Tag: #SmokieNorful

Day 102 of 365: Old Habits…New Mind…

Sacred Journey Devotionals: A Journey To WholenessLeave a comment

Greetings, Precious Family:

May the Peace of the Lord be with you.

Family, this evening I was thinking about the process of changing our lives to become more and more like Christ Jesus. Change can feel easier when we are surrounded by people who share the same mindset and desire to grow. But when the journey feels lonely, change can seem more challenging. Challenging, however, does not mean impossible—because we know that all things are possible through Christ.


For old habits to truly change—at least for me—I have to run my thoughts and actions through what I call the “Christ-mind filter.” Let me explain.

Whenever I sense the need to change something in my life, I know it begins with my thinking. As a follower of Christ, I want my thoughts to reflect what I believe. So I pause and ask myself, How would Jesus respond in this situation?

If the answer makes my flesh uncomfortable, that’s usually confirmation that I’m choosing the Spirit over the flesh.

Old habits—especially the ones that gratify our flesh—are not easy to release. But Jesus showed us both mercy and expectation. When He spoke to the woman caught in adultery, He extended grace and then said, “Go and sin no more.” Forgiveness was given, but transformation was required.

In the same way, I must lay down anything that creates distance between me and my relationship with Christ. Growth requires surrender. Change requires intention. And becoming more like Him requires daily decisions.

Today I choose transformation over comfort, Spirit over flesh, and Christ over everything.

Scripture Passage of the Day

Romans 8:5-6
New International Version
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

Let Us Pray

Spirit of the Living God, Thank You for loving me enough to change me. Thank You for the grace that forgives and the truth that transforms. Teach me to filter my thoughts, words, and actions through Your heart. When my flesh resists, strengthen my spirit. Give me courage to lay down every habit, attitude, and desire that separates me from deeper intimacy with You. Shape my mind to think like You, my heart to love like You, and my life to reflect You. Jesus, my Redeemer, I lift this prayer to you. Lord, in Your mercy, hear my prayer.

And I let it be…And so it is…

Amen, Amen, and Amen

Video of the Day

Tre’Myles Music / MNRK
I Can Do All Things Through Christ · Smokie Norful
I Still Have You
℗ 2024 Tre’Myles Music, under exclusive license to MNRK Records LP
Released on: 2024-06-07
Main Artist: Smokie Norful
Producer: Smokie Norful
Producer: Jason Tyson
Lyricist: Elbertina Clark
Music Publisher: Songs By Twinkie Music Publishing c/o Sony/ATV Songs LLC

Rev. Marcia Davis, BA, MA

Covington, GA (USA)

A Clean Heart. Running Back To God…

Sacred Journey Devotionals: A Journey To WholenessLeave a comment

Good morning, Precious Ones:

In the 51st Book of Psalms, we have heard and read the very familiar scripture passage of “Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me (vs 10, 11).” David knew that his heart and mind were out of synch, or cadence, with the God.

David also asked God to, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit within me (vs 13),” because his attitude needed a true adjustment.

The question that must be extracted from this plea to God is what characteristics results from having a clean heart, a renewed and right spirit, a restoration of joy, and a generous spirit? David tells God that when he is restored and renewed he will, “Then I will teach transgressors Your ways and convert sinners to God (vs 13).”

David also declares in verse 14 that if God forgives him and removes the heaviness of the sins he committed that “O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise (vs 15).”

Family, what joy we are able to experience if we are living a life dedicated to God. What a LIGHT we can can be for the Kingdom of God! I invite us ALL to search our hearts and minds. Have we become so focused on all other areas of our lives that we have slowly moved away from our first love?

How do we get back to God? We must return to God with a “child-like” attitude. In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 19 and verse 14 Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such AS THESE.”

When a child has been away from a parent for an extended amount of time, what is their typical reaction? The child drops everything and runs with excitement, hope, and joy back into the parent’s arms. The parent picks them up and holds them tight. Oh how we could be if we ran to God that way? That’s right, WE CAN!!! RUN FAMILY, RUN!! The arms of God are waiting.

Pastor Smokie Norful

Father God,

Psalm 51:10-17

New King James Version

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted to You.

14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
The God of my salvation,
And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.

Rev. Marcia Davis