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

Good morning, Family:

First, I believe we all need a global Deep Breath. It seems like the news about the Corona virus has taken over the world. In each generation there has been a disease that threatens the lives and/or health of it’s people. Diseases like poliomyelitis (polio), small pocks, chicken pocks, plague, etc.

I truly encourage everyone to be safe, but also never forget that you are children of God. Follow the instructions given by health authorities, but also remember who is the Author of our Lives.

Proverbs 3:5-6 

King James Version (KJV)

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Be blessed, Family. Dont be afraid. Be vigilant in your health, but keep your face turned toward your God.

I love you, with an amazing Love.

Rev. Marcia Davis

Good morning, Family:

This morning, I was thinking about different people, in the bible, that were close to God. The Word of God goes as far to say that they “walked” with God.

Genesis 5:21-24 

Common English Bible (CEB)

When I intentionally get up in the morning and start my day with Jesus, I feel so much better.  Can you imagine what it was like to walk with God, before the impartation of the Holy Spirit?

Genesis 6:9 

New International Version (NIV)

Noah and the Flood

⁹ This is the account of Noah and his family.

Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God.

Go in peace, family. Cherish the precious moments we get to spend intimately with God, until we see him face to face. 

In His love,

Rev. Marcia Davis

Good morning, Family:

How great is our God! There are not enough words and ways in which we can tell God, “I love you.” As worshippers of the Most High God, we dedicate our lives as acts and vessels of worship.

Believe it or not, as Christians, our life is not about us.

Saints of God, posture your life as an act of worship and adoration. As you sing and meditate on today’s worship song, truly take in what you are telling Jesus. Our life is a Love Song back to God.

Revelation 4:9-11 

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁹ Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, ¹⁰ the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:

Go in peace, while praising and serving our Precious Lord.

Rev. Marcia Davis

Good morning, Family:

I know and understand that life is sometimes not easy. We ask God, “Why?” We ask for the purpose of it all. The one thing we have to remember, as a family of believers, is that even when we have questions we have to continue our faith walk.

We easily forget all the times that God was there for us. We forget all the times that God wrapped his arms around us when we were going through our trials and tribulations. In those moments we forget to tell God, “Thank You for your faithfulness.”

We must trust God and trust the Process. Sometimes, we have to keep walking in faith,  Even if the pain, fear and hurt makes us want to turn from God. Even if others tell us to walk away and curse God, we must remember that God is faithful. Let it be well with your soul that God is with you, even when you think He’s not. God is able….

Psalm 46 

King James Version (KJV)

46 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

² Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

³ Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

⁴ There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

⁵ God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

⁶ The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

⁷ The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

⁸ Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.

⁹ He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

¹⁰ Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

¹¹ The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Keep the faith. Be strong. Dont let go. God is walking with you. You are NOT ALONE.

Rev. Marcia Davis

Good morning, Family:

Family, we serve an awesome God. Think about all of the times we should have been rebuked by God. Think of all the times God loved us, instead of punishing us. The mercy and love of God endures forever.

This morning, I woke up with a joy in my heart. I’m full of thankfulness and peace. May we always give place to God’s will for our lives. May God be allowed to arise in us and take His place, as the Leader and Director of our life’s journey.

Our prayer this morning:

“Arise, God, and take your place in the throne of my heart. May my life be a welcoming dwelling place for your Holy Spirit. Lead me and guide me in the way to walk, talk and live. You have the Seat of Honor in my life. Arise and take your place. In the precious name of your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Redeemer. Amen.

Psalm 136:1-9 

New King James Version (NKJV)

Thanksgiving to God for His Enduring Mercy

136 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
² Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!
For His mercy endures forever.
³ Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!
For His mercy endures forever:

Good morning, Family:

I hope all is well in your world and you are walking joyfully in the peace of the Lord. In our journey of faith, how we walk in critical.

Hebrews 11:1-3

New International Version (NIV)

Faith in Action

11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. ² This is what the ancients were commended for.

³ By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

Romans 1:17

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

May the Lord bless you richly. Go in peace, while praising and serving the Lord. 

Rev. Marcia Davis

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