Mission 007…

Good morning, Precious and Beloved Family:

On my drive into work this morning, I was listening to my favorite radio station. A song by Zauntee came on entitled “Oxygen.” The words of the song just washed over me.

There is so much truth and testimony in that song. Jesus is the Breath of Life and I can’t live without him. My purpose and identity are  completely wrapped up in my relationship with the Lord and the calling and purpose he placed on my life.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus appeared to the disciples after his resurrection. He had them in a room and breathed his spirit into them and gave them instructions on how to live. It is His breath that gives us purpose and direction. Without God’s direction and Holy Oxygen, how will we know how to please Him? That is why I love Zauntee’s song so much.

Scriptures to Live By…

John 20:19-22

New International Version

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 

22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

Songs of Thankful and Praise…

Zauntee

Family, our identification is in Christ alone. Ask the Lord to breathe His Holy Spirit inside of you so that you may work in unison with the will of God.

There is nothing more frustrating that to feel like your life has no purpose or direction. It is the Holy Spirit that is holding your life’s mission and direction if you choose to accept it.

I love you with the amazing and everlasting love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus, The Christ. It is in His name that I lift up this devotional. May we walk in obedience and love. Amen

Your sister in Christ,

Rev. Marcia Davis

Covington, GA

Why or Thank You…

Good morning, Precious Family:

I sometimes chuckle at how the Holy Spirit brings me the message for each week. This week, the Holy Spirit was showing me a video game. In the game, the avatar was collecting certain required items and placing them in a basket tied to her waist as she made her way along a marked path.

Initially, I didn’t understand the purpose of getting all of the items along the path. I knew where the path was heading. I wanted to just run as fast as I could to get to the end goal, which was a beautiful castle.

The game would not let me skip past the required stops along the way. With a lot of frustration and attitude, I completed my first few tasks. Shortly after, I continued my journey along the path when a creature jumped out at me. I panicked, at first, and then I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Your weapon is in your bag.”

I quickly began to see where this vision was taking me. The Holy Spirit reassured me that everything I have gone through had two purposes. Growth and Glory are the lesson twins. God allows every lesson we encounter for two reasons. The lessons are for OUR GROWTH or for HIS GLORY.

I know that we are sometimes tempted to ask God, “Why?” Several years back, I learned an invaluable lesson. I learned that if I changed my “Why” to a “Thank You” I was able to get through the lesson or season much easier. What will your answer be? How will you respond when life throws a curveball your way? Will you say, “Why” or “Thank You”?

Scripture Reading of Edification

Ephesians 4:1-6

The Message

To Be Mature

1-3 In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.

4-6 You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.

Song of Worship and Praise

Sean Feucht

Family, I pray your strength in the Lord, as you walk the Path. Walk graciously and humbly with love for one another, in the name and authority of our Lord and Redeemer, Jesus The Christ. Amen.

Your sister,

Rev. Marcia Davis

Covington, GA

No Shortcuts…

Good morning, Precious Family:

I hope this week’s devotional finds you filled with peace, hope, love, and joy. I pray all four things are a part of your life as a result of your walk with Christ Jesus. Peace, hope, love, and joy, not as the world gives, as the world’s ways are fleeting and temporary.

In today’s desire for instant gratification and satisfaction of the flesh, many people sound like Veruca Salt from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory singing, ‘I Want It Now.’ When instead we should sound more like Men of Standard singing, ‘In Your Will.’

What does it mean to know the Lord’s will? There are no shortcuts. Knowing the Lord’s will requires time spent together with the Lord by reading the Word of God, praying, and becoming sensitive to the voice and moving of the Holy Spirit.

Words of Thankfulness and Hope

Psalm 86:11-13

New International Version

11 Teach me your way, Lord,
    that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
    that I may fear your name.
12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
    I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your love toward me;
    you have delivered me from the depths,
    from the realm of the dead.

Song of Worship

Men of Standard #MalacoRecords

Family, I pray for your strength, daily, in the Lord. Ask the Lord to teach you how to love. Ask the Lord to teach you how to be pleasing in His sight. Ask the Lord to teach you how to be a living sacrifice that puts His needs before your own. #NoShortCuts

Your sister in Christ,

Rev. Marcia Davis

Covington, GA

His Banner…

Greetings to my Precious Family:

This week has been filled with ups and downs and twists and turns, but God has been with me every step of the way.

There is something so magical and special about the peace that comes from God. It is a reassurance that no matter what circumstances look like, God is there with you.

God’s Banner over me and over you is love. God’s love can break down walls and calm the deepest of fears. God’s love can help lead, guide, and direct our footsteps. The Love of God is the most powerful force. God’s love transcends both time and space.

Scriptures of Hope and Love

Song of Solomon 2:4

New King James Version

The Shulamite to the Daughters of Jerusalem

He brought me to the [a]banqueting house,
And his banner over me was love.

Songs of Worship and Thanksgiving

Vineyard

If you are anything like me, you have so many reasons to tell God, “Thank you” for being our covering and our banner. Walk your path and journey knowing that you are loved. Share the love and peace of God with those you meet. Don’t just tell people that God loves them…show them.

Be blessed, family. Always know that I love you with the everlasting, never-ending, overflowing love of God. Go in peace, while praising and serving the Lord.

Your sister in Christ,

Rev. Marcia Davis

More Than Enough…

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

A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) 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

Today Is The Day…

Good morning, Precious Family:

I speak peace, protection, and unfailing love over you all. May the love of God saturate your life so that you leave the scent of God’s love wherever you go and for whoever you meet.

Psalm 118:24

New King James Version

24 This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Song of Praise and Instruction

Every day, God allows people to cross our path. Be intentional today and every day about being God’s best representatives. Carry with you, love, patience, gentleness, empathy, and a Godly shield. May your speech be loving, kind, true, and beneficial. Stray away from gossip, bullying, and backbiting. Be the light and be the change wherever you see, sense, or feel darkness. Take the name and authority of Jesus with you.

You are becoming Light Holders. We are needed more than ever in this world. Darkness is trying to invade every area of society. Hold up the Light!!!

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

Your sister in Christ,

Rev. Marcia Davis

What’s Love Got To Do With It?

Good morning, Precious Family:

Happy Wednesday. I get so excited when I think about the ability to share with you all. I hope you have had a wonderful week. I hope that in every circumstance that may have occurred this week that you have said, “Thank you” to God. Gratefulness, even when life is hard, is a necessary state of mind, as children of God.

Some of you know me personally. You know that I have been struggling with my health, especially over the last three years. Life became even more challenging last year in May when I had my car accident that landed me in the hospital.

My husband has stood by me the entire way. He has been such an amazing caregiver. A few weeks ago, Anthony changed jobs so that he could be home every evening. He made the declaration that we were going to change our eating habits. We started eating clean ketogenic foods and incorporating intermittent fasting.

Anthony said that he was scared to death because he was having dreams and visions of me being bedridden and sick. He said very clearly to me, “You may get mad at me during this journey, but I’m trying to save your life.” Since we started this journey about 3 weeks ago, I have lost 14 pounds. My depression has lifted, and I can walk without losing my breath.

So the question of “What does love have to do with it? It has EVERYTHING to do with it. Love saved my life. I tell people all the time about the original testimony of our relationship and how God prepared me to be Anthony’s wife months before we even met face to face.

As we come up on Valentines Day, love is in the air. Our first love should ALWAYS be the Triune God we serve, represented by God, The Father, God, The Holy Spirit, and God, The Son. Draw close to God, and He will give you the desire of your heart as long as they line up with His will and purpose for your life.

Our Prayer:

Precious Holy Father,

As we are allowed to wake up each day, we are reminded as your children that you are our everything. May we begin each day with praise and adoration of your unfailing love. We draw close to you because you are our first love. Lead us and guide us in your perfect way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Our Worship…

This week’s worship video comes from Michael W. Smith. The song, ‘Draw Me Close To You,’ should be our anthem. As you have your quiet time prayer and worship this week, play this song in the background. Allow it to wash over you.

Draw Me Close To You

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

Rev. Marcia Davis

A Teachable Heart…

Good Day, Precious Family:

This morning, the Holy Spirit put on my heart the importance of having a teachable spirit.

I have had a lot of practice with being stubborn. One could say that at a certain time in my life, I was an expert at being stubborn and hard-headed, especially where God was concerned. However, the closer and more intimate my relationship with God became, my desire to please him grew.

As I matured in the Lord, and in life, I realized the lessons God was trying to teach me were important. The lessons were important not just for the present moment but also for the future.

I learned that the quicker I obeyed God, I was able to move through my lessons and trials with greater ease and clarity. The greatest and most humbling lesson I learned is that sometimes the lesson is not even about me (go figure).

Sometimes, the lesson I’m learning is for others who are watching my life. Whether we know it or not, people watch our lives. They watch how we respond to certain situations and scenarios. We are the Lord’s billboards. What does your billboard say about you? What does your billboard say about God?

Psalm 25:4-7
New International Version


4 Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
6 Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you, Lord, are good.

Today’s worship song comes from Vineyard. As you listen, please do so with a meditative heart.

May God bless you as you grow in wisdom and knowledge of His will for your life, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

I love you all with the amazing and everlasting love of Christ, our Savior.

Rev. Marcia Davis

Preparing for God…

Good afternoon, Precious Family:

I am looking forward to sending out a devotional message every Wednesday in 2023. I always take some time, at the beginning of the new year, to get direction from our Triune God. I’m excited about what is to come.

Get ready!!!!

Next week, we will begin our devotionals for 2023. I pray that you would meditate in the Word of God in preparation for the year.

Our Prayer:

Our Holy Father, we bless your name, which is above every name. Prepare our hearts to hear from you. Position us in a way that we can get the best reception of your will, voice, and direction. Allow us to be laser focused on you. We come against every trap, distraction, and seen and unseen snare that may try to derail us from our calling and purpose for the Kingdom.

Bring into our lives those people whom you have ordained and allowed in this season and give us your heavenly wisdom to know and recognize the length and time-span that they will be in our lives.

We know and understand that every person, place, or thing that was with us last season may not be ordained by you to come with us in this season. May our will, mind, and emotions be obedient to your will.

Surround us and cover us in your most precious gift, the precious resurrected blood of your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you for the angels and ancestors that you have assigned to our lives for protection and direction. We love you and place nothing else before you. In the name of our Redeemer, Jesus, The Christ. Amen.

I love you all with an amazing and everlasting love.

Rev. Marcia Davis

Praise Be To God…

Good morning, Family:

Happy New Year to you all. Praise God, who indeed causes us to triumph. God is always faithful to complete the good work that was began in us. However, the speed and timing of the completion of the good work sometimes depends on our obedience to God’s instructions.

Have you ever heard the saying, “Help me, help you”? As children of God we have to work in unison with the Holy Spirit. Let’s read what Paul wrote to the church in Philippi:

Philippians 1:1-11

New King James Version

Greeting

1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the [a]bishops and deacons:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thankfulness and Prayer

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

What a wonderful passage of scripture. May we never forget the charge we have been given. Our work for the Kingdom of God must continue. May we claim and attain everything that God has prepared for us in this season.

I conclude this week’s devotional with a beautiful and powerful song by the Psalmist Brian Courtney Wilson entitled, A Great Work.

Be abundantly blessed and obedient in your assigned seasons.

Rev. Marcia Davis