The Secret Chamber | A Digital Devotional March 2025 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 Wilfred J. Messiah, Senior Bishop, African Methodist Episcopal Church
Bishop Erika D. Crawford, 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
With 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 voice in writing. An actual person enhanced each Open AI ChatGPT experience included to fit the context of this edition. Visit https://openai.com to explore the possibilities.
March 5-March 31 entries are excerpts from The Lenten Experience: A 40 Day Journey by Rev. Dr. Susan H. Buckson, TSC Copy Editor
Saturday | March 1, 2025
Luke 10:38-42
38 Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at Jesus’s feet and listened to what he was saying. 40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her, then, to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things, 42 but few things are needed indeed only one Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Making The Right Choice
This was the time when Jesus Christ wanted to demonstrate what is important in our lives because he knew that most people prioritize material things. That was clearly seen when Jesus arrived at Martha's home where he was welcomed and make him sit on the chair without giving him more time instead, she was busy preparing food for him which is material thing, thinking that that was the best thing ever.
This is what we do nowadays we don't give Jesus Christ enough time rather we give more time to other material things that we can temporarily benefit from it rather than paying more attention to Jesus Christ and listen to him first and hear what he wants us to do. Because he is the way, the truth and the life and by putting him on front, all the good things will follow us and have internal life in the end.
And it was good that Mary her sister realized that it's good to be close to Jesus Christ and listen to him which also frustrated Martha and report to Jesus Christ ,thinking that she was doing better than her sister. And Jesus clearly stated that Mary has chosen the best thing that cannot be taken away from her. Mary did the right thing because she knew that it is good to follow Jesus Christ, it is good to be close to him and It is good to listen to him because what she can receive from him cannot be taken away and it will be permanent and by doing that she will be saved and have eternal life.
So, let's choose the best thing that cannot be taken away from us ,let's choose Jesus Christ Our Savior.
Miss Safira Clara Kambanizithe Christ Our Redeemer AME Church safiragulule@yahoo.com Zomba District, Malawi South Conference
Sunday | March 2, 2025
John 8:31-32
Then Jesus to those Jews who believed Him, If you abide in My word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make may you free.
The Truth Shall Set You Free
In John 8:31-32, Jesus speaks about a firm freedom that only God can provide, which is given only to those who believe and are faithful to His truth. The surrounding verses clarify that Christ talks about freedom from guilt and the enslaving power of sinful behavior patterns. Jesus, the great liberator, sets the believer free from the bondage of sin, self-glorification, death, and destruction. He breaks the strong chains of sin that bind and blind us. For Jesus to save us, we must confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead, and we should be saved. For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by renewing your mind. Then, you can test and approve God's good, pleasing, and perfect will. God wants us to speak the truth because we have been redeemed, brought with a price when His Son Jesus died for our sins. Don't be afraid to talk about the truth; trust God, who will deliver you.
Rev. James B. Oliver Shiloh AMEC Manning Manning, South Carolina kayla6282003@yahoo.com
Monday | March 3, 2025
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.
In God We Trust
TRUST God to protect you every day. TRUST God to answer your prayers. TRUST God to provide all of your needs and, also, some of your wants. TRUST God to watch over you as you work, as you travel, and wherever you are no matter what you are doing. TRUST God to favor your loved ones around the world. Just lean on Him, and TRUST Him to deliver promises by His timeline and His will. Hallelujah!
Mrs. Helen Harmon Rowley
The New Allen Memorial A.M.E.WMS Franktown, Virginia honeybea39@msn.com www.newallen.org
Tuesday | March 4, 2025
Psalm 65:8
Those who live at earth’s farthest bounds are awed by your signs; you make the gateways of the morning and the evening shout for joy.
Shout For Joy
My Creator is jealous for me. He makes the gateways of the morning and the evening shout for joy. God loves us so much, and he created us to experience joy. Children seem to be so carefree and naturally know how to always experience joy. They take delight in the smallest of things. As adults, we sometimes take life too seriously. Amid our responsibilities, we may wonder where our joy has gone.
Then I remember how God loves me, and I know that joy is never lost. Sometimes we lose sight of it. After deciding to laugh and play, I returned to my natural state of joy. As I enjoy a nice walk on a pleasant day, sit inside reading a book, or listen to music on a not-so-pleasant day, I smile inside and outside. I remember how great our God is and my joy bubbles up and overflows.
Rev. Joy W. Yancy St. John AME Church Memphis, Tennessee stjohnamememphis@gmail.com www.stjohnamememphis.org
Wednesday | March 5, 2025 ӏ ASH WEDNESDAY
Today is the first day of a journey like none other. So many great and wonderful joys, points of clarification, sorrows, battles and blessings await us within the next 40 days of the Lenten Season.
Know that God is in control. Whatever your reason for fasting this Lenten Season, know that God is in control and God’s reason may not be your reason...so be vigilant! God’s ways are not our ways, and we have to be open to the will of God. Remember, God is in control.
Thursday | March 6, 2025
John 1:12-18
12 God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13And remember, no one who wants to do wrong should ever say, “God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else either.
14 Temptation comes from the lure of our own evil desires. 15 evil desires lead to evil actions, and evil actions lead to death. 16 So don't be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who created all heaven's lights. Unlike them, he never changes or casts shifting shadows.
18 In his goodness he chose to make us his own children by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his choice possession.
This text makes me think practically about our fasting journey, especially about how we have subtly been conditioned by the temptations of the carnal world to treat our health. Has anyone ever seen the documentary Super Size Me. If you haven’t seen it, go rent it. It documents the amazingly unhealthy world of the fast food industry and how the consumer simply allows it to hinder his/her health. And so, I wonder, why it is so difficult for us to move ourselves over to those foods that are God-created and away from those that are man-processed. During this fast, pay attention to the foods and drinks that are perfectly created by God. Those are the foods that we need make a part of our daily diets. Remember, this fast is not about just changing ourselves for Lent, but rather about changing our lifestyle.
So, don’t be misled, God has chosen a healthy lifestyle for us. Let’s enjoy it.
excerpt from The Lenten Experience: A 40 Day Journey by
Friday | March 7, 2025
Joel 2:12-19
12 Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; 13 rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from punishment. 14 Who knows whether he will not turn and relent and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord your God? 15 Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly; 16 gather the people. Consecrate the congregation assemble the aged; gather the children, even infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her canopy. 17 Between the vestibule and the altar, let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep. Let them say, “Spare your people, O Lord, and do not make your heritage a mockery, a byword among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’ ” 18 Then the Lord became jealous for his land and had pity on his people. 19 In response to his people the Lord said: “I am sending you grain, wine, and oil, and you will be satisfied; and I will no more make you a mockery among the nations.
Returning to Joel today reminds us that:
(1) God wants our hearts. God is not really concerned about those other aspects of our lives that we think demonstrate our love for God. Certainly, God honors the work that we do in the church, out of the church, at work and in our home, but more than that, God honors a heart that is fixed on worship and obedience. God wants our whole heart, not just the one we pull out for Sunday Service and Wednesday night Bible study. We must love God with all of our heart... (Mt. 22:37)., I pray for you as Paul did for the church at Ephesus,“that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love (Eph. 6: 17). Trust with all your heart that this fast is not a coincidence. Trust that your prayer partner and this circle of fasters are used of God on your behalf. Trust with your heart that you can make this sacrifice in the natural so that your spirit self will soar higher.
(2) God satisfies our needs. Though we are fasting denying our flesh, we are being filled with every good thing of God. Joel reminds us that God will not just send something to tide us over. On the contrary, will send enough to satisfy our needs...so much so, that we will be in a position to offer even more to the Lord...more praise...more time...more talent...more tithe...more love...more...more...more, to a God who simply wants to bless us with all that He has to offer. We know that God will supply all our needs according to God’s riches in glory (Phil 4:19) AND THAT’S A LOT! So yes, this even means that God will fill the hunger pangs that feel today...so hang in there my brothers and sisters!
excerpt from The Lenten Experience: A 40 Day Journey by Rev. Dr. Susan H. Buckson
Saturday | March 8, 2025
Mark 2:15-20
5 And as he sat at dinner in Levi’ s house, many tax collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 When Jesus heard this, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician but those who are sick; I have not come to call the righteous but sinners.” 18 Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, and people came and said to him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” 19 Jesus said to them, “The wedding attendants cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20 The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.
Hypocrites Beware! Our Scripture today is two-fold. Through verses 16-17, we note Jesus setting the record straight for the Pharisee about what his business is...to call sinners to good health. Verses 18-20, once again, Jesus has to deal with the pompousness of the Pharisee. He gets ‘em told too (...as my mom would say!) But what do these incidents teach us as we fast. First, during this season of Lent, we are denying ourselves so that we might become spiritually healthy. We are sinners. We need purging. We would be fooling ourselves to believe otherwise. We are spiritually (and perhaps even physically) unhealthy. Each of us has fallen short of the glory of the Lord and it is only by God’s grace and mercy that we are made healthy! We do not fast, like the Pharisee because we want people to recognize that we are “holy.” That is why the Pharisee did it. It was a show. The Pharisees fasted as means to show fake righteousness. We fast as a sacrifice unto the Lord to demonstrate our obedience. Thus, we deny ourselves daily!
Hang in there my brothers and sisters!
excerpt from The Lenten Experience: A 40 Day Journey by Rev. Dr. Susan H. Buckson
Sunday | March 9, 2025
Genesis 2:7-9, 15-187, 3:1-7a
7 then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground[c] and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. 8 And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9 Out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.”
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’ ” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die, 5 for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God,[a] knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was a delight to the eyes and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked,
Plain and simple, this fast is a test. You are not in this by happenstance. It is a true and utter“let’s see what he/she is gonna’ do” from the Lord. What will we do when we are facing the “Sunday Dinner” ritual? What will we do after church when we walk by the “cake and pie table?” And, these are just simple tests. What will we do when we are faced with a family member who just got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning? What will we do when we are backed into a corner and a lie seems the best way out? What will we do when we get a wink and a smile from a familiar suitor? What will we do when it’s time to read the Word today (Sure you’ve been in church, and you read there...but what about your personal time with God?)? What will you do when the Lord lays it on your heart to drop to your knees in prayer? These are truly tests that we face. Certainly, life would be easier (or would it) if the Lord simply made us do what we are called to do daily, but in that puppetry, how would we demonstrate our earnest “willingness to love God? Be vigilant, knowing that this is a test and that more are waiting. What will you do?
excerpt from The Lenten Experience: A 40 Day Journey by Rev. Dr. Susan H. Buckson
Monday | March 10, 2025
Genesis 9:8-15
8Then God told Noah and his sons, 9"I am making a covenant with you and your descendants, 10and with the animals you brought with you – all these birds and livestock and wild animals. 11I solemnly promise never to send another flood to kill all living creatures and destroy the earth.”
12God said, “I am giving you a sign as evidence of my eternal covenant with you and all living creatures.
13have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my permanent promise to you and to all the earth.
14I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will be seen in the clouds, 15I will remember my covenant with you and with everything that lives. Never again will there be a flood that will destroy all life.
Isn’t it just awesome that the Lord is the first and true Promise Keeper? No matter what else is going on in our lives, we know that what God says is is! How magnificent is our God who stands in covenant with us that never again shall we/earth be destroyed by flood. If I might take a bit of liberty here...that means all floods...floods of unrighteousness, floods of backbiters, floods of doubter, floods of obstacles, floods of insecurity, floods of government official, floods of financial crisis, floods of family/friend drama, and I could go on and on. Sometimes it feels that the waters are rising all around us and that we will just simply drown in a flood of“stuff. “But we know that such a feeling is simply a trick of the devil...who we must remember daily has already been defeated! God is the original Promise Keeper. God doesn’t say that the floods won’t come, just that they will not destroy us.
excerpt from The Lenten Experience: A 40 Day Journey by Rev. Dr. Susan H. Buckson
Tuesday | March 11, 2025
1 Peter 3:8-22
18Christ also suffered when he died for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners that he might bring us safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. 19So he went and preached to the spirits in prison –20who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. 21And this is a picture of baptism, which now saves you by the power of Jesus Christ’s resurrection. Baptism is not a removal of dirt from your body; it is an appeal to God from a clean conscience. 22Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers are bowing before him.
What an awesome God we serve! Truly it is only because of the sacrifice of Christ, that we are able to live and have our being. The songwriter writes, “There is none like him, none like him… Jesus excellent is thy name! Praise be to you our savior. It is because of Jesus’ obedience unto death and his resurrection that we have the awesome ability to simply “be.” We are here for a purpose! We are here, saved from the flood (our line could have been one of those“eliminated”) to be a witness to the resurrecting power of God! Know that that makes each of us special, worthwhile and loved! It also means that we have an obligation. We have a daily obligation to be baptized in the spirit…to walk in the spirit…to see in the spirit…to talk in the spirit…to operate daily in the spirit of God (from a clean conscience)…denying our will, but living that of Christ.
For those who may be struggling on Day 7: If along the way, you have not stuck steadfastly to the fast be encouraged! God knows your heart. There is no condemnation in Christ! Praise God for the development of one day, if you were able to fast for one day. That may be more than you have ever done in the past. But know that must remain vigilant. We are not in this process alone. God has us together for this brief moment (40 days) a reason. Pick up the cross…deny yourself…hang on in there! The race is not over yet…jump back in! Only God is watching and God wants to see you finish the race you started. That, like Paul, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the [fast] the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:3-6)
Please let me know how you are doing. I know that time is valuable, but please let me hear your testimonies...especially if there is a specific issue that I/we need to lay before God.
excerpt from The Lenten Experience: A 40 Day Journey by Rev. Dr. Susan H. Buckson
Wednesday | March 12, 2025
Mark 1:12-15
12 Immediately the Holy Spirit compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness. 13 He was there for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him.
14 Later on, after John was arrested by Herod Antipas, Jesus went to Galilee to preach God’s Good News. 15 “At last the time has come!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Turn from your sins and believe this Good News!”
It has been a week and perhaps the road has been smooth for you. Perhaps it has been rocky. Either way, today’s scripture births something new in us individual commitment. Yes, we are walking as a group...BUT...the time has come when as an INDIVIDUAL YOU...must take the step into the wilderness ALONE. Certainly, we will all be there with you...BUT...we will be in our own personal, intimate wilderness, where the only reliance we have is in God. WE as a group can encourage one another...BUT...ultimately; this fast is about YOUR INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD! Tell the truth, that’s kind-of scary, huh! We are accustomed to the group. The group affords us anonymity and allows us the cover to hide behind the excuses of our carnal responsibilities. Been there...am there...as they say, bought a T-shirt!
Look, there are just some places that we will have to go by ourselves and this wilderness, with all of its uncertainty, fear, disconnectedness, doubt, denial, and obedience, is simply one of those places. Intimacy with God is not a pay-per-view event, it is one-on-one, face-to-face and an in-your-face look at who you are right now, so that God can break you, mold you and nurture you into who you are to be for the edification of God’s kingdom right here on earth. The wilderness is not pretty...BUT...it is necessary. Like Job, God knows the way [we are taking]; when He has tested [us in the wilderness, we] will [each] emerge as pure gold. (23:10)
What I really love about today’s scripture is that we are comforted, knowing that even in the wilderness, angels will take care of us. We have this assurance only because we believe the GOOD NEWS, that Jesus Christ through his resurrection, defeated death; therefore, no weapon formed against us (especially in the wilderness) shall prosper(Is 54:17) ...that’s where the weapons are tested. And so, my brothers and my sisters...the time has come! The time is now! Trust God enough to go into the wilderness. It is not comfortable...BUT...if what you are doing IS comfortable, then you ARE NOT GROWING! Come on!Grow...you know you want to!
excerpt from The Lenten Experience: A 40 Day Journey by Rev. Dr. Susan H. Buckson
Thursday | March 13, 2025
Deuteronomy 26:5-11a
5 You must then say in the presence of the LORD your God, ‘My ancestor Jacob was a wandering Aramean who went to live in Egypt. His family was few in number, but in Egypt they became a mighty and numerous nation. 6 When the Egyptians mistreated and humiliated us by making us their slaves, 7 we cried out to the LORD, the God of our ancestors. He heard us and saw our hardship, toil, and oppression. 8 So the LORD brought us out of Egypt with amazing power, overwhelming terror, and miraculous signs and wonders. 9 He brought us to this place and gave us this land flowing with milk and honey! 10 And now, O LORD, I have brought you a token of the first crops you have given me from the ground.’ Then place the produce before the LORD your God and worship him. 11 Afterward go and celebrate because of all the good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household.
I had to shout when I read this scripture. I shouted because verse 8 just proclaimed a powerful move of God. “The LORD brought us out of Egypt with AMAZING POWER, OVERWHELMING TERROR and MIRACULOUS SIGNS AND WONDERS!” I mean HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH! Go ahead...shout it! I am shouting with you.
Egypt is synonymous with bondage. It represents the chains the mindsets that keep us from moving closer to our intimate relationship with God. Thank God who breaks the ties that bind us to such bondage. God is our LIBERATOR! Praise the Lord! And the Lord does not just liberate us, but the Lord places us in lands flowing with milk and honey! Hallelujah!
And so, we offer our sacrifice of this time of fasting and (we are reminded) of our“first fruits” our tithe to the Lord! Don’t allow Egypt to live in your wallet. Let the Lord freely pour blessings into it. You, however, must first open it to the Lord. I encourage you, if you do not or if you have not been doing so regularly, tithe 10% of your income throughout the next 31 days! That is 6 Sundays...by Resurrection Sunday, you will not be able to contain yourself when you see the “good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household.”
Praise the Lord for your walk with God. May it be one of righteousness, reflection and revelation. Speak Lord.
The Lenten Experience: A 40 Day Journey by
Friday | March 14, 2025
Romans 10:8-13
8 Salvation that comes from trusting Christ – which is the message we preach – is already within easy reach. In fact, the Scriptures say, “The message is close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.” 9 For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who believes in him will not be disappointed.” 12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They all have the same Lord, who generously gives his riches to all who ask for them. 13 For “Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Ty Tribbet sings with passion...” Call Him! Call Him! Jesus! Master! Savior! Father! Jesus!” For he is Lord and through him...through Christ, we have salvation. A free gift of eternal life. Sometimes when we have been walking with the Lord for a while, we have to take time to remember that salvation is the “main thing.” It’s not the lights, the televangelism ministry, the tapes/CDs/DVDs, the “Bishop” or the “Prophet” who is the main thing, but the main thing is salvation through Jesus Christ. When we encounter men and women/ boys and girls this scripture should be readily available in our spirits. We are called“to go and make disciples.” That means, it is our individual responsibility, to tell others HOW to accept this free gift from God. Yes, there is a process and it is spelled out for us here in Romans. We must “confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead...For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.”
That’s it! That’s all there is. And anyone can do it. It says so, right here in our text. Ask yourself. When is the last time you shared this knowledge with people?
The purpose of Lent is to deny yourself, not just so you can “kick a habit”, “lose weight,” or prove to yourself that “you can do it.” The purpose is to remove an element in our lives that is hindering our spiritual growth and replace the hindrance with spiritual food. As we are “fed” spiritually through this fast, we must take the time to share the process of salvation with those who are hungry. As we deny ourselves, let us each shower the blessing of salvation knowledge on others.
And I am not crazy...I do not believe simply because you have decided to join this fast, that each person is saved. It is a truly personal experience and you don’t have to go to the front of the church and give the preacher your hand...but you do have to give God your heart. So, here goes...it is my responsibility to tell you that Christ is real and Christ is alive and if you believe that in your heart and right now (while you read this) you confess that Christ is the Son of God and that he suffered death upon a cross for your sins...and that he rose from the grave and sits at the right hand of God interceding on our behalf....if you confess this with your mouth and believe it in your heart, than you ARE saved! If you made this confession, let me be the first to shout, “Halleluiah!” Today is your birthday! Mark this day as the first day of your Christian walk.
excerpt from The Lenten Experience: A 40 Day Journey by Rev. Dr. Susan H. Buckson
Saturday | March 15, 2025
Luke 4:1-13
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tested by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over he was famished. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” 4 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’ ” 5 Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And the devil said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’ ” 9 Then the devil[c] led him to Jerusalem and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’ 11 and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ” 12 Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” 13 When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.
Nuff said! We are in this to claim the victory over temptation. Thank God for the model of strength that we have in Jesus. What has been laid on my heart today is this:“If you are not led by the Spirit, you will not survive the temptations of the Devil.”
As you become more and more Spirit led, the less temptation will“faze you” (Do my 35 and over crew remember that term?). The only way Jesus, as man, was able to survive the temptations of the Devil was through the leading of the Holy Spirit throughout the 40 days he was in the wilderness. Praise God that we serve a God who knows what we go through in this flesh. God knows, because of Jesus, what it feels like to be tempted and to fall to fleshly desires. God also knows what it feels like to stare the Devil in the face and overcome temptation. If you don’t see the power in verse one, meditate on it today and allow the Holy Spirit to manifest itself in your life. Be diligent asking the Holy Spirit to fall fresh on you today. We must be led by the Spirit for the end of the Scripture reminds us that it was not anything that the Lord did that made the Devil stop tempting him. The Devil stopped when THE DEVIL HAD FINISHED...UNTIL THE NEXT OPPORTUNITY CAME. This was not the last time Jesus would meet the Devil and nor will it be our last time facing the temptations of the Devil. The only way we will bear the strength to survive our meetings will be because of the Holy Spirit that we have nurtured within ourselves. Are you nurturing your Spirit so that it might lead you through the wilderness? Be filled with the Word of God as your sword (it worked for Jesus) and the presence of the Holy Spirit as your shield (it worked for Jesus). These two together cannot be swayed.
excerpt from The Lenten Experience: A 40 Day Journey by
Rev. Dr. Susan H. Buckson
Sunday | March 16, 2025
Genesis 12:1-8
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” 4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 5 Abram took his wife Sarai and his brother’s son Lot and all the possessions that they had gathered and the persons whom they had acquired in Haran, and they set forth to go to the land of Canaan. When they had come to the land of Canaan, 6 Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. 7 Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. 8 From there he moved on to the hill country on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east, and there he built an altar to the Lord and invoked the name of the Lord.
Faith, faith and more faith! The substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen! Abraham had it. The woman at the well employed it! Praise God for the measure of faith that each of us has been given to live and breathe and move. Without faith, we will NEVER be able to make it through the next 28 days. And, it does not take much, only faith the size of a mustard seed. Have you ever seen one of those, they are nearly microscopic! To go to an unknown land and to listen to the skeletons in our closet revealed are both difficult experiences, but just as Abraham and the Woman at the Well, we ourselves have the assurance that the Lord will bring about abundance in our lives abundance of joy, peace, love, grace, mercy and much more than our hearts and minds can ever imagine. Trust that the Lord is preparing you for a greater tomorrow. Have faith!
excerpt from The Lenten Experience: A 40 Day Journey by Rev. Dr. Susan H. Buckson
Monday | March 17, 2025
Genesis 28:10-17
Jacob left Beer-sheba and went toward Haran. 11 He came to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. 12 And he dreamed that there was a stairway set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 And the Lord stood beside him and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring, 14 and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your offspring. 15 Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land, for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” 16 Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place and I did not know it!” 17 And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”
Imagine…the Lord will be with you WHEREVER YOU GO. My Lord! That means wherever the Lord is taking you right now through this fast, the Lord is there. He is in that experience and he is walking with you right now on Day 13 of the fast. That is truly a blessed assurance. This assurance comes not because your family has an intimate relationship with God; it is because you have one and because you are endeavoring through this Lenten season to increase that relationship. Certainly, Abraham and Isaac, Jacob’s grandfather and father respectively, had a relationship with God. The Bible is clear about that. However, it is now our responsibility as Christians to establish our own special relationship with God. We do this through constant prayer and simply sitting still and listening for the voice of God. Try that today. Sit in a chair, put everyone out of your space and just listen to what God has to say. I mean don’t you just hate riding in a car on a long journey and the passengers don’t talk. God spoke to Jacob in a dream because Jacob had been on the move, traveling with his family, busy...busy...busy. His sleep was the only time that God could get through. Make time today to SLOW DOWN and listen to God. Since God is with you...God wants to talk to you.
excerpt from The Lenten Experience: A 40 Day Journey by Rev. Dr. Susan H. Buckson
Tuesday | March 18, 2025
Romans 8:31-34
31 What can we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
32 Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? Will God? No! He is the one who has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? Will Christ Jesus? No, for he is the one who died for us and was raised to life for us and is sitting at the place of highest honor next to God, pleading for us.
I mean what a wonderfully blessed assurance! Perhaps this is the first time that you have ever really paid attention to this scripture. Perhaps you have heard it before. I mean...this is the one that goes on to declare that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Is that deep or what? There is NOTHING that we can ever do that can separate us from the love of God. Not only that, because of Jesus the redeemer of the world, God neither accuses us nor condemns us. That is a hard pill to swallow if you are used to living a life that you know is unpleasing to you let alone to God. But every day that our feet hit the floor, our eyes open orwe breathe...we ought to thank God for Jesus. See, it is through his eyes...his rose-colored glasses, that God sees us. So, know again, that the purpose of this fast is to get rid of some of the stuff that clouds our relationship with the Lord. A major part of that is forgiveness. Yes, toward others, but first of ourselves. God already has.
from The Lenten Experience: A 40 Day Journey by Rev.
Dr. Susan H. Buckson
Wednesday | March 19, 2025
Ephesians 4:32
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.
