Author: Sacred Journey Devotionals: A Journey To Wholeness

Good morning, Family:

Sending love, hope and peace to you all in the mighty name of Jesus. Last week was a weird week for me. After I wrote the one devotional message last week, the Holy Spirit prompted me to be still and not to write again until this week.

Needless to say, it is a strange time we are living in these days. There are many layers of things going on at the same time. One thing remains the same, for me and for many of you, I’m sure. Our feet are planted firmly on the foundation of Jesus Christ.

Yes, bad things are happening, people are dying, the economy is looks like a rollercoaster ride at Six Flags, and the weather is unpredictable. One thing remains, Jesus Christ.

It is so important for us not to lose our footing and keep our feet planted. Dont move away from the foundation that is Christ.

Ephesians 6:10-18 

Living Bible (TLB)

¹⁰ Last of all I want to remind you that your strength must come from the Lord’s mighty power within you. ¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand safe against all strategies and tricks of Satan. ¹² For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies—the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world.

¹³ So use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will still be standing up.

¹⁴ But to do this, you will need the strong belt of truth and the breastplate of God’s approval. ¹⁵ Wear shoes that are able to speed you on as you preach the Good News of peace with God. ¹⁶ In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. ¹⁷ And you will need the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the Word of God.

¹⁸ Pray all the time. Ask God for anything in line with the Holy Spirit’s wishes. Plead with him, reminding him of your needs, and keep praying earnestly for all Christians everywhere.

Even though, right now, we may not be able to hug, kiss, or shake hands with our family, friends and neighbors, we can still be encouraging and uplifting. Wave, or make a heart sign with your hands, or shout, “I love you.” We can all stay connected, so continue to share love, hope, and peace in the Spirit and name of God.

In Him, WE LIVE and move and have OUR being,

Rev. Marcia Davis

Good morning, Family:

I began writing this blog yesterday morning, but I just couldn’t send it. My heart was breaking as the Holy Spirit led me to the three passages below. This is all our fault. The Church, God’s pure Bride.

Unfortunately, today, when I woke up, the same message was still in my heart, which means the Spirit of the Living God has not released me from the heavy word, but today, I feel hope.

Family, the enemy has received permission, by way of the protective hand of God being temporarily removed from over us, for a period of time.There are two things happening in this season.

First, the Season of Grace has temporarily been lifted. We, as a people, are experiencing the partial darkness of a world separated from the covering of God. This is only a glimpse of what will happen, if we, The Church, dont turn back to God. The church has gotten out of order. We have cheated on our First Love.

Second, a modern day Passover is taking place. God is separating the wheat from the chaff and the Angel of Death is making its way across the world. Instead of putting the blood of animals on our homes, like instructed by Moses in Exodus, today, we have the benefit of a New Covenant through the redeeming blood of Jesus. Once we ask Jesus into our heart, we have been covered with his Blood. The dwelling place for God now becomes our heart.

The problem is that we have removed God from the holiest dwelling place, the Temple of our hearts. What or who is sitting in the holiest place in our heart? Who has taken residence in God’s most holy place? Forgive us, Lord. Restore our hearts to right order. Remove everything that is taking up residence in your house, our heart.

Jeremiah 8:18-22

The Message (MSG)

Advancing from One Evil to the Next

Revelation 2:4-5

Living Bible (TLB)

⁴ “Yet there is one thing wrong; you don’t love me as at first! ⁵ Think about those times of your first love (how different now!) and turn back to me again and work as you did before; or else I will come and remove your candlestick from its place among the churches.

Good morning, Family:

Most of our lives, we have been raised and groomed to be as successful as we can. Success, education, preparation, and planning are all building blocks for a great future. Planning and preparing for a great life is wonderful and applauded, but is it enough?

As long as our identity, as Christians, is not in what we have built with our hands, our foundations will not be shaken. Our faith in God, and knowing that no matter what comes, Jesus is the Fountain of Living Water, we will never thirst.

Have you drank from the Fountain today? Have you experienced the Holy Waters pouring over your soul? When all has been stripped away, what well will you drink from?

John 4:1-14

The Message (MSG)

The Woman at the Well

4 ^1-3 Jesus realized that the Pharisees were keeping count of the baptisms that he and John performed (although his disciples, not Jesus, did the actual baptizing). They had posted the score that Jesus was ahead, turning him and John into rivals in the eyes of the people. So Jesus left the Judean countryside and went back to Galilee.

^4-6 To get there, he had to pass through Samaria. He came into Sychar, a Samaritan village that bordered the field Jacob had given his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was still there. Jesus, worn out by the trip, sat down at the well. It was noon.

^7-8 A woman, a Samaritan, came to draw water. Jesus said, “Would you give me a drink of water?” (His disciples had gone to the village to buy food for lunch.)

⁹ The Samaritan woman, taken aback, asked, “How come you, a Jew, are asking me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” (Jews in those days wouldn’t be caught dead talking to Samaritans.)

¹⁰ Jesus answered, “If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water.”

^11-12 The woman said, “Sir, you don’t even have a bucket to draw with, and this well is deep. So how are you going to get this ‘living water’? Are you a better man than our ancestor Jacob, who dug this well and drank from it, he and his sons and livestock, and passed it down to us?”

^13-14 Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.”

Come all who are thirsty….

Rev. Marcia Davis

Good morning, Family:

Sending love to all. I pray that you all are still healthy and well. This morning, as I was waking up, the Holy Spirit placed the  devotional message, in my heart.

I heard a certain gospel song in my head and then the Spirit of the Lord showed me the image of a wheel spinning inside of another wheel. It was an image that I had read about in book of Ezekiel, but a little different.

This morning, I only saw the wheels spinning. Then I heard the song, “The Center of My Joy,” by Richard Smallwood. I stared at the wheels for a long time and the  verses of the song just vibrated through me.

 Center of My Joy

By: Richard Smallwood

Ezekiel 1:16 

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: They sparkled like topaz, and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel.

Father, God, bring us back to center. Reposition our lives in a way that brings our worship of you into the center of our lives. Forgive us for making everything else more important than You. We humbly bow, in submission and humbleness, to your authority and your will. You have our undivided attention. May we open our hearts and minds to You.

Listening intently,

Rev. Marcia Davis

Good morning, Family:

Sending everyone hugs, high-fives, and fist bumps. I truly hope that you all are healthy and well. The world as we know is changing every day. I’m not sure if life will ever go back to how it used to be. We have learned important lessons on cleanliness and being cognizant of human contact. The remnant of those lessons will probably be with us forever.

One thing I am so excited about and looking forward to is being in corporate worship together in one place.

May, We, The People, have a new normal of global worship of our Lord. May, We, The People, with one voice will lift up the name of the Lord. Msy, We, The People, will sing the praises of the Lord.

Psalm 27 

New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 27

Of David.

¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid?

² When the wicked advance against me
    to devour^[a] me,
it is my enemies and my foes
    who will stumble and fall.
³ Though an army besiege me,
    my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
    even then I will be confident.

⁴ One thing I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
    and to seek him in his temple.
⁵ For in the day of trouble
    he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
    and set me high upon a rock.

⁶ Then my head will be exalted
    above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
    I will sing and make music to the Lord.

⁷ Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
    be merciful to me and answer me.
⁸ My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
    Your face, Lord, I will seek.
⁹ Do not hide your face from me,
    do not turn your servant away in anger;
    you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
    God my Savior.
¹⁰ Though my father and mother forsake me,
    the Lord will receive me.
¹¹ Teach me your way, Lord;
    lead me in a straight path
    because of my oppressors.
¹² Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
    for false witnesses rise up against me,
    spouting malicious accusations.

Good morning, Beloved Family:

I hope you and your family and friends are fairing well, during this unprecedented time in our world and country and community. One thing that always gives me hope is the resilience of the human spirit.

It warms my heart to see how communities and neighborhoods are working together. Be sure, every chance you get, to tell those who help, “Thank You.” So many industries are still moving, albeit at a much smaller pace.

I personally would like to recognize everyone in helping services, healthcare service, food and grocery service, and the transportation industries. I’ve never been more grateful to see trucks on the road and trains moving down the tracks.

A special thank you to all of the parents who have had to turn their homes into full time schools, hospitals, gourmet kitchens and entertainment centers. May God continue to give you strength.

I encourage us all to continue to place our hope and trust in God. God still gives us all the strength, grace, knowledge, wisdom, ingenuity and creative thought to go through each day. May we never take credit for what God is doing. We are all vessels to be used for the good of man and ultimately the glory of God.

Psalm 71:1-5

New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 71

¹ In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
    let me never be put to shame.
² In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;
    turn your ear to me and save me.
³ Be my rock of refuge,
    to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
    for you are my rock and my fortress.
⁴ Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,
    from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.

⁵ For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord,
    my confidence since my youth.

Go in peace and hope, while praising and serving the Lord.

Rev. Marcia Davis

Good morning, Family:

I pray all is well with you and yours. May God continue to lead you and guide you in everything you do and in the same manner may we all be sensitive to God’s leading.

Remember, Family, just take one day and one moment at a time. Be thankful for each day. Glorify God every day when you wake up and when you lay down in the evening.

Psalm 1

¹ Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
² but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
³ That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.

⁴ Not so the wicked!
    They are like chaff
    that the wind blows away.
⁵ Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
    nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

Good morning, Beloved Family:

God is forever faithful. He knows what happens to every sentient being on this earth. God watches the lilies of the field, the animals that come and go on the ground, the creatures that call the river, lakes and seas their home, and even the little sparrows that fly through the sky. There is not an instant that God does not know about. Every minute is accounted for.

I know right now, a great deal of the world has questions about what the future will hold. I encourage you to trust God. God loves us more than we can imagine. I also encourage each of us to make divine choices.

Make choices that change the balance of the atmosphere. Make spiritual choices that makes us winners in the unseen battles in unknown realms. Make choices that move the pendulum to love instead of hate. Every decision we make adds weight to the scales. What are you adding?

Some folks may say that God has a funny way of showing how much he loves us. We have to always remember that free will and choice were given to us a long time ago. We must be willing to take responsibility for our choices, both good and bad. Search your heart, your motive, and your hand. Ask God to purify your worship and to cleanse your heart of anything that may move the scales the wrong way.

Matthew 6:25-34 

English Standard Version (ESV)

Do Not Be Anxious

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷ And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?^[a] 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, ²⁹ yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰ But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹ Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

³⁴ “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Go in peace, family. The Lover of our soul is watching over us.

I love you with an amazing and everlasting love.

Rev. Marcia Davis

Good morning, Family:

I praise God for each and every one of you. I’m praying continually for your health, strength and peace in the Lord.

I’m sure, by now, you have been affected by the corona virus in one way or another. One of the amazing results, of all the changes taking place, is that people are coming together, even though we are isolated. It’s incredible what happens when we slow down just a little. People are working together, for the common good and well-being of everyone.

Whether it is standing outside the window of an elderly person and singing them a song, or sending flowers just to say, “I’m thinking about you,” or may the act of picking up phone, instead of texting and telling someone you love them. People seem to be nicer and more in touch with their heart and spirit.

What I noticed, more than anything, is that people are allowing Jesus to shine through them.  Praise God!!! I pray that this continues, even after our lives go back to normal. Ask God how you can be used in a big way to Shine.

Matthew 22:36-40

New International Version (NIV)

³⁶ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. ⁴⁰ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 5:16 

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

May we continue to Shine Big for Jesus and for Love. May the peace of the Lord be with you all.

Rev. Marcia Davis

Good morning, Family:

This Sunday, our church worshipped via Facebook live. We had the chance to enjoy worship through song, through tithes and offering, and through hearing our pastor share what the Lord put on his heart. As I made comments throughout the cyber service, I also noticed that people who normally dont come to our physical church location were joining in worship and thanking our Pastor for offering worship online, as their schedule did not permit them to attend in person.

God feels the same way about us. He wants to spend time with us, by any means necessary. So often, we make excuses as to why we dont have time to spend with God. I encourage you to be creative in your time with the Lord.

Due to the corona virus, many of us cannot gather together in one building, but we can still worship God on our own. Try having worship time outside in nature. Take your computer, or phone, with you and watch, or listen, to your favorite church service or worship songs.

Find a beautiful tree, or your favorite place, and have prayer and worship time. Let the birds be your background singers, as you sing praises to the Lord and read your favorite scripture passages aloud.

Maybe you can’t go outside. While you are inside, doing your activities, begin to sing your favorite worship and praise songs. Read the bible out loud or listen to the bible as you work.

What about the children? Have you ever been to vacation bible school? Find fun ways and songs to teach children about the Lord.

For traditional school, if possible, get together with your neighbors, as long as they are healthy, and teach school in groups. Allow the kids to go to one neighborhood’s house for reading and writing and maybe another neighbors house for science and math. Have physical education as a group. Remember “Field Day” when we had different fun activities and games? Why not have Field Day Fridays?

Be in prayer every morning. Ask the Lord to give you guidance and creativity on how to schedule each day and week? If applicable, get input from your children. How do they like to learn? Are they visual learners, or do they learn better from reading?  Be open to thinking outside of the box?

No matter what, keep God first. Even though, temporarily, many of us aren’t able to attend church together in a building, please dont forget to worship God with your tithes and offerings. During these times, especially, churches will be  ministering more than usual, due to the need for food banks, donated clothes and other important resources. In John 21, what did Jesus charge Peter to do? FEED MY SHEEP…

John 21:17

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”

I love you with an amazing and everlasting love. Go, in peace, while praising and serving the Lord.

Rev. Marcia Davis