the Captain of My Soul.”
May we all shine brilliantly today and every day. No, not for our glory, but for the glory and kingdom of God.
Please know and understand that shinning for God’s glory will eventually cost something. Living for God, whatever that looks like in your life, will require a sacrifice.
The Cost may be a friendship. The cost may be giving up an addiction. The Cost may be stepping out in faith and starting that new company or ministry. The cost may be moving to a different state where you have no family or friends. If you are single, the cost may be waiting a little bit longer to date because God needs to continue a good work in you, with no distractions.
However, for EVERYTHING that it may costs us, the greatest return is for God to be glorified. If one life is changed because of our obedience to God, how much more will we be blessed?
May we continually hunger and thirst for God. May God be lifted up in and through us.
Matthew 5:14-16
English Standard Version (ESV)
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Enjoy the worship video today from Psalmist Tasha Cobb as she worships God in singing, “For Your Glory.”
Always remember that I love you ALL, with an amazing and everlasting Love.