Guard Your Heart…

Good morning, Family:

I pray that you are abiding in the continual peace of our Lord and Redeeming Savior Jesus Christ. No matter what, we, as children of God, face when we have the Peace of God dwelling on the inside of us, we can and do face anything because we are never alone.

One of the other important aspects of being a child of God is being sure that you are fully armed and aware. Not just with our spiritual sword and shield but also with the wisdom that comes from the Word of God.

Holy Scriptures

Proverbs 4

The Message

Your Life Is at Stake

1-2 Listen, friends, to some fatherly advice;
    sit up and take notice so you’ll know how to live.
I’m giving you good counsel;
    don’t let it go in one ear and out the other.

3-9 When I was a boy at my father’s knee,
    the pride and joy of my mother,
He would sit me down and drill me:
    “Take this to heart. Do what I tell you—live!
Sell everything and buy Wisdom! Forage for Understanding!
    Don’t forget one word! Don’t deviate an inch!
Never walk away from Wisdom—she guards your life;
    love her—she keeps her eye on you.
Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom!
    Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding!
Throw your arms around her—believe me, you won’t regret it;
    never let her go—she’ll make your life glorious.
She’ll garland your life with grace,
    she’ll festoon your days with beauty.”

10-15 Dear friend, take my advice;
    it will add years to your life.
I’m writing out clear directions to Wisdom Way,
    I’m drawing a map to Righteous Road.
I don’t want you ending up in blind alleys,
    or wasting time making wrong turns.
Hold tight to good advice; don’t relax your grip.
    Guard it well—your life is at stake!
Don’t take Wicked Bypass;
    don’t so much as set foot on that road.
Stay clear of it; give it a wide berth.
    Make a detour and be on your way.

16-17 Evil people are restless
    unless they’re making trouble;
They can’t get a good night’s sleep
    unless they’ve made life miserable for somebody.
Perversity is their food and drink,
    violence their drug of choice.

18-19 The ways of right-living people glow with light;
    the longer they live, the brighter they shine.
But the road of wrongdoing gets darker and darker—
    travelers can’t see a thing; they fall flat on their faces.

Learn It by Heart

20-22 Dear friend, listen well to my words;
    tune your ears to my voice.
Keep my message in plain view at all times.
    Concentrate! Learn it by heart!
Those who discover these words live, really live;
    body and soul, they’re bursting with health.

23-27 Keep vigilant watch over your heart;
    that’s where life starts.
Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth;
    avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.
Keep your eyes straight ahead;
    ignore all sideshow distractions.
Watch your step,
    and the road will stretch out smooth before you.
Look neither right nor left;
    leave evil in the dust.

Worship and Wisdon

GettyMusic.com
Keith & Kristyn Getty

I encourage reading the scripture passage, allowing it to settle in your heart. Family, may the peace of God be with you continually. Hold it close to your heart.

Your sister,

Rev. Marcia Davis,

Covington, GA

Peace Be Still…

Good morning, Redeemed Family

I pray this week’s devotional finds you in the perfect peace of God. No matter what is going on in our lives, the Peace of God is consistent.

What are some signs that we are walking in peace, God’s peace? What do the scriptures have to say about the Peace of God? Why is it so important to dwell in a mind and heart of peace?

The peace of God commands how we respond to any situation. The peace of God calms us to a state of knowing that whatever it is, God has already made a grace-filled provision to handle it. Being still also strengthens our faith muscles. We understand, by faith, that by trusting in and relying on the perfect peace of God, we have nothing to fear.

I especially love the clarifying and descriptive words of the Amplified Bible in this passage about Peace. Read the passage below, taking in every word.

Scriptures of Peace

Colossians 3:14-16

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

14 And above all these [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony].

15 And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].

16 Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts.

Songs of Peace…

Final Words…

Family, be steady in your faith walk. Make every step an act of worship. Be mindful of your words, your energy, and your actions. Plant seeds in your life that will bring forth good fruit (because your fruit will always tell on you…good or bad).

I love you with never-ending and amazing love of God. May your hearts and minds be forever on and in Him.

Your sister,

Rev. Marcia Davis

Covington, GA

More Is Required…

Greetings Precious Family:

I pray that this devotional finds you in a place of perfect peace. When I say, “Perfect Peace,” I don’t mean that everything in your life is perfect. The peace I’m talking about is not like what the world would call peace. The peace I’m speaking of is the peace that comes from the Lord.

In the 14th chapter of the Gospel of John, Jesus is preparing the disciples for His departure. He is also preparing them for the arrival of the Holy Spirit.

There is always a process and an order with God. First the birth, then the life, then the death, then the resurrection, then the gift of the Comforter to continue teaching where Jesus left off while he was there in the flesh.

Scriptures of Hope

John 14:23-27

New International Version

23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

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 things and 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.

Song of Hope

So many times, one of the hardest things for us to do is to simply let go and let God lead. Please trust that if God brought you/us this far, He will continue to be faithful to bring us all the way home.

If you don’t know how to let go, just ask God. God never sleeps or slumbers. God is always available to listen. More than anything, God just wants to spend time with you. No fancy prayers are required. Just lay your head on God’s chest and talk. Be sure to have an open heart so that you will be able to listen.

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

Your sister,

Rev. Marcia Davis

Covington, GA