Month: August 2024

Be Holy…

Sacred Journey Devotionals: A Journey To Wholeness1 Comment

Greetings, Precious Family:

As always, I pray that today’s letter finds you abiding in the Peace of the Lord. We shall be stable in all we do if our heart, mind, and spirit are grounded in God’s Peace.

This past week, there has been a common theme that has crossed my path for several days. The message that has repeatedly resounded is God’s Holiness. God is forever holy, and because God is Holy, holiness should be our desire as well, since we are made in God’s image and likeness.

Scripture Reading

1 Peter 1:3-16

Modern English Version

A Living Hope

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that does not fade away, kept in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now, if for a little while, you have had to suffer various trials, 7 in order that the genuineness of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tried by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom, having not seen, you love; and in whom, though you do not see Him now, you believe and you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, 9 receiving as the result of your faith the salvation of your souls.

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that should come to you have inquired and searched diligently, 11 seeking the events and time the Spirit of Christ, who was within them, signified when He foretold the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, concerning the things which are now reported to you by those who have preached the gospel to you through the Holy Spirit, who was sent from heaven—things into which the angels desire to look.

A Call to Holy Living

13 Therefore guard your minds, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children do not conduct yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance. 15 But as He who has called you is holy, so be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”[a]

Worship Song of Holiness

Website: https://cecewinans.com

Family, I know some days and seasons are harder than others, but I promise, if you stand firm in your faith and keep your eyes on God, you will get through it victoriously. Remember, also, to call upon the mature saints of God to ask for prayer and guidance. I promise, they are wonderful treasures that can tell you FIRST HAND about God’s faithfulness.

May today’s letter, scripture reading, and music video be an encouragement to you. May they all come back to your remembrance when you need them the most.

I love you with the amazing and everlasting love of our Lord and Redeeming Savior, Jesus, The Christ.

Your sister,

Rev. Marcia Davis

Covington/Atlanta GA

Rod and Staff of Comfort…

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Good morning, Precious Family:

May the Peace of the Lord be with you always, in every situation and circumstance. May the Lord’s Peace be your stabilizer and foundation.

I am always grateful for the opportunity to write each week. God has allowed me this special time with you all. I will never take this time for granted.

For those of you who have been with me from the very beginning, so many years ago, I thank you. For those who just started your journey with me, I thank you. It is the continual prayers and support from each of you that has changed my life. I take great pride in knowing that there are people praying for me and my well-being spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally.

I have been asked, by some of you, if it would be ok to send me donations and love offering. The reason I always say NO is because this devotional is my tithe of talent and time back to God.

I also take great comfort in knowing that God is always with me. Whether I’m facing joy or sorrow, happiness or pain, fear or courage, God is always with me and with you as well. Take comfort in knowing that you are never alone.

Scriptures of Comfort

Psalm 23

Modern English Version

A Psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside still waters.
3     He restores my soul;
He leads me in paths of righteousness
    for His name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
    through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
    for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff,
    they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

Song of Comfort and Peace

Piece of My Passion Album – Dr. Juanita Bynum

Family,

I know sometimes life and places on the path we have to walk through can be very scary, but trust and know that the God we serve is always with us. I have seen the faithfulness of God, first hand. He has proven himself over and over again.

Don’t be afraid, don’t let your heart quiver. May the peace of the Lord be with you. Rest in peace, knowing that it is ALREADY ok.  

Your sister,

Rev. Marcia Davis

Covington/Atlanta, GA

Draw Me Close

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Greetings Family,

I’m so grateful to be able to write this letter to you. May the peace of the Lord rest, rule, and abide with you.

Family, have you been in a season of your life where it feels like you are going in the right direction, only to find out that you have been going off course? You’re not sure when it happened, but little by little, inch by inch, you have strayed from the path.

What happened? Was it a job, a relationship, a hobbie, social media, or whatever it was that got you off balance and caused you to slowly move God out? 🤔

The wonderful thing is this….God is never far away. Call out to God and ask to be drawn close. Ask God to restore your relationship and to restore you to your right mind. Pray every day, as often as you can throughout the day. Talk to God at every turn with every decision, so that you can get reminded of the sound and feeling of God’s voice.

I pray a prayer of protection and peace over you, in the name of Jesus. I pray that you will respond and recognize God’s voice. I pray that your ears would be closed to any voice that is trying to deceive you. I pray throughout the day, you will be able to clearly hear God tell you how much He loves you. He is our Father. Draw close. Be intentional in your prayers.

Scriptures of Repentance

James 4:1-10

Modern English Version

Friendship With the World

4 Where do wars and fights among you come from? Do they not come from your lusts that war in your body? 2 You lust and do not have, so you kill. You desire to have and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask, and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your passions.

4 You adulterers and adulteresses, do you not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 5 Do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “He yearns jealously for the spirit that lives in us”[a]? 6 But He gives more grace. For this reason it says:

“God resists the proud,
    but gives grace to the humble.”[b]

7 Therefore submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to dejection. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Intimate Worship

Family, your relationship with God is too important. Do not take it for granted. Now that you are in your right mind….Stay there. Press toward the altar of God. Bow down and repent. Open your mouth and worship.

I love you. I’m going through this with you.

Your sister,

Rev. Marcia Davis

Covington/Atlanta, GA

Gracefully Broken

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Greetings, Precious Family:

May the Peace of the Lord be with you, All.

I am so blessed to be allowed to write to you this week. I am even more humbled and grateful that the Spirit of the Living God has allowed me to be a usable vessel. I wrote this devotional on Wednesday but was told to wait until I published it. I didn’t understand why, until I had a conversation with a dear family member.

There is nothing about me that makes me special or extraordinary. On the contrary, I have so many things in my life that God is trying to teach me. Sometimes, it feels like the lessons are never going to end. However, I rejoice with each lesson because it assures me that God is still working on me and that He is not finished yet.

One thing is always the same with each lesson. I can always feel the undercurrent of God’s love flowing through me, gracefully weaving its way into my heart, mind, and soul.

The fingerprint of God is so evident in those he loves, which is anyone willing to submit to the authority and power of God. God knows the person we are each called to be.

In the scripture passage for today, David is almost inconsolable because he know he sinned against God. Something happens on the inside of me when I know that I have let God down. God doesn’t rub my face in my mistake. God understands that the repercussion of the fact that I moved outside of his timing and will are going to be punishment enough.

In Psalm 51, when David committed adultery, it was his pain in knowing that he sinned against God. It was his sin against God that brought him to his knees. That is what sin does. It separates us from God. That is why Psalm 51 is so powerful. Separation from God, even if only for a short time, is one of the worst feelings anyone can experience, especially if you have a close intimate relationship with God.

Scripture of Repentance

Psalm 51:1-17

New International Version

1 Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
    blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
    and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
    and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
    sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
    you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins
    and blot out all my iniquity.

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
    so that sinners will turn back to you.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
    you who are God my Savior,
    and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 Open my lips, Lord,
    and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice, O God, is[b] a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart
    you, God, will not despise.

Song of Worship and Grace

Tasha Cobbs Leonard official video for “Gracefully Broken” Taken from the album Heart. Passion. Pursuit.

Family, trust me, if there are any areas of your life that need to be fixed, realigned, or corrected, please submit to the will and authority of God. It may be uncomfortable for a little while, but in the end it will bring you closer to God and it will bring you Peace.

Your sister,

Rev. Marcia F. Davis