Lenten Devotional

2015 E

L

D

: Called to Contemplative Action A Kairos Collaboration

Called to Contemplative Action, demands that we set aside our own desires and seek God's will for our lives as we discover new life!

Cassandry Redmond-Keys COORDINATOR/EDITOR |Page

Gree ngs, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.â€? (Psalm 51:10) The Season of Lent begins through the imposi on of ashes on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday with a sign of the Cross. It is meant to remind us of our iden ty and rela onship with God. First, it means we belong to God. We are his children. Second, as narrated by St. Paul in his Second Le#er to the Corinthians, “we are ambassadors for Christ.â€? We have the responsibility to make Jesus’ presence felt and experienced in this world. Third, given the iden ty and rela onship that we have with God, as His children and ambassadors of His Son, we are constantly called to holiness of life. In the Book of Levi cus we ďŹ nd a command direct from God: “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.â€?

Our theme: C C

A , thus, oers the opportunity these 40 days of Lent for turning back to God, for conversion, and for engaging or establishing authen c community. Through the help of the tradi onal Lenten disciplines of prayer, fas ng, and almsgiving, hopefully, we will come to acknowledge the ways we have turned away from God in our lives and we will focus on turning our hearts and minds back toward God. I am humbled by those who willing shared their hearts to complete this 2015 Ecumenical Lenten Devo onal. When the request for contributors was extended, I did not expect so many aďŹƒrma ve responses nor did I an cipate 98% follow through. It is evident that the Spirit of God has ushered us into a Kairos Season wherein God compels us to be ac ve par cipates in the work and will of God. The resources provided in this Devo onal will enable us to collec ve sojourn the Lenten Season with expecta on through Contempla ve Prayer & Fas ng and Ac ve service and devo on to God and others.

Let us strive to live a holy life as we journey throughout this Season of Lent. As we do, may it lead us to be mindful of the reality around us, our iden ty and our mission. I pray for a holy, prayerful and frui?ul Lenten journey. May we reach Easter with hearts and minds renewed in the Lord!

I remain,

Cassandry Redmond-Keys

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WHAT IS LENT? Rather than assume everyone understands Lent, allow me to give a brief explana on of this 4th season of the Chris an Church.

Lent comes from the word lencton meaning the me of year when the days grow long. The season begins with Ash Wednesday, ends with the Easter Triduum (3 Holy Days) that includes Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, & Holy Saturday, climaxing on Resurrec on (Easter) Sunday.

Lent is forty days long excluding Sundays. Since every Sunday is a "li.le Easter" celebra ng the resurrec on, Sundays remain feast days even during the solemn Lenten season. The ďŹ ve Lenten Sundays are followed by the Sunday of the Passion (Palm Sunday), which ushers in Holy Week.

S T L : â—Š

Color: purple for penitence, to reect the mood of Lent. This is based upon the sackcloth of Old Testament mourning.

â—Š

Ashes - these are prepared from the previous year's palms used on Palm Sunday.

The ashes symbolize our mortality and sorrow for our sins. The people of the Hebrew Bible put ashes on their foreheads as a sign of penitence.

â—Š

Flowers are omi.ed from the altar.

â—Š

The Cross is symbol of Christ and his sacriďŹ ce, love, salva on, redemp on, atonement, and victory

â—Š

Retreat me during Lent is set aside for teaching and learning, spiritual growth, fas ng and self-denial, and media on.

â—Š

Fas ng focuses on the proper ordering of our appe tes. So while the immediate focus is on food, we are challenged to get a be.er control of all our appe tes, par cularly in regard to our sexuality.

â—Š

Alms giving is also an important part of Lent. Here we are challenged to priori ze our ďŹ nances by pu9ng God and the poor ďŹ rst. This prevents us from centering our life on money, success, and things – an easy trap in our materialis c society.

â—Š

Above all, Lent calls us to meet and embrace Jesus in a radical way and submit to God in a prac cal way.

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7 Basic Steps to Frui ul Fas ng and Prayer Fasting can enable you to focus, intensify your desire for holiness and help you hear the voice of God more clearly.

STEP 1: Set Your Objective Why are you fasting? Is it for spiritual renewal, for guidance, for healing, for the resolution of problems, for special grace to handle a difficult situation? Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify His leading and objectives for your prayer fast. This will enable you to pray more specifically and strategically.

STEP 2: Make Your Commitment Pray about your commitment to the fast you will undertake. Before you fast, decide the following up front: ◊ How long you will fast - one meal, one day, a week, several weeks, forty days (Beginners should start slowly, building up to longer fasts.) ◊ The type of fast God wants you to undertake (such as water only, or water and juices; what kinds of juices you will drink and how often) ◊ What physical or social activities you will restrict ◊ How much time each day you will devote to prayer and God's Word

STEP 3: Choice a Fast The motive behind fasting is to deny yourself things that get in the way of spending extra time in God's presence.

FASTING OPTIONS ◊ OPTION 1: The Saint Paul Fast: God. Abstain from all foods. (Acts 9:9-19) ◊ OPTION 2: The Daniel Fast: Fruits & vegetables & water only. (Dan 1:12-20) ◊ OPTION 3: Ezra & Esther Fast: Abstain from sodas and sweets. (Ezra 8:21-23; Esther 4:16) ◊ OPTION 4: Samuel Widow's & John the Baptist Fast: Abstain from a specific foods and/or drink (1 Sm 7:1-8; 1 Kg 17:12; Lk 1:15) ◊ OPTION 5: Elijah Fast: Abstain for certain period during each day (1 Kings19:2-18)

STEP 4: While You Fast Here are some helpful suggestions to consider: ◊ Exercise only moderately. ◊ Rest as much as your schedule will permit. ◊ Prepare yourself for temporary mental & physical discomforts ◊ Don't make it a big deal to your friends when you are fasting. ◊ Keep a journal to record the things that you have learned & experience.

STEP 5: Put Yourself on a Schedule For maximum spiritual benefit, set aside ample time to be alone with the Lord. Listen for the Holy Spirit leading. The more time you spend with God, the more meaningful your fast will be.

STEP 6: End Your Fast Gradually When your designated time for fasting is finished, you will begin to eat again. But how you break your fast is extremely important for your physical and spiritual well-being.

STEP 7: Expect Results If you sincerely humble yourself before the Lord, repent, pray, and seek God's face; if you consistently meditate on God’s Word, you will experience a heightened awareness of God’s presence through the Holy Spirit (John 14:21). Your confidence and faith in God will be strengthened. You will feel mentally, spiritually, and physically refreshed.

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2015 ECUMENICAL LENTEN DEVOTIONAL INDEX DATE / PAGE

WRITER Bishop Marvin F. Thomas, Sr. Rev. Claudia Harrison Rev. Dr. Reginaldo P. Braga, Jr. Rev. Dr. Ore L. Spragin, Jr.

ASH WEDNESDAY Wednesday, February 18 Page 8-9

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Thursday, February 19 Page 10

Psalm 1:1-4, 6

Friday, February 20 Page 11

Isaiah 58:1-9

Joyce Jones Rev. Ruthie McKittrick

Saturday, February 21 Page 12

Luke 5:27-32

Tonya Winzer Rev. Leon Parker, III

Mark 1:12-15

Bishop Sylvester Williams Rev. Marilyn Gerald Rev. Larry G. Williams Katrina Harden-Beasley

Monday, February 23 Page 15-16

Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18

Rev. Zachary Mullins Jenether “Netta” Stampley Rev. Kornelius Neal, Sr. Paula Kay

Tuesday, February 24 Page 17

Matthew 22:37-38

Wednesday, February 25 Page 18-19

Jonah 3:1-10

Thursday, February 26 Page 19-20

Matthew 7:7-12

Richard Pablo Bis Pastor Todd Bertani Minister Texlin Quinney

Friday, February 27 Page 21-22

Matthew 5:20-26

Rev. Shadene Stewart Rev. Eddie L. Harris, Jr. Rev. Anita Williams Jacqueline Harris

Saturday, February 28 Page 23-24

Matthew 5:43-48

Rev. Dr. Jeffery R. Wheeler Rev. Tawana Davis Rev. Dale D. Dennis, II

2ND SUNDAY OF LENT Sunday, March 1 Page 25-26

Matthew 9:2-10

Pastor Charlotte Caldwell Rev. Dr. Essie Clark-George Rev. John A. Dillard, III

1ST SUNDAY OF LENT Sunday, February 22 Page 13-14

Attorney Kathryn W. Belger Rev. Belinda McCain

Rev. Barbara Ulrich Ashley Holland Prophetess LaTrice Williams Pastor Richard D. Shaw Mary Hill

Helen Benjamin, Ph.D. Rev. Tracey A. Kirkland Latonya Redmond Dewanda Stewart

Monday, March 2 Page 27-28

Luke 6:36-38

Tuesday, March 3 Page 29

Matthew 23:1-12

Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Hill Evangelist Pamela Denise Jones

Matthew 20:17-28

Rev. Sheila Bates Felicia Hames Rev. Richard McDuffie Rev. Dr. Johnie McDowell Dollarhide

Thursday, March 5 Page 32-33

Jeremiah 17:5-10

Minister Kenneth A. Pettigrew Rev. Amina McIntyre Rev. Jeremy L. Williams Mary Jones

Friday, March 6 Page 34-35

Matthew 21:33-43

Rev. Diana Casteel Rev. James Busby, Sr. Rev. Jamie Capers

Wednesday, March 4 Page 30-31

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SCRIPTURE

2015 ECUMENICAL LENTEN DEVOTIONAL INDEX DATE / PAGE

SCRIPTURE

Saturday, March 7 Page 35-36

Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12

3RD SUNDAY OF LENT Sunday, March 8 Page 37-38

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Exodus 20:1-17

WRITER Rev. Dr. Ken Aveirls, Sr. Rev. Queen A. Dickey Rev. Lisa Lewis Balboa Rev. Jane E. Gray Thomas Elder Stephen McNeal Rev. Albert Moses, III Rev. John Griffin, Jr.

Monday, March 9 Page 39-40

Luke 4:24-30

Rev. Dr. Vanesse Burns Tiffany Nicole Hill Rev. Amber Renee’ Jackson Rev. Paul Gourdine

Tuesday, March 10 Page 41-42

Psalm 25:4-9

Delois Walker Rev. Maria E. Muse Pastor T. Marc Gandy

Wednesday, March 11 Page 42-43

Matthew 5:17-19

Rev. Ramon Stripling Christina Reed Pamela L. Bell

Thursday, March 12 Page 44-45

Jeremiah 7:23-28

Rev. Lawrence P. Lakey Minister Kathy Hodge Davis Minister Rickdrieka Nicole Sanders Rev. Cassandry Redmond-Keys

Friday, March 13 Page 46

Mark 12:28-34

Saturday, March 14 Page 47

Hosea 6:1-6

Rev. Valencia Edner Rev. Kordell Sims, Sr.

4TH SUNDAY OF LENT Sunday, March 15 Page 48-49

John 3:14-21

Bishop Bobby R. Best Vicki Jay Rev. David T. Miller Rev. Alfred L. Harrison

Monday, March 16 Page 50-51

Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13

Tuesday, March 17 Page 51-52

Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12

Wednesday, March 18 Page 53-54

Isaiah 49:8-15

Rev. Cubie Finley, III Rev. Raphael S. Terry Rev. Keith Ellison

Thursday, March 19 Page 54-55

John 11:49-52

Rev. Michael T. Malcom Rev. Dr. James T. Morris Rev. Eleanor Morgan

Friday, March 20 Page 56-57

Psalm 34:17-22

Rev. Christopher A. Hale Rev. Cassandra Perry Rev. Gerald Hudson

Saturday, March 21 Page 57-58

John 7:40-53

5TH SUNDAY OF LENT Sunday, March 22 Page 59-60

Hebrews 5:7-9

Monday, March 23 Page 60-61

Psalm 23:1-6

Rev. Eloise Knox Rev. Charlie R. Jones, Jr.

Rev. Reginald D. Walton Pastor Dion Broughton Vivian P. Sullivan Theresa Duhart Rev. Ralph Garlin Clingan, Ph.D. Rev. Kevin Agee

Rev. Delmetria Cayson Combs Cheryl L. Johnson Rev. L. Jonathan Wilder Rev. Karen Anderson Rev. Dale Dennis, II Rev. Nicholas T. O'Neal Rev. Jerone Nathaniel Wilder Rev. Lesha Agnew Camille Hicks

2015 ECUMENICAL LENTEN DEVOTIONAL INDEX DATE / PAGE

SCRIPTURE

Tuesday, March 24 Page 62

John 8:21-30

Rev. George Dix, Jr. Rev. Michael P. James, Sr.

Wednesday, March 25 Page 63

Isaiah 7:10-14

Rev. Antonio Owens Delores Hollington

Thursday, March 26 Page 64-65

John 8:51-59

Rev. Dr. Cedric Williams-Cain Rev. Sherley Bedford Allen Rev. DeAndre` K. Bell Paige Perry

Friday, March 27 Page 66

Jeremiah 20:10-13

Saturday, March 28 Page 67-68

Ezekiel 37:21-28

Rev. Dr. J. W. Honeysucker Pastor Barbara Ulrich Rev. Deon Wimbush

PALM SUNDAY Sunday, March 29 Page 68-69

Mark 14:1—15:47

Joyce Moses Jones Bishop C. James King Rev. Anderson T. Graves, II

Monday, March 30 Page 70

Isaiah 42:1-7

Rev. Dollie Howell Pankey Dr. Mattie R. Porter

Rev. Raushanah N. Butler Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Hill Rev. Dr. Faith A. Allen Rev. Carmen Avery Walker Rev. Lee Russell Brown, Jr. Rev. Urseila T. Williams

Tuesday, March 31 Page 71-72

John 13:21-33

Wednesday, April 1 Page 73

Matthew 26:14-25

MAUNDY THURSDAY Thursday, April 2 Page 74-75

Luke 22:14-20

GOOD FRIDAY Friday, April 3 Page 75-76

John 18:1—19:42

Pastor Evita L. Smith Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr. Pastor Dante R. Quick

Mark 16:1-7

Bishop Cleavon Meabon, III Rev. Dr. Regina Reese-Young Pastor Kwesi Kamau Rev. Eugene Boger

HOLY SATURDAY Saturday, April 4 Page 77-78 RESURRECTION SUNDAY Sunday, April 5 Page 79-80

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WRITER

1 Corinthians 15:3-8

Rev. Ramon Stripling Rev. Dr. Paulette Stevens Rev. Ore L. Spragin, Jr., Th.D. Rev. Dr. Roderick D. Lewis, Sr. Rev. Jon M. Isom

Bishop James B. Walker Rev. David C. Isom Rev. Peris J. Lester I Lydia Allen

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

“Whenever” The writer, in this text, addresses three particular religious observances, giving alms, praying, and fasting. It seems to me that the use of a particular phrase, “whenever you” throughout the section suggests that these are practices that are often observed. Therefore, the writer does not appear to invite his listens and readers to consider observing these practices, rather he says whenever you give alms, whenever you pray, and whenever you fast; be sure your motive is right.

When I think about the instructions given in the selected passage, I am convinced that the writer is aware that these practices of alms giving, praying, and fasting are often observed by his readers and listeners. These were religious people who observed these religious practices often and therefore are instructed to make sure that they are pure in their motive. To be pure in their motive is to make sure that whenever they give alms, it is not followed by the sounding of the trumpet. Whenever they prayed, it was not for public entertainment or recognition. And whenever they fasted, they should not wear the evidence of their fasting.

I believe these words are instructive to us as we move from this day into the 2015 Lenten Journey, whenever we decide what it is that we will give up for Lent and how we shall evidence it, we should not do it for show.

Rather, it is to done for real. I believe that we gain greater mileage out of making the sacrifice to give up something for this Lenten period; when our motives are genuine and our desire has a pure intent. So, whenever you give up what you will give up and whenever you do make mention of it, may it all be for real and not for show.

PRAYER CORNER

Dear Lord, help me to never forget that whenever I give alms, pray, or fast that none of it is done for show. Grant me your grace to be for real in my observance of this season of Lent. Amen. ~ MFH

Bishop Marvin F. Thomas, Sr.

For His Pleasure What is Thy good pleasure? Who am I doing it for? "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” When doing anything unto the Lord, our aim must be the Father's pleasure. So Christ says "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.”

The Father is desirous of undivided attention and rewards intimacy. It’s in your closet, that secret place, a relationship reflective of having spent time with Him is built. This relationship isn’t predicated on the views of others for it doesn't matter whose looking, who recognizes your name, who remembered your acts, because you are so busy doing, seeking His good pleasure, working as unto the Lord. At sunrise you rise reporting to duty, and at sunset asking the Father did I bring you pleasure! Glory to God!!

So who should we show and tell? Our Father replies, go in beloved, SHUT your door and the Father who SEES in secret will reward you OPENLY. Rev. Claudia Harrison

FATHER, there is no one greater than you. Keep me ever mindful that the God who sees in secret, will reward openly as I seek your good pleasure. May all that I do be as unto YOU, in Jesus name, Amen. ~ CHH

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Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Misdirec on: The Magic of Missing What Really Ma ers

PRAYER CORNER

When I was younger I used to love watching the magicians! It took me a while to realize that magicians while attracting my attention for something that did not matter, led me to miss that which was really going on – they call it misdirection!

You see, it was difficult to admit enjoying the dynamics of misdirection, because I felt entertained, distracted, abstracted from relating to the magician, to myself and to the world that we both shared! Instead I could just enjoy a sense of awe, but without actually having to relate to real peoLord Jesus, let us be wide ple, situations, and my ethical responsibility. That is probably why it was so awaken and connected in this intoxicating and addictive, I had always to go back for more, and the more I would go, the more removed I was from relating to myself, the other and Lenten journey! Amen. ~ RB our shared world. That was it, the trick was always self-contained – but void of life.

In today’s passage Jesus warns us to neither do things nor pray to be seen by others. He cautions that those who do them as such already have their results – nothing more than the misdirection. They are left with just the trick, not the relationships, neither the actual experience of living. The addiction of posturing, image, privilege and power as much as it is intoxicating and addictive it is depleting, because there is no space to meet God in the real struggle of being real to ourselves, others and to our world. In such contexts, no one is responsible for anything, but to just consume the tricks, until we are empty and go back for more. Jesus wanted us to relate to others, to God, and to our world in this experience of living our lives today! Let us not miss what really is going on: you, me, our peoples, our world, God alive and, acting in all!

Rev. Dr. Reginaldo Braga, Jr.

What’s Done in the Dark Will Come to the Light These are the words to an old expression usually reserved for “dirty” deeds. When we were growing up, we heard this saying quite often. The lesson was that you can’t do wrong and expect to get away with it, no matter how hard you try to hide it. Well Jesus makes a similar statement. If you do what is spiritually good and don’t try to get noticed, that will come to the light too.

There are three things Jesus says you should do without drawing attention to yourself: (1) acts of love for others, (2) prayers to God, and (3) acts of spiritual, disciplinary fasting. This does not mean there should not be times of corporate or shared involvement in these activities to better serve a need or for mutual spiritual growth.

But what Jesus refers to are individual, personal choices. This Lord, let me seek your glory growth requires a spirit of humility, rather than puffed up pride. only, not even that I may be If your aim is to glorify God rather than yourself – to allow God to get the praise through your giving, praying, and fasting – then only rewarded, but for your God needs to know what you are doing. Your actions can be done name’s sake. In Jesus I pray. “in the dark.” God, in whom there is no darkness, will see the I Amen. ntentions of your heart, and will somehow publicly reward and exalt you. And unlike being brought to the light because of those “dirty” ~ OLS deeds, when you are brought to the light because of these holy deeds, you will not be ashamed.

Rev. Ore L. Spragin, Jr., Th.D.

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Thursday, February 19, 2015

Psalm 1:1-4, 6

Only One Right Way It is all about the choice. Psalm 1:1-4, 6 presents two choices and the only reasonable and correct response. Will we be like the righteous tree planted near the water, flourishing and not easily moved; resilient to challenge and assault? Or will we succumb to or follow the advice of the wicked and become like useless, fruitless chaff that is cast aside and burned? In the final analysis, we know the only true way is the way of the righteous . . . because “the way of the wicked will perish.” In this Holy Lenten Season we get to shore up our strength in order to rededicate, consecrate, sanctify, devote and hallow our lives. We get to ensure that we become resilient enough to be that tree that does not wither. Then we can truly prosper as the word promises in all that we do. In this season, we get to be still and think about the right choice and then determine to be strong enough to choose the only right way.

We are bombarded with so many options. Technology is at our fingertips with so many alternatives at our disposal. We can tweet, chat, blog and surf to our heart’s content. We can anonymously and instantaneously have access to opinions, possibilities and what some may even interpret as guidance. We can easily fall prey to checking, rechecking and crosschecking what we already know in our hearts to be the right path. There are so many avenues, both tangibly and in cyberspace, to pull us into a spirit of confusion and thereby rob us of our righteous reward. But to be clear, there are only two ways to go about this life . . . only two real options from which to choose. The wrong way and God’s way.

All of us have many times stood at a crossroad. We have been tested and challenged at times and then been required to make critical, life altering or life affirming determinations and decisions. When we stood at the nadir of that decision-making – which way did we turn? When it happens again which path will we take? Do we truly understand the consequences of choosing the wrong way?

PRAYER CORNER

Lord, please forgive me when I have not made the correct choice. I thank You because even still You have been a forgiving God. Lord, help me to be strong and strive for the only one right way. I pledge to You that I aim to place my heart and actions along the thriving, refreshing stream of salvation so that I will not wither or perish. Amen. ~ KWB

Attorney Kathryn Weathers Belger

God’s Way, The TRUE Way Thought for the Day: Before my decision to follow Jesus, I traveled many paths; many of which brought heartache, frustrations, and disappointments.

This was mainly because of choosing the wrong path - a path without God. Have you ever chosen a certain path, only to find yourself regretting that decision later? Well, that is exactly what happens when we choose a life a part from our creator and His word. As I ponder these words from the Psalmist over in my mind, I clearly see the picture the Psalmist is presenting to his reader. He contrasts between the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked, the distinctions of character and the destinies of the righteous path and one which is wicked. This affirms that there is one way to true life and that is an obedient life of faith found only in His word. Allow me to close with the words of a popular song I often have the choir sing during the Invitation to Discipleship. It says, “I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus - No turning back, No turning back! Though no one join me, still I will follow, though no one join me, still I will follow, though no one join me, still I will follow - No turning back, No turning back!

Rev. Belinda Driver McCain

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Father, you have given us everything that pertains to life and Godliness. Grant us strength, grace, and wisdom to always choose and follow your will and your ways; in the Jesus name, Amen. ~ BDM

Friday, February 20, 2015

Isaiah 58:1-9

Why Do We Fast?

PRAYER CORNER

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: I hear the chains falling.

We fast to break chains. There are physical, spiritual, and emotional chains. Chains that are physical are seen in forms of addiction and sickness. Worldly influence, demonic forces, and desires of the flesh are spiritual chains. Emotional chains can be wounds from the past; anger, fear, anxiety; guilt and self-doubt. Anything that holds us in bondage, we can bring before the Lord in prayer and fasting.

Lord, as I fast, may I come to you with a fresh heart and a renewed understanding of what it means to seek You with my whole being. Break every chain that holds me captive and apart from what You would have me to be.

Amen

How do we fast? Fasting should be approached sincerely, as a deep personal act in humility and secrecy. We are cautioned not to fast as a public show. Jesus said, “But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:17, 18).

Fasting is an issue of the heart; our desire for God, hunger for His presence, and passion for His will. When we fast we turn down our plate, fill up on the Word of God and spend consecrated time in prayer. Jesus said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

Joyce Moses Jones

~ JMJ

What’s the Point?

“Why have we fasted?”….. Is the question being asked by the Jews, more importantly they are saying God why haven’t you responded to our efforts.

Sound familiar? Yes, we often think that because we enter the church building, sing in the choir, count the tithe, fast, pray” and even preach from the pulpit that we have some how done God a favor and subsequently He is obligated to bless us.

We have become misguided in what in truly means to labor for the Lord in fasting and prayer to the point that it has become a superficial meaningless act that provides us with nothing more than a physical toxin release, while we still find ourselves bound spiritually.

If we the church are to have power, we must refrain from seeking the accolades of man and long for the heart of God. We must not cry out our efforts to be heard by those around us only to lack the spiritual volume to reach God.

Father, I desire more. More of your presence, more of your wisdom, I desire you! By your grace and mercy cleanse us from the need of meaningless rituals to appease the flesh of man and continually insult the heart of God. Lord God, I thank you that you will hear our cry and will surely answer “Here am I” AMEN. ~ RM

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What do we gain if we are only afflicted momentarily by our abstinence?

Where do we find our release? If we can not and will not be purposed in our efforts to allow God through the Holy Spirit change our ways we have lost the significance of “true fasting”.

Let our fasting and praying count for something more than misplaced glory. Let it encourage you to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter for the weary, and bring liberty to the bound. Let it count for something more.

Rev. Ruthie McKittrick

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Luke 5:27-32

Don’t Look Down On Someone Unless You Are Helping Them Up Often times, we get so caught up ministering to the church that we fail to reach out to those that need it most. We stay within our comfort zone (church/church family), neglecting the persons who need our help the most. We look down on those that aren't living as well, that don't dress as well or drive a fancy car.

What's the point in looking down on someone if you aren't helping them up? The Lord would want us to help our fellow man. I challenge you to have a conversation with someone you wouldn't normally converse with.

Listen to their story. Encourage them. Uplift them. Use a personal testimony as an example of how good God has been. The person(s) we avoid and ignore are the very ones that may need our testimony to ignite a change. God has given more favor to each of us than we could have ever prayed for. Spread the word. Each 1 reach 1.

God bless.

Tonya Winzer

Psalm 107:1-15 Gratitude, they say, is the highest form of prayer. During Lent, I try to pay special attention to all the small, wonderful things around me—the things I take for granted and I try to express my gratitude for it, him or her. Furthermore there are benefits for showing and expressing gratitude.

How Gratitude Helps Us Refocuses our attention: Life is filled with situations and distractions that keep us from seeing all that G-d has done for us. Instead of getting out of bed with the weight of the world on your shoulders, try refocusing on the Lord by thanking Him for His past provisions, guidance, and faithfulness.

Relieves anxiety: Since our fast-paced society has lots of pressure, expectations, and responsibilities, many people live in constant anxiety.

But when we bring our concerns to the Lord with thanksgiving, the burden shifts to Him, and His peace comes to us (Phil. 4:6-7).

Refreshes our relationship: Gratitude keeps us from thinking that the Christian walk is all about us and our needs. Our fellowship with God is enhanced because we're focused on Him instead of ourselves.

Reinforces our faith: When we thank the Lord for His past faithfulness, our confidence in His present faithfulness skyrockets.

My grandparents always told me that when someone gives you a gift—no matter how small—you always say thank you or write a thank-you letter.

It’s the polite thing to do. So, for everything G-d, has done, is doing and will do, I remind myself to say thank you to G-d, as well. That’s just plain good manners.

Rev. Leon F. Parker, III

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PRAYER CORNER Heavenly Father, I come to you asking for guidance. Let me and my testimony be an example to those that need your saving grace.

Help me to go beyond my comfort zone to reach those persons that may not know you, may not have a relationship with you, or may think what they've done is beyond repentance. I ask that you help me to find comfort in discomfort so that I may continue to expand the word of God upon those that need you but have trouble coming to you. Help me to love my others as I love you, so that another soul may be saved. In Jesus Christ I pray, amen. ~ TW

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Mark 1:12-15

The Tempta on, The Task

PRAYER CORNER Consecrate me now to thy service Lord, by the power of grace divine; let my soul look up with a steadfast hope, and my will be lost in Thine.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

All day, all night, the Angels keep

watching over me.

Although I have read about the temptation of Jesus many times before, I admit from time to time, that I have taken the temptation lightly; after all Jesus would overcome.

Yet I understood the text more fully when I placed myself in Jesus’ shoes. Not only did I think of temptations of commission, but perhaps more inherently implied in the text is the temptation of omission which keeps us from devoting ourselves to doing God’s will.

According to some scholars, the text, citing that Jesus was with wild animals, recalls the period when Christians were put in dens to be killed by wild animals simply because of their faith. Therefore, when Jesus acknowledged His faith at Baptism with the spirit descending on Him as a dove and the voice from Heaven declaring that He is my beloved son in whom I’m well pleased, He is making a public declaration of His faith that ~ SW exposes Him to danger or even death. Now tempted to consider His life or His ministry, Jesus decides to fulfill His ministry despite Satan’s tactics or personal life consequences. To risk your life for the gospel sake is more than a passing notion. Yet the good news is that Angels cared for Him. Having overcome the temptation, Jesus is ready for the task.

During this Season of Lent, let us pray that by God’s grace we will overcome any temptation of commission or omission that hinders our fulfilling the task to which God has called us.

Bishop Sylvester Williams, Sr.

It Was All A Set-Up Thought for the day; Take your opportunity in your temptation and make it your testimony during your journey, your set- up is on the way.

God you are the Redeemer who brings peace, gives hope and restores joy. May the cup of sufficient grace, overflow in the reserve of our lives in trying times as we face our temptations. Guide us with your everlasting love as we travel through life yearning to be closer to you, striving to be more like you and wanting more of you. To God be the Glory, Amen. ~ MRG

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As believers we are faced with dangers, temptations and decisions that cause us to question how much confidence we have in God to bring us out. We must gain understanding of exactly what temptation is and how to overcome it so that we are prepared spiritually when the attack threatens through camouflage. It is a worldly experience with a purpose to injure, poison, consume and destroy the nature of man. We must reject each temptation with the power and presence of God. Just as Jesus was driven into the wilderness with wild beasts all around, you to will meet your adversary in the world. It’s a set up with a purpose for your destiny. The reassurance in knowing that the armor of God provides the protection over temptation is your key to being victorious.

Once the victory is won, run and tell the great news of the gospel that God’s kingdom shall reign forever.

Rev. Marilyn R. Gerald

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Mark 1:12-15

Keep Going!

We all can agree that temptations are just part of living a Christian life.

During, “Lent,” we will discover that our times of temptations, times of being tempted to quit and give up can actually be a great opportunity to find out more about ourselves, and about God’s plan for us.

Mark 1:10a, “coming up out of the water…” The waters from the Jordan drip from Jesus as he walks toward the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. But, in vs 10 “the (Spirit descending like a dove on him).” (Greek, eis, “descending into” Jesus). God’s work is evident in us as we involve ourselves in “Lent.”

During this Lenten experience ask yourself: temptations and challenges?

How do I handle my

The biggest temptation many will face in our wilderness is to just give up and stop trying to live a Godly life! Paul wrote to the church in Corinth these words: “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken. We are perplexed…but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going.”

PRAYER CORNER

Dear God, I pray that Your Holy Spirit will usher me into my divine purpose and empower my continual search for Thee. ~ LGW

Rev. Larry G. Williams

Out of the Wilderness Thought for the day: God shows up in our wilderness.

“It’s not personal” Those were the words I heard after 22 years of service. I was being laid off. The company I’d worked for was being sold and the new owners decided my position didn’t fit into their organizational structure. Like Jesus was driven into the wilderness and tested by Satan, being unemployed felt like my own wilderness experience where Satan’s whispers to be fearful and worry threatened to fill my head with doubts and anxiety. Uncertainty can leave us feeling alone, discouraged, and wanting to give up. However, God’s words in Mark 1:13b bring us hope and assurance that even when we, like Jesus find ourselves in the wild in seemingly dangerous terrain and facing temptations of every kind, we are not alone. God does not leave us alone and has a plan. God sends refreshing.

Jesus’ wilderness experience was preparation for what God was calling him to do in his ministry. Just as it is with us. Our wilderness experience of a job loss, death of a loved one, life threatening illness, loss of home, or divorce can cause us to struggle in our faith, lose focus and turn away from God. But it is in these moments when we need God more. Jesus with all he faced remained faithful. Through fasting and prayer resisted the temptations and he heard the voice of God guiding him. And so we too must look to God to sustain us through our wilderness journey. Praying, fasting and repenting of our sins so that nothing stands in the way of us hearing His voice for our guiding. During this season of Lent may we turn back to God connecting with him daily, reflecting and remembering the love and kindness freely given to us. God wants to bring us out of the wilderness.

Katrina Harden-Beasley

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Lord thank you that you know what is best for us and may we trust you in everything.

Amen ~ KHB

Monday, February 23, 2015

Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18

Striving To Be Holy!

PRAYER CORNER

As a child growing up in the south suburbs of Chicago playing outside with friends was an everyday event. While outside we would play many familiar childhood games but one in particular was called “Simon Says”. This popular game was simple, one friend would become “Simon” and in order to win the game the other participants would have to do exactly what “Simon” said do.

Well in today’s scripture of Lenten concentration, we find ourselves in the middle of a divine “Simon Says” game between The Lord and his people.

For the Lord or “Simon” if you will instructs us in Leviticus 19:2 that we must be holy, because the Lord is holy. It is here that God sets the proper tone for His children during this Lenten season, for He challenges us to be holy. Holiness being the act of true separation from the world and the flesh should be our main focus during the next six weeks. Often times we find holiness quite puzzling for we know that the Lord is holy and we have the ~ ZDM desire to be holy but yet fail to know how to obtain holiness. Thankfully the laws in Leviticus 19: 11-18 serve for us as a moral road map to holiness.

Therefore during Lent if we want an insight into the essence of holiness, all we need to do is meditate on these verses.

O Lord, as I journey through this Season of Lent, help me in all my endeavors to be more holy. Amen.

As we conclude todays thought, please be reminded that in the game of “Simon says” the other participants can’t perform any action unless “Simon” gives the ok. With that being said as we continue through this time of reflection and purification strive to seek ONLY God for direction, motivation & preparation.

Rev. Zachary D. Mullens

I Will Trust You Thought for the Day: Your obedience to God shows your love for God – follow God’s way and not your own.

Think back to the days of your childhood. Were you the rambunctious kid who was always being told, “Don’t do that!”? Or perhaps you were the child who only needed that “mother’s look” to remind you of what you should and should not be doing.

Dear Lord, give me the spirit of obedience. As I seek to serve You, show Your will for me today. I will trust Your ability to guide me; I will trust Your loving power to protect me. Amen. ~ JS

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As we look back on our childhood and reflect on the moments of instruction (as stern as some may have been), we can now appreciate the direction of our parents, guardians, church members, and extended family.

Their loving guidance helped you to grow and mature; it created the person you are today. Likewise, God’s loving instruction equips us to live in such a manner that our actions bring glory to His Name. We are instructed to be holy.

In order for us to truly function within our purpose, we must commit to doing the will of God and take heed to God’s instruction.

Jenether “Netta” Stampley

Monday, February 23, 2015

Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18

Together We Can These verses consist of instructions from God to Moses to God’s people for them/us to be holy. To be Holy is to dedicate all of yourself, primarily your thoughts and actions towards participating in the proper treatment of one another in the same manor that God does. It is God’s goal and will for us to exist harmoniously with one another, although human nature gets in the way of that, God still calls us in that direction.

PRAYER CORNER

While walking down the path of righteousness, God gives us some instructions to achieve and maintain God’s will. Some of those instructions can be found in v11-18. Each instruction is given so that God’s people can, 1) treat each other fairly as God’s treat us fairly; 2) care for one another and 3) be an example to outsiders looking in and wondering if they should join this peculiar group of people (Although the people in Leviticus weren’t looking to evangelize to outsiders we, in 2015 are).

This scripture reminds us of the power we have through our faith in God. God gives these instructions while already understanding that human nature is severely flawed with influences that lead us in the wrong direction. As these instructions are given, God lets us know that our ability and call to be Holy is predicated upon God’s ability to do the same. Therefore if our hope, will and trust is in the Lord, than as we continuously look towards God we are strengthened by God’s example. This strength from God is paramount in a world that promotes thoughts and actions that habitually oppose that of the Creator.

From this point forward, continue to be strengthened and encouraged as we strive to be Holy towards one another just as God is Holy in God’s treatment of us.

Rev. Kornelius Neal, Sr.

All Cried Out The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. (Exodus 3:6-8) As you journey through your day feeling at times stressed, distraught, dismayed and at times hopeless, do you cry out? Do you seek God in all that you do? When was the last time you took the time to truly cry out to God and await the wondrous glory of what God can and will complete in our lives.

In the passage of scripture, Exodus 3:6-8, we read of how the Israelites cried out to God seeking sovereignty and freedom from their suffering as slaves. We begin to understand that God is concerned about their suffering. (Exodus 3:7) And even on this day God is still concerned about our suffering. He has promised spacious land that flows with milk and honey. We have to be still and await His promise coming to pass. We have to be still and trust God through all the stress, feelings of hopelessness and times of dismay to know that God is concerned about our suffering the same way He was concerned about the Israelites. Begin your day with prayer and give God thanks for His concern for you. Wait for your crying out is not in vain.

Paula A. Kay

Father God, thank you for having concern for me. Thank you for allowing my life to continue to be a reflection of hope in the midst of all circumstances. May you I never doubt your concern or question your timing for your word promises me as you promised the Israelites that you will never forsake me. In Jesus name. Amen ~ PAK

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Tuesday, February 24, 2015

PRAYER CORNER

Matthew 22:37-38

All In THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: I hear the chains falling.

Heavenly Father, lead us and guide us in ways to be totally sold out to You! Take our offerings of praise and worship and let them be a fragrant offering unto You. Jesus knew no sin but took all our sin to the cross so that we could become Your righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21) All glory to You in Jesus Name! Amen!

The word "all" in any language means just that - all-inclusive, complete, in its entirety, representative of the total extent of something. One of my teen's favorite expressions is "I am 'all in'" meaning in total agreement.

~ BU

During this season of Lent, we consider how important "all" is to Jesus since Jesus gave all for us - we were that important to our Creator.

In Matthew 22, we are faced with Jesus' description of the greatest commandment as He refers to the Shema of the Book of Deuteronomy in which God commands God's people to love God with ALL their heart, soul, and might (Deuteronomy 6:5).

What in our lives commands ALL of our attention? Can we even conceive of something that important? Don't we have so much else in our lives to consider? Yet, here is Jesus reiterating the importance of ALL! It must be important.

Rev. Barbara Ulrich

You Know I Hate It When You Bring Up The Past

Most Gracious and Heavenly Father, thank you being the Father that knows our needs before we can express them.

Thank you for caring enough to minimize our worry about our daily life. We bless for the joyous experience of true forgiveness. Teach us, dear Lord, to embrace the power of the cross knowing when our Savior died he abandon our sin on the cross. He left it there so eternal life would remain. Amen. ~ AH

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Although this writer seeks to express his feelings regarding his romantic relationship, I’m compelled to revisit my childhood. I grew up with two loving parents, however, when I was 7 they got divorced. Shortly after, I felt like a fatherless child. During high school, my father intermittently re-entered my life. However, his lack of consistency disappointed me and discouraged my ability to trust in him. I often attempted to make him answer for abandoning me, even though he was trying to “right his wrongs”. I persistently tried to convince myself I had forgiven him; but had I really? This past Thanksgiving marks the 4th anniversary of his passing, yet it wasn’t until March 2013 that I freed myself with true forgiveness. I was so bothered with his abandonment that I never gave myself the opportunity to abandon or let go of my death grip of hurtful memories.

In verses 14 and 15, we are challenged to examine what true forgiveness is and what its tangible manifestation looks like.

God’s promise creates motivation to forgive, so that we might be forgiven. However, forgiveness is not merely “forgetting” about the offense or even simply uttering “I forgive you.” True forgiveness begins when we are able to leave the offense where it took place…in the past. Don’t be guilty of dwelling in the place of unforgiveness in such a way that what is left to remain is now compromised.

Ashley Holland

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Jonah 3:1-10

Go, Do & Be—Responding With Action Most times we don’t respond to God’s call immediately. If you’re a parent, you may relate to having to tell your child to do something more than once.

You may also remember your parent telling you to do something or NOT do something. Sometimes we obeyed and other times we didn’t listen. We must remember that when we are called to do God’s will, we must do it God’s way.

You may be the one that God has called to do something, go somewhere or speak into someone. If so, this is the season to reevaluate your obedience to God. As you are fasting and praying, make an intentional effort to obey God in all of your ways. Repent for your disobedience and realign yourself in obedience to Him. You may be the one that God is speaking to. As the Ninevites believed, they also responded with action. From the greatest to the least including the king, they fasted, prayed, called on God and began to turn from their evil ways. This should be our response when the Word of the Lord is proclaimed to us.

PRAYER CORNER

Precious Father, I ask You to forgive me for my disobedience. Help me quickly respond to You in faith and in action. In Jesus name, Amen. ~ LW

In this season of Lenten, I encourage you to fast, pray, and turn away from those things that are not pleasing to God. I also encourage you to consider the places in your life that you have not answered the call of God, ask for forgiveness and begin to go, do and be what God has assigned to you.

Prophetess LaTrice Williams

God Fixed It At first glimpse, it appears that this record is about a man name Jonah who flees from his call, is swallowed by a large fish, then regurgitated resulting in a city being saved. But, this narrative is about a God who is filled with compassion. It is in the following chapter that Jonah becomes upset with God, explaining why he didn’t want to go to Nineveh and says, “I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity”. (NIV) It is comforting to know that God offers to us loving kindness; and God’s initial desire is to show love and compassion towards all creation. Yes the people of Nineveh called urgently on God but based upon Jonah’s prayer it was God’s plan all alone to offer love not destruction. Our souls can find rest in knowing that God hears prayers and sees the hearts of people.

What would the world look like if our first intentions were to bring peace and show mercy? Instead of “getting you back” let it be “I forgive you.”

Instead of our first response being, “I’ll fix you” let it be “I’ll fix it”. This is what God did for Nineveh, God fixed it; not with destruction but with a message that opened the door revealing God’s divine character. God is love, and out of God’s fountain of love flows grace and mercy which results in our peace. God loves us. God doesn’t love us because of; God loves us in spite of.

Pastor Richard D. Shaw

Dear God, we thank your for your compassion. Teach us to love as you have loved us.

Give us a heart that desires to show grace and mercy when it comes to those we may have be differences with. ~ RDS

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Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Jonah 3:1-10

Our Hope in God’s Grace

PRAYER CORNER

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: I hear the chains falling.

We all face challenges and difficulties in life, but God’s strength helps us in whatever task God gives. Without trust in God, there is no peace for the wicked. It brings them under Satan’s control and God’s wrath.

Dear Lord we thank you for being the God in our life.

Thank you for your grace, mercy, and loving kindness.

Help me to put my trust in you and live a lifestyle that reflects who you are. Amen

When you feel reluctant and incapable of a task set out for you, just look to the book of Jonah. God has called you to find courage in the fact that many of God’s servants felt unworthy of their calling. We serve a merciful God who rains on the just and unjust in spite of our lifestyle. Jesus can reach us in any situation, but He will not rescue you until you need Him desperately. We ought to know how to repent, fast, pray and patiently wait on the Lord who forgives all.

God’s refreshing word carries spiritual vitality, it doesn’t return void whenever it encounter a receiving heart. When we receive a message from God, we ought to act like the people of Nineveh by being faithful, obedient, and putting all of our trust in Him. Our service is to protect ~ MAH others, to throw a line to someone who is drowning, and lead them towards Jesus. With God in our heart we can weather any storm. We are just ordinary people who God uses to witness for Him. An obedient life leads to a lifetime with God, who is awesome in every way. When we do all that is asked of us, it will bring God all of the glory!

Mary Ann Hill

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Matthew 7:7-12

The Golden Rule, Clarity in Times of Darkness Thought for the day: Merciful meekness is peaceful strength!

Lord Jesus, enflame in us the light of the Holy Spirit. Clear from our mind any remnants from our past difficulties and struggles that moves us away from your grace. Remove all residues of confusion and suspicion that separates us from each other. Remove all traces of selfish pride that blocks our path towards the joy that pleases your heart.

In the name of God, AMEN!

Life is not suppose to be perfect. Jesus knew the faults of human selfishness and people's lack of faith. But, he still invites us to knock in order to enter the Kingdom of God. Jesus invites us to seek for him because we are the recipient of God's victory and divine love through Jesus.

Life with God is an identity. You become blessed with God’s grace. Believe me it is overwhelming...accept it, call out to God, and thank God for God’s everlasting gifts.

We play an active role to participate in God's grace, love, and mercy by practicing the Golden Rule. Be merciful to yourself and others in times of troubles, needs, illness, and stress. Once you have gained the ability to be merciful, then you are truly saved by Jesus.

We must fulfill God's directions to seek, find, and welcome our salvation, Jesus, against a life of sin.

This does not prevent or stop us from dreaming, making plans, setting goals, and working towards a better life. In fact, the teachings of Jesus is the way to discover our prosperity, a life full of hope, and a better future.

God wants us to expand, to grow, and to ask for the best, especially for our families, loved ones, friends, Church, and community.

~ RPB Richard Pablo Bis

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Thursday, February 26, 2015

Matthew 7:7-12

Knocking On The Right Door Where do you find relief when stressed? When your soul aches where do you find comfort? When you feel empty what fills you up? Who do you go to for love?

PRAYER CORNER

The Lenten season can be such a "me to wrestle with these ques"ons. It is a "me to examine how in so many ways we go somewhere else other than Christ to get our spiritual and emo"onal needs fulfilled. We knock on the wrong door. Lent is an inten"onal "me to recognize how so o)en we turn away from God at the "mes we need him the most. This is one way to understand sin as a turning away from God's will. It is where we put other things first, where we knock on other doors. Yet, Jesus came as God's son to call us back, to turn us around to see that all we need is found in the Savior.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is laying out for us the path of discipleship. In this passage, Jesus is saying that "whatever you need for your life, whatever is missing, or lacking just ask. Just knock on My Door, and you will find the fullness of Grace, Power and Strength. For it is for this reason that I came, and for this that I died. In laying down my life, your sins are forgiven. You are freed from that which binds and breaks you down. All you have to do is look, is knock, is ask and you will discover that I am already here, and that the door has already been opened! "

Heavenly God, help me to turn back to you. Give me the courage to be honest with myself of how everyday I knock on the wrong door. Help me to see in the practice of my faith the way back to you. May this Season of Lent be a way back to the door that is already opened, to the everlasting arms that are already embracing me! Amen!

Pastor Todd Bertani

~ TB

Pursue the Will, Wisdom, & Righteousness of God Ask! Seek! Knock! These all seem to be such simple directives. Yet they require us to trust in a God more qualified than ourselves; to embark upon a journey that takes us to an undisclosed location; and to demand access to the will of God which is the conduit that liberates us from the shadows of truth to spiritual wisdom. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Mt 5:6) and “If any of you are lacking wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you” (Jas 1:5).

This pursuit is so epic that when Paul was praying for the Colossians he said, “... we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Col 1:9) as he recognized that the basis of our relationship with God necessitates an alignment of wills. We must yield to the will of God so that God’s nature supersedes our morally flawed nature and allows God’s transformative power to shift us from personal to communal inclinations.

Our very existence is dependent upon our communal pursuits (Jas 4:3) which strengthens our bond with God and others. We are the body of Christ which signifies community. The idea of community is summed up quite well by Jesus when he proclaimed that “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you” for this is the law exhibited and written by the prophets. So when pursuits are received, found and opened only then will you know how to do unto others.

God our primary pursuit is the edification of the body of Christ, through faith, so grant us the spiritual fortitude to conquer the unexpected challenges.

Minister Texlin Quinney

~ TQ

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Friday, February 27, 2015

Matthew 5:20-26

Heart of Worship Gi+s

PRAYER CORNER

Lord, give me a heart of forgiveness that I may freely worship you. Amen

For the most impressionable years of my life, I grew up without a fathers’ presence. Even though I was a little girl, I had enough wisdom to know that there was someone missing in my life. I saw him frequently, but we had no relationship with him. This estranged relationship left me broken. I thought that my father didn’t want me. I grow up feeling rejected and ashamed. However, I was determined to prove that even though I had an estrange relationship with my father I can become who God wanted me to be. However, in my pursuit of success, I realized that is was imperative that I forgive my father. I couldn’t become who I want to be until I forgave my father.

Pain and anger can cloud our worship space. When we refuse to embrace ~ SS forgiveness our gifts become meaningless before God. We cannot bring gifts without having a heart that truly wants to be reconciled with others and God. Jesus’ teaching is centered on the idea that anger and hatred cannot reside in the heart those who truly seek to worship God. Worship is more than just external practice, but a seed that geminates in our hearts.

God doesn’t acknowledge our gifts if we are at odds with our brother or sister. We must reconcile with those who were in community with before we can go to God. As we offer our gifts to the Lord, let us be opened to forgiveness, love and healing. God wants more than just our gifts; God wants our hearts.

Rev. Shadene Stewart

Above & Beyond Your Sunday Best!

For many church goers, dressing up on Sunday morning and headed to the church of your choice is the mode by which we demonstrate to the world, that we are Christians, and it’s an outward expression of how those that profess to love God and know God in a very real way should look.

Being cloaked in the finest linen, draped in the finest jewelry, and wearing the latest and most fashionable of shoes – yes, we’re dressed to the Nine.

But the problematic is that our outward appearances are things of this world. And, for many that subscribe to a particular doctrine that requires coming to church looking much like attending a fashion show, you have been obedient to the laws of man.

Today, dear God – I ask that you create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me.

Cause me to desire to put on the “Sunday Best” that you have prepared for me; I desire to walk like you, talk like you, look like you, and be like you – in the Matchless, Marvelous and Miraculous name of Jesus. Amen

But, our text suggest that true obedience is unto God. According to Jesus, God’s desire was for the believer to rise above the legal system, and acknowledge that they needed a different kind of obedience altogether.

While we, as Christians, may want the world to see us in our Sunday Best, Jesus admonishes that how you look on the outside, not only pales in comparison to how God requires us to be on the inside, but we also fall short or who we are meant to be from the inside out.

Out of love for God, Christ wants our obedience to derive from what God can do in us as believers, and not what we can do by ourselves. Jesus wanted us to know the difference of being God-centered and not selfcentered. Christ desires that we understand the necessity of revering God as a benefit of God’s love for us, God’s creations – and not lean to the ~ ELH approval of man. And finally, the significance of having and keeping the law, is simply, living the law – put on God’s Sunday Best, as demonstrated

by Jesus!

Rev. Eddie L. Harris, Jr.

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Friday, February 27, 2015

Matthew 5:20-26

Set Your Gifts Free Looking over my life, I am reminded of how I covered my living in darkness with my “doing good” behavior; church, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school, etc. I played the part until the Lord revealed to me the truth of my life; mirrored by the Word of God and the naked truth about others. It is easier to recognize and pass judgment on others, in silence and/or vocally, all the time overlooking and/or refusing to see the death of one’s own soul and need to hang up and dial 911.

Physical murder of another human being many of us are innocent of, but our thoughts and words, even when spoken with ease have been like deadly poison known and unknown to its victims. Can we imagine our gifts of love offered up to God being refused by simply because of our total disregard of the urgency to be reconciled to our brothers and sisters?

Have our gifts become a decorative center piece on the altar? Sitting still, collecting dust like a “what not”, rusting, tarnishing, waiting to break free and bring joy to the lives of many, including our own, but are hindered by a mind refusing to reconcile?

Jesus teaches not only will committing murder make us subject to judgment, but also being angry with a brother or sister, speaking negative or devaluing another’s character also places us in direct danger of ultimate destruction, fire and hell. Therefore, we are encouraged to settle matters quickly with each other and make every attempt to do so.

Set your gifts free by reconciling today.

PRAYER CORNER Father, I surrender to your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, I pray.

Amen. ~ ADW

Rev. Anita D. Williams

Love Story Prior to Jesus’ ministry on earth, humanity lived in a legalistic society - an eye for an eye; get caught stealing and get your hand cut off, and so on.

This was their way of life. They followed the Commandments, festivals, observed the Sabbath and even burnt offerings trying to be righteous in the sight of God and humanity.

When we look at this from a modern-day standpoint this legalism seems a bit barbaric to live by, until we examine closely our own modern-day living.

Daily we read about our politics and how one side says the President isn’t following the rules while trying to help others. Now, we do need some laws and rules to minimize chaos in our everyday lives. However, Jesus takes this a step further. He explains at the Sermon on the Mount that being righteous (right standing with God) is more than rule following. It’s more than going to the synagogue once a year to pray and burn offerings.

It’s more than having the annual festival of celebrations. It’s more than observing the Sabbath. And for us today, it’s more than remembering Christ’s death, burial, and ascension through our monthly participation in the Lord’s Supper (Communion).

Simply put, Jesus says it’s about LOVE! Love for God. Love for your neighbor. When we truly love something or someone, we cherish it, take care of it, preserve the relationship, nurture it always, and certainly don’t let anyone mistreat it. Let us be mindful of how we show/share love with one another. Unless our righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, we will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:20)

Jacqueline Harris

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Father God, thank you for LOVE you show me daily through your protection and provision. Help me to pay this kind of love forward to those I encounter daily, in Jesus name. Amen ~ JH

Saturday, February 28, 2015

Matthew 5:43-48

Love Beyond the Normal

PRAYER CORNER Dear God Our Father, thank you for the joy and pure love we experience during this season because of your dear beloved son, Jesus Christ our Lord. I pray that you allow us to exemplify that same Christ like love towards all people, even our enemies, in Jesus Name – Amen.

Matthew 5:44-Love your enemies and pray for those that persecute you.

This command brings the nature of righteousness to its second highest operating principle (the first being to love God) and demands a response that is humanly impossible. A person without Christ may go so far as to tolerate their enemies, but they cannot love them.

The nature of this love is not emotional nor is based on human rationality.

This is agape love and it is a reflection of God’s love for us. God’s love purposely chooses, commits itself and acts in kindness, grace and mercy.

God does not choose to love on the basis of anything God might gain.

There is nothing that we can give God or even offer except that which God already possesses.

Christ died for sinners! And it does not matter if that is someone entrapped in vile and wretched sins, or someone with one of the more socially acceptable sins such as pride and self-righteousness. This is a love that is internally generated as opposed to human love that occurs as a response.

Now take note that Jesus says here to love your enemies, but He does not say to like them. God’s command here is to your mind and will, not your emotions. Your emotions are to follow clear thinking and wise decisions.

Emotions are not to be the basis of our obedience to what God says to do. ~ JRW This love is much greater than what the world demonstrates to its own, its God’s pure love.

Rev. Dr. Jeffrey R. Wheeler

Just Love Thought of the day: We may not be per fect but Love is.

Love is active not passive. Love is emotion (energy in motion) not apathetic or stagnant. Love is universal not individual or situational.

Love is being able to love self and others beyond our flaws to a divine energy that sees self and others as the perfect, beautiful, loving, creative, unified beings we were called to be.

Since G-d is love and I am created in the image and likeness of G-d then I am love. Yet, this being is flawed by external circumstances and situations that hinder us from experiencing this state of being called Love. This hindrance becomes the enemy. Loving your enemy then becomes confronting the ills of this world and Loving G-d, thank you for emphatically expressing your anger, disappointment, hurt, and pain Love! Forgive us for not being from a space rooted in Love. For if I behave in any other way, I Love. Help us to love others. have now become the oppressor and of the world.

Help us to love beyond the ignorant teachings of hate and privilege and to Love beyond the judgment and fear. In the name of Love, Amen! ~ TD

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The enemy kills and my heart aches. Yet, my heart is still free to love beyond the faults of the enemy and I will love the enemy through my tears, hurt and pain just as G-d loves me. I would rather err on the side of love than hate any day. This is what Just Love can be.

Rev. Tawana Davis

Saturday, February 28, 2015

Matthew 5:43-48

Challenged to Love Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you were challenged to choose between being Christ-like or turning a deaf ear? Have you ever had to make a conscious decision to be kind to someone that you knew had it out for you? This challenge confirms the activity of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It is not easy, it is not comfortable, but it is necessary. This challenge to love calls us to stretch beyond the familiar. It is this challenge that causes us to be different from the world and become extensions of Christ.

In John 13:35 (NIV), Jesus declares “by this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” By our ability to demonstrate love without prejudice, love without conditions, and love without borders is how we will be distinguished from those outside the realm of the Christian faith. You can not embrace this challenge of love unless you yourself have been a recipient of this form of love from God Almighty.

Today as you move through the day, make a conscious effort to be kind and loving to someone beyond your normal circle. Embrace even those that may not agree with you. Be a blessing to someone that has sought to curse you. Try it today because you have officially been challenged to love.

PRAYER CORNER Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank you for the love you have freely given to me. Stir my heart to share this love with all those I come in contact with. Allow me to be a greater reflection of you. I thank you now for the grace, strength, and patience to carry out this challenge for your glory.

Amen. ~ DDD

Rev. Dale D. Dennis, II

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Matthew 9:2-10

I Woke Up Flawless EL EL Elyon/Most High God, in the name of Yeshua your son I come to the throne of grace with my head and heart lifted, greeting my God and Savior. After years of rationalizing all the reasons I suffered lack as a child; I have received your assurance filled loving way of telling me to have, Peace Now. I heeded your directive, taking your peace into myself, your peace gives me great contemplative cause for lifting my head and heart. At your word I’m healed and filled with peace.

EL Shaddai/God Almighty, I greet you. Acknowledging my childhood sadness and disappointments still are there but your never-ending love brings joyful assurance for eternity. Resurrection day Yeshua rose with memory of the suffering endured and with the scars of death evident in his body. Jesus at your command the paralytic in Matthew 9:2-10 “jumped up and went home” carrying the mat his once malformed body resided on.

At your command Matthew followed you, yet still dining with the same sinful friends and colleagues. In the same obedience I too lift heart and head to follow your will and your way this day and forevermore my Lord.

God my creator you know better than any that I woke up like this and you call me FLAWLESS.

Most High God, giver of all life; El El Elyon. My sleep you have made sweet; My dreams and visions you have also made sweet.

I lift my head and heart as I stretch all of me upward to greet the morning before she unfolds the day. My sins forgiven!! I am encouraged. (Deep breath) Most High God, giver of all life; El El Elyon: Good morning.

Pastor Charlotte Caldwell

~ CC

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Sunday, March 1, 2015

Matthew 9:2-10

Forgiveness

PRAYER CORNER Thank You God for the power of forgiveness you demonstrated in the text.

Teach us gracious Lord to follow your example in word and deed. Amen. ~ EDCG

A paralyzed man lying on a mat was carried by his friends to be healed of Jesus. Jesus forgave his sins when he saw their faith in his ability to heal. Without questions or criticisms, our Lord moved with precision to care for the total well-being of the disabled man.

Even in the midst of evil thoughts of teachers of the law, Jesus exonerated this challenged man from sins, heal his body of uncontrollable tremors, and sent him home carrying the mat that once held him hostage. Allowing a new man to emerged walking, happy, health and whole.

Rev. Dr. Essie D. Clark-George

Its Time to Get Up and Live Thought for the Day: “When I get rightly aligned with Christ, my world gets right.”

Lord, thank you for your steadfast love towards me in that even when I am at my worst, you continue working to bring out the best in me. When I feel helpless and hopeless because of my circumstances, reveal to me the sinful areas of my life so that I may repent and seek your forgiveness.

Help me to grow in my faith so that I will understand that you use hardships as opportunities to reveal yourself to me in new and exciting ways. Help me to patiently wait on you to fulfill your divine promise of experiencing life more abundantly. ~ JAD

In my spiritual journey, I often think about moments in my life when I seemed to be as the paralyzed man who was brought to Jesus, hindered by my personal shortcomings.

Human frailty teaches us that we are susceptible to failures and mistakes despite our best efforts, and sometimes our hopes and dreams seem to be swallowed up by a sense of dread and despair. When the menacing shadows of guilt and shame close in on us, we can feel both helpless and hopeless – like this paralyzed man. We can feel isolated from others, denied the opportunity to participate in meaningful relationships and community, living out a life of solitary confinement.

Yet, the scriptures tell us in Romans 5:6 (NLT), “when we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time…”, and even today when we are helpless, Christ responds at the right time. For this paralyzed man, the right time was a result of the compassion of others, who brought him to Jesus. Even when we feel isolated, we are not alone because there are others who identify with us, persons whom Jesus sometimes uses to connect us with Him. The paralyzed man whose circumstances rendered him helpless and hopeless, comes face to face to the source of his help and hope. Jesus forgives him of his sin, and then in a demonstration of Jesus’ power and authority, he commands the man to get up, take up his bed and walk.

No matter how isolated you may feel because of your circumstances, no matter how you may be denied or marginalized by others, we should remember that our help and hope is in Jesus. When your circumstances cause you to lie on your bed of guilt, shame or self-pity, seek forgiveness of your sins and take the authority that Jesus gives you to get up and live life to its fullest. In time, and at the right time – you will.

Rev. John A. Dillard, III

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Monday, March 2, 2015

Luke 6:36-38

The Bene0its of Giving

PRAYER CORNER

Thought for the Day: We get what we give!

These three verses with words from the mouth of Jesus leave no doubt about what is expected of us: to treat others with kindness by living a life patterned after God’s example. God made the ultimate sacrifice. He gave us His son so that we could live more abundant lives. In talking to his disciples and the multitude in this passage, Jesus emphasizes the reciprocal nature of being merciful, of not judging others, of not condemning, of forgiving and for giving to others.

Jesus references a deep mercy, a deep forgiveness. This is what we have to consider.

We get what we give: mercy, nonjudgmental; no condemnation; forgiveness. Being merciful to others, passing no judgment on another; offering no condemnation and forgiving others are all characteristics of the Father who always has mercy on us, neither judges nor condemns and consistently forgives us if we but ask. We can do no less for those we encounter in our lives. We have to realize that no one is perfect and that each of us falls short. God realizes that about us, and treats us accordingly.

Lord, create in us the desire and actions to mirror the Father in our interactions with others. ~ HB

Giving requires a selflessness and a genuine concern for others. Jesus’ emphasis on giving is vivid in its portrayal of what the giver receives. The giver reaps the benefits of whatever (mercy, forgiveness, charity) s/he gives from others and from God in abundance.

All of these things are easy to ponder and, at times, hard to live, but not impossible. He never expects from us more than we can accomplish with His help.

Dr. Helen Benjamin

Judging Others We live in a world that unfortunately is not always kind and loving, but God has called us to remain faithful and hopeful that people will change from their unpleasant ways. Scripture constantly reminds us that we are not called to judge and condemn God’s people for God is the ultimate being that will administer punishment to those who have chosen the wrong path.

It is our responsibility to love those who constantly use us and though this charge is hard at times, we will be rewarded for our faithfulness. Yes it’s hard to not pass judgment and yes it’s hard not to wish harm against those who have treated us unfairly but think of how hard it must have been for God to forgive those who hung the Son of Man on the cross. If our Supreme Creator was able to resist the urge to destroy those who killed the one that came to save them, why can’t we resist the urge to condemn those who we are called to love unconditionally?

Rev. Tracey A. Kirkland

Lord even on my best day I fall short of your grace and your mercy. Soften my Heart Lord so that I may not pass judgment or condemn others. Condition my Spirit so that I will be more loving, kinder and more patient with those who have not shown love, kindness and patience towards me. I pray that I will love in a manner that is pleasing unto you, but more important I pray that you will remove those negative feelings, thoughts and behaviors that are targeted towards those who may have hurt me. This is my prayer and commitment offered to you in the name of your son Jesus. Amen. ~ TAK

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Monday, March 2, 2015

Luke 6:36-38

See To It!

PRAYER CORNER

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Pull away from the noise of this world.

Examine yourself through the filter of Jesus’ words beginning with your closest relationships. Then, you can live the word out loud and be a disciple and living stone for Christ.

Lord, I adore you. I confess that I have placed conditions on those closest to me that have hindered my relationship with them and you. Thank you for correction and direction. In Jesus’ name, amen. ~ DS

Drop the scales! Put your hands in the air. Yes, I’m talking to you. Who are we to take so freely the gift of forgiveness and create walls of expectations for others? Who are we to judge and determine the depth of another? Who knows the heart and soul of a man?

We miss opportunities to disciple and celebrate the transformation of our loved ones, communities and ourselves when we hold the scales of judgment and condemnation in our hands. Jesus reminds us we will be measured by the same measure we give. The relevant question is will we be obedient to the call of Jesus to practice mercy as He has?

DeWanda (MzDee) Stewart

Treating Others According to God’s Word THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Loving others requires daily practice of living according to God’s commandments.

As a little girl, I recall hearing the saying “Practice makes perfect”. When I wanted to become really good at a task, I would practice continuously in hopes of becoming perfect. Although I now realize that no person is perfect, I strive each day to become better and live a life that is pleasing to God. Today’s devotion focuses on how we should treat others by being merciful, generous, nonjudgmental, and forgiving. God knew that none of us were able to be a perfect being. However, God provided us with a daily guide, known as the commandments, so that we would strive each day to live a purposeful life filled with love, kindness, and humility. God never expected perfection from us. God knew we would fail at times. However, he expected for us to work toward becoming better by striving each day to keep God’s commandments. This is still God’s expectation for us. In order to treat others according to God’s word, we must practice living according to God’s commandments on a daily basis.

Dear Lord, help me to treat others with the love and generosity that you have shown to me, seeking your guidance daily. Amen.

In book of Matthew, God gives us the two most important commandments.

First, we should love God with all our hearts, souls, and mind, (Matthew 22:37) and second, that Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. (Matthew 22:39). These commandments are the most important because they give us instructions on how deeply we should love God, as well as how we should love and treat others. When we genuinely love God, we have the desire to keep God’s commandments. We should model the love of God in the way we treat others. God desires for us to have loving and generous hearts. When we love others as ourselves, we treat them with the kindness and respect that God desires for us to have for each other. You are what you practice most (Richard Carlson), so let’s get in a habit of practicing love, generosity, and forgiveness on a daily basis.

~ LR Latonya Redmond

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Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Matthew 23:1-12

Don’t Give Me That Old Time Religion Matthew records many of the epic confrontations between Jesus and the leaders of the Jewish religious system. As the church evolved through history we have shifted from the radical approach of Jesus to a more traditionally palatable version of Christianity. How would we respond if we realized that Jesus is often an unwilling participant in what we consider fulfilling our service and duty to God?

PRAYER CORNER

I believe that Jesus would acknowledge that we have a solid foundation and that we know what the true essence of our faith is but would remark that our pursuit of that old time religion has stripped us of the opportunity to live in relationship with God. Jesus observes these religious leaders and notes that they have the authority to declare the heart and mind of God but are not particularly interested in living out this call to action. Jesus then says that the emphasis is on a public showing of faith than personal experience. Finally, Jesus says that those who are called to the people of a God who is on the side of the oppressed live out their calling by attempting to belong to oppressive religious, economic, and political systems.

Today I seek for God to use me to bring restoration to my community, to speak out with prophetic courage against the political, economic, and religious oppressive systems on behalf of the oppressed who’s cries have not been heard. Amen.

We are called to contemplative action through this text in Jesus defining that our greatness is the result of our relationship with one another, our service to God, and living in humility. Desire greatness today by seeking opportunities to restore the broken relationships in our lives and find ways in which we can serve God with wholeness and purity of heart.

~ JH

Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Hill

Who Are You Shining For: Men or God? When people are put in position to lead others in the right way to go, they themselves somehow forget that they must model what they are teaching, preaching, or leading people to do that they have been put in charge of.

Parents, politicians, lawyers, doctors, teachers, spouses, and even those that are in leadership positions in the church, they all want to have more than "15 minutes of fame". They want to always be in the limelight, spotlight, or front and center stage where they can be seen.

We are quick to say to others: "do as I say and not as I do". But then we have the audacity to get upset when those that we have been given charge of, go astray. But God! Jesus gave us a solution to this age old problem in Matthew 23:1-12. Having titles, fancy cars, degree's, money, or top quality products, means nothing if you are not living according to the standard that matters the most: The Bible! Basically that is what Jesus was saying in this Scripture.

The Savior is reminding everyone to let your walk, talk, and actions line up with what you teach; especially when you are teaching on The Word of God. As a leader or someone that has been set charge over another human being, you cannot expect for that person, whether it's your student, child/children, your congregation, husband/wife, employees, or your constituents to do right, walk right, talk right, and love right if you're not doing it!

Evangelist Pamela D. Jones-Polk

Father God over all creation, keep me humble at all times.

Let the world see You living in me and not me. Diminish me daily as I magnify You in my life. Let my life be a reflection of You. Keep me mindful to practice what I preach. In The Name of Jesus, Amen. ~ PDJP

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Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Matthew 20:17-28

Why Do We Serve?

PRAYER CORNER

Lord create in me a servants heart; renew in me a right spirit so that I may serve you out of love and not selfish glory. –Amen.

My first pastoral appointment was exciting and I was ready and willing to serve by any means necessary! In my zeal I failed to realize I was being sent to an extremely conservative and traditional town. As female clergy, many times I was not invited to bring a message from the pulpit, sit on council meetings or just be one of the “boys.” My education didn’t matter; my love for God didn’t matter; my commitment to the Gospel didn’t matter.

The “backlash” of being a female in a predominately male environment in the 21st century; however, did matter to me. I came to serve but in the midst of serving, I desired a seat at the throne built as a temple by human hands.

Jesus’ discourse with the disciples reveals that success is not in position or title but in willingness to serve. I believe Jesus recognized sometimes it is necessary to kick the door down for a seat at the table; while at times it is also necessary for us to serve our way to a place where we will be exalted in due time. I chose the latter, not because I didn’t want to kick the door down; I wanted God to be glorified. I would love to say eventually I got a seat at the table but it didn’t happen. I do know God was glorified ~ SB and I was exalted in due time.

During this Lenten season, let us examine our hearts to discern the reasons why we serve. Is it for exaltation, power, authority, a lucrative position or affirmation from others? Or are we truly serving with our hearts and following Christ to bring glory to God? Rev. Sheila Bates

Timing: The Secret Has a friend ever pulled you over to the side, in private, some good information and then asked you not to say anything? It’s a secret. They would let them know in time.

Jesus had 12 friends he took aside, in darkness, to give detailed information regarding his death on the cross leading up to his resurrection.

This is the third time Jesus is telling of what seems to be his shortcomings.

Jesus shared information in the dark, in secret, so that in time, his disciples would be able to share in light to come (the resurrection). This encourages us that even though our Lord had to endure this horrible death, that he not only had to share with them 3 times, but this also showed his human side of something so horrible he was sent to do. He needed to share with those closest to him, to talk it through, to possibly prepare himself with what was to come.

Lord, thank you for your Word and for insight. Love you and Amen.

There are usually a couple of people that want to share in your story, so manipulation can set in. They would plant the seed in someone to ask for them. James and John had ambition, they wanted to sit on the right and left of Jesus (in the kingdom), now thinking worldly (to be grandees). Mom was put on the spot but Jesus asked in V22: you don’t know what you are asking and can you drink the cup I am going to drink? They say they can and they will, but what they were asking was not for Jesus to give, those places were already given. This secret assignment was to be shared in the light at a later time. Timing.

Felicia Hames

~ FH

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Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Matthew 20:17-28

Tell The Story This story of the Jesus’ encounter with the woman by the well in Samaria is one that we all know well. For me it is one of my favorite preaching and teaching text. This portion of the story allows us to see the importance of our personal story or testimony. How, through each of us the Kingdom of God is built up. How many times have we set in groups and meeting; read book and articles on the best ways to grow the body of Christ? Only to have those same books and article; focus groups and conferences bring us back to the individual aspect of the Kingdom building. The testimony of the Samaritan woman allowed the people of her village to move from hearer to believers. Because they heard her story they came to see for themselves. In their coming they were able to encounter Jesus the Savior of the world. God has chosen to use us in this kingdom work. Not by building great ministries, but by simply telling the story of were God has brought us from.

Here is my challenge to all of us during this Lenten season. That we will be willing to use the model of the Samaritan woman to effect the lives of other who need to know that God truly is a deliverer. A deliverer in such a way that after they come to see and spend time with Jesus that they too will have the testimony that, “We no longer believe just because of what you said.” We have been call to share our stories so that others may grow to become Disciples of Christ not just members of our churches.

PRAYER CORNER

Father we thank you for the gift of testimony, we thank you allowing us to share our stories so that others may come to know you as we do.

In the gracious name of your son Jesus the Christ. Amen… ~ RM

Rev. Richard McDuffie

Luke 5:27-32 (NIV) What a wonderful God we serve that we do not have to worry about being perfect to come before His presence or even to call upon His name. He says in this passage of scripture,“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:31-32).

God is ready, willing and able to forgive us of our sins whenever we are ready to repent. There is nothing that God cannot bury in the graveyard of our past when we really and truly ask for forgiveness and believe by faith that God has forgiven us. Recalling the words of the Invitation to Holy Communion, we confess each First Sunday that we “truly and honestly repent of our sins and intent to lead a Father, we thank you that you new life. Make this year of 2015 your year for a new start to follow are a God of a second Christ. Don’t let the enemy fool you any longer into thinking that chance. Amen your past is too awful for God to forgive. God is in the “clean-up” ~ JKMD business. He can make your life brand new. Make this your day to get-up, leave everything and follow Jesus.

Rev. Dr. . Johnie K. McDowell Dollarhide

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Thursday, March 5, 2015

Jeremiah 17:5-10

When the Heat Comes

PRAYER CORNER

The initial proclamation of this text is a pronouncement of punishment that then turns into a promise. We should be cautioned, however, not to read an abundance of prosperity or wealth into this text, but should consider that the prophet is drawing on the songs of old—calling the people to remember the ways of God through a form so familiar.

God of faithfulness and life, renew us to your service that we may trust in your power and grace. Cover us when the heat of hatred, injustice, racism, and poverty come to our churches and communities. Give us the grace to do the work you require of us—remembering the songs of those faithful servants who have come before us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

We are to remember that the things of our past still speak loudly to us today. We can no longer depend on the people and principalities to bring forth change and renewal in our world. We are guilty of trusting too much in what others can give us instead of resting in the promises of God’s faithfulness. We are to be holy, do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). For when the heat of injustice, poverty, and faithlessness come, we must trust in God, so that we will not wither away with those practicing evil and malice.

Min. Kenneth Pettigrew

Trouble Comes, But...

THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Today, let us remember that even in the midst of trouble, the dreams and visions we move towards will happen only if we stay leaning on the Lord.

“What happens to a dream deferred?” asks Langston Hughes in his poem, “Dream Deferred”. Indeed, during the Lenten season this becomes one of ~ KP the many things that come to mind. In the place of vulnerability, reflections are rampant; and in the ideal world, these thoughts would remain positive.

After all, the moment lips utter to God, “Yes, I will follow you”, the journey turns immediately to the wilderness. It is tempting to rely on human ways to navigate this space; after all, our very foundation Trouble will come and those negative moments creep in, and dreams seem to have “dried up like a raisin in the sun?”

In Jeremiah, the prophet is engaging God in conversation about the pending consequences of Judah’s bad behavior. Judah is one of the tribes of Israel, the chosen of chosen, but the more generations the people have come from the exodus, the less who remember the grace of God. This is a constant for the people of Israel, going around and around with the God until a parent-like ultimatum is issued. The dreams will still be reached, but it is all contingent upon the people’s performance during the trouble. They can either dry out and wither under the pressure or hold firm. God explains the people who thrive, “shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:8).

Almighty God, allow us to stay focused on you as we journey toward the visions you have given for our lives.

Grant that we may remain full and nourished, so that our dreams are not shriveled in the elements of life. AMEN ~ ASM

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It is our charge to not give into the elements of life. Sure, they happen; stress, setbacks, depressions, sickness, tradition and fatigue have punctured the sensitive flesh of our dreams while they were far too green.

Though the winds and beating sun threaten dry out our optimist, our drive and our focus, we are replenished by a living water of Christ that sustains if we but have faith.

Rev. Amina S. McIntyre

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Jeremiah 17:5-10

Our One and Only Advocate

PRAYER CORNER Dear lord, help us to seek you first whenever we face difficulties in our lives, lord may the Holy Spirit always be with us to comfort and guide.

Amen.

As I read the scripture I thought how many of us often only turn to god as our last hope when we have tried everybody else first. Many times when misfortunes Comes our way, whether it is health issues, financial, legal or even some type of addiction. Whatever the problem we should go to god in prayer and ask for him to help us.

For many of us we go to family and friends first pursuing their help. Still others, depending on the situation, will seek either medical or other professional assistance for answers, and the relief we are in search of. I will even go so far as to say, some believe that reading the horoscope or perhaps a physic/fortune teller will be the ones to provide us with the resolution we are trying to find.

Thanks be to god, Jeremiah 17: 7 tells us “but blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him” our scripture tells us that ~ MJ god searches our hearts, he examines our mind and we will be rewarded according to what we deserve.

Mary Jones

Shrub or Tree?

Although Jeremiah’s words are splendid Hebrew poetry, they are nonetheless prophetic stanzas that demand us to make a choice. Verses 5 -8 present two relatively balanced stanzas, the first (vs. 5,6) depicts how those who trust only in their own strength are cursed, and the second (vs.

7,8) presents how those who trust in the LRST are blessed. The cursed status of those who misplace their trust is not God’s doing, instead it is a result of them turning their hearts away from God to live in a parched, uninhabited, wilderness. Like a shrub.

They choose to live—reside, purchase real estate, and raise their family— in the desert. There the heat is not seasonal but perennial, the loneliness is not temporary but unending, and the disappointment is not limited, but it is unbound. Without understanding God as the center of our reality, we are left with a void where true prosperity escapes us, and we are detached from the Source of the goodness of creation. We are left with ourselves as finite shrubs against an untamable wilderness of worry, work, and weakness.

O God, You are the Source of our existence, You planted us, and we trust You today with each moment--even those seasons of drought.

Grant us fruit as our roots grow deeper in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. ~ JLW

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However, those who trust in the LRST are like a tree planted by water (see also Psalm 1). They too must face a dry place. But those who trust in the Lord differ from those who do not, because they understand the following things.

1) The dry place is only temporary (v.8). Unlike those who do not trust, they are not residents of the dry place, but they are merely visitors for the season.

2) Success is guaranteed in spite of the dry place. They are trees whose leaves remain green, and even in the face of challenging circumstances they do not cease to produce fruit (v.8).

Will you trust the one who chooses to live in the desert or the One who plants us by water? Are you a shrub or a tree?

Rev. Jeremy L. Williams

Friday, March 6, 2015

Matthew 21:33-43

The Toxic Tenants This is a parable of a beautify vineyard that was leased out to tenants by the landowner. In this parable the tenants allowed their wickedness to rule over them.

Whatever made the landowner think that the tenants would respect his son? Did he not think that the exact same thing would happen to his son? So, why put his son in harm’s way? Well, the landowner was giving the tenants an opportunity to make things right with him. Is this not what Jesus does for us? He gives us opportunity after opportunity to repent and get in right relationship with Him. Unfortunately, some of us are toxic like the tenants in the parable. Some of us only think about self-gain instead of a right relationship with Christ.

I hear the spirit of God calling those who are believers to do well and follow the plan of God that has been laid. What we fail to realize or believe is that there are benefits when we do what is right. When we do not follow the plan that has been set before us by God the benefits are longer ours. What will it be? Only you can answer that question.

God is waiting!

PRAYER CORNER Dear Lord, help us to do what is right and pleasing in your sight. Guard our hearts and minds that we do not allow wickedness to overtake us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen ~ DC

Presiding Elder Diana Casteel

21st Century Conundrum As a young child, I often took car trips to the local market with my mother. I remembered the sound of the engine of our 1982 Chevy Nova racing down the road. I was excited because I knew I was going to get some “Bubblicious Bubble Gum”. This was my favorite gum so much it became my nickname growing up. So we pulled up to the (800) square foot market and I jumped out of the car with my feet barely touching the ground as I whisked into the old shabby wood doors. I patiently waited for my mother to finish picking up her packages knowing that she would pick up a pack of a certain purple bubble gum at the register! She didn’t and I was crushed, so I decided to place a pack into my cut-off jean shorts before leaving.

Needless, to say I was caught chomping away in the backseat of that old Chevy Nova. My mother abruptly turned the car around and the next thing you know I was faced with the store owner. Fortunately, the store owner took pity on me, but I could not say the same for my mom.

In Matthew 21:33-43, we find that the vineyard is being disrespected, sought of how I disrespected the store owner in the aforementioned story.

In this case God is the vineyard owner. He expects his children to respect what he has blessed them with. The 21st century has been filled with oppressive acts and injustices that continue to shake the foundations of the world, specifically the Christian community. Hopes and dreams have been built on false pretenses such as money, entertainment, popularity, and drama. This ideology more than often leads God people astray, leaving them with despair, discouragement which often times lead to depression. We must be cognizant and understand that God has left us with a precious gift known as Jesus Christ, the stone the builders rejected.

It is in Jesus Christ that we will find joy, rest, peace, and respect for one another.

Rev. James B. Busby, Sr.

Lord God it is in you that we find rest. Help us to see that everything we need can be is found in you. We ask that you show us how to lean on every word that proceeds out of your mouth. Help us to understand that we are to be good stewards over what you have provided for us. Lord God, help us to hide behind the cross and let you fight the battles that are meant to entrap us daily. Open our spiritual eyes where we can see our brothers and sisters just as you do. Let not the color of our skin or the content of our character be hindrances on this journey called life. It’s in the name of your son Jesus Christ that we offer this prayer. Amen ~ JBB

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Friday, March 6, 2015

Matthew 21:33-43

Receiving and Responding

PRAYER CORNER Gracious and Eternal God, we receive the message and the challenge of the Cross.

Our hearts long to live in the salvation brought by Your only Begotten Son, Jesus the Christ. As each day approaches, guide our hearts that we will not only receive, but also respond with gratefulness.

In this particular passage, the challenge for believers to receive and respond to God’s love and become Kingdom builders is present. Like the wealthy farmer, God has left the world in the hands of humanity and offered salvation through God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Often times, we have been guilty of behaving like the farmhands; becoming greedy and ignoring the work left to our care in an effort to gain earthly possessions. Furthermore, humanity has been guilty of recognizing, but rejecting Jesus Christ.

This type of action grieves God. For, when this occurs, humanity is in essence rejecting the love of God which has been graciously shared.

It must be noted that the rejection of the message of Jesus Christ is found in humanity’s denial of Jesus’ existence as well as the unwillingness to live in the understanding of the depth of the cross. It can be contended that God longs for individuals who, as Jesus stated, will worship in Spirit and in Truth. As believers and followers of Christ, it is imperative that our aim is to participate in Kingdom Building. When humanity’s focus is on personal desires and gains, it causes the message of the Kingdom to become tainted in its transmission.

In conclusion, humanity must receive the message and respond in the understanding of the salvation extended through God’s only begotten Son, Jesus the Christ. Humanity must fervently seek to glorify God by first em~ JLC bracing God’s unending love and secondly share in expressing to the world that love.

Rev. Jamie L. Capers

Saturday, March 7, 2015

Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12

What Have I Forgotten?

Lent affords us the opportunity to take a close examination of our lives.

We are blessed with the opportunity to take three observations: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. I’m reminded of when my Grandmother would fry catfish for us. She would tell us, “Now churins. . . eat the meat, but spit out the bones”! That’s what you do during lent; when looking at yesterday and today, eat the meat of the good, and spit out the bones of the bad.

Recall – You can choose to focus on what hasn’t manifested in your life, or you can Thank God for what God has done, God is doing, and what God will do.

Weigh – Your priorities should be God, then family, then service, then Kingdom Building, and anything else you may have strength to do.

Become the best CEO of your life, and terminate those things that weigh Search my heart O God. Help you down.

Responsibility- Stop blaming everyone else for the way your life is me to lay aside every weight Take turning out. If you took a long hard look at your life, there are some choicthat hinders my worship and es you made, that you are now living with. Are you experiencing your willingness to follow your path CROSS or CROP? Alter. . . not Altar —.God allows circumstances to come into our lives, at for my life. times, to assist us in changing our walk. Listen to the voice of God. The ~ KA change isn’t to hurt or harm you; it’s to align you with the “Plan” of God. Confidence – Get into a deeper relationship with God. Spend more time in devotion, prayer, worship, and meditation.

Make a decision, if you want a better year; regain that which you have forgotten.

Rev. Dr. Ken Aveirls, Sr.

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Saturday, March 7, 2015

Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12

A Reminder of God’s Love and Mercy We live in a society in which our mistakes tend to follow us all the days of our lives. Convicted persons must continue to live with their crimes on their record long after they have paid their debt to society. Many felons continue to pay a debt that they do not owe long after being released from prison through the lack of employment and through others who are unwilling to give them a second chance.

When we do wrong, Satan stands to accuse us before God. Satan also continually reminds us of our misdoings in our hearts and minds. He is the proverbial CD/DVD player which plays backs our mistakes so that we can live in condemnation and shame. He convinces the un-churched that they are not worthy of God’s forgiveness and love. Even seasoned saints can withdraw from our Heavenly Father; thinking that he or she is not worthy of God’s blessings.

The psalmist writes to remind us to bless God and not forget God’s wonderful acts towards us. From healing to forgiveness to life, God’s benefits are worthy for us to bless Him as much as He blesses us. We should “bless His Holy Name with all that is within us!!” The next time Satan plays the CD/DVD player of your mistakes, do not focus on your misdeeds but focus on God’s love and mercy. Then sing from the depths of your inner being: “Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me. Bless His Holy Name!!”

PRAYER CORNER Heavenly Father, continue to remind us through your Word that you have forgiven our sins, healed our bodies and given us life through your Son, Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen. ~ QAD

Rev. Queen A. Dickey

Time to Get Fit THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Lent -a good time to get in shape!

Today, I am remembering my days as a High School Track coach.

Before, track season began, we had our conditioning season. During the conditioning season, the members of the track team would work hard to get in shape to prepare for the track season ahead. The conditioning program consisted of running, lifting weights, and positive thinking exercises. For those on the team that worked hard and followed the program, the conditioning program helped them to become better athletes.

The forty days of Lent can be considered our conditioning time. The forty days of Lent, should be more than just a time of fasting and giving up something. ((Food, Drink, etc.)

Lent should be a time of conditioning and a time to make ourselves spiritually stronger and better!

Today's scripture reminds us that we are all runners in a race. If we are going to run the race that God has set before us, then we must condition ourselves for the race. How are you conditioning yourself to run the race that God has set before you? When we condition for a race, we must condition every day. Lent is a good time for us to look at the weak areas in our life and to make improve. Lent is a good time for us to look at the sinful areas in our life and ask God to help us to stop sinning. Lent is a good time to ask God to forgive us of our sins. When we are free from sin, not only are we forgiven, but we are free! Being free makes us FIT. The Members of my high school track team were conditioning, so that they could win medals at track events. Medals are just temporary prizes. As we condition our heart, soul, and mind, we are working for a prize that will last forever and that is eternal life!

What are the areas in your life that you need God to help you in? Now would be a good time to write them down. Now would be the perfect time to write down your spiritual conditioning plan. Lent is the perfect to get fit!

Rev. Lisa Lewis-Balboa

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Lord, where we are weak, make us strong! Amen. ~ LLB

Sunday, March 8, 2015

Exodus 20:1-17

A Calling

PRAYER CORNER

Lord have mercy, call us anew, refresh our worship, works and walk with and in You. Lord have mercy. Amen. ~ JEGT

A call to contemplative action this Lenten Season is clearly the essence of the Decalogue crafted within the text (Exodus 20:1-17). To begin with YHWH is both self- descriptive and contemplative in the call to the Israelites to worship, work and walk in accordance with the structure of the divine legislation before them. YHWH’s deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt was the opening statement that solidified the argumentative yet contemplative content of the Decalogue delivered to Moses on Mount Sinai.

YHWH’s desire is and has always been for those called by His name to be fundamental in precepts with an uncompromising allegiance to the authoritative presence and centering power of who He was, is and forever will be – a liberator who tolerates and celebrates the lost, bewildered and the disenfranchised.

Hear the call; you shall not remain as you are - remember, I AM that I AM! We shall worship (YHWH); work the works of the One that sent us; for we walk by faith, not by sight.

Rev. Jane E. Gray-Thomas

Principles for Moral Living American society has the distinction of being known as a melting pot, a mosaic of cultures, races, religions, beliefs and customs. This mosaic has some inherent challenges as persons from the four corners of the world coalesce in the same space enjoying freedoms in a communal experience uniquely its own. However, with such freedom comes responsibility. The responsibility to be fair and equitable in our code of conduct with relation to how we treat one another with transparency and impartiality in government, our judicial and legislative bodies, and our familial and religious communities.

Heavenly Father, keep me forever reminded of where you have brought me from.

Fill me with your spirit and godly principals and empower me to embrace my community and the freedoms we enjoy. For you have chosen me as your own; I summit my life and worship to you and you only. ~ SCM

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The Ten Commandments provide the essence of spiritual, practical and moral living with universal application. The sequential order of the Commandments gives priority to one’s relationship with Yahweh over one’s relationship with humankind. The first commandment, “you shall have no other gods before me,” emphasizes the importance of relationship with God before another god or humankind. Conversely, Israel became a mosaic of with cultures that worshipped other deities but Yahweh would not permit his chosen people to denigrate their worship to him by assimilating with other religious practices.

It is imperative to note that a right relationship with God helps to ensure a right relationship with others. God desires to be the only God his people observe and worship. Change is constant but God and biblical principles remain the same.

Elder Stephen C McNeal

Sunday, March 8, 2015

Exodus 20:1-17

Time to Remember Him Many people look at the Ten Commandments like they are simply a set of rules that the Lord is waiting for you to break so that He might chastise you. However, the purpose of the Ten Commandments was to help the people to understand that they could not actually keep the law perfectly.

As a result they were in need of the Lord’s mercy and grace. What the Lord desired from God’s people as it relates to these commandments has to do with a commitment to remember. God instituted this so that the children of Israel might follow more closely, more fully and more deeply after Him. In light of this, the commandment that sticks out to me the most has to do with the Sabbath Day and keeping it holy.

The Sabbath is a time of rest, solitude, silence and meditation and in this the child of God has found a space and a time to remember the Lord. I challenge you in the midst of your busy day to stop and pray or meditate on the Word of God as a memorial to remember the Lord.

PRAYER CORNER Dear Lord, our God please forgive us where we have missed the mark and in turn failed to remember you.

Return us back to yourself in Jesus name. Amen. ~ AM

I believe the Lord is calling us to do the same in this season of Lent. In our fasting, praying, singing psalms and spiritual songs, let us never forget, it is all to remember the Lord Jesus Christ. Whether we attend services and anoint ourselves with oil or attend an Ash Wednesday service, we must remember that we do it to remember Him! Rev. Albert Moses, III

Spiritual Check Up THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: “When was your last spiritual check up?”

I went to my doctor at the persistence of my wife Bernadette. Whereas, I was quite proud of some of the accomplishments that I had made, I was also reminded that I still had a long way to go.

When I think about these commandments that God gave Moses to give to the children of Israel, I cannot help but think that God’s intentions were to provide boundaries/expectations for the people of God as it related to their relationship with Him and with one another. The problem, however, is that no matter what, the people would fall short either because of what they did and said or because of what they failed to do and say. And yet I hear the spiritual physician James says, “I have some good news and I have some bad news. The good news is that you kept nine out of the Ten Commandments. The bad news is that because you failed to keep one of the ten, you failed to keep all of the Ten Commandments.” (James 2:10) Can you imagine looking forward to that annual checkup?

But as we journey to the cross of Calvary, we do so with a mix of anxiety and relief. Anxiety as we realize that it is our sins that caused Jesus to be nailed to the cross! Yet relief knowing that it was the love of God which compelled Christ to be the atonement for our sins reconciling us to God. Christ does something for us that the law of God could not do. The law could not save us. Only God’s grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ makes salvation possible.

Rev. John D. Griffin, Jr.

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Lord, thank you for all you’ve done. Because of Calvary, we have victory! Amen! ~ JDG

Monday, March 9, 2015

PRAYER CORNER Father in the name of Jesus, I thank you for this day. Clear my mind from distractions.

Free me from traditions that block my relationship with you. Open my heart to your presence. Cause me to walk and be in the fullness of all you. As you do this, I will by your Spirit order my steps to your will. Amen ~ VB

Luke 4:24-30

Tradi on or Blessing Traditions can sometimes be a hindrance. A hindrance when we allow our traditions to overshadow the freshness of God’s speaking through God’s Word, through the Holy Spirit or even through others. With this, we have to be strategically focused to never be positioned outside of God’s will or God’s blessings. Too often we can allow personal thoughts to interfere or override God’s voice. Therefore, we are often blinded to God when God shows up in a form we had not expected or anticipated.

Sometimes, this blinding causes us to be judgmental against the very things of God. In this passage of scripture, Jesus warns the people they are in danger of not receiving from God, due to their rejection of Him. Jesus reminds them that history has shown that God will move His blessing from those initially intended. And in this day and age, of such much speculation, new wave thinking and traditionalism, we too are in danger of missing out on all that God has and desires for us. So, let us cry out to God for forgiveness and mercy to ensure that we receive all that God has for us! During this time of reflection, let us be determined to be centered and resting in God’s plan and blessing for our lives.

Rev. Dr. Vanessee Burns

What If God Was Like Us? I take public transportation to work, and not a day goes by that I am not approached by someone in need. Sometimes I see the same people each day asking for money for food, clothing, transportation, or shelter. At times I give because I’ve been blessed and want to share God’s love. But each time that I pass without giving, I feel convicted because it causes me to wonder if this may be God reaching out to me to test my heart.

As a Christian I often wonder what my beliefs about Jesus would be if I was privileged to live in a time when He actually walked the earth. Would I be like a Nazarene rejecting Him because He would not perform a miracle for me? Or would I be like a disciple who stepped out on faith, packed up my life and followed Him? I would like to believe the later, because as Christians we are called to walk by faith, and not by sight (Corinthians 5:7).

I know that at times my faith may fall short, but I thank you for never walking away! I pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide me, so that I may bare much fruit and lead others to follow you.

Amen. ~ TNH

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Although I cannot physically see God I know that He is real because each day He protects, guides, blesses, and loves me unconditionally. It is my desire to give Him that same love, praise, and honor in return. As we go through this season of lent remember Matthew 25:40 Then the King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” as God does live in each of us.

Tiffany Nicole Hill

Monday, March 9, 2015

Luke 4:24-30

Blinded By Default If we are totally honest with ourselves, we will realize on one hand, we find ourselves and others around us blinded by tradition and on the other hand, we find our churches blinded by reality. As my church studies Autopsy of a Deceased Church, we have begun to realize the signs of slow erosion as well as, areas where we have held the past as a hero. During this study, we have also begin to look at the relationships of the membership and the community around us. We are beginning to realize the importance of moving from evangelism to discipleship by any means necessary.

In the text, they were so caught up in tradition that they failed to realize what it means to be in the presence of Jesus. More often than not, we find our churches dying from the same issue. Some churches are dying because they still see the past as hero. There are also times when the church stifles its own growth because she fails to grow and change with the times.

As we seek to do some deep analytical thinking around the aforementioned passage, we must realize that we are often blinded by reality. The harsh reality for many of our churches today is that we are in decline as a result of doing ministry from memory rather than from imagination. We must realize that Jesus sought to bring sight to the blind rather than exploit their blindness. Living in the tension of reality and tradition must cause one to look to what lies ahead.

PRAYER CORNER Lord, open our eyes that we might see you in the way that you see us with new vision amid our sightlessness. We pray that you open our eyes that during this season we learn to live in the tension as it relates to being blinded by tradition and reality.

Open our hearts that we might receive your choice blessings. In the name of that North African name Jesus. Amen and Ase’ ~ ARJ

Rev. Amber Renee` Jackson

Walk Through the Crowd In this season of Lent, I believe that God wants us to be reminded that we were sent on this earth not to go along to get along, not to water down or retrofit a message that draws bodies into the sanctuary but not invite souls into God’s kingdom, it is not to turn a blind eye to a lost society that desires everyone to endorse there wrong as acceptable in God’s sight. But what shows us thru example is that your presence in the place that God has positioned you is designed for you to walk thru the crowd not become a part of the crowd.

When we walk thru the crowd the text tells us that God always provides provision for God’s purpose(vs.26). The world’s financial condition has nothing to do with God’s heavenly provision when you are walking in your assignment, secondly when you are walking in purpose God has a way of meeting needs where others have failed. The way things work or don’t for others has nothing to do with God’s assignment for your life when you are walking thru the crowd people take notice.

Lastly the text tells us that when Jesus spoke to them the text tells us the listeners got upset. They got upset because someone got fed and someone got cleaned, because someone’s needs were met in the face of earthly challenges.

Walk through the crowds of complacency to divine destiny, walk through the crowd of sinfulness to righteousness, walk through the crowd of people that say you can’t and know that God can. Humanity’s endorsement has nothing to do with your heavenly assignment. Walk through the crowd and let God work thru you.

Rev. Paul Gourdine

God thank you in this season of lent for allowing your sons and daughter to be reminded that our heavenly endorsement doesn’t require a crowd to co-sign what you have ordained. Give those who you have called the holy boldness to walk through the crowd trusting because of your call on their lives everything that is needed for the assignment you have called them too requires nothing more than them to walk through the crows with eyes stayed on you. Awaken that boldness to day what needs to be said the way it needs to be said when it needs to be said and not be afraid to say it and just as you were with Jesus be with them also giving them the power to walk through the crowd in Jesus name.

Amen ~ PG

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Tuesday, March 10, 2015

PRAYER CORNER

Psalm 25:4-9

God and Crayola’s In this prayer, David offers petition, supplication, praise and testimony. He not only asked God to deliver him, but to put his enemies to shame.

David’s prayer is like a resume` highlighting his strengths as well as his weaknesses. He mentions integrity, guilt, faith and the sins of youth. He is a follower, but admits to being a bit of sinner too.

Dear God, Let our conversations with you reveal the true colors of our soul.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

David’s prayer should inspire us to come boldly before the throne of grace, because God sees our total person. I read about an artist’s first experience with color using crayons. She began with an eight pack, then the 48 pack and finally her parents presented her a box containing 64 crayons. Her world of color now contained unusual names like ochre and chartreuse.

As people of faith, we must learn to be like David, and not allow our ~ DW prayers to be as limiting as a box of 8 Crayola's. Our honesty with God should be a colorful experience.

Delois Walker

Always Remember One thing that’s true is while we change from day to day, God’s word stays the same. If we would just breakdown the simplicity of being a Christian, we would truly believe that God has given us the instructions on what to do, how to live our lives, and that even though we may go through our struggles, disappointments and pain, God’s love is ever present.

God is asking us, “Do you trust me enough to do what I promised I would do”? God’s paved the way, but will you have the faith to believe?

Heavenly Father, We thank you for surrounding us with your Holy Spirit, for comforting us in our times of need. You are a present help in our times of trouble and you never leave us nor forsake us. We know that with you all things are possible. Forgive us Father for we have taken your word lightly and went our own way.

We will receive the promise from you that if we obey your commandments we will be blessed. ~ MEM

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Often times, I’ve wanted things done my way and within “my” timeframe.

I’ve made decisions on my own that weren’t always right. But it was in those times God forced me to lean on God. It was in those times when I found myself on my knees in prayer. Through my own experiences, God has shown me God’s strength, power, love and grace. God has proven that even when everything else fails and falls beneath me, God will never let me fall. What I know is “God will prepare you for what God has prepared for you.”

When you make mistakes, when you can’t see the goals “yet”, you have to know that because of your faithfulness...God will do just what God said!

Rev. Maria E. Muse

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Psalm 25:4-9

Yes Lord

PRAYER CORNER

There are two words that every believer should be ready to embrace as often as necessary. These two words are “Yes Lord.”

If you have ever felt the spirit of God impressing upon you to do something, you are not alone. Often times, God will unction us to move in a new direction or stretch out in an unfamiliar area. Our first mind may be to just ignore God. Today, I want to encourage you to answer God’s call with “Yes Lord!”

We may think that we are unworthy or not qualified to do God's bidding. I heard a message in which the minister stated that God doesn't call the qualified but rather God qualifies the called! I believe that there may be someone reading this today that God is calling to a higher calling. Don’t allow the moment to pass as just a thought in your mind. Listen carefully and you too will hear the voice of God. Your answer should be “Yes Lord”!

David gives us a reminder that God is merciful to us and does not remember our past when we give our lives to God. God will not allow us to be made ashamed when we place our soul in God’s hands.

Dear God, in the name of Jesus we ask you to help us recognize your voice and respond with Yes Lord when you call us to action.

Give us a spirit of obedience to your will for our lives. Equip us to share your word with others so that the Kingdom will increase and that sinners will come to know you. Our lives are only rewarding when we allow you to lead and guide us through this earthly journey. You alone are worthy of our allegiance. Amen.

Pastor T. Marc Gandy

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

~ TMG

Matthew 5:17-19

God’s Law is LOVE If we love God, we will keep God’s commandments, not pick and choose.

So many of us in today’s society, just as in ancient times, like to pick and choose which commandments of the law to follow, while judging and condemning others who sin differently from us. However, we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. No one sin is greater than the other-sin is sin!

There are others who place the law above God. They know it and follow it to a tee, yet have no compassion, no love, no forgiveness within them.

Jesus has come in order to fulfill the law which brings about salvation, forgiveness and love and truth-which had been lacking from the Law for so long.

So while we are in this season of Lent, let us look inwardly and reflect and ask God to expose to us how we are like those who love the law above everything else. Let us remove from our hearts those things which hinder us from engaging in true fellowship with God’s people, that allow us to pick apart those who sin differently than we do, that allows us to be separated from God’s will. God’s law is LOVE! Rev. Christina Dawn Reed

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Dear God, Please open our hearts and spiritual eyes that we may see how we have not followed Your law and will. Please allow us to be better stewards of Your law by loving one another, forgiving one another, and praying for one another. Please remove from us any stumbling blocks that keep us from truly engaging in fellowship with Your children. Let our walks be a reflection of your love and grace so that we may be able to enter into Your reigndom.

This we ask in Jesus’ Name, Amen. ~ CDR

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

PRAYER CORNER

Matthew 5:17-19

Law Fulfilled Jesus, Fulfills the law. It is God’s Son explaining the law of God. God’s law is just like God—inflexible, unchangeable, and eternal. Jesus reiterates this scripture.

Thank you God for your boundless love, your unmerited favor, unlimited mercy and grace but most of all for Jesus. Amen

It is as valid as when God gave it to Moses on Mount Sinai: the Ten Commandments (Deut. 5: 6-21) because they are part of the natural law, for people to live in society in peace and justice.

Jesus did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill. He tells us that love is the fulfillment. There are really three laws not two; two are explicit and one is implicit. We are commanded to love God, our self and our neighbor.

And it is the unbreakable bond between the love of God and love of self ~ PLB and neighbor that is the key to making love the fulfillment of the law.

Jesus is the personification of love He fulfills the law. Jesus is both the fullest expression of God’s love for us, and our response to that love.

The whole content of Christianity can be expressed in Jesus, who is the medium and the message. When we say Jesus, we said it all.

Rev. Pamela L. Bell

The Heart of the Law

God you are such a great God! Your world is a lamp for our feet, and a light for our path. As I read your word, show me your will for my life through your word. Holy Spirit, sweep over my mind, body and soul. Make me one with thee through your word.

In Jesus Name, Amen. ~ RS

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The distinction between the civic, ceremonial, and moral laws of the Mosaic code is not so clear in Scripture. However, the distinction is a helpful tool for applying this law to our lives today. We study the Mosaic law to learn what God would have us do in Christ.

This law has been written on our hearts thanks to the Holy Spirit, though we still certainly struggle doing it.

As we go through this Lenten season with our mind and spirits focused on contemplative action, let us continue to read God’s word. We must also contemplate our present and future actions as we move forward in the favor of God. Rev. Ramon Stripling

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Jeremiah 7:23-28

Be Sure of Our Focus THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Let us focus on the voice behind the cross.

We are blessed to live in a time of extraordinary human achievement and advancement. We are witnesses to, heirs of, and participants in the manufacturing processes of the Divine directive: to replenish and subdue the earth.

The new things: cell phones, I-pads, I-phones, etc.; advances in medicine, enabling healing practitioners to more accurately diagnose and treat; technologies such as powerful telescopes; enabling humanity to view new stars and solar systems being formed in stellar incubators; revealing, perhaps, that God is still creating.

With the speed and multiplicity of ways we communicate, is it easier for our focus to be deflected? Is it more tempting to succumb to religious slogans; rituals and modes of worship which inspire some of us to come to God’s house? Can we hear the right voices over the myriads of voices in our ears?

The people of the scripture failed to hear the right voices; voices of the servants and the prophets; or the voice of God: Our symbols cannot become a substitute for a genuine encounter with God. Being sure of our focus is to not allow the creation to obscure the Creator. We must be sure to listen for the right voices.

PRAYER CORNER

Oh Lord our God; creator of all things open our eyes that we may see and know that you are still working. In the name of Jesus: Amen ~ LPL

Rev. Lawrence P. Lakey

A Heart of Obedience THOUGHT FOR TODAY: God gives us a heart to serve you with our whole heart.

How many times have you been told to do something one way only to chose to do it your way? As a parent when my kids were younger, I know I must have made these statement a million times. Clean your room or else!

Please don’t slam that door! Usually a warning followed like, the next time I say it there will be consequences. As is custom, children often don’t hear you until you meet out the punishment.

As believers, we are often like that. We hear God speaking to us and giving us warnings but we want to do things our way. We think we know better. Even when we know that heeding Gods word makes our life better or well, we often chose the hard way. We forget that following after Christ leads to victory.

In this season of Lent as we reflect on what thus says The Lord, let us have a heart of obedience and a clear mind to discern the things of God. When we hear and obey God’s word for our lives we benefit and all around us benefit us as well.

Minister Kathy Hodge Davis

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Father search our hearts and clear our minds so that we are free to follow and serve you. Give us a heart of obedience and help us to turn from evil. Help us to blot out all those things that may cause us to stumble and fall and renew in us a right spirit. ~KHD

Thursday, March 12, 2015

PRAYER CORNER

Jeremiah 7:23-28

Saying Goodbye Boys II Men said it best, when they said, “it’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.” Too often we have baggage in our lives that we need to let go of and or say goodbye to.

Gracious Heavenly Father, it is on this day that we thank you and give you all praise. We ask for strength so that we can purge the baggage out of our lives so that we can be in a closer relationship with you. Leaving the past in behind and moving towards the future. It is in the malicious name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen. ~ RNS

Jeremiah 7:24 is a case in point when it talks about “looking backward rather than forward.” It’s time to say good bye to some of the excess baggage in our lives. We’ve held onto this baggage and it’s become an albatross around our necks. Because of this, many things that we have held onto affect us in life and keep us from being obedient in our relationship with God. In this season of lent, we can open up our heart, mind and soul, thereby purging ourselves from baggage and respond to the correction of God. It’s time to renew ourselves in truth so that we may have a spiritual ear that can hear the voice of God and become obedient to God’s will. I encourage you to renew yourself in God and it begins with just saying “Goodbye.”

Minister Rickdrieka N. Sanders

Would You Have To Change?

Gracious Lord, forgive me for not seizing every moment for your glory. Help me to be a good steward of my time. Enable me to freely share my faith and demonstrate Father, I desire more.

More of your presence, more of your wisdom, I desire you! By your grace and mercy cleanse us from the need of meaningless rituals to appease the flesh of man and continually insult the heart of God. Lord God, I thank you that you will hear our cry and will surely answer “Here am I” AMEN. ~ CRK

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It is said that a woman once asked John Wesley how he would spend the next day if he knew that he was going to die the following evening. Wesley replied, “Just as I intend to spend it now. I would preach this evening at Gloucester, and again at five tomorrow morning; after that I would ride to Tewkesbury, preach in the afternoon, and meet the societies in the evening. I would then go to Rev. Martin’s house, who expects to entertain me, talk and pray with the family as usual, retire to my room at 10 o’clock, commend myself to my heavenly Father, lie down to rest, and wake up in Glory.”

It is certain that if the Lord does not return, all of us will one day reach the final day of our lives. Very few people know in advance exactly when that day is going to be. As a result, it is important that we spend our lives and invest our resources in doing the things that truly matter. Life can easily be filled with the meaningless and trivial to the point where nothing worthwhile or eternal has room to be included. Knowing the uncertainty of life we need to take full advantage of the unique opportunity each day presents— an opportunity that will never be repeated. Someone wisely said, “A wasted life is nothing more than a bunch of wasted days put together.”

Rev. Cassandry Redmond-Keys

Friday, March 13, 2015

Mark 12:28:34

What Really Matters THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Loving God and others is what really ma ers When I was growing up, my ambition was to become a Registered Nurse. I had this great passion at a young age to help others, I found myself taking care of my younger siblings, and other family members when they were ill.

Due to unforeseen circumstances I did not become a nurse, but I continued to have that desire to help and serve others. We make our plans but God always has His plans for those who are in Him. Jeremiah 29:11, ”I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Later in life I learned that, what really matters was being who God intended me to be.

When we begin to understand the concept of God’s plan for our lives we will learn to follow and obey His commands, instead of making excuses and blaming others for our shortcomings.

PRAYER CORNER

Most merciful Father, help us to love you and our neighbors with genuine and caring hearts. In Jesus name. Amen. ~ EK

The command to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength is simply to remind us that God is what really matters for he alone holds the key to our todays and tomorrows, you will also understand what it means to love your neighbors as you love yourself, which is treating others as you would have them treat you and more.

Rev. Eloise Knox

I Will Always Love You THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: In this Season of Lent, we are called to contemplative action. This call begs the question do we love God with every fiber of our being and do we, in fact, really love our neighbor? Or are we really looking out for ourselves? How do we communicate this to those we encounter so they know we are Christians by our love?

We live in a nation that touts love, but is fraught with strife and division.

We rang in 2015 with marches and protests echoing the decades past rallying cry, “I Am a Man,” codified in the contemporary phrase, “Black Lives Matter,” as crooked cops literally get away with murder. We welcomed the New Year with threats to healthcare to some of the most needy and vulnerable as stockholders in healthcare and pharmaceutical companies skate by with impressive dividends. We read about women’s rights being summarily repealed and disregarded by men with rudimentary understanding of women’s issues. We continue to witness the mass incarceration of Black boys and Black men for nonviolent crimes and in which justice is not colorblind, while offenses committed by Whites are virtually overlooked. Everyone, in their own way, declares their love of God. But where is the evidence, when on the opposite side of one’s momentous gain is another’s mournful loss?

It is only when our cognitive understanding of the this great commandment to love is matched by our sacrifice of self for others for the sake of the name of our Great God, can we truly say we love God with all our heart, soul, mind and being; and also say we love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

Rev. Charlie R. Jones, Jr.

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Please help us to die to ourselves daily, so that we may daily increase our lives in You and our witness for You. ~ CRJ

Saturday, March 14, 2015

PRAYER CORNER

Hosea 6:1-6

Genuine Rela onship Far too often on our spiritual journey, we take The Lord for granted. We seek God’s favor, but not to be in intimate relationship with God. During this Lenten season, we must reevaluate our motives and behaviors, our desires and priorities and return to the place where we desire to...long to truly know God. Our sacrifices and offerings are futile if they are devoid of a heart for The Lord. God wants our love, and God wants us to know the Him.

Lord, forgive us when we are fickle with our love for you, and we fail to be consistent in our relationship.

You have shown us your power, yet we still push the envelope of “This is my earnest plea…more love, oh Christ to thee. More love to thee; more love to thee!" (Elizabeth Prentiss,1856) your patience. Yet despite our sinful actions, you still love us Rev. Valencia Edner unconditionally. Lord, thank you for the blessing of being able to return to you and to establish a right relationship with you. For when we do, you heal, restore and refresh us. There is no better place than your presence, and we long to be closer to you day by day. Help us to love you more, and to seek your face daily, in Jesus name, Amen ~ VE

It’s Time to Change the Way We Do Business

Holy and everlasting father, we give thanks for all you bring to us in this season, you gave so much for us on the cross. Grant us strength Lord as we really think about our lives. Help us to run back to your arms through the repentance. Amen

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: In order to change business as usual, we must consider how we do business with the Lord.

In this season of Lent, we all have a unique opportunity to recommit ourselves with a sense of purpose to the Lord. The prophet Hosea calls out to the people of Israel. They wandered far away from the Lord and here God issues a call for them to come back to God. However, this call was significant because the prophet calls both a personal and national revival.

They became comfortable and they had forsaken the way of the Lord and turned away from God to worship the idols and false gods of the Canaanites.

We are all called to a time of repentance during lent. Alone with the prophet asking for Israel to repent, he shared that there will be judgment for them if they refuse to turn back to God. As remember the sacrifice of the Savior, confess, repent, and receive forgiveness for whatever we have done against God and others. We are still called for Repentance.

~ KS Rev. Kordell Sims, Sr.

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Sunday, March 15, 2015

John 3:14-21

Look Up and Live THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Salvation is not as difficult as we often make it. Let us receive God’s grace through faith and simply look to God, accepting the provisions God has already made, through Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 3:14-21 is a theologically rich monologue of Jesus on salvation.

Jesus makes comparison of His sacrificial act of being lifted upon a cross, to the bronze serpent referenced in Numbers 2:4-9.

Like the Israelites, we too have been bitten by the deadly, poisonous and destructive nature of sin. Jesus is our remedy. As salvation from death and destruction came to the Israelites by God through looking up at the serpent, Jesus brings salvation to all humankind who simply “look up and live,” through His sacrificial act on the cross.

“Look up and live” means acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God and believing that he died on the cross for humanity’s sin. “Look up and live” also means looking up to God, for salvation comes from the Spirit and is from above, as Jesus revealed to Nicodemus.

Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross, motivated by God’s love, requires us to “look up and live” to enjoy its benefits. The benefits include the pardon of sins, salvation, eternal life and the escape of hell and damnation.

Let’s look to the lifted Savior and live, looking to God and not to ourselves or others. Let’s receive the grace of God and exercise our faith as we “look up and live.”

PRAYER CORNER Father, ignite in us an evangelistic spirit, causing us to be bold in our witness and intentional about sharing Christ with the lost, so that humankind may look to God’s finished work at the cross and live abundantly both on earth and in heaven. In Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN

~ BRB

Bishop Bobby R. Best

Salvation in the Light I am reminded of a time that I'd gone to dinner with friends. We were seated and the waitress taking our orders came to me. I made a simple order of two buttermilk biscuits and grape jelly with butter. My friend said to me, “that's all you're ordering, I'm gonna eat!" I told her that I had two children at home that I needed to save the money to take care of them and would eat when I got home. I'd really only come to visit with them.

After our meal we were getting our checks, the waitress told me when questioned about my check that the couple seated at the table to my right had paid for my meal, not only that but had left a $50 gift certificate at the register for me! My response was "wow, they don't even know me!"

Later at home, I was reflecting on it and told the girls about it and how it made me think of God sending Jesus to pay a debt for us that he did not owe. We didn't know him yet he gave his life for us so that we didn't have to live in the darkness of sin.

We have placed before us a simple choice of light or darkness, belief or disbelief. The single most important thing is that we have been given a choice and a single instruction as to how to get to God! Jesus wasn't sent to condemn us, he was in fact sent to restore our relationship, our kinship, our bond with God! Vicki Jay

FATHER God, I thank you for our salvation through your son Jesus Christ, I pray to be a beacon, thereby lighting the path of others to you. Lord hear my prayer. ~ VJ

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Sunday, March 15, 2015

John 3:14-21

Snap Chat

PRAYER CORNER

Gracious God and Heavenly Father Bless my mind, body and spirit on this day and the days to come, that I may boldly tell people what you did for me in Jesus name Amen.

Snap Chat is a photo messaging application. Using the application, users can take photos, record videos, add text, and send them to a controlled list of recipients. These sent photographs and videos are known as "Snaps".

Users set a time limit for how long recipients can view their Snaps after which they will be hidden from the recipient's device.

According to Snapchat in May 2014, the app's users were sending 700 million photos and videos per day, while Snapchat Stories content was being viewed 500 million times per day.

Snapchat can says a lot. Most people have pictures of loved ones in their wallets, on their walls at home, on their work desk, cell phones, and on their computers. Those pictures are an expression of how much they are loved.

John 3:16 has always been THE “SnapChat” of how much God loves us.

It’s simple, short, and to the point: “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever should believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” God’s word is like “Snapchat” in that we have a “time limit” and we can share the gospel with millions of people. I ~ DTM challenge you to use social media today like no other. Let people know who Jesus is and what he has done for you. Your “Snap Chat” may cause someone to be saved.

Rev. David T. Mliller

Look Up...Live Up...Light Up One of the most common childhood fears is being alone in the dark. And, one of the ageless uncertainties is death. “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray to the Lord my soul to keep….” and momma, “can you keep the light on?” Looking around, the world is full of a moral darkness shadowed by earthly role models, revealing their mortality and human flaws. Looking within, we face the reality that ‘in our flesh dwells no good thing’, left as perplexed as Paul, ‘trying to do what is right when evil is present all around us.’

Father, help me to look to you John 3:14-21 encourages us to Look Up! Here, we discover a sacrificial love that draws us to a light that transcends mortality and out shines the as the author and finisher of immorality around us. Like Nicodemus, we all come to Christ out of dark life styles and situations with a mere curiosity, hope and faith that this light my faith in my daily walk; to unveil a path to a new and eternal life in Him. As we ‘lift up our take refuge in you amidst my will heads…the King of Glory shall come in’ with salvation, healing and darkest fears; and to reflect deliverance. your love so that others might The love that God the Father has for God’s only begotten son enhances the value of His sacrificial love for all who just Accept, Believe and find and believe you for Confess Him as Savior. This love compels us to Live Up to His standard of eternal life. holiness in our life styles. ~ RM Finally, our reflection of Christ will Light Up in our footprints, so ‘that others may see our good works and want to glorify our Father, which is in heaven.’

Rev. Alfred L. Harrison

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Monday, March 16, 2015

Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13

Just Dance!

In biblical times, when an embarrassment or a shame came, they would mourn, putting on sackcloth and ashes in a show of public humiliation.

This was a sign to others that a great tragedy had taken place. But I am glad that the psalmist reminds us God can turn mourning into dancing.

See, dancing represents celebration and joy. Mourning is supposed to be painful and those who mourn according to worldly standards are supposed to mope and be sad. Mourning comes from a place of great pain.

When a person who has either committed a mournful act or has had a mournful situation break out in dance, it seems to go against common sense. It makes no sense for someone who has lost everything to be able to dance! It makes no sense for a grieving person to be able to dance.

The burden of mourning is heavy and restricts us from moving easily, but when we replace the heaviness with the lightness of gladness we can move with a purpose and a joy that no one can take from us! That Joy is found in casting our cares on the Lord. Regardless of whatever we may have done, be going through or have been through, Just dance!

We can begin to dance like David danced when we remember the one who turned it around! So dance in the midst of your trouble! Dance because the Lord healed you! Dance because the Lord heard your cry for help! Dance because Gods favor lasts for a lifetime! Dance because you don’t have to cry anymore! Dance and sing praises to the Lord for you know what God has brought you out of! Dance and Praise God forevermore!

PRAYER CORNER Great and Forgiving God, we are thankful for your healing!

We thank you for placing a new song in our heart. We thank you for your mercy and your favor on our lives! Place a new song in our hearts and new dance in our soul! In the Name of Jesus we pray Amen! ~ RDW

Rev. Reginald D Walton

I’m A Witness Lent can be a challenging season however it satisfies the soul upon its completion. Unlike many of the difficult seasons we face, Lent is an intentional journey we take to humble our humanity before God's divine presence in our lives through Jesus the Christ.

The psalmist in today’s devotion articulates several frustrating circumstances. However, our focus & context is that God is a healer. We do not know the full circumstance but the psalmist wanted us to know that God is a healer. In fact, some Old Testament communities even named this healing God, Jehovah Rophi.

The celebration for us today is to know though affliction may attack our bodies, families and communities, we must remember God is still a healer.

The psalmist shifts from personal testimony to corporate worship declaring, “Sing Praises To The LORD…”, suggesting to us who might currently be suffering from affliction that something better is coming. I’ve lived in Chicago all of my life and we experience some of the worst snowy, inclement weather ever. However, I know and am a witness that after the snow melts, after the salt dries up and after the earth orbits closer around the sun that Spring Time is here.

That’s probably why the psalmist declared that weeping is only for the night but joy is certainly coming in the morning. We don’t know how long this night may be but I’m A Witness that joy does come in the morning.

Continue to trust God in this contemplative experience with a steadfast hope knowing your season of joy is coming.

Pastor Dion Broughton

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God of healing power, we invite you into our lives. God we trust that if you did it before for the psalmist that you can do it again for us today. Heal again and turn our mourning into dancing, turn our sorrows into joy; for we know only you can turn it around for us. ~ DB

Monday, March 16, 2015

Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13

Crying That Turns to Joy

PRAYER CORNER

Nineteen years ago I received a call from my daughter’s teacher asking me to pick her up from school early, because she was not feeling well.

When I arrived at the school I noticed how weak she looked and knew something was wrong. After taking her to the pediatrician’s office, the doctor said; “I have an idea of what’s wrong, but I need to send her to the hospital to check the fluid on her spine.” The doctor began to explain how we would need to be with her to keep her still and calm during the procedure and said they would be able to tell instantly if the his idea was God we thank you for your right. Minutes after the procedure was done, the doctor discovered she Holiness and for your was suffering from bacteria meningitis and had a 50/50 chance to live. The attentiveness to our prayers. We doctor stated, “This is the same case you’ve been hearing about on the news.” My husband and I knew we had faith in a God that had heard our praise and thank you for turning our tears into joy. You are worthy cry before and we began to cry out to God on behalf of our daughter’s condition, along with others. The next morning my daughter woke up of the honor and the glory for asking to watch a video. showering down your favor upon In Psalm 30, David apparently suffered some type of illness where God us. God we give you praise in heard his plea and healed his body. His appreciation to God came by Jesus name Amen. praising God for bringing him through a situation that looked like death, but God said life. David exhorts the congregation to cry out to God and give ~ VPS thanks for God’s Holiness. God’s anger does not linger as long as God’s love, therefore we might cry for a while, but after the tears there’s a season of joy. David reminds us of how God can turn your weariness into a time of joy and happiness if you cry out to God and have the faith that God will hear you. As we reflect on God’s power and love, we should remember how God has kept us and dried our tears in many instances.

Even the times we felt like God didn’t hear our cry, God gave us the assurance that God was there to carry us through our situation. God has promised to be there regardless of the circumstance. Just as God delivered David through many tribulations, God will do the same for us.

Vivian P. Sullivan

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12

Living Waters…A Vision of Blessings, Healings and Life Someone is living in bondage, surrounded by chaos and drama, with seemingly no way out and no joy or hope in his or her life. Ezekiel was in a similar situation and God gave him a vision of hope through a river of living waters that would bring healing, fruitfulness and life to the people of Israel. Someone needs to hear a message of hope and encouragement, and the good news that Jesus Christ is the living water from whom all blessings, healings and life flow!

The Lord gave a vision to Ezekiel, a prophet in exile after the Babylonian army had captured him and most of the Jews. Ezekiel’s vision occurs after Lord thank you for giving us Jesus the temple in Jerusalem is in ruins and the people had no hope.

Christ, the living water. Help us to Ezekiel’s vision was about a miraculous river of hope and the source is the be renewed, restored and trans- Temple of the Lord. He described a river flowing from the Temple, a river formed by the living water; and to whose waters give healing, life and fruitfulness to everything it touches. share the living water with others. The living water is Jesus Christ! The blood that Jesus shed for our sins is a never-ending stream of forgiveness and healing. We do not have to live In Jesus name. Amen. in bondage and sin. We can victoriously rise up by having a relationship ~ TD with Jesus. Just as God gave Ezekiel a vision for Jerusalem, God wants to give us a vision and a plan for our lives and the life of the church.

The living water is still flowing with blessings, healings and life! As Christians, we are compelled to share the good news about Jesus. Give hope to someone today!

Theresa Duhart

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Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12

Wade in the Water THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Lent is a dream of holistic salvation for all.

“Wade in the water” more deeply.

Ezekiel (God strengthens) waited for Israelis in Babylon to come to him, but finally went to Chebar River where they worked (Ezek 1–10.22). After cursing them and other nations for sin (1–32), he gave oracles of salvation for all (34–48). Ezekiel led all nations to salvation. He dreamed of wading in a new river from the temple; he waded ever more deeply, and we wade toward salvation in our baptismal journeys.

Not an old river–Chebar, Eden, Red Sea, Jordan–a new dream river.

Would Ezekiel risk his future and the salvation of all nations? Will we risk our futures and wade deeply on our baptismal journeys to salvation for all?

The paradigm for a sacred river existed in Zoroastrianism, framing Revelation 22. African American slaves had to “wade in the water” to salvation. Martin Luther King Jr. waded deeply toward salvation in a new context. Lent is time to reflect on the challenge of our new salvation for all context. We undertake our baptismal journeys, adapting toward salvation for all.

St. Patrick risked his life to wade ever more deeply on his baptismal journey toward salvation for new people in a new context.

PRAYER CORNER May the Spirit pour love into our hearts toward God and enemies in our new context so we may wade more deeply in our baptismal journeys and not just skim over the surface, for the sake of our crucified, risen and coming Jesus Christ. Amen. ~ RGC

\

Rev. Ralph Garlin Clingan, Ph.D.

Living Water Flowing THOUGHT FOR THE AY: Whoever the Lord's living water touches shall live abundantly & eternally.

Ezekiel ministered during the Babylonian Exile and was himself a captive.

God showed him multiple visions. The vision of the temple which God revealed to Ezekiel began in Chapter 40 and continued into Chapter 47.

His message is a message of restoration for the people of Israel.

God revealed to Ezekiel that everything the water flowing from the temple touched would live. Captivity and exile would end and Israel would be a blessed nation again.

The images in this passage paint a beautiful picture of living water flowing. In the New Testament, Jesus promised the Samaritan woman at Jacob's Well living water. (John 4:10) He described this living water as "a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14) Jesus told the Jews who were present at the Feast of Tabernacles that "He who believes in Me as the scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." (John 7:28) What a joy it is to know that just as the Lord restored Israel and the Samaritan woman after they had sinned, we too can be restored. If Jesus touches our hearts, minds and souls with His living water, our captivity to sin will end and we shall live. Despite our past transgressions, we will enjoy abundant life in this world and everlasting life in the world to come. Thanks be to God the Father through our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ for the gift of God’s living water.

Rev. Kevin J. Agee

Lord, we thank you for your grace and mercy. We thank you for your willingness to restore fallen humanity.

Please touch all of us with your living water and cause rivers of living water to flow from our hearts. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen ~ KJA

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Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Isaiah 49:8-15

Blessed Assurance Gods timing is impeccable. It often appears to us as if God is moving at a snail’s pace. But, one must remember that time is of no concern with God. When and where God decides to move, it's always the right time and the right place.

Gods timing in our lives is often a manifestation of God’s favor, be it spontaneous or delayed. We must trust even when we can't see. Just as God was preserving Christ for something greater, often what we are enduring is also preparation for God’s future plans.

Jesus was the manifestation of God’s covenant with God’s people, he was Lord, thank you for always a clear sign that the land would be restored, the inheritances returned and being our help in trouble those wandering in perpetual darkness set free. times, our comfort in difficult There will still be those that feel as if they have been forgotten. Trials and times, and our assurance that frustrations are not new and they are not reserved for us alone. As we meander through life, we must hold on to the assurances from on high. the best is yet to come.

Just as Christ was faced with an incredible task, he was assured that the reward would be magnificent!

Amen ~ CF We can rest assure that God will never forget us! It's inconceivable for a mother to neglect her crying child, as would it be impossible for God to neglect of forget us. God is not a man that God would lie. God ASSURED us that God would never leave us nor forsake us. Though the journey seemed dark and lonely for Jesus, he had blessed assurance that restoration was near. We must take heart and know that our redeemer lives and that we have blessed assurance!

PRAYER CORNER

Rev. Cubie Finley, III

God Will Not Forget You THOUGHT OF THE DAY: Remembering God’s past faithfulness helps us to trust God with our future.

Every time I have an appointment with the dentist, I end up rescheduling.

It doesn’t matter if I have the appointment in my calendar, my Smartphone, Almighty God, we praise and glori- and my tablet; I get so caught up in what I’m doing that I still forget.

Sharon, the receptionist, calls me and says, “Mr. Terry, did you forget our fy you for the marvelous things appointment again?” Apologetically, I answer in the affirmative and say, “What’s your next open date, Sharon?” you have done. Thank you for In most cases, if a patient fails to keep an appointment with a doctor, the honoring your covenant with us; doctor is not obligated to call the house and inquire, "Where were you? never forgetting your children and Why didn't you show up for your appointment?" He simply goes on to his meeting our needs even when we next patient. Any rescheduling for future visits would be the sole responsibility of the patient that failed to meet their initial appointment. forget you. Thank you for your Instead, Sharon patiently scrolls through available dates and sets me up grace, kindness, love, mercy, fafor the next visit. Due to our long relationship, Sharon knows my tendency vor, and protection as we navigate to forget and takes the time to call me and make sure that my needs are addressed. I might forget my appointment, but Sharon doesn’t forget through the daily challenges that about me. life delivers. Lord, give us the will, Many times we neglect to meet our “appointments” with God through strength, and power to rise above prayer, worship, and service. Sometimes we are distracted and overwhelmed by what appears to be impassable obstacles, while other our circumstances and focus our times we are swiftly caught up into the hustle and flow of our lives. In spite lives for your purpose. All of these of that, our God knows our tendencies and still honors the covenant relationship that God has established with God’s people. In Isaiah 49:15, things we pray in the marvelous the Lord asks, "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no name of Jesus. Amen. compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!" Even when we miss the mark and forget God, God always ~ RST remembers us.

Rev. Raphael S. Terry

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Thursday, March 19, 2015

John 11:49-52

Broken After receiving a full Navy R.O.T.C. scholarship to attend Morris Brown College, Atlanta, GA, I entered my freshman year optimistic and energetic.

The world was my playground. I enjoyed college life, perhaps too much, and eventually turned my back on the goodness of God. I lost everything: my scholarship, my stipend, room and board, my potential for earning a commission as a U.S. Navy Officer, my friends, and literally my freedom. I had agreed to fulfill my duties as a midshipman by serving in the U.S. Navy (enlisted). I was broken, busted, drained, felt unwanted, the most depressed in my life. I shipped overseas to a Navy base in Gaeta, Italy during Desert Storm. I could not believe that my life had made such a downward spiral, to a point of “nothingness.” My father, the late Dr. Henry R. Delaney, would always say, “If you work for Satan, he will pay you, but if you work for the Lord, God will pay you.” How true!

Upon completing my tour “Operation Desert Storm” in the U.S. Navy, I felt compelled to complete my undergraduate degree at Savannah State University. I was a fulltime student and worked two jobs as I struggled to pay bills while living in my one bed room, broke down little apartment with a 1970s refrigerator and stove. One day, my mother called me. I expressed my frustration about God’s purpose for my life. My mother, Rev. Ethel Y. Delaney, told me to open my Bible and read Philippians 4:13. At that moment, in 1993, I felt a sense of joy and comfort that was accompanied with peace and purpose. I knew that God loved me in spite of my current brokenness. I could not imagine that I could experience so much assurance even though all of the odds seemed against me.

As I survey the annals of my life, I encourage you that God can turn your brokenness into blessedness! Don’t give up, never give up! Peace & Blessings.

PRAYER CORNER

"Father I stretch my arms to thee , no other help I know. If thou withdraw thyself from thee, wherever shall I go...no where Lord.

Please keep me mindful of your grace and mercy I pray, in Jesus' Name." ~ KE

Rev. Keith Ellison

God Turned It THOUGHT OF THE DAY: Although fear may rule, God still reigns!

How often have we made decisions based on fear? In fact, if we take a look at our lives we will discover that some of the places we’ve arrived to have been results of the decisions we’ve made out of fear.

It was fear that caused Caiaphas to come to the conclusion that it would be to their advantage to allow one person to die than the whole nation be destroyed. As a result of this decision, Jesus would be sacrificed as a peace offering to those they feared.

I’ve come to discover that life can be a scary place. In this adventure that we call life, there is always an element of the unknown and fear does arise. However, in this reflection I want us to rejoice in the fact that we have a God who takes our fears, turns them, and makes them tools for the future. Although fear may rule, God still reigns.

Rev. Michael T. Malcolm

God of all creation, I come to you broken, I come to you humiliated, and I come to you hopeful. I realize that I’ve made decisions because I was afraid. I’ve both hurt myself and others through the decisions I’ve made. But God, I’m hopeful! I’m hopeful because I realize that you can turn it for your good and your glory. Turn it God, in Jesus name. Amen! ~ MTM

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Thursday, March 19, 2015

John 11:49-52

A Covenant Call to Unity This Lenten season is more than a call to personal repentance and holiness. It is a call for oneness within the Body of Christ. A time to put into practice the call and exhortation of John 11:49-52 which is a call for the scattered children of God to become one. The Gospel of John reminds us that the reason for Jesus’ death is for the unity of God’s children. This call for unity among divided humanity is the ultimate call and desire of God. For this reason he sent Jesus into the world, so that by dying and rising the Spirit of love would be given to all his people. A theme that goes back to the time of the Prophet Ezekiel when God’s people were divided and God made covenant to “..be their God, and they shall be my people. Then the nations will know that I the Lord sanctify Israel” (Ezekiel 37:15-28).

This same call to unity is what Christ prayed for on the eve of his crucifixion as he petitioned God for his disciples and all who believe in him, that “they would become one” (John17:20-21). This then is the basis for our Lenten call for reconciliation and unity within the Body of Christ. How then can the church remain divided, if we claim to have been buried through baptism in our Lord’s death? That is the reason this Lenten season is a call for the Body of Christ to take upon itself the task of working for Christian unity with conviction and vigor. Let each of us take upon ourselves this call as a duty of our collective Christian conscience and pray for that unity which has as its divine and unrelenting call, the Trinitarian unity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

PRAYER CORNER

Almighty God, we pray that guided by your Holy Spirit in the way of reconciliation the Body of Christ may become the worlds’ radiating sign of unity for all peoples. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. ~ JTM

Rev. Dr. James T. Morris

To Die For The People THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: What are some words or actions that are hindering your walk with Christ or your witness as a Disciple? Is there a need to lay them down at the foot of the Cross in repentance and prayer?

I am writing this Lenten Devotion on the anniversary of my marriage to my late husband. One of the highlights of the days preceding his untimely death was our attendance at a local Baptist church with our son. The minister admonished the men, "Husbands love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her". (Eph. 5;25). My husband, Paul, looked at me and smilingly declared his love for me. A few months prior to that, he told me, “I love you enough to lay down my life for you."

Although he didn't have to sacrifice his life for mine, his words echoed the great love and sacrificial blood shed by Jesus Christ for the salvation and redemption of a lost and dying world. Perhaps a good man or good woman will die for a person, a cause or a nation. Over the centuries many courageous people have sacrificed their lives and countless others still do to this day. In other countries, persecuted Christians are dying for their faith.

But only one life . .perfect, sinless, fully divine and fully human, could make individuals and nations holy. Only one life, that of Christ, could rise from the dead in triumph in order to make His church holy "by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word." (Eph.5:26b). The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and remembering our baptism, empowers and calls us to let those things die symbolically within us that are no longer useful, fruitful, or truthful for a child of God, and even hinder our walk with the Lord. The death of Christ has given us new life, new hope, new faith, and one day, a new, eternal home in heaven. Just as God used the prophecy of Caiaphas to go beyond what he believed, God can use our words and actions to touch others beyond even our own abilities and finite understanding.

Rev. Eleanor Ayana Morgan

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Heavenly Father, Create in us new hearts and renew your righteous Spirit within us. In Jesus' name, Amen. ~ EAM

Friday, March 20, 2015

Psalm 34:17-22

God Is Listening

PRAYER CORNER

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Take hold of the promise!

Have you ever wondered when the struggle would end? No affliction. The smooth success of life? I have. Always the struggle not the victory. No one ever listens to your plight no attention given to you?

Lord, as I fast, may I come to you with a fresh heart and a renewed understanding of what it means to seek You with my whole being. Break every chain that holds me captive and apart from what You would have me to be.

Amen ~ JMJ

Today is the day you waited for. No matter what you may face today you woke up! That means something, know that all things are working for your good. Yes you have sinned, fallen short of God's glory. The affliction you are dealing with each day seems to be stronger and not only that, but more troubles and trials seem to add on and you just don't know what to do! We all face it not you alone.

The word of God states that "Many are the afflictions of the righteous ..."

Psalms 34:19. So take comfort in knowing as you live a righteous life afflictions will come. Today you are delivered from them all! A friend of mine who is also pastor always reminds me "God can fix it so your troubles won't trouble you no more". Cry out to The Lord today, God is listening!

Rev. Christopher A. Hale

Setting Free

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Sometimes we can only be set free after we are changed from the inside out.

One of my pastimes is modding, or modifying electronic devices.

Electronic devices, no matter how sleek, sexy, and sophisticated they appear, always come with a certain number of pre-loaded applications that are rarely needed, but which still consume memory and resources. Once the unnecessary applications are removed, the devices invariably function more efficiently. Modding sets the devices free.

Today’s passage reminds us that sometimes in life, we find ourselves in similar situations. Sometimes, despite our best actions or intentions, we approach an attractive, alluring, or appealing situation only to realize that it carried with it many unknown troubles, trials, or tribulations. Indeed, Almighty God, we come to you with our pride, our ego, and our vanity, we David, who obediently killed Goliath and began what promised to be an illustrious military and regal career, is said to have written this Psalm while come to you with our stiff necks, self in a cave, hiding from his pursuers.

-righteous attitudes, and unrepentant Many of us read this passage and receive a message of reassurance that spirits. As we surrender ourselves to God ordains the triumph of the righteous over the wicked, but there is you, we Thank You that for your Gift more to be gleaned from this. As we study the text, we see that the word of freedom. We Thank You for the often translated as “delivers” could more accurately be translated as “severs,” or “sets free.” This slight nuance in translation can lead to a gift of Jesus, through Whom we can be set free, through Whom we can be tremendous shift in our understanding. What if, instead of looking to God for deliverance from troubles or afflictions, what if we were to plant our modified – through Whom we can be faith so firmly, so steadfastly in God’s Word and Gods’ promises, that we remade, born anew, and finally made were to find ourselves severed, or set free, from the press of those fit for service to you. Empower us, troubles or afflictions?

God, to keep our focus not on the Electronic devices are modified by reprogramming their insides so they’re unnecessary things of this world, but not bogged down with unnecessary activity. Once that’s done, they are able to more efficiently serve the owner’s purposes. What if we who call always on You, that we may be ourselves children of God were to use God’s Word to modify our insides – eternally modified and remain fit to our hearts and minds and spirits – so that we are not bogged down in unserve you. This we ask in the Unnecessary activity, but are available and able to more efficiently serve changing Name of Jesus Our Lord.

God’s purposes? What if, instead of looking to God for Deliverance in Amen. times of trouble, we instead used God’s Word and God’s Promises to continually and perpetually be set free from those things which have the ~ CGP potential to trouble us?

Rev. Cassandra G. Perry

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Friday, March 20, 2015

Psalm 34:17-22

The God Who Comforts THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: As a parent pities their children, even so the Lord pities those who fear God. The story is told of a group of little girls who collected porcelain dolls. Early one evening after school one of the little girls called her friends to report that she had accidently broken one of her dolls. She was broken, distraught and needed the comfort of her sisters. One by one the others explained that there was no way for them to get out on a school night, but one of the little girls persisted with her pleading until her mother relented with the caveat that because it was a school night she could only stay one hour.

The mother waited patiently as the one hour came and went. The mother’s patients wore thin as two and a half hours later her daughter finally came back. It was almost dark when her little girl made it back home. The mother tried to control her anger when she asked what took her so long and did they get the doll fixed? To the mother surprise, she said no, it couldn’t be fixed. The mother proceeded to ask why did you then stay so long then? The little girls reply I didn’t go to fix it; I went to sit with her. God come to sit with us when we can’t fix what is broke.

We may try unsuccessfully to fix all kind of things- toys, furniture, our past sins and failures, even present relationships- and end up frustrated by failure and surrounded by broken things. Our lives are surrounded by brokenness, things that we cannot make right. Only the Lord can restore what was lost, and that is what he does, more than can be imagined. The Lord is close to those whose hearts are breaking; God rescues those who are humbly sorry for their sins (Psalms 34:18)

PRAYER CORNER

God of grace and God of all comfort we thank you for your unfailing love. Your faithfulness is as high as the heavens and your mercies are endless. Heavenly Father continue to remind us that as we encounter failures and brokenness from our sins and imperfections that you have promised us that as we mourn our falling short of your glory that you are near to all who are of a broken spirit and a broken and contrite heart. Amen. ~ GH

Rev. Gerald Hudson

Saturday, March 21, 2015

John 7:40-53

Redemptive Faith THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: “If God can redeem Nicodemus, God can redeem you!”

“Who’s That Girl” was a popular television show in the 1970s featuring Mary Tyler Moore. Ms. Moore starred as a transplant from suburban Minnesota to the big Metropolis of Minneapolis to begin a life anew, leaving behind a life not so desirable. She let behind an old beau, old friends, old job, and old lifestyle to seek out something new. She believed that her life could be redeemed, so she changed her locale, her friends and her employer.

During this season of reflection, fasting and pursuit of redemption, it is imperative that redemption seekers know who holds the power to redeem.

Redemption seekers must believe in the identity of Jesus as Prophet and Messiah. Many in the crowd were unclear of identity of Jesus. Some knew who he was and wanted no harm to come to him, other’s quite the contrary.

There will be people in your crowd who will not understand this Messiah in which you seek your new identity. They won’t understand because they will be too caught up in trivial things, such as his birthplace or his parents and with whom he decides to communicate.

When life has not given you satisfaction, don’t listen to the doubting crowd, search for the faith that redeems. Redemptive faith will cause you to go against the crowd and will cause you to go places you have never been.

Redemptive faith will cause those familiar with your past to ask the question, “Who’s that Girl?” or “Who’s that Guy?” When you are looking to leave behind a life that is undesirable, I suggest you search for the REDEEMER. If God can redeem Nicodemus, He can redeem you!

Rev. Delmetria Cayson Combs

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Redeeming God, thank you for your redeeming power. Thank for seeing beyond my past, forgiving those things that have not pleased you and affording me this opportunity to be redeemed. My identity will forever be changed because of your redemptive love. Amen. ~ DCC

Saturday, March 21, 2015

PRAYER CORNER Heavenly Father, we come thanking you for your grace.

We know that you are not a God of disorder but of peace-as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people. Empty us so that we may be filled with the Holy Spirit. Give us an open heart and open mind to work together to seek ways to serve others and to build your church. AMEN

John 7:40-53

Division Among the People In this scripture, when the people assembled asking questions about Jesus, some believed, others were hostile and others disqualified him as being the Messiah because they had been informed he was from Nazareth, not Bethlehem. This triggered a division and dissension among the people concerning Jesus because the information differed from what they believed to be true. On the other hand, the Pharisees saw themselves as an elite group that alone had the truth, and they resisted the truth about Christ because it was not theirs to begin with. Even after hearing Jesus speak, their pride interfered with their ability to reason. To save face, they continued their efforts to find fault with Jesus.

So often miscommunications can cause a division, even confrontation, among us based on what we believe to be true. Sometimes information is not communicated as well or timely as it could have been or perhaps the message was misinterpreted. It is easy to think that we know the truth and that those disagreeing with us do not have any truth at all. There is no place for pride, self-centered or narrow minded attitudes. We must be diligent in our efforts to seek what is true and to eliminate confusion. It is important that we embrace each other and accept that we are one body in Christ with many gifts to be used individually and collectively for His glory.

Cheryl L. Johnson

~ CLJ

The Obstacles Toward Beloved Community

O LORD, our GOD, we thank you for creating the space to realize the obstacles toward "beloved community" for our world. With that in mind, we pray that, in our acknowledgement, we will receive the courage, strength, wisdom, patience, assurance, and focus to tear down the walls of division, ignorance, unbelief, and injustice.

This way, unity, appreciation for our heritage, and justice will center us in our movement toward wholeness in our world. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen and Ase'. ~ LJW

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In our call to contemplative action, one of the things that we must examine are obstacles that prevent us from becoming a loving, just, and righteous society or as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. coined "beloved community". We see the challenges we face with the prevalence of disorder, ignorance, lack of focus and interest, and complacency.

Our concerns with materialism, status, pointless arguments/disputes, and obsession with the afterlife instead of the daily anxieties and struggles that everyday people face further complicates our quest to reclaim our role in not only becoming worried with the issues inside the four walls of the church, but also the outside.

As the Gospel of John records in 7:40-53, we find several obstacles from "beloved community" becoming a reality. Here, we see that conflict between Jesus and his opponents, the Pharisees and chief priests, intensifies as Jesus carries out God’s purpose toward wholeness in community. Based on this truth, division exists among the people, especially in understanding the purpose and origin of Jesus' ministry. This challenge presents an identity crisis as the second obstacle, in which the relevance of Jesus is misunderstood. Finally, unbelief pervades the minds of the religious leaders, thinking that someone who was not from Jerusalem was not worthy enough to be respected.

In other words, our world today deals with the same challenges with which the text dealt. Therefore, when will we confront the division of race relations around us? When will we become honest in our unbelief that we can work toward a greater and healthy world? Finally, when will we learn and understand who we are, as God's children, and our responsibility to God's creation in this land? It is with this self-examination that we determine whether we are improving ourselves to enhance the existence of our brothers and sisters around us.

Rev. L. Jonathan Wilder

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Hebrews 5:7-9

PRAYER CORNER

Jesus Understands We all face difficult moments in life. Times when we can't make sense of what's happening in our lives or even in the world around us. Times when we waver between going on and giving up trying to understand how we take another step forward. We don't understand when we've done all we can, given our best and yet our relationships deteriorate, our finances dry up or our health fails. It seems every time we take one step forward we're pushed back two. We try to hold onto hope in the midst of confusion wondering if anybody understands what we're going through.

Well the good news is when no one else understands, Jesus does. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus understands our struggles because Jesus has walked in our shoes. Jesus endured hardship and disappointment, Jesus had to wrestle with the 'whys' of suffering and the desire to avoid what lie in front of him. But despite his cries for relief Jesus never wavered in his confidence in God or in God's love for him. Even though he desired an end to his suffering he trusted and willingly submitted to the plans God had for him. And now Jesus sits as the High Priest making intercession for us understanding where we are and what we're going through. So be encouraged when no one else understands rest assured Jesus understands and Jesus is praying for you.

Loving God, help us to never forget that when we feel alone and confused you are ever present with us, you see our struggle and understand our pain.

In those times help us to trust you completely even when we don't understand the 'why', realizing that our present circumstances don't determine our future glory. Amen ~ KDA

Rev. Karen D. Anderson

Bowing in Humble Submission We often hear it read in church resolutions that “we bow in humble submission to the will of Almighty God,” but often we miss the strength of that statement. In this portion of scripture we are reminded of the deity and humanity of Christ. The God in Him knew what was necessary, but the man in Him did not want to bear the pain and torment that lie ahead. He earnestly prayed for the bitter cup to pass from Him, but He made a declaration to bow in humble submission to the will of Almighty God. We, too, must be willing to do the same.

As believers, it is pivotal that we understand that our suffering does not take away from us being the sons/daughters of God. Our suffering does not diminish our value in the sight of the Father. Jesus was still the Son of God and as such He understood the necessity of being obedient to the will of God. Our life’s journey will sometimes cause us to feel weakened and powerless, but we can not lose sight of the promises of God. It was through His suffering that Jesus was perfected. Be encouraged today for bowing in humble submission will cause you to rise in unprecedented glory. Christ could not become the author of our eternal salvation until He was obedient in the way of the cross. Your ability to become all that God has purposed you to be hangs on your willingness to submit and obey.

The glory that is coming will far outweigh your season of suffering.

Rev. Dale D. Dennis, III

Merciful God, I thank you for choosing me to be a part of your divine will. I pray now that you will help me to bow in humbly submit to your plan for me. I recognize the journey will not be easy, but I thank you for reminding me that I am your child. Let your will be done in my life. In the name of Christ, I pray. Amen. ~ DDD

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Sunday, March 22, 2015

Hebrews 5:7-9

Prac cing Obedience As Prayer

PRAYER CORNER

Savior like a shepherd lead us…

Early let us do thy will…Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are, Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus…Hear, o hear us when we pray.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: What if Jesus, in his flesh, succumbed to the cup passing?

The church exists because of Christ’s obedience as human, not as divine son. It’s this obedience unto death, which paid the way for all of humanity to gain access unto God. The cross was brutal punishment, filled with ignominy resulting in innocent bloodshed and death. Jesus felt the load of sin, felt forsaken, felt the agony of suffering and felt humility through humble obedience to the will of God. He sought God in prayer, God heard His “My, Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me” but God answered Him, “yet not what I want but what you want.“

God chose not to deliver Christ from death, but through Jesus’ submission, Jesus modeled practicing obedience as prayer by showing us obedience ~ NO doesn’t come easy. As believers, God will not always deliver us from our own sicknesses, pain, sufferings, failures, rejections, disappointments or afflictions. However, we can be encouraged through praying unto God that through humanity’s road to salvation, we see familiar signs of sicknesses, pain, sufferings, failures, rejections, disappointments or afflictions and even death; yet, humbly embracing this bump in the road as God’s will for our lives. In essence, this will turn out for your good!

Pastor Nicholas O’Neal

Monday, March 23, 2015

Psalm 23:1-6

A Caring And Dependable God THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Do not be afraid of what life brings to us.

Remember to look to Almighty God for daily guidance and protection.

In our daily lives, there is always something going on around us. Whether it is global violence or personal struggles, there has never been a time when things around us are truly peaceful. It is important for us to realize that we cannot provide our own peace. Only the hand of Almighty God can extend peace to us in this active, troubling world.

Everlasting and Loving God, please continue to guide and direct our lives daily. No matter what challenges and obstacles we face in our lives, please lead us into the right direction. We are your sheep and you are our shepherd. Only you can give us renewal and strength in living our lives each day. Thank you for being a caring and dependable God. AMEN and ASE’!

Psalm 23 is a very familiar psalm. Most of the time, it is read aloud at funerals and in other occasions when many of us are experiencing pain and suffering.

During our times of sorrow, the purpose of reading this psalm is for us to receive comfort and strength from Almighty God, the One who cares for us and loves us deeply. We may experience the death of a loved one, the loss of a job or trouble in our relationships, but we cannot forget that God is there to get us through life’s challenges. Psalm 23 is a valuable reminder that God is, and remains to be, a caring and dependable God.

No matter if we, as sheep, lose our way in life or if the people we love and care about are no longer dependable, we must remember that God, our ~ JNW shepherd, will continue to guide and lead us.

Rev. Jerone Nathan Wilder

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Monday, March 23, 2015

Psalm 23:1-6

Our Endless Love In a world filled with hatred, scandal, superficiality and expressed wickedness, there seems to be a great need for us to position ourselves for this war that is raging. The song “Endless Love” reminds me of the beauty of the relationships that we should have with one another.

However, the song also reminds me of the relationship that we have with God. The writer of this Psalm passionately reflects on his relationship with God as the songsters do in this song. The writer declares that because God is our shepherd that the ills of life that stretch us and stress us do not occur in God’s absence. The psalmist proclaims that whatever occurs, good or bad, that God is always present. As a matter of fact, the psalmist encourages us to believe that even our enemies will know that God is with us in all things.

The word of this psalmist and this song are encouragement in times like these. Can’t you hear relate to the words of the song through this psalm, “my first love, there’s only you in my life - the only thing that’s right. And I, I want to share my whole life with you. No one else will do.” God is our endless love. I am very glad that God is present in this war that is raging and reminds us daily of the endless commitment to always be with us.

Who wouldn’t want to serve a God like that?

Rev. Lesha M. Agnew

Surely THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: A good life is not enough. A charitable life isn't enough. But, a Saved life is sufficient.

Psalms 23 is often recited at home going celebrations or funerals. I asked myself how Psalm 23 has brought comfort to my life and at the end of my life which would I have a home going or a funeral.

Funerals are full of crying, weeping and wondering. Was the person able to confess that he or she needed Christ? Believed in Him? Will this person get to lie down in green pastures or go down to the fiery pit?

Psalms 23:6 has brought me the most comfort, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever “. When cancer came to visit, that dreaded disease; I awoke in the recovery room and saw the somber look on my husband’s face as he told me my “fate”. A death sentence had invaded my life. Would God allow me to live through this and if not could I say with assurance that “I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever”?

Fear gripped me. I started planning my funeral. God’s promise came was brought back to my memory in Romans 8:38-39 38 “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (NASB).

I had confessed with my mouth and believed in my heart that Christ died and was raised from the dead. (Romans 8:10). I was saved. Not only from death but that fiery pit! I’d seen the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13) – no crying, nor weeping or wondering, no funeral for me – I’m going home to be with Jesus. Surely.

Carmelia Hicks

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PRAYER CORNER

God, thank you for being our first love, our endless love. Thank you for your protection, your peace and your comfort. During this season of Lent, help us to renew our commitment, increase our faith and share your love. Amen! ~ LMA

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

PRAYER CORNER

Father, I pray that you will open the ears to your people that they may believe that you are The He. Father, help our churches to be in complete unity that the world may see and believe that you are The He. Father, let us not be a church that will make others ear become death to your voice. Father, you deserve all of the glory, honor, and praise. ~ GAD

John 8:21-30

Believing That He Is He THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The equation for life and death is ‘Belief + He’ = (Everything) but ‘Belief– He’ = (Nothing). The key to eternal life is the belief that He is The He. Without this belief, according to scripture, you will die in your sin.

“Believing that He is the He” is a revelation only God can give.

The scripture tell us that ‘no one comes to the Father unless The Father draws them to Him.’ We also know that God is patient in Jesus’ return, because God does not want anyone to perish, but all to come to repentance. Therefore, “Believing that He is He” is open to everyone; however, there are those whose ears has become death to the voice of God calling. And to those who cannot “Believe that He is He,” unfortunately will die, in their sin.

Jesus said, in John 8:28, ‘when He is lifted up, then they will know that He is the He. When Jesus was about to breathe His last breath; the malfactor cried out ‘remember me when you get into paradise,’ and Jesus told him, ‘today you will be with me.’ At that moment, the theft ‘Believed that He is The He.’ Rev. George A. Dix, Jr.

Turning in the Right Direction A few years ago, filmmakers presented a movie entitled “The Wrong Turn.”

It was a horror or scary movie but it was a movie that made you think about not driving in the wrong direction or turning the wrong way. In life we make some wrong turns that leads us down the wrong path and these turns destroys our life and our families lives.

John 8: 21-30 presents a narrative that reminds us of things that must be done in order to be with Jesus. We must be mindful of the turns in our life because the wrong turn will keep you hostage in sin and the right turn will allow you to go where Jesus is going. In the text, Jesus makes a statement to the people surrounding Him by saying “I am going away. You will search for me but will die in your sin. You cannot come where I am going.” (verse 21) Jesus, why I cannot go with you? As Christians, one of our ultimate goals in life is being with Jesus but it appears that we cannot go with Him. Well ladies and gentlemen in order to be with Jesus you must be turning in the right direction. Jesus gives you directions by saying, “That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I AM who I claim to be, you will die in your sins.”

So today, ladies and gentlemen, let’s start claiming Jesus as the I AM because surely we do not want to be left behind on the road to destruction. ~ MPJ Let’s go where Jesus is going by turning in the right direction.

Lord, help us to make the right turn, so that we can be with you. Amen.

Rev. Michael P. James, Sr.

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Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Isaiah 7:10-14

PRAYER CORNER Lord, Give Me A Sign Often times we need to be shown or given proof that something is going to happen or occur. We say to ourselves, I won't believe it until I see it. We often find ourselves whether we are going through trials and tribulations or just looking for an answer in response to our prayers that it going to happen; A sign of confirmation. God knows our frailty and even in our best efforts sometimes our faith may not be as strong as it should be. I used to be an individual that said that one's faith was weak if they needed a sign to believe . But now, I realize that our Heavenly Father, is gracious and won't rebuke us for asking to increase our faith.

Ahaz was instructed to ask the Lord for a sign but he refused saying that he would not test the Lord is such manner. What things are you believe God for? What things do you need more clarity? The sign that was shown in this instance pointed to the coming Savior into the world Jesus Christ.

The Lord knows that we are weak at times. "Lord, I believe but help my unbelief. We should never be afraid to ask a gracious God for more clarity in the things that are happening in our lives.

Lord, increase my faith in you and let me not feel low when my faith is not as strong as it should. Your gracious enough to hold me by the hand and lead me along the way.

For I know whoever puts their trust in You will never have a reason to be ashamed. In Jesus name.

Amen. ~ AO

Rev. Antonio Owens

Ask God For A Sign In Isaiah 7: 10-14, the Lord spoke to Ahaz and told him to ask him for a sign, but Ahaz refused to ask for a sign. His reply was “I will not put the Lord to the test�. Ahaz did not have the faith he needed to believe God would do what God say God would do. Since Ahaz did not ask for a sign, God gave him a sign in verse 14 through the prophet Isaiah, and this sign was fulfilled when God sent Jesus the Christ to die for our sins (Matthew 1:23, and John 3:16). We are must like Ahaz, when we are in trouble or face challenges instead of going to God and asking for help we rely on self or man to see us through when we should have faith in God. There are times when I wonder if I am supposed to be in the position I am in; and when I question myself and asked the Lord for a sign, the Lord gave me a sign, letting me know that I am right where He wants me to be.

I have faith in God and in his word. Ahaz made an excuse that he did not want to bother God or put God through the test. Actually he did not want to trust God. When God tells us to do something, it is not putting God through the test; it is having faith and trusting God to do exactly what God said God will do. When we trust God, God is glorified.

Delores Hollington

Father God in the name of your son Jesus, I ask that you will never leave us or forsake us even when we do not adhere to your sign. In Jesus name Amen. ~ DH

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Thursday, March 26, 2015

PRAYER CORNER

John 8:51-59

Remembering the Words of Jesus THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: As I remember The Words Of Jesus my faith is exercised and strengthened!!

Dear Jesus, as I commit myself to your will and to your way for my life, help me to always remember that you have called me to a life of purpose. Help me to walk in your power and abandon the things in my life that does not bring you glory. I pray this prayer in the Mighty Name of Jesus! Amen.

In the pursuit of following after Jesus there are often times situations that causes one to doubt or struggle in their faith. Jesus takes the time to reassure his disciplined followers and to inform his critics of his earthly mission and purpose that if you keep his instructions you will have eternal life. Following after Jesus subjects us to open attack and ridicule as evidenced in the aforementioned scripture. Jesus was confident in who he was and what he was called to accomplish even in the face of the disbelieving and abusive Jewish leaders.

The Jewish leaders continued to mock Jesus and attempted to minimize his mission, yet, Jesus remained confident. In Remembering The Words Of Jesus, life’s battles, woes, failures, successes and problems seems to more tolerable although the situations may not immediately change, we, the redeemed to God, are given supernatural power to better handle our present lot in life. The reality is, there is power in the words that Jesus ~ CWC spoke, which results in our declared victory. In the face of adversity, Jesus remained strong in his mission. Jesus even went as far as to inform his scorners of his existence even before their father Abraham!!

The only way you can walk in continued confidence is to hear the words of Jesus, obey the words of Jesus, and to exemplify the words of Jesus.

How do you respond when your missions and purposes are challenged?

Rev. Dr. Cedric Williams-Cain

Does Your Re lection Re lect A Benevolent Person?

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: You will see the true you once you allow the great I AM to reflect His image and likeness upon you. Let us not become possessed by our possessions.

Benevolence and kindness I pray reflect from my soul’s life mirror. As I contemplate almsgiving during this Lent season I strive to find what God plans for me to do.

As I examine myself a Peace falls over me.

Enthusiastically as I gave my tithe, time, talent, first fruit, visited the sick and bereaved, counseled those with little or no hope I sensed this Peace.

I realized I should celebrate this Lent season all year, reflecting.

I declare a ceasefire when battling people, places and things that do not reflect compassion and generosity. I chose a sacred word, it is “Peace” and it allows God’s presence in my life and the life of all that believe that Jesus Christ is Lord for verily He is truly the Lord of my life. I declare for all believers Luke 2: 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Equip me Lord to be a disciple for You to accept and assists in spreading Your doctrines. We thirst to know you O God -- to know You personally for the power John 8:51-58 tells us: and depth of Your love is Obey God’s word so that you will never see death. Do not glorify yourself. immeasurable. Amen Only the Lord deserves the Glory. His word was before Abraham was ~ SBA born; He is ”I AM!”. …..In HIM I hide myself.

Rev. Sherley Bedford Allen

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Thursday, March 26, 2015

John 8:51-59

PRAYER CORNER Before Abrams Was, I AM In 1998, Jackie Chan starred in the movie "Who am I." The movie is about a group of covert CIA operatives trailing a potential new energy source who are double-crossed by a corrupt agent, who causes a helicopter crash in a remote area in South Africa. The only survivor suffers from amnesia and is nursed back to health by a native tribe who call him "Who am I" after the question he keeps asking, Who am I? Who am I? This age old question has been the defining question of humanity.

Some people are defined by possessions, position, and prestige. Some people spend their lives hungry for applause and hunting for approval.

Jesus shares with those who think he has a devil (John 8:52), I know who I am. He declares "Before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:58). This statement informs us of the past, present and future existence of Jesus. He talks about Abraham in the past tense, "was" but He talks about himself in present tense, "am." We have heard the expression like father, like son. Jesus was repeating what His Father said in Exodus 3:14.

Father thank you for the ability to recognize that your Son is whatever we need in life, bread when we are hungry, water when we are thirsty, and shelter in a storm. Amen. ~ DKB

Rev. DeAndre` K. Bell

God Alone In this passage, God is humbly identifying God-self to the Jewish land as the ‘I AM’. Defensively, they argue that no one is greater than Abraham and any of the prophets. God continues by clarifying that before Abraham was born…IT WAS ME! God assures them that I am YOUR God and you shall be my people. God promises those that follow God and keep God’s commandments to have everlasting life. In that promise God warranties, plenty of wealth to endure a lifetime. However, in return of this favor upon our lives, God expects us to keep God’s will.

In our daily walks in live, it easy for us to get sidetracked by the Devil and his wiles. However, it is our responsibilities to remember that God is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. As Christians, we are expected to obey God’s word by developing a personal relationship with God, praying, mediating and giving freely of ourselves. When we finally reach the point in life when we are willing to release our wills and lives over to God, we are guaranteed receive the gifts and blessings of his unfelling grace.

Paige Perry

Dear Lord, Continue to fill our hearts with your love and understanding that you are GOD ALONE! Impress upon our hearts that it’s vital that we acknowledge and follow your ways. Amen! ~ PP

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Friday, March 27, 2015

Jeremiah 20:10-13

PRAYER CORNER The Real Struggle

Dear LHIJ, as I struggle with my doubts and fears, help me always remember that you have promised to be with me to deliver me.

Therefore, I need not be of afraid. ~ DHP

You know you’re really in trouble when “[your] friends are waiting for [you] to slip!” Yet, that’s where the prophet Jeremiah finds himself. His focus is on the struggle coming from external sources. Still, stepping into Jeremiah’s shoes, it seems that the external resistance he faces is nothing compared to the internal resistance which plagues him.

Internal resistance is, in many cases, the real struggle that most threatens to undo us and keep us from the work to which God calls us. As such, we become stuck in the quagmire of our own doubt. Doubt that we are really who God needs. Doubt that we can be ‘successful.’ Doubt that others will take us seriously. Doubt that we have the tools and resources at hand to make a difference. Doubt that we can hear and follow the LRST’s direction clearly... Perhaps the biggest doubt is that the LRST who called us is sufficient to aid us in overcoming our struggles—internal and external.

But then, it seems that Jeremiah remembers the words spoken by the LRST when he first heard the call to serve: But the L789 said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a boy'; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the L789." (Jeremiah 1:7-8, NRSV) This remembrance of God’s presence and saving power gives him the confidence he needs to forge ahead.

Rev. Dollie Howell Panky

The Paradox of Life and Challenges

Lord help me to do what you have called me to do. Help me not to look to others for approval, but to seek ever to please you. Amen ~ MP

Every believer will experience opposition in their walk with God. Resistance may come from family members, friends or even other Christians. Reflecting on the challenges of the prophet Jeremiah, we can see that challenges are inescapable, yet even in our worst anguish we can embrace the sure knowledge that the sovereignty of God prevails. God is able to instill meaning into our most bitter pain. When Jeremiah cried out in his pain on behalf of his people, he still addressed God as 'my Comforter in sorrow” (Jer 8:18).

Like Jeremiah, when we suffer, we tend to become disheartened as we search for understanding. Faith is the thread that maintains the balance between our life as a whole and our suffering. In our suffering, faith becomes the hinge to the door of life, the vein that carries life to our soul.

In a world fraught with anxiety brought on my challenges, expectations conflicts, problems, and fears, faith is essential for our spiritual and even physical survival. We must position ourselves to strengthen our faith by constantly saturating our consciousness with the Word of God until it penetrates and fills every hollow place in our souls. Our affliction comes as a test of our profession of faith in God through Christ, and with it comes a unique opportunity for us to glorify God. Dr. Mattie Porter

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Saturday, March 28, 2015

PRAYER CORNER Breathe on me, Breath of God Fill me with life anew, That I may love what you love And do what you would do Breathe on me, Breath of God Until my heart is pure Until with you I will one will To do and to endure ~ JWH

Ezekiel 37:21-28

The Breadth of God The spirit of God is both felt and exercised in this passage. As we continue this Lenten journey, we are made aware of how essential it is to be and experience the presence of God breathing on us. God is speaking in this passage to and through us as we are reminded that we cannot escape our need for God. It is comforting to know that the ills of our culture have not and will not separate us from God. God is ever present regardless of our circumstances. Our physical and spiritual lives may be hampered by cataracts, but God’s vision is never blurred. Even when we forget and become complacent, lethargic, and content with life, God remembers who we are, where we are, and how we are fairing. God knows you. God will provide worthy leadership—leadership that will hear and heed God’s voice. This will be the authentic voice, the perfect one, the Shepherd (The Divine will speak).

Be comforted, then, in knowing that the promises of God always extend beyond our physical limitations or geographical boundaries. God’s promise to you and me is the same as it was to Israel. In other words, God will provide a David, a deliverer. God will breathe new life into our spiritual nostrils and open our capacity to breathe new breath. And when God breathes, new life comes forth, new attitudes are displayed, and new behavior takes place. When God breathes on you, you will not only be different but you will be new. God’s breath brings redemption and restoration.

This Lenten season is a good time to allow the breath of God to fall fresh on us. It’s a time of reflection and anticipation. It is a time of expectancy.

Could this be one of the reasons our Savior spent so much time praying?

Could this be one of the reasons Jesus said “Not my will, but thine?”

Could this be the breath of God cleansing, reviving, renewing, re-invigorating, repossessing and refocusing us so that we no longer walk that way, but this way—God’s way? The breath of God is contagious, available, and can and does make the difference.

Rev. Dr. J. W. Honeysucker

Be Mine

Heavenly Father, as we focus on the sacrifice of Jesus that reconciled us to You, show us ways that we can become a living sacrifice - holy and acceptable to You! Thank you for Your desire to be our God and your invitation for us to become Your people! Flow through us, show the world Your grace, love and mercy! In Jesus' Name! AMEN ~ BU

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A key verse in this passage, vs 27, "...I will be their God and they will be my people," reveals the tender heart of God toward God's epitome of creation - humanity!

The God who set the universe into motion, made the sun, the moon and the stars wants to designate people through whom God can achieve Kingdom purposes. This passage was originally addressed to the nation through whom Messiah would come. As we stand on this side of the Cross of Calvary, we can hear God's heart for you and me. God wants us to be God's people so that Messiah can come through us - through our lives, through our obedience, through our love for God and for our neighbor.

We are called upon to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the world in which we live. This is possible only through the relationship of Creator to creation - a loving, moving, breathing, working relationship - God's power, passion, compassion, strength and mercy moving through you and me!

Pastor Barbara Ulrich

Saturday, March 28, 2015

Ezekiel 37:21-28

Reconciling the Divided Self THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: I am available to experiencing my soul's reconciliation!

I remember serving a one year residency as a hospital chaplain years ago at Wesley Woods Geriatric Center in Atlanta, GA. Part of my assignment required me to facilitate a weekly psychiatry group which put me in direct contact with seniors who were 60+ years of age. On any given week, the group size ranged between 10 to 20 patients who had each been diagnosed with some form of late-life depression. Now just so we're clear, a clinical diagnosis of depression is not a simple case of an individual feeling blue and needing someone to come along to cheer them up. After several weeks of meeting with these individuals, what had become absolutely clear to me and to the licensed therapists on staff is that each and every last one of these people had at some point in their lives experienced some major emotional trauma that they, now years and some even decades later, were still trying to reconcile... a case of divided minds... civil wars of the soul.

Can you imagine the kind of angst you would feel if you had lived the entirety of your adolescent and young adult years completely at odds with yourself? To have spent much of your youth chasing after temporary fixes in an attempt to salve your own deep emotional wounds? To go from living in isolation to now finding yourself surrounded by peers with similar histories and experiences? To catch another's eye as you sit across the room listening to your own voice as you talk out loud about from whence you've come?

Such was the experience of Israel... a nation at odds with itself and its Maker with a history of pursuing temporary pleasures while trying to sort out its own questionable and difficult identity. Perhaps this season of Lent finds you too in the midst of your own soul's fragmentation and/or reconciliation as you sort out your own purpose and identity. Regardless of the circumstances you've already been through, or the one you may currently find yourself in, the hope and intrigue of the Ezekiel 37 passage is that The Almighty is the One who initiates and unfolds the reconciliatory process of bringing Judah and Israel back to God's self. If this Universal Presence can reconcile and restore an entire nation of individuals, then how much more you?

PRAYER CORNER

Eternal Presence, you have made us and you are making us even now. We are available to experiencing Your reconciling work in our lives. We seek to experience ourselves as individuals who are healed, delivered, set free, and made whole. We are so grateful and thankful for Your Presence and activity in our lives both now and always. Amen and Ase! ~ DW

Rev. Deon Wimbush

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Mark 14:1—15:47

Lead Me To Calvary THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: “Lest I forget Gethsemane, lest I forget Thine agony, lest I forget Thy love for me, lead me to Calvary.”

This passage takes us through the series of events leading to the betrayal, death and burial of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let me encourage you to read this passage in its entirety, prayerfully. We can never forget or bypass these events.

The journey of Christ to the cross was inevitable. He had to suffer the death on the cross, so that you and I might live. Without the crucifixion, there could be no resurrection.

As we approach the celebration of our risen Lord, we cannot bypass the events leading to His betrayal, death and burial. Remember, reflect, and then rejoice. “Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”

Joyce Moses Jones

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Lord, there are no words that could express my gratitude for what You did on the cross.

Thank You for Your love for me. Thank You for Your sacrifice for me. Amen ~ JMJ

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Mark 14:1—15:47

Doing Good to All We Can

PRAYER CORNER

The woman with the Alabaster Box showed her personal love for Jesus with her ability and opportunity.

Jesus was on the road to Calvary for his crucifixion for our sins when a woman showed up to give him praise and honor.

I remember Bishop P. R. Shy coming to Louisville, KY to give remarks at a funeral of Ms. Leila Tate Blakely who was the Minister of Music at the Brown Memorial CME Church. He told the church that she had done all she could do to honor and praise God as a pianist and organist for over 50 God, we thank you for giving us years. “She has done what she could,” stated Bishop Shy. When he finthis marvelous opportunity to do ished, there was not a dry eye in the sanctuary. Mrs. Blakely honored and good to all people in Jesus name. praised God with the gifts that God gave her. And such was the case with AMEN the woman with the Alabaster Box. She used her gifts to show her love for ~ CJK Jesus. We must always use what God has given us for God’s glory.

The legendary woman in our text, Mark 14:8, captured the moment and opportunity of giving honor to Jesus by anointing him. Our Lord might have excused this action rather Jesus praised it as practical evidence of her gratitude, humility, and love. Jesus said, “She has anointed my body aforehand for my burying.” When others tried to ridicule her, Jesus stopped them and honored her for blessing him. Likewise, we are called to do and be good. The work that this woman did for Jesus was good and worthy of praise and honor.

What a wonderful Savior we have in Jesus, The Christ.

Bishop C. James King, Jr.

Critics THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Honest criticism is more valuable than false compliments.

Nobody likes a critic, at least not when they criticize us. Mark chapters 1314 records that the last few days of Jesus’ mortal life were characterized by criticism of Him and criticism from Him. The passage gives a model for how to and how not to respond to criticism.

Peter reflexively and aggressively rejected every negative critique thrown at him, even when the critic was Jesus. “You’re wrong about me, Jesus. I won’t run away. I won’t deny you. What’s the big deal if I take a few naps Dear Lord, show us our place here in Gethsemane?” The habit culminated in Peter “The Rock” cussing out a servant girl for saying that he was what he was an associate of in Your will. Grant us the Jesus (which he was). wisdom to discern good from Jesus owned the truth in every criticism. “Yes, the imported perfume poured on my head might have been sold for the poor. Yes, Sanhedrin evil and the courage to I AM the Son of the Blessed. Yes, Pilate. It’s like you said. I AM receive Your truth even when Council. the King of the Jews.” spoken by our critics. In Peter was defensive because he wasn’t really certain he could be “The Rock.” Jesus was receptive because He knew He is the Messiah.

Jesus’ name, Amen.

When you fully accept your part in God’s plan, you stop fearing critics. ~ ATG You un-tense from a perpetually defensive position. When you know who you are, Whose you are, and why you are, you own the truth about yourself even when it’s delivered by critics and “haters.” Then you can bear your cross, fulfill your mission, and rise to victory in Christ.

Rev. Anderson T. Graves, II

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Monday, March 30, 2015

Isaiah 42:1-7

Extraordinarily Ordinary THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: God can take the most ordinary people and give them extraordinary lives!

The Holy Writ is full of stories that illustrate God taking ordinary people and ending up with an extraordinary outcome.

You have the story of a young David that defeats a giant of Goliath with just one stone. Then, there is Moses, who was slow in speech, but was chosen to lead God’s people out of the land of Egypt. And, though Joseph was thrown into a pit and into prison, he eventually found himself in the palace and became Governor of Egypt.

Oftentimes we look at where we’ve been and what we’re in to determine where we’re going to go and where we will be, but God doesn’t look at that. We must keep in mind that God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called. We are reminded in Isaiah 42:1-7 that when we are chosen by God, God will pour out God’s spirit among us that we may be used to set God’s people free. Now THAT is taking someone ordinary and giving them an extraordinary life.

Rev. Raushanah N. Butler

PRAYER CORNER Most Wonderful and Wise God, I thank You for seeing past my faults and bless me anyhow.

Thank You for securing the purpose that has been ordained for my life since I was in my Mother’s womb. Though I’ve made mistakes and have walked in disobedience, thank you for forgiving me of my sins that my future may be secure. And I pray this prayer in the most precious and powerful name of Jesus the Christ…AMEN!!! ~ RNB

The Journey to Justice We must face the fact that our world would be entirely different if Jesus would have processed his procession into Jerusalem and decided that he preferred the joyous celebration of the crowd rather than the acceptance of God that awaited him a few days later. During this Holy Week we are challenged to embark on a journey for justice in the model of the ministry of Jesus.

Isaiah notes that the ministry of Jesus carries a distinct pattern for living our Christianity as a journey for justice. First, the Lord has placed his spirit upon him for the purpose of bringing forth justice to the nations. Secondly, the justice is not one of making a great deal of noise or fruitlessly attacking already wounded systems but remaining focused on the pursuit of justice.

Finally, the pursuit of justice is what energizes his life and his life energizes those who are awaiting justice.

We are called by God not only to experience God’s liberating power but also to share God’s liberating power with others. Christianity is not only about receiving the best that God has for us but sharing with others that God has made a way for them to experience God’s best in their lives.

This year take the time to deepen your journey through Holy Week by following the divine direction of God. We have been called in righteousness, kept by God’s hands to proclaim the unlimited potential of living in God’s justice.

Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Hill

Today I do more than pray for those who need you the most; I pray that I receive your Holy Spirit to become a participant in God’s redemptive plan of justice. I share with others that there is still an opportunity to experience God’s best in their lives. AMEN ~ JH

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Tuesday, March 31, 2015

John 13:21-33

Stop in the Name of Love In a hit song some years ago a woman tells of being aware of her lover’s betrayal of her heart. On this occasion when he is about to go and have a rendezvous with the other woman she requests of him to think over how good she has been to him. She pleads with him to not break her heart.

And then asks him to “Stop in the Name of Love.

Chapter 13 of the Gospel of John deals with the betrayal of Jesus Christ.

At the start John notes that the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, to betray Jesus (v. 2).

Judas, unlike the man in the song had not yet given in to the temptation (cf. v. 27), but the devil has prompted him, or more literally, "put it into his heart." The first step in a sequence that temptation follows is provocation or the initial idea. The rejection of the thought at this point is a good idea because the temptation is at its weakest and one is not yet guilty of sin.

It is extremely important to realize that Jesus is going to wash the feet of one who is considering betraying him. Jesus knew he would be betrayed

by Judas still he showed him the full extent of his love.

When tempted to go with our own choices instead of God’s. When our hearts are hardened to God’s will. Jesus’ pleads with us to think over the goodness of the Lord Think over the grace and mercy of God which should then cause us to “Stop in the Name of Love.

PRAYER CORNER

Gracious Lord you have been good to us. You have blessed and kept up in spite of our bad deeds and misdoings. We pray now for a change of heart within us when we remember your love for us. ~ FAA

Rev. Dr. Faith A. Allen

Never Without An Option The Lenten season marks for us a time of contemplation that in many cases is accompanied by fasting and prayer to remove distractions, clarify assignments and receive God’s plans to move us into the next season productively. Though there are limits in our options for what we consume physically, we have to understand that it insures that we are never without an option spiritually. Actually, we should choose to look at as a matter of having what we want now or what we need later.

Jesus was not unaware that Judas would betray him. He clearly understood and even though troubled, he continued to follow the plan of God: Judas was the distraction that had to be removed so our destiny would become manifest. In this season, make it your business to move distractions out of the way now and reap lasting benefits later.

Jesus was not unclear about his assignment. After Judas set the plan in motion, one that appeared to be for harm but was ultimately for good, Jesus took the option of obedience. If this had not been the choice, we would never would have had a chance. Obedience has to be a practice now so we can enjoy the rewards later.

Jesus was not uncommitted to God’s plan. Even after the deed was set in motion, he continued to teach those left behind so they would not miss out on the next right steps they would have to take in the dark. If Jesus had failed to fully commit to the plan, we would have never received the Promise. Full commitment means being willing to be led now so we can lead later.

Rev. Carmen Avery Walker

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Lord, during this season where we have a tendency to think about all we are giving up remind us of the sacrifices made on our behalf that give us the option of serving You now and enjoying eternity later.

Amen. ~ CAW

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

John 13:21-33

Glory At Night

PRAYER CORNER

Lord, thank you for covering me through the night and dark moments of my life to overcome betrayal and other hurt. I pray for strength and power. Please forgive me for any hurt I have caused others. Allow your Holy Spirit to go before me in all of my life's endeavors. Amen. ~ LRB

There is nothing more disappointing and “troubling to the spirit” than one's own betrayal. In fact, the privilege to have divine foresight into such a dismal act is no more consoling. Even more troubling is the discovery that the one who commits the betrayal is one who has eaten and communed with you at the same table as trusted friend and confidant.

Jesus, nevertheless, in his own troubled spirit, helps us to filter this act in a way that juxtaposes it with an unexpected outcome - and that is the hope of glory as the outcome.

This season of Lent should, in each of us, remind us that God created us, like Jesus, with a sort of dichotomy. We are expected to hurt when we are betrayed and accosted in other ways; but anticipate glory because of the divinity with which we were equally created. The flesh in us hurts when we're done wrong, but the divine in us rejoices when we know that God will deliver us during our darkest, night moments.

Persevere, my friend, through the night. The struggles you have endured will be met with a reward if only you hold fast to the cause for which you have been called!

Rev. Lee Russell Brown, Jr.

Emulating God’s Grace THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: God demonstrates His love for us by the way He treats us. We demonstrate our love to Him by the way we treat others.

As we think about the Lenten season and what it means, Matthew 7:7-12 is not your ordinary scripture. It helps us to realize that God’s grace and kindness towards us should cause us to look inwardly at our personal imperfections and short comings. When we look at the fact that even though God is very cognizant of our evil nature, God intentionally loans God’s ear to hear us when we ask for help, guidance, hope etc. of God. Not only does the Father render answers to our requests but God reveals God-self to those of us who dare move beyond mere asking and seek God and the plans God has for our lives.

For those who are determined to see God’s kingdom come in earth as it is in heaven, those who will knock on, stand up to, and approach with confidence those places that seem impenetrable, relying on God’s Father during this Lenten season please help us realize in a refreshing unlimited ability, unwavering loyalty, and immeasurable love toward us, our Father opens doors no man can close and close doors that no man way the magnitude of the grace and can open. mercy you have extended toward us.

When we look at this text through grateful hearts our expected behavior Remind us of your purpose for our lives that we may consider our deeds will not allow sins, or imperfections of our sisters and brothers to dictate the way in which we treat them. Let us use this Lenten season to reflect and transform our lives to emulate on ways in which our character does not emulate the grace Jesus your grace. Let our gratefulness be describes in this text. revealed in the way we treat others In my classroom there is often a need for me to restate my instructions in that we may be pleasing in Your various ways to meet the different learning styles of my students. I find sight. In Jesus’ name we pray, myself in that mode, not so much for others to get it but because it helps AMEN. me get it. ~ UTW If I were to summarize, restate and personalize Matthew 7:7-12, I would simply say, “I can demonstrate my understanding of the grace and mercy God extends towards me, when God answers my requests, allows me to find God and removes any obstacle that can stand between us, by extending the same grace and mercy towards others.”

Rev. Urseila T. Williams

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Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Matthew 26:14-25

Lord Is It I?

PRAYER CORNER

Lord is it I? It is clear that in this solemn, somber, stultifying hour these men were brought face to face with reality. This was no time for pointing the finger. This was no time for looking at the other man’s shortcomings. A shadow of darkness and suffering was falling across the Master’s path. At any moment the blow could fall; and the Master had said, “One of you will betray me.” This is the hour of self-examination, so they began to be very sorrowful and to say to each other, “Is it I lord?”

Today, we should take our temperature at intervals to see if our spiritual blood is normal in its heat. Self-inspection must lead to self-rectification.

Our failures, shortcomings and mistakes are not to be brooded over but to be conquered. Ask yourself, “Is it I lord?”

Rev. Ramon Stripling

Lord, I come to you today declaring your holiness. As I survey your holiness, I realize my own human frailties. I realize that there is more that you require of me. Lord, Consecrate me to thy service lord. By the power of grace divine. Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope, and my will be lost in thine. You get the glory out of my life. Let me never betray you. In Jesus Name, Amen. ~ RS

Is It Me Lord THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Examining our own heart is crucial to a healthy relationship with Christ and should be done regularly.

As His disciple, Judas was well acquainted with Jesus. He had spent enough time in the presence of Jesus and under His teachings to know His values, principals, and what mattered most to Him. But that wasn't enough to restrain Judas from conspiring to betray Him. Judas’ meeting with the chief priests and their unquestioning acceptance of his solicitation implies that there was a relationship of trust between them. And now, Judas’ flirtation with Jesus’ enemies was rapidly spiraling down a steep slope.

Every Christian has the capacity to betray God. That is the nature of the life-long, struggle between flesh and spirit. We're not what we used to be, but we are far from all that God would have us to be. Even as Christ-followers, we live in the constant tension of wanting to do right while being attracted to doing wrong (Ro. 7:21-23). But God has made a way for us to not fall into the temptation of betraying Him with sinful acts!

Unlike Judas, who asked the question, “Is it me Lord?” knowing that the crime had already been committed and with no intention of rectifying his wrong, the other disciples, ask the same question, “Is it me Lord?” with the hopeful expectation that it wasn’t them!

“Is it me Lord!” shifted from being a rhetorical question asked by Judas, to a moment of critical self-examination for His other disciples. Just as we are invited to examine our hearts before we partake of the sacrament of Holy Communion, likewise, when the temptation to betray God appears before us, we also have the opportunity to reflect on the condition of our heart and if what we find is not pleasing to God, we can repent, turn from our wicked ways and instead of betraying Him, we can bring Him glory!

Rev. Dr. Paulette Stevens

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Lord, help me to hide Your Word in my heart, so that I might not sin against You. AMEN ~ PS

Thursday, April 2, 2015

PRAYER CORNER

Luke 22:14-20

Look Ahead THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Do not turn to the left or to the right, but keep your eyes on the prize.

Jesus, forgive me for the times when I have been too distracted from you, and my life has been a wreck. Thank you for the new life you give to me and to all others who have faith in you. By the power of the Holy Spirit, help me to look ahead and keep me on the kingdom road. Amen.

When I was learning to drive, I was told to always look ahead and keep my eyes on the road. Some of my schoolmates made fun of me because when they saw me driving, they would wave at me, or holler at me, and I wouldn’t turn my head. Since that time I have learned how to look at the “sights,” but I have never forgotten that my main focus should be on the road in front of me.

The road ahead of the disciples was one of uncertainty and full of obstacles. No one knew this better than Jesus. But for those who remained on it, without getting sidetracked by distractions, it was also the road that lead ~ OLS to the kingdom of God. For this reason Jesus was anxious to share the Passover meal with the disciples. He was eager to share with them the transformation and meaning of the Passover, the wonderful promise of new life through his body and blood.

If the disciples accepted the words of Jesus, they would look ahead and not allow themselves to be distracted and their lives to be wrecked – neither by the events of the evening, nor by the events of the weeks and years to come. Only experience over time would tell.

Rev. Ore L. Spragin, Jr., Th.D.

The Power of Remembering THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Remember the power within you.

Jesus was aware of how soon we as humans forget and move on with life.

This realization must have moved Him to make this Passover meal a memorial feast. He was calling them and us to remember our relationship with Him and the gift of redemption and renewal he has given us with frequency. He uses this opportunity and memorial feast to link us to Him not just in the present but to incite in us a longing to meet and eat with Him in the future in the kingdom of God. And promises that His suffering and departure is not the end, rather his purpose will be fulfilled and realized in that kingdom.

Thank you Lord for giving yourself to us to sustain us through the challenges of this life and to move us to life with you in God’s kingdom. Help us to remember you and your gift at all times. Amen.

Jesus uses elements which would not challenge our understanding, and offers to us the essence of life, bread and wine, symbols for the body and blood. Each time we share bread and wine we should be mindful who He is and of the great gift has given us. He helps us to understand that he came to make life full and meaningful. And in leaving He leaves power to sustain us.

Remembering should make him close to us and us to him. Sharing the feast should remind us that He is not just a power around us, but a power within us. And the power is what keeps us moving with hope towards that ~ RDL time when we will share with Him in heaven. It is power that keeps us mindful that we can resist the trials and temptations of life, and be more than conquerors. Know that we are not alone on this journey and that he renews his power in us each time we share in the memorial feast.

Rev. Dr. Roderick D. Lewis, Sr.

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Thursday, April 2, 2015

Luke 22:14-20

Is Your Go-Bag Packed?

The investigators on NCIS and Criminal Minds, two TV shows I enjoy watching, know to keep their Go-Bags packed. Either this was explicit instruction in the job description or the people seeking these positions know what comes with the territory. The decision to join the team was contemplative.

To say that our faith is not merely emotional, means contemplation is required from the very beginning. At what point do we contemplate any action? Because Jesus' call on our lives today is more gradual than the "Follow Me" of 1,985 years ago, our response is more contemplative than that of the disciples who walked with our Lord. Therefore, when the call to action comes, we are ready. Our Go-Bag is packed. We know what comes with the territory. We are prayerfully awaiting the specifics of the assignment.

In 1991, I contemplatively decided I was going to go to church every Sunday. That meant I did not need to make that decision again every Saturday. I have made a decision once and my actions thereafter will based on that earlier contemplated decision.

Every Methodist pastor and congregation knows what the Reading of Appointments in an Annual Conference feels like. The examination prior to admission to Full Connection asks, in so many words, if we are willing to go wherever we are sent. When your name is called, you go. ...Sometimes to the same Charge, sometimes to a new Charge. Our Go-Bag stays packed.

The disciples gathered with Jesus around the table of this Last Supper knew they had made a contemplative decision to follow His commands.

Period! Their presence at the table concluded that their Go-Bags were packed. Is your Go-Bag packed?

Rev. John M. Isom

Friday, April 3, 2015

PRAYER CORNER

We long to have the courage to say, “Here am I. Send me.”

Remind us that we came to follow you after much contemplation and we can trust that you will never leave us nor forsake us. Help us to keep our Go-Bag packed. Amen ~ JMI

John 18:1—19:42

It Is Written At Jesus’ crucifixion Pilate had affixed a sign notating Jesus as King of the Jews. Yet, the chief priest did not want it to be acknowledged who Jesus was. He wanted it to state Jesus “said” he was King of the Jews. Though it had been stated who he was, those who opposed him did not want the final word to be what Jesus said, much less Pilate acknowledging it. Yet Pilate had to take a stand against the opposition to declare in the end who Jesus was.

People may try to deny our identities in Christ. However, as Pilate said, what has been written is written. What the Lord has written in the book of life as our identities in Him cannot be taken away from us. People may try to scandalize our names. They may try to deny who we are. They may even try to affix their own labels on us. None of it matters when it comes to who God has called us to be. What has been written will stand regardless of who rejects us, opposes us, or disagrees with what God has spoken. We must learn to stand in what God has spoken and not allow anyone to cause us to question it.

Pastor Evita L. Smith

Gracious God, thank you for calling us your own and giving us a name which cannot be taken away from us. Help us to claim our identity in You and honor You by living it out. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit we pray, Amen! ~ ELS

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Thursday, Friday, April March 3, 26, 2015 2015

John John 18:1—19:42 8:51-59

The Savior’s Hour

PRAYER CORNER

Today we walk with Christ in the dark shadow of the cross, knowing we have weighed him down, our burdens crushed his shoulders His suffering is for us, for us he willingly endured death.

Let us trust in God alone, and walk the way of the cross together, let us move forward without fear into God’s eternal purposes.

Then we will never know disgrace, and we will learn to praise our God who never abandons us.

In the midst of grief and despair, let us see that without darkness nothing is birthed, without light nothing will blossom and flower.

May we sense Easter springtime coming, death’s dark and overwhelming night will give way to resurrection life.

Let us throw off our grave clothes, and all the weights that hold us down, looking and listening for signs of resurrection life, Let us take on the life of the one who raised Christ from the dead, and respond to the Spirit of God who lives within us.

(Silence) Lord have mercy, When we stand in the shadow of the cross.

Christ have mercy, When we kneel with repentant hearts.

Lord have mercy, And shine your resurrection light on us.

Ase`! Ase`! Ase`! O!

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At some juncture in time each of us will come to a point at which our essential nature or character is revealed. The Johannine account of Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension is cast as that time for Jesus. It is the “story of Jesus’ hour”. The Johannine story proposes that Jesus came to this hour in full control of how he would respond and triumph over the events. In other words, the arrest, trials, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus took place as a means of exalting, glorifying and revealing who Jesus really was. This is profoundly noted in John 18:5a where Jesus declared “I am he”. Jesus identified himself here, not as a victim of the destructive behavior of others, but as the Word of God in flesh as he exclaimed “I am he”. “I am he” who embodies the ultimate agenda of God the Father and manifests God’s love towards fallen human. “I am he” who came to be crucified and raised from the grave with victory over sin and death.

Therefore, there is much that we can glean from how Jesus faced his hour as the Savior of the world. On the one hand, Judas and Peter are glaring examples of how often we allow our hour of adversity and tribulation to deter us from keeping our skin in the game. In other words, at their defining moment, Judas and Peter revealed that they were yet a work in progress.

On the other hand, Jesus models for us how to face our defining moments with a triumphant hope and unflinching spirit. Jesus faced his hour triumphantly because: a) he knew and accepted Divine purpose; b) he anticipated his hour with prayer and disciplined living, and c) he was convinced of the victorious outcome of his mission on earth.

Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr.

The Life Quest Life is a constant quest! Our bodies search for food to quiet the hunger which stalks our flesh. Our hearts search for acceptance when haunted by the hate of the human other. Our spirits search for fulfillment when consumed by self-absorption. Life is a constant quest! A constant searching for the healing of age-old wounds that never find healing and yet, like the thorn lodged into the flesh of the Apostle Paul, are kept slightly at bay by a nurturing and sufficient grace. Life is a constant quest!

The nadir of the quest for the believer falls fresh during every Lenten Season. There he is, right there, right in front of you! Demanding that you but see and accept! ‘I told you that I am he.’ Lent is the time when our quest meets the urgent demand that we refocus our faith and seek the One who can meet our inner urges with a love-filled urgency! ‘I told you that I am he.’ Judas found him in his lust for earthly gain, and became consumed in remorse. Peter found him in his desire to exert outward power, then hide himself because of internal denial. Pilate found him and became afraid, but the crowd remained blind.

What is the object of your quest? For what/who does your spirit seek?

There is only one point of discovery. The place where divinity meets the base needs of the human spirit and provides joy in the midst of pain, healing within dis-ease, peace within chaos…one place…in which the tender words of acceptance and power stand waiting to envelope you into wholeness…‘I told you that I am he.’ Let us abandon the failures of the garden, and make straightway for the Cross! Amen!

Rev. Dante Quick

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Mark 16:1-7

Jesus Is Going Before You After the crucifixion and burial of Jesus, the Christ, Mary Magdalene, Mary, and Salome arose on the first day of the week to go to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus. Only one obstacle would keep them from performing their ritual, the stone that sealed the tomb. But, when they arrived, to their amazement, the stone had been rolled back and the messenger said unto them, “Tell the disciples and Peter…He is going before you…”

Every now and again, G-d amazes us, so much to the point that tradition and rituals will not be beneficial. G-d wants to do something new in you, but you are afraid of rejection and crucifixion. The “Stone” that you think will keep you from doing this great work has already been rolled away. Be encouraged as Jesus has already gone ahead of you, waiting for you to arrive so that He may reveal unto you your purpose and mission. You must embrace this empowerment through Jesus, the Christ as He declared that GREATER works shall we do in His name.

The stone is rolled back and I’m merely the messenger. Now, Go as Jesus has already gone before you.

PRAYER CORNER Dear Lord, during this time of penance, reflection, and fasting, help us to overcome past circumstances that has caused pain and left deep spiritual and mental wombs and help us move onward and forward to the place where you are waiting. ~ CM

Bishop Cleavon Meabon, III

The Grave Is Not The End THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: “Even the grave is no match for the power of God!” Death seems so final. Along with it comes a wagon full of confusion, fear, anger, frustration, and a quandary created by questions that seem answerable and unanswerable at the same time. We want to be strong but the excruciating pain in our heart can overtake our grieving process, causing us to be internally catatonic or we become overly caring of others.

We are also betrayed by inexplicable physical, mental, and emotional manifestations.

Like the three women, Mary Magdalene, Salome and James’ mother, Mary, we are often duty-bound to take care of others (especially the deceased), even if it means putting our life, health, family, and finances in danger. Could it be that it is easier that way? Could it be that our love for the deceased drives us to the call of duty? Could it be that we wish to be certain no one else feels alone with their grief? Could it be that we find things to do because deep down, we don’t want to feel what we are feeling?

Jesus was everything to His disciples and his other followers, including these women. Significantly, these three had followed and taken care of Jesus’ needs while in Galilee. Now He uses them one more time, to summons the disciples to meet him in the very same place, “Galilee”. I dare say that a careful examination of events surrounding these wonderfully devoted, grief-filled women will reveal that with Jesus, even the grave is no match for the power of God! Jesus prepared the way before death and empowered His followers after the grave! In this, He gave us the power to rise above any of our circumstances, knowing that He will meet us on the other side.

Rev. Dr. Regina Reese-Young

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Dear God, as we approach the end of the Lenten Season, and joyfully usher in Resurrection Sunday, please meet us in our painful places and direct us to our own Galilee, where we are assured of your healing presence.

Amen ~ RRY

Saturday, April 4, 2015

PRAYER CORNER

Mark 16:1-7

Wasted Money

Mary Magdalene and the other women played a crucial role in the life and ministry of Jesus. So too would they play a big part in his burial. For a very short time they had lived the dream with hopes that the world would change. Now, the dream lay dead in a borrowed tomb.

It was the women’s work to take care of the body of the dead in those days. Something about it being Eve’s fault that death enter the world.

Whether these women considered it an honor or a duty to finish the burial preparations for Jesus cannot be known. All we know is that when Saturday night came and Sabbath was over, they spent their own money to buy oils and spices. ~ KRK Sunday the women rose early, dressed, gathered their costly ointments, and trekked toward the tomb. They did not know how they would get inside, but a good dream needs to be properly cherished when it dies.

They would do justice to Jesus in death after men had stripped him of justice in life. He was worthy, and their costly acts would be a final sacrament. They did all this expecting Jesus to be dead. When they arrived, they realized they wasted their money. There was no body to anoint.

How often do Christians get up early, dress, and trek to churches to cherish the memory of Jesus not realizing that He is alive? Sometimes we spend good money to anoint dead religion, so we can cherish the memory of what was. Yet, God sends a word afresh, “You are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is risen.” Look for a living Jesus and stop wasting your money on dead religion.

Father, help us to serve trusting you each day for all we need, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Pastor Kwesi R. Kamau

Faith is Our Victory To begin his narrative of the resurrection, the Gospel writer named Mark identifies three women: “Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome.” While walking to the place where Jesus’ body was laid, all three women were also worrying about who would move the stone that would block the entrance to the tomb. With spices in their possession to either better prepare the dead body for decomposition or anoint the body for resurrection, the women made a choice to continue to walk amid their worry.

When they arrived, the stone, the topic of their anxious conversation was no longer a barrier. Even more, Jesus was not there; “He has been risen!”

Imagine how many similar ‘already-done’ miracles are available to us if we the choice to be persistent in the journey towards Jesus. Let us Lord, there are numerous reasons make push past our worries and walk in faith. Let us focus less on the details that cause us to turn around and and more on the divine one. Perhaps this is one of the many messages of retreat. We often encounter “Good News” that we can take from the abrupt ending of Mark’s resurrecseemingly insurmountable barriers tion account.

The suggestion here is not a naïve, anecdotal remedy for life’s opposition. on the path of our journey. At Quick anecdotes were not beneficial to Mark’s first century audience those moments, remind us of literally under siege, and still are of no value for us today. Instead, Mary victory, through Jesus the Christ, Magdalene, Mary, and Salome demonstrated for us in the text, the when intentional faith is uninterrupted-insistence that is necessary to experience victory through demonstrated on our part. Amen. faith under the siege. The language of our heritage would say, “While ~ EMB we’re trying to figure it out, God already worked it out”. Faith is our victory!

This resurrection Sunday our contemplative action is to be intentional and persistent in our faith walk. Remember, the victory of resurrection is preceded by faith without details, and persistence without retreat.

Rev. Eugene M. Boger

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Sunday, April 5, 2015

1 Corinthians 15:3-8

The Resurrection as an Investment in Discipleship In I Corinthians 15:3-8, we find Paul’s account of the core message of the Gospel, and some essential notions about the nature of Christian discipleship. Typically, Jesus’ ministry involved large crowds of tumultuous throngs or pressing multitudes. The word crowd appears more than 150 times in the four Gospels. The ministry of Jesus appeared to be consumed with crowds.

Paul’s account in I Corinthians and Luke’s account in Acts clearly show the discipleship strategy of the resurrected Christ. We see strong indications of this in Jesus’ high priestly prayer. John 17:9 records Jesus saying that he is praying for disciples, not for the world. Clearly, Jesus always had the world in mind (John 3:16), but in order for the world to be saved, discipleship must be the priority. Thus, for the resurrected Christ, we see a passionate intensity around investing in the “formation of a few” for the salvation of the many. So particular was this focus, that for the entirety of the forty day, post resurrection period, he appeared only to disciples.

Individuals and churches that fail to invest, groom, disciple and position the next generation forget this essential aspect of the resurrection. The resurrection model offered to us by Paul is this, invest in others, facilitate their change and thereby, we change the world.

PRAYER CORNER Here I am Lord. Draw my heart to you and to specific people you want me to engage with Jesus-like disciple-making. By your Word and Spirit, transform me into a follower of Jesus who loves you, loves people, and makes disciples—who will make more disciples. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen. ~ JBW

Bishop James B. Walker

Pass It On A few years ago a company named the Foundation for a Better Life began a public awareness campaign which was designed to communicate values which they believed would make a difference in communities.

They created billboards and strategically placed them where the persons reading them would get a sense of who they were and consider what value that they could pass on. The billboards included pictures of influential people, Nelson Mandela, Mozart, Mae Jemison, John Wayne and others with messages of Strength, Fortitude, Belief and Courage for the purpose of making sure that the reader understood the message that was being passed on, was received.

Paul, in this portion of his writing to the church in Corinth had something that he wanted to pass on. Something that he knew could not only help that Church Community, but many others. Something that needed to be received. Paul passed on A Message of Hope; that Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, but that He was raised on the third day, many years ago today, Resurrection Sunday / Easter.

The real question for us today is this, Are we passing it on? Are we passing on the fact that Jesus Loves? That Jesus Saves? That Jesus Heals?

That Jesus Forgives? That Jesus Cares? That Jesus is Available?

Our responsibility is as was Paul's responsibility. We must be about God's business and share the news that we know to be true, that Jesus is alive, that death has lost its victory and that the grave has been denied.

Each of us has been called to share this Good News. There is no better day, than today to begin a public awareness campaign, but not about the Easter Bunny, not about the 1 Day Sale and some department store but about Jesus, the Christ of God. Pass it On. Pastor David C. Isom

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Risen Savior, please strengthen my heart to pass it on. In Jesus' name. Amen. ~ DCI

Sunday, April 5, 2015

1 Corinthians 15:3-8

I Heard It Through The Grapevine

PRAYER CORNER

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: If is good news spread it; if it is bad news share it with God. This term which became popularized in the 1960’s when Motown Records decided to record this song with several artists; Marvin Gaye, Smoky Robinson and Gladys Knight and The Pips. Motown’s founder Barry GorDear God as we embrace the don did believe that the song would be a hit, yet after being convinced that it would Gordy gave the green light for the song to be recorded. Whitfield Resurrection power of being and Strong who wrote the song said the title came from the African American community on how stories would be passed on. Some people disciples of Christ, keep us ever mindful of your constant would dare to even call these stories gossip.

Paul in our text is now sharing with the church in Corinth of what he has love for us. We your children heard through the grapevine. In other words Paul Gossips the Gospel. desire to be used by you to Paul shares from his heart what he heard but also who he saw; because Paul understood he was not like the disciples who walked along with spread the Gospel of your Jesus. Yet Paul knew that it was Jesus who had called him and changed Son Jesus Christ. Amen. his name from Saul to Paul to become an Apostle for Jesus Christ. ~ PJL We hear so much nowadays with 24 hours news channels, the internet is constantly feeding the frenzy of fanatical foolishness every day. When the television has a breaking story it is always bad news. When the radio stations play and artist list of songs back to back it is usually because the artist has died. Paul as he writes this letter to the church in Corinth and for us today. It is good to know that he gave us some breaking news that we can share too.

Jesus Christ has died. He was buried. He has risen from the dead just for you!!!

Pastor Peris J. Lester, I

Pray Until Change Happens It’s been several months since I received a phone call from my mother.

She said, “we need to P.U.C.H (Pray Until Change Happens)”. This was not anything new because I always pray. I pray for the things that are not under my control and for the great things GOD has already granted me to live with and without before throwing my hands up and running for cover.

She firmly said “no”; I mean every night at around 10pm no matter what we are doing. She said those famous words we need to be on one accord.

As I said, “yes”, to her words, I realized we were not going to just P.U.S.H (Pray Until Something Happens) but we were actually going to P.U.C.H (Pray Until Change Happens).

This would take our prayer ability to another level of accepting who, what, when, where and why we should expect a change to come. So like clockwork, she called so we could pray. I’ve learned by praying I can accept the good and bad times. I celebrate these accomplishments in the same way thanks too prayer. It’s like being in a relationship there’s always a reason to connect and disconnect. There are always reasons to walk forward or take a step backwards and to reevaluate what’s going on. We have to stop thinking it’s okay to pray and fall in love with all the good stuff but disown the bad stuff; which in the long run will leave us empty and alone. So as I’ve connected to our model of P.U.C.H (Pray Until Change Happens), it’s allowed me to look at fear in a different way.

GOD didn’t give us the spirit of fear, so what did I have to lose. My praying has become my defense mechanism to deal with family, friends, work and life. Now I just dig deep in my soul for that prayer that only the father and I share because I know I have favor. GOD has taking great care of my prayers because that’s what I expect.

Lydia Allen

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2015 ECUMENCIAL LENTEN CONTRIBUTORS (1 of 5) AGEE, KEVIN J.—Presiding Elder of the Washington-Virginia District; Pastor of Bunton Memorial CME Church, Washington, DC; Married to Gwendolyn; Resides in Waldorf, MD; 2 adult sons & 4 grandchildren AGNEW, LESHA M.—Pastor at Hamilton Chapel CME Church, Waterford, MS; Associate Dean MS Leadership Training School; Board of Christian Education Director, Holly Springs-Oxford District of North East Mississippi Conference, Fourth Episcopal District.

ALLEN, FAITH A.—An anointed woman of God; General Secretary of Evangelism and Mission for the CME Church; Pastor of Jamison Memorial Temple CME Church, Kansas City, MO. ALLEN, LYDIA—Member of Hopps Memorial CME, Syracuse, New York ALLEN, SHERLEY BEDFORD—Senior Pastor Tabernacle CME Church, Mineral Springs, AK and Brown Chapel CME Church, Stamps, AK ANDERSON, KAREN D.—M.Div.; Itinerant Elder; Pastor of Ward Chapel AME Church, Florissant, MO AVEIRLS, KEN, SR.—Radio host of “Take Thou Authority,” WAEC-AM Love 860, Atlanta, GA; President of Rehoboth Institute of Biblical Studies, Tucker, GA; Published author of several books, the latest one being, “Doctor’s Orders: Prescriptions for a Successful New Year’s” BATES, SHEILA—M.Div., Gammon Theological Seminary, Interdenominational Theological Center; Campus Pastor/ Director, Tuskegee University Wesley Foundation BEASLEY, KATRINA—Lay Leader, Harris Chapel United Methodist Church, Oakland Park, Florida BELGER, KATHRYN WEATHERS—Devoted Christian Servant, Mother & Daughter; Legal Counsel to the General Secretary of Finance & CFO Christian Methodist Episcopal Church BELL, DEANDRE' K.—Ordained Elder, CME Church; Husband, Father, Motivational Speaker, Author, and Life Coach; Reside in Houston, TX BELL, PAMELA L.— Pastor of Mt. Pisgah CME Church, Jacksboro, TX; Director of Dallas/Fort W;orth Region Social Concerns, Eighth Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Church; Mother of 2 daughters and grandmother of 2 grandsons.

BENJAMIN, HELEN—Tenth year as Chancellor of the Contra Costa Community College District; Member of the Presidents’ Round Table; Member of President Obama’s Commission on the Future; Dr. Benjamin serves on the board of Excelsior College, Albany, NY; Educator Residing in California BERTANI, TODD—Pastor of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Fairfield, CA for the past 15 years; M.Div., Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley, CA; Veteran of the United States Marine Corps; Father of daughter, Tyler, and son, Dylan; Married to Pam Bertani, Fairfield City Councilwoman BEST, BOBBY R.— the 61st Bishop of the CME Church; Presiding Prelate of the Ninth Episcopal District; Married to Jacqueline for 35 wonderful years; They have two young adult children, Brandon G. Best (Chicago, IL) and Bridgette M. Best (Charlotte, NC) BIS, RICHARD PABLO— A nasopharyngeal cancer and a brain cyst surgery survivor because of God's loving mercy; Father of 2 beautiful Angels; Married to a caring wife; Resides in Carson, CA BOGER, EUGENE M.— Senior at Gammon Theological Seminary/ITC, Atlanta, GA; Staff Minister at East Point First Mallalieu UMC, East Point, GA BRAGA, REGINALDO, JR.—Associate Professor of Christian Education. the Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA; Ordained Presbyterian minister from Brazil BROUGHTON, DION—Pastor of Bray Temple CME, Chicago, IL BROWN, LEE RUSSELL, JR.—M.Div., M.Ed., Pastor of Slater's Chapel AME Church, Waverly, TN BROWN, THOMAS LOUIS, SR—54th Bishop of the CME Church; Elected June 2006; Presiding Prelate of the Fourth Episcopal District, comprising the states of Louisiana and Mississippi. Native of Oakland, MS BURNS, VANESSEE—Pastor of Christian Chapel Temple of Faith CME Church, Dallas, TX; Dr. Burns is Graduate of Phillips School of Theology, Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA BUSBY, JAMES B., SR— Ordained Deacon, Young Adults Minister, Reid Temple AME Church, Washington, DC; Husband, Father, Teacher BUTLER, RAUSHANAH N.—Ordained Deacon in the AME Church; Presently serves at Turner Chapel AME Church, Marietta, GA; Mother of one daughter, Joi CALDWELL, CHARLOTTE— Graduate of Johnson C. Smith Seminary; Pastor of Beth Salem Presbyterian Church USA; Married to Kenneth Caldwell; mother of Bane' and Monica Caldwell.

CAPERS, JAMIE L.—Pastor of Bethel CME Church, Macon, GA; Married to Angela Capers and they have 3 children CASTEEL, DIANA—Presiding Elder of the Greenville-Texarkana District, East Texas Region, Eight Episcopal District of the CME Church; Reside in Douglassville, Texas.

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2015 ECUMENCIAL LENTEN CONTRIBUTORS (2 of 5) CLINGAN, RALPH GARLIN—PhD; activist; Philosopher; Theologian; Worked recently in India, Indonesia, Korea, & the United Presbyterian Church of West Orange, NJ COMBS, DELMETRIA CAYSON—Licensed Professional Clinical Associate; Presiding Elder in Kentucky, Second Episcopal District; Wife of Rev. Batavi M. Combs and proud mother of one son, Ryan DAVIS, KATHY HODGE—Associate Minister of the Bethany Baptist Church; Founder of a Women's Ministry entitled MannaFest Ministries: Wife of 31 years and proud mother to three Children.

DAVIS, TAWANA—a mother and grandmother; a student at Antioch University pursuing a PhD in Leadership and Change; the Executive Minister at Shorter AME Church in Denver, CO. DENNIS, DALE D., II—Pastor of Russell Tabernacle CME Church, Philadelphia, PA; Regional Director of Music Ministry, New York/Washington Region, Seventh Episcopal District CME Church DICKEY, QUEEN A.—Celebrates over 20 years in Ministry; Pastor of St. John CME Church, Harrisburg, PA; Wife of Rev. Jonathan Dickey and mother of 5 children.

DILLARD, JOHN A., III—Pastor of St. John CME Church, Washington, DC; Former Presiding Elder, Philadelphia District; Former Director of Christian Education New York – Washington Region, Seventh Episcopal District DIX, GEORGE A., JR—Pastor of United Smith Memorial CME, Hayward, CA; married, for 17 blessed years, to Maria and has 4 great kids.

DOLLARHIDE, JOHNIE K. MCDOWELL—Pastor of St. Paul CME Church, Cleburne, Texas; Sociology professor at Texas Wesleyan University, Fort Worth, Texas; Dr. Dollar hide is a past member of the Connectional Commission on Concerns of Women in Ministry DUHART, THERESA—Member of Greater Love CME Church; Alaska-Pacific Conference Treasurer; President, CIT Connectional Department; Assistant Secretary, Women’s Missionary Council; Technology Consultant, Mother of two children, Nana to three grandchildren EDNER, VALENCIA— (MS, MTh); Ordained Elder in Full Connection of the CME Church; Senior Pastor Historic Miles Chapel CME Church, Houston, TX ELLISON, KEITH E.—Pastor of Phillips CME Church, Huntsville, AL; Married to Bengy Ellison FINLEY, CUBIE, III—Pastor of Bethel AME Church, Chico, CA; Founding Pastor of Genesis AME Church, Suisun City, CA GANDY, THOMAS MARC—Pastor of Miracle Temple Apostolic Pentecostal Church, Richmond, CA; District Elder, Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc.; Husband, Father, Grandfather, Man of God GEORGE, ESSIE D. CLARK—Pastor of St. James CME Church, Chicago Heights, IL; Presiding Elder, MichiganIndiana Region Third Episcopal District Christian Methodist Episcopal Church GOURDINE, PAUL—Pastor of Engaged Christian Church, Montgomery AL; Graduate Gammon Theological Seminary GRAVES, ANDERSON T., II, pastor of Miles Chapel CME Church, Fairfield, AL; Blogger at “A Word to the Wise” andersontgraves.blogspot.com GRAY-THOMAS, JANE E.—Fort Valley-Savannah District Presiding Elder; Pastor of Mount Sinai CME Church, Milner, GA, Sixth Episcopal District of the CME Church GRIFFIN, JOHN D., JR—Pastor of St. Mary CME Temple & New Birth CME Church, Bastrop, LA., Louisiana Region of the Fourth Episcopal District HALE, CHRISTOPHER A.— Pastor of the Allen Temple CME Church, Detroit, MI; Music Director, Michigan-Indiana Region, Third Episcopal District of the CME Church HAMES, FELICIA—Loves the Lord; Mother of 3 beautifully intelligent children; 6th Grade Math/Science teacher, Oakland Unified School District, Oakland, CA HARRIS, EDDIE L. JR.—Native of Orlando, Florida; Retired Itinerant Elder, African Methodist Episcopal Church; Master of Divinity, the Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA; Currently planting the Potter’s Wheel Cathedral of Faith, a new ministry in the Atlanta suburb, Mabelton, GA. HARRIS, JACQUELINE—Member of Davis Chapel CME, Richmond, CA; Stewardess, Administrative Assistant; Life Coach; Pastry Chef HARRISON, ALFRED L.—Ordained Elder, Missions Coordinator & Executive Assistant to Bishop C. James King, Jr., Eleventh Episcopal District CME Church; Co-Founder of Angels of Hope, Washington D.C. HARRISON, CLAUDIA H.—Ordained Elder serving the Eleventh Episcopal District of the CME Church; Humanitarian: Advocate HICKS, CARMELIA—Faithful Member of United Smith Memorial CME Church; Usher; Grant writer; Neighborhood Advocacy; Married to Bryant Hicks.

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2015 ECUMENCIAL LENTEN CONTRIBUTORS (3 of 5) HILL, JEREMIAH—Ordained Elder, M.Div. Candidate, U.T.S., Dayton, OH; M.Ed. & J.D. Loyola University, Chicago; Senior Pastor, Bascom CME Church, Jackson, TN HILL, MARY ANN—Faithful Member of St. Peter’s CME Church, El Cerrito, CA; Usher; Wife, Mother, Friend HILL, TIFFANY NICOLE—Member of St. Peter’s CME Church, El Cerrito, CA; Employee by Social Security Administration HOLLAND, ASHLEY— The oldest and only daughter of two United States Postal workers; Believes she can change the world; Member of St. Stephens CME Church, Fairfield, CA; Active in Young Adult Ministry HOLLINGTON, DELORES—President Northern California Region Women’s Missionary Society; Member St. Luke CME Church, Daly City, CA; Recording Steward; Stewardess; Usher; Sunday School Teacher; Wife of Oliver Hollington; Mother of 3; Grandmother of 4; Great-grandmother of 1.

HONEYSUCKER, J. W.—Pastor of the Mt. Zion and Winans Chapel CME Churches in Centreville, MS, GlosterHattisburg District of the Mississippi South Annual Conference, Fourth Episcopal District HUDSON, GERALD—Senior Pastor of Lane Chapel, CME Church, Shreveport, LA, Fouth Episcopal District ISOM, DAVID C.—Senior Pastor, St. Stephen CME Church, Fairfield, CA; Family Violence Prevention Officer, Solano County; President, Board of Trustees for the Fairfield -Suisun Board of Education ISOM, JON M.— Pastor of Mount Olive CME Church, Somerville, TN, the fourth Charge served since 1994 ordination; Weekly columnist for the Fayette Falcon Newspaper since November 2011.

JACKSON, AMBER RENEE’—Pastor of Lane Tabernacle CME Church, Jackson, TN, First Episcopal District; M.Div., M.A.C.E, Phillips School of Theology, Interdenominational Theological Center JAMES, MICHAEL PAUL, SR.—Pastor of Smith Chapel CME Church, Oxford, MS, Fourth Episcopal District JAY, VICKI—Lover of The Lord, mother of one, grandmother of one, Resides in Denton, Texas JOHNSON, CHERYL L.—St. Stephen CME Church; President, Women’s Missionary Society; Recording Secretary, Oakland District Women Missionary Society; President Fairfield-Suisun City-Vacaville, National Council of Negro Women, Inc.; Mother and grandmother JONES, CHARLIE R., JR.—Psychotherapist, Resides in Washington, DC. JONES, MARY—Saint Peter CME Church, El Cerrito, CA; Stewardess, Missionary, Usher, Treasurer JONES, JOYCE MOSES—Woman of God; Inspirational writer; Anthology Specialist; Member of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, Richmond CA JONES-POLK, PAMELA D.—Licensed Evangelist; Prophetic Word Worship Centre, Radcliffe, KY KAMAU, KWESI R.—Lead Pastor of Impact Church Dallas-Fort Worth, TX; Author of A Passion for Prayer: The Secret is Out & A Passion for Christ, A Passion for Souls (A daily devotional) KEYS, CASSANDRY—Pastor of Davis Chapel CME Church, Richmond, CA & St. Peter CME Church, El Cerrito, CA. KING, C. JAMES, JR.—Elected and Consecrated the 63rd Bishop in The C.M.E. Church; Presiding Bishop of South, Central and West Africa, the Eleventh Episcopal District KIRKLAND, TRACEY A.—Father of Andrea Maryji Kirkland; Master of Divinity and Master of Christian Education, the Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA; Ordained Baptist Minister; Volunteer Assistant to Chaplain Dr. Sherry Adams at Clark Atlanta University.

KNOX, ELOISE— A servant of God; Pastor of the Bell Chapel CME Church, San Francisco, CA; Bachelor’s Degree Theology, Shiloh Bible College, Oakland, CA LAKEY, LAWRENCE P.— 46 years pastor/Presiding Elder in the CME Church; Retired Justice from the CME Church Judicial Council; Graduate of San Francisco Theological Seminary; Married to Anita L. Johnson Lakey; three sons; two granddaughters.

LESTER, PERIS J., I—the proud pastor of Mt. Olive Cathedral C.M.E. Church, Memphis, TN LEWIS, RODERICK D. , SR.— General Secretary of the Department of Publications of the CME Church; Pastor of Nichols Chapel CME Church, Byhalia, MS. LEWIS-BALBOA, LISA—Pastor of Lane Tabernacle. CME Church, Hopkinsville, KY, Evansville-Hopkinsville District, Kentucky Region Annual Conference, Second Episcopal District MALCOM, MICHAEL T.—M.Div.; Minister at Rush Memorial Congregational United Church of Christ; 2016 MBA Candidate at Terry College of Business, University of Georgia.

MCCAIN, BELINDA DRIVER—Ordained Minister in Residence, St James C.M.E Church, Cordova, AL; Founder/CEO Maranatha /By His Spirit Outreach Ministry; Author of By His. Spirit: A 50 day devotional; Mayor of Sipsey, AL MCDUFFIE, RICHARD—Pastor of Lane Tabernacle CME Church, Southeast Missouri, Illinois & Wisconsin Region, Third Episcopal District; Phillips School of Theology Alumni

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2015 ECUMENCIAL LENTEN CONTRIBUTORS (4 of 5) MCINTYRE, AMINA S.—Atlanta, GA based Playwright; Author; Blogger; Creative Worship Artist; follow her: @ladylovesherpen on Twitter/Instagram and at www.ladylovesherpen.com.

MCKITTRICK, RUTHIE—Pastor of Wilson Chapel CME Church, “The Chapel,” Coweta, OK. MCNEAL, STEPHEN C.—Master of Divinity, C. H. Mason Theological Seminary, Atlanta, GA; Ordained Elder; Administrator, Gloryland Deliverance Temple Church Of God In Christ, Memphis, TN MEABON, CLEAVON, III— Senior Pastor and Founder of Greater Acts Community Church, Inc., Hogansville, GA; Married Shalonda Boyland Meabon; They have 4 children: Cleavon IV, Darius, M’Kayla and Adrian.

MILLER, DAVID T.— Pastor Kyles Temple AME Zion Church Vallejo, CA MORGAN, ELEANOR A. SHAW—M.Div.; Pulpit Associate and Bible Teacher at the McGee Avenue Baptist Church, Berkeley, CA; Vice-President of the St. Luke Society MORRIS, JAMES T. — Pastor of Carter Tabernacle CME Church, Orlando, FL MOSES, ALBERT, III—Assistant Pastor Christian Faith Missionary Baptist Church; Truett Seminary, Baylor University Fall 2015 MULLENS, ZACHARY D.— Ordained Deacon; Pastor of J. Claude Allen CME Church, Dixmoor, IL; Chairperson of Gary District Finance Committee MARIA E. MUSE—Ordained Elder; Associate Minister, Cedar Crest Cathedral CME Church, Dallas, TX NEAL, KORNELIUS—Pastor of Marrow Grove CME Church, Somerville, TN; 2010 Graduate of Phillips School of Theology; Married to Shemika Jackson Neal and they have 3 children.

O’NEAL, NICHOLAS—Married to Gelisa; Father of Dylan, Adonijah, & Armani; Pastor of Grays Temple CME Church, West Palm Beach, FL; Palm Beach Country Sheriff’s Chaplain; M.Div. from Emory University OWENS, ANTONIO—Local Elder CME Church; Graduate of Beeson Divinity School & Miles College, Birmingham, AL PANKEY, DOLLIE HOWELL—MA in Church Music, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; MTS, Brite Divinity School; Pastor of St. James CME Church, Cordova, AL; Singer-songwriter D’ Marie PARKER, LEON F., III—Student Christian League, President @ the Interdenominational Theological Center; Pastor of Bethel CME Church, Cordele, GA PERRY, CASSANDRA G.—Executive Director of the 163rd Street Improvement Council, a nonprofit providing housing & supportive services in the Bronx, NY; Associate Pastor, Williams Institutional CME Church, Harlem, NYC PERRY, PAIGE—Vice President, Connectional Young Adult Ministry, Member of Trinity CME Church, Toccoa, GA PETTIGREW, KENNETH—Second year student at Wake Forest Divinity School; Member of St. John CME Church, Winston-Salem, NC under Pastor Omar L. Dykes PORTER, MATTIE— Doctor of Divinity, Divine Deliverance Ministry; Minister Antioch Baptist Church Milestone, MS; & Associate Minister at Union Grove Baptist Church, Lexington, MS QUICK, DANTE—M.Div.; Ph.D. Student, Graduate Theological Union, Philosophical and Systematic Theology and African-American Studies; Senior Pastor Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Vallejo, CA QUINNEY, TEXLIN—Teacher and Project Financial Manager; Masters of Divinity from Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA REDMOND, LATONYA—Educator; Member of Sweet Rest Church of Christ Holiness, USA; Resides in Pearl, MS REED, CHRISTINA DAWN— M.Div., Turner Theological Seminary, ITC; Pastor of Mount Zion AME Church, Duffields, WV; Founder and Director of Glorious Movement Ministries which is focused on fine and performing arts and mentorship to young girls, young ladies, and women REESE-YOUNG, REGINA—Pastor of Hopps Memorial CME Church, Syracuse, NY; Dr. Young holds degrees from two CME schools: Lane College and Phillips School of Theology.

SANDERS, RICKDRIEKA N.—Student at Phillips School of Theology, Resident of Selma, Alabama, Fifth Episcopal District of the CME Church SHAW, RICHARD D.— Servant Leader; Pastor of St. Matthew CME, Milwaukee, WI SIMS, KORDELL, SR— Celebrating 10th year of pastoral ministry; Senior pastor at White Oak United Methodist Church, Crystal Spring, MS; Pursing Master of Divinity at Memphis Theology Seminary SMITH, EVITA L.—Senior Pastor and Founder of Kingdom Seekers Community Church, Stockbridge, GA, www.kingdomseekerscc.org.

SPRAGIN, ORE L., JR.—the Editor of The Christian Index of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. He is married to Phyliss Morgan Spragin, and they have two children.

STAMPLEY, JENETHER “NETTA”—Member of Amos Temple CME Church, Riverside, CA; Secretary of the CYAM of the CME Church; English professor at a technical college; Administrative Assistant for the Department of Biology at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA.

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2015 ECUMENCIAL LENTEN CONTRIBUTORS (5 of 5) STEWART, DEWANDA (MZDEE)—A Recovering Woman; an Educational Consultant with the Recovering Mothers Panel; Ceasefire Rapid Response Team Leader; Mentor and Advocate for youth and teens in the City of Richmond STEWART, SHADENE—M.Div., Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA; Associate Minister CME Church of Jamaica, Fifth Episcopal District; Passionate about preaching and teaching the Word of God STEVENS, PAULETTE—Called to Christian ministry in the CME Church and is a Elder in the United Methodist Church; Resides on St. Helena Island, SC STRIPLING, RAMON D.—Pastor of Lewis Memorial CME Church, San Jose, CA; Studied at the University of Maryland Asia Pacific (Guam).

SULLIVAN, VIVIAN—Graduate of Interdenominational Theological Center with honors achieving dual Master Degrees in Christian Education and Church Music; Member of Beulah Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA; Mother of 3 children: Ayotunde, Brianna and Jaron.

TERRY, RAPHAEL S.— Husband to Tynisha; Father to Gabrielle and Kennedy; Pastor of the Glenn Chapel CME Church in Columbus, MS THOMAS, MARVIN FRANK, SR.—Presiding Prelate of the Second Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church; Elected the 62nd Bishop in the CME Church at the 2014 General Conference in Baltimore, Maryland on July 1, 2014.

ULRICH, BARBARA—M.Div., the Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA; Local Pastor in Georgia and Montana, United Methodist Church; Singer, Worship Music Songwriter; Resident of Statham GA WALKER, CARMEN AVERY—Senior Pastor Mt. Zion AME Church, Opelika, Alabama WALKER, DELOIS WOODY—First Lady Seventh Episcopal District CME Church; Artist/Design Illustrator WALKER, JAMES B.—Presiding Prelate of the Seventh Episcopal District of the CME Church WALTON, REGINALD D.—Senior Pastor of Phillips Memorial CME Church, Phoenix, AZ; Serves as the Chair of Arizona Black Lives Matter WHEELER, JEFFERY—Pastor of Mt. Calvary CME “The Promise Church,” Mount Vernon, NY; Dr. Wheeler has matriculated through the halls of higher learning and seminary where he has several degrees to his credit.

WILDER, JERONE NATHAN— 2011 M.Div. graduate of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA; Teen’s Church Minister at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Spartanburg, SC; Doctoral learner at Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ. WILDER, L. JONATHAN—(M.Div., ITC ’10); Educator in Greenville, SC; Doctoral learner at Union Institute & University in Cincinnati, OH, concentrating in Ethical and Creative Leadership, specializing in Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Studies.

WILLIAMS, ANITA D.—Pastor, Holsey Temple CME Church, Tampa; Celebrating 23 years in ministry, Pastoring for 15; Graduate of Argosy University, Sarasota - MA, Marriage and Family Therapy WILLIAMS, JEREMY L.—Pastor of West End Tabernacle CME Church, Bridgeport, CT; Student at Yale Divinity School; Member of the Society of Biblical Literature; Author, Can I Have This Dance?: Finding Peace in the Tune of the Divine.

WILLIAMS, LARRY G.—Pastor of Jenkins Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Henderson, TX, Eighth Episcopal District, Central Texas Region WILLIAMS, LATRICE—Prophetess at Promised Land Christian Church, Stone Mountain, GA; Elder’s Counsel; Intercessor’s Ministry/Teacher/Best Selling Author WILLIAMS, SYLVESTER, SR—Presiding Prelate, Third Episcopal District, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church WILLIAMS, URSEILA T.— Servant Leader; Trinity CME Church, Griffin, GA WILLIAMS-CAIN, CEDRIC—Pastor of St. James CME Church, Salinas, CA WIMBUSH, DEON—Native of Atlanta, GA; 2008 graduate of the ITC; He loves to manifests his gifts of preaching, teaching, and healing through conversation in service to others.

WINZER, TONYA—Member of Davis Chapel CME Church, Richmond, CA; Serving in the Children Ministry and Young Adult Ministry; Legal professional with a passion for writing; Loves to travel.

A Keys Ministry Compilation | P O Box 788, El Cerrito, CA cassandry@att.net | (251) 689-7969

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