Tag: #biblestudy

Asking For Forgiveness…

Sacred Journey Devotionals: A Journey To WholenessLeave a comment

Good morning, Family of the Redeemed:

Family, if you didn’t get a chance to read last week’s devotional, I encourage you to read it now and then come back and read today’s message.

Last week, we walked in love and asked ourselves if there was anything that we had replaced God with in our lives. We said that in the coming days and weeks, we were going to search our hearts with the help of the Holy Spirit for anything that we worshiped above God.

In the Ten Commandments, the most important thing to remember, if we don’t remember anything else, are the first and second commandments. The scripture directs us to search ourselves. Have we put anything in front of God’s Throne? Have we made a physical, mental, or spiritual connection with something or someone that is standing in the way of our full access to Throne Room of God?

The scripture for today is a question as well as a directive. What are the greatest commandments? I had to ask God for forgiveness. As the Holy Spirit searched my soul, I was shown the areas that had pushed God out.

Scriptures for Direction..

Matthew 22:34-40

New International Version

The Greatest Commandment

34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 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.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Worship Through Sacrifice…

This week, I have been spiritually cleaning house. I’m clearing my path back to the Throne. As I laid bare before God, the sounds that came out of my heart, as I travailed before him, was from the deepest part of my heart and soul. I asked God for forgiveness for placing anything before him.

In Genesis 22, God asked Abraham to sacrifice his most precious gift, his son Isaac. The scripture says that Abraham packed up and headed toward the location God gave him to sacrifice Isaac? When God saw that Abraham loved God more than anything or anyone, THEN THE RAM APPEARED.

There is a place of blessing that God is preparing us for, but first we must take our “Isaac” to the altar and be willing to sacrifice it because we don’t want anything to separate us from God.

Is there anything you use to “cope” or “manage” your feelings? Is there someone you always run to who makes you “feel” better? Those things and people are your “Isaac” if you go to them BEFORE you go to God.

Please hear me. If you have a medical condition that you are taking prescription medications for, that is not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about those things or people that numb the pain. Go to God. Give it to God. Lay it on the altar and sacrifice it.

I love you all with the amazing and everlasting love of our Lord and Redeemer Jesua Christ. May your journey to healing and wholeness be blessed. I’m joyfully and prayerfully walking with you. You are not alone. Travel Light. His Yoke is easy.

Your sister,

Rev. Marcia Davis,

Covington/Atlanta, GA

Standing With Love…

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Greetings Family,

I pray this week’s devotional finds you in a place of peace and joy. This week, on my Facebook page, I honored my mother in celebration of Juneteenth.

Why celebrate my mom? Two reasons, my mother was my first role model and the first Bible I ever read. A child, under the age of five years old, has no full understanding of what it means to be a Christian. The only examples I had were my mom and dad.

Growing up, my father’s first love was music. My Dad played the organ while my mom and other family members sang in the choir. My mom taught me how to pray the Lord’s Prayer. She also taught me to talk to God any time. She would always say, ” If you are ever scared, just pray and talk to God.

My mom was a Civil Rights Activists, a Social Worker, and a part of the Big Sister Program. The one thing I always saw is that my mom loved helping people. No matter what they looked like, smelled like, what their political position was, or who a person loved, my mom saw everyone as a Child of God that deserved love.

Scriptures of Love

Luke 6:32-36

New International Version

32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Songs of Sharing God’s Love

Danny Gokey

Precious Family, if we say that we love God but don’t love our brothers and sisters that are different from us, how can we love? The Word says that it is easy to love someone who loves you. Are we guilty of loving ONLY when it’s easy? I hope not. Where would we be if God did that to us.

I will tell you a secret. The more you give love and share it with the world, the more love will come to you. Whatever kinds of seeds you plant Think on these things. Love NEVER FAILS!!!!

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

Your Sister,

Rev. Marcia Davis

Covington, GA

More Than Enough…

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Good morning, Precious Family:

I wake each morning with the spirit of praise in my heart. God is so faithful to His promise of me never being thirty. He truly is the Living Water. My soul is more than satisfied with God’s amazing love.

There is absolutely nothing that can compare to the peace that comes from trusting and loving God. I am more than satisfied. There is nothing that compares to the love of God. He continually satisfies my heart.

Scriptures of Hope

John 4:7-14

English Standard Version

7 A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” 13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.[a] The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Song of Worship and Praise

Todd Dulaney

Our Prayers…

Merciful and Everlasting Last,

I know that I should not still be amazed and surprised by how good and faithful you are. I think it is because I know I don’t deserve it. Your love conquers everything. I am so satisfied by your love. May we, as your children, never grow complacent or numb to how good you are. Thank you for each new morning. We love you. Thank you for satisfying. We are humbled by your sacrifice at the Cross of Calvary. We bow in adoration to the empty tomb. We celebrate and worship in the Holy of Holies. All glory, honor and praise belongs to you, the one who satisfies my soul. In Jesus’ great and mighty name, Amen.

Family, I love you all with the amazing, everlasting, and satisfying love of God. Go and serve others as you serve God.

Rev. Marcia F. Davis

Living On Purpose…

Sacred Journey Devotionals: A Journey To Wholeness1 Comment

Good morning, Precious Family:

Before I say anything else, I have to tell each and every one of you how blessed and thankful I am for you being a part of my life.

I am so honored that God has allowed me to speak to you each week. God takes so much joy in letting us know how much he truly loves us. That is why it is so important to live each day ON PURPOSE. There is a good way to walk, may we all follow it obediently and with purpose.

Scripture Selection and Direction

Romans 8:28-30

New International Version

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Song of Praise and Edification

May God bless you all in your journey on the Path. We have each been chosen for respective paths. I pray for your strength, in the Lord, that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Stay strong in the Lord. I will continually lift you up to the Father, through Christ Jesus.

Rev. Marcia Davis

Total Praise…

Sacred Journey Devotionals: A Journey To Wholeness1 Comment

Good morning, Precious Ones:

We give God total praise for a new year. We give God total praise for health and strength.

This year will be a year of walking the path of our destiny. Last year, we may have taken time for granted, thinking that much more time was available. This season, every minute, every second, and every hour has to count. Take nothing for granted. This year must be walked in obedience and truth.

Psalm 121

New International Version

A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Richard Smallwood Total Praise

May the magnificent God we serve bless you and allow you to finish your race with joy and praise.

I love you all with the amazing and everlasting love of Christ Jesus,

Rev. Marcia Davis

I Will Bless The Oh Lord…

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Good morning Family,

I pray that this week has greeted you with peace. I am eternally grateful to God for going before me to prepare me for my next season. This season that I am currently in has introduced me to a different pace that I am NOT used to running.

There is an urgency in this season to make sure that we are very prepared for what is coming. Do not take your training lightly. It is important that we perfect (verb) our craft, talent, gifting, and anointing.

This week, every time my mind becomes quiet, the hymn I Will Bless Thee Oh Lord keeps playing. The lyrics of “I will bless the oh Lord with a heart of thanksgiving, I bless thee oh Lord” are directing my thoughts and actions. The song goes on to say, “With my hands lifted up, with my mouth filled with praise, with a heart of thanksgiving, I will bless thee oh Lord.”

Due to the uniqueness of this season, we have to have our heart and mind grounded in worship and the Word. No matter how difficult or challenging things my be, if we face those challenges with worship and the residue of having intimacy with God in our heart, we can face anything.

Prayer and Thanksgiving for the Lord’s Righteous Judgments

Psalm 9:1-2

9 I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart;
I will tell of all Your marvelous works.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in You;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.

Family, keep the praises of the Lord continually in your heart and mind. I pray the Lord’s blessing over your life. Go in peace, while praising the Lord!

Rev. Marcia Davis

Whew…Im Still Standing…

Sacred Journey Devotionals: A Journey To Wholeness1 Comment

Good morning, Family:

First, I have missed you all so much. I thought about you every day that I have been away. A brief update on where I have been and what has been going on.

I’m almost at the finish line of my Master’s degree. Many of you know that I am working on obtaining my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Couseling from Liberty University. In this season of my life, I am fulfilling my internship requirements with an amazing counseling treatment facility. I am also maintaining my full-time job with an amazing company that I have worked with for the last twenty-one years.

A few weeks ago, I contracted the flu and it had me in complete shut-down mode for about two weeks. Thanks be to God, I am feeling much better. Any time there is a gap in our communication I am always so excited when God releases me to write to you againt. Please know that I thought about each of you and how excited I was in anticipation of reconnecting with you. Thank you for your patience and prayers.

One thing that blesses me so much is that God has always consistently and constantly been faithful in protecting and covering me. Even when the outcome was not what I wanted, or planned, I still always felt God’s presence around me. I guess it’s because I have learned, over the years, to truly trust God.

Trust is a two-way street. As with anyone else, trust takes time. What I have found is that as I have trusted God with different areas of my life my peace increases. I don’t stress out as much as I used to. I lay whatever my worry is at the feet of God and I leave it there….with no take-backs. I’m not sure who this message may be for but I encourage you to trust God and trust the process..

I leave you with the worship video for today entitled Im Still Standing by Bishop Paul Morton under the direction of Kirk Carr.

Ephesians 6:14-17

New International Version

14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Be blessed family,

Rev. Marcia Davis

Preparing For The Next Season…

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Good morning, Precious Ones:

I’m so grateful for you this morning. I want to send a quick note to encourage you to keep pushing through your current course. I know right now many of us are on the precipice of our new season. However, there are still things that must be completed in the current season.

The preparation in this season is taking longer than usual. If you get tired just take a deep breath, pray, cry, or even scream….just don’t stop. There are people depending on you to complete your assignment. Eventually you will be able to enjoy the fruit(s) of your labor but right now is digging and planting time.

People, as well as the enemy, will try to discount you and even discourage you from what God has shown you. Stay faithful to the path. It is your calling and no one else’s. In time, we will be able to say, “Look what God has done in and through me!!!”

Galatians 6:9-10

New International Version

9 Let us not become weary in doing good,(A) for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.(B) 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good(C) to all people, especially to those who belong to the family(D) of believers.

Be blessed,

Rev. Marcia Davis

I Never Lost It…

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Good morning, Precious Ones:

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Yes, indeed, God desires all of our praise, no matter what we are going through.

The last few of years have been tough for most of the world. I know more than a few people, who are Christians, who had some real questions for God. We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t ask why.

People who read the Sacred Journey Devotionals sometimes ask me why I include music videos in my devotionals. The main reason is because music can get inside crevices of the heart that words cannot.

When our hope is teetering on the ledge. praise and worship music can pull someone back from walking away from God. One of the only things that has kept me during any season of hardship is music that uplifts my spirit and gives me hope.

There is a song by Tramaine Hawkins entitled, “I Never Lost My Praise.” The words to this song always cries out to me to remind me that I’m not the only one going through something. The song shifts the focus from me and places it back on God. I pray that this song blesses you the way it does me every time I let it wash over me.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

New International Version

2 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom(A) as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.[a] 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.(B) 3 I came to you(C) in weakness(D) with great fear and trembling.(E) 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words,(F) but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,(G) 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.(H)

Rev. Marcia Davis

Defending Your Faith…

Sacred Journey Devotionals: A Journey To Wholeness1 Comment

Good morning, Precious Ones:

I pray that the love of God engulfs you today. I pray that the peace of God flows through you today. I pray that the protection of God surrounds you today. I pray that the grace and mercy of God goes before you and behind you today.

Have you ever been asked if you know how to defend your faith? That particular question has always given me a little bit of … concern. When I hear the word “defend” it automatically makes me think of a defensive or battle stance.

Yes, it is important to know why we believe in the Triune Godhead. However, I believe that instead of defending our faith, we should show our faith. The word of God says that people will know that we belong to Jesus by the LOVE we show one another. If more people would show, rather than defend, the world would be a much more peaceful and loving place. Be the change you seek…

John 13:34-35

New International Version

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

I’m highlighting this amazing band because of their love for Christ and their love of people. Music can reach where words cannot. (Rev. Marcia Davis) #Christafari

I love you with the never-ending, ever reaching, and amazing love of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer.

Rev. Marcia Davis