Month: February 2020

Good morning, Beloved Family:

I’m sure many of you celebrated the beginning of the Lenten season by participating in Ash Wednesday services last night. I pray that you feel a deep sense of purpose and love, for our Lord’s journey to the cross.

Yesterday began the remembrance of the forty day journey of the death, burial and victorious resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus, The Christ. All culminating in Resurrection Sunday (Formerly known as Easter).

What is the purpose and meaning of Ash Wednesday, in the Christian Church?

“While the Bible does not mention Ash Wednesday, it does record accounts of people in the Old Testament using dust and ashes as symbols of repentance and/or mourning (2 Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1; Job 2:8; Daniel 9:3). The modern tradition of rubbing a cross on a person’s forehead identifies that person with Jesus Christ.” (https://www.gotquestions.org/Ash-Wednesday.html)

More than anything Lent, and the forty days that follow, allows us as believers to share in the suffering and sacrifices of Christ, in some small way. We want to be able to always remember and give honor to our Lord, as we lead up to the most holy day of the Christian calendar, Resurrection Sunday.

For Lent, we usually give up, or fast from,  something that is a sacrifice for us. The purpose is to grow closer to God and to remind our flesh that we are worshippers of God before anything else, just as Christ did in his forty day fast in the desert.

Matthew 4:1-11 

New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness

4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ² After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ⁶ “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
    and they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

⁷ Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

⁸ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹ “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

¹¹ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Go in peace, while praising and serving the Lord. May our lives be poured out, as fragrant offerings to the Lord.

Rev. Marcia Davis

Good morning, Family:

Think about what it means to have peace, godly peace. God’s peace, is a peace that can be maintained no matter the circumstances, or situations.

The Lord wants us to always have His peace. Without dependence on the Lord, the Holy Spirit and the bible, our peace and mood fluctuates.

The bible gives an example of when the disciples’ peace were shaken, but Jesus was so peaceful he took a nap. Let’s look at Mark 4:37-39.

Mark 4:37-39

New King James Version (NKJV)

³⁷ And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. ³⁸ But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

³⁹ Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

Why is the Peace of the Lord so important? The peace of the Lord comes down to one word, FAITH. We are placing our trust in God and standing in faith, knowing that God will lead us in the direction to go. When we have God’s peace, it is a peace that cannot be moved or shaken. Let’s look at Philippians chapter 4, as it gives a description of the Peace of God:

Philippians 4:6-7

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Most of you know that I was raised and Confirmed in the Lutheran (ELCA) church. One part of the liturgical service is to “Share the Peace of the Lord.” We say to each other, “May the Peace of the Lord be with you.” The response would be, “And also with You.” We were encouraging each other to keep the faith and to keep our eyes on Jesus. We encourage each other to stay in the “pocket of peace,” as I like to call it.

I leave you with the same prayer and greeting:

2 Thessalonians 3:16

New King James Version (NKJV)

Benediction

¹⁶ Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. 

Go in peace, while praising and serving the Lord.

Rev. Marcia Davis

Praise God, from whom ALL BLESSINGS flow, Family.

First, I love you. God loves you. Yes, even you.

Here in the states, it’s Friday. It is the end of the work week and I am feeling so blessed to have made it through another week.

God is so very good. Jesus did a complete work on the cross and conquered death and the grave. All of our cares and burdens should be prayed about, as we lay them on the altar and as we give up management and control. We depend on the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, we learn how to give it all over. The world of God, in Ephesians 6:18, Paul encourages believers to pray in the Spirit about everything. Last time I check, our cares and burdens would be included in “everything.”

Matthew 11:28-29 

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁸ Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Ephesians 6:18

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

As you listen to this rendition of “Glory, Glory,” by the Miami Mass Choir, really listen to the words. I find myself clapping and tapping my toes, and then smiling from ear to ear. I love the words and the joy of this song.

Be blessed, Family. Serve God and serve others, with the neverending, long-suffering, merciful love of God.

Rev. Marcia Davis

Good morning, Family:

In my role as a Wedding Officiant, I truly enjoy being able to perform wedding ceremonies. One of my favorite segments of the wedding ceremony is talking about Love. 

Specifically, I love what the bible says about love. Love changes everything. There is no better definition than in the scripture passage below:

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

English Standard Version (ESV)

⁴ Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant ⁵ or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ⁶ it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

⁸ Love never ends

Go in peace, while praising and serving the Lord.

Rev. Marcia Davis

Good morning, Family:

What an amazing miracle filled Monday. The miracle is that TODAY is a day we have never seen before. We are experiencing  a brand new miracle of love, joy, faith, happiness and grace today. Even though every day is a miracle, we stay in the present moment, the now moment of thankfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23 

English Standard Version (ESV)

Good morning, Family:

Have you ever been hungry? Have you ever been thirty. When you are hungry and thirsty you go where food and water is available.

Every day, our desire for God should be like a person who is hungry and thirsty. You don’t want anything but what will satisfy you.

Matthew 5:3-10 

The Message (MSG)

³ “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

⁴ “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

⁵ “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.

⁶ “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.

⁷ “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.

⁸ “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

⁹ “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

¹⁰ “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

Go with God, family. Find out what the heart of God desires for your life. Spend time, intimate, precious time, in His presence. Become familiar with the fragrance of God. His smell should rub off on you. So much so, that others can tell you have been in His presence.

Rev. Marcia Davis

Good morning, Family:

I greet you with the abundant and overflowing  love of Christ. The love of God is so completely perfect. It is a love that encompasses all that is good and holy.

Think about what it means to made in the image of a perfect, holy, and loving God.

Genesis 1:26-27 

New International Version (NIV)

²⁶ Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

Good morning, Family:

Today is a new day that we have never seen before. It may not be perfect, in our eyes, but today does have a purpose.

May we align ourselves with the spirit and will of God, moment by moment. This morning DID NOT AT ALL go like I wanted it to, but my mind, heart, and spirit are still in unison as we smile at God. All of me still says, “Let your will be done on earth and in my life, as it is in heaven. Please continually position me in a place and posture of thanksgiving. In the name of Jesus, my Lord. Amen, Amen, and Amen.”

1 Chronicles 16:36 

New King James Version (NKJV)

³⁶ Blessed be the Lord God of Israel
From everlasting to everlasting!

And all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the Lord.

Go in peace, while praising and serving the Lord.

Rev. Marcia Davis

 

Good morning, Family:

I just want to extend a warm welcome to all of our new subscribers to the Sacred Journey Devotional website.

I’m so blessed and humbled that some part of the devotional is nourishing to your soul and heart. I am simply a vessel that God uses.

Unless otherwise noted, all of the scripture references that are shared come from the Bible Gateway website. All of the music that is shared comes through YouTube. I love being able to put a spotlight on gospel and contemporary Christian artist.

For those that don’t know, I NEVER ask for any form of money or contributions. This devotional is my “time tithe” back to God. No one should ever contact you for money.

I believe that it is essential to give back to God a portion of what he has blessed us with. For me means our gifts/talents, time, and finances.

I have some exciting news to share with you. I am in the early stages of writing, and hopefully publishing, a book of daily devotionals. Be on the lookout for more information in the next few months.

Again, thank you, everyone, for keeping Sacred Journey Devotionals in your thoughts and prayers. Our cyber family is growing and I’m so excited. Please share the devotionals with your friends and family, as you feel led.

Psalm 119:105 

          New King James Version (NKJV)

נ NUN

Remember, go in peace while praising and serving the Lord.

Rev. Marcia Davis

Good Joyful morning, Family:

Spirit of the Living God, you wanted a relationship with us from the very being. Your highest goal has always been having relationship with your creation.

Thank you for not stopping with Adam and Eve. Thank you for not stopping with burnt offering and sacrifices. Thank you for not stopping at the cross. You gave us eteral access and eternal relationship on THE THIRD DAY, When you rose with ALL POWER IN YOUR HAND. You conquered DEATH AND THE GRAVE!!!!

Thank you for the Resurrection!!! Hallelujah

Luke 24:1-7

New King James Version (NKJV)

He Is Risen

24 Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.
2 But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.
3 Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
4 And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.

5 Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?
6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’”

Amen, Amen, and Amen!!!!!

Jesus Paid it All, Family. Go in peace, while serving and praising the Lord.

Rev. Marcia Davis