The Secret Chamber | A Digital Devotional March 2024 Edition
The Secret Chamber, the Department of Church Growth and Development’s daily devotional guide, is herein recognized as an aid to worship; it is also made an official periodical of the Church and listed in The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in the annual report of the pastor on periodicals.
Bishop Adam J. Richardson, Senior Bishop, African Methodist Episcopal Church Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, Commission Chair
The Reverend Dr. Marcellus A. Norris, Executive Director African Methodist Episcopal Church Department of Church Growth and Development
The Reverend Dr. Susan Hillary Buckson, Copy Editor
The Reverend Jarrett Britton Washington, Graphic Editor
Scripture taken from Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition, NRSVUE
The onset of growing Artificial Intelligence (AI) research, this edition provides a “ChatGPT Experience” to demonstrate how you might use AI as a resource to share encouragement with others. While AI programming provides a great shell, we recognize that nothing replaces our own voice in writing. Each Open AI ChatGPT experience included was enhanced by an actual person to fit the context of this edition. Visit https://openai.com to explore the possibilities.
Text generated by ChatGPT, February 23, 2024, OpenAI, https://chat.openai.com. Edited for style and content.
Judges 6:27
So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the Lord had told him, but because he was too afraid of his family and the townspeople to do it by day, he did it by night.
When God Speaks, We Obey
There is a saying that “God is my Co-Pilot,” but I’m going to say that God is our pilot, now and forever. When God spoke to Gideon, he was reluctant to adhere to God’s voice. When you’ve spent time with God, and you know God’s voice, there’s no way to resist God. As strong men and women, we are held accountable for upholding God’s Word. God Almighty called all these persons (bishops, elders, pastors, ministers, laity, WMS, and other official boards) to serve as respectful leaders. The Lenten season reminds us to tear down the altars that we have erected that don’t align with the Word of God.
Second Corinthians 6:17 says, “Come out from among them.” We shouldn’t tarnish or stain God’s Holy covenant. Like Gideon, when we have doubt, we still need to take a stance against unrighteousness at all levels of position. Become a Gideon and put application behind the voices and consciousness each one of us has about the sacredness of God’s Holy Words.
Pray: God, help me to follow your leading today in all that you have called for me to do.
Reverend Dr. Lee Vinnie Smalls
Cedar Grove AME Church, Pastor Orangeburg, South Carolina
dudbugbubbie@gmail.com
Saturday | March 2, 2024
Matthew 17:1-4a
1 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became bright as light. 3 Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him 4 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here;
It is Good for us to be Here
Life can be described as a mountain to climb. The higher you climb, the more you see. Famous outdoor enthusiast John Muir says, “The mountains are calling, and I must go.” Likewise, on our spiritual journey, Christ offers us a forever invitation up the mountain.
The Gospel of Matthew most descriptively shares the importance of mountains to Jesus’ ministry. On the mountain, we find struggle and sacrifice, prayer and promise, revelation, and redemption. Even the most experienced mountain climber whose goal is to reach the top must have a permit and enlist the aid of a guide. Consider this Lenten season an opportunity to allow Jesus to be your guide, helping you to surrender to the authority, author, and finisher of your faith that you may go higher than you have ever gone before and see what you have never seen before. A journey that exclaims, “It is good for me to be here.”
Pray: God, help me to climb higher today toward your glory today.
Reverend Nicole Pyles
Bethel AME Church
Chesapeake City, Maryland revnpyles@gmail.com
www.bethelchesapeakecity.org
Psalm 8:1
O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.
Psalm 139:7-12
7 Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, 10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and night wraps itself around me,” 12 even the darkness is not dark to you; he night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you.
Oh Lord, How Excellent is Your Name
A devotion of praise for your Lenten journey:
Oh Lord, how excellent is your name? Every morning when I rise, I give thanks to the Lord. I will often say: If it had not been for the lord on my side, where would I be, where could I go, and what could I do? I can only go to the Lord in prayer. Search me now, Oh Lord, because only you know my heart. Even if I could hide my presence from you, I cannot. Lord, you are everywhere. Where can I go to escape your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to the heavens, you are there. If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.
Search me now and give me inner spiritual peace. Lord, you are my protector, my sounding board, and you are worthy of all the praise. When I cry out to you, Lord, you hear my plea. For there is none greater than thee. Oh Lord, Oh Lord how excellent is your name.
Pray: God, keep me steady along your path of righteousness today.
Reverend Dr. Eva S Smiling
Mt. Zion AME Church-Burgess Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
daviseva42@yahoo.com
Monday | March 4, 2024
Jeremiah 31:31-33
31 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Prepared for Takeoff
I am just overjoyed with the expectation that God is still with us as we begin a new journey called today. We celebrate the beginning of a new day with a new perspective for a different outcome. In Jeremiah 31:31–33, God establishes a new beginning, a new chapter, and a new covenant with Israel and Judah. Are you ready to take-off excited to start a new beginning, a fresh start, and a new experience with God?
My Lenten season announcement over the loudspeaker is “Hello, and welcome to Flight number 030424. You are prepared for takeoff as you enter a new dispensation. Please make sure your attitude and blessings are secured and locked in an upright position. All self-destructive devices should be turned off at this time. All negativities, hurt, and discouragement should be put away. Should you lose altitude under pressure during the flight, reach up and pull down a prayer. Prayers will automatically be activated by faith, and once your faith is activated, you can assist other passengers. There will be no extra baggage allowed on this flight. The captain (God) has cleared you for takeoff. Enjoy your flight. Your destination is greatness.”
Pray: God, prepare my heart to receive all that you have for me along my journey today.
Reverend Dr. John Wesley Williams, Jr.
Allen Temple AME Church Riviera Beach, Florida
johnwesley1891@gmail.com
https://allentemplerivierabeach.org
Colossians 2:23-24
These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-imposed piety, humility, and severe treatment of the body, but they are of no value in checking self-indulgence.
Unwanted Assignments
I used to work at a call center called iQor in North Charleston, South Carolina. Most of you who know me know that I did not like working there at all. There was a lot of dysfunction between managers and employees, customers were rude, and the drama among adults older than me was like being in high school again. Other than the fact that I knew I had bills to pay, I always used to say, “Lord, I don’t really see my purpose in being here.” God sat me down and showed me why I was there. I began doing devotional messages in the workplace chat to encourage and inspire my coworkers throughout the day. As a result, countless people some of whom I didn’t even know worked there would often tell me how the messages helped them.
There are times in our lives when we have assignments that we don’t want to do because we see no purpose in them. I’m here to tell you that there is a purpose in your unwanted assignment. I didn’t know that I was at iQor to pray for and encourage other agents. But I thank God that I didn’t leave until I had realized my assignment. If I had quit or even if I had never been hired, somebody’s life would’ve never been touched. I went there every day, not thinking only about the job but about my purpose. What you’re doing is for God’s glory, and you will be rewarded for staying faithful to the task.
Pray: God, help me to be faithful in the assignment that you have set before me today.
Reverend Emmanuel Kristopher Sellers
Greater St. Luke AME Church
Charleston, South Carolina
eksellers95@gmail.com
I Samuel 1:20
In due time Hannah conceived and bore a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I have asked him of the Lord.”
Remaining Faithful in Barren Seasons
Do you feel as if you are in a barren season that things aren't going as they should? That God isn’t answering your prayers? If so, you're not alone. God never told us that we wouldn't have difficulties during our lifetime (John 16:33). Take the story of the Prophet Samuel's mother, Hannah. She was married but unable to conceive a child. She was in a barren season. Aside from suffering from the shame of having fertility issues, Hannah was mocked by her husband's second wife, Peninnah, who had already had children. Maybe you’re trying to accomplish some goals that seem unreachable. All the while, you're noticing friends and family reaching their goals, and some maybe even maliciously bragging to you about them. This is the way Peninnah treated Hannah. But Hannah did not give up on God. She earnestly prayed to God to open her womb. God saw her sorrows and answered her prayers. She conceived and gave birth to a son a future prophet and her barren season was no more. Hannah was blessed abundantly and conceived four more children. We also can receive a double portion of God's blessings if we pray faithfully the way Hannah did. We must remember that God hears us and knows what we want and need. We must have faith to hold out for God in our hearts.
Pray: God, thank you for showing up in the barren areas of my life today.
Chaplain Iyawna Sims
Mt. Hermon AME Church Miami Gardens, Florida
mstulipsims20@gmail.com
Numbers 14:3
Why is the Lord bringing us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become plunder; would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?”
Fear or Faith
The Israelites are blaming God for not letting them go into the promised land. God isn’t holding them back. It’s their fear that’s holding them back. They are second-guessing. Now, all of a sudden, they are remembering the good old days of slavery. Why would anyone want to go back to slavery? It was slavery, but it was safety. A lot of people get stuck in safe slavery, enslaved by a relationship, fear, a habit, or the thought that they have to do a certain thing or live a certain way. They don’t like it, but at least it’s predictable; it’s comfortable. They know what’s in Egypt.
Are you confusing slavery and safety? They are not the same thing. You know it’s a bad situation, but at least it’s predictable. You are not growing, but at least it’s comfortable. You are either moving toward safety and slavery, or you are moving toward taking risks and freedom. God made you to be a risk-taker. God made you to live by faith. Don’t die in the desert.
Pray: God, help me to live above life’s crippling circumstances by choosing to act upon your promises.
Reverend Chestine Sims
St. John AME Church
Pine Bluff, Arkansas chestinesims@gmail.com
Numbers 13:33
There we saw the Nephilim (the Anakites come from the Nephilim), and to ourselves we seemed like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.”
Don’t Underestimate Yourself
The Israelites are preparing to cross the Jordan and enter the Promised Land. Before they went in, Moses sent a team to spy out the land. When they returned, they gave a mixed report. Two spies say, “Let’s take it.” The other ten spies returned with a list of reasons why they couldn’t go in. They said, “We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes and looked the same to them.”
They saw themselves as bugs compared to the inhabitants of Canaan. That’s their self-image, and they said, “And we looked the same to them.” How do they know how they look to the enemy? They had been enslaved people for 400 years, and they had been freed for 40 years, but they were still mentally enslaved by fear, and they still saw themselves as helpless and enslaved, not by Pharaoh, but by an idea, an image, by the way they saw themselves; by a thought; a mindset.
Maybe someone said things about you and to you, behind your back, that you overheard that were not true, but you believe them. Perhaps they said, “You will never amount to much.” “You are not good at speaking.” Some of them are dead and gone, and you are still believing their lies. They told you those things, and now you’re not in Egypt anymore. You are in a self-imposed prison enslaved to their image of you. Fear causes us to underestimate our abilities. Fear will keep you from experiencing God’s plan in your life. God has not created you to be dominated by fear. Instead, he has given you the principle of faith upon which to live. If you choose to live in fear, you are disregarding God’s plan for your life.
Pray: God, thank you for not giving me the spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind.
Reverend Chestine Sims, Jr
St. John AME Church
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
chestinesims@gmail.com
Saturday | March 9, 2024
Hebrews 3:13
But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Arm Holders
To jumpstart my day, I read several devotions often via e-mail on my phone. One day I received a word of encouragement about a devotion I wrote. She said, “This is an excellent devotion. Maybe you should write us a book of devotions.” Well, look at God.
If you know the story of Moses in Exodus, we all need some Aarons and Hurs to hold up our hands (Exodus 17:12). I praise God for placing people in my life to hold up my hands. We often know what we must do, but we simply become worn out.
Fortunately, for the people of Israel, Moses had two trusted companions by his side willing to hold up his arms until the battle was won. Father, give me strength for the journey, so that I may encourage others. So, I may help hold up their arms as others have done for me.
Pray: God, thank you for those who help hold up my arms; may I be a blessing to someone who needs their arms help up today.
Reverend Joy Wilkerson Yancy St. John AME Church Memphis, Tennessee joylynn0895@gmail.com
www.stjohnamememphis.org
I John 5:20
And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
Prepare for the Revelation
Preparation is vital for many things in our lives. I welcome the season of Lent by preparing for a deeper understanding of God. I am following a Lent devotional dealing with letting go. As I let go of habits, thoughts, and behaviors that no longer support me, I embrace a new life. Releasing is a gentle and loving process, free of judgment, and filled with gratitude for lessons learned and discoveries made.
As I release the old, I make room for the new. Lent comes from the word spring. Just as spring is the season of new and expanded life, Lent is a time of spiritual rebirth and renewal. On a new page I write my new story. I am open to unique ideas, beautiful experiences, and a profound relationship with the Holy Spirit. I seek to be renewed, restored, and rejuvenated reborn!
Pray: God, thank you for your Son who allows me to walk in the light of your truth.
Reverend Joy Wilkerson Yancy
St. John AME Church
Memphis, Tennessee
joylynn0895@gmail.com
www.stjohnamememphis.org
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Guided by Light: ALenten Journey
This Lenten season, let us reflect on the transformative power of light. Just as a lamp illuminates our physical path, God's Word sheds light on our spiritual journey. If you have not really been doing so, begin today immersing yourself in scripture with the intention of seeking guidance and wisdom.
As we open our hearts to the divine light, may it reveal areas in need of redemption and inspire acts of compassion. In John 8:12, Jesus declares, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." Let this be a time of walking in God’s light, drawing closer to the source of eternal brilliance.
Pray: God, help my walk today be guided by the light of your goodness. ChatGPT Experience
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Empowered By the Spirit
When we yield to the Holy Spirit's presence, we allow God to illuminate our hearts and empower our journey of repentance and renewal. Just as Jesus faced the wilderness, we too confront our inner deserts with the assurance that the Holy Spirit is our companion. Galatians 5:16 encourages us, "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." This Lenten season, let us cultivate a deeper connection with the Holy Spirit through prayer, reflection, and intentional acts of love.
We must invite the Holy Spirit to ignite in us the fire of faith, convict us of our shortcomings, and guide us on the path of righteousness. We must invite the Holy Spirit to grant us the strength we need to resist temptation and the wisdom to discern God’s voice amid the noise of the world. As we journey toward Easter, may the fruit of the Spirit blossom within us, reflecting God’s love, joy, and peace.
Pray: God, give me a thirst for a deeper connection with you.
II Timothy 1:7
for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.
The Holy Spirit is at Work in Me
There are lots of reasons to fear in our world. New updates about the COVID-19 pandemic, political divisions, wars, violence, death, and destruction are looming everywhere, every day causing many to fear. Many of us are feeling like Charlie Brown, plagued by “pantophobia” – fear of everything. However, our scripture for today offers timely encouragement for fearful saints: “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and a sound mind.” Paul calls young Timothy to follow his example of fearlessness in suffering and faithfulness in ministry. To persevere in painful, puzzling times, Christians need more than a pep talk: we need power that comes from God himself.
Paul unpacks four of the fruit of the Spirit’s work in our lives in verse 7: fearlessness, power, love, and self-control. The Holy Spirit does not give us fear but it does give us power, love, and a sound mind. Love is the supreme fruit of the Spirit’s transforming work in our lives (Gal.5:22). Paul urges Timothy to pursue love and thereby set an example for other Christians to follow (I Tim. 4:12). Self-control or self-discipline flows from the work of God’s indwelling Spirit. The spirit brings order to our scattered lives and awakens new desires to resist sin and to please God. The Spirit also helps us to think and act with sobriety and wisdom.
As children of God embarking on a brand-new day of uncertainty may we always remember that the Holy Spirit makes us fearless in troubled times, works power in our weakness, stirs in us genuine love for our neighbors, and even our enemies, and gives us self-control to live as God’s holy people.
Pray: God, thank you for empowering me with the Holy Spirit throughout this Lenten season.
Reverend Dr. Marietta Ramsey
Bethlehem AME Church Baltimore, Maryland
ramseyetta1@gmail.com
Lamentations 3:22-23
22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Embracing God’s Mercy
Lamentations beckons us to recognize God's steadfast love, a love that renews with each sunrise. This season calls for introspection, inviting us to bask in the reassurance of God’s unfailing faithfulness. As we journey through Lent, let our hearts be attuned to the melody of divine mercy.
Pray: God, give me grace to embrace your boundless compassion, awakening each day to the promise of your unending love.
Philippians 3:13-14
13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have laid hold of it, but one thing I have laid hold of: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal, toward the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.
Let it Go
Have you made some promises to God that you found just too difficult to keep? Have you experienced some mistakes, some blunders, some faults, some snafus, some bloopers, some boo-boos that you know did not glorify God? Did you repent and ask God for forgiveness; however, you just can’t seem to let them go. Do these experiences make you feel ashamed every time you think about them? Do you ponder how you could do such a thing after you have been growing in the Lord and feeling closer and closer to God every day? Well, if this is you the word today is tailored just for you.
God knows we are flesh and blood, and at times our flesh will lead us down the wrong path. At times in this life, the Holy Spirit utters to us “That is not a good idea.” However, the flesh echoes back, “Just this one time won’t hurt.” From thoughts, to words, to actions, to feelings we find ourselves outside of the will of God. God knew we are prone to wander and do things that do not glorify God, and that’s why he says to us, “Forget what is behind and reach forth unto those things which are before we should continue to press towards the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus.
So, I say to you as Queen Elsa sings in the movie “Frozen,” “Let it Go.” “Let it Go, let it go, Can’t hold it back anymore, Let it go, let it go; Turn away and slam the door.”
Pray: God, help me to release guilt that I continue to harbor.
Reverend Dr. Marietta Ramsey
Bethlehem AME Church Baltimore, Maryland ramseyetta1@gmail.com
Saturday | March 16, 2024
Isaiah 40:31
but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Renewed Strength in Christ
In the Lenten desert, we find solace in Isaiah's promise of renewed strength through patient waiting on the Lord. As we fast, pray, and reflect, may our weariness be transformed into endurance. Just as eagles soar above life's challenges, let us rise with newfound vigor. When we do, God will give us the patience to wait on and the strength to navigate this Lenten journey with resilience and grace.
Pray: God, thank you for the strength to endure the journey of today. ChatGPT Experience (Edited)
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Abiding in God’s Word
Within the Lenten shadows, let us cling to the luminous guidance of God's Word, a radiant beacon in our earthly pilgrimage. Psalm 119 illuminates the transformative power of divine truth, leading us through the unknown with unwavering assurance. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture, may its radiant wisdom shape our reflections and actions today.
Pray: God, enlighten my heart that I may walk confidently in the light of your word.
ChatGPT Experience (Edited)
Romans 12:1-2
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, on the basis of God’s mercy, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable act of worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Journey of Surrender and Renewal
We are called to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, presenting our hearts and lives to God in worship. The apostle Paul's words in Romans guide us to a transformative surrender a yielding that transcends conformity to worldly patterns. As we journey through this Lenten season of reflection and repentance, let us embrace the renewing power of God's mercy.
Lent invites us to pause, assess, and yield to the refining process of spiritual transformation. By opening ourselves to the Holy Spirit's work, we allow God to reshape our minds and hearts. In the crucible of Lenten disciplines, we discover the beauty of a surrendered life, finding that true worship is not only an external act but a deep, internal transformation.
Pray: God, help me to surrender so that my heart might be renewed.
Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations; I am exalted in the earth.”
Embrace Stillness and Reflection
In the hustle of daily life, this season invites us to a sacred pause, a moment of stillness where we can encounter the Divine. Lent is not merely a time of giving up, but a season of introspection and reflection. It is an opportunity to withdraw from the noise, to quiet the clamor within, and to discern the gentle whispers of God. In the stillness, we find the space to examine our hearts, acknowledging areas in need of repentance and renewal.
As we deliberately carve out moments of silence, may the Holy Spirit guide our reflections. Let this Lent be a journey of self-discovery, a pilgrimage towards a deeper understanding of our Creator. In the hush of contemplation, may we discern God's voice, feel God’s presence, and emerge from this season with hearts renewed and aligned with God’s divine purpose.
Pray: God, lead me to a quiet place so that I may hear your voice most clearly.
Mark 1:13
where he was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him.
Navigating the Wilderness
In this Lenten season, we traverse a symbolic wilderness, mirroring Christ's 40 days of solitude when Jesus himself was tempted by the Our Lenten journey, too, involves introspection, fasting, and resisting worldly temptations.
As we navigate our personal wilderness, let's echo Christ's reliance on scripture and prayer. Psalm 119:11 guides us: "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Through intentional reflection on God's Word, we fortify our spirits.
In the desert, Jesus emerged victorious. Likewise, Lent is not solely about sacrifice but a triumphant emergence, renewed in spirit. May this season be a time of drawing closer to God, finding strength in God’s Word, and emerging from the wilderness transformed by God’s grace.
Pray: God, help me to find strength in the midst of my wilderness journey.
Thursday | March 21, 2024
Matthew 4:1-11
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. 3 During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” 7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’” 8 Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” 10 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” 11 Then t he devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.
Overcoming Temptation
In the Lenten wilderness, we confront the age-old struggle of temptation. Jesus, too, faced the allurements of the adversary, offering a model of resistance. This season calls us to introspection, recognizing our vulnerabilities. Temptation often whispers promises of instant gratification, but the path it leads down is fraught with spiritual peril. Let us emulate Christ's reliance on Scripture and prayer, wielding these as weapons against the enticements that assail us. Through prayerful reflection, may we discern the pitfalls, fortifying our hearts with God's Word.
This Lent, let our response to temptation echo Jesus' triumphant declaration: "Get behind me, Satan!" May our journey through temptation lead us to a deeper reliance on God's grace and emerge victorious in the spirit of Lenten renewal.
Pray: God, thank you for empowering me through your grace.
Friday | March 22, 2024
Galatians 6:9
So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.
Do Not Grow Weary
Doing good is hard work, especially when we begin to doubt if the good, we are doing matters or if it is doing any good in this chaotic world. Paul urges the Galatians to keep living in a way that is consistent with what they believe. They were free people in Christ, and God’s spirit was with them. When Paul wrote this letter to the church in Galatia, he knew that they were feeling weighed down by the responsibilities of daily Christian living.
The Christian life is not easy, but as believers, we have the help of the Holy Spirit: God’s spirit living inside of us is there to help support and encourage us each day, The Holy Spirit is ready to always help and in any and every way. When you become weary, discouraged, depressed, and feeling like giving up remember part of God’s spirit now lives on the inside of you. When you are doing ministry and feel your activity is not coming together as planned, remember that you are serving the Lord. May we always remember that we serve the Lord, and that God sees every kind act, hears every kind word, and knows everything we do for God’s glory and honor. Absolutely nothing we do goes unnoticed by our heavenly Father. If we continue to press into glorifying God and not people, we will reap an abundant harvest.
Pray: God, help me to not grow weary today.
Reverend Dr. Marietta Ramsey
Bethlehem AME Church
Baltimore, Maryland
ramseyetta1@gmail.com
Saturday | March 23, 2024
Matthew 6:16-18
16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private.
And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
Nourishing the Soul
Fasting, a spiritual discipline woven into the fabric of many faith traditions, transcends mere abstinence. It is a deliberate act of self-denial, redirecting our focus from physical nourishment to the sustenance of the soul. In Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus advises us to fast discreetly, emphasizing the intimate nature of this practice.
Fasting isn't about deprivation but about cultivating a hunger for the divine. As we abstain from earthly cravings, we make space for a deeper communion with God. It is a voluntary surrender, acknowledging our dependence on God for true fulfillment.
During this time of fasting, let us not only abstain from physical indulgences but also feast on prayer, reflection, and Scripture. May this intentional season of denying the flesh be a catalyst for spiritual nourishment, leading us to a richer understanding of God's presence in our lives.
Pray: God, draw me deeper in my intentional walk with you.
Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Welcoming the King
As we enter Palm Sunday, we step into the moment when crowds lined the streets, laying palm branches before Jesus, shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” The air was charged with anticipation and jubilation as they recognized Jesus as the promised Messiah.
Yet, this triumphal entry is more than a grand procession; it's a prelude to the profound sacrifice of the week ahead. Jesus, hailed as king, enters not on a majestic steed but a humble donkey, embodying the essence of servant leadership.
As we reflect on Palm Sunday, let us welcome Jesus into the streets of our lives. May we acknowledge Him as our King, not just in moments of celebration but throughout our journey. Let the palms we lay be symbols of surrendered hearts, ready to follow our humble, sacrificial King into the week that changed everything.
Mark 11:15-17
15 When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, 16 and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace. 17 He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”
Clearing the Path
As we enter Holy Week Monday, the atmosphere is charged with purpose. Jesus, arriving in Jerusalem, initiates a series of profound actions he cleanses the temple, driving out those who defiled its sanctity, proclaiming, "My house will be called a house of prayer."
This act wasn't just about purifying a physical space but signified the preparation of hearts for the impending sacrifice. The fig tree, cursed for bearing no fruit, serves as a metaphor for spiritual barrenness. Jesus desires hearts fertile with faith, ready to receive His redemptive message.
As we journey through Holy Week Monday, let us invite Christ to cleanse the temple of our hearts, removing distractions and impurities. May our lives bear the fruits of devotion, and may our spiritual paths be cleared, aligning with the purpose of this sacred week.
Pray: God, create in me a clean heart.
Tuesday | March 26, 2024
Mark 11:22-25
22 Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. 23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. 24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ ve received it, it will be yours. 25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”
ALesson in Devotion
During Holy Week, Tuesday unfolds as a day of profound teachings and lessons from our Savior. Jesus, aware of the impending crucible, imparts wisdom and confronts challenges with unwavering devotion.
Mark 11:22-25 encapsulates Jesus' emphasis on faith, prayer, and forgiveness. The withered fig tree serves as a symbolic reminder that genuine faith bears fruit. Moreover, Christ's cleansing of the temple underscores the importance of reverence in God's house.
This Tuesday urges us to introspect Is our faith authentic, producing the fruits of love and kindness? Are our hearts, God's dwelling place, maintained with reverence and purity?
As we walk through Holy Week Tuesday, let us embrace Christ's teachings, cultivating a sincere and devoted heart. May our faith bear the fruits of righteousness, our prayers be offered with fervency, and our hearts be temples adorned with reverence and forgiveness, reflecting the profound devotion Christ demonstrated on this sacred journey.
Pray: God, show me the intimate places in my heart that I have not released to you.
Wednesday | March 27, 2024
Matthew 26:14-15
14 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests 15 and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver.
Preparing Hearts for Passion
On this Holy Week Wednesday, we find ourselves anticipating the events of the upcoming days. The Gospel accounts tell us that it was on this day that Judas, driven by greed and misguided desires, sought an alliance with the chief priests to betray Jesus.
In our text, we glimpse the tragic unfolding of betrayal, foreshadowing the approaching sorrow. As we reflect on this pivotal moment, let us examine our hearts. Are there areas where our desires misalign with God's will? Are we, like Judas, at risk of betraying our devotion?
Today, Christ beckons us to prayerfully discern our motives and seek God's grace for purity of heart. May we use this day to prepare our souls for the transformative events that lie ahead, approaching the Passion with humility, repentance, and a renewed commitment to follow Christ faithfully.
Pray: God, help me flesh out the motives behind my actions.
John 13:34-35
34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.
The Sacred Table of Communion
On this Maundy Thursday, we gather at the sacred table where Jesus shared His last supper with disciples, offering a profound lesson in humility and love. In John 13:34-35, Jesus imparts a new commandment to “Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other." The act of washing His disciples' feet exemplifies a radical servant-hearted love.
As we reflect on this poignant moment, let us consider the humility and sacrificial love modeled by Christ. The communion table symbolizes unity, forgiveness, and a covenant of grace. May this Maundy Thursday inspire us to emulate Jesus' love in our relationships, fostering unity and grace as we partake in the sacred communion of fellowship and remembrance.
Pray: God, help me to love intentionally and unconditionally. Chat GPT Experience
Friday | March 29, 2024 | Good Friday
John 3:16
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
The Profound Exchange
On this Good Friday, we stand at the precipice of a divine exchange. The cross, a symbol of agony, becomes the epicenter of God's unfathomable love. At Calvary's hill, Jesus bore the weight of our sins, enduring the agony of separation from the Father.
Today, let us not merely see a sacrifice but an extraordinary exchange our brokenness for God’s redemption. Good Friday whispers the profound truth that out of the darkest hours, a radiant hope emerges. May we, in awe and gratitude, embrace the gift of salvation secured on this sacred day, where Christ's sacrifice became the catalyst for our eternal reunion with God.
Pray: God, thank you for emerging hope of salvation found in sacrifice.
Mark
15:46
Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth. Then he took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance.
In the Silence of the Tomb
In the hushed stillness of the tomb, a profound mystery unfolded. Jesus, the Son of God, lay in quiet repose, fulfilling the promise of redemption. Mark 15:46 paints a scene of reverent burial, setting the stage for the ultimate triumph over death. As the world waited in breathless anticipation, Jesus, in the depths of the sepulcher, became the bridge between sin's darkness and the dawn of resurrection. In this moment of apparent defeat, divine purposes unfolded. The tomb, though sealed, bore the weight of transformative power, preparing to unleash a tidal wave of grace. As we reflect on Jesus in the tomb, we find solace in knowing that even in life's darkest moments, God is orchestrating a resurrection beyond our comprehension.
Pray: God, thank you for the silence that reminds me of your grace and power. Chat GPT Experience (Edited)
Matthew 28:6
He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.
ANew Dawn
As dawn breaks on Resurrection Sunday, our hearts resonate with the joyous proclamation: "He is risen!" The empty tomb echoes the triumph of life over death, hope over despair. In the resurrected Christ, we find the fulcrum of our faith, the cornerstone of redemption.
This glorious day beckons us to embrace the transformative power of resurrection in our own lives. Just as Jesus conquered the grave, may His resurrection breathe life into our brokenness, dispelling darkness with the radiant light of renewed hope. As we celebrate this victory, let us live in the joy and freedom that resurrection brings, echoing the profound truth: Christ is risen indeed!
Pray: God, thank you for the opportunity to experience the joy and freedom of living a resurrected life.
Chat GPT Experience (Edited)
