Good morning, Precious Family:

I sometimes chuckle at how the Holy Spirit brings me the message for each week. This week, the Holy Spirit was showing me a video game. In the game, the avatar was collecting certain required items and placing them in a basket tied to her waist as she made her way along a marked path.

Initially, I didn’t understand the purpose of getting all of the items along the path. I knew where the path was heading. I wanted to just run as fast as I could to get to the end goal, which was a beautiful castle.

The game would not let me skip past the required stops along the way. With a lot of frustration and attitude, I completed my first few tasks. Shortly after, I continued my journey along the path when a creature jumped out at me. I panicked, at first, and then I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Your weapon is in your bag.”

I quickly began to see where this vision was taking me. The Holy Spirit reassured me that everything I have gone through had two purposes. Growth and Glory are the lesson twins. God allows every lesson we encounter for two reasons. The lessons are for OUR GROWTH or for HIS GLORY.

I know that we are sometimes tempted to ask God, “Why?” Several years back, I learned an invaluable lesson. I learned that if I changed my “Why” to a “Thank You” I was able to get through the lesson or season much easier. What will your answer be? How will you respond when life throws a curveball your way? Will you say, “Why” or “Thank You”?

Scripture Reading of Edification

Ephesians 4:1-6

The Message

To Be Mature

4 ^1-3 In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.

^4-6 You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.

Song of Worship and Praise

Family, I pray your strength in the Lord, as you walk the Path. Walk graciously and humbly with love for one another, in the name and authority of our Lord and Redeemer, Jesus The Christ. Amen.

Your sister,

Rev. Marcia Davis

Covington, GA