1 John 1:5-10

New International Version (NIV)

Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness

⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

⁸ If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

Everyday we fall short, as Children of God. We also fall short as mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, sisters, brothers and even as friends.

This weekend especially, I had to come humbly to the Throne of God and to those I love. I had to confess my wrong and try to make amends.

I know that when I confess my sins to God that Jesus intercedes on my behalf to the Father.

One thing we have to realize is that even though we have been forgiven, there may still be a ripple effect due to our wrong decisions. At that point is when we have to understand the hurt and damage we have caused and then be willing to do everything in our power to let those we hurt that we are truly sorry for our actions and that it will never happen again.

We have to understand the feelings and emotions that were affected due to our choices and realize that rebuilding trust takes time.

We all know that no one is perfect, except God, but as Children of Light, it is our job to stay away from darkness.

Meditate on today’s worship song performed during the Gaither Vocal Hour, lead by Jesse Dixon and Guy Penrod. 

Walk in the Light….

I Love you with an amazing and everlasting love.

Rev. Marcia Davis

1 John 1:5-10

New International Version (NIV)

Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness

⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

⁸ If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

Everyday we fall short, as Children of God. We also fall short as mothers, fathers, husbands and wives, sisters and brothers and even as friends.

This weekend especially, I had to come humbly to the Throne of God and to those I love. I had to confess my wrong and try to make amends.

I know that when I confess my sins to God that Jesus intercedes on my behalf to the Father. One thing we have to realize is that even though we have been forgiven there may still be a ripple effect due to our wrong decisions.

At that point is when we have to understand the hurt and damage we have caused and then be willing to do everything in our power to let those we hurt know that we are truly sorry for our actions and that it will never happen again.

We have to understand the feelings and emotions that were affected due to our choices and realize that rebuilding trust takes time.

We all know that no one is perfect, except God, but as Children of Light, it is our job to stay away from darkness.

Meditate on today’s worship song. As you attend church service today, walk in the sanctuary with a heart of humility and thankfulness.

Walk in the Light….

https://youtu.be/w-RB-oQGjc0

I love you All with an amazing and everlasting love.

Rev. Marcia Davis

Even though our spiritual walk ultimately is very personal and intimate, most of our walk was not designed to be done alone. 

Walking the Path with encouragement and support from others, on the Path, is so important. The bible speaks of the importance of having a time of coming together in teaching, edification and worship.

The only thing the bible does not specify is where to come together. I believe the writers didn’t care as much care where we gathered just as long as we did. 

Call a spiritual friend today. Find out if they would like to have a time of worship together at your kitchen table, in the park, on a nature trail, or at church. Maybe you are in prison or in the hospital and feel alone. You are NOT alone. Open your mouth and ask if someone would pray with you. If you have family that has been cast out or forgotten, offer them Jesus. They may need you as much as you need them. 

Remember, where two or more are gathered in the name of Jesus, he is there in the mist of them. (Matthew 18:20).

Hebrews 10:19-25

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Encouragement and Warning

¹⁹ My friends, the blood of Jesus gives us courage to enter the most holy place ²⁰ by a new way that leads to life! And this way takes us through the curtain that is Christ himself.

²¹ We have a great high priest who is in charge of God’s house. ²² So let’s come near God with pure hearts and a confidence that comes from having faith. Let’s keep our hearts pure, our consciences free from evil, and our bodies washed with clean water. ²³ We must hold tightly to the hope that we say is ours. After all, we can trust the one who made the agreement with us. ²⁴ We should keep on encouraging each other to be thoughtful and to do helpful things. ²⁵ Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord’s coming is getting closer.

Please enjoy today’s worship video from Hezekiah Walker entitled, “I Need You To Survive.”

I love you with an amazing and everlasting love. 

Rev. Marcia Davis

 

There are only a few times in life where age works against most of us. As children, most of us had the type of faith, wonderment and belief that helped us to know that ANYTHING was possible.

As children, our imagination had no limits but something happens as most of us grow up. Life begins to take over. Responsibilities increase. We make more and more important and wonderful decisions like college, career, marriage and having children.

Every adult makes big decisions every single day. We just have to remember, in our daily decision making, not to forget that there is still a child with imagination, wonderment and faith inside.

It’s THAT child that must be the one that comes to Jesus in faith. It’s THAT child that believes what faith can do. Dig deep, let go and hold the seed in your hand. Close your hand, close your eyes and become the child that Jesus calls to come to Him.

Matthew 17:17-21

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

¹⁷ Jesus said, “You people are too stubborn to have any faith! How much longer must I be with you? Why do I have to put up with you? Bring the boy here.” ¹⁸ Then Jesus spoke sternly to the demon. It went out of the boy, and right then he was healed.

¹⁹ Later the disciples went to Jesus in private and asked him, “Why couldn’t we force out the demon?”

^20-21 Jesus replied:

I know that I have written about this topic before, but it is so important.

There is something to be said for being of sound mind. Even the bible speaks of being of the right mind.

Approximately seven or eight years ago, I used to have what is called a poverty mentality. My mind came from a place of lack, instead of a place of abundance. When I say “lack” I’m not speaking of money. I’m speaking of an insufficiency of mind. My Mind was in a diseased and underdeveloped place.

At that time in my life I did not realize that the way I thought created everything around me. I didn’t realize how much of my world was being manifested by my Mind.

It wasn’t until I was truly taught about the power of this scripture passage that things changed: 

Romans 8:5-6

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

Once the Spirit of God is allowed to be in charge of your life, all of life’s priorities divinely fall into place.

God changes things…..

Please enjoy today’s Messianic Praise and Worship video.

Be blessed today. I love you with an amazing and everlasting love.

Rev. Marcia Davis

As a Christian, I can take credit for the free-will I demonstrated to follow Christ. For the gifts, talents, blessings, elevation and favor that has come all as a result of the obedience, all of the glory and praise goes to God and God alone. I would never be outside of my mind enough to forget where every good and perfect gift comes from, they come from the Lord. 

Today, I pour out my morning blessings to God. Father God, you alone deserve the glory. I bow in reverence to you. May this devotional be a sweet smelling fragrance that lifts high to you. 

James 1:17

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Saints of God, pour your praises out on God. Send up sweet offerings to heaven. Blessings will soon follow, as God knows the heart of every true worshipper. Open your mouth this morning and tell God why you love and adore Him. Tell Him why you worship and follow Him. Give praise and honor to the God you serve. 

I love you with an amazing and everlasting love. 

Rev. Marcia Davis

One thing that cannot be predicted is how God will direct our steps. The reason is because God knows the beginning from the end. So, even though we may want to take two steps to the right, God may order our steps to the left. In 2018, we must obey the voice and direction of God. 

The ordered steps of God are for a time and reason. Our obedience may not be for our benefit, but instead for the benefit of others. 

When God told Noah to build an ark, everyone thought Noah was crazy. If Noah only thought about himself and what others thought of him, I’m sure the world would be a much different place. Thankfully, Noah knew that God did things on purpose and on a grand scale. Noah’s obedience changed the world. 

What will your obedience say to future generations?

Genesis 6:14-16

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitchinside and out. ¹⁵ This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide and thirty cubits high.¹⁶ Make a roof for it, leaving below the roof an opening one cubit high all around. Put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle and upper decks.

The worship video comes from the GMWA Women of Worship with the song entitled, “Order My Steps.”

I love you with an amazing and everlasting love.

Rev. Marcia Davis

 

 

From the age of about eight to twenty years old, I was raised and confirmed Lutheran (ELCA). One of my most favorite songs of the service was called, “Thankful Hearts and Voices Raise.” The short praise was sung usual after the prayers of the church were prayed. This is what my heart has been singing all morning.

“Thankful hearts and voices raise;
Tell everyone what God has done.
Let All who seek the Lord Rejoice and bear Christ’s holy name.
Send us with your promises, Oh God,
And lead us forth in joy,
With shouts of thanksgiving.
Alleluia, Alleluia.” 

Psalm 105:1-6

New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 105

¹ Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
    make known among the nations what he has done.
² Sing to him, sing praise to him;
    tell of all his wonderful acts.
³ Glory in his holy name;
    let the hearts of those who seek theLord rejoice.
⁴ Look to the Lord and his strength;
    seek his face always.