Good morning, Family:

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Here in the states, we celebrated July 4th which is our Independence Day.

I woke up this morning thanking Jesus for allowing us to come to the Father, because of the loving sacrifice he became on the cross.

Because of our freedom, in Christ, we get to come to the Throne Room of God. Jesus gave us step by step instructions on how to pray.

Matthew 6:5-15 

New International Version (NIV)

Prayer

⁵ “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ⁶ But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father,who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ⁷ And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. ⁸ Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

⁹ “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
¹⁰ your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.

¹⁴ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

In Christ alone,

Rev. Marcia Davis

A Brief Message to all of my subscribers….

First, thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to read the devotionals. It means so much that I get to share my love for Jesus with you all.

I keep my post easy to read, for all levels of believers. This devotional is sometimes the closest some of my readers will get to going to church and hearing the Word of God. I use a vast array of Bible translations, so that all readers may be able to understand the Word of God.

Unfortunately, I believe that a lot of people are leery of organized religion and church, for so many reasons, but the biggest reason of because of conversations that turn into theological debates and doctrines.

This is neither the heart or purpose of Sacred Journey Devotionals. Our purpose is to edify, encourage and help bring people to a closer relationship with Jesus Christ.

All denominations are welcome here, but I have to ask that we all respect each other and honor the purpose of Sacred Journey Devotionals.

I keep the post simple. As people grow in the Lord, the Holy Spirit will lead them into the knowledge and wisdom of Christianity. Right now, I’m just trying to help people have a closer relationship with Jesus.

As each person grows closer to the Lord, the Holy Spirit will lead and guide their heart. Sacred Journey Devotionals is about helping people develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and also encouraging and edifying those that already have a personal relationship with Jesus. It’s not about not denominational differences and theological debates.

All are welcome here.

I leave you with this passage of scripture, which is at the heart of Sacred Journey Devotionals:

Philippians 4:8

New King James Version (NKJV)

Meditate on These Things

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Go in peace, while serving and growing in the Lord.

Rev. Marcia F. Davis

Good morning, Family:

The love of God is immeasurable. The peace of God is unexplainable. The grace of God is remarkable. 

Family, there are some seasons of our lives that it seems that we need God more than ever. It may feel like you can’t take one more step, in your journey. You cry out to Jesus, in desperation. What now?? Where do you go from here? 

Thomas A. Dorsey lost his wife and child on the same day. His wife died giving birth to his son. Later on, that same evening, his son died. Through his pain and grief, he along with a close friend, birthed the song Precious Lord, Take My Hand.

It’s amazing how God’s love, peace and grace can take the difficult moments in our lives and use them for our good and His glory. 

Precious Lord, Take My Hand

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I’m tired, I’m weak, I’m lone
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
When my way grows drear, precious Lord linger near
When my light is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
When the darkness appears and the night draws near
And the day is past and gone
At the river I stand
Guide my feet, hold my hand
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I’m tired, I’m weak, I’m lone
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home (lead me home)

Go in peace, Family, knowing that God is in control. His ways are higher than our ways. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. Trust Jesus and take his hand. 

In His Amazing Love, 

Rev. Marcia F. Davis

Good morning, Family:

Have you ever just woke giving praises to God? Not because anything happened, that was of the ordinary, but simply because God is so good and in that moment, you were overwhelmed by His greatness.

Today is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 is one of my favorite bible passages. It doesn’t say, “on the day I get, I will rejoice and be glad.” The passage says, “Today is the day the Lord has made. Not tomorrow, not two days from now.

God knew what he was doing when he inspired the writing of this scripture. God teaches us not to depend on the day or circumstances to dictate how we worship Him. In fact, the way we worship God will dictate our day.

Be glad, Family. Continually chase after the Lord. Let your lifestyle be a lifestyle of worship. Psalm 34: says, “I will bless the Lord, at All Times. His praises shall continually be in my mouth.” Amen!

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

Rev. Marcia Davis

Good morning, Family of the Most High:

I love to study the word of God. Sometimes I like to be able to know the root of a scripture, because the Lord calls me to go deeper. This morning’s devotional is a result of my studies. The passage below was taken from ONE FOR ISRAEL (Messianic Jews In Israel) on June 2, 2016:

“Adonai Tzva’ot, the “Lord of Hosts” is one of the names of God, used 235 times in the Bible. The first time it appears is in the story of Hannah and her husband Elkanah, in Hannah’s struggle with barrenness. Hannah is the first person to call God by this name.

She cries out to the one who is able to create from nothing, to whom every cell and atom are called to attention. She knows that her hope lies only with the one whose voice the whole host of heavens and earth must obey. She understands that the command of the Lord of Armies will and must be executed. And it was.”

Today’s Scripture Passage

Psalm 24

Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

By David. A psalm:

⁽¹⁾ The earth is Adonai’s, with all that is in it,
the world and those who live there;
² for he set its foundations on the seas
and established it on the rivers.

³ Who may go up to the mountain of Adonai?
Who can stand in his holy place?
⁴ Those with clean hands and pure hearts,
who don’t make vanities the purpose of their lives
or swear oaths just to deceive.
⁵ They will receive a blessing from Adonai
and justice from God, who saves them.
⁶ Such is the character of those who seek him,
of Ya‘akov, who seeks your face.(Selah)

⁷ Lift up your heads, you gates!
Lift them up, everlasting doors,
so that the glorious king can enter!
⁸ Who is he, this glorious king?
Adonai, strong and mighty,
Adonai, mighty in battle.

Good morning, Family:

This morning, I woke up thinking about the amazing love of God.

We were originally created, by God, to fellowship and commune with God.  Even though we fell short, so many times, God continued to want a relationship with us.

What kind of amazing love is this? God has a love for us that will never change and never fade. Jesus, God’s only begotten Son, is the unifier of us to God. Nothing will ever be able to separate us from Him.

I stand in awe and wonder of a Love that is so wide, so deep, and so vast. There is no place we, as believers, can be where Your love can’t reach us. Why do you love us so much?

I stand in Awe of you, Lord.

John 3:16 

English Standard Version (ESV)

For God So Loved the World

¹⁶ “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Go in peace, joy and thankfulness, while serving the Lord.

In His everlasting Love,

Rev. Marcia F. Davis

Sing with me, Family, if you remember this vacation bible school song (that we use to sing in rounds):

I’ve been redeemed (echo)
By the blood of the Lamb (echo)
I’ve been redeemed (echo)
By the blood of the Lamb (echo)
I’ve been redeemed
By the blood of the Lamb
Saved and sacntified I am
All my sins are washed away
I’ve been redeemed…

The song was sung, in fun, as a young child, so that we could be taught God’s Holy Word. As adults, knowing the meaning of Redemption holds a lot more weight. 

We have been bought with an eternal price. We are forever the property of Heaven. The blood, that Jesus shed for us on Calvary, was the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. The culmination of our freedom took place three days later when Jesus conquered death and the grave and rose with ALL POWER and Authority. The complete sacrifice was made and had been fulfilled. 

Ephesians 1:3-7 

New King James Version (NKJV)

Redemption in Christ

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, ⁴ just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, ⁵ having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, ⁶ to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

⁷ In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

Family, let us live our Redeemed life with joy and thankfulness. Tell and show others the Good News. Let your light shine among ALL people. Allow love to be your currency. We have enough religion. The world is seeking an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. 

Go in peace, while serving the Lord. Amen. 

Rev. Marcia F. Davis

 

Good morning, Family:

How many of you have heard or sung the lyrics to this popular gospel hymn, “I surrender all. All to thee,  my blessed Savior, I surrender all.”

What does a surrendered life look like? What does a surrendered life feel like?

A life surrendered to the will and direction of God is a life of faith, hope, trust and love. A surrendered life is one that is initially started,  for most believers, with spiritual baby steps.

Daily trust in God, and standing on His Holy Word, allows the faith and trust of a believer to grow stronger each day. Each day we surrender to God, the faith walk becomes more and more comfortable.

We, as believers, were never created to navigate this life alone. Jesus promised, the disciples, and us,  that he would send the Comforter, to help navigate this dimension and bring to them  remembrance all that He taught.

John 14:25-27 

New International Version (NIV)

²⁵ “All this I have spoken while still with you. ²⁶ But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all thingsand will remind you of everything I have said to you. ²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Go in peace, faith, and trust, as you are being led by the Spirit of God, our Promised Comforter. Serve God and love God with all of your  heart, mind soul and strength. 

Why not start your day with this prayer:

“Good morning, God. I love you and I give you all the glory, honor and praise. Thank you for living on the inside of me. Show me your ways, Lord. Lead me, as I go about my day. Order my steps, my mouth and my actions. May my life be a reflection of your love. I surrender my life to your divine purpose. Thank you for using me. May you be glorified through me. In the name of your Son and my Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen.”

I love you, Family.

Rev. Marcia Davis

Good morning, Family:

In the bible, there are so many passages that speak about waiting on God. Verses like Psalm 25:5 that says, “Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. King James Version (KJV)”

Psalms 27:14: Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, i say, on the LORD.

Why is it so important to wait on God? Whether we are waiting on God for an answer to a prayer, an answer to a question, or waiting on God while we worship. The presence, purpose and power of God is tied up in God’s everlasting covenant with us. As long as we seek the Kingdom of God and the Presenceof God, we will always be in right order.

Be still, worship, serve, pray, and rejoice….while you wait on the Lord.

Go in peace, knowing and trusting that God is who he says he is and he cannot lie.

In Christ Alone,

Rev. Marcia Davis

 

 

Good morning, Family:

Last week we talked a little bit about allowing God to heal us and for us to feel safe in His presence, no matter where we are. I can’t think of a better scripture to start this week off than with Psalm 23 and with a heart lifting video entitled, “Deliver Me,” from Donald Lawrence.

Read how The Passion Translation interprets Psalm 23.

Psalm 23 

The Passion Translation (TPT)

The Good Shepherd