The Podcast With Marben Bland: Recent Episodes
Marben Bland
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In The Courage to Say Thank You, Pastor Marben Bland reminds us that gratitude is more than good manners—it is a bold act of faith. Preaching from Luke 17:11–19, he shows how only one healed leper had the courage to return to Jesus and give thanks, and that gratitude made him whole, not just healed. Pastor Bland connects this powerful moment to Christ the King Sunday, teaching that Jesus is sovereign—ruling over time, nations, creation, sickness, and sin.
The sermon highlights three godly forms of influence: influence through light (letting our light shine in a dark world), influence through experience (using our years and wisdom to bless others), and influence through winning souls (guiding others to Christ).
We are challenged to let our gratitude become influence—returning to God with a thankful heart and using our lives to point others toward His glory.
Hashtags: #TheCourageToSayThankYou, #PastorMarbenBland, #ChristTheKingSunday, #Gratitude, #Influence, #Luke17, #FaithInAction, #SovereignKing, #GreaterBethelAME, #ThankYouLord
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In Luke 17:11-19, ten lepers are healed, but only one—a Samaritan—returns. His gratitude goes beyond manners; it is worship that points others to God. Jesus’ question, “Where are the nine?” challenges us to see that thanksgiving is a public testimony. Gratitude strengthens relationships, deepens faith, and opens the way for more of God’s work. It takes courage to stop, turn back, and say, “God did this.” When we praise God openly, our witness lifts weary hearts and boosts wavering faith. The Samaritan’s thanks became a proclamation, and Jesus gave him not only healing but wholeness. Today, when God provides, protects, or gives us breath, respond with courageous gratitude. Your “thank you” is worship, witness, and a signpost pointing to the glory of God.
Join us as we worship the Lord live and in person at Greater Bethel, 140 Rose Street in Athens, Georgia. Our worship day starts with breakfast and Church School at 9:45 AM, followed by the 11:00 AM worship service. The service is live-streamed on Facebook, YouTube, and our website www.gbaathens.org
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I am Marben Bland, Pastor of the Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Athens, Georgia, with a “Living The Word Moment.
The New York Times reports that the American penny has died. It was 232 years old. The Treasury Department cited irrelevance and high costs as the reasons for its end. In today’s economy, nothing can be bought with a penny anymore, not even penny candy. At 3 cents per penny, it no longer made sense to keep minting them.
The death of the penny, which during its peak had a significant cultural influence, reminds us that we are also mortal, as Job 14 tells us our days are few and full of trouble. John 3:16 shows us that Jesus came to earth to save us from sin and death.
However, the question is, what are we doing with the life that Jesus saved? Are we living our lives as singer Jill Scott tells us, like it’s “golden”? On Thursday at 7:00 PM ET, during our Bible study, we will discuss three keys to living a golden life: first, loving God well; second, producing well; and third, leaving well. Visit our website www.gbaathens.org for details on how to join us. So, until then, blessings, peace, and love.
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This Sunday, Pastor Marben Bland delivered a powerful sermon titled “A Pentecost Person,” reminding us that Pentecost isn’t just a moment in Acts 2 — it’s a movement we are called to live every day.
Just like the 3,000 who heard Peter preach in their own language, we too are invited to be transformed by the rushing wind of the Holy Spirit. Pastor Bland challenged us with a bold question:
Will you be part of the 3,000 who step forward… or the 90,000 who walk away?
A Pentecost Person is committed to four things:
Reach. Grow. Care. Serve.
We reach those who don’t know Jesus.
We grow through time, talent, and giving.
We care for our members with the same intentionality Amazon knows its customers.
We serve our community—because love must look like something.
This week, reflect on what it means to be moved, empowered, and transformed by the Spirit.
Are you a Pentecost Person?
We invite you to watch, reflect, and step into this calling with us.
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I am Marben Bland, Pastor of the Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Athens, Georgia, with a Living The Word moment.
Jonathan, son of King Saul, demonstrated the ultimate sacrifice through loyalty and faith — not to his father’s throne, but to his friend David. His devotion was rooted in righteousness, choosing God’s purpose over personal gain.
Rodney Maxwell Davis, a Marine from Macon, Georgia, also embodied that same spirit of sacrifice. Raised in the deep Jim Crow South, he laid down his life during the Vietnam War, throwing himself onto a grenade to save his fellow Marines — without regard to their race or background.
On this Veterans Day, we honor all who wear the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. Every day, in places near and far, they represent the very best of our nation — men and women willing to give the ultimate sacrifice, just like Jonathan and Rodney, out of love, faith, and courage.
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Prayer isn’t just words; it’s a living conversation with God. In this message, The Reverend Marben Bland reminded us that The Lord’s Prayer is more than a ritual; it’s our foundation for every kind of prayer petition, lament, confession, praise, and intercession.
When we pray earnestly, God listens. Whether we’re asking for daily bread, seeking forgiveness, or standing in the gap for others, prayer transforms our hearts and strengthens our faith.
Learn the prayer. Live the prayer. Teach the next generation to pray.
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Jesus exemplified the power of prayer. He prayed before every significant moment—choosing disciples, feeding the multitudes, and facing the cross. Prayer was His lifeline, and it can be ours as well. Whether petitioning, lamenting, confessing, praising, or interceding, prayer connects us to the heart of God. Every prayer you offer plants a seed of faith that God will nurture and grow. Keep praying—revival begins on our knees!For More Great Content Go To Marben Bland.com
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In this powerful message from Philippians 1:21, Rev. Marben Bland reminds us that death isn’t the end for believers — it’s the doorway to eternal life.
Drawing from childhood memories, Paul’s letters, and today’s real-world challenges, the sermon reveals how faith in the resurrection leads us to live out God’s grace with purpose and compassion.
We are called to believe, repent, and live out our faith, reflecting Christ’s love through action — caring for the poor, the hungry, and the sick.
Death is not defeat; it’s the start of our forever home with the Lord.
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In this heartfelt sermon celebrating the life of Mamie “Julia” Stephens, Rev. Marben Bland reminds listeners that Julia’s life was a living testimony of care for bodies, families, and souls. Drawing on 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 and Isaiah 9:6, he shows how Sister Julia embodied compassion in her work as a caregiver, her devotion as a mother of four sons, and her quiet strength within the Greater Bethel AME Church family.
Rev. Bland paints a portrait of a woman who served others with love, discipline, and joy — a woman who knew the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, and Prince of Peace personally. As her earthly body rests, her spirit rejoices in a new heavenly body with the Lord.
The message closes with an invitation — just as Sister Julia cared for others, she would want each of us to care for our souls. “If you died today,” Rev. Bland asks, “would you be with the Lord?” Through prayer and faith, listeners are invited to find the same peace and eternal home that Sister Julia now enjoys.
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In 1973, while aiming to surpass Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record, Hank Aaron signed a historic endorsement deal with Magnavox, a leading American electronics company known for manufacturing televisions and home entertainment systems. During a time when major consumer brands seldom chose Black athletes as national spokespeople, Aaron’s character and excellence made him a trusted figure for mainstream America. His contract became a cultural milestone, paving the way for future generations of Black athletes to venture into business, branding, and influence. Jesus in Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” When we walk in integrity, God can use our platforms and positions to break barriers and open doors for ourselves and others.
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The final command of Jesus is made in Matthew 28:19, and it could not have been clearer: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” These were not just parting words—they were marching orders for every believer. Yet today, distractions pull our attention in a thousand directions. We fill our schedules with activity, but often neglect our true assignment: teaching, baptizing, and guiding others to follow Christ. The Great Commission is not just about church membership but about transformation—walking with people until they grow into mature disciples. The challenge before us is to refocus, reclaim our purpose, and resist the pattern of distraction. When we realign our hearts with Jesus’s mission, we become active participants in God’s redeeming work, advancing His Kingdom one disciple at a time.
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I am Marben Bland, Pastor of the Greater Bethel AME Church In Athens, Georgia, with a Living The Word Moment.
When God called Moses from the burning bush in Exodus 3, Moses didn’t have the best résumé. He doubted his speaking skills, questioned his worth, and even considered refusing the mission. But what mattered most wasn’t his ability — it was his availability. God assured Moses, “I will be with you.” Through his willingness to show up, Moses became the leader who brought Israel out of Egypt.
God often works through those who simply say, “Here I am.” Your availability allows God’s power to work through your life, no matter your skill level. Don’t underestimate what God can do with a willing heart. The best ability is to be ready when He calls.
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In a culture obsessed with payback, Romans 12:19 reminds us: “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Pastor Marben Bland explores how God’s justice is measured, holy, and sure, unlike our human impulses toward revenge.
Drawing inspiration from James Brown’s “The Big Payback,” current political cycles, and biblical examples, this sermon urges us to trust God’s justice and resist the world’s patterns of grievance.
Main Points:
1️⃣ Retribution belongs to God — not us (Romans 12:19; Deuteronomy 32:35).
2️⃣ Transformation through renewing the mind (Romans 12:1–2) breaks strongholds of bitterness.
3️⃣ Resistance over retribution — God calls His people to stand with the oppressed and act righteously.
4️⃣ True freedom comes through atonement and reconciliation, not revenge.
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Amos warned Israel about being dazzled by wealth while ignoring justice… and wow, doesn’t that sound like today? From tech billionaires to luxury living, glitter can blind us. But God is calling us higher. 🙌
Here are the takeaways:
👉 Don’t be fooled by glitter—choose godliness.
👉 Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by standing in solidarity with our brothers and sisters.
👉 Walk the path God calls us to: give generously, pursue justice, and set your mind on eternal things.
At the end of the day, glitter fades—but God’s love and justice remain forever. 💜
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The late 19th-century Gilded Age was marked by dazzling wealth, towering mansions, and rapid industrial growth—but beneath the glitter lay poverty, injustice, and exploitation. Today, many describe our time as a new Gilded Age: technology and wealth abound, yet inequality, division, and spiritual emptiness persist. Amos warned Israel of a similar danger—lounging in luxury while neglecting God’s call for justice and compassion (Amos 6:1–10). The prophet reminds us that true greatness is not measured in comfort but in faithfulness.
Even now, God offers us hope: when we align our hearts with His Word, we shine beyond the glitter of temporary wealth, living as agents of His eternal kingdom.
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In this powerful 5-minute message, Pastor Marben Bland reflects on the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk. While mourning Kirk’s life and praying for his family, Pastor Bland calls us to look deeper—at the dangers of Christian nationalism, the poison of racism, and the tragedy of gun violence.
Main Points You’ll Hear:
- What Scripture teaches when people called by God turn away from God (1 Samuel).
- The dangerous ideology of Christian nationalism and why we must reject it.
- Outrage at racist remarks by Charlie Kirk about Black leaders and pilots.
- Mourning Kirk’s death while also remembering Breonna Taylor, Trayvon Martin, and all victims of gun violence.
- A reminder: “The godly may trip seven times, but they will get back up again. One disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.”
🎧 Listen now to hear how faith challenges us not to fight fire with fire, but to rise with courage, truth, and love.
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In Luke 10:38–42, Jesus affirmed Mary’s choice to sit at His feet—breaking cultural barriers and showing us that women and men are equal in God’s Kingdom.
In this sermon, Pastor Marben Bland reminds us:
1️⃣ Equality begins with invitation—welcoming others as equals.
2️⃣ Equality honors the right to learn—education lifts us all.
3️⃣ Equality corrects cultural distractions—keeping Jesus as the main thing.
4️⃣ Equality means choosing what matters most—the Word of God.
Hear stories of Barbara Jordan, Lisa Cook, Mary & Martha, and Marben’s granddaughter all pointing to God’s timeless truth: He made us equal.
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I am Marben Bland, Pastor Of The Greater Bethel AME Church in Athens, Georgia with a Living The Word Moment.
The Beatles sang of “the fool on the hill,” a quiet figure mocked by the crowd but seeing the world with clarity. Scripture tells us the same truth: God’s wisdom often looks like foolishness to the world. Jeremiah was ridiculed for his warnings (Jeremiah 20:7). John the Baptist was dismissed as strange (Matthew 3:4). Even Jesus on the cross was mocked as powerless (Luke 23:35). Yet 1 Corinthians 1:18 reminds us: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
So let us pray to the Lord that, when others misunderstand us, please give us courage to stand on the hill of Your truth, smiling with the peace only You provide.
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In this sermon Pastor Marben Bland connects James Brown’s 1969 anthem “Open Up the Door and I’ll Get It Myself” with Mark 2:1–12, where friends refused to let a closed door keep them from Jesus. 🙌🏾
Listen to this message and discover how to open life-changing doors by:
1️⃣ Praying Boldly – asking God with courage and faith.
2️⃣ Persevering with Faith – not giving up when doors seem shut.
3️⃣ Leaning on Community – trusting others to help carry you to Christ.
Life-changing doors rarely open themselves—but God gives us the courage to create new ones.
Listen now & be encouraged!
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I am Marben Bland, Pastor Of The Greater Bethel AME Chuch In Athens, Georgia with a Living The Word Moment.
This week, President Trump took the unprecedented step of removing Lisa Cook, the first African-American woman to serve as a Federal Reserve governor. Beyond politics, her dismissal raises a piercing question: Would this have happened if she were a white man?
Scripture is clear in Genesis 1:27 God created men and women as equals. Judges 4:4-5 introduces us to Deborah who judged Israel with from God authority. Luke 10:38–42 tells us how Mary sat at Jesus’ feet as a disciple. He affirmed her for doing so saying Mary had chosen “the better part”
From creation to Christ, to today God honors women as leaders, image-bearers, and disciples. Let us rejoice that we worship and serve the God of equality as we continue to pray for Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.
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I’m Marben Bland, Pastor of The Greater Bethel AME Church Athens, Georgia with a Living the Word Moment.
Not long ago, I was invited to a birthday party. The invitation said: “Don’t bring a giftyour presence is enough.” That simple line reminded me how powerful it is just to show up.
In Mark 2:1–5, Jesus returned to Capernaum and the house filled with people eager to see Him. A paralyzed man couldn’t get through the door, but his friends refused to give up. They tore open the roof and lowered him down. Impressed by their faith, Jesus healed him and forgave his sins.
That story reminds us: God isn’t asking for perfection. You don’t need fancy clothes, long prayers, or even deep Bible knowledge. John 3:16 tells us Jesus is the gift and your presence is enough.
And your presence is enough tomorrow at Greater Bethel AME in Athens. Join us at 9:45 AM for Church School and breakfast, and at 11:00 AM for worship as I teach from Mark 2: 1-5 in a message entitled Life-Changing Doors Don’t Open Themselves.
Can’t be there in person? Worship with us online at gbaathens.org, Facebook, or YouTube.
So, until tomorrow—blessings, peace and love
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“Win the Morning With God”
I am Marben Bland, Pastor Of The Greater Bethel AME Church In Athens, Georgia with a Living The Word Moment.
Psalm 5:3 says, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”
David reminds us that the way we start our day matters. Before the rush, before the emails, before the noise, he turned his heart toward God. Prayer in the morning isn’t just habit—it’s alignment. It’s saying, “Lord, You go first.”
Notice the posture: he lays his requests carefully, like an offering, and then he waits—not in doubt, but with expectation. That’s faith at work.
If you want to win the day, start by winning the morning. Begin with prayer, not panic. Open your Bible before you open your inbox. Bring your heart before God, and then wait with confidence—because the One who hears you is faithful to answer.
Take 60 seconds today to reset your mornings with God’s presence.
Join Us at Greater Bethel!
📍 140 Rose Street, Athens, Georgia
Tomorrow is a day of worship you won’t want to miss!
✨ Church School & Breakfast – 9:45 AM
✨ Morning Worship – 11:00 AM
Pastor Marben Bland will bring the Word from Psalm 5:3 in a sermon entitled “Win the Morning.”
Come ready to be fed both physically and spiritually! Until tomorrow—blessings, peace, and love.
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“If you can win the first hour, you can win the whole day.”
I am Marben Bland Pastor of the Greater Bethel AME Church in Athens, Georgia with a living the word moment.
Psalm 5:3 reminds us, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” The way you begin your day shapes the rest of it. Winning the morning means making God your first priority—before the phone, before the news, before the rush. Start with prayer, not panic. Open your Bible before you open your inbox. Let worship fill your heart before worry fills your mind.
Winning the morning isn’t about a perfect routine—it’s about intentional alignment with God. That first hour is your chance to set the tone, fix your focus, and receive fresh strength. When you place your requests before the Lord and wait expectantly, you invite His presence into every moment.
Begin with Him, walk with Him, and you’ll find you’ve won more than the morning—you’ve won the day.
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God didn’t just give you dreams—He gave you the ability to pursue them with purpose. When you set goals, you’re not just writing a list of what you want to achieve; you’re stepping into a divine partnership. Proverbs 16:3 reminds us that success begins not with our hustle, but with our surrender. True success is not about crossing off tasks—it’s about aligning your plans with God’s will.
Set goals that honor Him. Pray before you plan. Ask for guidance before you grind. Then, commit fully, knowing that He’s walking with you. With God's direction and your dedication, your dreams become more than possible—they become powerful.
Today, write down one goal. Ask God to bless it, guide it, and use it for His glory.
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Have you ever walked into a sacred space so full of purpose and power—that you instinctively whispered, moved slower, and felt something shift in your spirit?
In this powerful sermon, Pastor Marben Bland challenges us to realize that we are that sacred space. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 3:16–17, he asks a life-altering question: "Don’t you realize that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God lives in you?"
Discover how to honor God's presence within you
Confront what’s defiling your inner sanctuary
Embrace your identity as holy, chosen, and filled with purpose
This isn’t just a message—it’s a wake-up call.
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News of Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s passing at just 54 has left many of us stunned. As we reflect on the life of the beloved Cosby Show star, we are reminded of the fragility of life and the swiftness with which our days pass. Psalm 90:12 urges, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” In times like this, that wisdom leads us to cherish every moment, not in fear, but in faithful awareness of God’s sovereignty over life and death.
Though our earthly days are limited, the salvation of the Lord is eternal. His mercy and grace do not run out they invite us daily into deeper relationship and lasting peace. As we mourn and try to understand let us also lean into the promise that God desires us to live with Him now and forevermore.
Let us number our days and live them with purpose, hope, and love.
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“The Lord said to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 1:6–8
‘You have stayed long enough at this mountain… Go in and take possession of the land…’”
God’s call to Israel was not just about territory it was a summons to responsibility. When God gives land, He also gives a charge: care for it, protect it, and honor its holiness. In a world plagued by environmental neglect, we are reminded that creation is not ours to exploit but it is a trust from God. Ecological justice is spiritual justice. As children of the most high God we must not stay idle in apathy. The land is groaning not just from pollution, but from our unfaithfulness. God wants us to step forward with intention and to possess the land with purpose. Who see God’s fingerprints in every tree, every stream, and every part of the Land that He has given us.
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I am Marben Bland, Pastor of The Greater Bethel AME Church In Athens, Georgia With A Living The Word Moment.
With the passage of his “Big Beautiful Bill, President Trump is a winner and he is celebrating.
However, as we celebrate Independence Day, political scientist Ian Bremmer, founder of the Eurasia Group, reminds us in his 2025 Tulane commencement speech:
“We were winners, but we were not leaders.”
Bremmer wasn’t speaking of the victory of getting a bill passed, but of moral leadership. True greatness isn’t just about winning—it’s about shaping a better world.
Jesus said, “Whoever wants to become great among you become a servant” (Matthew 20:26). Scripture calls us not to hoard power, but to lead with humility and justice.
Is shaping a better world cutting poor people’s medical care or giving rich people a tax cut?
Is shaping a better world closing down HeadStart or advancing a hedge fund.
Is shaping a better world achieved when funding has been cut for lifeguards on the beach while the President shakes down law firms, universities, and television networks with silly lawsuits and bogus executive orders?
America has been blessed with freedom and strength. But leadership is not a trophy it’s a responsibility.
This 4th of July, may we recommit to leading with faith, compassion, and courage so that our freedom blesses not just ourselves, but the world.
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I am Marben Bland Pastor of the Greater Bethel AME Church In Athens, Georgia with a living the word moment.
Jacob, the deceiver, stole Esau’s birthright—a sacred inheritance meant for the firstborn. But instead of rejection, Jacob encounters grace. Alone and fleeing for his life, he dreams of a heavenly stairway and hears God’s covenant reaffirmed through him. Why would God choose a thief? Because God uses flawed people to carry out divine purposes.
Abraham lied, Isaac favored, Jacob stole—and yet God still showed up. He still shows up for us. We all carry flaws, but God meets us in our brokenness and transforms our story. Jacob awoke changed, renamed the place Bethel—House of God.
Let your past be the place where God meets you, not where He leaves you.
God still uses the unworthy—because it takes a thief to understand the power of grace.
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I am Marben Bland, Pastor Of Greater Bethel AME in Athens, Georgia with a Living The Word Moment.
On most Sundays, I wind down by watching an episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show on MeTV. The one I watched recently was from 1965 Van Dyke was 40 then. Now, in December 2025, he turns 100 the last surviving adult cast member. You know time marches on.
Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Life is brief. Most of us won’t see 100, but every day is a gift a chance to live wisely, love deeply, and serve faithfully.
No matter our age or season, we can manage our time well, steward our resources, and surrender fully to God’s leading.
Let’s make our lives count not someday, but today.
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Three Faith Lessons From Juneteenth
I am Marben Bland, Pastor of Greater Bethel AME Church In Athens, Georgia with a Living The Word Moment.
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free...” – Galatians 5:1
Juneteenth, marks the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally learned they were free—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This painful delay reminds us that truth, though declared, must be received to take root.
As we reflect on this historic moment, we uncover timeless spiritual lessons that speak to our walk with Christ today:
1. Freedom Delayed Is Not Freedom Denied
Even when justice is slow, God’s promises stand. Habakkuk 2:3 — “Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”
2. Truth Must Be Proclaimed
Like those who carried the news to Galveston, we are called to proclaim truth and justice. John 8:32 — “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
3. Remembering Builds Hope
In Scripture, remembrance is a sacred act that fuels our hope. Deuteronomy 6:12 warns, “Be careful that you do not forget the Lord.” When we remember what God has done, we are strengthened to trust what He will do.
Let us be truth-bearers, justice-seekers, and hope-builders—because Christ not only sets us free, but calls us to help others walk in that same freedom
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I am Marben Bland, Pastor Of The Greater Bethel AME Church In Athens, Georgia with a Living The Word Moment
In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus speaks to the raging sea: “Peace! Be still!” And suddenly, the wind ceased, and the sea was calm. This is a reminder that even when chaos surrounds us, Jesus is present, powerful, and in control.
One hundred years ago, civil rights hero Medgar Evers was born. His pursuit of justice stirred storms across Mississippi. When he was assassinated on June 12, 1963, the nation grieved. Yet in the face of unspeakable loss, his widow Myrlie Evers stood firm. With grace and resolve, she became a voice of calm amid racial unrest, a modern echo of Christ’s peace.
Whatever storm you are facing—be it injustice, grief, or fear—know that the same Jesus who calmed the sea can calm your soul. Trust Him. Even in the darkest night, His peace can still calm the storms in our lives.
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I am Marben Bland, Pastor of the Greater Bethel AME Church In Athens Georgia with a living the Word Moment.
Have you ever heard the praise “What would Jesus do?” So, the question is “how can I ask what Jesus would do if I don’t know who Jesus is?”
The answer begins with relationship. Before we can imitate Jesus, we must first meet Him. Jesus in Matthew 4:19 is inviting us when he says Come, follow me”
Jesus is not a distant figure to study, but a Savior to know. In John 10:14, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” When we seek Him for answers—we discover His heart, His ways, His love.
To ask “What would Jesus do?” is powerful, but it only makes sense if you know His voice. Open your Bible. Pray. Join a community of believers. Begin to know Him for yourself.
Then, asking what Jesus would do won’t be guesswork—it will be a response born from knowing the character of Jesus, knowing the power of Jesus and knowing the love of Jesus.
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Ministry In Strange Places: I am Marben Bland Pastor of Greater Bethe AME in Athens Georgia with a living the word moment
In Acts 16:9-15 Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia pleading for help. Though Philippi was familiar, Paul obeyed the Holy Spirit’s call and journeyed into the unknown. There, instead of finding crowds, he found a woman—Lydia—gathered by the river for prayer. Through Paul’s obedience, Lydia and her household were baptized, becoming the first European converts to Christianity.
This Pentecost week, we’re reminded that the Holy Spirit will lead us beyond our comfort zones. Like Paul, we will be called to minister in unfamiliar places—to speak hope where we’ve never spoken, and to meet people we never expected.
God’s message to us is clear we are not to fear ministry in strange places for the Holy Spirit has already gone clearing the way before us.
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When a Great People Lift Up a Great God, Everything Becomes Greater" is now streaming!
Recorded live at Greater Bethel AME Church, Pastor Marben Bland takes us on a powerful journey of faith, remembrance, and celebration. From honoring the heroes of Memorial Day to uplifting the legacy of the AAPI community, this message reminds us that our true greatness is found when we lift up the greatness of God.
Drawing from 2 Chronicles 20 and the testimony of King Jehoshaphat, Pastor Bland challenges us to respond to fear with faith, trials with praise, and uncertainty with trust. When we magnify the Lord—even before the battle is won—our courage multiplies, our witness grows, and our strength deepens.
🎧 Tune in now and be refreshed, inspired, and empowered.
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On Sunday, May 18, 2025, Rev. Rosalind Turner, pastor of Ebenezer AME Church in Greensboro, GA, delivered a soul-stirring message from Genesis 21:14–19. Through the story of Hagar, Rev. Turner reminded us that even in the wilderness seasons of life—when resources are scarce, spirits are weary, and direction feels lost—God is still present.
She spoke directly to the emotional weight women carry in silence and encouraged us to release the burden and trust God's provision, protection, and power. This sermon was a timely call to faith, healing, and hope.
🎧 Listen, share, and be reminded: You are never alone—God is still there.
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He Has Gone to a New Neighborhood
🕊️ A Eulogy for Donarell Green III
📍 Greater Bethel AME – Athens, GA | 🗓️ May 15, 2025
🎤 Delivered by Rev. Marben Bland
Brother Donarell Green III lived a life shaped by the call of God—to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly. In this stirring eulogy, Rev. Bland reflects on how Brother Green answered that call through family, service, and faith.
🔹 Called to challenge injustice with love and courage.
🔹 Called to raise a family grounded in excellence and integrity.
🔹 Called to serve—on school boards, in government, and in the movement for justice.
🔹 And ultimately, called home to the “neighborhood” where peace, joy, and rest abide.
The question now is: How will you answer God’s call on your life?
🎧 Listen, reflect, and be moved to action.
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Recorded live at Greater Bethel AME Church, Athens, GA
🎙 Sermon by Pastor Marben Bland
This Mother’s Day, we honored not just motherhood, but the spiritual legacy passed through generations—from Lois and Eunice to women in our own lives. Pastor Bland reminded us that the greatest inheritance isn’t wealth, but faith—a faith that lives on.
From the powerful prayers of Harriet Jacobs’ grandmother in slavery to the examples of Jochebed, Hannah, and Mary in Scripture, we saw how women of faith shape the future. Pastor Bland challenged all mothers to live authentically, speak God’s word, and call out purpose in their children.
Even if you aren’t a parent, you can still be a spiritual legacy bearer. Let the faith that lived in them, live in us.
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I am Marben Bland, Pastor of the Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church In Athens, Georgia with a living the word moment
Pain has a way of convincing us that the night will never end. Tears fall, hearts break, and it can feel as if the darkness will last forever. But Psalm 30 reminds us of a deeper truth: Weeping May Endure For A Night But Joy Comes In the Morning.
God’s favor outlasts our struggles. His anger is brief, but His love is everlasting. Even in our worst nights of sorrow, we are not abandoned. Morning is not just a change in the clock — it is a promise from God that joy will return. Our circumstances may not immediately change, but our hearts can be renewed by the hope that God is working even in our tears. So, sing praises, even if your voice trembles. Give thanks, even if your heart aches. Hold on, because the sun will rise, and with it, the joy of the Lord will meet you again.
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The Real ID Act of 2005 is a federal law that sets security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. Beginning May 7, a Real ID will be required to board domestic flights and enter certain federal facilities.
In episode recorded on April 24 , at the live at the August South Annual Conference of the AME Church I am joined by the Rev. Dr. Monica Spencer, an AME pastor and representative of VoteRiders—a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all eligible citizens can exercise their right to vote.
Our conversation focuses on what the Real ID is, why it matters, and how you can get one if you don’t already have it.
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I am Marben Bland, pastor of the Greater Bethel AME Church in Athens, Georgia with a Living The Word Moment.
Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, has died at age 88.
In high school the future pope demonstrated a scientific aptitude, his mother hoped he would become a doctor. He worked in a chemistry lab and earned pocket money as a doorman at tango bars.
In November 1955, just after graduating from high school, he told his parents of his plans for the priesthood. Deeply unhappy by his decision his mother accused her son of misleading her to which he replied, “I didn’t lie to you, Mom, “I’m going to study the medicine of the soul.”
The Pope’s guiding scripture was Matthew 9:9-13, where Jesus dines with sinners and proclaims, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick... I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” Like Jesus, Pope Francis believed the church is a field hospital, and we are all in need of healing.
As both a priest and Pope, Francis offered this soul-medicine to a church in crisis—amid abuse scandals, waning attendance, and deep division. Yet he chose the way of Jesus, a path rooted in mercy.
Today, as we mourn his death, we to can be a healer, we too can give medicine to the soul. We can be like Jesus, seeing the overlooked, embrace the outcast, and extend the mercy that saves. Someone in your life needs your compassion. Like Francis let’s bring the medicine of the soul.
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This Easter, Pastor Marben Bland reminds us that the tomb was empty, the stone was rolled away, and the Good News was first preached by women society tried to silence. In a time when injustice feels normal, God calls us to disrupt the usual and live out divine purpose.
💬 “Because Christ rose, we don’t return to business as usual—we step into business divine.”
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Luke 23:32 tells us after Pilate had delivered Jesus to be crucified, he was led to a place called the Skull. A great multitude watched as he was nailed to the cross it was there amidst his pain and suffering with criminals on his right and left Jesus cries out the first of his seven last words. “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”
There Is A Word From The Lord And I am Pleased To Share It With You I A Brief Teaching Entitled Forgiveness Is For Winners
Greater Bethel has joined the interfaith council in reading Isabel Wilkerson, book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. And in that book Sister Wilkerson quotes the writer Roxane Gay who says that “Black people forgive because they need to survive.”
Gray goes on to say “We have to forgive time and time again while racism or white silence in the face of racism continues to thrive.
We have had to forgive slavery, segregation, Jim Crow laws, lynching, inequity in every realm, mass incarceration, voter disenfranchisement, inadequate representation in popular culture, microaggressions and more. We forgive and forgive and forgive and those who trespass against us continue to trespass against us.”
Jesus died on the cross to forgive us of our sins. Considering the suffering Jesus endured, and the survivalist nature that forgiveness has come to be for black people in America. I ask the question is forgiveness while ordained by God is it only a defensive tool of the oppressed? Giving by Jesus to God’s people to keep them from being beat down some more after they have been beat down?
After all, do we see the powerful ever ask for forgiveness? Has Trump asked for forgiveness for falsely questing Obama’s citizenship? Has he asked for forgiveness for saying the 2020 election was rigged, or the many lies he has told, or for what he doing what he is now doing to the capabilities of our government, the integrity the juridical system or the recking of our economy?
Black and other oppressed people forgive time and time again. So, I must ask again, and this time more clearly is forgiveness for suckers is forgiveness for losers?
Jesus while suffering on the cross saying, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” Demonstrates that forgiveness is for winners.
So that football team that we all root for has a play book. An offensive and defensive game plan designed for victory. My brothers and sisters I contend Jesus’s by asking God to forgive the very folks who were causing his death provides us with an effective playbook for dealing with ravages of the Trump administration.
This is Jesus’s playbook in three plays:
Play One: Forgiveness gets us right with God
Jesus says in Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Play Two: Now that we are right with God the Lord will give us the courage to get into some good trouble
Good trouble is about challenging unjust systems standing up for the least the lost the marginalized and the disenfranchised.
The Bible is filled with people who got right with God and then caused some good trouble.
Esther risked her life to speak up against a decree that threatened the Jewish people.
Prophets like Amos and Isaiah were not afraid to call out the wealthy and powerful for their greed and injustice.
Even flawed figures like Ruth, David, and the disciples were used by God to bring about positive change.
We can get into good trouble by not checking out of the avalanche of bad news and executive orders but to say informed.
We can get into good trouble by encouraging our bothers and sisters du
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I am Marben Bland Pastor Of The Greater Bethel AME Church in Athens, Georgia with a living the word moment.
Fred Flintstone’s dusty, barefoot treks through Bedrock offer more than a laugh—they mirror life in Jesus’ time, when walking left feet crusty, tired, and worn.
In John 13, Jesus—fully aware of His coming betrayal—stoops to wash His disciples’ feet. The Son of God performs the task of the lowliest servant, teaching us that greatness begins with humility.
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14).
This wasn’t just about dirt—it was a symbol of spiritual cleansing. Jesus reminds us: “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me” (John 13:8).
So this Holy Week, don’t hide your feet—or your heart. Let Jesus wash you, love you, and lead you.
Even in Bedrock, grace walks barefoot.
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Jesus Is My Ride or Die
Sermon # 28 2024-2025 Conference Year
Delivered April 13, 2025 at Greater Bethel AME Church – Athens, Georgia
Scripture Reference: John 12:12–19 (The Message)
In this bold and timely Palm Sunday sermon, Pastor Marben Bland challenges us with a simple but life-changing question: If Jesus is riding for you—are you riding with Him?
🙌🏾 Major Points:
- Follow the Lord Without Fear – Take up your cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23).
- Speak His Truth Boldly – Be unashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God (Romans 1:16).
- Love Like He Loved – Let our love be the proof of our discipleship (John 13:35).
Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey—not for His own glory, but for ours. He rode with our sins. Now, it’s our turn to ride with Him.
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I am Marben Bland, Pastor Of The Greater Bethel AME Church In Athens Georgia with a living the Word moment.
The term "ride or die" originally comes from biker culture, where it described someone who would ride with you no matter what, even if it meant facing danger or death. It has come to mean someone who is fiercely loyal, standing by your side through thick and thin.
When Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem, He was declaring to the world that God’s Son was our ultimate "ride or die." In that moment, Jesus demonstrated His unwavering commitment to us. Despite the crowd's praises of "Hosanna!" quickly shifting to shouts of "Crucify Him!" just a few days later, Jesus did not waver. He stayed with us. He had our back.
At the critical moment when He could have chosen to save Himself, Jesus remained faithful. He didn’t abandon us. He stood firm and stayed true to His mission, proving that He is indeed our "ride or die."
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I am Marben Bland, Pastor Of The Greater Bethel AME Church In Athens, Georgia with a living the Word Moment
CBS News reports that President Trump has fired around 200,000 federal employees across more than a dozen agencies. While some applaud the cuts as gains in efficiency, I must ask: Are these gains worth the human cost?
To follow Jesus is to be moved by loss.
Jesus was close to Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha. When Lazarus died, their grief was overwhelming—and Jesus didn’t stay distant. John 11:35 simply says, “Jesus wept.”
Today, I weep with federal workers who lost their jobs.
Today, I weep with my friend grieving a beloved dog.
Today, I weep with my classmate mourning his mother.
To be moved by those who are moved by loss is deeply God-honoring.
Jesus wept—and so should we.
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This powerful Lenten message from Pastor Marben Bland, explores what it truly means to keep our eyes on the prize—not temporary success, but a deep, enduring relationship with Christ.
🏀 From March Madness to spiritual endurance, Pastor Bland draws inspiration from:
✅ The tragedy of the 1977 Evansville basketball team
✅ The tension faced by early Christians who chose “Jesus is Lord” over “Caesar is Lord”
✅ The distractions of our day—from politics to personal setbacks
✅ The five intentional discipleship goals set by Greater Bethel in 2025
He challenges us to respond like Christ:
🔹 Forgive boldly
🔹 Live fully
🔹 Mobilize faithfully
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"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
I am Marben Bland, Pastor of The Greater Bethel AME Church in Athens, Georgia with a Living The Word Moment.
Life is full of distractions—worries about money, success, and the future can cloud our vision. But in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives us a clear directive: seek first God’s kingdom. Instead of chasing temporary treasures, He calls us to focus on what truly matters—living for Him, walking in righteousness, and trusting His provision.
When we fix our eyes on Jesus and His purposes, everything else falls into place. Worry fades when we trust in God’s care. Our hearts find peace when we live for His glory rather than the world's approval.
So, the question is what are you seeking first today? Are your eyes on the prize of God’s kingdom, or are they distracted by the temporary? My prayer is that we all fix our eyes on the prize seeking first the kingdom of God.
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As we enter this 40-day journey of Lent, Ash Wednesday reminds us of the paradox of faith: when we give to God, we receive more than we could ever imagine. Jesus tells us, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap" (Luke 6:38).
Lent is a season of surrender—giving up distractions, comforts, and even control—so that we might draw closer to God. Just as Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2), we are called to let go of what binds us and embrace a deeper dependence on Him.
When we give up our time for prayer, we gain peace.
When we give up selfishness, we gain love.
When we give up our burdens, we gain rest (Matthew 11:28).
On this Ash Wednesday, let’s reflect on what we can surrender to God, knowing that He is faithful to fill our hands and hearts with His grace.
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This weekend at the St. Julian of Norwich Episcopal Church Men's Retreat in Austin, Texas, Rev. Marben Bland, Pastor of Greater Bethel AME Church in Athens, Georgia, delivered a powerful message on the Transfiguration of Jesus and how knowing our Spiritual Why shapes our faith, relationships, and service.
Like Jesus on the mountaintop, we experienced divine moments of clarity, prayer, and connection. But as He descended to face real-world challenges, so must we—carrying our faith into the valleys of life.
🔹 Why do we pray? Because Jesus’ mission was rooted in prayer.
🔹 Why do we invest in relationships? Because Jesus didn’t walk alone—He brought Peter, James, and John with Him.
🔹 Why do we give? Because faith is reflected in how we use our resources for God’s glory.
🔹 Why do we seek spiritual growth? Because transformation isn’t just for the mountaintop—it’s for the journey ahead.
As we leave this retreat, we take with us the charge to listen to Jesus, center our lives on Him, and live out our Why with purpose and passion.
🙏 "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to Him!" (Luke 9:35)
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I am Marben Bland Pastor of the Greater Bethel AME Church In Athens, Georgia with a Living The Word Moment
A spiritual why is the deeper purpose that fuels our faith, keeping us aligned with God’s will even in moments of weakness. King David, a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14), lost sight of his spiritual why when he pursued Bathsheba, leading to sin and suffering (2 Samuel 11). His actions brought devastating consequences, but his story didn’t end in failure. In Psalm 51, David repents, seeking God’s mercy and renewal. His return to faith reminds us that our purpose in God is not defined by our worst moments.
Like David, we may stumble, but God’s grace offers a way forward. When we reconnect with our spiritual why—our love for God, our desire to serve—we find redemption. No failure is final in God’s hands. We are so much better than the worst time of our lives.
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In Pastor Marben Bland’s sermon “A Faith Worth Fighting For,” we’re challenged to actively defend our salvation—as 1 Timothy 6:12 urges us to “fight the good fight of faith.” Pastor Bland reminds us that faith isn’t passive—it demands daily prayer, immersion in God’s word, and a united community. Just as 1 Peter 1:18–19 teaches about Christ’s supreme sacrifice; we’re called to counterpunch life’s distractions with perseverance and passion. Whether you’re deep in the fight or just ready to join, now’s the time to claim your eternal inheritance and stand firm.
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I have reached the age where people my age are passing away. Since August 2024, four contemporaries who have gone home to be with the Lord.
The thought of my own death does not trouble me, but the idea of leaving this world without being in right relationship with the Lord is terrifying.
The Apostle Peter wrote to believers facing persecution and death by the Roman Empire, urging them to stay faithful despite hardship. In 1 Peter 4:7, he declares:
"The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray."
Peter’s message is clear time is short, and Jesus' return is imminent. While "the end" does not necessarily mean immediate death, it emphasizes the urgency of living righteously, because our own death could come at any moment.
Applying This Truth Today I Pray That We Will
- Live with urgency – Christ's return is nearer than ever; we must prioritize faith, holiness, and love.
- Stay spiritually disciplined – Avoid distractions that cloud your judgment and keep your heart centered on God.
- Commit to prayer – A strong prayer life keeps us connected to God’s will and strengthens us in times of trial.
In Loving Memory of my contemporaries who have passed in recent days
· Andrea
A woman of endless talent, grace, and beauty.
· Wonda
She became the mother of our family because of her steadfast determination for us to have a family reunion.
· Mark
From Chicago to Clinton, he lived live on his own terms with a honesty and goodness that belied his situation.
· Jackie
A devoted mother, grandmother and sister who dedicated her life as nurse healing others.
Let us honor their memory by living with eternal purpose, embracing 1 Peter 4:7, and ensuring our hearts remain ready before the Lord.
📖 “The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.” – 1 Peter 4:7
May we all strive to live well, love deeply, and remain steadfast in faith. 🙏✨
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I am Marben Bland, Pastor Of Greater Bethel AME Athens with a living the word moment
1 Timothy 6:12 reminds us to “Fight the good fight of the faith
Salvation, like our American democracy, is worth fighting for – today both are under attack.
We are in a spiritual battle. The enemy seeks to distract, discourage, and deceive us into believing that our salvation isn’t worth the fight.
We are also in a political battle. The determination of the Trump Administration to bend the American government to his will, has exhausted many into believing that democracy isn’t worth defending.
In the midst of it all, God calls us to stand firm, press on, and hold fast—not only to our faith in Him but also to the principles of justice and righteousness that shape our democracy.
Today, as we face dark days where truth, justice, and democracy seem under assault, let us not grow weary. Instead, let us fight the good fight of faith, knowing that God stands with those who seek righteousness. Salvation is our greatest assurance, and from it, we draw the strength to stand for truth.
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What do you truly need to live a full and meaningful life? Is it family, success, health, or financial security? The truth is, all of these things are temporary. The only thing you REALLY need is God. 🙌
Acts 17:28 reminds us:
"For in Him we live and move and have our being."
Everything we have—our breath, our strength, our very existence—comes from Him. We may lose people, possessions, or earthly comforts, but without God, we have nothing. His love is eternal, unshakable, and the foundation of true life.
💡 Reflection:
✅ Are you seeking God first in your life?
✅ Do you recognize Him as the essential presence in all you do?
This week let’s prioritize the one thing that truly matters—our relationship with God! 🙏❤️
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This is Marben Bland, Pastor of The Greater Bethel AME Church in Athens, Georgia with some wonderful news.
Greater Bethel has been named as the Sixth Episcopal District’s “Church of the Year” for 2024 by the Sixth Episcopal District Lay Organization.
This prestigious recognition celebrates Greater Bethel’s unwavering commitment to faith, community service, and spiritual leadership.
In his citation, Bishop Michael Leon Mitchell of the Sixth Episcopal District stated:
“This award is a testament to the heart and spirit of the modern AME Church. Greater Bethel remains dedicated to spreading God’s love and serving those in need. The church seamlessly integrates a personal touch with the latest technology, making the Gospel accessible to all.”
On behalf of Greater Bethel, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Lay Organization, Presiding Elder Toni Belin Ingram, and Bishop Michael Leon Mitchell for this esteemed honor. Your recognition is truly appreciated.
To the dedicated members of Greater Bethel, thank you for your unwavering service and commitment to the Lord. Your faith and devotion continue to make a profound impact in Athens and beyond. To God Be The Glory
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In this powerful sermon, from Pastor Marben Bland, the message is clear—white supremacy creates “boogeymen” to maintain its dominance. DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) has been weaponized as a scapegoat for societal failures, when in reality, it is a path toward justice and fairness. Just as Peter was divinely educated to embrace the Gentiles, we are called to reject false narratives and embrace God’s DEI—Divinely Educated Individuals.
Key Points from the Sermon:
1️ God created us to prosper – We are meant to thrive, not be held back by fear, excuses, or systems of oppression. (Jeremiah 29:11, John 10:10)
2️ God does not want us to create boogeymen – We must reject false narratives that blame DEI for societal problems and instead take personal accountability for our actions. (Matthew 7:3-5)
3️ God calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves – True love means leading with grace, not judgment, and rejecting the systems that seek to divide us. (Mark 12:31)
God does not show favoritism but takes the side of the oppressed. As believers, we must not allow fear or manipulation to hinder progress. Instead, we must continue to prosper, love our neighbors, and recognize that God calls us to unity, not division.
Let’s commit to a faith that uplifts, rather than scapegoats, and refuses to create boogeymen to justify injustice.
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I loved the summer days of my youth. The long, sun-drenched days in the Georgia outback were filled with heat, adventure, and endless fun as I explored and expanded my world.
That expansion came each summer when a kid from Chicago visited his grandmother next door. His name was Mark Lawson, and I was in awe—not just of his accent, but of the details he shared about life in a city I had only dreamed and read about.
My questions were endless: What was it like to ride the L train? Was the Sears Tower really that tall? Had he been to Wrigley Field or Comiskey Park? Did you really have to go to school when it snowed?
Mark was always gracious, never tiring of my curiosity. He answered every one of my nerdy questions, helping me see a world beyond my own.
After his father passed away, Mark and his mother moved to Georgia, building a house next door to ours. By then, I was a few years older, and with Mark no longer just a summer visitor, my curiosity waned. The questions stopped, and we grew apart.
Life took us in different directions. My path was marked by education, travel, and work that eventually led me to Chicago, where I finally experienced all the wonders Mark once told me about—the L train, the Sears Tower, Wrigley Field, Comiskey Park, and even the snow.
Galatians 6:9 reminds us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap. About two weeks ago Mark went home to be with the Lord. Some may look at his life and question his legacy, seeing it as less than remarkable. But I do not. For in his own way and in his own time Mark did good, he might have gotten older as we all have but did not grow weary of doing good.
Our conversations—whether as kids marveling at Chicago or as adults navigating life’s deeper questions—were always good. He answered my adult questions honestly, offering insights on faith, family, loss, addiction, prison, sports, and unrealized potential.
Mark made his mark on me.
And for that, I will be forever grateful, and I know that in this due season of his death he has reaped the reward of a life that may have been lived differently, but a life spent trying to do good to others.
Looking forward to seeing you again, my friend—this time, during those endless summer days in Heaven.
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I am Marben Bland Pastor Of Greater Bethel AME Athens With A Living The Word Moment
President Trump, asserting without evidence that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies were a factor in the deadly midair collision between an American Airlines plane and an Army Blackhawk helicopter, is a reminder of a centuries-old tactic. When those who believe in their superiority begin to see it wane, they manufacture a boogeyman.
Peter, a disciple of Jesus, was a devout Jew whose faith initially taught him that Gentiles were inferior, and that God was only for the Jews. To him and many others, Gentiles were the boogeyman that threatened Jewish supremacy.
However, God had other plans. Speaking through visions and dreams to both Peter and Cornelius, a devout Gentile who believed in God, He transformed Peter’s mindset.
With his heart changed, Peter did the unprecedented—he worshiped with Cornelius and baptized his household. In Acts 10:34-35, he declared:
“I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation, anyone who fears Him, and practices righteousness is acceptable to Him.”
Let us not fall for the boogeyman of supremacy. God has set the standard—we are all equal, and He shows no favoritism. As children of God, neither should we. Our message to President Trump, is this: With God there is no boogeyman.
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In Share The Dream - Session 2, faith leaders & community voices, including Rev. Dr. Daryl G. Bloodsaw, Senior Pastor, explored the role of conscience in faith, justice, and social Rev. Dr. Daryl G. Bloodsaw
responsibility. Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., they emphasized standing firm for what is right, even when it's inconvenient. 💡
Key takeaways:
✅ Conscience is our moral compass, guiding us toward truth & righteousness.
✅ Dr. King’s leadership was driven by his conscience, even when it meant challenging the status quo.
✅ Faith & activism must go hand in hand—silence in the face of injustice is betrayal.
✅ Social media can be used as a tool for justice or misinformation—discernment is key.
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Jesus assures us not to fear the loss of possessions because God, in His grace, has already given us the Kingdom. He calls us to trust in Him by living a life of generosity, selling surplus possessions, giving to the poor, and meeting our Biblical tithes.
Key challenges raised in the sermon:
- Are we placing our treasure in heaven through stewardship and generosity?
- Are we faithfully meeting our financial obligations to God’s Kingdom?
- Does our estate planning reflect a commitment to supporting God’s work even after we’re gone?
The sermon concludes by reminding us of Jesus' promise in Luke 12:32: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom.” If we already have the Kingdom, then the question remains—Where is your treasure?
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Rev. Dr. Allison Henderson-Brooks, Senior Pastor of the Historic Hill First Baptist Church, kicks off the first session of Share the Dream, a six-part Bible study webinar. Shining a light in a divided world through six principles of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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This week’s message from Pastor Marben Bland challenged us to embrace faith as both a personal transformation and a mission to share the love of Christ with others.
From Luke 3:15-22: John the Baptist reminds us to point others to Jesus, who baptizes us with the Holy Spirit and fire, transforming our hearts and lives.
From Luke 18:35-43: The blind man’s faith teaches us to cry out to Jesus, trusting in His power to heal and restore.
Faith is more than belief—it’s a call to action, a baptism into a new life that inspires us to share the hope, healing, and love of Christ in a divided world. How will you live out your faith and share the gospel this week?
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Self-care encompasses all the ways we nurture our physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
On this week’s episode of “It’s A Matter of Your Health,” host Dr. Veita Bland, MD, sits down with Licensed Therapist and Wellness Coach Robin M. Campbell, MS, NCC, LCMHC. Together, they discuss the vital role of self-care in our lives and explore Robin's new book, The Adventures of The Self Care Squad.
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I am Marben Bland, Pastor Of Greater Bethel AME Athens with a Living The Word Moment.
As John the Baptist baptized multitudes, the people, filled with expectation, wondered if he might be the Messiah. John responded, as recorded in Luke 3:16, saying, "I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I will come... He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
In Jericho, a blind man sat by the roadside begging. When he heard a crowd passing by, he asked what was happening. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." The man cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
Moved by his faith, Jesus restored his sight, saying, "Your faith has saved you."
The challenges, uncertainties, and difficulties of our lives are not merely troubles—they are opportunities to do what the blind man did: cry out to Jesus. When we do so, we are, in a sense, being baptized by our faith—a transformative act that renews our hope and draws us closer to God.
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Are you ready to take your faith to the next level? In this week’s sermon, Pastor Marben Bland explores Intentional Discipleship and how you can live out the Great Commission in practical ways. Lead by Matthew 28:19-20 and Luke 2:41-52, we uncover five key actions every disciple of Christ can take:
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Share the Gospel
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Serve as the Hands and Feet of Jesus
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Sustain the Mission Financially
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Enhance Our Church Facilities
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Love and Care for Our Church Family
🙏 It’s time to make your faith intentional. Join us in stepping into these actions and becoming the disciple Jesus calls you to be.
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In the spring of 1980, I had the honor of being elected president of the Mercer University student body. That year, student leaders from across the nation were invited to the White House for briefings about the Carter Administration's proposals on national youth service.
After a morning of briefings, we gathered in the East Room. Suddenly, the 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter, walked in. There was no "Hail to the Chief," no fanfare—just President Carter, humbly greeting us with, “Thank you for taking time away from your studies, and welcome to the White House.”
A receiving line was set up so that each student leader could have a moment with the President while their photo was taken. When my turn came, President Carter looked at my name tag and said, “You’re from Georgia! Hello, Mr. President!” He asked where I was from and then he shared stories about people he knew from Gray. He asked about my studies, mentioned folks from his home county who had attended Mercer, and even inquired about individuals in the university administration, asking me to pass along his regards.
The photograph of our meeting nearly 45 years ago has faded, but the memory and its significance for me remain bright. Before I could say, “Hello, Mr. President,” President Carter had already said it to me. That simple act encapsulates the essence of Jimmy Carter—a servant leader, reflecting his faith and the teachings of Jesus as the leader of the free world put a 22-year-old kid above himself.
Thank You Mr. President
A Prayer for President Carter
Heavenly Father, we give thanks for the life of President Jimmy Carter, Your humble servant. His legacy of faith, love, and selfless service has left an indelible mark on the world. We thank You for the way he led with integrity, compassion, and unwavering dedication to others. As he rests in Your eternal embrace, we pray for comfort and peace for his family and all who mourn his loss. May his example continue to inspire us to love one another, serve with humility, and walk in faith, as he so faithfully did. Father, I know that you will welcome him into Your heavenly kingdom with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Amen.
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“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7)
You know it’s incredible how often the most significant events in history begin in the most humble of ways. The birth of Jesus—God in the flesh—did not happen in a grand palace or before the eyes of kings and rulers. Instead, it took place in an unassuming stable, surrounded by animals and laid in a manger. And yet, this is the most famous thing that has ever happened in the history of the world.
When Caesar Augustus decreed that a census should be taken, Mary and Joseph found themselves traveling to Bethlehem. To the world at large, this was just another administrative act by a powerful ruler. But to God, this was the appointed time and place for the Savior to enter the world. What seemed like a routine moment in human history was, in fact, the turning point of eternity.
This Christmas morning, let’s pause to reflect on what this event truly means. Jesus’ birth reminds us that God’s ways often defy our expectations. The King of Kings chose to enter the world as a vulnerable baby, born to a humble family, to bring peace, hope, and salvation to all people.
As we celebrate today, consider the simplicity and humility of Christ’s arrival. The message of Christmas is not about grandeur or extravagance—it’s about God’s love breaking into our world, meeting us where we are, and offering us the gift of eternal life through Jesus.
The “most famous thing that has ever happened” calls us to respond. Just as the shepherds and wise men came to see the Christ child, we are invited to come near to Him. We don’t need to bring wealth or status—just hearts open to receiving the gift of God’s love.
So, today, let the simplicity of Christ’s birth inspire awe in your heart and remind you of His deep and abiding love for you. As we celebrate the most famous thing that has ever happened.
Pray With Me Please
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus, the Savior of the world, to be born in such a humble way. Help us to see the beauty of Your plan and to trust that You work in ways we often don’t expect. This Christmas Day, may we rejoice in the most famous and life-changing event in history—the birth of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Merry Christmas!
Watch the video message “The Most Famous Thing That Has Ever Happened.”
https://vimeo.com/1042087964
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Today, we gather to pay tribute to a remarkable woman: a wife, a daughter, a sister, a cousin, a classmate, and a friend, Wanda Joyce Collins Smith.
As we reflect on her life, we find inspiration in the words of Jesus, who said from a mountaintop in Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”
Cousin Wanda is the essence of a peacemaker. In the final months of her life, she dedicated herself to bringing the Greene family together for a family reunion. While there were no feuds to resolve, her efforts rekindled the bonds of family and fostered a spirit of unity. Her work resonated far beyond those who attended the reunion, reaching all who saw the photos, watched the videos, or heard the stories of the love, laughter, and joy shared that day.
Despite setbacks and challenges, Cousin Wanda persevered. True to the legacy of a strong Black women, she exemplified resilience, “making a way out of no way”. Together with her devoted husband, Chuck, whose unwavering support played a vital role, Wanda spearheaded the Greene Family Reunion, celebrated under the theme: “Our Roots Run Deep / Better Together.”
“Blessed is the peacemaker, Wanda Joyce Collins Smith: for she ensured that God’s children, the Greene family, came together in unity.” Let us honor her legacy by continuing the tradition of family reunions, ensuring that the foundation she laid endures for generations to come.
In our family, the title “Mana” is a revered honorific bestowed upon matriarchs. Wanda’s beloved mother, Alma Bland Huff, was known as “Mama Tina.” Our Aunt Marie Bland Bradley became “Mana Marie,” and the matriarch of all matriarchs, Lessie Mae Greene Bland, will forever be “Mama Lessie.” These extraordinary women earned this title not merely through age or status but through their boundless love and dedication to peacemaking.
For her lifetime of love, service, and peacemaking—culminating in the success of the Greene Family Reunion this past summer—Wanda Joyce Collins Smith has rightfully earned her place among these matriarchs. She is now, in our hearts, “Mama Wanda.”
Reunited with our ancestors, whom she so diligently honored, Mama Wanda’s legacy lives on in the love and unity she nurtured. We thank you, Mama Wanda, and look forward to our ultimate reunion with you in the “bye and bye.”
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I am Marben Bland, Pastor Of Greater Bethel AME Athens with a living the word moment.
Over 400 years before Jesus’ birth, the prophet Isaiah foretold his coming in Isaiah 9:6: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Jesus was born into a world marked by war and oppression. Bethlehem lay under Roman occupation, and conflict followed Jesus throughout his life. Religious leaders challenged his every move as he healed the sick, raised the dead, and proclaimed the kingdom of God. In Matthew 11:12, Jesus acknowledged the violence of his time, saying, “The kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and violent people take it by force.”
Yet Jesus is called the Prince of Peace because his peace begins within us. Isaiah reminds us that the child was given to us. Lasting peace for the world starts with each person’s heart. So, let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me.
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The sermon, based on Micah 7:5-7, reflects on the theme of hope during the first Sunday of Advent. Micah’s words describe a time of mistrust and brokenness in society, where even close relationships are strained. Yet, amidst this bleak reality, Micah declares his hope in the Lord, trusting in God’s faithfulness and salvation.
Key points include:
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Hope Amid Distrust: In times of societal and relational breakdown, Micah reminds us not to place our trust in people or systems but in God, who never fails.
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Hope in Struggles and Grief: The holidays can amplify personal struggles and loss, but like Micah, we can choose to watch and wait in hope for God, knowing He hears and sees us.
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Hope as Active Endurance: Hope is not passive; it requires trust, patience, and perseverance through life’s challenges, reminding us that God is always at work.
The sermon concludes with a challenge to reflect on where we place our hope and an encouragement to root it in God’s promises, sustained by the ultimate hope found in Jesus Christ.
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Did you know that a foodie is defined as a person who loves and has a refined interest in food? Foodies eat not only out of hunger but also as a hobby.
Well, on this Thanksgiving Day, I think we are all foodies. As I record this message, I am thinking about all the wonderful food that awaits: the stuffing, the dressing, the mac and cheese, the greens, and yes, the turkey with all the trimmings.
Did you know that Jesus is a foodie? Jesus was a foodie because He used meals to engage people and teach important lessons at the table.
In Luke’s Gospel alone, Jesus shares 10 meals—some with His disciples, some with religious leaders and Pharisees, and some with the outcasts of His day. In Jesus’ time, sharing a meal with someone was an act of acceptance—and often, it was who Jesus ate with that got Him into trouble.
During Jesus’ time, the Promised Land given to the Jews had been taken over by the Romans. The Romans commissioned Jewish tax collectors to collect revenue, and many of these tax collectors took advantage of their own people by charging extra to line their own pockets.
Jewish tax collectors were considered outsiders, traitors, and just as much an enemy as the Roman occupiers. So for Jesus, who claimed to be the Son of God, to share a meal with a tax collector would be like Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, having a Big Mac with Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia.
But do you know what Jesus, the foodie, did? He shared a meal with a tax collector named Levi. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law complained, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus, the foodie, responded, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
In eating that meal, Jesus was showing that God accepts everyone.
Along with the wonderful food enjoyed on American tables today, there will likely be another dish on the menu: tension. Tension from family disagreements, political differences, long-festering feuds, or petty grievances. Tension from the stress of travel, the work of cooking all that food, cleaning the house, and later washing the dishes. Tension has become an unfortunate staple of the American Thanksgiving meal.
But Jesus, the foodie, gives us a constructive way to deal with that tension.
The Bible speaks often about God’s acceptance of us and how we should accept others. When Jesus walked on earth, He was the perfect example of accepting others, no matter their sins or choices. He extended grace and forgiveness to all, and we are commanded to do the same.
Even though Scripture tells us to seek unity and show no partiality, it also warns us to avoid bad company.
1 Corinthians 5:11 says: “Do not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler.”
Jesus, the foodie, shows us that accepting and loving others as God does doesn’t mean allowing them to negatively influence our lives. There is a balance between grace and wisdom.
When I was growing up, it was a custom for each person around the table to recite a Bible verse before the meal.
So, this Thanksgiving, before you enjoy your meal, let me leave you with a verse that I hope will bring you comfort as you deal with the tensions of the day:
“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” 1 Peter 3:8
Jesus is a foodie, and so are we. Let’s follow His example and enjoy this Thanksgiving Day in gratitude, grace, and unity.
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I am Marben Bland, Pastor Of Greater Bethel AME Athens with a living the word moment.
The story of the prophet Jonah is a Biblical satire with an irony for our times.
Called by God to deliver his word to the wicket in Nineveh. Jonah instead runs away from his call landing on a ship filled angry sailors during a violent storm, then thrown overboard, where he is swallowed by a whale spending three days and nights in its belly.
For Jonah the irony and satire is this: despite his desperate attempt to run away from the call of God, Joana says the things that glorify God. Brining the people witnessing his retreat closer to God.
Bowing to the will of the Lord, Jonah goes to Nineveh. He says a single sentence “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown!” With that proclamation the wicket people of Nineveh were converted.
The instruction is clear in this wicket time God is calling. Despite our protestation His glory will reign, and like Jonah we will be used as his instrument. May the satire and the irony continue.
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I am Marben Bland, Pastor of Greater Bethel AME – Athens with a living the word moment.
New York Times Bestselling Christian Author Bob Phillips wrote “Integrity is the first button on the shirt of character. If you get that button right, the rest of the character buttons will fall into place.”
While God’s command not to lie (Exodus 20:16) is listed as the ninth of the ten commandments integrity, operating within the boundaries of fact and truth is the bedrock of a functional society.
When the leader of a business, country or church lie, it distorts and numbs the truth causing the people to move beyond distrust to a disbelief of any official proclamation. Science, fact, and Biblical teaching are discarded instead alternative facts, rumor, and conspiracy theories rule the day.
As the world continues to operate in the darkness of the lie, God wants his people to stand firmly in the sunlight of truth. Proverbs 10:9 tell tells us that “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely but whoever follows perverse ways will be found out.”
For as Philippians 2:10-1 reminds us that every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess to the truth that Jesus Christ Is Lord.
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Praise the Lord! This weekend at Greater Bethel AME Athens over two days we baptized four people with two saints joining the church.
In celebration the teaching of the Lord is entitled The Amazing Grace Of Baptism. Key point from the Matthew 3:13-17 text.
John the Baptist was baptizing vast numbers of people at the Jordan, summoning them to repent of their sins.
When he saw Jesus coming, he cried out, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” God’s lamb, of course, the sacrificial lamb, needed to be without spot or blemish or any such thing.
So, it’s not surprising that when Jesus came to John to be baptized, John resisted Him. John was the sinner needing to be baptized, not Jesus.
So, why did Jesus insist on being baptized? That was the question that John himself struggled to answer, and he wasn’t the last to do so.
The answer is God gave us Jesus to be sin for us. Although Jesus personally knew no sin, Jesus was baptized in order that we might become in Him the righteousness of God that is in us.
We are in bondage to sin and by being baptized Jesus gave us access to the freedoms of a life lived without sin.
Three freedoms granted to us by the baptism of Jesus:
- The Freedom Of God’s Free Will
God in Deuteronomy 30:19-20 gives us the free will choice to choose life or death, blessings, or curses. In choosing a life with God it will bring generational blessings will come to you and your family.
- The Freedom To Live As Wheat Among The Weeds
Jesus in the Parable of the weeds among the wheat (Matthew 13:24-30) reminds us that as Christians we live in a sinful world.
3.The Freedom To Live Joyfully, Praising The Lord In Good Times And Bad
Happiness, and difficulties are a way of life. Our faith in God gives us the opportunity to live with joy and praise in the midst of trials and tribulations. God’s chosen people, the Israelites because of sin were exiled into slavery in Babylon. God sent his prophet Jeremiah with a message of hope that despite being in captivity they were to be happy, to prosper and to praise the Lord. (Jeremiah 29:1-14). Psalms 146 commands everything that has breath should praise the Lord.
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I am Marben Bland, Pastor of Greater Bethel AME Athens with a living the word moment. The Presbyterian theologian and professor John Henry Gerstner was asked to baptize a newborn. Days before the event the parents asked for a delay because a white gown especially made for the ceremony had not arrived.
Dr. Gerstner asked the mother what the significance of the white gown was. The mother replied, “To symbolize the baby’s innocence.” Dr. Gerstner replied, “If the baby is innocent, then why are we baptizing him?”
To be baptize is both a recognition of our sinful nature along with God’s grace to forgive.
This week at the end of a divisive campaign there was jubilation for the Trump team, and sadness for the Harris team. The innocence was driven out of both sides in a sea of negative advertising, malicious internet posts and bombastic rally insults.
America and its people need the amazing grace of baptism. The grace that only comes when we humble ourselves admitting our sins. Submitting ourselves to God’s mighty forgiveness with the knowledge that earth has no sorrows that heaven cannot heal.
So let us symbolically if not physically be baptized, for cleansing is vital, forgiveness is needed, and grace is required if we are to be the nation that God expects us to be.
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I am Marben Bland, Pastor Of Greater Bethel AME Athens with a Living The Word Moment
The victory was complete and crushing the conquest of the kingdom of Judah by the Babylonians sent God’s people into exile away from home, family, and their way of life.
Despite the suffering and separation God was with his people. He ordained Ezekiel as his prophet to live among the rebellious defeated and exiled Jews. In Ezekiel 2:3-7 God lays out his marching orders telling his servant three things that we should remember today.
- First: Do not to be afraid for fear will get you nowhere
- Second: Do not be dismayed, regardless of the situation we need to have an attitude of gratitude.
- Third: Continue to speak the words of God for there is power in the name of the Lord
In this moment of defeat God’s word is clear, we are not to be afraid, we are not to be dismayed, and we are to continue to speak the words of God for like the Jews our time of liberation will come.
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It’s Election Day the culmination of a campaign that will determine the future of America. If you have voted thank you for exercising the franchise that many have fought for and died for. If you have not voted I pray that you will today. And at this late hour if there is anyone not planning to vote I am urging you to have a change of heart. Your vote matters especially in an election where the stakes are high, and the results will be close. Need a ride to the poll or other assistance to vote? Give me a call my personal cell number is 608 358 1309. Make no mistake tensions are high in America. They are high because supporters of both candidates believe that the country will be destroyed if the other one won. These tensions are based on fear but today I come to proclaim the truth based on faith. The truth that can be found in the 23 Psalm, the truth that tells us that the Lord is our shepherd. The truth that tells us that regardless of the election winner, goodness grace, and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives.Because the truth is our commander in chief is not a president but a savior which is Jesus Christ our Lord. In these days of high anxiety my prayer is that you will remember the promise of Philippians 4:7 that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. When things get crazy with accusations of all kinds being tossed about, I urge you to read the 23rd Psalm. Read it and discover the greatness, the mercy and the grace of our Lord and be reassured that it is the Lord is our shepherd. Have a safe and peaceful election day!For More Great Content Go To Marben Bland.com
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It’s election eve and there is tension in America. In a 25-minute sermon from Mark 4:35-41 Pastor Marben Bland, details the tension felt by the disciples as they were buffered by a storm while Jesus was sleeping in the boat.
Key teachings from Mark 4:35-41 that can help us doing these days of tension:
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Tension is normal it will in some form, or another come into our lives.
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Jesus is not asleep as we experience tension, all we need is to call out to him.
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Our faith in Jesus will help ease our tension, for it is well with my soul.
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With only hours until election day there is tension in America. Experts define Tension as being under mental or emotional strain
A mind that is affected by tension often does not think clearly.
There was tension in the boat as Jesus was crossing the Sea of Galilee. A storm came us that was so powerful that even experienced seagoing fishmen who were the disciples of Jesus were feeling the tension.
As the wind whipped, the waves spilled into the boat Jesus remained at rest in a peaceful sleep. The terrified disciples thought clearly, calling out to Jesus who rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!”
Then he asked the disciples “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?”
In these hours before the election tensions are high. But our faith is higher and in the mist of all this tension the decision is clear call on Jesus and despite the tension Peace will be still.
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In a sermon from Exodus 14:10-14 Pastor Marben Bland teachers what we should do when in staying still while the Lord fights our battles.
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In this season of voting, we must exercise the franchise with the same purpose and determination that God impressed on the Israelites as they eat the Passover meal.
In a sermon form Exodus 12:11-12 Pastor Marben Bland teaches how God prepares his people for the challenges of freedom with three things in mind, 1) Staying ready, 2) having a sense of urgency, and 3) keeping the Lord in our hand and heart.
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After more than 400 years in bondage God delivered the Israelites to freedom. In Number 1:1-3 God spoke to Moses telling him to take a census of the people enrolling the one who are willing and able to join God’s army.
Christians should be counted in, so that we can be counted on. That’s what the local church is all about, God’s people spreading the gospel, God’s people helping the community, and God’s people making disciples for Christ.
So, the question is can you be counted on? Can you be counted on to study and read his word? Can you be counted on love your neighbor? Can you be counted on to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
God is counting you can you be counted on?
3 key points form Pastor Bland
- Lord will speak to you with a specific task.
The specific task in Numbers 3:1-3 was to count, inspect and enroll the people.
- God Wants To Know You
As we discover in Psalm 139:1-3 God is the ultimate census taker. God has searched us, knowing when we sit down, when we rise up and is acquainted with our ways.
3. God Has A Battle Plan For Us.
God is enrolling men and women in his army with marching orders to spread the gospel and making disciples.
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After more than 400 years in bondage God delivered the Israelites to freedom. In Number 1:1-3 God spoke to Moses telling him to take a census of the people enrolling the one who are willing and able to join God’s army.
Christians should be counted in, so that we can be counted on. That’s what the local church is all about, God’s people spreading the gospel, God’s people helping the community, and God’s people making disciples for Christ.
So, the question is can you be counted on? Can you be counted on to study and read his word? Can you be counted on love your neighbor? Can you be counted on to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
God is counting you can you be counted on?
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On October 1st, 2024, James Earl Cater, Jr. the 39th President of the United States celebrated his 100th birthday.
No greater evidence of Jimmy Carter’s faith can be found in his 1977 Presidential inaugural address.
In the third sentence of the address the new President said:
Here before me is the Bible used in the inauguration of our first President, in 1789, and I have just taken the oath of office on the Bible my mother gave me a few years ago, opened to a timeless admonition from the ancient prophet Micah
8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?
In a teaching from Micah 6:8, Pastor Marben Bland discusses the leadership test not only for political candidates but for all of us.
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The death of baseball’s Pete Rose the holder of the game’s all-time hits record provokes thoughts of confession, repentance, and forgiveness.
New York Times writer Daniel J. Wakin said Rose’s fame rested equally in being one of baseball’s greatest players and one of its most disgraced.
Barred for life from the game in 1989 for regularly betting on baseball, including on his own team the Cincinnati Reds which he managed. Forever shutout from the Baseball Hall of Fame where his play warranted induction.
David, who God so favored that him made a king disgraced himself. Taking for his own the wife of a loyal soldier under his command then having him killed to cover up his misdoings.
Like Pete and David, we are capable of good and evil. In this world one good event can mark us forever as a saint, and one bad thing as corrupt.
Happily, God does not see us as corrupt as 1st Samuel 16:7 reveals the Lord looks at the heart and sees a sinner who can confess, a sinner who will repent, a sinner who will be forgiven.
God forgave David, God forgave Pete, and God will forgive you.
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Jimmy Carter – Meeting The Requirements Of God’s Leadership Test
I am Marben Bland, Pastor Of Greater Bethel AME Athens, Georgia with a Living The Word Moment.
Today, October 1st, 2024, is the 100th Birthday of Jimmy Carter. In his 1977 inaugural address the new President quoted Micah 6:8 declaring that the Lord requires of us to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.
As we prepare to vote for our next president let us consider the questions of God’s leadership test from Micah 6:8.
Is the leader I am voting for just and does justice?
Is the leader I am voting for love kindness and is kind?
Is the leader I am voting for humble and walks with humility with God?
In his 100 years during his presidency and his many years since Jimmy Carter has met the requirements of God’s leadership test.
I pray that our next President will also meet the requirements of God’s leadership test.
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As we grow older, you might be wondering how you can maintain your physical and mental health. Both are equally important but seem to decline as you age. However, there are things you can do to help maintain good physical and mental health.
Physiologist Hilton Ferguson joins Dr. Veita Bland with tips for keeping you healthy as you age.
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Muhammad Ali was so physically gifted when he prepared for a fight his legendary trainer Angelo Dundee would say he simply put the champ’s reflexes in the proper direction.
In Exodus 4:18-31, God is preparing Moses for a heavyweight fight with Pharaoh. The Lord prepares Moses who did not consider himself gifted by putting his reflexes in the proper direction. Moses was prepared with God’s blessings, God’s guidance, and God’s power.
God calls us for tasks big and small to advance the kingdom. We can count it as a blessing that in the same way that the Lord will always prepare us for those tasks putting our reflexes in the proper direction.
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Violence has come to the Middle East
After almost a year of war against Hamas in Gaza on its southern border, Israel is shifting its focus to the northern frontier, where Hezbollah has been firing rockets into Israel in support of Hamas, which is also backed by Iran.
The Middle East is no stranger to violence
There is the divine violence of the Old Testament which includes God’s destruction of all flesh in Geneses 6:13, the raining down of fire and brimstone on Sodom and Gomorrah in Geneses 19:24-25. And God’s blessings of wars such as the conquest of Canaan in Joshua 1-12.
As Christians we condemn violence from the Middle East to Middle America, we pray for peace.
But there is violence to come
Jesus’ second coming will be exceedingly violent. Revelation 19:11-21 describes the ultimate war with Christ, the conquering commander who judges and makes war “with justice” (v. 11). It’s going to be bloody. Revelation tells us that Jesus will have no compassion upon His enemies.
The question today is are you an enemy of Jesus? In Revelation 3:16 Jesus criticizes a church for being full of believers who were neither hot nor cold but not on fire for Jesus, either.
The test is simple if we are not on fire for Jesus, we are his enemy and the violence will come.
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Research from the American Institute For Boys and Men reveals that too many boys and men are struggling – at school, at work, and in their families and communities.
Something’s not working for boys.
In a sermon from Psalm 1:1-6 and Exodus chapter 4, Pastor Marben Bland presents God’s plan for men.
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An estimated 68% of U.S. households have a pet. Studies show that having a pets can reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support, and boost your mood.
Dr. Alexandria Farris, DVM an associate veterinarian with Southeast Community Animal Hospital in Greensboro, North Carolina joins Dr. Veita Bland, MD with tips and advice for keeping your pets healthy.
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2nd Kings 18:3 describesHezekiah as a model King. Who did what was right in the sight of the Lord, just as his ancestor David had done.
However, like David, Hezekiah did not always lead with God. Under threat of attack from the King of Assyria, Hezekiah gave away the gold and other treasures of the temple. Allowing the ungodly to plunder the things of God.
In our modern world it is so easy for us to allow the ungodly to plunder the things of God in our lives.
However, as Hezekiah found later when he prayed, allowing God to lead him, the threat facing his nation were eliminated and the King of Assyria who caused all the trouble was killed.
Hezekiah, was imperfect and so are we and that is why we should lead with God.
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According to the American Psychological Association’s latest Stress in America report, Generation Z—young adults born in the mid-1990s and early 2000s experienced a dramatic rise in psychological distress and depressive symptoms. In fact, researchers found that increases in Gen Z depression are more significant than in any other age group.
The report concludes that Gen Z adults and younger millennials are “completely overwhelmed” by stress. Licensed Professional Counselor Dr. Omi Dobbins, who has been treating Gen Z adults, younger millennials and their families cope with the pressures of post pandemic life, joins Dr. Veita Bland to discuss what is going with Gen Z.
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In the Parable Of The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) Jesus engages in a debate with an expert in the Law about what it means to inherit eternal life. Eternal life is obtained when we love the Lord God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus illustrates that everyone is our neighbor by telling the story of how the despised Samaritan showed kindness to a Jew who had been robbed and left for dead.
In a sermon teaching from the Parable Of The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Pastor Marben Bland discusses how the world will view Christians as wacky as go about the world loving our neighbor.
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The CDC reports that COVID-19 infections are on the rise. Dr. Cynthia Snider, MD, MPH the medical director of infection prevention at Cone Health in Greensboro, NC joins Dr. Veita Bland, MD to discuss, COVID and other infectious diseases.
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The plague of gun violence kills more kids in America, die than anything else in our land.
God sends a series of ten plagues to pressure Pharoah to let the enslaved Israelites go free. Pharaoh mostly dismisses them until the plague that kills the firstborn claims his son.
The Passover is celebrated and remembered as God’s compassion to the faithful as he saves the firstborn of the Israelites.
Today our children need a Passover from the plague of gun violence.
A Passover that is obtainable when we who claim our faithfulness in the God affirm our allegiance to the Sixth Commandment, “not to kill” over the Second Amendment, “the right to bear arms.”
When we do God will show us favor.
The plague will be over and there will be a Passover.
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With the presidential election only a few months away many Christians question if they should be involved in politics.
Scriptures like Titus 3:1 calling on us to be submissive and obedient to rules and authorities are often cited as reasons for Christians to not get involved. Jesus himself in Matthew 6:24 said that we cannot serve two masters and that we would have to make a choice between God and money.
However, Jesus through God has given us as stated in Matthew 28:18 authority. With that authority comes the discernment to declare God as our only master as we actively participate in all aspects of society.
We need Christians in business, in medicine, in academia, we need Christians everywhere including politics.
For more visit our website LWT.Church
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“He Ready” is our teaching this week from Exodus 3 and Pastor Marben Bland. In celebration of our new Bishop The Right Reverend Doctor Michael Leon Mitchell and the launch of our Exodus and Numbers Bible Study on Thursday, September 5, 7:00 PM ET we will discover how God does not underestimate us despite how we may underestimate ourselves.
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Selecting A Leader, I am Marben Bland, and this is a Living The Word Moment.
Early in person voting in Georgia starts on October 15th, ending on November 1st. So, in a bit more than a month we will be selecting a leader.
When God called Moses to lead, he worried that the things he was asked to do were beyond his capabilities. We may have those same feelings when the Lord calls on us to lead.
However, we must remember that it is not us that will do the work, but rather it will be the Holy Spirit working within us to accomplish the Lord’s will.
So, let us not be afraid to either select or be selected as a leader for the leadership assignment is not ours or the candidate that we elect starting on October 15th, it will be the Lord’s.
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It’s the start of new football season and hope abounds. For top teams like Georgia there is the hope that comes from being again in the National Championship hunt.
Hope is even present for lesser teams as they measure success by the progress made from game to game.
In the mist of all of this hopefulness there is despair. The despair that comes in loneness, the despair that is present when a relationship fails, the despair when money is too short, and the month is too long.
Titus 3:7 tells us God has justified us by his grace and in his grace, there is hope. A hope that will bring companionship for the lonely, a hope that will comfort the broken heart and even a hope will give resources where there are none.
There is a new season of hope.
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So as disciples of Christ what are we doing with the authority? Are we using the authority to share the gospel with the ones we love? Are using the authority to help those who have fallen on hard times? Are we using the authority to right injustices, are using the authority, are we using the authority are we using the authority?
In the secular world when authority is not used it is often lost. However, with Jesus his blood gives us strength from day to day and regardless of how long it has been since we are used the authority, it will never lose its power.
So, let’s use our authority.
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God is in the blessings business, in all things and in all times The Lord is giving us all we need so that we can abound in every good work. While it is true that God’s blessings are too numerous to count, in a sermon recorded on Sunday, August 18, 2024, Pastor Marben Bland focuses on four blessings that we often take for granted but truly have a profound impact on our lives.
Key points:
The Blessings Of Life
Genesis 2:7 says that The Lord God formed us from the dust of the ground breathing the breath of life into us. Therefore, life itself is a blessing from God. So, the question is what are we doing with the blessings that is life? Regardless of our age or condition are we living life the way God wants us to live it?
The Blessings Of The Scars
In life we will experience trials and tribulations and as unbelievable as it may seem the scars of those hard times are a blessing. James 1:2-4 tells us blessed is the person who perseveres under trials and tribulations for in our endurance we receive the approval of God.
The Blessings Of Work
Scripture tells us early on that God intends for human beings to work. One of the first Bible verses about work comes in Genesis 2, when God places man in the Garden of Eden to care for it. This tells us that we are intended and built to work, and it should be an encouragement for us. Even when work gets tough or daunting, we were built to have a solid work ethic.
The Blessing Of Hope
God’s blessings of hope is not based on your efforts or even your desires. God’s blessings of is something that we receive, God hope pours into us through the Holy Spirit and because of it we can as Romans 12:12 tell us we can rejoice in hope, we can be patient in tribulation, and we can be constant in prayer.
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Jesus in the Parable of the Good Samaritan remind us of three important truths first, to Love God with our heart, second to Love your neighbor as yourself and third, that everyone is our neighbor, who are all worthy of our love.
When Jesus told the parable there was mutual haltered between Samaritans and Jews. However, in telling the story of a Samaritan going out of his way to provide aid and comfort to a Jew, Jesus’ emphases the concept that everyone is our neighbor.
In the Olympics Games neighbors compete, for country, pride, family medals, fame, and glory. With so much on the line it’s only natural to hate our neighbors with the same fury of the Samaritans and Jews.
The Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade has been a force during the Paris Games taking home four medals, including the gold in the floor final. Beating out the incomparable Simone Biles in what could be her last Olympic event.
During the women's artistic gymnastics floor medal ceremony, Americans Biles and Jordan Chiles, who were standing on either side of Andrade on their respective podiums, did something no one was expecting.
The young women bowed down to their neighbor in the ultimate sign of respect to the woman who beat them for the gold Rebeca Andrade.
Simone Biles, Jordan Child, and Rebeca Andrade lived out what Jesus has taught us that everyone is our neighbor and that all neighbors are worthy of our love.
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Misogyny is defined as a hatred of, contempt for, or prejudice against women or girls. It is a form of sexism that can keep women at a lower social status than men, thus maintaining male supremacy. Misogyny has been widely practiced for thousands of years.
God dislikes misogyny, evidenced by the misdeeds of David told in 2nd Samuel 11 and 12. While God dislikes misogyny, he loves people who exposes wrongdoing. The Lord sends Nathan the prophet to comfort David.
In a sermon delivered on Sunday, August 4, 2024, Pastor Marben Bland provides a four-step model for a Godly way to callout the injustice in this world.
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Misogyny is hatred of, contempt for, or prejudice against women or girls. It is a form of sexism that can keep women at a lower social status than men, thus maintaining male supremacy. Misogyny has been widely practiced for thousands of years.
God dislikes misogyny, evidenced by the misdeeds of David told in 2nd Samuel 11 and 12. As his army was engaged in battle King David stayed behind, a top his roof he observed Bathsheba the lovey wife of Uriah an officer in his army. He orders his messages as scripture describes it “to get her” (2nd Samuel 11:4). Taken to the King’s bedroom Bathsheba has sex with David and is impregnated.
Attempting to coverup his conduct Uriah rebuffs repeated attempts by David to get him to come home to lay his wife. In failure David enacts the ultimate solution ordering Uriah to the frontlines of the battle where he was killed. Problem solved David marries Bathsheba, completing the coverup.
While God dislikes misogyny, he loves people who exposes wrongdoing. The Lord sends Nathan the prophet to comfort David. Nathen tells the story of a rich man with many herds of sheep forcibly taking the only lamb belonging to the poor man. An angry David reacted saying that the rich man deserved to die for his actions. Nathen responded telling David, you are that man, confronting David with the chilling details of his actions with Bathsheba and Uriah.
God dislikes misogyny, as punishment God as the scripture says, “will raise trouble in David’s home” (2nd Samuel 12:11). David will not die but his wives will turn against him, and the child produced by his forbidden encounter will die. David’s misogyny did not go unpunished.
In 2024 Misogyny is alive in business, school, politics, and the church. Men take part it and it is up to us as men to be like Nathan and call it out. For when we do, we are doing the will of the Lord because God dislikes misogyny.
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Jane Fonda, the famed 85 -year-old actor Academy Award winning actor said that life is lived in three acts 0-30, 30-60, 60 and beyond. In a sermon from Philippians 2:1-8 and Matthew 22:36-40, Pastor Marben Bland leads a discussion on how Jesus wants us to live those years.
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The Paris Olympic Games have begun. During the sixteen days of the games the world’s best athletes will compete for country, glory, and the gold.
Throughout this celebration of sport, the humanity of God’s greatest creation men and women have an opportunity to show what is possible when the commandment of love thy neighbor as thyself is followed.
With so much promise possible the reality is that these games in Paris are conducted in the shadow of misery, and strife, suffering and conflict.
The Geneva Academy, the postgraduate arm of the
prestigious Geneva Law School reports that right now there are more than 110 armed conflicts around the world.
The Academy tells us that some of these conflicts make the headlines, while others do not. Some of them have started recently, while others have lasted for more than 50 years.
In recognition of these conflicts the ancient tradition of an “Olympic Truce” has been revised.
As noble as this tradition is its questionable if the nations of the world can restrain themselves from fighting even for the brief fortnight plus two days of the games.
Ephesians 2:14 tells us that Jesus is our peace.
-Jesus is our peace when our souls are in distress.
-Jesus is our peace when our world is turned upside down.
-Jesus is our peace when nothing goes right, and
-Jesus is our peace when we are overwhelmed when things do go right.
Let us enjoy the competition of the Olympic Games, let us pray that the truce holds, but let us never forget that the only true peace that is possible is possible with Jesus.
Let There Be Peace!
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Privilege is often defined as a special right, granted to a particular person or group. The key word here is “granted.” Think about it privilege can be shared. However, it can only be shared by someone who already has it, and yes, we all have privilege.
As the Son of God no one had more privilege than Jesus. Philippians 2:1-8 details how Jesus used his advantages setting the example for us to follow.
The passage encourages us to do nothing out of selfish ambition, rather we are admonished to look not to our own interests but to the interests of others.
We are called to have the same mindset as Christ who could have easily used his status and power to his own advantage, but instead used his privilege for the salvation of the world.
So, in 2024, use your privilege to mentor, to uplift, to advance, to become a servant leader like Jesus.
For God wants you to use your privilege for good.
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“We can’t treat prayer, scripture, worship and giving thanks like a spare tire that we only pull out in an emergency. These things are the steering wheel that you hold on to tightly every day, no matter where you are going.”
In a sermon from Psalm 119:18 Pastor Marben Bland discusses how we should open our eyes to the Lord giving us for ways to have a greater connection with God.
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Spending Quality Time In Prayer
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Passionately Worshiping God
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Giving Thanks To God
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Studying God’s Word
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The term head scratcher refers to something that is difficult to understand. A thing that causes puzzlement or confusion.
Head scratching is my description of recent decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States.
- Laws that provided a stable framework of regulatory actions were overturned.
Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo
- Laws that protected and expended voting rights were gutted.
Shelby County v. Holder
- And any notion that the actions of a president were bound by law has been dashed.
Trump v. United States
Psalm 119 is a celebration of God’s law. Its 176 stanzas is an exaltation of God’s law. Commandments, statutes, ordinances, decrees, words, precepts, promise, law are the eight different terms use to describe God’s law.
Those terms are used to refer to God’s law that is not like man’s law. Which can be used to advantage one group over another.
The intent of God’s law is to bring us closer to him through prayer, thanksgiving, worship, and the study of his word.
The Psalmist in Psalm 119:18 ask God to open his eyes so that he may see the wonderful things in His Law.
When we open our eyes to the wonders of God’s law there is no confusion, there is no division there is no head scratching. There is only love, glory, and peace.
Let’s open our eyes to the wonders of God’s law. For when we do, we can stop the head scratching.
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I have been looking at taking a defensive driving course. While driving is something I do almost daily passing the course will enable me to save hundreds of dollars in auto insurance premiums.
The brochures for the course have provided some helpful tips like checking the air in your spare tire and the proper way to grip the steering wheel.
This summer at Greater Bethel AME Athens we are doing the Forge Bible Study. From the forthcoming movie the Forge Bible Study uses Biblical principles to tell the dramatic story of redemption that is possible to receive and to give because of our faith in Jesus.
Fans of the movie the War Room will be pleased to know that the actor Karen Abercrombie will revise her role as Ms. Clara. In an important scene from the movie Ms. Clare offers this sage advice about life and driving
“We can’t treat prayer like a spare tire that we only pull out in an emergency. Payer is the steering wheel that you hold on tightly every day, no matter where you are going.”
God’s Word and prayer are the most helpful spiritual tools we have to align our hearts to the will of God. Psalm 119 reminds us to “Open our eyes so that we may see the wonderful things of God.”
So, the question is this, “Do you tent to use prayer primarily for emergencies or do you maintain daily connection to God?”
If you are not in constant prayer its time your own defensive driving course. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday a group of us meet for 15 or so minutes of prayer and devotion at 6:30 AM ET join us by calling 857 779 9977. Now if getting up early is not your cup of tea leave a prayer request on our 24/7 prayer line 720 708 1288. If that does not work for you go to my website www.marbenbland.com where you will find sermons, blogs, podcasts and more.
Drive safely and continue to hold on to the wheel.
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Renowned leadership expert, John C. Maxwell, said it best: “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” Matthew answered the leadership call of Jesus to leave a life of sin as a tax collector to become a disciple and gospel writer.
In a sermon from Matthew 9:9-13, Pastor Marben Bland discusses the call of leadership from Jesus as he explains Project 2025 the conversative plan to overall the powers and scope of the Presidency.
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At the start of every new presidential administration there are thousands of political appointed jobs that need to be filled. Political appointees hold top positions in the White House and governmental departments. Their jobs are to assist in implementing the President’s agenda.
Project 2025 spearheaded by the Heritage Foundation a conversative think tank that has shaped the personnel and policies of Republican administrations since the Reagan presidency. It’s intended to as a buffet of options for the Trump administration or any other Republican presidency as it staffs its administration.
In this 6:36 podcast Marben Bland using source materials curated from the New York Times and the Heritage Foundation explains Project 2025, this straight forward presentation is designed to provide you with the facts to make up your own mind regarding this document and its possible impact on our lives.
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Matthew, a disciple of Jesus and writer of the Gospel that bears his name was not always the saint we think of him now. He was a notorious tax collector hated by Jews, who considered him a traitor because he worked for the despised Roman empire.
The Romans did not pay Matthew or the other tax collectors an actual wage. Instead, they were expected to take extra money form the Jews and keep some for themselves. Which they did using brutal tactics that would make even the Sopranos proud.
Jesus saw Matthew in action sitting at the tax collection station. The Lord called out saying “Follow Me”, Matthew got up and followed Jesus.
Later Jesus dined with Matthew, many of his tax collector friends and other sinners. Seeing this the Pharisees who were the religious leaders of the day were up in arms. They questioned the disciples saying Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Jesus answered saying those who are not sick have no need of a physician. Therefore, he was there with the tax collectors and other sinners to heal them.
God sent Jesus to the earth to provide healing to a sin sick world. Whatever the illness mental, physical, financial, spiritual, political and everything in between God will put the people, the resources, the effort, the ideas, and the peace that allow you to achieve the wellness that God promised for your abundant life.
What’s more since we all sinners saved by grace Jesus through the Holy Spirit is always with us so that we will not slip back into sin.
So let be like Matthew and answer the call of Jesus.
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There is an old saying that a person is judged by the company they keep. When Jesus chose disciples, He was not concerned about appearances. Jesus wasn't looking for role models; Jesus was looking for real people. Jesus chose people who could be changed by His love, and then He sent them out to communicate that the glory of God was available to anyone – even to those whose lives were marked by sin and failure.
All of us have been marked by sin and failure. We have been in the grip of sin so deep that it has led to failure in marriages, failure in relationships with our children, failures in so many things that for many our lives are not worth living.
Jesus sees beyond our sin; Jesus sees beyond our failures. Jesus sees us as a magnificent embodiment of the Father, made by God for the glory of God.
Remember, Jesus is not looking for role models, Jesus is looking for real people like you and me. So, keep company with Jesus and everything will be alright.
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Acts 22:15 serves as a reminder that we are to be a truthful witness for Jesus telling everyone of what you have seen and heard of the Lord. In the sermon Lift Him Up! Pastor Marben Bland will discuss how Paul in Act 26, witnessed for Jesus using a four-step model.
Paul’s 4 step model for witnessing for Jesus.
1 Talk About Your Present State
In Acts 26: 4-8 Paul reviews his current situation. He reminds King Agrippa and the assembly of his unquestioned Jewish heritage, God’s Covenant with Abraham and that he is being imprisoned for believing in and preaching about the promised messiah Jesus who has been risen from the dead.
2. Talk About Your Previous State
Witnessing requires a full accounting of our actions. In Acts 26:9-11, Paul in chilling details recounts his murderous persecution of Christians.
3. Talk About How You Came To Jesus
Paul in Acts 26:12-23 discloses his dramatic encounter with Jesus on the Damascus road. It’s alright that our conversion story is not like Paul’s, but it is equally as important, and we should tell it.
4. Invite Them To Know Jesus
In what would be considered as a bold move Paul In Acts 26:27 invites King Agrippa to Christ. The point of our witnessing is to invite people to Jesus. Our witnessing and invitation are not bold moves. Instead, they are opportunities to change lives. If the person does not come to Christ as was the case with the King. Acts 26:30-31 illustrates the invitation caused him to think which can be a catalyst to the acceptance of a future invitation.
Final Thought
Your witnessing is required to lift up the causes that our community should care and know about. You voice is needed to illuminate the issues of the day. Use your platforms on social media, your personal relationships plus your status in the community and with your family to witness. Witness, to call out injustice. Witness to sound the alert against racism. And witness to praise the goodness of God.
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Actor Taraji P. Henson struck a political tone as host of the resent BET Awards. Bearing witness to racial injustice, economic disparities, and the importance of voting.
Acts 22:15serves as a reminder that we are to be a truthful witness for Jesus telling everyone of what you have seen and heard of the Lord.
Your witnessing is required to lift up the causes that our community should care and know about. You voice is needed to illuminate the issues of the day. Use your platforms on social media, your personal relationships plus your status in the community and with your family to witness. Witness, to call out injustice. Witness to sound the alert against racism. And witness to praise the goodness of God.
“You are my witnesses,” is the command of the Lord from Isaiah 43:10. As we approach the election, I urge you to educate yourself to learn the issues so that you can witness effectively.
Educate yourself so you can witness accurately about Joe Biden’s fitness for office. Educate yourself so you can witness accurately about Donald Trump’s plans for the country including Project 2025. Educate yourself so you
that you can be a truthful witness for Jesus. For as Proverbs 14:25 tells us “A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.”
Be a truthful witness for Jesus.
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In a 6-3 decision the Supreme Court ruled that Donald Trump, or any U.S. president is immune from prosecution for official acts taken while in office.
Writing for the majority Chief Justice John Roberts said that immunity for official conduct was needed to protect “an energetic, independent executive.”
In her dissent Justice Sonia Sotomayor writing for the minority said, “In every use of official power, the president is now a king above the law.”
When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as Israel’s leaders. However, his sons were corrupt they accepted bribes and perverted justice. The disillusioned Israelites asked Samuel for a King.
God granted the Israelites wish and gave them a king with a stern warning alerting them to the power, greediness, and control that a king would demand.
God would give his favor to the kings allowing them to do good and tremendous things. However, as the Kings drifted into evil God withdrew his favor. Without his favor the kings were neutered and many of them died.
The Supreme Court has spoken immunity has been granted making the president to some a king. However, the supreme judgment of the Lord is yet to speak. Without the favor of the Lord neither the president nor the king will prevail.
With God all things are possible and even for a King every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
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Christian nationalism is the belief that the United States is defined by Christianity, and that the government should take active steps to keep it that way.
Scholars like Samuel Huntington have made a similar argument: that America is defined by its “Anglo-Protestant” past and that the United States will lose its identity and its freedom if white cultural is not maintained, preserved, and enhanced.
As Christian Nationalism has grown in popularity in Evangelical circles becoming orthodoxy for the Trump campaign and the Republican party. The question is how Godly is Christian Nationalism?
“For there is no respect of persons with God.” Romans 2:11 is Paul’s admonishment to the supremacy claims of the Christians of Jewish ancestry over the Gentiles who had become recent converts to Christ. This reflects the overwhelming evidence that the Bible does not support Christian Nationalism.
People who claim that their nationality or race gives them special favor with God or that United States should give advantage to them are wrong.
People who place their devotion to Jesus on the same level as their devotion to the United States are wrong.
People who view Christian Nationalism as the way to fix what is wrong with the United States are wrong.
Into all this wrongness there is hope. People who are born again know that this earth and this nation are not our home. While our Christian, voices, influences and actions should be part of the public policy debate we have a higher calling.
Colossians 1:13-14 reminds us that God has saved us from the dark kingdom where Satan rules. He has brought us into the kingdom of his Son, whom he loves. 14 God's Son, Jesus, paid the price for our sins and made us free. Yes, God has forgiven us.
The idolatry, racism, and division of Christian Nationalism will not stand. God’s word is the thing that will stand and as it stand Jesus will be there to forgive who were ever foolish enough to believe that Christian Nationalism was Godly.
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In 1947 when Jackie Robinson broke the color line in Major League Baseball, his actions, courage, and play made baseball better. Setting the stage for Willie Mays who broke in 1951 to make baseball great.
Willie Mays, the Say Hey Kid, whom many consider the greatest baseball player ever died this week at age 93. Mays was the embodiment of the complete player, he could hit for power and average, he could run on the bases and in the outfield, he could field his position making electrifying plays and throws from center field.
However, perhaps Willie Mays’s greatest accomplishment is what he did for race relations as he became an American baseball hero without his race being a consideration. Without question Willie Mays was a black man, and he faced racism.
In 1950’s America he did nothing to mitigate his blackness.
He did not straighten his hair; he did not put on “white airs”. In fact, as he was the toast of the town in New York Mays chose to live in Harlem, where he played stickball with the black kids in the neighborhood in the afternoons before his games with the Giants.
At the dawn of the modem day civil rights movement Willie Mays demonstrated to America what was possible when people are judged only by the content of their character.
Juneteenth reminds us of the day when all American slaves became free. Jackie Robinson reminds us of when the Major Leagues become free. Willie Mays is the confirmation that when freedom is obtained, the people who were oppressed are now free to achieve greatness. And with that freedom Willie Mays made baseball great.
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The summer solstice for the Northern Hemisphere will take place on Thursday, June 20th,2024.
The summer solstice, the longest day of the year is celebrated by many cultures around the world. From sunrise to sunset people flock to festivals with food, dance, and merriments.
Proverbs 3:1-2 calls on us to never forget the things we were taught about the Lord. We are called on to store the commands of the Lord on our hears. For when we do, we this will enjoy length of days, with peace added to this longer time.
However, in referring to length of days the writer of Proverbs was referencing the quality of life not the length of life. “Longevity has it place.” as Dr. King said in his Mountain Top Sermon delivered the night before he was killed. Yet, it is the wisdom gained used and passed on during our lifetimes, regardless of if they are short or long is truly the place where God wants us to be.
I pray that you will enjoy the longer days. I pray that you will enjoy the enjoy the harvest to come. And I pray that you will enjoy the summer solstice.
As we celebrate let us remember it is not the length of days that will be judged by. But rather it the quality of our lives as we remember the command of Proverbs 3:1-2 for us to never forget the things we were taught about the Lord.
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In John Chapter 13 and 14 Jesus gives us a Father’s Day gift in the form of Godly fatherly instruction as he shows us three ways he cared and loved his disciples.
Humility
First, Jesus showed humility by washing his disciple’s feet as depicted in John 13: 1-20. The father’s day gift from Jesus is this: A Godly father realizes that they must humble themselves to be of service to their children, setting the example for their own humility.
Telling The Hard Truth
Second, Jesus is willing to tell his disciples the hard truth. In John 13: 21-35 we see telling his disciples a hard truth as he foretells his betrayal, death, and resurrection.
This hard truth that Jesus told was a shock to the disciples who are in a state of denial. However, later after Jesus is gone the hard truth about his betrayal, death, and resurrection becomes the foundational truth of the disciples’ message as they spread the Gospel.
The father’s day gift from Jesus is this: A Godly father is willing to tell the hard truth even though it may bring temporary discomfort to his child the glory will come.
Giving Hope
Third, Jesus provides hope for his shocked disciples by giving them a new commandment in John 13:34-35 to love one another as he have loved then. Then Jesus provides the ultimate hope saying in John 14:1-4 that in my Father’s house there are many mansions.
The father’s day gift from Jesus is this: In the brightest days and in the darkest times Godly fathers are dispensers of hope.
Humility, Telling the hard truth, Giving hope. Father’s day gifts for all fathers from Jesus.
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Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. We are called to live out our faith in a bold, discipline manner which is pleasing to God.
Boldness in our faith means living with the confidence that God is within us. Inspired by the Holly Spirit, Peter, and John were perceived to be uneducated and untrained when they addressed the esteemed council who in Acts 4:13 marveled at what they said as they realized that they had been with Jesus.
God wants our boldness to be paired with a discipled faith. Discipline within the context of faith is essential. A discipline faith means we incorporate acts of faith like prayer, scripture reading, fellowship service, witnessing and so much more regularly into our lives.
Hebrews 12:11 reminds us that a discipled faith will produce a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
When Jesus was baptized, God said in Matthew 17:5, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. We are the sons and daughters of the almighty. When we live out a faith that is bold and disciplined, we are living like Jesus has taught us transformed and pleasing to God.
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It is graduation season, a time where academic achievement are celebrated and moving forward ceremonies are conducted. Family, friends, faculty, and the community gather to honor the graduate.
These ceremonies tend to focus on the future. Speakers inspire graduates with words about the future glories that await. Scholarship are awarded with an anticipation of a bright future. Students arrive at the ceremony with cap and gown but depart as graduates with the future ahead.
Within the futuristic tender of these days, it is wise that the events and lessons of past are remembered.
Psalms 77:11-12 reminds us to remember the deeds of the Lord, remember the miracles of the Lord from long ago.
An 18-year-old graduate of the class of 2024 was born in 2006. In the less than two decades of their lives the first iPad became available, the MeToo movement was born, COVID stopped the world. American elected its first black president, then it elected and defeated Donald Trump, who is on the brink of being elected again in the first election that they will get an opportunity to cast a ballot.
It would be wise that these graduates bring the past with them when they vote for the first time. The past that included Jim Crow, the past that included the Civil Rights Movement, the past that include D-Day, The Vietnam War, and the current wars in Ukraine and Garza.
The past is the future prolog for the achievements that the class of 2024 will make, the setback they will experience and the wars that they will fight.
May God’s riches blessings come to the Class Of 2024. As the future dawns let us remember and use as inspiration the words of
Psalm 41. God will be a refuge and strength a very present help in trouble as we look back to move forward.
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I think it is accurate to say that many people consider our forever First Lady Michelle Obama a rock of a person.
“When They Go Low, We Go High” is the perfect metaphor for the poise, grace, and wisdom Mrs. Obama has shown in and out of the White House.
With Barack Obama winning the presidency in November 2008, life would change for the family. Mrs. Obama and her two young daughters would not only have to move in the middle of a school year but do it in the public pressure cooker that is the White House.
Mrs. Obama would leave her job as a highly paid hospital executive, to become First Lady an unpaid but important role. She would become the planner in chief for State Dinners and all the social events at the White House. In her early 40’s, she would need to be a rock not only for her husband and daughters but the nation.
Even a rock needs a rock, with the complexed task ahead of becoming First Lady. Mrs. Obama turned to her mother, Marian Robinson to move with her to Washington providing stability for the family at a difficult time.
According to The New York Times, Mrs. Robinson stayed much the same after moving to the White House. She is reported to having said
“Just show me how to work the washing machine and I’m good.
Marian Lois Shields Robinson, mother of a First Lady who made the transition from living on the South Side of Chicago to the lofty heights of the White House seem effortless has died at age 86.
Proverbs 27:17 tells us “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Mrs. Robinson, the rock iron mother sharpened her children. Both daughter Michelle and son Craig came from humble begins to graduate from Ivey league schools.
Mrs. Robinson’s move to Washington, in January 2009, was said at first to be temporary, to help her daughter and granddaughters adjust. Her hesitation tuned into a commitment as she stayed the entire eight years of the Obama Presidency. Returning to her Chicago home when it was over.
In her memoir, Becoming, Mrs. Obama wrote “The girls needed her,” I need her, Barack need her. She ended up being our rock through it all.”
I pray that there is a Proverbs 27:17 rock in your life. I hope you will take a moment to thank God for them as we thank God for Marian Lois Shields Robinson a rock, who was there when another rock needed her.
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As Americans we live life at a grinding clip. Work, family, church, and other duties keep us constantly busy.
The Smartphone and other devices with their constant reminders and addictive algorithms draw us into a never-ending web of being on, being available, and being in touch for every moment of our lives.
God knows the toil that work and constant activity can take on our lives. In Deuteronomy 5:12-14 the Lord calls on us to observe the sabbath keeping the day holy and perform no work.
In our struggles with this command and many others, I have found this Biblical formular helpful.
-
Pray For Obedience – Meditate over Psalm 119, which is a request to the Lord not only for help but for understanding to follow His commands and decrees.
-
Establish A Your Sabbath To Honor God – Yes, the Sabbath is excellent for rest and the benefits that come from it. However, Deuteronomy 5:14 specifically commands that the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God.
-
Get People To Hold You Accountable – Paul tells us in Hebrews 10:24 to consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
The Sabbath is God’s plan for rest, rejuvenation, and righteousness. The question is are we following God’s plan for a Sabbath? If we are not how can we follow God’s plan to obey his command and to have and to enjoy His Sabbath?
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Josh Gibson is in that number, Lyman Bostock Sr, is in that number, Cool Papa Bell is in that number too.
This week Major League Baseball officially recognized the statistics from the Negro Leagues. Putting hundreds of players who were excluded from playing in the Majors in the record books,
Now their fetes are inscribed in the same record book and treated the same as white players.
Racism is discrimination and prejudice against people based on their race or ethnicity. Racism is present everywhere in government policies, in business practices, in showbusiness and in sports.
While racism can be found in the church, Heaven is the one place where racism does not exist. Romans 2:11 tells us that there is no partiality with God. God made us in his image, so we are judged by our faithfulness not by our race.
The plea, “Oh Lord I want to be in that number” was answered by Major League Baseball for players in the Negro Leagues. However, for you and for me “Oh Lord I want to be in that number”
is more than a plea from the iconic jazz song “When The Saints Go Marching In”. It is a rally call for us to make it safely home to Heaven so we like so many Saints before can rejoice because we are in that number.
Join us tomorrow for worship at Greater Bethel. Join us in person at 140 Rose Street in Athens, Georgia. Our Sunday School featuring a tasty breakfast is at 9:30 AM worship starts at 11:00 AM. Catch the livestream of our services on starting at 11:00 ET on Facebook at GBA Athens and on Your Tube at Greater Bethel Athens. For sermons, podcast, blogs and more visit our website www.GBAAthens.org So until tomorrow, Blessings, Peace and Love.
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Donald Trump has been convicted on all 34 counts in the so-called Manhattan hush money trail.
As the New York Times has reported the verdict will reverberate throughout the nation and the world. As its ushers in a new era of presidential politics.
In November, Americans will decide if it wants to elect a convicted felon as commander in chief. But now less that a full day after the verdict we must decide if we believe in rule of law.
In America the rule of law is the principle in which all persons, institutions, and entities are accountable to laws that are: Publicly promulgated, Equally enforced, Independently adjudicated and consistent with international human rights principles.
However, the question is does Mr. Trump believe in the rule of law? His behavior as he bulldozes the country’s norms puts the question into serious jeopardy.
He refused to accept the results of the 2020 election.
He is under incitement in three other cases, the January 6 Capital Riot Case, the Georgia Election Interference Case, and the Classified Documents Case. Plus, he is attempting to assert the primacy of his raw political power over the nation’s rule of law.
As Christians we believe in the rule of law. Paul who was under the grip of the Roman government tells us in Romans 13:1 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”
However, for some Christians the Trump verdict will weaken their will to believe in Paul’s command to submit to the rule of law. These Christians will submit to the Trump notion that the case was a political hit job orchestrated by the Biden Administration. These Christians will submit to the Trump notion that the judge was corrupt. These Christians will submit to the Trump notion that a jury of his peers selected in conjunction with his defense lawyers was rigged against the ex-president.
Believing in the rule of law does not mean blind allegiance to the criminal justice system. For we know that justice can be nowhere to be found for women, people of color and the poor.
However, for people like Donald Trump with money, means and power the criminal justice system works just fine. The best lawyers are hired, as defendants they are treated with favor by judges and other court officials, and in the rare case of a conviction the punishment is typically limited.
That is why in the Manhattan hush money case the rule of law was enforced. Donald Trump was found guilty of all 34 counts. A rich man with means and status got a fair trial. So let us remind ourselves to follow Paul’s teaching from Romans 13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
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As Americans we live life at a grinding clip. Work, family, church, and other duties keep us constantly busy.
The Smartphone and other devices with their constant reminders and addictive algorithms draw us into a never-ending web of being on, being available, and being in touch for every moment of our lives.
God knows the toil that work and constant activity can take on our lives. In Deuteronomy 5:12-14 the Lord calls on us to observe the sabbath keeping the day holy and perform no work.
As a Pastor, small business owner and family man with a ton of things on my plate I find obeying this command very difficult.
In our struggles with this command and many others, I have found this Biblical formular helpful.
-
Pray For Obedience – Meditate over Psalm 119, which is a request to the Lord not only for help but for understanding to follow His commands and decrees.
-
Establish A Your Sabbath To Honor God – Yes, the Sabbath is excellent for rest and the benefits that come from it. However, Deuteronomy 5:14 specifically commands that the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God.
-
Get People To Hold You Accountable – Paul tells us in Hebrews 10:24 to consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
The Sabbath is God’s plan for rest, rejuvenation, and righteousness. The question is are we following God’s plan for a Sabbath? If we are not how can we follow God’s plan to obey his command and to have and to enjoy His Sabbath?
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This week at Greater Bethel we will join Christians worldwide in celebrating the Holy Trinity.
The Holy Trinity is God in three persons. God The Father, who we see in Genesis as God creates the Earth and humankind. God The Son, Jesus Christ who we see in the Gospels as He comes to the Earth to teach, heal, and save. God the Holy Spirit, the comforter appearing the Disciples in Acts and giving us the wisdom, knowledge, and courage to share the Gospel.
We will also commemorate the fight for social justice in America and throughout the world.
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The rule of three is a storytelling principle that suggests people better understand concepts, situations, and ideas in groups of three.
The story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears uses the rule of three extensively, with Goldilocks examining three bowls of porridge, three chairs, and three beds before the three beds came home
Many advertising campaigns and public information slogans will use rule of three to create a catchy, memorable, and noteworthy way of conveying information.
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness is a memorable phase of freedom from the Delectation Of Impendence.
Stop, Drop and Roll is a fire safety slogan using the rule of three to save lives.
The Cartoon mascots of Kellogg Rice Krispies have sold a ton of cereal with the phase that is also their name: “Snap, Crackle and Pop.”
We have even seen the rule of three used in the Congress Of The United States, with Texas Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett in an exchange with Georgia Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene using the now trademark phase of three: Bleach Blonde, Bad Built, Butch Body.
The rule of three is a storytelling principle that suggests people better understand concepts, situations, and ideas in groups of three.
This week Christians worldwide celebrates God’s version of the rule of three, the Holy Trinity. The Holy Trinity is God in three persons. God The Father, who we see in Genesis as God creates the Earth and humankind. God The Son, Jesus Christ who we see in the Gospels as He comes to the Earth to teach, heal, and save. God the Holy Spirit, the comforter appearing the Disciples in Acts and giving us the wisdom, knowledge, and courage to share the Gospel.
Yes, the rule of three is a storytelling principle that suggests people better understand concepts, situations, and ideas in groups of three. Let us rejoice thanking the Lord for the Godly Rule Of Three, God The Father, God The Son and God The Holy Ghost.
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In baseball a triple occurs when a batter hits the ball and reaches third base without an error. Lots of action takes place when a triple is hit the outfielder runs after the ball, the batter races around the bases, the ball is retrieved, a throw to third is made, the batter slides in a cloud of dust with the umpire calling the runner “Safe!” in a close play at third base.
With all that action it’s no wonder that the triple is often known as the most exciting play in baseball. For a baseball fan like me the triple is indeed a triple blessing.
This week Christians worldwide will celebrate the triple blessing of the Lord called the trinity. We will celebrate God in three persons, God the Father who created us and the world, God the Son, Jesus who came to the world to teach and save us from sin, and God the Holy Spirit, the comforter that God sent to the world on the Day of Pentecost to give us the courage, the strength, and the wisdom to share the Gospel.
So, this week let us rejoice for the triple blessings of the Trinity, and the most exciting time as a Christian as we heed the command of Jesus to share the Gospel, making disciples of all nations. Hitting our own triple as we baptize those new in the faith in the name of the God Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
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A Red-Letter day is defined as a time of special significance or opportunity. May 17th, 1954, the day when the United States Supreme Court ruled that laws establishing racial segregation in public schools are unconstitutional is clearly a red-letter day.
However, 70 years later the promise of the red-letter day that Brown symbolizes has not been met.
According to a 2022 report from the Government Accountability Office, more than a third of all students in America about 18.5 million attended schools where 75% or more students were of a single race or ethnicity. 70 years after the red-letter day of the Brown decision we a still separate and in many cases not equal.
This Sunday Christians will celebrate The Day of Pancoast. On this Red-Letter Day the Disciples have gathered in Jerusalem 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus. Acts chapter two tells us that a sound like the roar of a mighty windstorm came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. Filled with the Holy Spirit the disciples received the ability to speak and understand many languages.
Clearly the red-letter day promise of Brown V. Board have yet to be realized. However, the red-letter implications of The Day of Pancoast are in full effect. We have been given the Holy Spirit, which is the comforter, the courage maker, the unprecedented glue that binds us to God the Father and His son Jesus The Christ.
The Holy Spirit gives us the ability to create red-letter days for others as we heed the Great Commission command of Jesus to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
With the Holy Spirit as our guide let us go and create some red-letter days.
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Use the Google machine and type in the phase “A roadmap for Godly living” there you will find any number of articles, posts, blogs, and videos on the subject. I guess this devotional will become my humble addition to the topic.
In Genesis 17 we find Abram a ninety-nine-year-old man who just 13 years before became a father for the first time. His son Ishmael was born by way of Hagar, his wife Shari slave whom she gave to Abram in her effort to help God with his promise to make her husband the father of many nations.
However, when we take God’s work and promise into our hands, bad things can and do happen. Shari became jealous of Hagar treating her with contempt. The son Ishmael would be no walk in the park as describe by angel of the Lord in Genesis 16:12 “ he will be like a wild donkey. His hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand will be against him.”
God steps Into all this trouble telling Abram in Genesis 17:1-2 that He is God Almighty, and if you live in my presence, and be blameless, I will set up my covenant between me and you, and I will multiply you greatly.”
The mileposts on the roadmap for Godly living are simple. One, Live in God’s presence Two, by living in God’s presence we will live a blameless life. Three, God has a covenant for us. A covenant that will prosper us, a covenant that will have a positive impact our families, a covenant that will grow your faith and draw you into a closer relationship with God.
That my friends is a roadmap for Godly living.
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On this Mother’s Day we recognize, celebrate, and see mothers.
We see the care in a mother’s smile, we see the specialness of a mother’s touch, and we see the wonderful ways of a mother’s love. These things and more we see on greeting cards, television shows and in church services honoring mothers.
Yes, this time of year we see mother. However, there is another mother that goes unseen that is the mother who is a victim of intimate partner violence.
A United Nation’s report revealed worldwide, nearly 1 in 3, or 30%, of women have been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner or non-partner sexual violence or both.
Hagar is an Egyptian slave belonging to Abram’s wife, Sarai. God makes a covenant with Abram that he will be the father of many nations. However, Abram and Sarai are getter old, and they have no children.
Sarai gives Hagar to Abram with the intent to help God with the covenant. However, when Hagar becomes pregnant Sarai is enraged. At her hands Hagar is treated so badly that despite the pregnancy she runs away.
God sends an angel to reassure Hagar with a prophecy about her unborn son. Elated Hagar praise God saying, “you are the one who sees me.”
On this Mother’s day as we continue to see and thank God for the goodness of mothers. Let us also pray to the Lord for protection of mothers for all the things we do not see.
For we do not see Mothers experiencing homeliness, we do not see mothers who are sexed trafficked, we do not see mothers experiencing intimate partner or non-partner sexual violence.
On this mother’s day we pray for God’s vision so that we can see these women as the Lord saw Hagar. And through your vision let us see ways in to help these mothers as God helped Hagar.
For God sees all mothers.
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This week in many places of worship the ascension of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ will be celebrated. The Ascension of the Lord commemorates the fortieth day after the Resurrection when Jesus ascended into Heaven and took His seat at the right hand of His Father.
Also, this week in many houses of worship Mothers will be celebrated. Mother's Day honors motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society.
The account of the ascension of Jesus in Luke 24:52-53 tells us as Jesus was blessings his disciples in a field near Bethany he was carried up to heaven. The disciples worshiped him returning to Jerusalem with great joy.
This great joy must have been bittersweet, for the disciples had to be sad because of the loss of daily physical contact with Jesus. However, it must have been paired with the excitement of Jesus’ return to His Father. Along with the knowledge that they will be reunited with Jesus again in Heaven.
For those of us who have lost a Mother in death, it is my prayer that you will take the great joy of the disciples into this Mother’s Day. Like the disciples take great joy in the memories of our Mothers and what they stood for and taught you. Like the disciples take great joy in the godly Mother that the Lord gave you. And like the disciples take great joy in the knowledge that because of the faith of your Mother and your faith in Jesus Christ that the mother and child reunion will take place in Heaven.
Take Great Joy! Take Great Joy! Take Great Joy!
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It has been almost 40 days since the resurrection of Jesus in a sermon from Acts 1:3-11, Pastor Marben Bland discusses and teaches how the passage calls up to spread the gospel of Jesus.
Key points:
1) Jesus’ resurrection was real, and all are inheritors of his wonderful gift.
(2) Jesus’ atonement was completed, but there would be requirements for us to fully partake of its blessings; and
(3) As disciples of Jesus we are responsible to carry the message of His gospel to the world.
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“…..all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” No truer words have been spoken than these uttered in Romans 3:23 by the Apostle Paul.
Knowing the trueness of Paul’s words, the Lord has given us grace, justification, and forgiveness through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Paul reminds us that the redemption that is Christ Jesus is a gift. A gift that is available for the taking not because of our works either good or bad but because of our faith in Jesus Christ.
It is our faith that allows fallen sinners to get up
It is our faith that allow fallen sinners to have hope
It is our faith that allow fallen sinners to become saints
“all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, but salvation is ours because of our faith in Jesus Christ.
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As I write this devotional it has been 29 days four hours and 15 minutes since March 31st of 2024, the day that we celebrated Easter.
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation of our Christian faith. Without the resurrection, the belief in God's saving grace through Jesus is destroyed.
The Resurrection was a literal, physical raising of Jesus’ body from the dead, but it set the stage for so much more.
When Jesus rose from the dead, he confirmed his identity as the Son of God. When Jesus rose from the dead his work of atonement, redemption, reconciliation, and salvation was proven to be right. When Jesus rose from the dead the system of obtaining atonement from the priest with offerings and sacrifices died. Given rise to a glorious direct connection to Jesus for our salvation.
So now that Jesus has risen what has he been doing?
For 40 days after his resurrection Jesus taught and ministered to His disciples. The Biblical scholar D. Lee Tobler reports that Jesus left the disciples with three messages. 1) His Resurrection was real and all are inheritors of that wonderful gift; (2) His Atonement was completed, but there would be requirements for us to fully partake of its blessings; and (3) His disciples were responsible to carry the message of His gospel to the world.
Now as I record this devotional it has been 29 days four hours and 55 minutes since Easter 2024. And the question is what have we have been up to since the resurrection of Jesus?
Is the Resurrection real to us and what are doing with God’s wonderful gift?
Are we full partakers in the blessings of atonement?
As disciples of Christ are we carrying the message of His gospel to the world?
If we haven’t been busy doing the Lord’s work since the Resurrection, it’s not too late. The clock is ticking so let’s get busy.
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This week the Augusta Conference of The African Methodist Episcopal Church had its Annual Conference.
Pastors make a report at the annual conference. As part of our report which is a written document in addition to an oral report, I reported that we had zero conversions, meaning no one under our watch during the 2023-2024 conference year gave their lives to Christ.
At Greater Bethel we have one mission one vision one purpose: That is fulfilling the Great Commission Command of Matthew 28:16-20—That command is to make disciples for Christ.
So, there are 52 Sundays in a year. And each of those Sundays, during the 2023-2024 conference year we had a church service.
And during those services, we offered the people in the church, the people watching online, the people listing to the sermon later on a Podcast, we have offered them Christ. We have offered them salvation we have offered them Jesus.
No one came, no come accepted Jesus.
At Greater Bethel we have one mission one vision one purpose: That is fulfilling the Great Commission Command of Matthew 28:16-20—That command is to make disciples for Christ.
And in the 2023-2024 conference year, we failed, as your pastor I failed. For no one accepted Jesus.
In 1st Samuel chapter 8 we find that Samuel whom God has appointed as his anointed leader is growing old. Samuel appoints his sons as leaders. They do a poor job, and the people are upset.
The people of Israel who have never had a king, demanded to have one saying in 1st Samuel 8:6 “Give us a king to lead us,”
Depressed and believing that he had failed Samuel prayed to God asking forgiveness. God answered saying it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.
Saints, after offering Jesus every week in our worship service, and our in everyday efforts to offer Jesus on our prayer call, Bible Study, devotional moment and two Sunday Schools. No one accepted Jesus it was not us that was rejected it was Jesus.
In every age and in every place, people can, will, and will continue to reject the Jesus.
We see Jesus in John chapter 8 verses 58-59 escaping being stoned by an angry mob because they did not like his teaching of the gospel.
The text tells us that our savior was saved to live another day, however, the life of Christ and the life of the followers of Christ is a constant tail of rejection.
Isaiah 53:3 describes Jesus as a person who was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. He was despised, and held in low esteem.
Nathanael in John 1:46 rejected Jesus saying, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”
In the book The Great Dechurching authors Jim Davis, Michael Graham and Ryan Burge chronicled that America is currently in the middle of the largest and fastest religious shift in the history of our country.
About 15 percent of American adults living today (around 40 million people) have effectively stopped going to church, and most of this dechurching has happened in the past twenty-five years. And with a ton of it happening as churches returned to in person operations after the restrictions of the pandemic.
What does Greater Bethel AME in Athens, Georgia A church with one goal, one mission, one vison which is to make disciples for Jesus do when the people reject Jesus?
What do we do in Athens, Georgia a town with a vast college population? What do we do in Athens, Georgia a town with diversity from some of the best educated people in the state to go alone whit one of the largest homeless populations in the state?
What do we do, what do we do? As in all things I must tell Jesus.
The text we are studying today is from Matthew
13:
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Paul in Ephesians 4:12-14 gives Pastors the charge “To equip the saints for the work of ministry, and for building up the body of Christ.
In the African Methodist Episcopal Church Pastors receive a yearly appointment to a church. The appointment or charge is based on the recommendation of the Presiding Elder and approval of the Bishop. The appointed pastor is in full charge of the Church and is an ex-official member of all boards, organizations, and clubs of that Church.
It was my honor to receive my third pastoral appointment for The Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Athens, Georgia. I received this charge at the recently completed 110 session of the Augusta Annual Conference.
A charge to keep I have as I partner in faithful leadership with the people of Greater Bethel to complete our, one vison, one mission and our one goal which is to make disciples for Christ.
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Did you know people got so upset at Jesus for teaching the Gospel that he was nearly stoned?
In John chapter 8 Jesus in teaching in temple attracting a gathering of people including the scribes and the Pharisees.
Always ready to find fault scribes and the Pharisees presented an adulterous woman.
Siting the law of Moses which demanded stoning they asked Jesus to pass judgment. Jesus responded saying “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
The ire of scribes and the Pharisees continued to be raised as Jesus asserted that he is the light of the world. As he foretold his death and resurrection, and as he defines what it means to be a true disciple.
So, it is one thing for Jesus to raise the ire of scribes and the Pharisees however, it is another thing for Jesus to get the regular people mad. Well, when Jesus said that was not only greater than Abraham but came before him. That is where the stuff hit the fan, and the folks in the temple picked up stones to kill Jesus. Always resourceful Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple. The savior was saved to live another day, until the ultimate rejection. The day the crowd turned on Jesus, exchanging him for Barabbas.
In every age and in every place, people will reject the Lord. Jesus tells us this in the In the Parable of the Weeds (Matthew 13:24-43) and in other passages. So much so that we should not be surprised or overreact when it happens.
So, what to do when people reject Jesus? We follow the lead that Jesus taught us in the Parable of the Weeds which is simply be patient and keep presenting the Gospel. In two drive-through lanes at the Chick-fil-A society we live in we want everything fast. God has his own timing and while we are all called to make disciples the timing of making is all up to God.
The point for us is to teach the Gospel, in and out of season and as we share the Good News, let’s be patient people will reject Jesus. However, in the end every knee will bow and ever tong will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
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In a teaching from Luke 5:17-26, Pastor Marben Bland tells the story of how great things happen when people of faith work together.
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Coached by the incomparable Dawn Staley, the University of South Carolina Women’s basketball team completed an undefeated season beating the University of Iowa and the sensational Caitlin Clark in the title game of the 2024 NCAA Division One women’s baseball tournament.
For many the win was redemption for the Gamecock’s upset loss to Clark’s Hawkeyes in the semifinals of the 2023 tournament. However, for Coach Staley the win was because God’s grace. She put the entire thing in perspective saying, “We serve an unbelievable God,” and her team was the recipient of the uncommon favor of God.
The accomplishments of Dawn Staley and her team shows how great things happen when people of faith work together.
In Luke 5:17-26, we find Jesus teaching the word of God. Gather with him in a small house are folks from Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. Also, in the crowd are the Pharisees and teachers of the law, men who are critical of Jesus.
Knowing the power of Jesus to heal a group of four men try to get their paralyzed friend into the crowed house to see Jesus. But the crowds are too big they can’t get through. Instead of giving up in defeat the men use their God given creativity “tearing the roof off the sucker” the men lower their friend into the house bypassing the big crows going directly to Jesus.
Jesus heals the man saying to the dismay of the Pharisees, “take your stretcher and go to your home.”
It’s abundantly clear be it with the four men in the house that day, or Dawn Stately in the final four. The uncommon favor of God is there when people of faith work together.
Join us tomorrow at Greater Bethel, where we continue to explore God’s uncommon favor in a teaching from Luke 5:17-26 in a teaching entitled Tear The Roof Off The Sucker! The Story Of How Great Things Happen When People Of Faith Work Together.
We worship in person at 140 Rose Street in Athens, with Sunday School with a tasty breakfast starting at 9:30 and worship at 11:00 AM. Watch the live stream of services on our Facebook page and YouTube channel.
So, until tomorrow, blessings, peace ,and love.
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This week marks the 50th anniversary, of Henry Aaron hitting home run number 715. Breaking Babe Ruth’s record and becoming baseball’s all-time home run king a record later broken by Barry Bonds.
Throughout it all, one of the most important factors in Aaron’s career was his consistent greatness. Great players are often consistently great, but nobody in the history of the game is really in the same neighborhood as Aaron in this regard.
How do you get to 755 home runs without ever cracking 50 in a season? The 538 blog details the unrelenting consistency of Henry Aaron. Aaron hit 20 or more home runs in a season 20 times, the most of any player in history. He also hit at least 24 home runs every single season from 1955 (age 21) to 1973 (age 39) — a streak of 19 consecutive years. No other player in the history of baseball has done that for more than 15 straight years.
In Luke 17:5, the disciples ask Jesus for big faith. However, Jesus tells them that they don’t need big faith—they need consistent faith.
As we celebrate the remarkable consistency of Henry Aaron, let us hold consistently to Jesus. Let us be consistent in prayer, consistent in worship, and consistent in action to share the story of Jesus as we make disciples for Christ.
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It has been said that “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”. Well, that is true until someone doesn’t like the imitation. There has been great push back regarding Beyoncé new album Cowboy Carter. With many saying that superstar has no right making a country record and others whispering in not so soft terms that black folks have no place in country music.
Just like most popular music genres, country music in the United States began with Black People. More specifically, the story of country begins with the banjo. The modern-day banjo is a descendant of a West African instrument.
Hillbilly music, which would later be renamed country, became the music of the south. The first hillbilly artists drew inspiration from slave spirituals, field songs, hymns, and the blues, which itself has black origins.
To be clear Beyoncé performing country music is not an imitation. Beyonce’s performing country music is preforming music made in the image of black people.
Genesis chapters one and two reveals the story of the creation of the earth, the plants and of mankind. In creating mankind God does something he does not do with any of his other creations. He makes Adam and later Eve in his own image.
Being made in God’s image is not that we physically look like God, rather it means that we have the image of God imprinted in us. The essence of our being is God. God is creative – and we can be creative too. God loves us – and we too are capable of love. God is so forgiving that he gave us Jesus so that our sins are forgiven, setting the stage for us to forgive.
Beyoncé with Cowboy Carter is teaching us to embrace, express and live in the image of our creation which is country music.
So, the question before us now is are we living in the images that God has made us to be? Are we living in God’s image of creation, are we living in God’s image of love, are we living in God’s image of forgiveness?
We can’t escape the image that God has made us to be, but we can repress it. If you are not living in the image of God a course correction is possible, by praying this prayer with me: Father, I come as your creation who is not living in your image. I ask that you come into my life restoring within me the all the elements of your image with in me and it is in Jesus name that I pray. Amen
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The theologian Ray Pritz reminds us that God has a library.
Unlike a normal library, it is not a place where people come to study. It seems to be more of an archive or official record.
Revelation 20 tells us that some of the books in God’s library contain a record of the things we have done.
The story of Mordechai in the book of Esther reminds us that God does not forget our deeds, except when our deeds are forgiven sins which are erased from God’s book in heaven. (Esther 6:1-3)
Malachi 3:16 tells us the remembrance of the faithful who revered the Lord is written in God’s book in heaven.
Listen to Jesus in Matthew 12:36-37 when he says…. “on the day of judgment, you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter, 37 for by your words in God’s book in heaven you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
A librarian is a person who works professionally in a library providing access to information. For many Zenola Hardeman Swain is our forever librarian. A woman who provided a gateway to a world of knowledge to generations of young people.
Her professionalism, knowledge, and kindness sparked in me and many other students a lifelong interest in reading, and research. Using the library as the springboard for our intellectual, cultural, and personal pursuits.
While Zenola Hardeman Swain was a fabulous school librarian, it was how she was a librarian for God that is written in the Lord’s book.
Written in the Lord’s book is Sister Swain’s dedication to the Sunday School at Saint Paul AME Church in Clinton, Georgia. Where she used her skills to expand her student’s Biblical knowledge.
Written in the Lord’s book is Sister Swain’s encouragement of the young Christians in her charge. An encouragement and guidance that I will always treasure.
Written in the Lord’s book is Sister Swain's devotion to her husband the late radio legend Hampton Swain and her loving mothering of their fabulous children Natalie and Jarvis.
So, it is fitting on Easter night, after all the church and family celebrations were done God called his librarian Zenola Hardeman Swain home.
Her book is complete, her official record has been written. God is pleased, and a bestseller has been left for all of us to read and follow. Authored by God’s librarian Zenola Hardeman Swain.
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On Palm Sunday, we celebrated the powerful scene of Jesus entering Jerusalem on a little donkey cheered by the common people tossing their coats in his path.
In Luke 19: 45-48, the donkey takes Jesus to the temple where he finds instead of prayer, worship, and teaching there was buying, selling and money exchanging. Jesus drives the buyers, sellers, and money changers out declaring “My house shall be a house of prayer.”
While the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders looked for ways to kill him, Jesus taught in the temple and the people were spellbound.
In America there has been a steady decline in church attendance. A Gallop Poll indicates that less than 30% of the people say they attend church on a regular basis.
Easter is one of those Sundays where many folks who don’t regularly attend church will attend. With the increase attendance our focus can easily sift to the new clothes, the new people, and the new possibilities they bring.
Into this newness let us not lose sight of what Jesus has called for us to. In our zeal to get these reluctant folks to come back we may revert the church into what Jesus experienced where everything, but the gospel was being taught.
So, let us this Easter let us commit ourselves to the spellbinding Gospel of Jesus, as we make his house a place of prayer, worship, and teaching.
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Yolanda Adams in her smash hit song Open My Heart cries out to the Lord saying… “So, show me how to do things your way don't let me make the same mistakes
over and over again.”
God through the prophet Jeremiah cries out “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.”
In our secular world a covenant is a promise. However, with God a convent is an iron clad pledge of God’s goodness, grace, and forgiveness. It is that goodness, grace, and forgiveness that is evident in Jeremiah’s decree, for God is making a new covenant because we keep breaking his previous covenants.
Yes, as Yolanda Adams reminds us, we make the same mistakes over and over again.
During this Lenten season, let us reflect and be thankful that we serve a God that is good, a God that has grace and a God that is forgiving. Let us reflect and be thankful that we serve a God that will give us a new covenant despite the fact that we make the same mistakes over and over again.
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The Book of Revelation was written to show the servants of the Lord what must soon take place.
Revelation 7:9-10 chronicles a great multitude, more than anyone could number. The multitude comprised of every nation, all tribes and people and languages stood before the throne and before Jesus.
Clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, the multitude cried with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.
As servants of Christ, we can take great hope and comfort that what must soon take place is the second coming of our Lord. And when it takes place, the people singing the praises of the Lord will be diverse.
These verses from Revelation reveals that God ordered and ordained diversity. And despite the elimination of diversity and inclusion programs. The abolishment of black and brown history departments on colleges campuses, and the white washing of the narrative of the minority experience.
Diversity will never go away for the Lord has shown us what must take place.
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This has been a traumatic week for the University Of Georgia community, as we mourn the death of two young students.
The devastating news penetrates the soul of the vibrant campus testing our resolve. As we as ask why and question can we be safe, in the place where we learn and live?
Answers as they always do will come in time however until then let us take solace in the wisdom of Romans 14:8-9 where Paul writes: “If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
As untimely, senseless, and shocking as these deaths are Jesus is Lord! And in this moment of sorrow and grief let us be strengthen in the knowledge that Christ died and was returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
For the two students who have died this week Jesus is with them. For those who remain Jesus is with us as we pray to our Lord and savior for comfort, guidance, and peace in the days and weeks ahead.
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Genesis 2:7 tells us that God created man out of the dust of the ground. When God breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, the man became a living creature.
Yesterday, I learned of the passing of a family friend Gloria Johnson, who died of a heart attack while working out at the gym. Her death is a reminder that at some point each of us will no longer be a living creature. Which begs the question, then what?
Right now, the answer to the question “then what” is mourning. We mourn because Gloria was a wonderful parent, a tremendous grandmother, and a fabulous friend. As a living creature, she lived with joy, kindness, and faith in a God who guided and ordered her steps.
2nd Corinthians 5:7 tells us that we walk by faith and not by sight. Now that Gloria is no longer a living creature, let us who mourn her continue in her memory and honor God by walking with faith.
For when we do, we can be confident that when the day comes when we are no longer a living creature, we will be like our dear Gloria. Absent of the body but present with the Lord as we enjoy our new and better reality of no longer being a living creature.
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In The Sermon on the Mount, beginning in Matthew 5, Jesus both reinterprets the old law and offers a new law. In essence the new law is about worship not rituals.
As Ash Wednesday approaches, let us follow Jesus and beware of practicing our “piety” during these 40 days is not a ritual, it is an act of worship to the honor and glory of the Lord.
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We find a busy Jesus in Mark Chapter 8, he feed thousands from a few loafs and fishes, he healed a blind man at Bethsaida, Peter, declares him the Messiah, Jesus foretells his death on the cross and challenges his disciples saying: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
Six days later in Mark Chapter 9, Jesus Peter, James, and John go up a high mountain. There he was transfigured before them, his clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them, Elijah, and Moses, appear to talk with Jesus.
The voice of God comes from a cloud saying “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
Transfiguration is defined as a complete change of form or appearance into a more beautiful or spiritual state. Jesus as holy, pure, complete, and busy as he was still able to be transformed to a more beautiful and a more spiritual state.
Like Jesus the chapters of our lives are busy, work, children, meetings, travel, concerns about our health and so much more that take our time our attention and our energy. God is telling us to listen to Jesus, for Jesus understands the busyness of our lives, Jesus understands the hunger we face, the blindness we experience, and the crosses we must bear.
Despite all these things going on, Jesus offers us Transfiguration. The complete change our appearance into a more beautiful or spiritual state. Let us follow the voice of God and listen to His Son.
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What are you doing to spread the fame on Jesus? This is the question asked in a sermon from Mark 1:21-28 entitled, “Fame!”
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Psalm 100 tells us to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. For 99 years Sister Annie Mildred Hill made a joyful noise. Keeping God’s promises of Psalm 100.
Sister Hill answered the call of Psalm 100 to serve the Lord with gladness. A faithful wife to her late husband James, a cherished mother to her sons Jimmy and Michael and an outstanding grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She was always there, always loving, always praying.
Sister Hill obeyed Psalm 100 for she knew the Lord. Joining The Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church at an early age. She served the Lord with all of her heart all of her soul and all of her mind. Serving as a trustee, a member of the pastor’s aid ministry and for half a century our church musician. Taking over for her mother, and in an environment where musicians can command top dollar Sister Hill refused to be paid.
Psalm 100 tells us of God’s wonderful gate which Sister Hill has now entered with thanksgiving. As we pay tribute to the joyful noise Sister Annie Mildred Hill made on her nearly 100-year life journey where it is crystal clear that she knew the Lord the question for you and me is this: I am saved.
If you are not saved pray with me:
Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins and surrender my life. Wash me clean. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. That he died on the cross for my sins and rose again on the third day for my Victory, I believe that in my heart and make confession with my mouth, that Jesus is my Savior and Lord. It is in Jesus name that I pray let all of us say Amen, Amen and Amen.
If you prayed that prayer with me, you are now saved. However, your salvation is strengthened when you make it real and active as Sister Annie Mildred Hill did. So, in her memory and to God’s glory follow Psalm 100 and make a joyful noise to the Lord.
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Powered by Evangelical Christians Donald Trump has won the Iowa Caucus.
For these Evangelical Christians immigration was the major issue as they supported a candidate who says God’s children at a border are poisoning the blood of America
Agriculture is a major part of Iowa’s economy. The state farms produces nearly 20% of U.S. soybean, corn, and pork. Meat processing plants dot the landscape contributing greatly to nations supply of Polk and beef.
Ironically almost all the workers in the plants, and in the fields are immigrants of color. Working in the low wage nonunion jobs that was the staple of employment for white immigrants, a century ago.
These immigrants many of them who have entered the country illegally, are the lifeblood of agriculture not only in Iowa but throughout the nation.
They do the jobs that the white native population will not do. The giant companies that employ them have conspired in an elaborate scheme of don’t ask don’t tell.
For they know without them, crops would not be harvested, meat would spoil, and money would be lost.
Nevertheless, Evangelical Christians have bought into the lie that God’s children simply by entering into the county are poisoning the country.
Leviticus 19:33-34 commands “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
The United States is a land of immigrants. Without question many of the Evangelical Christians who Caucused for Donald Trump descended from immigrants who entered the county illegally.
Those descends worked in the same fields, those descents worked in the same plants and those descents came to United States for the same reason as those who at the border now for the opportunity for a better life.
Comprehensive immigration reform will allow America to use it’s God given bounty to greatly change the lives of God’s children around the world.
Perhaps it is the name Evangelical that makes the difference. However, for this Christian the path forward is clear, we must love the immigrate as we love ourselves, and reject the poison that is coming out of Iowa.
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There is a paradox on this Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. While many of us will reserve this day for reflection, celebration, and service. In Iowa the first step in coronation of Donald Trump a man who stands in stark contrast to the Beloved Community, Dr. King and generations have marched, fought, and died is taking place.
Into this paradox comes the liberating power of God’s love. Colossians 3:14 reminds us that above all love binds everything together in perfect harmony. Dr. King tells us that Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.
I am under no illusion that Donald Trump and his followers will ever become my friend. However, I am confident that because of the liberating power of God’s love the paradox of this day does not depress me. The paradox of this day does not distress me. The paradox of this day does deflate me.
Rather the liberating power of God’s love energizes me as it should energizes you. As we depend on the promise of Act 10:37 which declares God anointed Jesus with the power of the Holy Spirit to heal the oppressed.
To be Black in America is to be oppressed. But take heart God is on our side. And on this paradoxical day when the oppression of white supremacy is on fully display as the GOP and the media allows lily white Iowa to take center stage. Dr. King still speaks telling us that "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice. It is the liberating power of God’s love that will sustain us as we continue to fight, strategize, and toil as we do the work of justice. For we shall overcome.
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The fundamental goal of the book of Proverbs is to teach the acquisition of wisdom and the avoidance of folly. The acquisition of wisdom and the avoidance of folly is achieved only when we have faith and trust in the Lord as we obey his teaching.
Proverbs 3:1-8 provides a roadmap of God’s love and obeyance. We are reminded to follow God’s teachings and not to lean on our own understanding. For in following God’s wisdom the text promises that we will have the abundance of God’s favor in our lives.
The roadmap is set, and the promises of God have been laid out. However, the question for you and for me is this: Do we have the faith and trust in the Lord to make the promises of God real in our lives?
Join us tomorrow at Greater Bethel in Athens, Georgia as we examine our faith and trust in the Lord in a teaching from Acts 10: 34-39 entitled Alternative Facts. We start our day of worship at 140 Rose Street with our new in person Church School featuring a tasty breakfast at 9:30 AM. Our 11:00 AM worship service is streamed live on Facebook and YouTube so until tomorrow blessing, peace and love.
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On Friday, January 20th, 2017, thousands gathered at the capital in Washington, D.C. to witness the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States.
The next day on Saturday, January 21st, 2017 White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer accused the media of deliberately underestimating the size of the crowd for President Trump's inaugural ceremony.
Spicer claimed that the ceremony had drawn the "largest audience to ever witness an inauguration – period – both in person and around the globe". Using rapid transit ridership data and photographic evidence news outlets around the globe proved that Spicer’s claims of record inaugural turnout were false.
Then the next day Sunday, January 22nd, 2017, Kellyanne Conway, Counselor to the President appeared on NBC’s Meet The Press. She defended Spicer’s comments saying that he was given alternative facts. Chuck Todd the moderator responded saying, alternative facts are not facts. They're falsehoods."
In Acts Peter encounters people who were operating with alternative facts about Jesus. They had seen Peter and John heal a crippled beggar. Assuming they practiced magic, Peter set the record straight. Saying, that it was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that cause the man to walk.
Peter continued describing Jesus as the Holy and Righteous One, the Author of life who was rejected by the people and hung on a tree.
On July 17, 2017, Sean Spicer announced his resignation as White House Press Secretary, thus ending one of shortest tenure of any person to hold the office.
His creditability in tattlers Spicer was not offered the high paying opportunities that others in his role were. Instead, he was on Dancing With The Starts and is now a contributor on News Nation a upstart cable news network
There are no alternative facts when it comes to Jesus. His life is spotless, His word is true, His death and resurrection are real and his coming again is a fact.
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Sermon Notes:
Epiphany is a promise that God is here, whether or not we notice the signs.
After Jesus is born, according to Matthew, it is not the local folk to whom God-with-us is first revealed, but rather to Magi from the East. Foreigners. Strangers. Outsiders who interpret dreams and interrogate the night sky for signs.
Nor is it in the grand holy city of Jerusalem, with its magnificent temple at the center of religious, political, and economic power, where God chooses to come close, but rather in Bethlehem, a lowly village up the road a piece.
And it is not the great and powerful King Herod on whom God’s anointing rests, but on this vulnerable child-Messiah who “will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
In the first month of 2024, Israel is again at war. It is at war with Hamas the terrorist group that staged the October 7th attacks. In which an estimated 1,200 Israelis were killed, and another 150 were taken hostage.
In retaliation Israel launched a military campaign into Gaza. The Palestinian health ministry estimates nearly 18,000 of their people have died, upwards of 48,000 have been wounded and scores have been displaced.
War is no stranger to Israel. The modern state of Israel has fought nine major wars since its 1948 inception. Scripture recounts many battles involving Israel. God’s land and people were attacked, conquered, and occupied, time and time again.
With God on its side Israel is no joke. God gave the Israelites power to win battles against seemly impossible odds.
In 1st Samuel 17, Israel’s army is being challenged again this time by the Philistine giant Goliath. Bring forth someone to fight the giant for the right to be free. Faced with this challenge all the Israelites, fled and were very much afraid.
Three reasons why the Israelites fled:
First, they were out of God’s Favor.
Under Saul’s rule God empowered Israel to become a powerful nation with a great army capable of dominance on the battlefield. However, Saul lost God’s favor as he disobeyed the Lord.
Second, the Israelites, lost faith in God.
They lost faith because they took God for granted thinking it was because of their might that they won those battles and not God.
Lastly, the Israelites did not have a vision from God.
All they could see was a giant and a giant defeat. Only with God could they have a vison of victory.
Our Vision For 2024 Is To Greater
Matthew 28:16-20
New International Version
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
We are called to worship, We are called to teach, We are called to be disciples and to make disciples, we are called to be greater!
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Yes, Jesus is the reason for the season however, how often has the season with all of its trappings gotten in the way of our faith? Now that the season is over and if we truly want to be greater in 2024, now is the time to get back to the business of faith.
In Hebrews 11 Paul defines faith as the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. He cites the examples of Abel, Abraham, and Isaac as pioneers of faith. However, this roll call of the stalwarts of faith is not an invitation for us to mimic their actions. Rather it is a reminder for us to practice the fundamentals of faith in our lives.
The business of faith calls on us to be in prayer, to study and to teach. The business of faith is a call to be humble and to serve. It is a call to remember and to forgive. The business of faith is a call to demand more of ourselves in every aspect of our lives. And above all, the business of faith is to witness to all that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Faith is not restricted to a season. Faith is our ongoing way of life, like the air we breathe, the food we eat and the people we love. Faith is the essence of who we are, and more importantly who the Lord wants us to be.
So, if the season has gotten you off track the good news is this. Now, is the time to get back to the business of faith.
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On this first day of 2024, Israel is again at war. It is at war with Hamas the terrorist group that staged the October 7th attacks. In which an estimated 1,200 Israelis were killed, and another 150 were taken hostage.
In retaliation Israel launched a military campaign into Gaza. The Palestinian health ministry estimates nearly 18,000 of their people have died, upwards of 48,000 have been wounded and scores have been displaced.
War is no stranger to Israel. The modern state of Israel has fought nine major wars since its 1948 inception. Scripture recounts many battles involving Israel. God’s land and people were attacked, conquered, and occupied, time and time again.
With God on its side Israel is no joke. God gave the Israelites power to win battles against seemly impossible odds.
In 1st Samuel 17, Israel’s army is being challenged again this time by the Philistine giant Goliath. Bring forth someone to fight the giant for the right to be free. Faced with this challenge all the Israelites, fled and were very much afraid.
Three reasons why the Israelites fled:
First, they were out of God’s Favor.
Under Saul’s rule God empowered Israel to become a powerful nation with a great army capable of dominance on the battlefield. However, Saul lost God’s favor as he disobeyed the Lord.
Second, the Israelites, lost faith in God.
They lost faith because they took God for granted thinking it was because of their might that they won those battles and not God.
Lastly, the Israelites did not have a vision from God. All they could see was a giant and a giant defeat. Only with God could they have a vison of victory.
The battles of 2024 lie ahead for all of us. We need God’s favor; We need to keep our faith in the Lord, and we need God’s vision if we are to fight and win.
Happy New Year!
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The Books of Samuel describe the origins of kingship in Israel and recount the reigns of the first two kings, Saul, and David.
Under Saul’s rule God empowered Israel to become a powerful nation with a great army capable of dominance on the battlefield. For as Mary would say to Gabriel centuries later “nothing is impossible with God.”
However, by the time the Philistine giant Goliath began to taunt Saul’s army and more importantly God himself. Saul’s fortunes had changed he lost God’s favor because he lost favor with God.
Into this breach came David. The Shepheard boy used only one of five smooth stones he had gathered to slay the giant in the name of God. For nothing is impossible with God.
When the time came the great army of Saul could not be greater because they were not greater with God.
2024 is looming and God is calling us not to be great but to be greater.
God is calling us to be greater in 2024 because the challenges we face are greater.
We must be greater because the challenge of climate change with warmer winters, hotter summers and more intense weather events are greater.
We must be greater because the challenge of gun violence ripping through our communities, schools and even our churches is greater.
We must be greater because the challenge of the 2024 election where are voters are disenfranchised on a whim, where partisan gerrymandering eliminates our choice to pick candidates, where a candidate who plays games with reason for the Civil War and mad man is running to get his old job back.
In 2024 God Is Calling Us To Be Greater but the only way to be greater is to be like David so we must be greater with God.
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The Time For Watching And Waiting Is Over
When I was young the night before Christmas was a time of watching, waiting, and wondering. Watching to see when Santa will come, waiting endlessly for Christmas morning to come, and wondering what in the world would be there for me under the tree.
God Is Calling Us To Action
God Is Call Us In Luke 2:8-20
To Go And Tell It!
A closer examination of the text provides us with these key points:
1. God speaks to us in our everyday lives. (Luke 2:8-11)
8 Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night. 9 The Lord’s angel stood before them, the Lord’s glory shone around them, and they were terrified.
10 The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people. 11 Your savior is born today in David’s city. He is Christ the Lord.
Remember: God loves us so much that he will give us constant reminders of his love and the actions he wants us to take to spread his love.
2. God will give us a sign when he calls us to action. God will also give us a way to validate the signs that we are given.
(Luke 2:12, 2:15-16)
12 This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.”
15 When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.”
16 They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.
Remember: God will not only give us the sign and validate the sign. God will also determine the pace of the action he wants us to take.
3. The action that God is calling us to is to and tell it to the mountain. (Luke 17, Luke 20, Matthew 28:16-20)
16 They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child.
20 The shepherds returned home, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Everything happened just as they had been told.
Matthew 28:16-20
Common English Bible
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshipped him, but some doubted. 18 Jesus came near and spoke to them, “I’ve received all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.”
Remember: God loves us and his call to action for those who love us is tell others about his love so that they can love his as well.
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Christmas is over. The wrapping paper, the boxes and some presents are garbage bound. Christmas trees are coming down, carols are not being sung, and the after Christmas sales rush is on. Yes, Christmas is over so now what do we do about Jesus?
For some they know that Jesus was born, but it changes nothing. For others they are caught up in the glow Jesus birth, but it only last for a few days before fading away. Many are like Herod; the biblical king are so filled with rage and hate that they wanted to kill Jesus and everything he stands for. And still others while celebrating Christmas have never heard of Jesus.
Christmas is over so now what do we do about Jesus? For an answer we look to the angels
shepherds and wise men who were in Bethlehem that first Christmas night. They glorified Jesus by following the commandments of God. They worshiped Jesus singing praises to his Holy Name and they told people about Jesus. Sharing his name, his teachings and his coming again to people everywhere.
Glorifying, Worshiping, and Telling that is what we do about Jesus now that Christmas is over.
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Merry Christmas!
This day of festive trees, wonderful presents, and outstanding parties is the culmination of the Advent season. Where in this post pandemic world many of us for the first time in a while have attended parties, gone to concerts, enjoyed dinners along with all the activities with family and friends that truly makes this the most wonderful time of the year.
But, for many this time of year is stressful. Stressful with money problems, stressful with family issues, stressful with the loneliness that is so acute during the holidays.
When Gabriel the angel, of the Lord came to Mary, he gave her these specific messages. The first message was not to be scared she was a favored woman chosen by the Lord from among many. The second message was that Mary a woman who was not married and had never had a man was to have a Son. He will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the place where His early father David sat. He will be King over the family of Jacob forever and His nation will have no end.” The holy Child you give birth to will be called the Son of God.
The third and final message from Gabriel was concerning her cousin Elizabeth. An old woman who was baron. This woman without child was now six months with child.
After hearing these incredible, impossible, and improvable things Mary asked how can it be? Then after hearing Gabriel explain about the power of God. Mary had her own message: “Nothing is impossible with God.”
With these powerful messages Mary could have done many things. She could have used the knowledge to advance her own agenda based on her favored status. She could have used her knowledge to further question God about the how’s, whys, and whatnots of her current situation. She could have used the knowledge to run away and never come back.
But instead, she used her knowledge to reach out to a friend in need. While Elizabeth was clearly elated about finally being with child, she was also in crisis.
Elizabeth was old, and let’s face it a child at any age is demanding. Elizabeth was fearful of the reaction from folks about pregnancy. And Elizabeth was perplexed about the entire thing after all her husband was rendered speechless after his stent in the temple.
Luke 1:39 tells us that Mary with haste left to be with Elizabeth. Her joyous visit lifted the spirits of both women. Their bounds became tighter as they spent three mounts together.
Just before Gabriel left Mary she said, “I am willing to be used of the Lord.” On this Christmas Day many of us are happy, family, loved ones and presents are in abundance. However, we know that there are people who like Elizabeth are in crisis. I pray that you be like Mary and let the Lord use you. Call, visit or sent a love message to someone who is lonely, someone who is in difficulty, someone who is in a crisis.
Yes, Jesus is the reason for the season and as Mary has shown us Christmas is all about relationships.
Merry Christmas!
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The U.S. Department of Transportation forecasts that more Americans that ever will be driving or flying far away from home over Christmas.
Airports and highways will be packed and while the speed limit on most interstate highways is 80, we will have to settle for a slower pace during our treks.
The pace of our lives is determined by many things. Education is paced by a set number of years of study. Football, basketball, and hockey games are governed by a 60-minute clock. Time and temperature rule cooking.
When the angels returned to heaven the shepherds decided to go to Bethlehem to see Jesus. The account from Luke 2:16 states that the shepherds went quickly.
Going quickly meant the shepherds had to leave their flocks alone for there was not enough time to call in substitute shepherds.
Going quickly meant the shepherds did not consider the pros and cons of the trek including the distance, the time, or the mode of transportation.
Going quickly meant any consideration, barrier or question were settled.
The shepherds simply rised up and followed because they had been called by God.
When God calls us, we are called to go at God’s pace not ours. But how often do we follow God’s pace.
How often do we not follow God’s pace because it means leaving behind things of value?
How often do we not follow God’s pace because we are trapped in our own internal debate about the pros and cons?
How often do we not follow God’s pace because our considerations, barriers or questions are not settled?
The shepherds have given us a magnificent gift. The gift is the understanding that the opportunities of a lifetime only last as long as the lifetime of the opportunity.
And that opportunity is governed by the pace of God.
If God tells us to go slow, we go slow.
If God tells us to go fast, we go fast
If God tells us to go somewhere in between well, we do that do.
Let learn this Christmas lesion from the shepherds and let us go at the pace of the Lord.
Join us tomorrow for a Christmas Eve Message entitled: God Tell It On The Mountain. Worship with us at 11:00 AM In Person at 140 Rose St. in Athens or online via Facebook or YouTube so until tomorrow, blessings, peace, and love.
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When I was young the night before Christmas was a time of watching, waiting, and wondering. Watching to see when Santa will come, waiting endlessly for Christmas morning to come, and wondering what in the world would be there for me under the tree.
After the angels delivered the news to the shepherds that Jesus was born, the time for watching, waiting, and wondering had ended. They said “Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.”
The shepherds went quickly finding Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child. And when the shepherds told people what they saw everyone was amazed.
As Disciples of Christ the time for watching, waiting, and wondering is over. We no longer have the watch because the savior is visible to all. We no longer have the wait because the savior has arrived, and we no longer have to wonder because Jesus is real.
What we must do is to take action. Jesus has called us to action, Jesus has called us to make disciples of all nations, Jesus has called us to teach his gospel, Jesus has called us to baptize, Jesus has called us to serve.
This Christmas the greatest gift you can give is Jesus. The world is watching, waiting, and wondering to see if you will answer your Christmas call to action.
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Before Mary had a baby and before the shepherds and wise men followed the light, Joseph took a journey with his very pregnant wife. They journeyed from Nazareth to Bethlehem in obeyance of a governmental edict to be registered and to be taxed.
Due to governmental edict thousands of very pregnant women, young children and old men have taken unexpected journeys. Unexpected journeys in Israel because of the brutal and senseless October 7th Hamas attacks. Unexpected journeys in Gaza as Israeli airstrikes have reduced Palestinian neighborhoods to rubble. Unexpected journeys in Ukraine as an invading Russian army seeks territory in Vladimir Putin madding war.
Along our southern border thousands have arrived on an expected journey. An expected journey to escape political oppression, an expected journey for economic opportunity, an expected journey for freedom. However, by edict of our government we have not treated them well.
Jesus in Matthew 25:31-46 describes how he will judge the nations in his second coming. Jesus will gather all nations separating them on his left and right. The nations on the right will be blessed and will inherit the kingdom of the Lord. They will be blessed because when God’s people were hungry, they were given food, when they were thirsty, they were given drink and when they were strangers to a new land they were welcomed.
The journey of Mary and Joseph was expected not because of a governmental edict but because God loved us so much that he gave us Jesus. Who is teaching us to support and love our neighbors on their expected or unexpected journeys.
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In a 30-minute Advent sermon from Luke 2:8-20 and Matthew 2:1-12 Pastor Marben Bland teaches about the liberating power of Jesus.
Key Points:
Jesus came to save us from sin and liberate us from oppression.
The image of the shepherd has been prominent in the Bible. In Able the son of Adam and Eve was described in Genesis 4:2 as a keeper of sheep.
Woe to the shepherds the faith leaders of Israel who feed themselves without feeding the flock is the warning given in Ezekiel 34
In John 10:11 Jesus is called the good shepherd, and we all know from 23rd Psalm that the Lord Is My Shepherd.
God thinks highly of the shepherd, but the world does not.
The African American slave and the shepherd have much in common. Both are accustomed to backbreaking work, both are accustomed to being separated from family, both exploited, looked down on and discriminated.
The texts we are studying today from Luke and Matthew about the star that shined the light to the baby Jesus has a history of being cloaked in discrimination and white supremacy.
This cloak has attempted to hide the liberation that the birth of Jesus represents to all people…especially those who are oppressed.
As evident by the spiritual Rise Up Shepherd And Follow our enslaved brothers and sisters embraced the liberating power of Jesus
Today as shepherds of the Lord we are called to rise up.
We are called to rise up to help our suffering neighbors
We are called to rise up to fight discrimination
We are called to rise up to stan up for candidates in the 2024 election
However, we cannot rise up without Jesus
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In Luke Chapter 2 the angles announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds in the field saying: “born this day in the city of David is a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.”
Baby reveal parties are all the rage. Folks spend a great deal of time, attention, and money on elaborate schemes to unveil the sex of an unborn child. Honestly, there is really no point such contrivance other than to celebrate.
Celebration and praise was the point of the baby reveal party that the shepherd attended that night in Bethlehem. Seeing Jesus laying in the manager confirmed all that they were told. The amazed shepherds went back to their fields glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen.
Jesus has been revealed to us Isaiah 9:6 says:
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
God has revealed Jesus. However, the question is have you confirmed who Jesus is for you?
Is the reason for the season a celebration of presents and parties?
Or is the reason for the season a celebration of confirmation?
Confirmation that Jesus is your Lord,
Confirmation that Jesus is your Savior
Confirmation that you are a disciple of Jesus Christ and that your mission this season and every season is to live out the Great Commission command to make disciples of all nations.
This Advent season let us confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.
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Sermon: Mary Had A Baby And Joseph Obeyed His Dream
Key points in a 28-minute sermon form Matthew 1:18-25
When Joseph discovers that Mary is pregnant, he decided to break the engagement. Understanding the danger facing Mary as unmarried single mother Joseph makes plans to quietly send her away.
Joseph did not take this decision to leave Mary lightly. During a sleepless night he fell into a dream, an angel of the Lord appeared with amazing news.
Mary had been impregnated by the Holy Spirit she will have a son and Joseph will name him Jesus which means Savior for he will save people from their sins.
The angel was right to remind Joseph not to fear.
It was fear that powered Jim Crow yesterday and racism today.
It is fear that keeps Trump supports from seeing him for who he is. And its fear that keeps America from being great.
It is fear that robs us of our dreams, makes us distrustful and causes all matter of heartache.
Jesus came so that whoever believed in him would have an abundant life.
With Jesus there is only hope so let’s not fear.
Joseph was a man of Color
Today the dreams of person of Color are in danger
Young Black men are not getting an education:
Young Black are men most at risk at remaining in poverty:
Young Black men are less likely to participate in the labor force:
Hope for the young black men of Greater Bethel
Suit campaign for our young men
Jesus can bring hope to your dreams
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In Matthew 1:18-25 the angel from the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.
The angle told Joseph that Mary had been conceived by the Holy Spirit.
The angle told Joseph that Mary will have son and that his name would be Jesus.
And the angle told Joseph to not to fear, but to take Mary as his wife.
The angel was right to remind Joseph not to fear.
It was fear that powered Jim Crow yesterday and racism today.
It is fear that keeps Trump supports from seeing him for who he is. And its fear that keeps America from being great.
It is fear that robs us of our dreams, makes us distrustful and causes all matter of heartache.
Jesus came so that whoever believed in him would have an abundant life.
So, let’s not fear for an abundant life is available even in times of financial uncertainty.
So, let’s not fear for an abundant life is available even when we are sick.
So, let’s not fear for an abundant life is available even when today is rotten, and tomorrow is out of site.
With Jesus there is only hope so let’s not fear.
Join us tomorrow at Greater Bethel for a teaching form Matthew 1:18-25 entitled “Mary Had A Baby and Joseph Obeyed His Dream.” Worship with us in person at 11:00 ET at 140 Rose Street in Athens or online as we stream to Facebook and YouTube. So until tomorrow blessings, peace and love.
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In this 20-minute sermon from Romans 8:38-39 Pastor Marben Bland teaches about The Love Of Christ
Key Points:
We live in an uncertain world.
The world is uncertain because we as humans are uncertain.
God is the certainty in an uncertain world. The certainty of God can be expressed in one word…. Love.
Paul In Romans 5:8 says:
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
1 John 4:19 reminds us that We love because God first loved us.
And we all know what John 3:16 says: 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The Love of God is seen in Jesus Christ our King that we praise and celebrate today.
Jesus showed his love when he said in John 15:23
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
Jesus demonstrated his love as he made the blind see as he healed the sick, and as he brought a dead man back to life.
Then Jesus proved his love defeating sin and death with his resurrection and coming again.
The verses we are exploring today Romans 8:38-39 is Paul bringing certainty to the new Christians in Rome and for us today about the love of Jesus.
The promise of these verses bring excitement and hope to an uncertain world.
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
God loves us…. but the question is have you accepted God’s love. Because for all the good things that God love brings to us there is even more goodness when you accept God’s love.
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Matthew 1:18-25 gives these facts about the birth of Jesus
When Joseph discovers that Mary is pregnant, he decided to break the engagement. Understanding the danger facing Mary as unmarried single mother Joseph makes plans to quietly send her away.
Joseph did not take this decision to leave Mary lightly. During a sleepless night he fell into a dream, an angel of the Lord appeared with amazing news. Mary had been impregnated by the Holy Spirit she will have a son and Joseph will name him Jesus which means Savior for he will save people from their sins.
All this will be done to fulfill God’s message through his prophets. All of this will be done if Joseph obeys his dream.
The Brookings Institute reports to be male, poor and either African American or Native-American is to confront, daily, a deeply held racism that exists in every social institution. No other demographic group has fared as badly, so persistently and for so long.”
Young Black men are not getting an education:
The national center of education statistics report that Black Men are at the bottom of graduation rates in High School, College, Graduate and Technical Schools.
Young Black are men most at risk at remaining in poverty:
The group Opportunity Insights reports only 19% of Black Men who were born into poverty lift themselves out of poverty compared to 40% of white men.
Young Black men are less likely to participate in the labor force:
According to the US Labor Department, Black men consistently have the highest unemployment rate
Joseph obeys his dream and Mary had a baby, a baby that he named Jesus. For so many black men in America, they have no dream to obey. Having no dream is a problem, it deprives the world of the talents of black men. Talents which can do so much good.
On each of the four Sundays preceding Christmas, an Advent candle is lit representing the virtues of Jesus. This Sunday we light the candle of Hope.
This week as we celebrate the Hope of Jesus let’s keep black men in prayer as we hope that they will be like Joseph and will have dreams to obey.
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Welcome to Saturday, November 25th, 2023, and the uncertainty of the third day after Thanksgiving.
On the third day after Thanksgiving the feast is over but are we certain that all the dishes have been washed?
On the third day after Thanksgiving there are still leftovers. The certain delectability of the turkey and dressing on Thursday has turned into the uncertainty that I would every want to eat turkey again on Saturday.
On the third day after Thanksgiving, the certainty that my Black Friday was a deal has turned into uncertainty as I realize there is still 29 shopping days until Christmas.
In a lifetime of three day after experiences where the tinter of our lives changes with rising and setting of the sun.
What is certain is this. Three days after the Crucifixion of Jesus early in the morning the women went to the tomb and found the stone had been rolled away. The Angeles said to them why do you look for the living amongst the dead? He is not here He has risen from the dead.
For evermore, in our world of uncertainty the third day is now a day of certainty. It is a day of certainty because Jesus lives and because I believe in the certainty of the third day. I am certain that I will live with Jesus.
Join us tomorrow at Greater Bethel, for a teaching from Romans 8:38-39 entitled The Love Of Christ. We worship in person at 11:00 AM ET at 140 Rose Street in Athens, Georgia. The service is streamed live on our Facebook page and YouTube channel. So, until tomorrow blessings, peace, and love.
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We all know that gratitude and appreciation lie at the heart of the Thanksgiving holiday. However, between the travel and all the rushing around to prep a delightful Thanksgiving meal we can sometimes lose sight of why we're even celebrating.
The Word of God in Philippians 4:6 reminds us that we are not to be anxious about anything. But in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present our requests to God. For when we do the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.
The peace of God is not a Black Friday sales item. Rather, it is an invitation for us to feast with Jesus in the calm, understanding and peacefulness of his love.
So, in the hectic moments of this Thanksgiving day, and the frantic times of the holidays to come let us be grateful to God and take His invitation to feast with Jesus.
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Certainty in life is just a vaper. Institutions, customs, and things that we believe in thinking that they would be ever present have vanished.
Our separation from what we thought would be enduring causes an agony that shakes the foundation of our lives. Resulting in a distrust in things that requires our trust.
Into the vaper God gives us love, God gives us Jesus. The Love of Jesus brings certainty, trust, and unity into an uncertain, distrustful, and unified world.
For neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Certainty in life is the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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Rosalynn Carter, former First Lady of the United States, and of the state of Georgia has died she was 96.
Married for 77 years to former President Jimmy Carter they were life mates in every way possible. Forging the closest of professional, political, and personal bonds.
Mrs. Carter’s death especially on the eve of Thanksgiving and the holiday season reminds us that the death of a loved one is never easy.
We know that in his 99th year President Carter is a man of enormous faith. We pray for him and with him as he seeks comfort from the Lord for his loss, his pain, and his grief.
Psalm 34:18tells us that “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
The death of a loved one will come to us all perhaps once or perhaps many times. Regardless, God will always be there for us as He is now for President Carter.
During the holidays when the pain of our loss is more acute let us remember that weeping may endure for a night, but joy and all its glory will come in the morning.
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We are just days away from Thanksgiving and another season of giving. The story of the “Widow’s Mites” featured in the Gospels of Mark and Luke gives us insights about how we should give.
At the temple Jesus watches as people are giving. He sees the rich in a showy display give, and then he see a poor widow sacrificing all she had to give.
The story highlights three ways to give, one we can give out of show, two we can give out of sacrifice, or three we can give out of abundance. Of these three ways of giving the most stainable and Godly way to give is out of abundance.
Jesus in John 10:10 says “I came so that you may have life and have it abundantly.
Abundance is defined as “a very large quantity of something,”
If we believe in Jesus and desire to following his teachings, then we must live life with an abundance mindset.
An abundance mindset envisions endless possibilities and sets lofty goals. An abundant mindset knows the best is yet to come, and that Godly ideas, resources, and love are unlimited.
This is not a prosperity gospel. Giving out abundance of our time, talent and money simply means that we are not giving for show, we not giving as a sacrifice to our wellbeing, but we are giving from the abundance that God has blessed us with.
So, this Thanksgiving and this giving season let us give thankfully out of the abundance that God has given to us.
Join us tomorrow at Greater Bethel for a teaching about giving entitled, Thanksgiving Giving. Worship in person 11:00 AM ET at 140 Rose Street in Athens, Georgia or online via YouTube or Facebook. So, until then blessings, peace, and love.
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“Leadership is the act of influencing others. Christian leaders do not have the authority of military leaders or the financial incentives of the corporate world to bring influence.
Christian leadership is not rooted in worldly notions of success, such as the love of money or power it is based on service.
Jesus Himself spoke about the importance of serving others in Matthew 20: whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.
As we move into Thanksgiving and secular holidays that we Christian hold holy as advent and Christians. Let us resolve to be of service because to do so is the greatest act of Christian leadership.
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Shortly after midnight on June 12th, 1963, Medgar Evers, returned to his Jackson, Mississippi home after an evening of NAACP functions. As he left his car with a handful of t-shirts that read “Jim Crow Must Go,” he was shot in the back. His wife and children, who had been waiting up for him, found him bleeding to death on the doorstep. His widow Myrlie Evers remembered opening the door and seeing Medgar face down in blood. She recalls the children shouting “Daddy, get up.”
Fifty minutes later Medgar Evers died he was 37 years old.
Romans 8:28 tells us “we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
But how does things work together for good, when your spouse has been shot dead as your three young children watched.
For six decades Myrlie Louise Evers-Williams has been a civil rights, activist and journalist working on the battlefield for civil rights. Seeking and receiving justice for her husband murder, writing books correcting history, and serving as chairwoman of the NAACP at perhaps the most critical time for the nation’s premier civil rights group. Finding love again marring civil rights and union activist Walter Williams. And delivering the invocation at the second inaugural of President Barack Obama in 2013.
Now in her 90th year Myrlie Evers-Williams has outlived two husbands and while that grim night of June 12th, 1963, will be forever etched in memory. She has turned what was meant for evil into good and in the process has shown us God will work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose.
God has called Myrlie Evers-Williams and you for good according to His purpose. Now go out as she Myrlie has done and do it.
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As we celebrate All Saints Day, a time when the church remembers the faithfulness of generations before, it is ironic that we explore a Biblical text showing King David at a moment in which he does not appear very saintly.
David is on the run from King Saul as detailed in 1 Samuel 21:10–15 he attempts to hide anonymously in the camp of a rival King. However, being the slayer of Goliath and King Saul’s most successful warrior, his cover is easily blown. Facing certain death, from the rival King David results to acting like a madman, carrying on about God, writing on walls, he even let spittle run down his beard to sell his contrived state. Afraid of a possible trap the King orders David out of his camp, certain death is averted.
David knows that his unsaintly behavior was a sign of the Lord’s protection. Psalm 34 is David’s celebration and a guide for how we should worship the Lord.
So much of our lives are ruled by taste, go down the Potato Chip aisle at the grocery store and see a ton of taste choices. In Psalm 34 David sums up how we should worship saying that we should taste and see that the LORD is good. There is no better taste that the goodness of the Lord. So, on this All-Saints Day, when we remember the goodness of people who have gone on before, let us remember the source of that goodness and when we do, we can take the same refuse in the Lord that David did and the saints we acclaim today did.
Join us tomorrow for worship at Greater Bethel for a teaching from Psalm 34 entitled This Is How We Worship. Services are in person starting at 11:00 AM ET at 140 Rose Street in Athens. We also stream on our YouTube and Facebook pages. Catch sermons blogs, podcasts and more on our website GBAAthens.org. So, until tomorrow at 11:00 AM ET, blessings, peace and Love!
Use this link to preview tomorrow’s worship program
https://issuu.com/marbenbland/docs/2this_is_how_we_worship_november_5_2023_1st_su
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This week we celebrate the life of Richard Roundtree, the actor known best for playing in the title role in “Shaft” has died at age 81.
Shaft is one of the first pictures to show a Black man living as the film critic Maurice Peterson observed in Essence magazine “a life free from racial torment.”
God wants us to live a life free from the torment of legalisms, slavery, and sin.
Paul in Galatians 3 issues a declaration of independence, proclaiming that before Jesus came, we were imprisoned. With the Jewish law our guard a sinful disciplinarian keeping us enslaved from God’s promise of an abundant free life.
In Christ we no longer fit into the limiting categories devised by the law. Instead, we are free life Shaft walking with confidence moving through Time Square in a black leather coat with the collar turned up.
Richard Roundtree could have easily been typecast playing only Shaft like roles. However, in a four-decade career he lived free from the icon he created.
Jesus is calling us to be like Richard Roundtree and his alter ego Shaft living a life free from torment.
Join us tomorrow at Greater Bethel as we answer the question in a service of songs and lessons “What Is Going On In The Holy Land”. Join us in person at 11:00 AM ET at 140 Rose Street in Athens, Georgia or online as we stream to both Facebook and Y-Tube. You can also find podcast, sermons and more on our website GBA Athens.Org. So until tomorrow blessings, peace and love.
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Israel's establishment as an independent, sovereign state was officially declared in Tel-Aviv on Friday May 14, 1948, in accordance with UN Resolution 181 which called for the division of the land called Palestine which was governed by the British into a Jewish state and an Arab state.
Israel’s Declaration of Independence proclaiming the founding values of the new state said in part, ...The State of Israel will be open to the immigration of Jews from all countries of their dispersion; will promote development of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants….
Despite the euphoria of the moment, Israel faced imminent disaster with an expected invasion by Arab nations who rejected the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine. Outnumbered in soldiers and arms, the new Israeli army was attacked from all directions. In addition, the fledgling state had to deal with the huge challenge of absorbing shiploads of Jewish immigrants who arrived daily – many penniless Holocaust survivors and refugees from Arab states.
Israel won the 1948 war Arab and the wars to come including the 6-Day War in 1967, the Yom Kippur War in 1973 and the First Intifada (1983) and the Second Intifada (1997).
As Jesus said in Matthew 11:12 “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence and the violent take it by force.”
With Israeli ground troops and tanks ready to invade Gaza, to avenge the despicable and deadly October 7th rampage by Hamas. A conflict that could erupt into a wider Middle East war, I turn to scripture for comfort, perspective and understanding.
In Leviticus 19 Moses spoke to Israel telling the people to be holy for the Lord your God is holy. And in their holiness the Israelites were told not to render an unjust judgment and to love your neighbor as yourself.
I stand with Israel and its people. Supporting their right to invade Gaza with the intent to destroy the military capabilities of Hamas so that never again they can terrorize and kill Jews.
But I also stand with Palestine and its people. Supporting their right to self-determination including an independent state not in the distant future but now.
Yes, it’s complicated, Israel must be protected however, the Palestinians must be given the opportunity of life, liberty, and happiness.
I pray that God’s words from Leviticus 19 will be heeded today and that the holy people of Israel and Palestine will render a judgment that does not include war and that two peoples, neighbors destined for conflict will love their neighbors as they love themselves.
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Ecclesiastes 3 tells us that to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Verse 8 says there is a time to love, and a time to hate, a time of war, and a time of peace.
It is a time of war, hate and killing in the Middle East as Israel has vowed to wipe out Hamas, in response to the October 7 terrorist attacks that killed 1,400 people simply because they were Jewish.
It is a time of hate in Joliet, Illinois as loved ones and strangers united in grief Monday at the funeral of a 6-year-old boy stabbed 22 times because he was a Muslim.
War, hate and killing in the name of God is not of God’s will for us. God will for us is to love our neighbors.
So, in this season of war, hate and killing we are forever grateful to Jesus. His death on the cross because of our faith has given us the hope that in these dark days of war, hate and killing will soon be no more.
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The 23rd Psalm is well known and well loved. Folks who claim not to be quoters of scripture or religious, or faithful know it’s verses.
So why is the 23rd Psalm so popular? The 23rd Psalm is so popular because we can relate to it.
Key Sermon Points:
1. We need a shepherd in our lives, and we need to be a shepherd for others.
God has given us shepherd and his name is Jesus.
2 God gives us green pastures and still restorative waters to keep us focus, productive and fun loving.
For many of us, busyness can become a way of life where doing overrides being. We care for the sick, volunteer, build businesses, and raise families, which are all wonderful things to do; but how often do we take time out from our busy schedules to slow down, relax, and just be?
3. We need to realize that goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives regardless of dark valleys of death that we may tread.
As the death toll rises in the Israeli-Hamas War stories of heroic actions of many are starting to emerge from the October 7th attack on Israel.
Inbar Lieberman is a resident of a Kibbutz a stone’s throw from the Gaza Strip.
When the 25-year-old heard the explosions on that early Saturday morning she realized that the sounds were different than those heard during the usual rocket attacks on the kibbutz.
So, Lieberman rushed to open the armory, distributed guns to the 12-member security team and coordinated their decisive response amid the unfolding attack.
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On Saturday, October 7 Hamas, the militant group that controls the Gaza Strip launched a multi-pronged attack on Israel.
Over a thousand Israelis have been killed, hundreds have been abducted and taken into Gaza. A densely populated, impoverished enclave where millions of Palestinians live under Hamas and an Israeli blockade, that has turned Gaza into what has been called the world’s largest open-air prison.
Israel has declared war on Hamas. U.N. and Palestinian authorities say strikes have hit a hospital, homes, and mosques. At least 680 Palestinians have been killed according to the Gazan authorities.
Meanwhile in Israel, families are in mourning for those who were killed.
As they desperately seeking answers about the missing.
Today I weep for Israel, Today I weep for Palestinian. I weep for this small plot of land, claimed as Holy Land by Jews, Muslims, and Christians.
Today I weep for the people of Israel and the innocent civilians who were viciously attached, murdered, and kidnapped.
Today I weep for the people of Palestinian who have been trapped in a generational state of oppression by a government that is trying to exercise its duty to ensure the safety and security of the State of Israel.
Today, I weep for the good and lovely people of Palestinian and Israel who I visited with less than three months ago. I pray that they are safe.
However, within my tears there is hope for in the same land where there is bloodshed now. Jesus said to the multitudes. “Blessed Are the Peacemakers, for They Will Be Called Children of God”
There are peacemakers within the multitudes of Palestinian and Israel. I pray for their blessings as they bring peace during this time of war.
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Sermon: What Happens When The Priest Are Corrupt
Corruption is defined as dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power. Corruption is alive and well in the United States as these resent cases indicate
In a sermon from Malachi chapter one, Pastor Marben Bland, extends God’s message about corruption and how to honor him.
Key Teaching – 3 Godly Ways To Avoid Corruption
1. Stay informed know what God expects from you.
And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly,
To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8
2. Recognize that small acts of corruption leads to larger acts of corruption.
“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” If you sin in the “little” things, you will sin in the “big” things. Luke 16:10
3. We serve a big God that will forgive and keep us from corruption.
“You say, ‘Oh, it’s too difficult to serve the Lord and do what he asks.’ And you turn up your noses at the rules he has given you to obey…… I am a Great King,” says the Lord Almighty, “and my name is to be mightily revered among the Gentiles.” Malachi 1:13-14
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A lament is a prayer expressing sorrow, pain, or confusion.
In Chapter 5 theprophet Amos calls for the people of the house of Israel to hear a lamentation, a funeral song announcing the death of the nation.
In a teaching from Amos 5:21-24 Pastor Marben Bland makes the Biblical Case For Environmental Justice in a teaching entitled: “The Waters Of Justice.”
Key Points:
Environmental Justice, the right to clean air and water, unpolluted land, and food that nourishers our bodies instead of killing them - overlap with every other issue.
A new lamentation is being heard; this funeral song is announcing the death of planet Earth.
A death cause by the environmental injustices we have committed against God’s creation.
We can have an impact on the environment by during three simple things:
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Use cloth bags instead of plastic bags at the store.
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Stop using plastic water bottles.
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Pay attention to your personal environment by watching what you eat, exercising and getting the proper rest.
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In Chapter 5 the prophet Amos calls for the people of the house of Israel to hear a lamentation, a funeral song announcing the death of the nation.
Israel has died because of the injustices committed by the wealthy and powerful members of the community who take advantage of the poor and the needy.
Israel has died because of the worship practices of the people. Who without enthusiasm or energy conduct solemn assemblies with gain and brunt offerings.
Israel has died because of decadence, corruption, and disobedience sins that will kill us all.
In this song of death Amos sings exhortations of life. Assuring the faithful and the sinners of the coming of the Lord proclaiming that justice will roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Rev. Dr. James Cone the founder of black liberation theology and an ordained minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church wrote “Whatever God does must be just because he is justice”
The use of water as a metaphor for justice is God’s powerful symbol because of the role water plays in our lives.
Water is everywhere, 60% of our bodies are made from water, 71% of the earth is covered by water. We use water to produce energy, to cook our food, and to provide fun and leisure.
A new lamentation is being heard; this funeral song is announcing the death of planet Earth.
A death cause by the environmental injustices we have committed against God’s creation.
Join us tomorrow at Greater Bethel as we explore the Biblical case for environment justice in a teaching from Amos 5:21-24, entitled
“The Waters Of Justice”. Join us in person at 11:00 AM ET at 140 Rose Street in Athens or online on Facebook and YouTube. Catch past sermons on our website GBAAthens.Org and subscribe to The Podcast With Marben Bland wherever you find your podcasts.
So, until tomorrow at 11:00 AM ET – Blessings, Peace, and Love.
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In a sermon from Matthew 10:1-4 Pastor Marben Bland teaches about The Apostles’ Creed
Key Points:
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Jesus called is Apostles to be more than followers.
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Being an Apostle is a difficult honor.
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We are all called to be an Apostle
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For those of us who champion justice the words of Amos 5:24 “let judgment run down like waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream” are our marching orders.
They are the marching orders to fight racism, gun violence, the lack of affordable housing, health disparities, political mayhem, and so many other woes in our society.
But what about the waters from which God has ordained the justice to flow from? Environmental Justice, the right to clean air and water, unpolluted land, and food that nourishers our bodies instead of killing them - overlap with every other issue.
The group Christians For Social Action cites the example of one plastic bottle dropped on the ground. Combined with other trash it sends the message that our neighborhoods are less valued and not worthy of a tree planting campaign that would reduce heat and clean the air.
The poor air quality causes asthma in children, which forces them to miss school and their guardians to miss work in order to care for them. The same bottle ends up in the ground water that washes into the river, contaminating the water and making it unsafe to fish or swim.
Ultimately the bottle dissolves in the ocean, leaving tiny particles that kill fish, thereby reducing the catch of fishermen in another country, which in turn exacerbates hunger, unemployment, and social unrest that spill over borders.
This story of one bottle helps us see the interconnectedness of our actions and unintended outcomes. Underscoring that environmental justice touches on all the other injustices we are fighting for.
While environmental justice is woven throughout the scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation few communities and people of faith have focus on it. Perhaps climate change with disastrous weather events happening almost daily around the world will be the wakeup call for people of faith to finally realize that justice is not possible if the waters from which it flows are polluted.
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To be an apostle is to be an emissary, and ambassador an envoy. In Greek an apostle derives from a word meaning one who is sent off to convey a message, to do a task, to be of service.
Realizing that the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; Jesus prayed to God the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.
The Gospels Matthew, Mark, and Luke each provide accounts of Jesus choosing, praying, anointing, and charging The 12 to be His Apostles. In Luke (Luke 6:12-13) Jesus went on a high mounting spending all night in prayer before selecting The 12. In Matthew (Matthew 10:1) Jesus empowered the Apostles to defeat evil spirits along with the power to heal every kind of disease and sickness. In Mark (Mark 3:14) Jesus calls his Apostles to go out and tell God’s message to others.
Jesus is calling you and me to be an Apostle. Right now, in 2023 Jesus is calling us to be an emissary, and ambassador an envoy.
We are empowered to defeat evil spirits to heal every kind of disease and to spread God’s message of love, peace, and joy to others.
So, the question is as a follower of Christ how are you doing as an Apostle?
Join us tomorrow at Greater Bethel as we explore the notion of being an Apostle in a teaching entitled: The Apostles’ Creed A Fact Statement
Of Faith And Worship. Worship with us at 11:00 AM ET in person at 140 Rose Street in Athens or online on Facebook or YouTube. Listen to the teaching on demand by subscribing to the Podcast with Marben Bland, on iTunes, Spotify, Google or anywhere you find your podcasts. So, until tomorrow blessings, peace, and love.
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Sermon: Lord Forgive Us
In a teaching from Genesis 50: 1-22 Pastor Marben Bland talks about the benefits of forgiveness.
Key sermon point:
When we exercise forgiveness, we Receive God’s Blessing
“Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Luke 11:28. When we exercise forgiveness, we are living out God’s plan and blessings for our lives.
When we exercise forgiveness, we Live In The Present
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. Isaiah 43:18
Unforgiveness is keeping our mind set on the past. Living in the past robs us of the joy of living in the present. We will miss the blessings each day can bring if the eyes of our heart are fixed on past offenses.
When we exercise forgiveness, we Are Healed
“God knows best, and He distributes the gift of healing according to His will” (Hebrews 2:4).
The choice to forgive someone who has hurt you is the first step toward healing. Healing will not come without forgiveness first. It’s impossible to heal while holding on to bitterness and resentment. When we exercise forgiveness, we are trusting the healing powers of God.
Exercising forgiveness is a command, but remember God only commands the best for us. Yes, forgiveness is difficult, but the benefits of the exercise, blessings of God, living in the present and being healed are well worth the difficulties.
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The mirror clearly shows it, my boyish looks have given way to lines, crowfeet, and a grey and receding hairline. Daily aches and pains have become constant companions. A red, white, and blue card has arrived in my mailbox providing government issued insurance bringing a measure of social security to my life.
The comfort, warmth and fun of grandchildren, the memories of family, friends and experiences, the wisdom gained from a life well lived reinforces the truth-- I am getting old.
I embrace this quarter pole of my life remembering the words of Ruth 4:15 that “God shall be a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age.”
In Genesis 50 we see forgiveness as God’s restorer of relationships and a nourisher of peace of mind. After Jacob died, Joseph’s brothers were worried. They were afraid that Joseph would still be mad at them for what they had done years before. They beg for forgiveness saying this was their father’s wish.
The brother’s appeal sadden Joseph not because he did not want to forgive them but because he already thought he did.
In speaking to his brothers this what Joseph said: “Don’t be afraid. I am not God! I have no right to punish you. It is true that you planned to do something bad to me. But really, God was planning good things. God’s plan was to use me to save the lives of many people. And that is what happened. So don’t be afraid. I will take care of you and your children.”
Joseph continued to live in Egypt with his brothers until he died at 110 years old. For all of us as we age the message is clear God does not want us to assume forgiveness. The death and recreation of Jesus is God’s clear and definite message of forgiveness to us. Is there someone in your life who could benefit from your forgiveness? Let’s grow old gracefully with God’s forgiveness.
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From June 26 to July 7, of this year I had the great honor of making my second pilgrimage within a years’ time to the Holy Land.
Traveling with a group of 30 pastors from the US and Canada. We were led Rabbi Brad Hischfied and Rabbi Joshua Stanton along with scholar The Reverend, Doctor Brian Maguire, and our local guide Gray Kamen. Our group spent two weeks sanding and seeing where Jesus lived while living in modern-day Israel. We were embedded in the complex landscape of a Jewish state nestled in a land that Christians and Muslins also claim as their own.
God placed six questions on my hart during the Holy Land pilgrimage.
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Who Is God?
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What does it mean to live a meaningful life?
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How Do We Build The Beloved Community?
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Why Do Bad Things Happen?
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Is There An Afterlife?
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Who Do They Say I am?
“The Six Fundamental Questions Of Our Faith”, sermon series has been my attempt to find and share Godly answers to these questions.
In the text that we are studying today from Matthew 6:15 Jesus asks Peter “Who do they say I am?” Peter’s answer “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Provides the simple but powerful acknowledgement that can help us grow stronger in our faith. Paired with Paul’s teaching from Romans 12:9-21 provides an aspirational roadmap of our spiritual growth.
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During my school days at Jones County High School in Gray, Georgia a bunch of us football players perhaps searching for an easy class, found a Philosophy course taught by Tommy Walker.
Mr. Walker introduced us to the great philosophersAristotle, Socrates, Confucius, Ralph Waldo Emerson. However, the greater philosopher we found in that class was Tommy Walker.
The philosophy, according to Tommie Walker was not so much of what he said, it was the way he made you feel. Mr. Walker did not talk to us like the boys or the jocks or even young men that we were. Mr. Walker talked to us like the men he expected us to be.
In that expectation Mr. Walker listen more than he talked. He asked lots of good questions because he really wanted to know. He wanted to know your views on politics, sports, life and so much more.
Tommy Walker wanted to hear your thoughts not so he could tear them down using his authority as an adult and a teacher. He wanted you to hear your thoughts so that we as students could start the process of learning about ourselves, a skill that would serve us well into adulthood.
The philosophy of Tommy Walker is to be curious about the world, is courteous to other people and is to be caring spreading love to the communities he lived in, the students he taught and to his family. His wife of 49 years Marie, and his sons Michael and David, and his grandchildren. I am certain they have benefited much from Tommy’ s philosophy.
The word philosopher comes from Greek, by way of Latin and it means lover of wisdom. Proverbs 3:13 says “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom.” The Lord blessed us football players who were searching for an easy class for we found a philosopher named Tommy Walker.
Now half a century after we found his class, we are laying this good man is laid to rest. And on this day the Lord is still blessing us to be curious, blessing us to be courteous, and blessings us to be caring as we live out the philosophy of wisdom taught to us by Tommy Walker.
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A job description listing the seven top traits for being a pastor was posted online. Among them were being a professional speaker, a counselor a fundraiser, a master of ceremonies and being a pillar of virtue.
We all have traits for being successful in our job descriptions, but God wants us to be successful in life.
Romans 12:9-21, provides an excellent list of traits for Godly living and for being a successful pastor. Among the traits Paul lists is for us to hate what is evil while holding fast to what is good, to love one another with mutual affection, and to serve the Lord with zeal.
Doing the things that bring satisfaction to ourselves and glory to the Lord, that is the job description for Godly living.
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The saints in the early church had questions regarding life after death. In the fifth teaching in the Six Fundamental Questions Our Faith sermon series Pastor Marben Bland, presents Paul’s answer about an afterlife from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
Key Teaching Points:
1. As Christians unlike the rest of the world we have hope regarding death.
Brothers and sisters, we want you to know about those who have died. We don’t want you to be sad like other people—those who have no hope. (1st Thessalonians 4:13)
2. We believe that Jesus died, but we also believe that he rose again.Our hope is built on Jesus who was risen from the dead. (1st Thessalonians 4:14)
3. Because Jesus defeated death will be risen from the dead.
So, we believe that God will raise to life through Jesus any who have died and bring them together with him when he comes. (1st Thessalonians 4:14)
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As humans we are skeptical creatures. We question the motives of religious, sports and political leaders. We question the value of an education, we question which college football team is #1, we even question the reason why folks should wear masks during a deadly pandemic. However, the one thing we human do not question is death. Dying is undebatable it is a matter of when not if. Job 14 is true and clear; “Man, that is born of a woman is of few days.” Despite the certainty of death folks in the early church had questions not about death but if there is a life after death. Paul presents a three-part answer to the question in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, this is his answer: One, As Christians unlike the rest of the world we have hope regarding death. Two, our hope is built on Jesus who was risen from the dead. Three, because Jesus defeated death anyone who died believing in him will be risen from the dead by Jesus and will have everlasting life. A healthy skepticism is when you're not doubting something just for the sake of it, but you are questioning things to discover the truth. This truth is easy as one, two, three: Jesus died, Jesus and was risen from the dead, and if we believe in him, we will rise from the dead as well. So, let us encourage each other with these unquestionable words.Join us tomorrow for worship at Greater Bethel as we continue our Six Fundamental Questions Sermon Series with a teaching entitled: “Is There Life After Death”. Worship with us in person in Athens at 140 Rose Street or on our YouTube Channel or Facebook Page. Go to our website GBAAthens.Org to find past sermons, blogs, and other great content. So, until tomorrow blessing, peace and love. For More Great Content Go To Marben Bland.com
Bob Barker, the host of the Price Is Right for 35 years has died at age 99. A beloved fixture on television for over half a century Barker was known for his unwavering advocacy for animal welfare issues. Devoting his name along with significant amounts of his wealth, to programs to end animal cruelty and reduce pet overpopulation.
The most visible element of that passion was Barker’s daily admonition to “The Price is Right” viewers at the end of each telecast when he said, “Don’t forget to have your pets spayed or neutered!”
There is no Biblical evidence that Jesus owned a pet, dog ownership was not an element of Jewish life during the Lord’s first coming. However, in the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus a contrast is made between the rich man who dies on fine food and wine, and a poor man who starves nearby with open covering his body that were licked by street dogs. This suggest that the dogs showed more compassion that the rich man. It also lifts up the dog’s saliva as having medicinal properties that promotes healing.
In Genesis 1:28 God declares that we have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moved upon the earth.
For 99 years Bob Barker was serious about his God given dominion, giving millions and bring millions of people to causes that uplifted, protected, and promoted animal welfare.
When asked how he would like to be remembered, Bob Barker said he did not want to be known for being on T.V. for over 50 years or the 19 Emmys, or the fame and the fortune that 35 years of hosting the Price Is Right had given him. Instead he simply said that he wanted to be known as the man who said, “have your pets spayed or neutered.”
God wants us to not only to enjoy animals as pets but to safeguard them in the home, in the shelter, on the farm, on the job, and anywhere we find them. Let us take our Godly lead from Bob Barker to “Come On Down!” And Let’s Take Care Of The Animals.
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Make No Mistake It Was Racially Motivated.
Making Godly Sense Out Of Another Bad Thing That Has Happen
A white man arrived at the gates of Edward Waters University, a historically Black college in Jacksonville Florida. He was turned away by university security because he refused to identify himself.
Several blocks away was a Dollar General Store, the man put on a bulletproof vest picked up an AR-15 style rifle and a handgun and then proceed to shoot and kill three people all of them black.
We know it was racially motivated, because before the rampage the gunman set a text to his father leading him to three manifestos outlining what the Sherriff describes as the man’s “disgusting ideology of hate” and his motive for the attack.
CNN reports that the gun violence in Jacksonville marked one of several shooting incidents in the US over this weekend, including in Massachusetts and Oklahoma. Shots rang out across several cities, bringing a startling halt to normal summertime activities like high school football games and weekend shopping.
In Boston, at least seven people were injured Saturday morning in a shooting that interrupted a popular parade, police said. A high school football game in Choctaw, Oklahoma, took a deadly turn Friday night after a possible argument led to three people being shot, authorities say. One of them – a 16-year-old boy – died. And Four people, including a 17-year-old, were shot, and killed at an apartment in Joppatowne, Maryland, Saturday morning, officials said.
There have been at least 470 mass shootings in the United States so far in 2023, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which defines a mass shooting in which four or more people are injured and or killed, not including the shooter. The nation surpassed the 400 mark in July, – the earliest month such a high number has been recorded since 2013, the group said.
In Maui 115 people have been killed and nearly 400 are missing as the island recovers from the deadliest wildfire in America in more than a century. Search-and-rescue teams are still sifting through the last patches of ash and rubble looking for human remains, nearly two weeks after the fires devasted the coastal town of Lahaina.
Maui is paradise this scale of death and destruction is not supposed to happen here. The United States is a first world county, people should not be shot at a Dollar General because they are black. So, when these bad things happen the question must be asked why does God allow for bad things to happen?
In the Parable of The Wheat And The Weeds (Matthew 13:24-30) Jesus makes it clear that good, the wheat and bad the weeds will grow together until the harvest. From the beginning good and bad have existed together. In the Garden of Eden there was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 3) God in prohibiting Adam and Eve from eating the fruit, because he wanted to shield them from bad things. However, they eat the fruit and with it the knowledge of good and evil came to them and to us.
God has not forsaken us in this world of good things and bad things. The blessings of God’s goodness is constantly around us, the warmth of the sun, the sweetness of grandchildren, the enjoyment of a good meal. We are grateful for these and many other blessings. These blessings are valued more because of the bad things we have experienced, an illness, an accident, the death of a loved one.
For an entire night the disciples were in a bad storm as they crossed the Sea of Galilee. (Matthew 14:22-33) As the violent wind and waves were at their height, Jesus appeared walking on the water. Wanting to meet Jesus on the water Peter got out of the boat and for a time he walked on the water as well. But when a strong wind came, he became frightened and begin to sink crying Lord save me. Jes
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Grief the deep sorrow caused by the loss of an opportunity, the end of a relationship or the death of a loved one will come to us all.
On June 11th, 1983, the theologian Nicholas Wolterstorff got the call that is every parent’s nightmare, Eric his 25-year-old son had been killed in a mountain climbing accident.
Writing about his grief in the landmark book Lament For A Son, Wolterstorff said “If he was worth loving, he is worth grieving over. Grief is existential testimony to the worth of the one loved. That worth abides.”
We serve a God that knows the worthiness of grief. Not only did Jesus experience griefs of his own, but as Isaiah 53:3-5 reminds us Jesus bore our grief and carried our sorrows.
Jesus knows the worthiness of our griefs; so, when we take our sorrows to him, he knows what we’re going through.
God knows that death is the leading cause of grief in our lives. In 1st Thessalonians 4:13 God honors the worthiness of our grief. Telling us that as Christians we should not ‘grieve like the rest of humanity, who have no hope.”
Thanks to Jesus death has lost its sting, and while our grief may last a season or a lifetime, it is not without hope. For the worthiness of our grief has been validated by Jesus’s death and resurrection.
Because of Jesus our grief is worthy.
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In the third sermon from the Six Question Sermon Series, Pastor Marben Bland, discusses how God wants us to build what is called the beloved community.
Key Points From The Message Based On Romans 14:10-23
- Paul Tells Us To Stop Judging Each Other – Because God Is The Only Judge
10 So why do you judge your brother? Or why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
- Paul reminds us that: We are called to give account of our actions to the Lord
11 For it is written:
“As I live, says the Lord,
every knee shall bow to Me,
and every tongue shall confess to God.”[a]
12 So then each of us shall give an account of himself to God.
- Paul is telling us to pursue things which produce peace
19 Therefore let us pursue the things which produce peace and the things that build up one another.
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By now I am certain you have seen it, the brawl in Montgomery. You know the virial video showing a group of white boaters attacking a black co-captain. It sparked a massive fight resulting is assault changes with the city’s mayor calling for justice to be served to the boaters “for attacking a man who was simply doing his job.” It was a heartbreaking example of brothers and sisters living in disunity.
Paul’s letter to the church in Rome is in response to brothers and sisters living in disunity. He ask, “why do you judge and despise your brother?” Paul’s answers this question saying that we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ for each of us shall give an account of ourselves to God.
So, what account can we give to the Lord? Shure we can all say that we are not brawling with our brothers and sisters but are we truly living and loving with people different from us in religion, race, sexual orientation, and political views?
Are we judging our brother because he voted for Donald Trump? Are we distraught when we see the woman worshiping a God that is not our own? Are we despised because our sister is married to another sister?
We don’t have to be in a brawl live in disunity, we simply have to be intolerant, insensitive and ignorant to how God wants us to live. Therefore, let us heed God’s command in Romans 14:19 and pursue things which produces peace, pursue things that build up one another, pursue things that keep us from bawling and keep us away from the heartbreak of living in disunity.
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How good and pleasant it is when people dwell in unity! Is the message of Psalm 133. However, in a world of division, disagreements and disadvantage how can we have unity and peace with all this tension?
In 1965 at the height of Civil Rights Movement, Dr. King said, "True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice."
Often, we are mistake unity and peace for tranquility the calm, serene, and worry-free state that we fool ourselves in thinking we can obtain on earth.
Instead, God desires that our unity and peace is rooted in something Dr. King and others called the Beloved Community. The Beloved Community is where not only people’s physical needs are met, but the tension that arises from our differences is met with a tolerant understanding of acceptance.
In the Beloved Community unity and peace is not easy, it is a daily tense struggle. In Romans Paul is writing to a diversified church comprised of Jews, Genitals, and polytheists. He recognizes the tensions by celebrating the differences saying that God has given us many gifts that when used in unity can only honor the Lord.
So, let us embrace unity, enjoy peace, and celebrate diversity in God’s Beloved Community.
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In the second of six sermons answering the fundamental questions about our faith Marben Bland, gives God’s answer to the question: “What Does It Mean To Live A Meaningful Life?” Teaching from the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) Pastor Marben makes these key points:
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Living a meaningful life must be done with intention. Living a meaningful life requires work. James 2:14 tells us faith without work is dead. Living a meaningful life means like the Samaritan who rescued the man who was attacked we must back up our faith with real action.
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Living a meaningful life means being and doing the unexpected. Samaritan were hated by Jews. However, it was the Samaritan who Jesus shown to have done the unexpected being more virtuous that the Priest and the Levite. The world is filled with people who underestimate you live a meaningful life by constantly surprising them and yourself.
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Living a meaningful life means loving the Lord unconditionally. When Jesus was asked “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” His answer was simple and direct “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind ‘and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.
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With an estimated 9.9 billion in revenue the Self-help business is thriving. Self-help books abound with experts providing advice on everything under the sun. All with the goal of helping people to live a more meaningful life.
Jesus, is the ultimate self-help expert in response to the self-help question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” His answer in Luke 14:27 was simple and direct “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind ‘and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.
With this simple advice we can live life with greater intention because we clearly know God’s purpose in our lives. With this simple advice we can live life by doing the unexpected like the Good Samaritan did in helping his neighbor. And with this simple advice we a more meaningful life because God loves us, and we love God.
So, with all the self-help books and experts out there Jesus through his best seller the Bible still gives the best self-help advice ever. And that advice is to simply to love.
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In the first of six part sermon series addressing the critical questions of our faith Pastor Marben Bland, provides answers to the question, “Who Is God?”
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If there was a big game in the NBA, Mark Jackson, the ESPN analyst who was let go this week in a cost cutting move was at the mic. For the past 15 years he has called the NBA finals, sharing insights gained as a standout point guard at Saint John’s University and 17 years in the league finishing his career ranked in the top ten all time in assists.
“Mama There Goes That Man!” was a phase used by Jackson to punctuate a great play. The phase is a reference to an old joke about an adulterous relationship seen through the innocent eyes of a child.
Regardless of its originals the phase “Mama There Goes That Man!” begs the question “Who Is That Man?” In watching the games called by Jackson, “That Man” is there for all of us to see, the player who hit the critical shot, the player who made the slam dunk, the player who made the great defensive play. Mana, we know who that man is because we just saw him do something great.
Psalm 14:1 tells us that only fools don’t know God. However, when asked the question “Who Is God?” Can we really respond with an answer about how we know of God’s nature, how we know of God’s character, how we know of God’s work and how we know of our relationship with God.
Join us tomorrow at Greater Bethel where we explore this question in a teaching entitled: “Who Is God? Worship with us at 11:00 AM in person at 140 Rose Street in Athens or on YouTube channel or Facebook page. Find sermons, blogs, podcasts and more on our website GBAAthens.org. So until tomorrow Blessings, Peace and Love.
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El Shaddai, YHWH, The Great I am. These are three of the many names we have called God. While we have many names for God, the questions for many is who is God?
From its very beginning in Genesis 1:1, the Bible never attempts to prove the existence of God; rather, it assumes His existence. However, what the Bible does reveal is the nature, character, and work of God.
Scripture tells us that God’s nature is that God is One, but He exists as three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Matthew 3:16-17
Of His character Psalm 5:5 tells us that God judges sin, but also offers forgiveness (Psalm 130:4).
We cannot understand God apart from His works because what God does flows from who He is. Here is an abbreviated list of God’s works, past, present, and future: God created the world (Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 42:5); He actively sustains the world (Colossians 1:17); God is executing His eternal plan (Ephesians 1:11) which involves our redemption from the curse of sin and death.
Yes, El Shaddai, YHWH, The Great I am, are three of the many names for God. However, having a relationship with God is the only way to truly know of God’s nature, character, and work.
So, today as we ask who is God? We must ask ourselves also do you have a relationship with God? Are you saved? If you want to have a relationship with God, then pray with me please:
Lord God, for too long I’ve kept you out of my life.
I know that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. No longer will I close the door when I hear you knocking. By faith I gratefully receive your gift of salvation. I am ready to trust you as my Lord and Savior. Amen
Blessings, you have taken the first step in a lifetime of knowing who God is. But with that first step, you will need a loving community of support. Send me an email marben@marbenbland.com or visit my website marbenbland.com where you will find content that can help you on your new journey of faith. As you answer for yourself Who Is God?
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For over three decades Phyllis Hatcher and her ministries have served the people of God. Today Phyllis Hatcher joins The Podcast to discuss her life, her business career, her runs for public office and her ministry.
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Thanksgiving 1945, World War II had ended only months before. The American Army who had secured the freedom of the entire world from Hitler were occupying a defeated Germany. A Corporal from New York ran into an old high school friend who was also serving in the Army. The Corporal invited his friend to join him to share the Thanksgiving meal in the mess all along with other American troops. As the old friends were about to enter the mess hall an enraged superior officer comforted the Corporal. His transgression the white Corporal was about to share a Thanksgiving meal with a black serviceman in the all-white mess hall. Immediately the Corporal was stripped of his rank and ordered to spend the rest of his time in the Army working in the morgue. Performing the horrific task of digging up mass graves. Recovering the bodies of heroes who died to secure freedom and equality for all including the superior officer, the Corporal, and his black friend. God will allow remarkable things happen when you share a meal. Multitudes had gathered to listen to Jesus, it was dinnertime and His disciples wanted to dismiss the hungry gathering so that they could go and buy food for themselves. However, Jesus said no taking five and loaves two fish, he looked up to heaven, everyone ate, and everyone were filled. A remarkable thing had happened God’s amazing glory was on full display. The Corporal who the world would come to know as Tony Bennett was not able to share a meal with his friend Frank Smith that day. However, what Tony Bennett was able to share was not only his remarkable God given talent as one of the world’s finest singers but his lifelong commitment to freedom and equality. A commitment powered by the memories of those heroes he dug up from those mass graves and by the meal he was to share Frank Smith. In 1965 Bennett marched in Selma, risking record sales and night club bookings. He refused to perform in South Africa during the apartheid-era, forting millions. And after Dr. King’s assassination he became a driving force and a sustaining funder of King Center in Atlanta. Tony Bennett the young World War II Corporal who only wanted to have dinner with his friend is one of the very few who has a spot on both the Hollywood and the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame. We thank God for the life and legacy of Tony Bennett. His long and storied career is a testament to what Jesus has taught us. That remarkable things happen when you share a meal. For More Great Content Go To Marben Bland.com
The novella which is the story of Joseph detailed in Genesis 37-52 is a demonstration of God’s preservation of the Jewish people.
In a teaching from Genesis 37-52, Pastor Marben Bland tells the story of Joseph as we consider six fundamental questions about our faith.
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A novella, is a short well-structured narrative, designed to bring home a point without the length of a full-fledged novel. The novella which is the Biblical story of Joseph detailed in Genesis 37-52 brings home the point of God’s preservation of Israel.
The novella details how Israel and its people survive despite their own foolishness and wickedness, indeed, ironically, in part because of them. Joseph himself acknowledges this saying in Genesis 50:20 that what was meant for evil against him depicted time and again in the novella, God has turned it into good.
Joseph’s novella parallels the novella of our own lives as God preserves us turning what seems like evil into good for the greatness of the Lord. During the novella of our lives questions that are fundamental to our faith emerge.
Who Is God? What does it mean to live a meaningful life? How do we build the beloved community? Why do bad things happen? Is there an afterlife? Who am I?
These six questions must have been on Joseph’s mind during the twists and turns of his novella. They are clearly on our minds during the turbulent times of the novella our lives.
On Sunday, August 6th we will start answering these six questions in series of teachings. However, on this Sunday we will set up our discussion by examining how Joseph address these six fundamental questions of faith.
Join us Sunday at Greater Bethel AME Athens. Our 11:00 AM in person worship is at 140 Rose Street in Athens. Or join us on Facebook or our YouTube channel. Find archived content on my website www. marbenbland.com or Greater Bethel’s website www.gbaathers.org. So, until tomorrow blessings, peace, and love.
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2 Timothy 2:15 tells us that we should study and show God that we the understand truth. This verse refers to knowing God's word and being able to point out false teachings and philosophies, but it applies to secular education as well.
From book banning, to curriculum challenges, to the death of Affirmative Action, education in America is under attack. The souring cost of secondary education is part of this attack however, since 2013 The Taylor Scholarship been on the battlefield. Helping deserving students to be educated so that they may gain the understanding truth that God wants for His people.
You can make educational dreams come true by giving to the Taylor Scholarship. Visit our website www.gbaathens.org for giving details. Your contribution will help ensure God’s 2nd Timothy 2:15 command that we study and show God that we the understand truth. For God wants his people to be educated.
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She taught from classroom number one at the old Jones County High School. From that perch, Mrs. Geraldine Black Morgan Thomas introduced her students to classic authors, William Shakespeare, Geoffrey Chaucer, James Baldwin, and yes even Andy Griffith.
However, the greatest author Mrs. Thomas introduced us to was herself. Born into one of the leading families in our community Mrs. Thomas wrote an extraordinary life that showed us how to give back to that community with purpose, how to find love again after an unexpected loss, and how to rase three amazing children who carry on her legacy.
Mrs. Thomas wrote an extraordinary life in service to the Lord. An usher at Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, in Clinton, Georgia she served with kindliness as a doorkeeper in the house of her God. She also handled the announcements delivering the information we needed to know in the same calm steady voice we knew from the classroom.
It is said that authors create other authors, I thank God for Mrs. Thomas for sparking my passion to write. She was always interested in what I was writing from high school essays to feature pieces, to book manuscripts. “What are you writing these days?” Is the question she would always ask when I saw her. That encouragement from Mrs. Thomas continues to be a powerful force that keeps me writing. It is why I would lovely call her my favorite English teacher, but Geraldine Black Morgan Thomas was so much more. She was an English teacher who taught us how to be the author of an extraordinary life.
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A pilgrimage is a journey, often into an unknown or foreign place. It is where a person goes in search of a new or expanded meaning about their self, others, nature, or a higher good through the experience.
In a message from Isaiah 56:7-8, Pastor Marben Bland, talks about his pilgrimage to the Israel in a teaching entailed A Holy Land Reflection – It Is More Complicated Than We Know.
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My second trip to the Holy Land has confirmed that Israel is much more than antiquities. Today the Jewish State is a powerhouse with agriculture, industrial, technological, and military might. Gleaming office buildings, new apartments, bussing stores, fertile farmland, and booming tourism are the underpinnings of an impressive economy.
God has blessed Israel but like any nation Israel has its challenges. Of great concern for me is The Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The conflict involves multiple zones of struggle, including Israel itself, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, East Jerusalem, the Golan Heights, and the Sinai Peninsula.
At the 1948 inception of the modern State of Israel the conflict was between Arab states and Israel. However, since the 1967 war, it gradually became a Palestinian-Israeli conflict, as Israel has made peace with its Arab neighbors.
Israel’s military incursion into Jenin, along with the responding Palestinian rock attacks and the car-ramming and stabbing in Tel Aviv has put the already stalled peace process back on hold.
With protest raging concerning the shape of Israel’s democracy coupled with the Prime Minister’s best attempts to remain the ultimate hawk let me outline just two of the many events that will make it impossible for the peace process to remain on hold.
First, The Times Of Israel reports that Jewish people make up less than 47 percent of all those living west of the Jordan River. Arab demographic growth in Israel will tip the scales making continued occupation impossible.
Second, The New York Times reports the collapsing draft model for the Israeli military is a challenge to Israel’s defenses as resentment grows for deferments to certain sectors of the Jewish population.
The talk is a colloquial expression for a conversation Black parents in the United States feel compelled to have with their children and teenagers about the dangers they face due to racism or unjust treatment from authority figures, law enforcement or other parties, and how to de-escalate them.
It is time for Israel to have the talk.
Yesterday we visited the Church of the Beatitudes located on a small hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee, it is said this is where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Saying “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God”.
God has blessed Israel, no longer are the Jewish people a downtrodden minority with a bleak future. The State of Israel is in a position of strength. The ultimate hawk "Bibi" Netanyahu can use the strength of Israel to make the first and continued steps toward peace.
This will be hard, just as it is hard for some black people to seek peace with a nation that has made its business to do us wrong, but we must try again, and again and again. God does not always call his people to do easy things.
Today during our last full day in Israel God has chosen his chosen people to do the hard thing again and restart the peace process in the middle of a wave of attacks. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” For The State of Israel has been truly blessed.
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The 4th of July, Independence Day in the United States. It is a day of fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts baseball games, family reunions, political speeches, and ceremonies.
With all its fan fair the day, is about government commemorating the ratification of the Declaration of Independence and the overthrow of British rule.
Last I checked there will be no 4th of July celebration here in the Holy Land. However, absent the hot dogs this day does allow reflection on the role of government during the time of Jesus and how we should view government today.
The Roman empire was the ruling governmental authority during the time of Jesus. So, when Jesus proclaimed the kingdom of God, he implicitly questioned the supremacy of Rome. In saying God’s kingdom is at hand implies that Caesar’s kingdom is not the ultimate.
American exceptionalism is the belief that the United States is either distinctive, unique, or exemplary compared to other nations. Many faith leaders have endorsed the concept believing that in the United States man has created a society that would be the best and the happiest in the world. And that American exceptionalism was ordained by God.
In his ministry, Jesus sought to foster renewal among his people, in part by expanding the scope of who would be included among people of the covenant. Hence, he came into conflict with the religious leaders who would be more restrictive, the guardians of the law and the guardians of the temple.
The restrictive view of American exceptionalism runs counter to the teachings of Jesus. The Gospel reveals Christ call that all are created equal, a claim not written by slaveholders’ intent to keep their way of life, but a command from God, who is intent to give life more abundantly to all.
Therefore, the independence we celebrate today is truly our interdependence on God. Because we sever the Kingdom of God not the Roman Empire, not the State of Israel and not the U.S. Government.
So, when government diminishes God’s people by breaking up families at the U.S. southern border of launching airstrikes into a Palestinian refugee camp in Israel. God’s people should be angry, God’s people should be distressed, and God’s people call out their governments while praying for peace.
Happy 4th of July from the Holy Land
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The modern State of Israel was founded in 1948, with a population of over 9 million Israel is a vibrant country boasting the world’s 29th largest economy.
Israel is the political and religious homeland for Jews, a place where they can practice the customs and traditions of their faith undisturbed by antisemitism.
In Judaism, the Sabbath is a day of rest on the seventh day of the week. Beginning on Friday from sunset-to-sunset religious Jews reframe from work activities and instead engage in restful activities to honor the day.
The Shabbat is ushered in by lighting candles and reciting blessings over wine and bread. Traditionally, three festive meals are eaten: The first one is held on Friday evening, the second is traditionally a lunch meal on Saturday, and the third is held later Saturday afternoon. The evening meal and the early afternoon meal typically begin with a blessing said over a cup of wine.
A true pilgrimage to Israel is more than seeing the sites of Jesus, it is also experiencing the people and customs of the land.
Experiencing the Jewish observance of the Sabbath has caused me to reflect on how I as a Christian observe the Sabbath. I am I using the day as an opportunity for contemplation, rest and family gathering? I am I taking a Sabbath at all? Sadly, as a Pastor and faith leader I find myself wanting on those accounts.
I vow to do better incorporating a more deliberate Sabbath in my life encouraging those I pastor and influence to do the same.
During this pilgrimage I intended to post reflections daily however tomorrow, is Sunday, my sabbath. Influenced by what I have experienced in Jerusalem I will take the time normally spent writing, recording, and posting as a time of rest. Worshiping the Lord while enjoying the company of my fellow travelers who have formed a family as we discover, learn, share, and grow in this Holy Land.
See you for more reflections on Monday, I have a Sabbath to observe.
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The Supreme Court in a 6-3 ruling has ended Affirmative Action, a nearly fifty-year practice of using race as a factor in college admission, hiring and other decisions. Affirmative Action’s aim was to the “level the playing field” giving previously discriminated minorities an opportunity at acceptance at elite universities, employment, and other endeavors.
For many including this writer Affirmative Action has been a success. Minority enrolment and graduation increased significantly in the nation’s colleges. Employment opportunities were expanded, creating a solid cadre of minorities with educational and business experiences that grew stronger families, and increased minority wealth, generating a stronger minority middle and upper class.
Affirmative Action critics, including a majority of the Supreme Court believe past disclination notwithstanding race should not be a tipping point factor in education, employment, and other decisions. They view Affirmative Action policies as handouts to “unqualified minorities” taking valuable educational opportunities and jobs away from qualified whites.
While the ruling guts Affirmative Action it leave intact legacy admissions a tool used by schools to admit the sons, grandsons’ great great grandsons, and other kin of alumni. So, when my granddaughter Nina applies to Harvard her application will compete with legacy applicants who are mostly white.
The ruling is a setback, but it is not the end. I am reflecting on the Jewish experience as I write in the late night of Jerusalem. Deported to Babylon, God speaking through his prophet Jeremiah told them to prosper in the land they have been sent in exiled. (Jeremiah 29:5-11) The end of Affirmative Action is not an exile it is an opportunity to excel. Jeremiah 29:5-11 provides a Jewish road map for what we should do next.
1. Buildup Our Schools, Businesses, And Institutions:
Jeremiah told the Jewish people to build houses on the land in Babylon. We must do everything we can to strengthen our secondary schools giving students greater opportunities to become the excellent students that will be admitted to select and other schools. While at the same time embracing, our HBCU’s sending our best and brightest talents in academics and athletics to Jackson State, Fort Valley State, Alabama State and Howard, where all types kinds of actions, affirmative and otherwise will be taken to help students succeed. We must continue our entrepreneur endeavors creating business that will employ ourselves and others. Building our executive capacity, expertise, and wealth. Our institutions like The Divine 9, our churches, civic and nonprofit must ramp up our scholarship giving and funding. Providing the full cost of tuition in our scholarships keeping our students out of the crippling student loan debt that the same Supreme Court that gutted Affirmative Action, said the president lacked the power to curb.
2. Don’t Be Discouraged
Folks are discouraged with the loss of Affirmative Action and so were the Jews for being exiled. Jeremiah tells us that the Lord has plans for us. Plans for our welfare, plans not to harm plans for our future. (Jeremiah 29:11). It is with this hope that we should not despair. It is with this hope that we should continue to apply of colleges, jobs, and other programs. For at the end of the day it is minority excellence that will earn admittance, employment, and success.
3. Pray
Jeremiah tells the Jewish people to pray to the Lord for the welfare of Babylon. We should do the same and pray for the welfare of the United States of America. For as Jeremiah 29:7 tells us seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its b
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Less than ten miles south of Jerusalem is Bethlehem, the biblical birthplace of Jesus. Located inside Palestine, Bethlehem a major pilgrimage destination for three faiths.
Manger square features the Catholic Church of the Church of St. Catherine, the Muslim Mosque of Omar and the Christian Church of the Nativity containing the birthplace of Jesus.
Adherence to the physical rules of biology regarding destiny of women in the church have prevent the full use of all of God’s children in spreading, the Gospel.
Most recently, the powerful Southern Baptist Convention voted to enshrine its ban on female pastors. The action kicked out of its ranks several churches including Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California the megachurch founded by Rick Warren.
God uses three women with a connection to Bethlehem to prove that the physical rules of biology no role in the destiny of women in His church.
The first woman of Bethlehem is Rachel, the wife of the Biblical patriarch Jacob. She was barren, but God having no such adherence the physical rules of biology opened her womb. Eventually she gave birth to Joseph the most beloved of Jacob’s sons, who later saves the whole house of Israel. Her destiny intact Rachel continues, defying the biological rules giving birth to Benjamin the head of the tribe along with Judah that from the Jewish people. Rachel dies during Benjamin’s childbirth and is buried on the wayside near near Bethlehem. God’s destiny over man’s biology.
The second woman of Bethlehem is Ruth. Without question God uses Ruth to prove that biology is not destiny. Ruth a Moabite woman who after the death of her husband does the unthinkable, for a woman of her time. She moves to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law, Naomi, instead of remaining with her own people. Ruth then became the wife of Boaz, a wealthy kinsman of her former husband, and bore Obed, the grandfather of King David. God’s destiny over man’s biology.
The third woman of Bethlehem is Mary, a young virgin is favored by God her destiny is forever changed as she becomes the blessed mother of Jesus. God’s destiny over man’s biology.
My visit to Bethlehem has proven to me that it is indeed God’s destiny over man’s biology is the way we should go. Let us follow God’s destiny and bring women to the pulpit. Let us follow God’s destiny embracing the LGBTIQA+ community into complete fellowship with the church. And let us Let us follow God’s destiny in support of full nationhood for Palestine.
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Holy Land Reflections
A pilgrimage has been described as a journey, often into an unknown or foreign place. It is where a person goes in search of a new or expanded meaning about their self, others, nature, or a higher good through the experience.
Sometimes a pilgrimage can led to a personal transformation, after which the pilgrim returns to their daily life. Changed not necessarily in dramatic ways but nevertheless changed.
I am Marben Bland, a pastor and multimedia storyteller of Jesus. These are my daily reflections of my second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. My hope is to provide a brief sense of what it’s like to experience this complicated place. My desire is to provide these reflections in a clear, concise, and correct way worthy of this wonderful place and your valuable time. My prayer is to honor God via these reflections as a pilgrim in His Holy Land, in with what I see, with what I experience and with what I feel.
Reflection: Day One
A Holy Land Reflection: Jerusalem – The City Of Everything
Situated on a plateau in the Judaean Mountains between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea is the city of Jerusalem. One of the oldest cities in the world Jerusalem is claimed as a holy city for three of world’s major religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Both Israelis and Palestinians claim Jerusalem as their capital, and Christians like me make pilgrimages to Jerusalem to see the capital where Jesus died and was risen.
It is in those claims of holiness that has led to conflict. Throughout its long history, Jerusalem has been destroyed at least twice, besieged 23 times, captured, and recaptured 44 times, and attacked 52 times.
Through it all Jerusalem a city situated on a plateau still stands. A city of holiness, a city of conflict, a city where people of all faiths come, a city where people of all faiths worship, a city where people of all faiths live among each other yearning for peace in a land of war.
Jerusalem a city situated on a plateau still stands still stands because God said in Isaiah 56:7-8 that it would stand. The Message translation puts it this way: I’ll bring them to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. They’ll be welcome to worship the same as the ‘insiders,’ to bring burnt offerings and sacrifices to my altar. Oh yes, my house of worship will be known as a house of prayer for all people and nations. This is the Decree of the Master, God himself who gathers in the exiles of Israel: “I will gather others also gather them in with those already gathered.”
Today, I am honored to gather with pilgrims of all nations and faiths to Jerusalem the city of everything.
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Afflictions, suffering, misery, and persecution are common in the human condition. Ailments, calamities, distastes of every proportion will visit us either in person or to someone that we know love or care about.
This week a young father who by his own hand ended his life was laid to rest. Leaving behind a wife and a third grader to a lifetime of wondering why.
Psalm 116 is a song of thanksgiving for God’s help in times of distress. The nature of the distress is not indicated except to say that the psalmist felt close to death.
Unless you have experienced it no one can know what it feels like to lose a husband and a father to suicide. The death has produced a living death with the survivors that only lots of prayer, the Word of God, therapy, and love can numb.
Into all of this there is hope for the psalmist reminds in Psalm 116:6 that “The Lord preserves the simple; for when I was brought low, he saved me.”
Nothing is simpler than the love of a child, it is unconditional, it is unblemished, it is unabashed. The Lord will use the simple love of the third grader for her father to power a victory. As she discovers how the love of God will help her overcome the afflictions, suffering, and misery that her father’s death has brought.
Find the simple in your life, embrace it, cultivate it, thank the Lord for it. For God has promised it is the simple that will save us when we are brought low.
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9,086 that is the number of Wheel of Fortune episodes hosted by Pat Sajak who announced this week that he would be stepping down 41 seasons. For all his abilities as a host perhaps Pat’s best ability is his availability. Being there for all those years coming into our homes spinning the wheel as he watched Vana turned the letters.
Availability is also the greatest ability for a father. Simply being there in moments large and small for our children. When God made David his anointed King God said I will be his father and he will be a son when he does wrong, I will discipline him and will be a help to him in the pitfalls and obstacles of life. But through it all I will never remove my gracious love from him.
The availability to host Wheel of Fortune will end for Pat Sajak, the availability of David as king ended, and so has the availability of our mortal Dad’s who have or will be taken by death. But God’s availability to Sheppard us in the pitfalls and obstacles of life will never end.
So, on this Father’s Day let us honor our mortal fathers as we keep firmly affixed to God, the available Father.
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On Sunday J. Harrison Ghee and Alex Newell became the first out nonbinary performers to win a Tony, the awards given for excellence on Broadway.
The wins come at a time when gender identity has become a central element of America’s culture wars. As reported by the New York Times conservatives in multiple states have press for legislation on a variety of L.G.B.T.Q.-related issues, including gender-affirming medical care for transgender children and teenagers, bathroom access, sports participation and, in some states even performances on stage.
When Jesus learned about the murder of John The Baptist at the hands of King Herod, he wanted to be alone. So, he slipped away by boat to an out-of-the-way place however, the word got around and soon masses of people arrived to be with the Lord.
Instead of being upset about the interruption of his solitude Jesus showed compassion on the masses. Healing their sick regardless of who they are, regardless of who they loved and regardless of how they identify themselves. As dinnertime approached the disciples wanted to send the hungry masses way. However, Jesus said no, he blessed five loaves of bread and two fish that multiplied to feed them all.
As disciples of Jesus the message is clear everyone straight, gay, trans, nonbinary, whatever the label or name of lifestyle that a person has chosen for themselves is a child of God. Were nonbinary people in the masses? We don’t know. Were gay people in the masses? We don’t know. Were straight people in the masses? We don’t know.
But what we do know is this for Jesus and for us there should be no culture wars, there should be no church legislation outlawing women as pastors, and there should be no shunning of people regardless of who they are. Broadway saw J. Harrison Ghee and Alex Newell including them in their community and so should we.
Jesus sent no one away, Jesus ministered to them all, Jesus healed them all, and yes Jesus, feed them all.
The call is clear in times like these we simply need to be like Jesus and feed them all.
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John the Baptist had been murdered, executed by King Herod to satisfy a grudge of his sister-in-law. When told the news Jesus withdrew to a deserted place to grieve the loss of his cousin.
However, when his location was discovered, large crowds showed up. Instead of being upset that his solitude was broken, Jesus showed compassion healing the sick.
In this story from Matthew 14 Jesus teaches three valuable lessons about compassion and grief.
First: Jesus Shows That Grief Is Compassion. Jesus proves that it is alright to show compassion as he grieves the loss of a loved one. In our microwave society folks may show grief at the funeral but not much beyond. Jesus understood the significance of his loss and that the compassionate thing to do was to grieve.
Second: Jesus Understood The Compassion Of Selfcare. In his grief Jesus withdrew for a time of solitude and self-reflection. Whatever the situation we need to be compassionate to ourselves and practice selfcare.
Third: Jesus Demonstrates That In Grief We Can Be Compassionate To Others. Out of grief can come the discovery of that compassion can be of service to others. Jesus was the first rockstar, and even without GPS tracking it was simply a matter of time that his cone of solitude would be broken. But despite his grief Jesus, understood his mission and in honor of John the Baptist he showed compassion healing those who had come.
Grief Is Compassion, Compassion Is Selfcare, and From Grief Comes
Compassion To Others are three lessons from Jesus about grief and compassion.
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In response to the murder of George Floyd, Congress passed a bill to examine systemic racism in the actions of government. The law authorized the creation of a commission to rename U.S. Army bases that were named for Confederate leaders.
Many of the Army’s most iconic posts will gain new names as the raciest past of their previous names have been uncovered.
Fort Bragg the North Carolina home to nearly 50,000 solders was named for Confederate General and slave owner Braxton Bragg, will now become Fort Liberty.
Fort Hood in Texas named after Confederate Gen. John Bell Hood, who lost nearly 20,000 men in one battle is now, Fort Cavazos. Named in honor of Richard Cavazos the Army's first Latino four-star general.
Fort Benning, Georgia was named after Confederate Brig. Gen. Henry L. Benning, a slave owner who warned that if slavery ended, the nation would see "Black governors, Black legislatures, Black jurors, Black everything,” has been remained Fort Moore in honor of Lt. General Harold Moore who commanded troops in the first major battle of the Vietnam War and his wife Julia a champion for military families who changed the way next of kin are notified when a service member is killed.
Jesus is a name that will never change, but more than a name it is what that name symbolizes. The names of those army bases represents the oppression, pain, and racism of what we hope is a bygone era.
Isaiah 9:6 tell us that the name of Jesus symbolizes the “Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”
As celebrate the rectifying of history with the renaming of the bases let us also take comfort in Jesus and the importance of a blessed name that will never change.
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Set in the segregated South of the 1920’s Uncle Jed’s Barber Shop by Margaree King Mitchell is a book about the only barber in a county of sharecroppers.
Uncle Jed goes from house to house cutting hair as he dreams about owning his own barbershop. But his generous heart coupled with ravages of the Great Depression, and the cruelness of Jim Crow forced him to defer that dream for years.
Finally, after years of hard work and savings Uncle Jed opened his barber shop. His American dream of entrepreneurism had been achieved, with a story worthy to be told to generations of our youth, except in Florida.
Uncle Jed’s Barber Shop was banned in in Duval County, as part of Florida efforts to make it easier for parents to challenge books in school libraries they deem to be pornographic, deal improperly with racial issues or are in other ways inappropriate for students.
Some 200 books have been banded in Duval County including “The Bluest Eye,” a novel by Nobel laureate Toni Morrison, Dim Sum for Everyone! by Grace Lin, and Berenstain Bears and the Big Question by Stan and Jan Berenstain.
In Miami-Dade County the poem “The Hill We Climb” by Amanda Gorman was placed on a restricted list for elementary students after a parent complained. The reasons for the objection to the poem, which Gorman read during President Joe Biden’s inauguration, were not clear.
However, what is clear is diversity of thought the opportunity for students to comfort difficult and perhaps uncomfortable parts of our history which is vital for the critical thinking skills of an educated people is under attack.
The philosopher George Santayana, reminds us “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” But what happens when the past is never taught?
God’s Word the Bible is an historical document filled with accounts that could get it banded in Florida. However, I would suggest reading the scriptures even by the youngest of minds expands knowledge, creating critical thinking skills while growing our faith.
As laws like those enacted in Florida sweep across the nation Paul reminds us in 2nd Corinthians 13:13 that the trinity, the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit will be with, us even as the hills that we climb have become steeper.
Let us climb those hills by becoming our children’s credible teachers of the past.
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Death is the great equalizer of life. Regardless of position, power, or prowess death is our destiny. This month three men two you may know one you may not have died.
Jim Brown, Tim Keller, and Lovett Brown are the men. They profoundly impacted my life in ways big and small.
For me Jim Brown who died last Friday was more that one of the greatest players in pro football history, he was an icon. An icon who became a Hollywood action hero, an icon who used his fame and wealth to fight for civil rights. An icon tarnished by credible accusations of violent conduct against women. An icon that I now view in full as a man not to admire but to warn against so that women can be protected from the violent tendencies he and others practiced.
The Rev. Timothy Keller also died last Friday. A best-selling author and theorist of Christianity his teachings led me to a greater understanding of the Gospel. Keller’s book the Parodical God uncovers the essential message of Jesus, which is Christ is for everyone. I was honored to present this message in a Bible Study earlier this year as we examined this stellar book which brought to life the Parable of the Parodical Son.
Earlier this month Lovett Brown died. Brother Brown was a husband, father, and community leader in Sparta, Georgia. A faithful member of Mitchel Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Lovett Brown took a green, untested, and inexperienced pastor named Marben Bland under his wing. Giving me the confidence to preach, teach and lead people to Christ as a pastor.
Job 14:16 reminds us that “Man that is born of a woman is of few days.” Yes, the earthly days of Jim Brown, Tim Keller, and Lovett Brown are over. But with God our profound impacts continues beyond death. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine. So that our good works can be seen which brings glory to our heavenly Father.
So let us resolve to make profound impact bringing glory to God and to generations to come.
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This week students are graduating from the nation’s schools. From preschool to college students are realizing the power of education to enlighten, to empower and to engage more fully in a life of purpose all because of the learning that took place in school.
Jesus performed a graduation ceremony for his disciples as He was ascending to Heaven. Jesus declared in Matthew 28:18 that All power has been given unto Him in Heaven and on earth and that he was transferring that power to the disciples to teach the Gospel to all the nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Today the class of 2023 has the power for they have learned much in school. However, their real power is what they have learned about and from Jesus. For what they have learned from Jesus can do more than enlighten, empower, and engage it can save the world.
So, let’s learn about Jesus.
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Jesus said in John 14:1 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled”. But it is not easy these days to not to have a troubled heart.
Our hearts are troubled as we witness mass shootings after mass shootings, after mass shootings with no end in sight. Our hearts are troubled as war rages in Sudan, Ukraine, and countless places around the globe. Our hearts are troubled as racism, environmental destruction, and political extremism have become the order of the day.
Into our troubled hearts comes Jesus. Jesus who reminds that He has prepared a place for us that we can take solace in not only in this life but in the life to come. Jesus who helps us make sense of this troubled world reminding us that He is the way, and the truth and the life. Jesus who will grant us the peace our troubled heart has been seeking because He told us “If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.”
So today with so much to be troubled about let’s not our hearts be troubled. We are not troubled because Jesus has come into our hearts.
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Psalm 100 reminds us to make a joyful noise unto the Lord, serving God with gladness and coming before his presence with singing. Armell Stroud, educator, entrepreneur, entertainer, and man of faith was the embodiment of Psalm 100, a leader of the band.
A renaissance man Brother Stroud led the band with excellence. As an educator, he led the band as an innovator in the classroom exposing students to art, beauty, and culture. As an entrepreneur, he led the band furthering his father’s legacy by successfully operating night clubs, apartment houses, and other businesses. As an entertainer, he led the band performing with all-time Jazz greats thrilling audiences worldwide with his talents.
Through it all Brother Stroud was a man of God holding firmly to Jesus. He led the band in Psalm 100 fashion giving freely of his musical gifts, playing, singing, teaching, and serving with gladness for many churches in Athens and beyond. Including our church, The Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church where he played for us until God called him home.
As we mourn the passing of this leader of the band let us take solace in these lyrics from the singer, songwriter Dan Fogelberg:
“The leader of the band is tired
And his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs through
My instrument
And his song is in my soul --
My life has been a poor attempt
To imitate the man
I'm just a living legacy
To the leader of the band.
Father God, thank you for Brother Armell Stroud, a Godly leader of the band.
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Mother’s Day is perhaps one of the most emotional days of the year. For many the emotion is happy as Mom is treated to gifts both great and small. For others the emotion is sadness as mothers who have died are mourned, mothers who wanted to be mothers feel regret for the child that died, or the chance to conceive that was never within reach and mothers who gave birth but could not be a mother to their children are thought about by both mother and child with various emotions.
Regardless of the emotions, the role of a mother or mother figure is like that of a shepherd. Jesus in John 10 tells the traits of a good shepherd. The good shepherd like a good mother will lay down her life for her sheep. The good shepherd like a good mother knows their sheep and their sheep knows her. And the good shepherd like a good mother is willing to bring in and reach out to sheep that do not belong to her fold. For it is through her love that her sheep are placed in a position to thrive.
So, on this emotional day, let us rejoice for the Lord is our good shepherd.
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Millions around the world watched the coronation of Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The King and Queen arrived at Westminster Abbey in a splendid coach drawn by six horses, accompanied by the Household Cavalry. They then walked down the long aisle wearing historic robes, flanked by the top officials of the Church of England as well as some of their closest family members.
Nearly 3,000 people attended the two-hour service including heads of states, celebrities, and faith leaders. It was a day fit for a king.
Jesus, the son of God, the king of kings and lord of lords rode to His “coronation’ on a donkey. As he rode along, the people spread clothes on the road in front of him. They shouted Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory to God.”
No heads of state or celebrities were present and the faith leaders who were their denounced the entire affair demanding Jesus to “make your disciples stop shouting.”
But Jesus answered, “If they keep quiet, these stones will start shouting.”
As we the disciples of Jesus witness the events of today in London the message is clear. We must keep on shouting. Our shouts are not for Charles and Camilla but for Jesus. Our risen savior who we coronate every time we shout His praises. So, keep on shouting!!
Join us tomorrow at 11:00 AM ET for worship at Greater Bethel Athens. We will shout the praises of the Lord in person at 140 Rose Street or online. Find us on Facebook and YouTube at Greater Bethel Athens. Check out our website wwwGBAathens.org for sermons, devotions and more. So, until tomorrow, blessings, peace, and love.
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The Amicae Auxiliary provides an opportunity for professional women to be affiliated with Zeta and assist the sorority with providing positive, proactive, and far-reaching community service, both nationally and internationally. Mrs. Harriet B. Green Southeastern region and State of Georgia Amicae Co-Coordinator, brings the message this week as we honor the 75th anniversary of The Amicae Auxiliary.
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Jesus said in John 14:1 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled”. But it is not easy these days to not to have a troubled heart.
Our hearts are troubled as we witness mass shootings after mass shootings, after mass shootings with no end in sight. Our hearts are troubled as war rages in Sudan, Ukraine, and countless places around the globe. Our hearts are troubled as racism, environmental destruction, and political extremism have become the order of the day.
Into our troubled hearts comes Jesus. Jesus who reminds that He has prepared a place for us that we can take solace in not only in this life but in the life to come. Jesus who helps us make sense of this troubled world reminding us that He is the way, and the truth and the life. Jesus who will grant us the peace that our troubled heart has been seeking because He told us “If in my name you ask for anything, I will do it.”
So today with so much to be troubled about let not our hearts be troubled. We are not troubled because Jesus has come into our hearts.
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Recently 60 Minutes aired an intriguing story about breakthroughs in artificial intelligence. Computers that can teach themselves superhuman skills including the ability to speak to humans like a human. These computers are capable of having chats complete with as 60 Minutes described the human traits of “creativity, truth, error and lies.”
On the day of his resurrection Jesus encounter two of his disciples, they did not recognize him. Nevertheless, Jesus engaged with them in a chat.
As the three waked to Emmaus, a village about seven miles from Jerusalem. Jesus interpreted the scripters for the disciples giving new meaning to God’s plan and showing the world the intelligence of Jesus.
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Jesus had been crucified and now his disciples who denied him and scattered have reassembled in fear. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Like the disciples we live in lock doors of isolation, disappointment, and fear. In a teaching from John 20:19-29, Pastor Marben Bland explores God’s plan to open the lock doors of our lives. Lock doors that hinder our relationships, our progresses our health and our peace.
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In the first sermon in the series the 7 next words of Jesus. Pastor Marben explores the greetings of the risen savior from Matthew 28: 1-10. And the new start He gives to us all.
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Tomorrow is Easter and as our eyes are focused on the empty tomb, our attention will shift to the blessings that come to God’s people if we are faithful to Him.
Those blessings can be found in Isaiah 61 which foreshadowed Jesus setting the captives free.
The 40 days of Lent has demonstrated how we can become captive to things. Sweets, Swearing, and in my case Chick-fil-A are all things that we become prisoners to. With thoughts that we could never live without them.
However, tomorrow we will celebrate our victory over sweets, swearing, and
Chick-fil-A. But more importantly we celebrate the victory of Jesus over death and the salvation, He brings to all of us.
But what about tomorrow? With Lent over and the victory won, will we go back to the sweets, the swearing, and the Chick-fil-A?
The blessings of God’s favor is freedom. The freedom paid for on the cross to turn away from the captives of the past to the liberty of a new day. Released to go beyond the sweets, the swearing, and the Chick-fil-A to be what God has always wanted us to be a people delivered and ready to freely chose to follow Him over sweets, swearing and Chick-fil-A.
Join us for Easter services tomorrow at Greater Bethel in Athens. Wake up to our online Easter Sunrise message airing at 7:00 AM ET. on our Facebook Page, YouTube Channel, and website GBAAthens.org. Then join us in person, 11:00 AM ET at 140 Rose Street in Athens for our Easter Services featuring a program by our kids. Or watch the live stream on Facebook, YouTube or our website GBAAthens.org. So, until tomorrow blessings, peace and love.
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Matthew 21 tells us that when Jesus entered Jerusalem the whole city was in turmoil. Jesus knew what he was traveling into. He knew that he was traveling toward violence. For the peace of that day with joyful shouts of Hosanna would soon be replaced with shouts of crucify him! As Jesus would be arrested, beaten, and hung on the cross.
In his Palm Sunday message Pastor Marben teachers from Matthew 20:34 and Matthew 21:1-11 providing a clearer picture of Jesus.
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Matthew 27:15-23 describes a lively crowd in Jerusalem. Thousands gathering for the annual Passover ritual when the Roman governor in this case Pilate would free any prisoner the crowd wanted.
The prisoner picking was between two men ironically both named Jesus, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus Christ. The was not an easy situation for Pilate for his wife had told him to “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, Jesus Christ. But there he was dealing with Jesus Christ, calling out to crowd “Whom do you want me to release for you?”
Greatly influenced by the chief priests and the elders the crowd picked Barabbas. A shaken Pilate said again “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And again, they said, “Barabbas.” Then Pilate asked what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah. The crowd said, “Let him be crucified!” Taken aback Pilate asked, “Why, what evil has he done?” But the crowd shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!” The picking had been done.
Which Jesus to pick happens in our lives and like Pilate we cannot avoid dealing with Jesus. Like Pilate we can let others try to choose our Jesus, however the real picking is always in our hands. So, as we start this Holy Week the question is which Jesus will you pick?
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Do you remember the last time that you were amazed? Perhaps you were amazed by a performance in a movie, or you were amazed by something that happen in a sporting event, or you were amazed by the wonder of a child. With the pandemic, the death of George Floyd, severe weather everywhere amazement has been replaced with dread, sorrow and even disbelief.
Dread, sorrow, and disbelief were probably the feelings of the disciples of Jesus. He had entered Jerusalem a hero, with shouts of “Hosanna”, but now Jesus was dead. Crucified on a cross and laid in a tomb.
At early dawn Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James and other women came to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus. Entering the tomb, they did not find the body instead an angel of the said that he had risen.
Rushing from the tomb the women told the disciples, their tale was met with disbelief. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; he looked in saw the linen cloths and the empty tomb and went home amazed by what had happened.
As we celebrate this Holy week, we will feel dread when we recall how Jesus was arrested. We will fell sorrow as our Lord is beaten and mocked, and we will be in disbelief as Jesus the Son of God is crucified.
However, the dread, sorrow and disbelief of this Holy Week will turn into joy and amazement when we look into the empty tomb. So, be amazed this Holy Week as we continue to look into the empty tomb.
Join us tomorrow for Palm Sunday Services at Greater Bethel Athens. We worship in person at 140 Rose Street or watch the service on Facebook and YouTube at Greater Bethel Athens. So until tomorrow blessings, peace and love.
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Things were not looking good for the followers of the early church. Acts chapter 12 opens with an account of King Herod violent rampage of the Christian community. James the brother of John was killed, and Peter was seized and put in prison.
With four squads of soldiers guarding him Peter was set to be given to the Jews who were pleased with the death of James. They wanted more blood and were willing to wait into after the Passover to get their hands on Peter. The church prayed fervently to God for help.
The night before he was to be turned over Peter bound by two chains, sleeping between two soldiers with guards at the front door keeping watch over the prison was awaken by an angel of the Lord. Appearing suddenly the angle tapped Peter on the side a light shone in the previous darken cell. The chains fell off his wrists and the angel said to Peter “Fasten your belt and put on your sandals.” Wrap your around you and follow me.” The prayers of the church were answered, Peter was free.
For the disciples of the early church and we the disciples of the church today the message of Act 12 echoes the message of Psalm 34:17 which says when the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
In these times of bank failures, climate change and personal difficulties we can’t do it alone God is willing ready and able to answer our prayer.
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Jesus understands the need for vision and the prevention of blindness. In the text, we are studying today from John 9:35-41, Jesus provides an eye exam that test our Spiritual vision to so we will not experience spiritual blindness.
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When God gave us Jesus, he gave us his best. When Jesus gave us wine, or bread or Godly wisdom in a parable he gave us his best.
So, the question is are we giving God our best?
In a sermon from John chapter 2:1-11, Pastor Marben Bland takes us on a Biblical journey showing us the Godly traits for giving God our best.
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A calamity is defined as an event that causes a great and often sudden damage or distress. A calamity is a disaster, a calamity is a tragedy, a calamity is a bad thing.
There are many calamities reported in the news. Resent train derailments in Ohio, Florida, West Virginia, Michigan, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Alabama is a calamity.
The kidnapping and murder of our brothers and sisters in Mexico is a calamity.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a calamity.
The civil war in Ethiopia where since 2018 Fighting there has killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions more in Africa’s second-most-populous country, is a calamity.
But can a calamity be a calamity if it’s never reported?
Dr. Marvin Dunn is an emeritus professor at Florida International University. He is the author of the book A History of Florida Through Black Eyes. In explaining the purpose for the book, he writes: (quote) “ Blacks were left out or minimized in most accounts of Florida history because to have included our real story would have meant telling the embarrassing, horrific, bloody truth about the underbelly of Florida and the brutal bigots who controlled the state for so long. It would also have meant telling the stories of black heroes and heroines who resisted The Beast of oppression with words and sometimes with arms.” (end quote)
In other words, to tell the story of Florida the racial calamities must be told as well.
From Genesis to Revelations, the Bible tells the calamities that befall people within the pages of it’s holy text. These calamities faced by Adam, Eve, David, Ruth, and Bathsheba are the same ones we face today
Greed, Lying, Stealing, Murder, Adultery along with unfaithfulness to God and His teachings.
However, it is God’s telling of these calamities available to be read, to be taught, and to be shared by all regardless of age or station of life that have sparked the faith of many. For it in knowing about our calamities and not passing laws in the name of “anti-wokeness” to keep us from knowing the unpleasantness of our history brings to us true opportunities for growth along with the avoidance of future calamities.
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In the 40 years the Israelites roamed the dessert less than a mile from the promised land they experienced many calamities.
Most of them of their own making!
In Exodus 17 they were encamped at a place where there was no water. Extremely thirsty they turned against Moses and God crying that they had been brought of slavery in Egypt to die in the desert. In their distress they wanted to know if the Lord was with them or not.
A frustrated Moses went to God for help. God instructed Moses to strike the rock with his staff, water came out and the Israelites were thirsty no more. The matter was settled the Lord was with them.
We are like the Israelites, roaming around from one calamity to another. Frustrated, wondering, if the Lord is really with us.
It is in these moments we need to be like Moses, we need to go to God for comfort, for guidance and for solutions.
For when we do, we can be assured that despite the calamities of life God is truly with us.
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John 3:16 is deemed one of the most popular verses from the Bible. It is a summary of one of Christianity's central doctrines; the relationship between the Father (God) and the Son of God (Jesus). John 3:13 – You see it everywhere, on billboards, folks hold it up on signs during sporting events so it can be caught on TV. It’s displayed on T-shirts; some people have even tattooed it to their bodies. John 3:16 a lot of people know it, a lot of people can say it, but how many people know the story behind this popular Bible verse.
As we enter the third week of Lent let us examine the backstory of John 3:16. In a sermon from Pastor Marben Bland delivered on March 5th from The Greater Bethel, African Methodist Episcopal Church in Athens, Georgia
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It’s A Matter Of Your Health Season 3 Show # Hospice Care
The announcement that formal President Jimmy Carter has entered Hospice care has increased focus on this option for end-of-life care. If it has to do with death and dying, Barbara Karnes, RN is talking about it. A pioneer in Hospice care Ms. Karnes has spent four decades caring for patients and their families as a nurse, home-health agency, and hospice director. She joins us today for a discussion about Hospice and the end-of-life transitions that all families will experience.
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Today the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments over whether President Biden can cancel student loan debt as part of a pandemic era relief program. According to the New York Times the ruling by the court expected in June will affect tens of millions of low- and middle-income Americans who could quality for up to $20,000 in student loan debt forgiveness. It could be an important first step in addressing the student loan crisis.
For Black Americans, who owe a disproportionate amount of the $1.7 trillion in national student loan debt, the student debt crisis is more complex. It is compounded by a history of oppressive economic policies — from sharecropping to subprime mortgages to predatory for-profit colleges — that created a financial weight on Black Americans well before the pandemic era.
One analysis of federal data found that nearly 87% of Black college students used federal loans to attend a four-year college, compared to less than 60% of white students.
According to a recent study from the Education Trust. Black borrowers owed an estimated $39,043 one year after graduation – compared to just $28,661 borrowed by white students.
By the 12-year mark, the average white borrower has successfully paid off 35% of their debt, while the Black borrower isn’t even close: They typically end up owing 13% more than what they originally borrowed.
Most experts point to one major issue behind this disparity: the racial wealth gap. Black students often turn to student loans because their parents can’t foot the bill for their higher education.
Emerging from the bitter experience of Babylonian exile, God through the prophecy of Isaiah proclaimed a jubilee a time of liberation. (Isaiah 61, 1-3a).
The system of funding higher education in America is broken. Forgiving all student loan debt and devising new ways to finance college which do not include student borrowing is the jubilee, the liberation that is within our reach. It is the divine gift that our divisive political system can give only with God’s guidance.
Today, I pray clarity of thought and purpose as the justices listen to and debate the arguments. In June when the decision is announced I pray kk that it sparks the student loan jubilee that is so desperately needed.
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If God Can Tell Our Unpleasant History, Why Can’t We
Without question W.E.B. Du Bois the American sociologist, historian, author, editor, and activist is one the most important Black leaders in the world. He helped found the NAACP and edited The Crisis its magazine. Educated at Fisk and Harvard where he received his Ph.D. in 1895 Dr. Du Bois taught at the then Atlanta University. His collection of essays The Souls of Black Folk published in 1903 continues to be a landmark of American literature.
In his 1935 book Black Reconstruction in America Dr. Du Bois wrote:
We have too often made deliberate attempts to change the facts of history so that the story will make pleasant reading for Americans.
The echoes of Dr. Du Bois words ring true today as the House Speaker has given security tapes of the January 6 uprising to a rightwing media host so that the history of that day can be made more pleasant. Governors across the nation are enacting laws restricting what teachers in kindergarten, elementary, high school and college can teach ensuring that the story of our history remains pleasant. And school boards in the north, south, east, and west are banning books all in the name of keeping anything that is unpleasant away from students.
All this suppression of facts in the name of keeping things pleasant has me wondering if God can tell our unpleasant history, why can’t we?
The Bible while inspiring and uplifting is filled with unpleasant stories. The fall of humankind as Adam and Eve tumble into the devil’s scheme. The rape Tamar and also of Bathsheba by men who used their power to take sex. God’s rapture as described in Revelation is as unpleasant as reading can get. And there is the killing of Jesus on the cross, nails in hands, hanging from the 6th to the 9th hour it is unpleasant.
God provides us with this unpleasant history so we can learn, so we can grow so we can live without fear.
Dr. Du Bois reasoned that fear is the driving force behind the whitewashing of history. In Black Reconstruction in America he writes:
Standing in the back of the writhing, yelling, cruel-eyed demons’ mobs who break, destroy, maim, and lynch and burn at the stake, people of color. There is a knot, large or small, of normal human beings, and these human beings at heart are desperately afraid of something. Of what? Of many things, but usually of losing their jobs, being declassed, degraded, or actually disgraced; of losing their hopes, their savings, their plans for their children; of the actual pangs of hunger, of dirt, of crime.
It is this fear that people like the Governor of Florida, the Speaker of the House and the 44th President of the United States use to wipe out the unpleasantness of history. For they are fearful that with the truth their power is gone.
The Bible is full of unpleasant truths – and with those truths God has not lost any of his power. And neither will you if you embrace the unpleasant truths of the Bible and the unpleasant truths of our own lives for if if God can tell our unpleasant history, why can’t we?
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God is doing some cool things in the second chapter of Genesis. The earth, sky, and everything in them were finished in just six days. As the seventh day dawned, he blessed it making it a holy day. God made it holy not for going shopping, not for cleaning the house and not event for watching football. God made it holy for rest from all the work need to create the world.
After the seventh day God was rested and ready to go! Water came up from the earth and spread all over the ground. Then God took the dry earth the dust from the ground, with it he made a man. Breathing the breath of life into his nose God made man a living thing.
Job 14:1-2 tells us that life is short, and that our lives will be full of trouble. We are like a flower that grows quickly and then dies away. We are like a shadow that is here for a short time and then is gone.
On this very first day of Lent we are reminded of the dust that our bodies come from and the dust that our bodies will return to. To understand this is to understand that there is a bleakness to life and that the dust that we are is short lived and faces many troubles.
On this very first day of Lent we come with a reminder of hope. Hope that because God breathed life into us, we are more that dust. We are more that dust because God made a covenant not with the dust that is short and full of trouble, rather God’s covenant is with the breath of life the very soul and essence of who we are.
God’s covenant is given to us by his son Jesus. Jesus who God sent on this earth in the form of the same dust that we are made of to live a short life, to encounter trouble as he taught the word and to die on the cross. Jesus who God sent on this earth in the form of the same dust that we are made of defeated death with the covenant message from John 14: 2-6 that “In My Father’s house there are many mansions.” But because your breath of life believes in the way, the truth and life which is Jesus you and I have a room in God’s mansion. Not as the dust that we are today but as the breath of life that God give us for eternity.
Lent these 40 days that we will experience together and on our is a time to focus not on the dust that we are but on the breath of life that God gave us, and Jesus came to save so that we can have everlasting life.
So, like we are more than dust, Lent is more that giving things up. As we see in Genesis 2, we serve a God of action. Since we are like God and not dust let us resolve to use these 40 days to fast and to pray but also get closer to God by being in action. Action by giving our time, talents, and treasure to causes that make a difference. Action by performing random acts of kindness. Action like taking the weight of grudges, slights and evilness by people who have done you wrong off your shoulders and forgive them. And while you are forgiving others don’t forget to forgive yourself.
God is doing some cool things in the second chapter of Genesis. God wants to do some cool things with you during these 40 days of Lent, for with the breath of God’s life in you we are more that dust.
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Ready, Set, Lent
So, it’s Fat Tuesday, the eve of Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent.
Lent begins 40 days prior to Easter, where many Christians prepare for the resurrection of Jesus by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation, and spiritual self-discipline.
The significance of the 40-day period of Lent is based on two episodes of spiritual testing in the Bible: the 40 years of wilderness wandering by the Israelites, and the Temptation of Jesus after he spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness.
Based on those episodes there are two ways to approach the 40 days of Lent. We can do as the
Israelites simply wondering around, forgetting about God, disobeying God, forsaking God’s goodness, grace, and love. Or we do as Jesus, using these 40 days to do more that pray, and fast but to get closer to God by doing things. Things like giving more of time, talents and treasure to the causes that make a difference. Things like being committed to performing random acts kindness and things like forgiving others and most importantly forgiving ourselves.
So, enjoy Fat Tuesday, but tomorrow let us be ready, set, Lent for it is going to be a glorious time with the Lord.
Remember Ready, Set, Lent!
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Jonathan Pitts, joins The Podcast to discuss the importance of financial literacy and what he and others are doing about it.
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It’s Valentine’s Day and love is in the air. Love is in the air as couples celebrate with food, flowers, and fondness. Love is in the air with expression of devotion directed from folks on dates to daughters with text messages to dads giving his family sweet delights. Love is in the air with a jaw dropping 145 million Valentine's Day cards given each year. Making Valentine's Day second only to Christmas according to Hallmark a company that makes a ton when love is in the air.
There are some unlovely things happening while love is in the air. A disastrous 7.8-magnitude earthquake a week ago in Syria and Turkey have over 30,000 dead, scores injured and nearly everyone else without shelter, food, and water. Living the best, they can in the freezing cold. The war Ukraine continues to rage with no end to the irrational attack by Russia in sight. As I write this post in the final hour of February 13th at least 3 people have been killed in a shooting at Michigan State University. Yes, there are some unlovely things happening while love is in the air.
God’s love is the one constant in our lives. Food is consumed, flowers wilt and fondness will depart as division, divorce and death will separate us. But nothing will separate us from the love of God. God’s love is more than being in the air, God’s love is so powerful that He sent Jesus who does more that get us, He gives us everlasting love if we only believe.
So, this Valentine’s Day let us keep the love of the Lord in our hearts. For doing so will cause our love which is often up in the air to be more like Jesus. And when we are more like Jesus our love knows no bounds.
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Prayer is the most basic act of worship. Prayer is where the rejection of the world is met with the acceptance of God. The sweet moment of prayer is profound, the sweet moment of prayer is lovely the sweet moment of prayer is an uninterrupted time of blessings.
The Reverend Richard Allen lead church services for the black members of the mostly white Saint George’s Methodist Church in Philadelphia. As their numbers grew the black members who tithe just as the white members did were given a different time to worship sperate from whites.
On a Sunday in 1787 Reverend Allen his associate The Reverend Absalom Jones along with other black worshipers were on a pew praying. Suddenly
a white official of the church grabbed Reverend Jones pulling him off his knees saying “"You must get up you must not kneel here."
Reverend Allen told the official that they would get up when they finished praying. The group finished got up and walked out. Never again to return to Saint George’s Methodist Church.
Psalm 118 describes Jesus as the rejected stone which has now become the capstone, the most important stone in the building. Lead by Richard Allen these rejected back worshipers build a capstone of faith The African Methodist Episcopal Church. With our 2.5 million members worldwide the AME Church is one of the largest Methodist denominations in the world.
This week we celebrate the founding of the church in conjunction with the birthday of Richard Allen who became our first Bishop. In these days of remembrances let us be inspired that rejection is not the end and with God we can all be capstones of faith.
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The Lord blesses us with the Amazing in our lives. My guest Sherry D. Fields is one of those amazing people. She is the chief marketing officer for Natural Radiant Life, a brand of skin care products that is changing the way people take care of themselves. Sherry joins me on The Podcast for a discussion of her inspiring story of family, friendship, business, and faith.
Order products and take the skin care quiz https://naturalradiantlife.com/
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The big game, the Super Bowl is Sunday, and for the first time both teams will have African Americans starting at quarterback.
For Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles and Patrick Mahomes it is just a game as it should be. However, it was not that long ago that white NFL executives and white owners believed that blacks lacked the physical stamina, emotional courage, and yes, the intelligence, to play the most celebrated position on the field quarterback, the capstone of the team.
Psalm 118 describes Jesus as the rejected stone. He was rejected by Herod, the king who attempted to kill Jesus shortly after his birth. He was rejected by people of his hometown Nazareth who attempted to throw Jesus off a cliff. He was rejected by his own disciples with Peter rejecting Jesus three times.
Jesus rose above the rejection; Jesus rose about the crucifixion and Jesus rose above even death. Sitting still at the right hand of God in the most celebrated position in heaven.
So, on Sunday when we watch the big game let us celebrate the milestone of QB’s Hurts and Mahomes but let us not forget the shoulders of the rejected black OB’s they stand on. As we continue to praise and worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the rejected stone that has now become our capstone.
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In Exodus chapter 32 Moses God’s chosen the leader of the Israelites had gone to the mountain to be with the Lord.
Concerned that Moses and by theory God had not returned to them, the Israelites got Aaron the priest older brother and spokesman of Moses to build an idol god in the shape of a Golden Calf.
Aaron announced a special festival to honor the golden calf which was now their Lord. The Israelites responded staging a wild party with lots of food, drink, and sacrifices.
In a very short amount of time the Israelites, the chosen people of God had forgotten their history.
They had forgotten the God, who had delivered them from slavery. Replacing the active, real, and powerful God of their lives with a calf made of gold an idol with no
The Israelites sin of ditching their history had its consequences. Moses had the priests still loyal to God, kill many of the people who were not. Then the Lord sent a plague which killed many more.
As you can see ditching history not knowing it not teaching it, and not remembering it has its consequences. That is why we must have a Black History month. To highlight the history that we should be knowing, teaching, and remembering every day.
For if we don’t, we fall for the golden calf of folks like the Governor of Florida who wants history taught without people feeling the pain of the struggle it took to make it.
For if we don’t, we will end up falling for the golden calf low expectation that as a black person you can never be more than poor, uneducated, and unsuccessful.
For if we don’t, we will end up falling for the golden calf of being black in a police department that thinks so little of black lives that the forget that as black men themselves that black men get beat up unfairly by the cops.
So let us not worship the golden calf, let us learn, teach, and live Black History.
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The Reverend Quinton Steverson , the host of “The Faith Talk” podcast joins The Podcast to talk about his life, his faith journey, his podcast, and his love of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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Rev. Cynthia Parnell-McDonald, Ph.D pastor of Cosmopolitan AME Church, Atlanta joins the Podcast to discuss her founding of SHIFT the one-million-dollar program funded by the Lillie Endowment, designed to provide supportive, holistic innovations to help ministers thrive in the AME church.
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What happens when black people do bad things to other black people.
By now we have all seen the horrendous video footage of the police officers beating Tyre Nichols. Five Memphis police officers have been charged with second-degree murder. Tyre Nichols is black the five officers are also black.
As blacks in America our history is dotted with violence. The cruelties of slavey, the lynching during Jim Crow, the televised beating of Rodney King. The cell phone death of George Floyd.
We were outraged and rightfully so, adding to our indignation is the element of race, as these atrocities were at the hands of white people.
So, what do we do now that the perpetrators are black? Well, this is what I am going to do. I am going to be outraged and I am going to pray. I am going to pray not only for the situation in Memphis, but for the countless other cases in this country where black people are doing bad things to other black people.
Jesus has told us to love our neighbor as we would love ourselves. (Matthew 22:39) So, as I pray, I am also asking God to help us to keep and start in some cases loving our neighbor regardless of race or creed. For if we do that then black people will stop doing bad things to other black people.
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In Chapters 4 and 5 of Matthew’s account of the Gospel is Jesus is going through Galilee, teaching and proclaiming the good news. He does all this while curing every disease and every sickness among the people.
With his teaching and healing the fame of Jesus spreads. Seeing the great crowds that followed him Jesus and his disciples went up the mountain, where he taught then the eleven blessings of the Beatitudes.
The Beatitudes are not a direct calls to action, to become poor in spirit, to mourn, to be meek, and so forth. Rather, the Beatitudes are promises. Promises that God’s favor is not for the privileged or the rich, or the religious. God’s favor is for the weak, the forgotten, the despised, the justice seekers, the peace makers, and those persecuted because of their beliefs.
God’s favor is for those who Jesus was visiting in Galilee, the ordinary, the seeker of the truth about God, the sick, the lame, the lost.
Today as we live in the spirit of the Beatitudes let us respond to the instruction of Jesus to: First, read his Word in simplicity slowing down to read it out loud in groups of people to gain more understanding. Second, let us conduct ourselves with hopefulness understanding that no matter how bad things get with God better days are ahead. And finally, we should live with compassion, meaning we believe in equity not sympathy, we take on the difficult not the trivial and we practice the empowerment of the honesty. Teaching the real stories of our history for only the truth can the breach the bitter valley of racism, hate and unkindness that is all too common in our world.
These three principles allow us to be in the world, while not being totally shaped by it allowing us to live in the spirit of the Beatitudes.
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The author of Psalm 27 knows the highs and lows of life. In response the Psalmist makes a dramatic, definitive, and declarative statement then answers a question about the status of his life: “The LORD is my light and my salvation is the statement. And the Psalmist answers his question by saying whom shall I fear?”
In a sermon recorded live at Greater Bethel in Athens, on January 22, 2023 Pastor Marben Bland addresses the highs and lows of life from a Biblical perspective.
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The Godly Virtue Of Honesty
In 2 Kings chapter 12, we find this story. The temple badly needed repair so the King started what amounted to a Go-Fund-Me campaign. A chest with an opening in the top was placed at the temple door, and soon the chest was full. The priest distributed the money to building superintendents who paid workers and bought the materials for the temple’s repair. Before long the temple had been restored to its past glory.
The building superintendents who were key to the restoration of the temple were virtuous people. They were so honest that scripture tells us that the priest did not do an accounting of the money given to them from the chest. For they knew the superintendents “dealt honestly.”
“Dealing honestly” is not a virtue assigned to Representative George Santos, a Republican from New York. Congressman Santos has been caught in numerous lies about the basic facts of his life. Including his education, his wealth, and the story of his mother. These “ball-faced lies” has Democrats and Republicans calling for his resignation.
God does not want us to lie. Proverbs 6 makes lying one of the six things that the Lord hates. But still, we lie. We lie so much that we tell lies about our lies. Calling them “little white lies”, told without concern for their ethical or spiritual implications.
Yes, we are appalled by the lies of Congressman Santos. However, in our dismay have we examined our own relationship to the truth? Are we like the superintendents dealing honestly? Is our word golden in the world?
The Lord wants us to bask in the Godly virtue of honesty. It is my prayer for me, it is my prayer for you, and it is my prayer for George Santos.
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Charles Richardson joins The Podcast to discuss the news. Topics include the GOP House of Representatives, George Santos, The Georgia General Assembly, the back-to-back national champion University Georgia Bulldogs, books, and the state of newspapers in America.
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The Highs And Lows Of Life
Last Saturday, fans of the University of Georgia fans gathered to celebrate the teams second straight national. Joy abounds as the highs of life were experienced.
Then in the early hours of Sunday morning Devin Willock, a redshirt sophomore offensive lineman and Chandler LeCroy, a football recruiting analyst, died in a car crash. The lows of life were experienced.
The author of Psalm 27 knows the highs and lows of life. In response the Psalmist makes a dramatic, definitive and declarative statement then answers a question about the status of his life:
“The LORD is my light and my salvation is the statement. And the Psalmist answers his question by saying whom shall I fear?”
Psalm 27 this bold, announcement about God shows that only God can get us through the highs and lows of our lives. A close look at the Psalm reveals three things God provides for us in high and low situations.
First, God gives us light – For it is the light that will guide us when through the highs and lows of life.
Second, God gives us salvation – For salvation is the gracious, undeserved gift of God that tempers us when we are high and us comfort when we are low.
Third and finally, God gives us courage – For fear is one thing that will impede our faith through the highs and lows of life. Fear will keep us from gaining greater success when we experience the highs of life., and fear will keep us paralyzed when we experience the lows of life. So, God gives us courage to get us through both.
Today and for many days to come we will morn Devin and Chandler. We will remember them in high and low points of their lives.
The highs and lows of our lives is the standard of our lives, but the constant of lives is faith in knowing that: “The LORD is my light and my salvation; and with that whom shall I fear?”
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Over a half a century after his death Martin Luther King, Jr. is now a figure of history. His life and work known primarily in speeches and a holiday that portrays King as a happy warrior marching, singing, and yes making those speeches.
The reality is in his lifetime King was a deeply divisive person in American society.
Martin Luther King Junior was a radical. He believed that America needed a “radical redistribution of economic and political power.” He challenged America’s class system and its racial caste system. He was a strong ally of the nation’s labor union movement. He was assassinated in April 1968 in Memphis, where he had gone to support a sanitation workers’ strike. He opposed US militarism and imperialism, especially the country’s misadventure in Vietnam.
Jesus was a radial too, in a sermon from Matthew 3:13-17, Pastor Marben Bland teachers about how Jesus sees more of us than the whitewash that is given to us by the world.
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With great intention Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River specifically to be baptized by John The Baptist. However, when Jesus got there was a big problem John The Baptist, the most famous baptizer of all time did not want to baptize Jesus because he believed he was not worthy. John told Jesus in Matthew 3:14 “This isn’t proper,” “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you.” Then Jesus said to John “Please do it for I must do all that is right.” So, then John baptized Jesus. Proving that John was worthy. The baptism of Jesus by John The Baptist was not only the fulfillment of prophecy it also demonstrates that Jesus has a higher expectation of you. Jesus sees things in you that you don’t see. However, when you are led by faith and the Holy Spirit you can do great things. On this Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend we celebrate a man and a movement ordained to show the United States that Jesus has higher expectations for African American. Those expectations are higher that to be a people contented to sit on the back on the bus of second-class citizenship. Jesus has higher expectations of you. A higher expectation to be baptized in living your life with a longing inspired by Micah 6:8 to “Do Justice, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly with Your God.”Remember: Jesus Has A Higher Expectation For You.For More Great Content Go To Marben Bland.com
Handling money better is always one of the top New Year’s resolutions. As we kick off 2023 Phyllis Tufts Hightower, author of the new book Ten Keys To Avoid Debt: The Devils Evil Borrowing Trap, joins Marben Bland to talk about money, debt and Gray, Georgia where they both grew up.
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We all watched with horror as Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest following a routine tackle. The life-threatening injury, the reaction of the players, the unprecedented canceling of the game all captured on Monday Night Football resonated with the nation.
The phrase "thoughts and prayers" is a trendy term used during times of national trauma. We say it when there is a natural disaster, we say it when there is an accident and, we especially say it when there is a mass shooting.
Yes, we say phase the "thoughts and prayers” thoughts may happen but how often do prayers really happen?
Formal NFL quarterback now ESPN football analyst Dan Orlovsky put the prayer part of the phase in action, praying for Damar Hamlin on live TV during an episode of the popular show NFL Live.
Orlovsky started his pray saying
"God, we come to you in these moments that we don't understand, that are hard, because we believe that you're God, and coming to you and praying to you has impact,"
James 5:16, tells us that “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous person has great impact.
We have seen the impact of prayer as prayer has healed the impact of sock of witnessing play where Damar is injured.
We have seen the impact of prayer that inspired the Buffalo Bills to return the opening kickoff for a touchdown in their first game since Damar’s injury.
And we have seen the impact of prayer in Damar’s miraculous recovery,
All of this and more will happen when we put real prayer in the phase “Thoughts and Prayers.”
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As migrants surge to the United States southern border the debate rages about what to do with people who flee their own country because they have a dream to come this county for better days.
Shortly after his birth Jesus became a migrant fleeing his own country following a dream form the Lord.
In a sermon recorded January 8, 2023, Pastor Marben Bland, gives a Biblical perspective on the immigration debate in a sermon teaching from Matthew 2:13-15 entitled “Jesus Is A Migrant Too.”
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The entire nation witnessed the cardiac arrest suffered by Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin. Cardiologist Dr. Tiffany Randolph, MD of Cone Health and director of its hypertension clinic. She joins Dr. Veita Bland, MD to discuss treatments for hypertension and the situation with Damar Hamlin.
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Prayer, Football, Prayer
I wake this morning to the news that I prayed about before going to bed that Damar Hamlin, a 24-year-old safety in his second season with the Buffalo Bills, would make it through the night.
Over this New Year’s holiday weekend, I watched a ton of football, and I enjoyed it all. However, in that enjoyment I often forget that in nearly every game I watch a young man will be hurt some minor, many major.
For some the collective effects of all that hitting in practice and in games will manifest itself later in life when they are no longer useful for us as players, but much more useful as husbands, fathers and productive members of society.
This morning as I reflect on Damar Hamlin and what we saw last night, I intend to watch football in a mode of prayer.
- Praying for my team and the opposing team in the week leading up to the game for a safe week of practice.
- Praying as part of my pregame warmup as I sit in my easy chair to watch.
- Praying during the game not for my team to win but for the health of all involved.
- Praying after the game for injuries known and unknown as these young mem leave the gridiron to go back home to wives and family.
Prayer, Football, Prayer – as we continue to pray for Damar Hamlin.
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The Reverend Rick Smith is the Chairman and CEO of the Classic City Conference, scheduled for January 4-6 in Athens, Georgia. The conference is a gathering of faith leaders designed to help churches plan for the new year and beyond. Rev. Smith joins The Podcast to discuss the conference, and his ministry.
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It’s New Year’s Eve and in a few hours from Time Square in New York to Main Street in Waycross, Georgia many folks are getting dressed up or going out to watch the celebration the dawn of a new year.
2023 like any new year is loaded with what I call watchful questions. Will my health hold up in this year to come? What challenges will my children and those I love face? What adventures await me as I consider a host of life changing opportunities.
Watchful questions are good things. Yes, the answers to the watchful question can be difficult, but watchful questions if asked and answered properly can bring serenity satisfaction, and stability to our lives.
Matthew 11:2-11 depicts the imprisonment of John The Baptist. Receiving word of the miracles performed by Jesus John gathers his disciples and sends them off to find Christ with this watchful question: “Are you really the one we are watching for, or shall we keep on looking?”
John’s disciples went out and found Jesus. They asked John The Baptist the watchful question: “Are you really the one we are waiting for, or shall we keep on looking?” Jesus by simply saying watch me.
The scripture text tells us that Jesus said: “Go back to John and tell him about the miracles you have watched me do. You have watched the blind regain sight, you have watched the sick healed, you have watched the lame walk, lepers cured, deaf who now hear, and you have watched the dead raised to life.
Go back and tell John about my preaching the Good News to the poor, then give him this message, “Blessed are those who don’t doubt me.”
If any of John’s disciples were doubting Jesus before, they are doubters no more. For you see John asked the watchful question not for himself but to shore up the belief of his own disciples.
So, as we enter this new year the watchful question for all of us is: “Are we really the Christians God is waiting for, or shall He keep on looking?”
If God dispatched an angel to watch, you 2022 what did they see?
Did the angel watch your commitment to prayer and studying His word?
Did the angle watch your dedication to help the poor?
Did the angle watch you as you put Jesus first in your life?
Did the angle watch you spread the Lord’s gospel making disciples far and wide?
Remember Jesus said: “Blessed are those who don’t doubt me.” So, the watchful question for 2023 is “Are we really the Christians God is watching for, or shall He keep on looking?”
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The reason for the season it not the tree, the parties, the presents or the Eggnog Believe or not Jesus in not the reason for season. The reason for the season is you, the tidings of great joy are for you, the savior born in the city of David is for you. Jesus was born, Jesus lived, Jesus died, was risen from the dead and will come again all for one reason for you. For God so loved that world that he gave us Jesus so that you if believed in him you would have everlasting life.
What is what Christmas is all about? God did everything possible to ensure that Christmas is really about you!
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Matthew 2:1-12 describes a lone star appearing in the sky at the time of Jesus birth. Seeing the star, the three wise men who knew the prophecies concerning the Messiah came to Jerusalem seeking the location of the newborn King of the Jews.
News of the birth of Jesus scared Herod, the threaten King called a meeting of Jewish religious leaders. These leaders also knew prophecy and they told the King that Bethlehem was the place where Jesus was born.
Herod met the wise men telling them to go to Bethlehem and search for the child. He added when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him too. However, the frighten King had no intention of worshiping the baby, he was using the wise men to confirm the location so he could have Jesus killed.
When the wise men started out again the star appeared shining over Bethlehem and when they saw it their joy knew no bounds,
Entering the house where the baby and Mary, his mother, were, the wise men threw themselves down before him in worship. Then they opened their presents and gave him gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
But when they returned to their own land, the wise men didn’t go through Jerusalem to report to Herod, for God had warned them in a dream to go home another way.
As we start a new year there will be great temptation to hitch our start to the galaxy of other stars who follow the same path. However, we need to be like the wise men taking God’s instruction to go another way. For when go another way we flee the evil of Herod and instead bask in the light of God’s lone star of rightness.
Let’s go another way.
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The Room That We Have In The Inn
It’s Christmas Eve and on this night the vivid account from Luke chapter 2 verse 7 of the birth of Jesus is recalled. Where Mary brought forth her first born son, wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manager because there was no room for him in the inn.
Tonight, in El Paso, Texas and in countless towns along our southern border thousands of migrants are trapped in the political vortex of a broken immigration system. As the world’s wealthiest nation, we have the room in the inn to accommodate the tired, the poor and the huddle masses yearning to breath free. However, these words inscribed on the tablet of the Statue of Liberty remain hollow until we ask God for the courage to make them true. For indeed we have room in the inn.
Tonight, in Athens, Georgia and in countless towns throughout our land many of God’s children are without a place to sleep on this bitter cold night. As the world’s wealthiest nation, we have the room in the inn to accommodate those who are experiencing homeliness. However, until we seek God’s guidance, we will continue to lack the imagination, the resourcefulness and the will to provide the comprehensive services necessary to abate homeliness. For indeed we have room in the inn.
Tonight, in Buffalo, New York and in too many cities and towns in the United States, families are experiencing a Christmas Eve without a loved one. A loved one who was killed in a mass shooting. In May alone 10 people died in a Buffalo supermarket, 21 in a Texas elementary school, 4 at a Taiwanese church in California, 5 at a flea market in Houston, and 6 at a park in Lexington, Kentucky, and that was just one month. In the world’s wealthiest and most advanced nation it seems we have no room in the inn for a solution to mass shootings. Instead, we have become primal incapable of stopping the slaughter of God’s children. We will remain this way until we ask God for the wisdom to honor the Sixth Commandment, “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13) ahead of the Second Amendment, “The right to bear arms”
For indeed we have room in the inn.
On this silent and holy night where Ukraine is without lights under brutal attack by the thug of the world Vladimir Putin, and our democracy is still recovering from the brutal attack on it by the thug of America Donald Trump there is hope.
For born to us this day is a savor Christ the Lord. Given to us by a God who so loved the world that He gave us Jesus, so whoever believed in him would not die but would have everlasting life.
So, on this Christmas Eve there is room in the inn because with Jesus, Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.
Merry Christmas
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When I was growing up the three things that told me that Christmas time was here. Was the celebration of my sister’s birthday on December 17th, getting out of school on whatever date it may happen to be and watching the animated special “A Charlie Brown Christmas” on television.
Throughout the special Charlie Brown expresses his inability to get into the “Christmas Spirit” he is depressed because despite all the trappings he really does not understand what Christmas is all about.
In the dramatic conclusion of the special Charlie Brown ask the question “Does anyone knows what Christmas is all about?”
Charlie Brown’s best friend Linus van Pelt answers by sighting Luke 2:8-14. These verses tell the story of Jesus birth. Three times one is used in these verses that tells us and Charlie Brown what Christmas is all about. That word is “You.” Listen to the references to You.
In verse 10 the Angel says –“I bring You good tidings of great joy, In verse 11 we are reminded that For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord and in verse 12 we are told this shall be a sign to you that will find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
The reason for the season it not the tree, the parties, the presents or even the Eggnog. Believe or not Jesus in not the reason for season. The reason for the season is you, the tidings of great joy are for you, the savior born in the city of David is for you. Jesus was born, Jesus lived, Jesus died, was risen from the dead and will come again all for one reason for you. For God so loved that world that he gave us Jesus so that you if believed in him you would have everlasting life.
What is what Christmas is all about?
God intended Christmas to be about you.
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Thanks to the vaccines many of the traditions of Christmas have returned. The hectic days, the gifts, the parties and yes depression and the blues. What has also returned is in a season where Jesus is the reason we drift away from Jesus because we are all caught up in doing the season instead of the reason.
Three quick ways to stay close to Jesus in this season where He is the reason.
1. Start Your Day With Scripture and Prayer – Making Jesus first in your day will keep him first in your life.
2. Make Time to Serve - Often the season is about us and our needs, Jesus was all about helping others. Stay close to Jesus by lending a hand to folks in need.
3. Know How To Say No
Saying yes to everything this time of year won’t do anything except exhaust and deplete you, keeping you far away from Jesus.
May the Blessings, Peace and Love of Jesus be with you this season and for many seasons to come.
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“Blessed Are Those Who Mourn, for They Will be Comforted” This is Jesus’ recognition in Matthew 5:4 that our spirit are actually lifted when we mourn which is our emotional response to sorrow.
For most of his life Billy Collins lived out this beatitude by simply being with the people of Gray and Jones County at their most tender time, the days after the death of a loved one. Following in the footsteps of his parents Billy gave blessings to those who morn as part of the family business Collins Funeral Home.
Billy’s blessings expanded beyond morning. He was a talented sinner whose voice uplifted the everyone at the Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church where he was a lifelong member. He was an excellent cook whose dishes were enjoyed by many in our community. He was a great friend and the life of any party he graced. But above all Billy was a devoted man of faith giving his life to his family especially being a caretaker to his mother the legendary Marie Collins who lived beyond the age of 100 in part because of Billy’s great care.
“Blessed Are Those Who Mourn, for They Will be Comforted” today those who knew, loved, and were touched by the kindness, talents and professionalism of Billy Collins come to give comfort to his sister Janet and to his family as we honor Billy, a man who gave a lifetime of blessing those who morn.
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The other day a friend posted the scary account of her getting a flat tire. She got the tire changed but had to drive home on the small tire, during the drive she used the emergency flasher on her car to be seen.
God does not need an emergency flasher to see you.
God sees the woman experiencing homeless
God sees the man living a life of loneness now that his wife has died
God sees the family that has it all but is living a life misery
And God saw Mary, a young teenager who He called to birth the savor of the world.
Whatever is going on or not going on in your life God sees you and is there not only to see you but to help you get home safely just like my friend who was driving with that small tire.
God sees you
God sees you
God sees you
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Charles E. Richardson and Marben Bland discuss the news of the day including the Georgia Runoff, The Mid Term Election and Coach Prime moving on up.
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John The Baptist important to the coming of Jesus
Because sometimes you need a divine disruption before the divine disruption.
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Praying For Herschel
Writing about Herschel Walker in The Atlantic Magazine Caroline Randall Williams the writer in residence at Vanderbilt University, relays a critical scene from Friday Night Lights. The 2004 movie that follows the story of a Texas football team making a run toward a state championship.
The scene takes place at a country club dinner where a team booster demands that the coach plays the team’s star running back on both offense and defense. The concerned coach replied “I don’t want to get him hurt. We need him to score touchdowns.” The booster shot back “that big nigger ain’t gonna break if you want to win a state championship you play him on defense and offense.
Today, Herschel Walker the Heisman Trophy winning running back from the University of Georgia is a broken man. In a campaign he was recruited for by another broken man Walker’s lack of competence, capability, and character was exposed.
Also exposed was what the political elite of the Republican party think about and how they value people of color.
As black people we are still tied to each other and while Herschel Walker’s politics are not aligned with many in our community, he is still black. His candidacy was an embarrassment.
As black people we were offended that the Republican party would think so little of us that they would promote, nominate, and vote for a candidate whose competence, capability, and character was so far off the mark of what they have claimed to be their own values.
This is a trespass. A trespass against the hard work, the dedication, and the devotion that people of color have always had and has always will have for America.
This is a trespass. A trespass against the goodness of people of color who were insulted that they would use a flawed man like Herschel Walker to trick their own people to think that if they voted for a black man, they were not racist.
This is a trespass. A trespass against democracy because despite the victory of Raphael Warnock voter suppression is still alive and well in Georgia as our arcane runoff system and elections laws demonstrate.
This is a trespass. A trespass against Herschel Walker, because today the folks who used him to leave his Texas home to run for the Senate have no use for their running back now.
In telling us how to pray Jesus in Matthew 6:14-15 says if you forgive people their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you;but if you do not forgive people their trespasses neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
So today, as many celebrate Reverend Senator Warnock I am going to pray. I am going to pray for my trespasses.
I am going to pray for the trespasses of the Republican party. And I am going to pray for Herschel Walker the football player who played on a field he had no business playing on. And as a result, in the eyes of many is simply a nigger who has been broken.
I am praying for Herschel.
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Counting primaries, general elections, and runoffs Reverend Senator Raphael Warnock has faced the voters of Georgia five times each time winning the most votes.
Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock and are the first Democrats elected to the U.S. Senate from Georgia since Zell Miller in 2000.
Warnock is the first African American to represent Georgia in the Senate, the first Black Democratic U.S. senator elected in the South, since reconstruction and the first Black Democrat to be elected to the Senate by a former state of the Confederacy.
1st Corinthians 9:24 reminds us that in a race all runners run, but only one gets the prize. On Tuesday Raphael Warnock will complete in the last lap of his latest race. Running against a walker that was at one time a great runner.
1st Corinthians 9:24 further reminds us that we are to run in such a way as to get the prize. Reverend Warnock has run not only to gain the prize he has run in such a way that his superior competence, capability, and character are on full display versus that walker that used to be a runner.
Tuesday’s runoff election day voting will be the last lap in the race for us as well. If we are to win the prize, we must vote. If you have voted early thank you. If have not well Tuesday is your last opportunity to finish the last lap. Remember 1st Corinthians 9:24 reminds us that in a race all runners run, in a race all runners compete, but in the race only one runner gets the prize. On Tuesday, let’s race, On Tuesday let’s run, On Tuesday let’s win the prize.
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The book of Joshua tells the story of the Israelites who, under God’s divine disruptions and Joshua’s guidance finally cross the Jordan River. Taking control of the land of Canaan.
Let’s be clear the land is God’s gift, promised to the ancestors in the stories of Genesis, and secured by conquest under God’s military leadership.
In generations to come, God’s gift Israel’s possession of its land would be endangered by outside attack or foreign domination. Regardless of who may occupy the land because of Israel’s blunders, Canaan, remains God’s gift to His chosen people.
But the people have little regard for the God who had given them the gift of the land and more importantly the gift of prosperity and of life. For God brought them out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage only to be disobeyed and replaced idol Gods.
On God’s orders Joshua gathered the tribes of Israel. He reminded them of all the things the Lord had done for them. The battles God won for them, the crops God provided, and the richness of the land that God had given them.
Joshua then put the burden of faith squarely on the Israelites saying if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, the idols that you must provide gifts to or the God who have constantly given gifts to you. Joshua closed saying as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
In this season of gifts, where we are presented with so many gifts to choose from the question is which gift will we choose? Let’s be certain we chose the gift of the Lord. The only gift worthy of receiving.
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Sometimes I wonder where I've been,
Who I am,
Do I fit in.
Make believein' is hard alone,
Out here on my own.
As a confused college student in 1980 these lyrics to the song “Out Here On My Own” written by the sibling songwriting duo Lesley Gore (lyricist) and Michael Gore (composer) and performed by Irene Cara spoke to me as I was trying to find my place in this world.
This week, we learned of the death of Irene Cara at age 63 of the talented singer who performed the electric title tracks in two aspirational self-expression movies of the 1980s, “Flashdance” and “Fame,”
Speaking of death, the Japanese writer Haruki Murakami said is Death is not the opposite of life, but a part of it.” This confused college student who has now found his place in this world as a pastor agrees with that statement. However, when death comes to an iconic figure of your youth who was junior to you in age with so much more to give, I must wonder why God why?
In that wondering that I have come to know that it is OK to question death. When death occurs to a loved one, a famous person or a stranger we will have many emotions. We can be angry but respectful, we can feel the pain, we can experience the lost, and we can be disappointed. However, what we should not do is to hide our feelings but rather we should express them to a friends, to family to a therapist and to God.
It may take years if ever to figure things out but know this we are not alone.
The Lord has promised that “I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born,” Isaiah 66:9 NCV.
The song “Out Here On My Own counties with these words:
When I'm down and feelin' blue,
I close my eyes so I can be with you.
Oh, baby be strong for me;
Baby belong to me.
Help me through.
Help me need you.
All of us who have been touched by the talent of Irene Cara should know that while we maybe filling blue we are not alone. We do fit in because God is with us. We do fit in because God will never leave us. We do fit in because even in death we will not be “Out Here On My Own”
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A disruption is defined as something which interrupt an event, an activity, or a process.
The birth of Jesus is the biggest blessing and the biggest divine disruption the world has ever known.
Jesus the divine Son of God became human, born in the humblest conditions a manager because there was no room at the inn. Teaching God’s New Covenant to a skeptical population and to even more skeptical disciples. Dealing with the Pharisees and teachers of religious law who were so fearful of the Gospel that they conspired to have him killed.
Jesus did all this while traveling the land performing miracles, bringing sight to the blind, healing the sick, raising the dead and being raised himself from the dead.
In a sermon from Luke 1: 8-15, 18-20 Pastor Marben Bland, discusses the divine disruption that is Jesus and how we should deal with the divine disruptions in our lives.
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Psalm 107:1 says to Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.
Thanksgiving Day offers us the opportunity to focus our thoughts on God’s amazing grace that has been extended to ourselves, our families, our communities, and our church, The Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Athens, Georgia.
Today many of us will gather around tables with families, friends, and new acquaintances for a meal. A feast where the food will be plentiful. A feast the conversation will be jolly. A feast where the astrosphere will be of fun, hope and joy. A feast where memories will be made, and traditions will be kept.
Jesus likens our salvation to being brought to a great feast. He has told us to taste and see that the Lord is good.
Salvation with Jesus brings us into a rich experience of joy and delight in the Lord. In our salvation Jesus wants us to move beyond knowing things about God theoretically.
Jesus wants us to taste the sweetness of God’s character, so that we know that we know that God is merciful, that God sees us, that God knows us, and that God wants us to depend on that Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot cure.
The table is set the feast is ready.
So, as we pause for a time of thanksgiving let us not forget our faith.
As we pause for a time of family and friends let us not forget our faith.
As we pause to pass the cranberry souse, get some corn bread, or another slice of turkey let us not forget our faith.
Let us not forget our faith as we to shop until we drop, travel over the river through and the woods on crowded highways, cramped planes, packed buses, and trains.
Let us not forget our faith, when that guest at the table gets on our last nerve.
Let us not forget our faith when the holiday season stresses us out with too many parties, too many gifts to give and too many memories of loved ones that we have lost.
Let us not forget our faith.
Let us not forget our faith.
Let us not forget our faith
Because without faith, there is no salvation, there is no feast there is no Thanksgiving.
Pray with me please: Father, on This Thanksgiving Day We give You thanks and praise for all You've done, especially for the gift of Jesus, Your Son, that has brought us salvation. Today as we gather, we are grateful for the beauty in nature, we are grateful for your glories seen and unseen, we are grateful for joy and health, friends, and family. But we are most grateful for faith in you Father as we praise you on this Thanksgiving Day we are mindful that there is no thanksgiving without faith in you.
It is in your son Jesus name that I pray let us all say Amen.
Have a safe, happy and faithful Thanksgiving
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According to data compiled by the Gun Violence Archive and reported by the Washington Post there have been more than 600 mass shootings so far in 2022.
With a month to go in the year the question is will 2022 top the 2021 record of 700 mass shootings?
A mass shooting is defined where four or more people, not including the shooter, are injured, or killed.
The data shows we have averaged more than one per day so far this year. Not a single week in 2022 has passed without at least four mass shootings.
This is at least the fifth time I have written, blogged, or podcasted about mass shootings in the last four years. I had decided not to speak out this time thinking what difference it will make. The NRA will still lobby, the Congress will not act, and the shooters will keep on shooting. But them God reminded me of the Parable Of The Persistent Widow.
The widow in this parable functions as a model for discipleship with respect to persistent prayer. She goes before the unjust judge with her petition over and over, not taking no for an answer. She was resilient and she was faithful to what she believed in. She was persistent in her pursuit of justice.
For those of us seeking justice in the form of common-sense gun laws, including background checks, closing the gun loop holes and banding assault weapons, we must be like the widow, diligent in our cause, steadfast in our faith and in persistent prayer.
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During our seven-week Bible Study at Greater Bethel, we have been looking at the parables of Luke 15, with special emphasis on the Parable of the two lost sons, known most widely as the Parable Of The Prodigal Son. In the final sermon of the series Pastor Marben Bland, set the Thanksgiving table by proposing the critical question asked in the parable: “Will he eat with us?”
For seven weeks from early October to mid-November of 2022, we studied the parables of Jesus from Luke 15.
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Tasha Champion is a wife and mother who understands the power of prayer. She wants children to know that God answers prayer regardless of the situation. Tasha carries out that mission in her new children’s book “ Help Jay I’m Scared Of The Dark!”
Author Tasha Champion joins the Podcast to talk about her book and what her character a child angel named Jay will be up to next.
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On December 6, Georgians will complete the voting season to elect our next United States Senator.
I call it a voting season because early voting starts on November 28 and in some counties it will start earlier.
Under Georgia election law, runoff elections are heled when no candidate secured at least 50% of the vote. That is why we are voting again on December 6th
“Be Alert And Of Sober Mind” is the advice given by Peter to the early church.
This advice is timely today as we enter this voting season. For you see, I believe the runoff between Hershel Walker and Raphael Warnock is about three things competence, capability, and character.
Being of an alert and of sober mind when evaluating the senate candidates. The choice is clear.
Reverend Warnock has the superior competence, Reverend Warnock has the superior capability and Reverend Warnock has the superior character to represent Georgia as our voice in the United States Senate.
Being of alert and sober mind I bring to you my choice for U.S. Senate with the clear understand that is up to you to be alert and sober in your judgement.
However, given the candidate chose we have before us I pray that you will make the same alert and sober judgement I did about competence, capability, and character, and will vote for Reverend Warnock.
Remember early voting starts on November 28th.
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In Luke chapter 15 the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complained that Jesus was associating with tax collectors and other notorious sinners, even eating with them.
In judging Jesus’s behavior, the Pharisees committed the same mistake we often make, that is trying to put Jesus in a conventional box. A box that we have tailored to the way we have come to believe by custom, tradition and bad teaching of the way Jesus should be.
Jesus in the parables of Luke 15 reveals that God seeks out the lost like the people Jesus ate with. Withholding nothing to bring the lost back rejoicing when the lost are found and is willing to pay the price necessary for the forgiveness of the lost.
In the parables Jesus also exposes the devout church goer like the Pharisees as hypercritic sinners. Showing the motivation of these pious living people in following every law, rule, and decree of the faith is to look down and put down the obvious sinner. Jesus displays the true reason for the Pharisees show of religious zeal is an ill-fated attempt to put God in a position of owing them because of their so-called choice of righteous living.
The conventional mistake of making the unconventional Jesus conventional continues today as we turn our backs on the least, the lost and the marginalized.
The conventional mistake of making the unconventional Jesus conventional continues today with demands that God’s church keep on during traditions, customs and rituals that turn the lost off and have nothing to do with the faith.
The conventional mistake of making the unconventional Jesus conventional continues today as church leaders have embraced political leaders who lack the competence, capability, or character to be the true servant leader that all our people need.
God gave us Jesus to taking us away from the conventional thinking that has led us to a life of misery and sin. As we approach Thanksgiving Jesus wants to eat with us. He is serving up an unconventional feast of joy and salvation, so let us all go eat and enjoy.
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Black Americans are disproportionately affected by dementia. Older black Americans are twice as likely as older whites to have Alzheimer's or another dementia. Among Black Americans ages 70 and older, 21.3% are living with Alzheimer's or another dementia.
Alzheimer's and Dementia strips away the cognitive functioning of thinking, remembering, and reasoning. It interferes with daily life activities rendering people unable to control their emotions, making many incapables of remembering their own names.
As the AME Church brings attention to Alzheimer's and Dementia, Pastor Marben Bland, uses the words of Psalm 139 for us to remember that regardless of the conditions “He Knows My Name.”
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If trends continue the election will not turn out the way I had hoped for, worked for, and prayed for. As Christians in times of victory and times of loss, we turn to the Lord seeking guidance for how we should live with the results that have been given to us.
The Prophet Jeremiah is God’s messenger to the exiled Israelites in Babylon. For the exiles, Jeremiah is like the prophet Moses a person who they would hear and obeyed.
Speaking for the Lord this is what Jeremiah told the exiles: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Today, if you feel as I do an “exile” in a foreign land, because of the election results, know this God has not forsaken us. God has not forsaken us because despite the apparent Republican victory in the House, a Black man was elected Governor in Maryland. God has not forsaken us because despite the red wave in Florida election deniers nationwide did not gain the power they expected. God has not forsaken us because Raphael Warnock still has a fighting chance to retain his Senate seat.
Meanwhile, we need to take our commands from God through Jeremiah and know that we have a prosperous future ahead regardless of the election results. God has not forsaken us.
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The Word of the Lord reminds us “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God”.
A shooting at a congressional baseball practice, the storming of the capital, an attempted murder plot against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, the attack on Paul Pelosi. All infused in an atmosphere of election deniers and conspiracy theorist reminds us that in politics peacemakers are difficult to come by.
Today, we vote, and the will of the people will be known. But what about the peacemakers? Will candidates who lose cry foul, without evidence to show that the election was stolen?
But what about the peacemakers? Will political operatives, cable news talking heads and desperate candidate whip up some of our fellow citizens to violence?
But what about the peacemakers? Will evangelical leaders refused to denounce speech and actions that are truly ungodly without any regard to doing what Jesus would do?
As many peacemakers that are missing in action there are peacemakers. The peacemakers are the campaign volunteers who made phone calls, knocked on doors and stuffed envelopes. The peacemakers are the candidates who ran for the school board, the water board, and the city council not for political glory but rather to be of service. And the peacemakers are the poll workers, who checked you in, who worked the machines, who gave you a sticker and who counted the votes. They did so with no political agenda or expectation other than to see democracy alive and well in the land of free and the home of the brave.
So, on this election day “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God”.
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Chapter 5 Summary: With both the elder and younger brothers, the father takes the initiative and extends to them his love. God is not a Pharisee to the younger brother, but he is also not a Pharisee to the Pharisees. He loves the wild sinner and the religious sinner. Pharisees may repent (with great remorse, guilt, and anguish) but they remain elder brothers because their repentance is just part of their attempt to save themselves through religious works. They may be upset by their sins, but they are still proud of their good works. It is not just our sins we need to confess — we also need to repent of the good things we have done as part of our plan to save ourselves.
“The Parable of the Two Brothers” is the last of three parables that Jesus told on that occasion which showed something being lost and then found. In the first two, someone goes and finds the lost objects (a sheep and a coin). In the third, nobody goes to look for the younger brother. But, like Cain and Abel, the elder brother was his brother’s keeper. He should have been willing to sacrifice to save his younger brother. In fact, when his younger brother is restored to the family, it means that he again is put in place to receive an inheritance when his father dies. This means that there is a cost for the younger brother’s forgiveness, but the cost falls on the older brother. In the parable the older brother hated this thought — his response makes us long for a better older brother. The gospel tells us that we have a perfect elder brother who was willing to pay the ultimate cost in order for us to be forgiven and restored. The only thing that can change our hearts is seeing what Jesus has done for us.
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Chapter Summary: Both brothers begin in a state of being lost. The elder brother shows his lostness by getting angry when things do not go the way he wants. People like this tend to blame God if they think they have been good enough, and they tend to blame themselves if they think they have fallen short. They either hate God or hate themselves when their life doesn’t turn out the way they want. Since life never works out perfectly, elder brothers are eaten up with anger. They also use their works-righteousness to feel superior to others. They compare themselves with others and are especially hostile to those who do not have the exact religious views that they hold. This sense of merited superiority makes the heart hard and produces an unforgiving and harsh spirit. Since the elder brother’s worth is based on rule keeping, he is joyless and fearful. Everyone is called to obedience and duty, but for
the elder brother it is only duty — in fact, he tells his father that he has “slaved away” for him. This “slavery” was not in the service of love.
At the heart of the matter, elder brothers are serving themselves. They are trying to earn blessings and rewards (if they are religious) or they are trying to earn a good reputation (with others or just in their own eyes). Even charitable acts can be generated by self-centeredness: we can give money to the poor because we are trying to buy moral capital for ourselves. An elder brother is never sure that the father loves them: they never know if they have done enough to measure up. Many elder brothers do not pray at all unless things are going badly in their lives. Their prayers are goal- oriented: they want God to accomplish their goals more than they want a healthy, joyful relationship with him. Many people in our society have rejected the church because it is full of elder brothers. It is important that they see that Jesus speaks against the elder brother and condemns moralistic self-righteousness. The attitude of elder brothers in the church can drive some people into the open rebellion of a younger brother. Even after conversion we can have relapses and gravitate towards the peculiar vices of the elder or younger brother.
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The Reverend Rose Johnson Mackey has been on the front lines of the fight for voting rights. The pastor of The Saint Paul AME Church in Sandersville, Georgia joins The Podcast days before the midterm elections to talk about the effort to get out the vote
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According to the World Health Organization, as of 2022, over 700,000 people take their own life every year. There are likely twenty times that many people who seriously consider it.
But Black people don’t commit suicide, that is what white folks do! Nothing can be further from the truth. According to CDC suicide is more common among black males aged 25- 29, and among black females 15-19, than it is among whites in the same age brackets. The suicide rate for blacks aged 15-34 is now higher than it has been in more than fifty years.
Yes, black do people commit suicide: Rob Pilatus von of the group “Milli Vaniili”, was found dead at 33 from an alcohol and prescription overdose. Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher killed his girlfriend before going to Arrowhead Stadium and fatally shooting himself as team personnel tried to stop him. Singer Phyllis Hyman took her own life by overdosing on medication, and legendary Soul Train creator and host Don Cornelius took his life due to his difficulty with Alzheimer’s disease. Yes, black people do commit suicide.
What does the Bible have to say about suicide, taking our own life must be the unforgivable sin? Suicides take place in the Bible the mortally wounded King Saul fell upon his own sword lest the Philistines abuse him further (1 Samuel 31:4). Judas is the only clear example of suicide in the New Testament (Matthew 27:3–10). Some consider Jesus’ death to have been a kind of suicide since he made clear: “No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord” (John 10:18). As the divine Son of God, he could only have been killed, by any means, with his permission. God is the judger of sin and when someone takes their own life it is our role not to judge but to be present and a comfort for the loved ones who survive.
Today, we are called by God to be part of the ark not the flood. We are called to be people who are not in the flood of negativity, disbelief and uncaring about the issue of suicide. We are called to know the facts, debunk the untruths, and to all we can to get folks the help they need so that suicide can be prevented.
Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
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Greater Bethel - Athens 130th Anniversary Sermon from The Reverend, Doctor Toni Belin Ingram, Presiding Elder Augusta North District
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Timothy Keller, author of The Prodigal God says most of us define sin as breaking a list of rules. Jesus shows us that a man who keeps the moral codes can be just as spiritually lost as the most vile and immoral person because sin is not just breaking the rules but putting yourself in the place of God as Savior, Lord, and Judge.
Join The Reverends Janice Casey and Marben Bland for a discussion of sin and how Jesus redefines in a discussion of chapter 3 of The Prodigal God.
Use this link to download the Bible Study and to listen to the discussion from Janice and Marben.
https://marbenbland.com/the-prodigal-god
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The late Congressman John Lewis said it best: “The right to vote is precious, almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool or instrument in a democratic society. We must use it.
This is the season for us the use the vote! Early voting in Georgia has started and will end on November 4th.
If you ever think that just one vote in a sea of millions cannot make much of a difference, consider some of the closest elections in U.S. history.
In 2000, Al Gore narrowly lost the Electoral College vote to George W. Bush. The election came down to a recount in Florida, where Bush had won the popular vote by such a small margin that it triggered an automatic recount and a Supreme Court case (Bush v. Gore). In the end, Bush won Florida by 537 votes. Had 600 more pro-Gore voters gone to the polls in Florida that November, there may have been an entirely different president from 2000–2008.
More recently, Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in 2016 by securing a close Electoral College win. Although the election did not come down to a handful of votes in one state, Trump’s votes in the Electoral College decided a tight race. Clinton had won the national popular vote by nearly three million votes, but the concentration of Trump voters in key districts in “swing” states like Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan helped seal enough electoral votes to win the presidency.
Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church supports the right to vote. We have created a voter guide and other materials designed to assist you in the voting process. You can find the guide on my website marbenband.com.
Let us make real the mission that Congressman Lewis and so many others dedicated their lives. It is time for us to vote.
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Prostate Cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in America. In the United States, 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime.
Today we will talk about Prostate Cancer, its symptoms, screening recommendations with psychiatrist and prostate cancer educator Dr. James A. Smith, III.
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In a sermon recorded at Greater Bethel, African Methodist Episcopal Church in Athens, Georgia, Pastor Marben Bland teachers about the three types of people following Jesus and how He tells them about the true nature of God in The Parable of The Lost Coin. (Luke 15:1-3, 8-10)
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Timothy Keller the author of the Prodigal God says that Jesus’s parable about the Prodigal Son might best be named the Parable of the Two Lost Sons. It is a drama in two acts, with Act 1 entitled “The Lost Younger Brother” and Act 2 “The Lost Elder Brother.” Janice Casey and Marben Bland discuss. Download the Bible Study https://marbenbland.com/the-prodigal-god
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Jesus in The Parable of The Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10) equates the joy of the woman who finds a coin that was lost with the joy realized by the angels of God over a sinner who repents.
We can be certain the joy of the woman had nothing to do with the 1st Timothy 6:10 admonishment that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.
However, it the lack of money, specifically the white-black wealth gap that has been the source of all kinds of evil.
Data from the independent, nonpartisan Center for American Progress indicates that the median wealth of Black households in the was $24,100, compared with $189,100 for white households.
The persistent Black-white wealth gap is the result of a discriminatory economic system that keeps Black households from achieving the American dream.4 This system has always made it difficult for Black households to acquire and keep capital, and this lack of capital has created a persistently large racial wealth disparity, as African Americans have had less wealth to pass on to the next generation than white households.
But a lack of capital does not mean a lack of faith. With faith there is hope for economic justice, with faith there is hope for the ending of predator lending prices, the elimination of student loan debt and equity in employment, housing, along with access to the ballot.
When she found the coin the woman in the parable calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ The lost coil of economic justice has eluded Black people since we arrived on these shores in 1619.
Nonetheless, there is joy in our economic odyssey for in our disparity we have found favor with the Lord. God has given Black people the grit, the resourcefulness, and the ability to make a way out of no way even when white people enjoy the systematic privilege that centuries of a system tilted to their advantage has given them.
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In a sermon delivered on October 9, 2022 Pastor Marben discusses the power of God's love especially for the lost as told to us by Jesus in the Parable Of The Lost Sheep.
Sermon Highlights:
Jesus knew the value of one lamb, that is why when the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
He told them a parable about a lamb. As you know Jesus often spoke in parables and what is a parable? It is a simple story convey a moral principle:
Jesus told parables in all four gospels: Matthew, Luke, John, Mark.
Let’s examine 3 moral principles conveyed by Jesus in the parable of the Lost Sheep:
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All Sheep Have Value, and God knows
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The entire flock is impacted when a sheep is lost.
The Sheppard makes the decision to leave his flock to search for the lost lamb. Some may argue with justification that one lost lamb is not worth endangering the flock.
However, God’s justification is that one lost sheep is worth the search, for a lost lamb impacts the flock. Think of the cost to the flock when a young man is lost to a life of drugs. Think of the cost to flock when a girl is lost to sex trafficking. Think of the cost to flock when an older person is not given the respect, attention and care they need because they are viewed as a burden instead of being a valued person.
We can be lost in and out of the flock:
Jesus is speaking to Pharisees and the teachers
- God will do everything possible to get his lost sheep back.
For More Great Content Go To Marben Bland.com
Lost In Plain Sight
You are six years old at the mall with your mother and three other siblings, the sights the sounds, the smells are wonderful. In the happiness of wonderment, you somehow get lost. The wonderment turns into fear, the happiness has become sadness for you are lost in plain sight.
For the mother a nightmare that has come true, her child is defenseless, scared, alone and lost. Regardless of the cost, time, and effort you must find her before she is no longer lost in plain sight. However, you have three other defenseless children to care for, what will happen to them as you search for your daughter.
In the parable of the Lost Sheep Luke 15:3-7 Jesus tells the story of a Sheppard who has lost a sheep. Like the mother the Sheppard has other defenseless children to care for in the form of 99 other lambs.
The Sheppard makes the decision to leave his flock to search for the lost lamb. Some may argue with justification that one lost lamb is not worth endangering the flock.
However, God’s justification is that one lost sheep is worth the search, for a lost lamb impacts the flock. Think of the cost to the flock when a young man is lost to a life of drugs. Think of the cost to flock when a girl is lost to sex trafficking. Think of the cost to flock when an older person is not given the respect, attention and care they need because they are viewed as a burden instead of being human.
The Sheppard found his lamb and the mother found her child, both rejoiced because their flocks were whole again.
Because God has called on each of us to search for and find the lost, especially when they are hidden in plain sight.
Join Janice Rhodes Casey and Marben Bland for a discussion of the introduction and chapter one of The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller. Go to https://marbenbland.com/the-prodigal-god to download the Bible Study and to discover how join us for the weekly live discussion.
A foodie is a person who loves and has a refined interest in food. Foodies eats food not only out of hunger but also as a hobby. Jesus is a foodie because he uses meals to engage people teaching important lessons at the table.
In Jesus’ time the promise land that God had given the Jews had been taken over by the Romans. The Romans commissioned Jews to be tax collectors, and these Jews took advantage of the people collecting the taxes due plus a surcharge to line their own pockets.
Jewish tax collections were considered outsiders and just as much as an enemy as the Roman occupiers. So, for Jesus who claimed to be the Son of God to have a meal with a tax collector would be like Volodymyr Zelenskyy the President of Ukraine having a Big Mac with Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia.
But you know what the foodie Jesus did?... He had a meal with a tax collector named Levi. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law complained saying “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” The response of Jesus the foodie was I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Join us tomorrow at Greater Bethel as we examine more stories of Jesus with food in a teaching from Luke 15:1-3 entitled “He Eats With Sinners.”
Worship in person with us at 140 Rose Street in Athens or our YouTube Channel or Facebook page. The early sermon is available on our social media platforms at 10:00 PM ET tonight and again at 7:00 AM ET and 9:00 AM ET on Sunday. Don’t forget our youth gathering with food, fun and faith will be held in person right after church.
So, until tomorrow, blessings, peace, and love.
Serving 69 million customers in 100 countries daily, McDonald’s is the world’s largest restaurant chain. Although the golden arches sign out front says billions served, MickeyD’s does not serve everyone. Come in shirtless you are rejected not served; no shoes rejected not served. If you come in without money for Ronald? You guested it rejected not served.
The Pharisees were a Jewish social movement and a school of thought based on legal traditions not ascribed to the Bible but to “the traditions of the fathers.” The standards of the Pharisees were the dominate the religious dogma at the time of Jesus.
That dogma believed sinners like Tax Collectors were unworthy of any association with religious leaders.
That dogma believed sinners like Tax Collectors were disqualified from worship and forgiveness from religious leaders.
That dogma believed sinners like Tax Collectors were prohibited from eating with religious leaders.
Rejected not served.
Jesus does not subscribe to the Pharisees’ dogma.
Jesus a religious leader welcomes association with Tax Collectors and other sinners.
Jesus a religious leader worshiped with and forgave the sins of people like Tax Collectors.
Jesus a religious leader eats with sinners like Tax Collectors
Rejected not served is the dogma of the Pharisees.
Accepted, forgiven, loved, and served at the table
That is the dogma of hope.
That is the dogma of possibilities
That is dogma of Jesus where everyone is welcomed, where no one is rejected and
where even McDonald’s cannot serve as many.
In a sermon delivered on Sunday, September 24, 2022, at Greater Bethel AME in Athens, Georgia Pastor Marben Bland teachers about the priceless
mentoring advice given in First Timothy chapter 6 verses 11-15. The advice sands the test of time. The advice is good for us to know. And the advice is good for us to use for we all need mentorship in this Christian journey.
Laurens county is in central Georgia about a two-hour drive from Atlanta. The County has two high schools, East Laurens and West Laurens high schools both have been in the news lately.
On Tuesday an East Laurens High School student was killed and three injured in a car crash. Last Friday, five West Laurens County High School students were pictured spelling out the N word on t-shirts at a football game.
2 Timothy 2:22-25 calls our us to flee from youthful passions but rather pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. This is sound teaching from a divine source however, the question is how can our youth discern what are youthful passions?
How can a young driver be taught to be more careful while driving? How can young white boys know the offensives of the N word?
As incredible as it may appear the answer is “we must tell them.” That is what the author of 2nd Timothy 2:22-25 is telling us.
In the Laurens County School District code of conduct, there isn't any guidance regarding racial slurs. Was their guidance in the home? Was their guidance in the church? Was their guidance anywhere?
The 2nd Timothy 2:22-25 question before us today is are we telling them?
Are we telling the young people in our lives about history of our people and our families?
Are we telling the young people in our lives about the evilness of the “N Word?”
Are we telling the young people in our lives about Jesus?
Join us tomorrow at Greater Bethel as we look at more wisdom from 2nd Timothy in a teaching entitled fighting the good fight of faith. Worship with us in person at 140 Rose Street in Athens. Worship with us online on Facebook and YouTube and watch our early sermon at 10:00 PM tonight and 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM on Sunday. So until tomorrow – Blessings, Peace and Love.
It’s mid-September and students in most of the country are back in school.
And while going back-to-school and being in school is a wonderful experience for many, it can be a stressful time, for parents and students.
Licensed Professional Counselor Dr. Omi Dobbins joins Dr. Veita Bland, MD for a wide-ranging conversation about dealing with the stresses of being in school.
In the new movie the Woman King, Academy Award Winner Viola Davis plays the leader of a group of all female warriors charged with defending her tribe. Based on a true story these warriors fight with skills and fierceness unlike anything the world has ever seen.
Davis’s character trains the next generation of recruits to fight “the good fight of faith” against a threat from foreign slave traders’ intent on destroying their way of life.
Acts 16:1-3 tells how Paul meets Timothy he is impressed by the young man making him part of his traveling team. Together, they teach the Gospel telling the life changing way of Jesus to Jews and Gentiles.
In 1st Timothy 6:12, Paul nearing the end of his life and ministry emphasizes the eternal rewards that awaited Timothy if he continued to “fight the good fight of faith.”
The threat to our salvation is as real as the threat posed by the slave traders.
Fighting the good fight of faith is a call to action to do more than simply rest on our hid parts because we are a “Christian”. Fighting the good fight of faith means we actively work our faith; we actively defend our faith and we actively be our faith.
This week funeral services for the Queen were heled. As the world reflects on her life of service, I hope and pray that when our time comes the God that we service will be pleased that we fought the good fight of faith.
Today’s Devotional….The Lord Is My Shepherd
“The Lord Is My shepherd;” that one phase from the 23rd Psalm answers the question posed by all of us at one time or another of Who God Is?
God is a shepherd, who will not fly His migrant children out of his state to score political point. God is a shepherd who would use the surplus in his state’s budget to pay teachers, police officers and firefighters a living salary. God is a shepherd who expand Medicare instead of sticking his head in the sand as Atlanta the 39th largest city in the country in down to only one Trauma level one hospital.
God is a shepherd that we can depend on. Psalm 23 tells us with confidents that I will not lack, I will not fear and that I will dwell forever with the Lord.”
God is our shepherd that is who God is. Join us tomorrow at Greater Bethel as we study Psalm 23 in a teaching entitled “Who is God?”
Worship in person with us at 140 Rose Street in Athens or our YouTube Channel or Facebook page. The early sermon is available on our social media platforms at 7:00 PM ET and 10:00 PM ET on Saturday’s and again at 7:00 AM ET and 9:00 AM ET on Sunday’s. Don’t forget our youth gathering with food, fun and faith will be held in person right after church.
So, until tomorrow, blessings, peace, and love.
Located in central Georgia Hancock County, is one of the poorest areas in the state. The pronominally black county is rich in natural resources but lacks the industry to employ its citizens.
Demand for new road construction, housing and other projects has Hancock’s rock quarries as perhaps the only industry in the county that is in a growth mode.
The Sandersville Railroad a private company is planning to build several miles of new tracks connecting Hancock’s two existing rock quarries laying the groundwork for future expansion.
The proposed train will run through the Shoals Road community directly in the backyards of residents who own modest plots there but not the land that the Sandersville Railroad Company has acquired over the years in anticipation of this project.
Mark Smith is a farmer, retired teacher, and army veteran whose family owns 600 acres that the railroad would like to have. However, he is not selling, with his wife and others in the community they are fighting to keep the railroad out.
Today Mark Smith joins The Podcast to talk about his fight.
Join the fight go to No Railroad In our community site on Facebook
It’s A Matter Of Your Health
Season 3 Show #3
Title: September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Guest: Kirt Davis
Description: September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month —a time to raise awareness of this stigmatized, and often taboo, topic.
Our guest today is suicide survivor, veteran, and suicide prevention advocate Kirt Davis.
Kirt struggled with depression during his 8-year military career leading him to attempt suicide three times.
Today Kirt works with the United States Air Force, helping people who were just like him dealing with depression, substance abuse and thoughts of suicide.
Kirt Davis joins board certified physician and hypertension specialist Dr. Veita Bland, MD for an important discussion about the causes and signs of suicide and how to prevent it.
The Georgia Department of Revenue indicates that the state will once again run a surplus. Leaving it with a record level of cash on hand and a full “Rainy Day” savings account. After the Rainy-Day account is filled with funds as mandated. The law calls for the cash to go into a separate account of unobligated money to be used at the state government’s discretion.
According to U.S. News and World Report of the 50 states Georgia ranks 30th in health care, we rank 26th in education, and 29th in crime and corrections.
I know that money does not solve problems. However, with our rankings in the lower third of in these important categories it must be asked “Is There No Balm In Georgia?”
Is there no balm to pay teachers a living salary?
Is there no balm to pay our first responders more and train them better?
Is there no balm to take the Medicare expansion money to provide healthcare for our neighbors?
The expression “putting your money where your mouth is” is a great indicator of the priorities of the people charged with running our state. With these low rankings and our leaders desire to do nothing about them it must be true that there is no balm in Georgia.
A dysfunctional family is defined as one in which conflict, misbehavior and often child neglect or abuse happens regularly.
The Jacksons are perhaps the most famous of all dysfunctional celebrity families. Joe Jackson traumatized Michael as a child. A direct link to the problems the late superstar had as an adult.
In Genesis we meet Isaac and Rebekah, they have twin boys Esau and Jacob. Dysfunction happens in the womb as the children struggled with each other.
God tells Rebekah the younger one will be stronger, chosen by God to be the foundation of his chosen people. The older brother against Jewish law and custom will serve the younger brother.
This family clearly meet the classic definition of being dysfunction. So why is God using them?
Perhaps the dysfunction is not with the family but rather the Jewish law and custom. That stands in the way of the will of God.
The Jewish law and custom that fails to recognize that God sets the order and what may look dysfunction is simply God doing his thing.
When God told Isaac’s father Abram that he would be father of many nations he was 75 with a barren wife. However, he put his trust in the Lord, and God made him Abraham the father of many nations.
God made the dysfunction, functional when you trust him, he will do the same for you.
Black Americans are disproportionately affected by dementia. Older black Americans are twice as likely as older whites to have Alzheimer's or another dementia. Among Black Americans ages 70 and older, 21.3% are living with Alzheimer's or another dementia.
Alzheimer's and Dementia strips away the cognitive functioning of thinking, remembering, and reasoning. It interferes with daily life activities rendering people unable to control their emotions, making many incapables of remembering their own names.
But God knows our names our story and our lives. Psalm 139 says Lord you searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up you discern my thoughts from far away.
Tomorrow at Greater Bethel we will talk about how God knows us even when don’t know ourselves in a teaching from Psalm 139 entitled He knows My Name.
Worship with us in person at 11:00 AM. We are at 140 Rose Street in Athens. Join our stream by liking our Facebook page or subscribing to our YouTube channel. Where you can watch our early sermon streaming Saturday at 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM and again on Sunday at 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM.
So until then blessings, peace and love.
If you ended up having dementia, how would you like to be treated?” Is the question posed by John Swinton, the Scottish theologian and author of the book Dementia: Living in the Memories of God.
Swinton answers saying he hoped to be loved and cared for just for who I am, even if who I am is difficult for me and for others to recognize.
In the book Swinton says the question of “who I am” is complicated at the best of times it becomes more complicated when dementia strips our ability to remember “who I am”.
But God knows “who I am.” Psalm 139 is a prayer of thanksgiving celebrating that the Lord knows us. It says Lord you searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up you discern my thoughts from far away.
Dementia strips away the cognitive functioning of thinking, remembering, and reasoning. It interferes with daily life activities rendering people unable to control their emotions. It makes caregivers out of spouses, children, and family members, rendering them captive to the challenges that dementia creates.
The cruelty of dementia can make us wonder why God has forsaken us. Psalm 139: 19 says “In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, even when none of them as yet existed.” God is the writer of our lives, in his writing there were days of glory, days of despair, days of ordinary happenings and yes in the days of dementia days of forgetting “who I am.”
But God knows “who I am”.
Go to marbenbland.com to listen and share this devotion.
All That She Carried, written by Dr. Tiya Miles and published in June 2021, is a National Book Award winner and a New York Times bestseller and was named one of the best books of the year by the Washington Post, Time Magazine, NPR, and Publisher’s Weekly. Join us for a lively book club discussion.
On Wednesday President Biden announced a plan to wipe out significant amounts of student loan debt, saying he would cancel $10,000 in debt for those earning less than $125,000 per year and $20,000 for Pell grants recipients.
Many hailed the plan the fulfillment of a Biden campaign promise as a lifeline given by a grateful nation to help those in need.
But critics — including some members of Mr. Biden’s own party — said the move was deeply unfair.
The Republican National Committee released a statement slamming the program as “Biden’s bailout for the wealthy.”
Senator Ben Sasse, Republican of Nebraska, said the plan baptizes a broken system.
Across the United States, 45 million people owe $1.6 trillion for federal loans taken out for college — more than they owe on car loans, credit cards or any consumer debt other than mortgages.
More than eight million people one in five borrowers with a payment due — had defaulted on their loans before the coronavirus pandemic. Many of those people carried fairly small balances and will now be eligible for loan cancellation.
So, what exactly does the Bible really say about loan forgiveness? Versus being quoted around the internet includes. Those supporting the Biden plan quote Deuteronomy 15:1 outlining the practice of forgiving debts every seven years. “The wicked borrow, and do not pay back” Psalm 37:21 is being used by those who oppose the plan.
In moments like these when Biblical text seems to add to the confusion. I turn to the actions of Jesus for guidance.
In Luke 14: 7-23 Jesus is invited to dinner by a leader of the Pharisees. There he sees the lack of humility, hospitality, harmony among the guest. An appalling mixture of uncaring, selfness and greed, which he cannot bless.
Jesus calls us to compassion, covenant, loving-kindness. Jesus calls us to embrace our role as our brother’s and sister’s keeper. Jesus calls us as he taught us how to pray; “To give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
Debt forgiveness is Biblical, debt forgiveness is right Student loan debt forgiveness is what Jesus wants us to do.
Join us tomorrow at Greater Bethel, Athens as we explore more of what Jesus did in that dinner party in a teaching from 14: 7-23 entitled “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner.” Worship with us in person at 11:00 AM. We are at 140 Rose Street in Athens. Join our stream by liking our Facebook page or subscribing to our YouTube channel.
So, until tomorrow at 11:00 blessings, peace, and love.
In December 1967 the film “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner?” was released. Starring academy award winners Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, and Sidney Poitier the movie
tackled the subject of interactional marriage which was recently made legal by the Supreme Court in the Loving v. Virginia decision.
The movie centers around a dinner where the young interactional couple played by Poitier and actress Katharine Houghton have come to her wealthy parents’ home to announce their engagement and to seek their blessings.
Dinner is a central theme of a passage from Luke 14: 7-23. Jesus is invited to dinner by a leader of the Pharisees. There he sees the humility, hospitality, and the lack of harmony among the guest which he can not bless.
Jesus in Luke 14:7-23 is calling on us to be humble by allowing others to shine, Jesus is calling on us show hospitality by inviting those who are most needy to our dinner table instead of the rich. Jesus is inviting us to live in harmony utilizing our time, talents, and treasure to the benefit of all of God’s children.
The wealthy parents in “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner?” after a great deal of anguish gives their blessing. Invite Jesus to your dinner table and you will receive a blessing.
Dr. King said, True Peace Is Not Merely the Absence of Tension. It Is the Presence of Justice.
While we may not like it Jesus is telling us that the conflict, the tension the difficulty must happen. Click on this link to listen to Pastor Marben sermon from Luke 12:49 entailed “The Myth Of The Peace Of Jesus
You know a myth is a a widely held but false belief or idea. Myths abound in our lives; however, the question is do we believe them?
There is a myth about the Peace of Jesus. It’s easy to believe that Jesus is all about people coming together with no drama, no conflict, and no division, and that is the myth.
Jesus says in Luke 12:49 that
I’ve come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already ablaze! Then in verse 51 he asks the question 51Do you think that I came to bring peace on earth? Not at all, I tell you, but rather division!
The myth about the Peace of Jesus it that our savior knows and wants us to understand that to follow him means that drama, conflict, and division, will come to our lives --- and with it comes the true peace of Jesus.
Want to find out more? Join us tomorrow at Greater Bethel in Athens. Worship in person at 140 Rose Street or online we stream to Facebook at GBAAthens and by scribing to our YouTube page search Greater Bethel AME Athens.
So until tomorrow blessings peace and love.
I have a question for you this morning. How many of you believe that the church and for that matter the world should be a place of peace? And that unity should abound not only in church but in our families.
After all, don’t we worship and follow Jesus. Think of all the peaceful titles we give him the lamb of God, the Lilly of the valley, the prince of peace.
When we think of Jesus, we think of peace. Jesus in Luke 12:49-56 busts the long-established myth about him and peace establishing the true meaning of his mission on earth and redefining what peace is. Listen to what he says, 49 “I’ve come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already ablaze! 50 I have a baptism to be baptized with, and what stress I am under until it’s completed! 51 Do you think that I came to bring peace on earth? Not at all, I tell you, but rather division! 52 From now on, five people in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided father against son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
Dr. King said, True Peace Is Not Merely the Absence of Tension. It Is the Presence of Justice.
While we may not like it Jesus is telling us that the conflict, the tension the difficulty must happen. The Justice that the civil rights movement brought only came about because of the conflict, the tension, the difficulty of the actions on the Edmond Pettus Bridge, The March on Washington, and the strike by the trash men in Memphis.
Later in the passage Jesus offers a stinking assessment of our ability to interpret the time that we are in. Jesus says “When you see a cloud coming in from the west, you immediately say, ‘There’s going to be a storm,’ and that’s what happens. 55 When you see a south wind blowing, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and so it is. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, yet you don’t know how to interpret the present time?”
The interpretation of the present time by this humble slave of the Lord tells me it is time for Jesus.
It is time for Jesus because we have messed up and polluted the planet that God has given us dominion over.
It is time for Jesus because despite the marvels of medicine and the goodness of higher education we have priced both so high that folks go in lifelong debt trying to get well or educated.
It is time for Jesus because this week the Republican party again showed what it is and who it is made up of not only right wing raciest, nut jobs and anti-democracy folks, hell bent on defending the lies of a formal President whose lies and theft of classified documents has endangered national security but those people except for Liz Chaney who know what he had done is wrong to decide to remain quite.
So, saints go ahead and bask in the glow of the myth of peaceful church, and the myth of a peaceful Jesus.
However, for me I will follow and act like Jesus keeping in my heart and mind his words:
“I’ve come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already ablaze!
On the day of Pentecost, as promised by Jesus the Holy Spirit the power, comfort and enabler of God came to the disciples. It transformed the disciples from twelve uncertain and scared men locked in a room into a powerhouse for the Lord.
The Holy Spirit gave Peter not only the ability but the authority to preach the Gospel to the multitudes and on the day of Pentecost 3,000 people came to Jesus. These gritty Christians were the first converts of the early church.
Acts 4:32 describes the community these believers formed. A community of one heart and mind. A community where none of them would say “this is mine!’ A community where all possessions were shared.
If we believe that the Bible is true and its teaching to be followed the question is this: “in our communities of faith is Acts 4:32 practiced…. is this us?”
Clearly the answer is no. 21st century communities of believers don’t operate like this. The fact is very few communities of believers in the history of the church have operated in an Acts 4:32 way.
Acts 4:32 may seem like an impossible standard to achieve, however God’s grace is sufficient, and he has given us other means to achieve the outcomes of Acts 4:32.
Jesus in Mark 12:30-31 commands two things of us first is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and second to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.
So now the question is not about a community of believers the question is about us? Do you love the Lord? Do you love yourself? Do you love your neighbor? Is this us?
The Acts 4:32 community that we are called to live in is comprised of the personal actions of its believers. In other words, it is how you and I love the lord, it is how you and I love ourselves, and it is how you and I how we love our neighbors.
So, the Act 4:32 question to ponder and then act on is this us?
It had been a long day for Jesus and his disciples they left Galilee and went to Judea on the other side of the Jordan. Large crowds followed them as Jesus healed the sick, avoided the tricks of the Pharisees, and taught the gospel to his disciples.
During this time people of all stripes came to see Jesus including some little children who were brought to him so that he might lay hands on them and pray. However, the disciples not thinking the children were important enough told them to go away.
Seeing this Jesus rebuked his disciples saying “Let the little children come to me and stop keeping them away because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them, then he laid his hands on them and went on his way.
Sure, we say that children are our future but what are we doing with that future. The Children Defense Fun reports that 170 Classrooms would be filled with children and teens who have been killed by gun violence since 2017.
We need to be like Jesus, laying our hands and praying for our children especially as we start another school year.
Join us tomorrow at 11:00 AM at Greater Bethel, Athens as we pray for the children. We worship safely in person at 140 Rose Street in Athens, Georgia. Subscribe to our YouTube channel by typing Greater Bethel AME Church Athens, Georgia and like our new Facebook Page www.Facebook.com/GBAAthens to watch our live stream.
So until tomorrow at 11:00 AM blessings, peace and love.
Luke 12: 32-34 Jesus tells us two ways in which we can receive the kingdom that God so delights in giving us.
If you ended up having dementia, how would you like to be treated?” Is the question posed by John Swinton, the Scottish theologian and author of the book Dementia: Living in the Memories of God.
Swinton answers saying he hoped to be loved and cared for just for who I am, even if who I am is difficult for me and for others to recognize.
In the book Swinton says the question of “who I am” is complicated at the best of times it becomes more complicated when dementia strips our ability to remember “who I am”.
But God knows “who I am.” Psalm 139 is a prayer of thanksgiving celebrating that the Lord knows us. It says Lord you searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up you discern my thoughts from far away.
Dementia strips away the cognitive functioning of thinking, remembering, and reasoning. It interferes with daily life activities rendering people unable to control their emotions. It makes caregivers out of spouses, children, and family members, rendering them captive to the challenges that dementia creates.
The cruelty of dementia can make us wonder why God has forsaken us. Psalm 139: 19 says “In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, even when none of them as yet existed.” God is the writer of our lives, in his writing there were days of glory, days of despair, days of ordinary happenings and yes in the days of dementia days of forgetting “who I am.”
But God knows “who I am”.
Go to marbenbland.com to listen and share this devotion.
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In many communities in the south where I teach the gospel, pastor, live and play public school is starting. Among those starting is my youngest granddaughter Noa whose very first day of school is this week.
Imagine how different your life would be if you had never learned to read, understand numbers, or been exposed to the wonders of science. Education provides our children with the wisdom, discernment, and knowledge needed to reach the fulness of life that is God’s intent for us all.
The magazine Education Week reports 27 school shooting have taken place in 2022, slightly less than the record high of 34 set in 2021. There have been 119 school shootings since 2018 when the publication first began tracking these tragic incidents.
However, right now as the school year dawns there has been zero school shooting. Let us pray that it stays at zero for this academic year and beyond.
Pray with me please:
Father we praise you for making a way for our children to have an education. We thank you for calling talented people to teach our children. We thank for the staff that supports them. May your great blessings flow to them.
Father senseless gun violence has become common place in our society. Nowhere is its more senseless than in our schools. 27 incidents so far this year including 19 children and two adults killed in Uvalde, Texas.
Psalm 127:3 tells us that children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Father we ask for your protection of your heritage.
We are crying to you Father asking for the killing in our schools to stop. We are crying to you for zero school shootings in this academic year.
It is in your son Jesus name we pray; let us all say Amen.
The risen Jesus in Matthew 28:16-20. Gathers the disciples at the Mount of Olives. Just before ascending to Heaven, he tells the disciples to do one simple thing: “Share the Gospel.”
As disciples of Jesus, we are also to do that one simple thing which is to “Share the Gospel.”
Often as Christians we do not share the Gospel for reasons that have more to do with us than the person we hope to share with.
Sharing is the operative word; we do not tell people about the Gospel we share with them.
There is no set way to share the story of Jesus. However, when we start our journey of sharing with sharing, we will fulfill the command of the Lord.
Please allow me share three thoughts:
Share The Gospel By Listening
Proverbs 18:13 tells us: “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.”
When we listen, people are far more willing to tell you where they are spiritually.
Listening takes effort and time understand that it may take weeks or months before trust is build even with someone, we have known before discussion of faith take place. Remember by simply listing we are sharing the Gospel.
Share The Gospel By Sharing Your Story
2 Timothy 1:8 tells us to not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord.
When we share avoid taking yourself too seriously, the sharing of our story is about God not you. The account of your story with God need not be a drama, it is simply your ongoing account of how God is working in your life.
Remember in sharing our sorry it’s about our faithfulness not about our perfection.
Share The Gospel In Prayer
“Pray for one another” is the advice given in James 5:16. Prayers of intercession are powerful ways to share the Gospel. Listen for things in people’s lives that we can go to the Lord in prayer. Pray with the person we are sharing with or pray for them alone. Remember: Pray without ceasing.
Sharing the Gospel is the command of God that we so equipped to do. It takes no special skill or talent, simply a commitment to share. Remember the more we share the Gospel the better we become at sharing. – So share the Gospel today!!
Marketing is a set of activities used to communicate the value of a product, service, concept, or idea.
Logos on our clothing, commercials on TV ads on social media, we are exposed to marketing 24/7.
If Jesus Christ, the most influential person in history taught a class on marketing what might He say?
The risen Jesus delivers the answer in Matthew 28:16-20. The disciples gather at the Mount of Olives where Jesus before ascending to Heaven tells the disciples to do one simple thing: “Spread The Gospel.”
The Gospel of Jesus is what we as Christian’s market. We have been commanded by God let everyone know the value of becoming a disciple of Christ.
The Gospel of Jesus is the most powerful message the world has ever known. And while it competes with all the other marketing messages. It’s true power is revealed when we spread the Gospel as Jesus did by word-of-mouth marketing.
Simple put word-of-mouth marketing is spreading the Gospel of Jesus, by telling people about our experience with Jesus. Especially people who we know love and trust.
So, the question is have you told someone about Jesus today? Remember it’s never too late to market like Jesus.
Jesus speaking in Luke 12:34 reminds us that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be too.”
According to Cox Automotive a leading information source in the car business the average price paid for a new non-luxury vehicle last month was $43,338.
So, for most Americans the automobile is the place where many of us display our treasure. Regardless of the features or how fancy the car may look the financial investment in a car is substantial.
As we ride around in our cars in this significant display of our treasure we pass by children of God, whose treasure is significant less than ours. We pass by people who are experiencing homeless.
Jesus could identify with the homeless in His itinerant ministry. In Matthew 8:20, Jesus states that even animals have a place to call home, but He had nowhere to lay His head.
Jesus stayed in the homes of whoever would welcome Him. And yes, sometimes like we see with people who are experiencing Homelessness Jesus stayed outside.
Jesus was born in a stable and even spent His last night before His crucifixion outside in a garden.
God expects His people to help those who are homeless.
Proverbs 28:27 tells us “Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them will receive many curses”.
What we do about this dilemma collectively and individually is truly up to us.
While I can’t solve the overall problem of homeless there is something that I can do to help it’s called a blessing bag.
I take a clear gallon zip lock bag and put into it items like a toothbrush, toothpaste, new socks, and baby wipes. I carry the bags in my car and give them to the homeless or others who need a blessing. My website www.marbenbland.com/blessings-bags has a list of more blessing bag items.
Jesus said, “where your treasure is, there your heart will be too.” I hope you will take some of your treasure, create a blessing bag and be a blessing to others.
The banking app on my phone allows me to track my spending. It’s amazing seeing what I spend my money on.
Jesus does not want us to examine our spending instead he wants us to realize that God delights in giving us his kingdom.
In Luke 12: 32-34 Jesus tells us two ways in which we can receive the kingdom that God so delights in giving us.
First, Jesus tells us that we should sell our possessions. Second, we should give the proceeds of those possessions to those in need.
Worried that if we sell everything, here on Earth we won’t have anything? Have faith because Jesus has said don’t worry God got you because God has given you, his Kingdom.
Don’t worry God got you here on Earth, because of your faithfulness in handling money. Remember God has given you, his Kingdom.
Don’t worry God got you here on Earth, because of your faithfulness in giving to the poor. Remember God has given you, his Kingdom.
Don’t worry God got you here on Earth, because of your faithfulness your treasure is stored in Heaven. Remember God has given you, his Kingdom.
So, God delights in giving you, his kingdom. The question is have you taken up God on his delights?
His delight is not about treasure, his delight is about trust.
Do we trust God enough to understand that all of our processions belong to God, and if the Lord tells us to sell everything, we sell everything.
Do we trust God enough to understand that we should pay more than lip service to the those in need, but to be actively engaged in helping them?
Do we trust God enough to understand that He delights in giving us his kingdom?
Yes, the banking app on my phone can tell me how I spend my money. But only I can tell where my treasure is. When we put our trust in God we will know where our treasure will be, not on earth but where it should be in Heaven.
Watch out! Guard yourself against all kinds of greed. It is the command of Jesus’s and the main point of the parable of the Rich Fool from Luke 12:13-21.
In a 24-minute sermon Pastor Marben, tells how Jesus wants us to avoid foolish behavior and greed that will separate us from the kingdom of God.
Watch out! Guard yourself against all kinds of greed. It is the command of Jesus’s and the main point of the parable of the Rich Fool from Luke 12:13-21.
Despite this command many people believe that Greed is Good. In the words Gordon Gekko a character in the 1987 movie Wall Street Many people believe that greed is good.
Many people believe that greed is right, many people believe that greed works that greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of what it is to be human.
But is it true is greed really good? – After all it was greed brought Stephen, to the Sanhedrin it was greed that brought slavery to American along with 400 years of racism and it was greed that brought Jesus to the cross.
However, the good news is when Jesus was brought to the cross greed died as a controlling force in our lives. On the cross we gained victory over greed on the cross we gained an opportunity for a life without greed on this earth and beyond.
So, the question will we heed the warning of Jesus to watch out for greed. For greed in all of its forms for money, for love, for power for sex is ramped everywhere, in our hearts, minds and even in our churches.
Watch out! Guard yourself against all kinds of greed.
A fool is defined as person who acts unwisely or imprudently. Fools come in many sizes, shapes and bank accounts.
Elon Musk, the South African born billionaire who owns Tesla the electric car company and SpaceX the private rocket company is now being called a rich fool because of something he does not own Twitter.
In a crazy entanglement of ego, power and money. Musk announced his intention to buy Twitter only to be block by social media giant. A change of heart ensued and Twitter welcomed Musk as owner. Recently Musk announced that he no longer has an interest in acquiring the company now both sides are in court. Now many people are calling the billionaire a rich fool.
Jesus understands foolish behavior. In The Parable Of The Rich Fool he sends the message that worldly and earthly possessions have no place in the kingdom of God.
Regardless of our finances we can all be fools when we peruse the material riches of the world over the salvation of Jesus.
The question for all of us is where are our riches? Are there in earthly or heavenly treasures? Your answer will determine more than if you are a fool but more importantly your salvation.
In an ambitious 33-minute sermon from Luke 11:1-4 Pastor Marben talk about prayer by broaching three subjects first revealing what is God telling us about prayer, worship and service as we study the Lord’s prayer. Second an exploration of the state of prayer in the 21st Century. And finally, how to pray like Jesus incorporating 5 types of prayer that Jesus used.
Recorded: July 10, 2022 – Greater Bethel Athens, Georgia
You have herd all the clichés about prayer “take it to the Lord in prayer”, “pray without ceasing”, “our thoughts and prayers are with you” “prayer changes things,”. These are the clichés however to truly understand what prayer is we need to look to Jesus.
The disciples and Jesus have been traveling along the way Jesus prayed. Jesus prayed alone and he prayed in the mists of the people as he taught the gospel, healed the sick and raised the dead.
Watching all of this a disciple asked Jesus to
“Teach us how to pray”. Jesus responded with what we call the Lord’s prayer. So, what does the Lord’s prayer teaches us? Here are three thoughts: First that God is the only God, Second: It is God’s will not ours that will be done, and Third: we must ask God to forgive not only our sins but those who sin against us.
These teachings that should be incorporated in our prayer life, for when we do, they will bring life to all of those clichés about prayer.
July 4th, 2022, a celebration of American liberty. After 2 years of COVID constraints, the celebration of American liberty was on full display. Families gathering for cookouts, baseball being played in packed stadiums, fireworks, and parades.
It was at a parade in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park, Ill that a gunman shooting from a rooftop killed six people and wounded dozens more. Parades and celebrations were canceled throughout the Chicagoland area as residents feared copycat shoots might take place.
Jesus speaking to frighten people in his hometown of Nazareth said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me.
He has put His hand on Me to preach the Good News to poor people. He has sent Me to heal those with a sad heart. He has sent Me to tell those who are being held that they can go free. He has sent Me to make the blind to see and to free those who are held because of trouble. (Luke 4:18)
Jesus wants us to have freedom, Jesus wants us to have liberty. So, for me the question is this is the American liberty that we so cherish being heled captive at gunpoint? And is that gun being held by a Second Amendment to the Constitution whose interpretation, meaning and effect does not meet the times that we are in.
Perhaps it is time to give serious consideration to drafting of a new constitutional amendment providing and protecting the right to bear arms, while ensuring that common sense safeguards can be put in place.
It was the will of the framers of the constitution and more importantly it is the will of God, that we live a life of liberty.
If our liberty on the birthday of our nation is being held at gunpoint it is our God given right to “form a more perfect union” by “altering or abolishing” the thing that is holding us hostage. It is time to amend the 2nd Amendment.
In a teaching from Luke 10:38-42 Pastor Marben tells the story of how Jesus recognized that Mary had found the one thing worth being concerned about.
From pool parties to cookouts, to family reunions hospitality abounds on this 4th of July weekend.
Christian hospitality is one of the most misunderstood concepts in the church today. Christian hospitality is not entertainment simply put Christian hospitality is meeting a stranger and embracing them as a neighbor.
As Jesus and the disciples were traveling to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Martha as described in Luke 10:38-42 was known for her hospitality. A gracious hostess, a fabulous homemaker and a wonderful cook, Martha worked hard to fix a tasty meal for Jesus.
Legendary Christian hospitality requires legendary preparation. Martha’s preparation was spoiled because her sister Mary was not helping but instead was at the feet of Jesus, taking in every word he said.
An upset Martha came to Jesus saying “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”
Jesus said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
The question is what is the one thing worth being concerned about? The answer is it’s the word of God. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the word of God is living and active, it is sharper than any two-edged sword and can pierce and discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
The next question is have found the one thing worth being concerned about? Or are you still searching too distracted by the preparation, to find it? Hebrews 13:16 tells us to not neglect to do good sharing with you have for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Mary discovered the one thing worth being concerned about because of Martha’s Christian hospitality. Enjoy the hospitality of this 4th of July weekend.
Galatians 6:9 tells us not to get tired of doing what is good. For many the hard work of doing good was rewarded with the Supreme Court overturning of Row vs. Wade. Now states are free to restrict a woman’s right to choose.
Justice Clearance Thomas argued in a concurring opinion that the Supreme Court should reconsider its past rulings, codifying rights to contraception access, same sex relationships, and same-sex marriage.
This sweeping suggestion from the court’s longest-serving justice will spur those who are not tired of doing what is good, to do more work on behalf of projects to remove those and other hard-fought rights.
Clearly “doing what is good” is in the eyes of the beholder. Clearly those who’s “good” was rewarded in the Supreme Court decision have been working for this outcome for decades with a strategy that combined religion, politics, money, and rage all with the goal of reversing Roe.
To the victors goes the spoils. Justice Thomas has provided the marching orders for the spoils and with a 6-3 majority and lower court judges in place along with an army of people who will work on behalf of what is “good”.
The reward for doing what is good will mean an AR15 will continue to be available to all.
The reward for doing what is good will mean decisions about birth control will be govern by the government.
The reward for doing what is good will mean that the government will determine who you love, while restricting your right to vote.
The reward for doing what is good will mean unchecked corporate power, undergirded by a white minority committed to keeping that power by any means necessary.
The reward for doing what is good will mean outlawing any discussion in school about the racist practices white folks used to gain the power that they so effectively use.
Galatians 6:9 tells us not to get tired of doing what is good. Now that Roe has been overturned those of us who believe in a world of freedom must define what is “good” for ourselves. Then we cannot become tired of doing the work, for the reward that we seek.
Let us not tired of doing the work.
Our 2022 Men's Day Service chaired by Brother Aaron Manzy honored four great men of Greater Bethel who have gone on to glory: Dr. John H. Davis, Brother James L. Holston, Brother Gary Charles Jones and Brother Dwight Manzy.
In God, Mt. Fuji, and Sweet Tea, author Janet Page Smith begins her memoir as a disillusioned and weary wife struggling to hold onto her marriage. Against a colorful backdrop painted for the reader through beautifully descriptive passages, Janet transports her readers into her life story to discover the transformational principles that saved her marriage. Author Janet Page Smith on today’s Podcast
Up to 75% of people worldwide suffer from Glossophobia, the fear of public speaking.
Many famous people have suffered from glossophobia, including actors, politicians and even presidents.
Renée Zellweger, Nicole Kidman, Abraham Lincoln, Gandhi, Sigmund Freud and Thomas Jefferson. All at some point, they mention actually going out of their way to avoid speaking in public. However, because of their openness to transformation they gained the ability to be effective public speakers.
While there is no evidence that Peter suffered from glossophobia Biblical scholars reported that the disciple of Jesus was a fleshly Christian who was full of himself and his own ideas. Even though he had already received important revelations about Jesus as the Saviour and Messiah.
Peter’s carnality still ruled, and he lived a life characterised by failure, defeat, and spiritual deception.
When Jesus ascended to heaven, he told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the “promise of the Father” (Acts 1:4) as they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came “like the rush of a violent wind” (Acts 2:2) Peter and the other disciples were transformed.
No longer full of himself but full of the Holy Spirit, Peter addressed the multitudes with elegance, grace, and power he declared: “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21) The people responded and on that day three thousand persons were baptized. (Acts 2:41)
Regardless of the situation glossophobia, sickness or like Peter who lived a life of failure, defeat, and spiritual deception God has given us the Holy Spirit so that it’s transformative power may change our lives.
However, despite the power of the Holy Spirit it only transforms those who are open and ready for the transformation. After all multitudes listened to a transformed Peter but only three thousand called on the name of the Lord. So, the question for us today is will you be transformed? Are you open to call on the name of the Lord? It’s not a matter of being ready it’s a matter of being open. Today I pray for your openness. Your openness to receive the Holy Spirit.
In a celebration of Juneteenth and Father’s Day, Pastor Marben Bland invokes God’s covenant of protection, guidance, and love from Isaiah 49:8 in a sermon entitled: “The Redemptive Journey From Bondage To Freedom.
It has been 23 years since my father Benjamin Franklin Bland died. With the totality of his life and passage of time I have come to more fully understand God’s covenant of fatherhood. Taught to me by a father who loved me in such a way that I could see heaven in his eyes.
What I have come to know is that in God’s covenant of fatherhood he loves us not because we are perfect but because he knows we can be better. In Jeremiah 29:11 the Lord declares that he has plans for us to prosper, plans not for harm but for a hope and a future.
What I have come to know is that in God’s covenant of fatherhood he loves and trusts us. Psalm 8 reminds us that God put us in charge of everything he made. Giving us stewardship over the flocks and the herds, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents.
What I have come to know is that God’s covenant of fatherhood that love is redemptive. John 3:16 declares “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” The everlasting life of God is to be lived while we are still on Earth as we live the ways of Jesus.
It has been 33 years since I have become a father and now 12 that I have been a grandfather. Ten of my fatherhood years were spent with my father as the grandpa. As he bounded bounced my son on his knee my dad said, “enjoy him because the time goes by fast.” My father was right the time has gone fast for his young son who was a young father then is an old grandpa now.
However, as the years have gone by, and I celebrate another Father’s Day with the found memory of my dad I am certain of one thing God’s covenant of fatherhood is real. God’ covenant of fatherhood is solid, and covenant of fatherhood is enduring for as Jesus told us in Matthew 28:20 “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Happy Father’s Day.
This weekend we celebrate Juneteenth the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. In 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, making the day a federal holiday.
President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, issued on January 1, 1863, freed the enslaved people in the states of the Confederacy. However, enforcement of the Proclamation was slowed in Texas by the limited number of Union troops available to enforce it.
That all changed on June 19th, 1865, when General Gordon Granger and troops landed in Galveston, Texas. Two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation had become official, the enslaved in Texas had taken the redemptive journey from bondage to freedom.
The journey from bondage to freedom is ongoing. Every day we journey to freedom, we journey from drugs, we journey from sex trafficking we journey from, sickness and we journey from a host of other bondages including various addictions, health conditions, and difficult relationships that have recked our lives.
God wants us to have more than liberation from our bondage. God wants us to prosper God wants us to have peace and to achieve redemption.
Isaiah 49:8 reminds us of not only God’s salvation from bondage but also his covenant of redemption. God wants us to be free to achieve the full possibilities of our lives. God is always working for our freedom and our redemption, no matter how long it takes.
So, as we celebrate Juneteenth, let us rejoice and praise God for it is he who has been our rock, our strength, and our shield on our redemptive journey from bondage to freedom.
Given the problems of the world in David’s time and our own time. It is easy for us to view David’s assessment of the Lord’s majestic name filling the earth as simply false praise delivered by a misguided and perhaps brainwashed observer.
However, when we slow this text down and take a close look at each stanza of Psalm 8 I think we can find the true meaning of the Lord whose majestic name fills the earth.
35 years ago, this year Whitney Houston released “So Emotional”, the third single from her second studio album Whitney.
The song was an instant hit and became her sixth consecutive number one record. The hook of the song is a catchy yet effective line that tells us all that we need to know about relationships: “Ain't it shocking what love can do.”
In the book of Act’s chapter 16, Paul and Silas are in jail because they made some rich folks mad. A demon processed woman with the ability to tell the future was owned by a rich mam who made a lot of money from her talent. Paul recognizing the demonic source of her ability droved the bad spirit out of her much to the dismay of the rich man as he lost a revenue stream.
Paul and Silas appeared before the Roman officials. In a sham trial, they were criticized for spreading the Gospel, crowds turned against them. They were severely beaten and thrown in jail.
In the dyer conditions of the jail, Paul and Silas continued to praise the Lord.
Placed far inside the jail bound with their feet locked between large blocks of wood. Paul and Silas praised the Lord, singing and calling on his name as the other prisoners herd the message of salvation.
Then around midnight, there was an earthquake so strong that it shook the foundation of the jail. All the doors of the jail opened, and the chains on all the prisoners fell off. The jailer woke up and saw that the jail doors were open. He thought that the prisoners had already escaped, so he got his sword and was ready to kill himself. But Paul shouted, “Don’t hurt yourself! We are all here!”
The jailer told someone to bring a light. Then he ran inside and, shaking with fear, he fell down in front of Paul and Silas and said, what must I do to be saved?”
That night the jailer and his entire household came to Christ. – Ain’t it shocking what love can do.
Ecclesiastes 3: Tells us that
3 For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:
While our season together at Greater Saint Peter has come to an end. The grace, power, and love of the Lord has no end.
Scripture reminds us that the Lord is always with us no matter the season.
Isaiah 41:10 tells us fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Deuteronomy 31:6 Reminds us to Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
When Jesus was ascending to heaven, he told the disciples that they would receive the power of the Holy Spirit and that they will be his witness to the ends of the Earth.
As the disciples were watching Jesus go back up to Heaven suddenly two men in white robes stood by them saying, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven?
Find out what God wants us to do while we await the return of Jesus in a teaching from Acts 1:6-11, entitled: “What do we do in the meantime?”
Our service starts at 10:00 AM worship with us in person at 9540 Fayetteville Road in Jonesboro, Georgia. Can’t worship with us in person? You can find us on YouTube and Facebook at GSP9540. So until tomorrow blessings, peace and love.
Acts 1:6-11New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
The Ascension of Jesus
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 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.” 9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the right to keep and bear arms. It’s one sentence text says, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” The amendment guarantees Americans complete access to nearly any gun on the market with little regard to the mental health of the gun owner.
“Thou shalt not kill” is the sixth commandment of the Lord. So, does the Second Amendment which allows the ownership of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines violates the sixth commandment because it enables people to kill?
Many faith and political leaders often cite the sixth commandment for their support of abortion restrictions. However, these same faith and political leaders cling to the supremacy of the second amendment as justification for no restrictions on gun ownership.
If abortion kills so, do guns. Hence as Christians, we must ask ourselves which is more important the second amendment or the sixth commandment? That is the question that should govern our decisions as Christians about guns in America.
After Jesus rose from the dead, he spent forty or so days on earth, appearing to his disciples and others. In those appearances, Jesus taught the gospel preparing his disciples for the ministry that they would do after his accession into Heaven.
The Book of Acts’ account of Jesus' accession has the disciples are looking up as Jesus is ascending into Heaven. Then suddenly two angels in white robes appeared saying “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven?
At first thought, it might seem odd that the disciples are told to stop looking up toward heaven, after all, is not Heaven where our faith should be centered. However, what God is telling us through his angels is this, while Heaven is the prize our faith is practiced here on earth.
Today is primary election day in Georgia, it is an opportunity for us Heaven-bound disciples here on earth to practice our faith by taking part in the democratic process of electing good people to office.
Bravo if you voted early, however, if today is your day, I pray that you will go out and make your voice heard. Because when we do we are following God’s command to do more than look toward heaven as we practice our faith here on earth.
With the precision of a military operation an 18-year-old self-described white supremest drove from his home in a predominantly white region of New York State to a predominantly black region Buffalo. With the expressed intent to kill black people and kill he did shooting 13 people killing 10.
Almost all the victims were Black — shoppers, grocery workers and a security guard bound together by little more than tragic happenstance of being in the store at the same time as a white supremest with evil intent.
The shooting was not only the deadliest mass shooting in the United States this year, but it was a racial massacrer. Joining a grim roster of other racist massacres in recent years, including the killing of nine Black parishioners at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., in 2015; an antisemitic rampage in the Tree of Life synagogue in 2018 in Pittsburgh that left 11 people dead; and an attack at a Walmart in El Paso in 2019, where the man charged had expressed hatred of Latinos and killed more than 20 people.
While laws have been written outlawing the teaching of “critical race theory” in the classroom Black people are being gun down as they shop, worship and pray in support replacement theory, a concept not taught in classrooms but carried out with the backing of the second and the full faith and credit of white people who post about online, talk about it in chat rooms, and act on it as we saw in Buffalo with deadly precision.
Paul in 2nd Corinthian 4:11, says that we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus. As Black people the contestant danger of death is manifest in more than the threat of white supremest shooting us down at the grocery store. We are as Paul says pressed on every side, with a healthcare system that fails us when we are sick and when we are well. With an educational system where college cost too much leaving us with crippling student loan debt that dampens our economic future. And a voting system that will cry voter fraud when it recognizes that black people are voting in far greater numbers upsetting the outcomes of elections that were meant to Make America Great Again.
In this moment uncertainty and danger there is hope, Paul tells in 2nd Corinthian 4:8, while it is true that we are pressed on every side by troubles, we are not crushed, and yes we maybe perplexed, we are not driven to despair because regardless if we are hunted down by replacement theory, Jim Crow or just plain old hate we will never be abandoned by God.
We all know that Peter betrayed Jesus, denying Christ three times. Ever since that time Peter felt some kind of way, he felt incapable, he felt inadequate, he felt insufficient of ever being able to spread the Gospel.
While Peter felt some kind of way, Jesus felt another kind of way. Jesus saw Peter as being capable, Jesus saw Peter as adequate, Jesus saw Peter of being very sufficient to spread the Gospel.
That is why Jesus came to Peter calling to him three times: “do you love me” and when he answered yes Jesus replied the first time saying: “Take care of My lambs”, then he replied the second time saying: “Shepherd My sheep” and then the third time Jesus said “Look after My sheep”.
Jesus did not ask Peter about his love three times because he was unsure of his answer, rather, Jesus asked three times to demonstrate his confidence in Peter. Confidence that despite his betrayal and really because of his betrayal Peter was perfect to spread the Gospel.
Remember Jesus does not judge us by the worst thing we have done in fact he can use you and that worst thing for the glory of the Lord and the spreading of the Gospel.
Like Peter, Jesus is calling us. So let us answer the three calls of Jesus to take care of his lambs, let us answer his call to shepherd his sheep and to the look after his flock as all of us imperfect as we are, are perfect to spread the Gospel.
The term having skin in the game means being committed to the point that you are willing to place significant personal items on the line. Blood, sweat, and tears are skin in the game elements in athletics, in other ventures time, effort, and money are skin in the game measures.
The disciples as described in John 20:19-31 are in a skin in the game moment. Jesus has died on the cross, and because of their skin in the game with him, the disciples locked themselves in a room fearful that a cross awaited them if they ventured out.
In these tense moments, Jesus appeared saying “Peace Be With You”. The frightened disciples did not recognize Jesus until he showed them his skin in the game. The scars on his hand from being nailed to the cross, the hole in his side made by the tip of a spear, after seeing this the disciples rejoiced.
The disciple Thomas was not there when Jesus appeared. He was skeptical saying that he had to place put his hands in the wounds before he would believe. Jesus appeared again in the locked room saying again, “Peace Be With You” Thomas only had to look at Jesus seeing the skin in the game from the cross to believe.
Again and again, Jesus is showing his skin in the game for us. His wiliness to extend his greetings at our lowest point, his stand for us especially when we fail to stand for ourselves, and his forgiveness of us when we do what we think is unforgivable.
Join us Sunday, April 24th at Greater Saint Peter as look at skin the game that Jesus has for us in a teaching entitled “The 7 Next Words Of Jesus”. Worship is at 10:00 AM ET join us at 9540 Fayetteville Road in Jonesboro, Georgia or on Facebook at GSP9540 or our YouTube Chanel GSP9540. Until tomorrow blessings, peace, and love.
Charles Richardson joins The Podcast to discuss items in the news. Topics include:
Ukraine, the slap, absentee voting, COVID, The Georgia Supreme Court, and Jackie Robinson.
We often hear about the Seven Last Words of Christ. Rarely, though, do we focus in the same way on what Christ said after the Resurrection as he surprised, consoled, rebuked, and inspired his followers through several powerful encounters.
The encounter is depicted in John 20:19-31. The disciples are in a locked room fearful of arrest and crucifixion by the Jews. Then Jesus appeared and said “Peace Be With You.
The disciples rejoiced because Jesus lives.
Jesus is so much more than seven last words on a cross.
Jesus is our living savior living in our lives today bringing companionship when we are alone. Living in our lives right now brings courage when we are fearful. Living in our lives in 2022 giving us the peace that passes all understanding.
Verda Colvin is an Associate Justice on the Georgia Supreme Court. Appointed in July of 2021 by Governor Brian Kemp, Justice Colvin is seeking election to a six-year term in the May 24 primary.
In an interview recorded live at Panera Bread in Macon, Justice Colvin joins The Podcast to talk about her upbringing in Atlanta, her judicial career, the election, and a viral video that has changed many lives.
Tennis Superstar Serena Williams is among an estimated 50,000 women in America who deal with dangerous or life-threatening, pregnancy-related complications each year. Black women are disproportionately likely to face these complications, and they are also more likely to fall victim to America’s ongoing maternal mortality crisis, being three to four times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related complications.
Many of these deaths are largely preventable. But due to the impacts of systemic racism and discrimination, including in the care provided by the medical system, black women remain more likely than any other group to die from their pregnancies.
Birth Doula ShLanda Burton is trying to reverse those trends, as founder and executive director of The National Birth Coalition. The community-based Doula organization fills the birthing disparity gaps in maternity care.
ShLanda Burton joins Dr. Veita Bland, MD for a discussion about the role of a Doula and how The National Birth Coalition is working with medical professionals, maternity care advocates, community members, and researchers to improve the outcomes to end the killing of black women during childbirth.
Jesus and the twelve are enjoying supper in Jerusalem days before the festival of the Passover. Jesus knows his hour to depart this world has come, Jesus knows Judas will betray him, Jesus knows Peter will deny ever knowing him, but most importantly Jesus knows that he loves the twelve that are his disciples now, and builders of his church later.
So, during supper Jesus got up from the table took off his outer robe, and began to wash his disciples’ feet. Washing a person’s feet while refreshing, welcomed, and necessary in a time where feet were the chief mode of transportation was the work of slaves, not the son of God.
When Jesus readied to wash Peter’s feet the disciple protested saying you will never wash my feet. Jesus replied saying, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” And then adding “You do not know now what I am doing by later you will understand.
As disciples of Christ, what should we understand? Let me share three understandings from this passage.
First, we will understand that Jesus loves us unconditionally – Jesus not only knew what the disciples were about to do to him, but he also knew the rejection, beating, and crucifixion that was to come. In washing the disciples' feet, willingly taking the beatings, and suffering on the cross Jesus demonstrates his unconditional love for us.
Second, we will understand that we must give ourselves to Jesus – Jesus is trying to make it clear to Peter that it’s not about the foot washing, rather it is about giving ourselves to Him. Simply put we cannot get to heaven unless we submit ourselves to the Lord. Remember what Jesus said in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
Third, we will understand the new commandment: we should love one another– Jesus knows to be a disciple charged with spreading the Gospel requires love. Jesus spells out this commandment in John 12: 34-35 34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.” Love is the calling card of our discipleship, love is what makes us different, it is what makes us Christ-like. In a world of war, mayhem, and crudity we need the love of Jesus, as disciples of the risen savior, we are called to keep Jesus’ commandment to love one another, especially when loving may seem impossible.
Jesus said to Peter, you will understand it later. For many of us later is now, for many of us we know we have lived more years than we have left and like Jesus, we know our time is near. For those in earlier stages of life the question is the same, what do you understand?
I pray as we reach the end of Lent that we have come to understand the unconditional love of Jesus and that we have come to understand that we must give of ourselves to Jesus, and we come to understand that as disciples of Christ we must love one another.
If you do not understand it, I pray that you will come to understand it better by and by.
What we eat is the fuel that the body runs on however, with inflation it has gotten harder to find the notorious foods we need. Nutritionist Shawanda Coats joins Dr. Veita Bland, MD to discuss how to eat nutritious meals on a budget.
26 While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:26-28
Jesus spent a lot of His time on earth eating and drinking. It was during these times that discipleship, evangelism, and forgiveness took place.
During the Passover, the Jewish holiday commemorating the Hebrews’ liberation from Egyptian slavery, Jesus gathered his disciples for a meal.
It was a meal of discipleship as all who were gathered enjoyed the unleavened bread the wine and the hardy conversation.
It was a meal of evangelism as Jesus shared the bread and the wine.
And it was a meal of forgiveness for eating with Jesus was Judas, who would betray Jesus along with the other disciples all of whom will deny, flee, or run away from the savior of the world.
When we dine with Jesus discipleship, evangelism, and forgiveness are always on the menu. And while I am confident that none of us will deny, flee, or run away from the savior of the world.
Our meal with Jesus, the communion that so many of us receive as an article of faith each month. Can be just as unsatisfying as a cold burger and fries from a fast-food joint if we don’t use our discipleship to make other disciples.
If we are unwilling to evangelize telling everyone about the goodness of the Lord, and if we fail to forgive especially those who deny, flee, or run away from us particularly when we need them the most.
So, let’s enjoy a meal with Jesus and fill our belly with the satisfying spiritual food of discipleship, evangelism, and forgiveness.
During Holy Week we talk a lot about the passion of Jesus and rightfully so. From his triumphal entry into Jerusalem to being disallowed by his own disciples to the beatings, the sham trial, and his ordeal on the cross there is much to talk about. Ultimately what’s to talk about is the salvation that the passion of Christ brings to each of us.
Isaiah 49:7 reminds us that the Lord who is faithful has chosen you and, in the salvation, provided by the passion of Christ you have been chosen to spread the Gospel. Eugene Peterson in his Message translation of Isaiah 49 interpreters Isaiah saying, “I’m setting you up as a light for the nations so that my salvation becomes global!”
God is telling us that it is just not enough for you and me to saved. For the passion of Jesus to be complete, we who are saved must spread the Gospel to others.
Born in North Carolina and raised partly in Virginia Colandus Francis escaped the ravages of the Jim Crow south. Finding prosperity as an electronics and computer technician for the US Postal Service in Camden, New Jersey. He could have easily lived the comfortable life his work and status provided. But Kelly as he was known was called to activism.
Without fear or favor from prison reform to environmental justice and everything else in between Kelly Francis who died last week at age 87 was always on the right side of the issue making good trouble long before good trouble became popular.
Kelly Francis lived out the Isaiah 49:7 call not for us to simply have salvation for ourselves but to bring salvation to others. Kelly Francis embodied being a light for the nations so that the salvation that he enjoyed may come to pass for others.
No Kelly Francis was not perfect, he could be difficult and many times was misunderstood – but what Colandus Francis was is a man who was called a man who was called to share the salvation he obtained for others.
And for that, there can be no higher calling.
Luke’s account of Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem says: “he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.” (Luke 19:28)
Yesterday on Palm Sunday, we heard a lot about the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. We heard a lot about the donkey that was tied to the tree just it was prophesied. We heard a lot about the people throwing branches on the ground to celebrate his arrival. We heard a lot about the Pharisees ordering Jesus to silence his disciples only to hear our Savior to declare if they were silenced, the stones would shout out.
What we heard was a triumphal entry - but what we feel is the passion of Jesus.
The passion of Jesus is not to ride in triumph on a prophesied donkey
The passion of Jesus is not the shouts of Hoshana from the crowd
The passion of Jesus is not even his victory over death
The passion of Jesus is salvation – your salvation
For God so loved that world that He gave us Jesus so that you and I could have everlasting life.
So today as we begin this Holy Week let us bask in the triumph but let us live in the salvation that the passion of Jesus has given us. A salvation that will provide joy, glory, and peace in this life and in the life beyond.
John Lewis said “The right to vote is precious, almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool or instrument in a democratic society.” However, on a bloody Sunday in 1965, it took violence to secure the right to vote for Black folks.
On March 7, 1965, marchers gathered in Salama, Alabama as they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge, they were met by police and state troopers some mounted who attacked the unarmed marchers with billy clubs and tear gas.
17 marchers were hospitalized and 50 were treated for lesser injuries, and John Lewis the man who years later would call voting almost sacred almost died as he suffered a fractured skull.
Greater Saint Peter member Estella Mcleod was on the Edmund Pettus Bridge that day. The 15-year-old was not hurt but the events and the meaning of that day would never be forgotten by her and will always be honored by all of us.
Today on The Podcast, Estella Mcleod revisits Blood Sunday as she reinforces the importance of the right to vote and motivates us for today's fight against voter suppression.
If you've gone to the doctor only to be told that your concerns aren't serious or that you're "just stressed," you aren't alone. This unfortunately common behavior, sometimes called medical gaslighting, leaves patients — especially women — feeling dismissed. And it can cause them to minimize or ignore what may be very real, painful, and even dangerous symptoms.
Retired physical and professor Dr. Kristy Freeman-Woods, MD joins Dr. Veita Bland, MD to discuss the 5 common signs of medical gaslighting and what to do about it.
Jesus in the Parable of The Parodical Son, tells us that we should celebrate when the lost are found as we reassure the faithful ones who have stayed true to God.
While the role of the agriculture economy has grown, the share of Black farmers in the United States has declined over the last century. Today, just 1.4 percent of farmers identify as Black or mixed race compared with about 14 percent 100 years ago.
However, farming is possible for everyone, agriculture consultant and framer James Ford joins The Podcast to talk about the ease of urban farming and co-ops that can provide fresh farm-to-table food for your table regardless of your income or where you live.
Colorectal cancer—cancer of the colon and rectum—is the second leading cancer killer in the United States affecting both men and women. Your risk increases as you age. Some people are at even higher risk depending on their personal or family history. Dr. Shabana Shahid MD, Board Certified Gastroenterologist with Bethany Medical, joins Dr. Veita Bland, MD to share the good news that colorectal cancer is preventable and, if detected early, is curable.
The U.S. government reports 2.2 million African Americans 18 or older meet the criteria for a substance use disorder. Dr. Louis Baxtor, Sr. MD, Director of Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program at Howard University joins Dr. Bland for a wide-ranging discussion about addiction in the African American Community including the five categories of addiction treatment.
Listen as Sister Linda Butler and Sister Helen Marberry deliver impactful messages as Greater Saint Peter celebrated family and friends day on Sunday, March 13th.
Charles Richardson joins the podcast for his monthly chat about the headlines. Recorded on Tuesday, March 15th our topics include the Ukraine War, bills under consideration by the Georgia General Assembly including new mental health funding.
A fire and brimstone preacher is telling her parishioners if they don’t repent, they will die to face Hell’s damnation cutoff for eternity from God’s love.
In “The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree” (Luke 13:6-9) Jesus uses a fig tree, barren without fruit as a metaphor for the sinner who has not repented. The owner of the tree is frustrated because for three years no fruit has been produced by it.
The owner says the tree is a waste of soil, he orders the gardener to cut it down. Concerned the gardener proposes a deal; let the tree live for one more year. During the year he will dig around it and put manure on the tree. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, the owner can “cut it down.”
Consider the Gospel of Jesus as the manure being spread around by gardeners. The pastor who digs in deep with her parishioners and everyone else to tell the story of Jesus.
Some may call it fire and brimstone however, she is teaching, preaching, and living this simple fact repent or die. For God so loved you and me that He gave us Jesus. And if we believed in Jesus, repent of our sins we will not die but will have everlasting life.
So, the question is what type of tree are you and what are you doing with the manure and the digging going on around you? It’s not fire and brimstone rather it’s life or death, it repent or die.
Find more in our worship guide.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? Are the triumphant words of confidence from Psalm 27.
However, in our world today there is so much to fear. There is fear on our television screens as we watch in horror the insanity in Ukraine. There is still fear because despite the good news COVID 19 remains deadly. There is fear at the pump as gas prices continue to climb. And there is fear on our streets because no one is safe from gun violence.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? In making the Lord our stronghold, in putting our total trust in God the Father almighty. So that we not only understand but are living a life where our fears are given to the Lord. Then and only then can we come to understand the light and salvation which God wants us to live in today right now in this present age.
Remember saints The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
In 1968, “Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing” became a number one smash hit for the duet of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. Written by the iconic husband and wife team of Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson, the song extols the virtues of and defines real love as an in-person encounter.
The “real thing” of in-person love is counter to love that is long-distance in nature. So, the question must be asked is the love of couples separated for any number of reasons the “real thing”? Or is the real thing only in-person love?
This tension of what is the real thing is at the heart of Ash Wednesday and the text we explore today from Matthew Chapter 6. Jesus slams the Pharisees and other Jewish authorities saying, “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:1)
Jesus goes on to define real faith as acts done in private: when you give to the needy, donate privately (vv. 2–4); when you pray, pray privately (vv. 5–6); when you fast or abstain do it privately (vv. 16–18).
How can this text that implores private acts of righteousness square with the very visible and public act of faith we do on Ash Wednesday? With the very visible imposition of ashes placed on the forehead along with the very public fasting of Lent.
Jesus understands this tension between public and private acts of faith. He resolves this question on the cross. The crucifixion of Jesus was a public act of faith and it had to be. We had to see the nails being put in his hands. We had to see the crown of thorns being placed on his head. We had to see the suffering. We had to see Jesus die, we had to see him taken to the grave.
We had to see this authentic act of faith so that we can practice authentic acts of faith in private most of the time or in public on days like today Ash Wednesday.
The song “Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing” concludes with the lovers Marvin and Tammi proclaiming that they were so glad they got the “real thing”. On this Ash Wednesday, as we enter 40 days of meeting the test of forging a more intimate relationship with God. Let us rejoice that we got the real thing in Jesus.
It’s Tuesday, March 1, or Mardi Gras which is French for Fat Tuesday. It’s called Fat Tuesday because it is the last day of feasting before the Christian season of Lent.
For Christians Lent is a time of fasting so Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday if you will is a time of preparation for the fast, not necessarily by getting that last Chick-fil-A sandwich in but by asking God’s help for the temptation that is to come.
Despite reports to the contrary, the Devil is alive and well. The Devil is active on earth and in the lives of everyone, especially Christians.
Jesus after his baptism in the Jordan river was on a spiritual high he was led by the Holy Spirit to the wilderness where for forty days he was tempted by none other than the Devil.
During Lent, we will experience spiritual highs and we will be tempted. In reading Luke 4:1-13 we find the three ways that the Devil will tempt us. First is physical temptation, Jesus was hungry, and the Devil offered him bread, second is material temptation, the Devil offered Jesus all the possessions of the world, third and perhaps most deadly the Devil will tempt us by appealing to our vanity. The Devil questioned if Jesus was the son of God and challenged him to prove it.
Saints the stage has been set on this Fat Tuesday, we know how the Devil will tempt us and because we know, and God knows those temptations they will be defeated, and we will go from just having a Fat Tuesday to having a fatter life.
The Beijing Winter Olympic Games are over.
For nearly two weeks athletes from around the world competed in speed skating, the ski jump, the bobsled, and my favorite curling.
While I prefer the Summer Olympic sports the 100-meter dash, the long jump, and my favorite the shot put. I still marvel over the discipline, and courage it takes to ice skate on a blade no thinner than a razor. I still marvel over the discipline, and courage it takes to jump off a mountain on skis. I still marvel over the discipline, and courage it takes to travel over 100 miles an hour in a bobsled.
James, the brother of Jesus reminds us that as Christians we must have a disciplined and courageous faith.
Specifically, in chapter 3 verses 7 and 8 James stresses the need for us to discipline or to tame our tongue.
7 For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, 8 but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
James goes on to say in Chapter 3 verse 10
10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters,[d] this ought not to be so.
What James is telling us is tell us that while humans can tame the beast and the foul and can even tame ourselves to do great feats of mind and body, only God can tame the tongue.
This Lenten season the 40 days of fasting, prayer, and works of love which start on Ash Wednesday is a great opportunity to invite God to give us the discipline and courage to tame our tongue.
I will be asking God to give me the discipline and courage not only to tame my tongue but to control my fingers:
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So that I might think before I tweet.
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So that I will use discretion when I post on Facebook or any other social media platform.
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So that I understand that I must represent the most high when I text and everything else I do.
I hope you enjoyed the discipline and courage on display during the recent Winter Olympic Games. However, lets us also ask the Lord for the discipline and courage to tame our tongues as we pray, fast, and do works of love during these 40 days of Lent.
Saints this has been a week of transformation with significant ramifications for the people in our neighborhoods.
The neighbors worldwide have been shaken by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Back in America neighbors are happy with the easing of COVID restrictions with the hope that a more normal life can return. Neighbors in our African American community are rejoicing because Ketanji Brown Jackson, a black woman has been nominated to become an Associate Justice on the United States Supreme Court.
Jesus went up the mountain taking Peter, John, and James with him to pray. In prayer, Jesus was transformed the appearance of his face changed and his clothes became dazzling white. Then the voice of the Lord came booming from the cloud saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”
Tomorrow at Greater Saint Peter we will listen to the Word of God which will help us make some sense of the transitions from this week. As we celebrate The Transfiguration of our Lord in a sermon from Psalm 99:1-5 and Luke 9:28-36 entitled: Who Is Your Neighbor?
Services start at 10:00 AM come see us in person at 9540 Fayetteville Road in Jonesboro, Georgia or join us on Facebook at GSP9540. So, until tomorrow blessings, peace, and love.
Use this link to view our online worship program & guide
The Song “To Be Young, Gifted and Black” was written by Nia Simone and her bandleader Irvine Weldon as an homage to Lorraine Hansberry, the “A Raisin in the Sun” playwright after her death in 1965. In Matthew 19:13-15 Jesus pays homage to the young and gifted when he says “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”
Pastor Marben in the third Black History Month sermons shares the teachings of Jesus about children and highlights the accomplishments of Olympic gold medalist Erin Jackson in a sermon entitled, “To Be Young Gifted And Black”.
Today’s Devotional: Justice & Equity
Psalm 99 is a hymn of praise of God’s holy and righteous rule. In stanza 4 God is called a “Mighty King”, a lover of justice who has established equity in the execution of justice and righteousness.
In the closing days of this year’s Black History Month, celebrated in the mist a pandemic that revealed more deeply than ever the racial divisions in this country.
We should be dawned by the Psalmist reminder that we serve a righteous God who loves justice and has established equity. Biblical references to the word “justice” mean “to make right.” Justice is, first and foremost, a relational term — people living in right relationship with God. Equity is the impartial distribution of justice recognizing that we do not all start from the same place and must acknowledge and make adjustments for the imbalances.
Black History Month is an opportunity to have honest discussions about justice and equity. Recognizing that God’s will is for us to live as neighbors each in a righteous relationship with God where we make things right in justice and in equity making adjustments for the imbalances.
Praise God A Mighty King a lover of justice and equity.
The conventional things that kills everyone, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, kills Blacks more and at a faster rate than Whites. Dr. Keith C. Ferdinand, MD, Gerald S. Berenson Professor of Medicine in Preventative Cardiology, joins Dr. Bland for a discussion of health disparities and how they are affecting people of color.
"Why Are They Uncomfortable?" is the second sermon of Pastor Marben Bland’s Black History Month Sermon Series. Teaching from Luke 4:14-30 Pastor Marben talks about how God’s word can make us feel uncomfortable, along with the comfort that God’s truths can bring to all of us. (Recorded: February 13, 2022)
Superbowl Sunday is a day filled with hype. We hype the food, we hype the parties, we hype the commercials and yes, we hype the game.
Despite all the hype Superbowl, Sunday will be an uncomfortable day. It will be an uncomfortable day for the players who will be injured playing a game for our entertainment. It will be an uncomfortable day for the quarterbacks when the pass rush gets to them, and it will be an uncomfortable day for the team that loses. (Remember Falcon fans how uncomfortable you felt when the Patriots won!)
Jesus made the people of Nazareth, his boyhood home uncomfortable, as he told the truth that he was the Son of God the fulfillment prophecy that Good News would be preached, the brokenhearted would be healed, the blind shall see, the downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors and that God is ready to give blessings to all who come to him. These truths were so uncomfortable that folks in Nazareth, his boyhood home formed a mob and tried to throw him off a cliff.
Laws have been proposed in Florida and other states aimed at making the teaching of uncomfortable truths about the African American experience illegal. The reason teaching these truths would be outlawed is because it would make white folks feel uncomfortable.
A pass rush, losing the Superbowl, teaching the truth about the origins of America are things that bring discomfort.
The Word of God can bring discomfort because the Word all by itself is convicting, penetrating deep causing the uncomfortable but necessary change that will give us comfort because we are in God’s perfect peace.
10:00 AM ET Tomorrow at Greater Saint Peter we continue our Black History month sermons as we explore Luke 4:14-30 in a teaching entitled: Why Are They Uncomfortable.
I want to thank everyone who responded to the request I made on Thursday. If you would like to give Sister Cheryl Glover is available to receive your gift to Greater Saint Peter. Call her at 678 910 9140. Thanks in advance for sowing into our ministry.
Until tomorrow at 10:00 AM ET Blessings, Peace and Love
Pastor Marben answers the question; Why We Study Black History by looking at John 1:43-46 and sharing how the rejection of Jesus can give us motivation in telling our history.
John 1:43-51 describes the calling of Philp and Nathanael by Jesus.
As the Superbowl approaches folks in Cincinnati and Los Angeles have taken great pride in being from there and having their teams in the Big Game. Philp and Nathanael took great pride in being from the city of Bethsaida. They thought that being from Bethsaida made them superior. They believed in their superiority so much that despite learning that Jesus was the one written about by Moses and spoken about by the prophets. Jesus was dismissed by Philip and Nathanael because he was from Nazareth instead of Bethsaida. So, secure in his superiority Nathanael commented about Jesus saying, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”
America in its laws, actions, and attitudes has been saying “can any good thing come from black people?”
This drumbeat of negativity, discrimination, and hostility can eat at the strongest of black people making us feel worthless.
We study Black History to remind ourselves that we are great people with a history worthy of study. No history of America is complete without a study and celebration of the achievements of African Americans.
We study Black History to examine not only our successes but also to remember the times when our nation failed to live up to its creed that all people are created equal. We study Black History because we must pass our story on to the next generation of young, gifted, and back children who will continue to blaze a trail of greatness in an America that will do everything it can to stop their greatness.
Come and join us tomorrow at Greater Saint Peter as we learn more from John 1:43-51 in a sermon entitled Why We Study Black History. Our service starts at 10:00 AM we worship safely in person at 9540 Fayetteville Road in Jonesboro, Georgia. You can also catch us on Facebook at GSP9540. So, until tomorrow, Blessings, Peace, and Love. j
In 1968, “Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing” became a number one smash hit for the duet of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. Written by the iconic husband and wife team of Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson, the song extols the virtues of and defines real love as an in-person encounter.
The “real thing” of in-person love is counter to love that is long-distance in nature. So, the question must be asked is the love of couples separated for any number of reasons the “real thing”? Or is the real thing only in-person love?
This tension of what is the real thing is at the heart of Ash Wednesday and the text we explore today from Matthew Chapter 6. Jesus slams the Pharisees and other Jewish authorities saying, “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:1)
Jesus goes on to define real faith as acts done in private: when you give to the needy, donate privately (vv. 2–4); when you pray, pray privately (vv. 5–6); when you fast, or abstain do it privately (vv. 16–18).
How can this text that implores private acts of righteousness square with the very visible and public act of faith we do on Ash Wednesday? With the very visible imposition of ashes placed on the forehead along with the very public fasting of Lent.
Jesus understands this tension between public and private acts of faith. He resolves this question on the cross. The crucifixion of Jesus was a public act of faith and it had to be. We had to see the nails being put in his hands. We had to see the crown of thorns being placed on his head. We had to see the suffering. We had to see Jesus die, we had to see him taken to the grave.
We had to see this authentic act of faith so that we can practice authentic acts of faith in private most of the time or in public on days like today Ash Wednesday.
The song “Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing” concludes with the lovers Marvin and Tammi proclaiming that they as so glad they got the “real thing”. On this Ash Wednesday, as we enter 40 days of meeting the test of forging a more intimate relationship with God. Let us rejoice that we got the real thing in Jesus.
This week I have been thinking and praying about the notion of being overwhelmed. The pandemic has shown us the increasing, demanding, and complex challenges of our lives. Our typical response to these demands is to work harder, rather than to step back and figure out a better way to work.
In leading the Israelites Moses, had a complex, demanding and difficult job. Moses was assigned the task of serving as a judge for the people, interpreting God’s law, and solving distributes. However, this work took a tremendous toll sitting as Israel’s only judge Moses spent all day setting cases.
Watching all of this was Moses’ father-in-law Jethro concerned that both the Israelites and Moses will be completely worn out. He urged Moses to select capable trustworthy men to serve as judges. Spreading the work getting other people involved became a lifesaver for Moses and a life-giver for the Israelites.
Finding a few good men is the Biblical solution to the secular problem of our complex times. God wants to make the complex simple, but the solution is not limited to having men around. Think of the word “men” as a metaphor for God’s will for us not to be overwhelmed. Meaning that we serve a God who will bring us the peace that passes all understanding. Bringing people, resources, technologies, and more produces relief to our hectic lives.
The Sons of Allen of the African Methodist Episcopal are a group of men worthy of Jethro’s call. These capable and trustworthy men ease the burden of church life. Serving in the church in every capacity The Sons of Allen can be counted on to always be there eliminating the feeling of being overwhelmed that has only intensified within our churches during the pandemic.
Tomorrow 10:00 AM at Greater Saint Peter the Sons of Allen will lead our services as I preach the Good News from Exodus 18: 13-26 in teaching entitled A Few Food Men. We worship safely in the sanctuary at 9540 Fayetteville Road in Jonesboro or Facebook at GSP9540. So, until tomorrow, Blessings, Peace, and Love
Do you feel overwhelmed? Do you feel helpless, because you know that you are the only one who can do what needs to be done? Whatever the task is you know that it cannot be done without you. It does not matter if you are overwhelmed the burden is yours and yours alone.
In the 18th chapter of Exodus Moses was overwhelmed. As the Israelites languished in the wilderness they fussed and fought among themselves. Leaving Moses and Moses alone to settle the disputes resulting from the fussing and fighting. He did the settling from morning to night.
Moses was overwhelmed and he did not even know it! However, his father-in-law Jethro saw that not only Moses was overwhelmed but the Israelites were overwhelmed as well.
Like Moses, many of us are overwhelmed and don’t even know it. And perhaps many don’t know that we serve a God that can take away our being overwhelmed. We serve a God that can bring ideas people and even electronic tools into our lives to help us with the work that has so overwhelmed us.
But more importantly, God will bring the peace that surpasses all understanding a peace that will overwhelm whatever is overwhelming us. A peace that brings joy to our life and productivity to the tasks that previously overwhelmed us. God will do this because we trust know and believe that the battle that has overwhelmed us is not ours it is the Lord.
Exercise physiologist and master trainer Hilton Ferguson joins Dr. Veita Bland to discuss the five components of physical fitness, trends in physical fitness, and the importance that rest plays in keeping fit.
listen to Pastor Marben's teaching from Psalm 19 about the power of God can lead us to a lifetime of us performing acceptable acts. The sermon features a tribute to Tuskegee Airmen, General Charles E. McGee. Recorded January 23, 2020
What is an acceptable act? I believe we all struggle with knowing what an acceptable act is. Remember when you were at that fancy dinner, and you did not know which fork was acceptable to eat your salad with? Or when you got mad, at someone and you grappled if it was acceptable to send them a nasty email, a nasty letter or to just let them have it in a nasty personal exchange.
David in Psalm 19 struggles with the notion of what is an acceptable act. He acknowledges the magnificence of God’s creation; he recognizes the perfection and goodness of God’s commandments and laws. He understands his own sinful nature weakness which will keep him from following God’s commands. With this knowledge, David turns to God in prayer asking to let the words of his mouth and the meditation of his heart to be acceptable to the Lord. Because God is his rock and his redeemer.
Tomorrow at Greater Saint Peter as we will explore Psalm 19 in a teaching, I am calling Acceptable Acts. Our service starts at 10:00 AM, we are worshiping in-person and online on Facebook at GSP9540. So until tomorrow blessings, peace, and love.
General Charles E. McGee, one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen, who flew a remarkable 409 combat missions in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam has died. He was 102 years old.
Life is made up of more than just the years that we live. More importantly, our lives should be measured by the actions that we take.
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer” is the direction of Psalm 19.
By all accounts, General McGee lived a life full of acceptable actions. He was an Eagle Scout, a top student in high school, an engineering student at the University of Illinois who cut short his studies to join the Tuskegee Airmen. A husband and father of three the General spent his post-military career in corporate executive positions. The General was a founder and past president of the Tuskegee Airmen, Incorporated. A nonprofit designed to tell the story of the airman promoting excellence especially in communities of color. He lectured widely about flying serving as an inspiration to the goodness of the human spirit.
God will give us strength, peace, and joy when we decide to live a life doing acceptable acts for Him. General Charles E. McGee leaves a 102-year legacy of what is possible living a life doing acceptable acts for the Lord.
The COVID 19 landscape is changing fast Dr. Cynthia Snider the medical director of infection prevention at Cone Health in Greensboro, NC joins Dr. Veita Bland, MD for an update.
On the eve of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Pastor Marben teachers from Amos 5:21-24 about how God disapproves of the reframing of facts and events to suit the beliefs of those in power. He uses the same logic from the Word of God to contend that the present-day whitewashing of events like the attack on the US Capital is equal to the reframing of the life of Dr. King to that of a happy man who went about marching and making speeches. Instead of viewing Dr. King as people viewed Jesus, as a radical ordained by God to upset the social order mobilizing people to seek justice in the kingdom of God.
Whitewash is a solution that is used to cover up the paint that is currently on the wall – so that you can cover it with a new coat of paint. Often that new coat of paint is of a different color than the paint that was previously on the wall. When a painter whitewashes the wall stays the same however, it now is a new color. A color that is more assessable to the people who are looking at the wall.
A form of whitewashing takes place in the human condition. We change the facts, ignore certain truths, and recreate history so that an event, is seen in a different light like some have done with the January 6 attack on the US capital. The life and times of Dr. Martin Luther King have been whitewashed where some have reduced his words to fit causes that he would have never supported. Tomorrow at Greater Saint Peter we will celebrate Dr. King with a sermon from Amos 5:21-24 entitled, the whitewashing of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Remember because of the weather the church building will be closed. So watch the service at 10:00 AM tomorrow on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/gsp9540 so until tomorrow blessings, peace, and love.
In a podcast recorded on January 11th at Panera Bread in Macon, Georgia Charles and Marben discuss topics from the news including the National Championship football game won by the University of Georgia, voting rights, and the late actor Sidney Poitier
The upcoming Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday is not an ordinary holiday day. It is a day where we give of ourselves in service to the community.
This year we are encouraging members and friends of the Greater Saint Peter African Methodist Episcopal Church in Jonesboro, Georgia to create “Blessing Bags” to honor Dr. King.
In the COVID-free safety of your own home, we are asking you to take a gallon size Ziploc bag and fill it with some of the items listed below. Carry at least five “Blessings Bags” in your car available to give a blessing especially to those who are experiencing homeliness.
What To Include:
- Hand-Warmers – Put a couple of packs in, especially during the winter, but even for those chilly evenings in the spring/summer/fall, these would be very welcome. You can a pack of 40 at Costco for around $15 ($.38/pk)
- Bag of Quarters – These are nice to include for washing clothes at the laundromat put them in a snack-size Ziploc bag to keep them contained in a smaller area
- Bottle of Water – Mini water bottles work great.
- Baby Wipes – A small pack of baby wipes is a great way to help people feel clean and fresh
- Hand Sanitizer – Another great option to help folks feel clean and fresh.
- Prepaid gift cards -
In addition, include:
*If you have a lot of items to include in your bags, travel-size toiletries work great
· Toothbrush
· Toothpaste (travel size if you have a lot of items to put into your bag)
· Floss
· Soap (Collect soaps from hotels to use in your Blessing Bags)
· Deodorant
· Shampoo/conditioner (these are also great products to save from hotels if you don’t use them as they’re the perfect size for these bags)
· Comb
· Personal hygiene items (tampons, pantiliners, pads, etc for blessing bags for women )
· Sunscreen
· Chapstick
· New Socks
· New Underwear
· Inexpensive gloves
· Granola Bars
· Energy Bars
· Tuna/cracker packs
· Trail mix
· Raisins
· Peanuts
· Fruit cup/ applesauce cup (& include a spoon)
· Gum/hard candy
· Hot Cocoa/Spiced Cider Mixes or on-the-go coffee mixes
We hope that you will create Blessing Bags as part of your days of service in honor of Dr. King. Show us the results of your work by posting pictures of your Blessing Bags to our Facebook page www.facebook.com/gsp9540.
In a sermon recorded live on Sunday, January 2nd at Greater Saint Peter, Pastor Marben teaches from 1st Samuel17:3-11. As he talks about the giants in our lives and how with faith in God they can be defeated.
What makes you happy? I am happy when I spend time with the grandkids. I am happy when the Braves win. I am happy on a warm summer day enjoying it with the one I love. In thinking about the things that make us happy how often do we think that worshiping and serving the Lord can make us happy.
Psalm 68:3-4 says “May the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. Sing to God, sing in praise of his name.”
This is not the put on a smile and fake it to you make it kind of happy that makes you a “good Christian.” Finding happiness in worshiping and serving God is the authentic praise and good feeling that you get when you know that you know that you know that what you are doing, you are doing it for the glory of God.
So, the next time you think about what makes you happy included God because he is the center of our joy.
Saul and the people of Israel faced a dilemma that dismayed and made them greatly afraid. Goliath the Philistine champion had challenged them to a fight. He wanted Saul and Israel to pick one person to fight against him. If the Israelite fighter defeated him then the Philistine people would become their slaves but if Goliath prevailed enslavement would be Israel’s lot.
The stakes were high, and the odds were long. Goliath was not only an excellent fighter, but he was also a giant. He was nearly ten feet tall, he wore a helmet and armor on his chest, and legs made of heavy bronze. Weighing 15 pounds his heavy and thick spear was tipped with iron. Goliath was formidable in every way even his armor-bearer induced fear as he walked ahead of the giant carrying a shield.
The dilemma of Saul and the Israelites was simple. Was there someone with the courage, confidence, and competency to face the giant? For they had no choice Goliath must fall.
Join us tomorrow 10:00 AM ET at Greater Saint Peter as we examine the giants in our lives. We are at 9540 Fayetteville Road in Jonesboro, Georgia or on Facebook GSP9540. Use this link to download tomorrow’s bulletin https://bit.ly/3mNMIYH.
As we enter a new year Psalm 100 is a pleasant reminder of not only who God is but how we are to worship and to serve him.
Yes, we are to worship with singing and a joyful noise that will bring gladness to all. And since we know that the Lord is the only one and true God, we are thankful and filled with praise. Let us bless his holy name for the Lord is good, loving, and faithful.
The faithfulness of the Lord extends to all generations. Think about how faithful the Lord has been in your life. In the 70’s when you had an afro the Lord was faithful. In the 80’s when you wore that leisure suit God was faithful. In the 90’s when you are partying like it was 1999 all decade long God was faithful. And now in the 21st century, as we are faced with a global pandemic, an attack on our Democracy, and a new open season of racism powered by social media and right-wing cable God is with us.
So, as we celebrate this new year let us do with a joyful noise to the great and faithful God that we serve.
Happy New Year
On New Year’s Eve last year, we were all cheering the end of 2020. We were hopeful that 2021 would be a better year.
In many ways, it has been a better year. The Trump Administration is out of office, but then there was January 6th. The Braves won the World Series, but we lost Henry Aaron. The vaccine and the booster have saved lives, but COVID is still raging.
Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 provides great advice as we move into a new year. He reminds us to rejoice always. Rejoicing always does not mean that we are sugar coating things but what it does mean is we have the peace of God with us. Giving us the opportunity to view life for what it is a gift from the Lord that is so lovely, so powerful and so extraordinary that even in the bad times we can rejoice. Paul goes on to tell us to pray without ceasing. Being rejoiceful means that we have a relationship with God. Prayer builds that relationship, Moses prayed, your grandmother prayed, and let’s be clear Jesus prayed as well.
Giving thanks in all circumstances is the continuation of the advice of Paul. Being thankful is the essence of our rejoicing. Because happiness and thankfulness are intertwined rejoicings. When giving thanks to the Lord we are rejoicing.
Finally, Paul in verse 18 tells us that praying without ceasing, giving thanks in all circumstances and Rejoicing always is the will of God.
So, as we count down the hours to the start of a new year, let us rejoice not because we expect 2022 will be any better but because the will of God gives us the hope that despite all the crap of 2021 and the difficulties that we can clearly see on the horizon of 2022, God is still in control and for that let us rejoice.
Blessings, Peace, and Love during this Rejoiceful new year.
Mary, Joseph, and twelve-year-old Jesus traveled from their home in Nazareth to attend the Passover festival in Jerusalem. Find out what happens when Jesus does not return home in Pastor Marben’s sermon teaching recorded live at GSP entitled. “Jesus Is Missing.”
The good fight the race that marked the earthly life of Archbishop Desmond Tutu is over. The spellbinding preacher Nobel Peace prize winner and the moral compass of the pre-and post-apartheid era in South Africa has died at age 90.
Archbishop Tutu preached and practiced the forgiveness of Jesus in the midst of ungodly injustice. These principals were put to the test when he chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. A panel empowered to render an honest accounting of the viciousness of apartheid in South Africa. The archbishop said that the commission was necessary to open the wounds of hate and division, to cleanse them so that they can at long last heal. Restorative rather than retributive justice is what Jesus wants and under his leadership that is what the Truth and Reconciliation Commission did.
The New York times said Archbishop Tutu's moral leadership, combined with his winning effervescence, made him something of a global celebrity. He was photographed at glittering social functions, appeared in documentaries, and chatted with talk-show hosts. He used this global platform to speak out against wrongs wherever he saw them from poverty in the United States to social unrest in Europe to criticizing Israel’s policy toward Palestinians calling it apartheid on the West Bank.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 are the reflections of Paul as he examines his life near its end. An examination of the life of Archbishop Desmon Tutu represents the Paul-like qualities that all of us who serve the Lord will want at the end of our lives. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
Desmond Tutu the good fight, the good life, the crown of righteousness.
John 1:1-14 are verses that reveal not only the actions and promises of God but also the outcomes that can only be achieved if we believe.
Let’s look at the actions of God that are uncovered in this text. First, before anything else existed there was God and with God there was Christ. Second God created everything and third, it is His eternal light that shines through the darkness.
Next are the promises of God. God sent John the Baptist as a witness to Isiah’s prophecy that a child has been born a son has been given to us. Authority will rest on his shoulders, and he shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. That child is Jesus, the son of God who was with God from the beginning before anything came to be. God sent Jesus to live with us, full of loving forgiveness and truth. Then God made one more promise all who believed in Jesus would be saved and would have everlasting life.
Now, remember I said this text John 1:1-14 describes the actions and promises of God.
The outcomes, well in the great wisdom of God, the outcomes have been left to us. And the text addresses them, we rejected Jesus not recognizing this great gift of God sent to live among us. We arrested Jesus, beat Jesus, convicted Jesus on trumped-up charges, nailed him to a cross, and crucified him.
But the Glory of the Lord is greater than any outcome of humans. For on the third day Jesus rose from the dead bringing with him all power and another outcome, this one controlled by God.
The outcome is forgiveness of our sins. For you see Jesus is the Word and God made the Word flesh that lived with us.
So today on this Christmas Eve as we terry about with gifts in tow. Let us pause for a moment to consider the gift of Jesus, the Word that became flesh.
In this pause consider these questions. Are you saved? Have you accepted the gift of Jesus? If not now is the time to pray with me please. Father, I come to you on this day of your son’s birth to say that I am a sinner seeking your forgiveness. Please come and save me and it is in Jesus' name that I pray let us all say Amen.
You have just received the best Christmas present of all salvation. Now the actions, promises, and outcomes of your life are now in God's hands.
You have found the light, now you need to find a good church to keep your light shining brightly because the Word has become flesh within you.
Greater Saint Peter is a church where the Word of God is taught, practiced, and lived.
I invite you to give me a call or send a text my number is 608 358 1309. Connect with me any time and let’s start a dialogue about your faith.
Now for a Christmas Benediction, a special covering of God’s grace until we meet again. May the light of Jesus be with you this and every day as you bask in the goodness of God’s forgiveness. – Let us all say Amen.
Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-7) tells of a governmental decree obeyed by Joseph to travel from where he lived in Nazareth to return to his ancestral home of Bethlehem. We also learn that Joseph is of a royal line with heritage that leads directly to King David, a man after God’s own heart. Traveling with Joseph is Mary who is described as his obviously pregnant fiancée.
You would think that a man of royal heritage, accompanied by an obviously pregnant fiancée would have no problem finding a room at the Village Inn. But they did.
For more than a century, the United States has been the world's economic powerhouse.
From its world-leading GDP to its powerful stock exchange, even in the doldrums of COVID 19 and the inflation that it has brought. The US is the market the rest of the globe looks for wealth and stability.
You would think with the wealth of our nation everyone in it would have a place in our village inn, everyone would have a home.
In 2020 the Census Bureau reported over half a million people were experiencing homelessness in America.
Experiencing homelessness is defined as an individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, such as those living in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or places not meant for habitation like under a bridge, in a doorway, or a car.
Yet as we celebrate the birth of Jesus in the richest country in the world. There are many who have no place in our village inn.
Perhaps one of the reasons God allowed his son, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace not to have a place in the village inn. It is so, for at least one moment we can be reminded they are among us despite their royal bloodlines that have no place at the village inn. They have no place to sleep, they have no home.
What we do about this dilemma collectively and individually is truly up to us.
Mark P. Fisher is the Executive Director of the Same Kind Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to those experiencing homeliness.
In a blog entitled 7 Ways You Can Bless Someone Experiencing Homelessness During the Pandemic. Mark shares some practical ways we can help. Here are three of them:
Make Eye Contact/Smile
When we encounter someone experiencing homeliness, make eye contact smile. For you see many people experiencing homeliness feel invisible. Mark says it might feel a bit weird or scary at first, but never in his countless experiences has someone attacked or gotten angry with him for smiling
Blessings Bags
Second, give something tangible by creating blessings bags. These are clear gallon zip lock bags that you can carry in your car. You can show your kindness by including things like hand warmers, gift cards, bags of quarters which are handy for using in a laundromat a small pack of baby wipes would be great to help a person feel clean and fresh between trips to the shower.
Volunteer
Finally, you can make a difference by volunteering at a homeless shelter. There are many jobs there from serving meals to cleaning bathrooms to providing tutoring.
I hope you will take these recommendations of blessings making them part of your life beyond the holidays. For while the inn may be full our ability bless is always open.
Benediction
Now for our Benediction, a shower of special blessings for Christmas day and beyond. Father, we come asking for your blessing for those among us who are experiencing homeliness. Expand our hearts so that we can say hello when we encounter homeless brothers and sisters. Grant us&
We depend on the government for protection against our enemies both foreign and domestic. We depend on the government to educate our children from kindergarten to college. We depend on our government to provide equal protection under the law.
How well did the government protect us on January 6th? How well has the government educated our children especially in the intercity or rural America?
How well did the government provide equal protection to George Floyd, Michael Brown, Sandra Bland, and countless others who were too poor, too black, or too gay to merit consideration?
As long the government is mortals it will disappoint as it tries to protect us. Our children will be undereducated as they attend underfunded schools. Citizens will be deprived of their rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The government will pass laws restricting voting while maintaining the filibuster a throwback to the days of Jim Crow which seems to be still alive and kicking.
The prophet Isaiah speaks of an Israelite government just as corrupt, just as dangerous, and just as ineffective as our government today.
Into this dark time, Isaiah shines a light as he describes the reign of a righteous King. For unto us a child is born unto us a son has been given. The government will be on his shoulders. No more will the government be unjust, unfair, and unresponsive.
Instead, the government will be on the shoulders of a Wonderful Counselor, a Mighty God, an Everlasting Father, a Prince of Peace.
During this Advent season as we celebrate the birth of Jesus let us look forward to his coming again.
Let us look forward to as Isaiah has told us to the reestablishment of the throne of David upheld by justice and righteousness.
In the meantime, before Jesus comes again let us have within in us the zeal of the Lord of host to call out injustice when we see it, to march for freedom, and to live with the confidence that trouble don’t last always because help is on the way for unto us a child has been born.
In America, Christmas is the most celebrated holiday of the year, with an estimated 85% of the population celebrating it in some way.
Families reunite, decorations are put up around the home, and gifts are bought for family and friends. Most families have Christmas traditions, whether it be baking cookies together, touring Christmas light displays or attending a Christmas Eve candlelight service. \
But why is Christmas such a big deal? What is Christmas all about? A reading of Luke 2:8-30 can give you the true meaning of Christmas. In simple terms, the angel of the Lord appears to the shepherds out in the field and tells them of the good news that born this day is a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
While we may be dazzled by the presents, parties, and the trees. Christmas is a big deal because of the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Christmas is a big deal because of the man named Jesus who turned water into wine. Christmas is a big deal because Jesus was beaten, betrayed hung on a cross, and died. Christmas is a big deal because Jesus rose from the dead.
Christmas is a big deal because of the gift of everlasting life given to you by Jesus. So, make Christmas a big deal…accept the gift of Jesus.
Join us tomorrow at 10:00 AM ET at Greater Saint Peter as we continue our celebration of Advent with a sermon from Luke 2:8-30 entitled Glory To God In The Highest. We are on Facebook at GSP9450. So until then blessing, peace, and love.
On October 15th, 1958, 17-year-old Albert “Shug” Hill, Jr was shot and killed by his white neighbor 36-year-old Earl Vance Shivers. According to local newspaper reports, Mr. Shivers said he shot the black teenager because he was looking through a window of the Shivers’ home where his wife and daughter were sitting.
Frenchy Hodges joins the podcast to talk and read excerpts from SHUG a book about wrongful death, remembering the forgotten, exploring the unknown, and seeking the truth.
Our monthly luncheon podcast with Charles E. Richardson. Topics: Warner Robins Mayor’s race, David Perdue challenging Brian Kemp for the GOP nomination for governor, Stacey Abrams entry in the race for governor, book recommendations
For me, the television special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” remains a highlight of the Advent season.
Produced over a half-century ago in 1965, the show features the cast of Peanuts, a newspaper cartoon strip illustrated and written and by Charles Schultz.
Schultz’s singular goal was for the special to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. According to Wikipedia, Schultz was adamant that a reading of Luke 2:8-20 be included. For in his estimation those verses told the true meaning of Christmas.
However, the producers of the show were skeptical they were concerned that religion in the supercharged mid-1960s was too controversial of a topic, especially for a family-oriented television show.
Schultz stood his ground telling his producers "If we don't do it, who will?". And not many people were willing to “do it” as research showed less than nine percent of 1960’s television Christmas episodes contained a substantive reference to religion.
Undaunted, Schultz made Linus’s reciting of the verses from Luke the climax of the special. Incorporating it in such a way that it was impossible for those who may think the message of the true meaning of Christmas was too controversial to edit out.
As Christmas nears Charles Schultz’s question of “If we don't do it, who will?", remains. Although we may not have a television special or a newspaper cartoon strip, we can still spread the gospel. We can spread the gospel not only by how we live, how we give, and how we worship but more importantly by simply telling people about Jesus.
So, this Christmas amid the gifts, the parties, and the food that dominates the season let’s tell people about Jesus. Because if we don’t do it who will.
Join us tonight for on-the-phone church school at 7:00 PM ET call 857 799-9977 for an hour of biblically-based teaching.
So until tonight @ 7:00 PM ET blessings, peace, and love.
For nearly 70 years Thelma Wright Edwards has been connecting the dots seeking justice for the murder of her cousin Emmett Till. The dots connected when in 2020 the U.S. Justice Department reopened the case prompted by the release of the book "The Blood of Emmett Till," in which Carolyn Bryant Donham appears to recant her 1955 claim that 14-year-old Emmett made advances toward the then 21-year-old woman.
However, the potential promised joy of justice that connecting the dots of the DOJ probe could bring was shattered when the investigation was officially closed on Monday. The reason for the alleged recanting of Carolyn Bryant Donham’s crucial testimony never came. Without it, officials could not prove Donham’s claims that a 14-year-old boy grabbed and verbally threatening her were actually false.
The dots were connected but no joy was found.
This Sunday at Greater Saint Peter we will explore how Mary the mother of Jesus connected the dots about her virgin pregnancy and came to understand the joy in being chosen by God. My Advent teaching will come from Luke 1:39-56 and it is entitled Connecting The Dots of Joy.
Join us at 10:00 AM in person at 9540 Fayetteville Road in Jonesboro or on Facebook @GSP9540, so until tomorrow blessings, peace, and love.
In a sermon recorded live at Greater Saint Peter African Methodist Episcopal
Church in Jonesboro, Georgia, Pastor Marben Bland teaches from Malachi 3:15 about the peace of Jesus which will bring justice.
COVID has robbed us of the simple joy of visiting with people. It’s been three years since I had been with my siblings. However, thanks to the vaccines we were together this Thanksgiving.
Being together brought us so much joy as we connected the dots of family bonding, sibling understanding, and love that only a physical visitation can bring.
When the angel Gabriel told Mary that she had been impregnated and would be the mother of Jesus, he also told her of another miraculous impending birth, her cousin Elizabeth, despite being old in age was with child.
Immediately she traveled to see Elizabeth and, in that visit, chronicled in Luke 1:39-56, Mary connected the joyous dots that confirmed her status as the mother of our Lord and savior.
God has joyous dots ready for you to connect. Dots that will give you hope, peace, joy, and Love.
This week at Greater Saint Peter we are committed to helping you connect the dots of joy. Join us for Tuesday night church school, by calling 857 799-9977, Wednesday night Bible Study on Zoom with meeting ID: www.zoom.us Meeting ID: 695 669 5487 and timely dot-connecting content on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/gsp9540
In the last book of the Old Testament the prophet, Malachi delivers two important messages. First God is not pleased with the injustices of the world and secondly, God is sending a messenger who will prepare the way for the peace that will come.
The messenger is John the Baptist, and the peace that will come is Jesus.
And when Jesus comes there will be peace and with that peace, there will be justice. Malachi tells us what justice looks like. Justice with compelling evidence against sorcerers, adulterers, liars, those who exploit workers, those who take advantage of widows and orphans, and those who are inhospitable to the homeless along with anyone and everyone who doesn’t honor the Lord.
Find more of what Godly justice looks like in my message from Malachi entitled No Justice No Peace. Sunday services at Greater Saint Peter start at 10:00 AM eastern. Join us in person or on Facebook www.facebook.com/gsp9540 So, until tomorrow blessings, peace, and love.
“No justice, no peace!” is a powerful call for the equality and equity sought by the Black Lives Matter movement. More than a slogan “No justice, no peace” is a concise description of the blinding privileges of whiteness that undergirds every factor of American life.
From redlining to unfunded schools, to law enforcement practices, the systemic favoring of whiteness makes it clear that we must chant “No justice, no peace” until it is understood that Black Lives Matter too.
Peace will not prevail until the systems that further white privilege from confederate symbols to gerrymandering to student loan debt to drug laws to the tax code are dismantled and replaced by policies of inclusion and laws of equity.
In the last book of the Old Testament the prophet, Malachi delivers two important messages. First God is not pleased with the injustices of the world and secondly, God is sending a messenger who will prepare the way for the peace that will come.
The messenger is John the Baptist, and the peace that will come is Jesus. In this holiday season where our attention can drift more to presents than peace. Let us remember Jesus was born to bring peace and justice to a troubled world. For those of us fighting for justice, we must remember that No Justice No Peace means nothing unless and until we have the peace of Jesus flowing within us.
Yes, it’s Thanksgiving. In addition to turkey, stuffing, football, and friends it is a time to count our blessings and to be thankful for all the things that God has given us.
However, when the turkey is cold the friends are gone, your belt is let out a notch or two more and the black Friday bills come due how grateful, how appreciative, and how thankful are we?
Dr. Robert Emmons is the world’s leading scientific expert about the subject of gratitude. A professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis. Dr. Emmons writes that We live in a nation where everyone is on their own pursuit of happiness. Everyone has his or her own path on this journey. For some, the search begins in books; for others it comes through service.
But perhaps the most popular form of seeking happiness is through the accumulation of “things.” Dr. Emmons has concluded that materialism rules the day.
A society such as ours that feels entitled to what it receives does not adequately express gratitude. Seen through the lens of buying and selling, relationships as well as things are viewed as disposable, and gratitude cannot survive this materialistic onslaught. The lack of gratitude the lack of being thankful is contagious and is passed from one generation to the next.
That is why it’s so easy to be thankful for a few hours on Thanksgiving Day and so unthankful for the rest of the year. Because before the dinner is put away, we go back to our old ways of materialism and individual happiness justified by our “rights” as an American to freedom at all costs.
This lack of gratefulness this feeling that we cannot be thankful is nothing new. Jesus in Luke 17:11-18 heals 10 men suffering from leprosy however only one of the men came back to thank Jesus.
So, this is the point in ways big and small God is helping us keeping us safe from hurt harm and danger. God is helping us sending people into our lives to give us comfort, guidance, and love. God is helping us God is helping us, God is helping us.
So, this is the other point it’s easy to be thankful on Thanksgiving the day, the time, place, and day where being thankful is expected.
So, my final point is this God wants us to be thankful not just on Thanksgiving Day but always. In the versus from Luke Jesus indicates that being thankful brings glory to God. So, say thank you to the person who hands you food at the fast-food place. Say thank you the people who deliver the mail, say thank you to the garbage man, the newspaper man, the woman who does your hair, the woman who cleans up your room at the hotel and the young man who cuts your grass. Let us be thankful for everything and everybody and while we are saying thanks let us not forget to say thank you to God.
Pray with me please: Our Father who is in heaven we thank you for harvest that is on our table and family that has gathered around it. We ask your traveling mercies during this time as many have gone far and wide for gathering and reunions after so long of being apart. And while these joining acts take place, others are alone others are sick others are grieving. Father reach out to them using me and others as your instrument. Not only on this day, but the in the times and the monuments that our help is most needed. Spring into us the spirit of gratefulness displayed by the lepper who came back to thank Jesus, even as we live in a world where materialism is valued more that humbleness and where individualism has made us more focused on self instead of being grateful for others. May we live thankful lives in the image of your son Jesus whose name that we pray, let us all say. Amen, Amen and Amen.
Jurors in the Kyle Rittenhouse case have spoken rendering a not guilty verdict. Within hours jurors deciding the fate of three men charged with killing Ahmaud Arbery will start deliberations.
Was justice right in the Rittenhouse case? Will justice get it right concerning the killing of Ahmaud Arbery?
We cry for justice, we march for justice, we pray for justice. However, what happens when justice is wrong? When conviction goes to the innocent, and the guilty are acquitted.
These are bitter pills to take the failure of when justice is wrong remains for generations. But in the mists of this pain, there is hope, the prophet Amos in a lament of the injustices of the people of Israel tells of God’s restoration of justice saying when the Lord comes justice will roll down like waters and righteousness will prevail like an ever-flowing stream.
God is the ultimate juror and on the day of the Lord, justice will be set right. But in the meantime, justice will be right, and justice will be wrong. As Christians, we must continue to fight for justice with our activism, our money, and our prayers. All as we eagerly await the day will justice can no longer be wrong for with our God justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Proverbs 27:17 proclaims: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another”. This simple verse tells us that no one is alone. The verse is a call to make ourselves better through mentorship, followership, and learning together.
This iron sharpens iron podcast is an examination of Genesis 17 verses 1-27. I am joined in this informative conversation by Jimmy Richardson.
In baseball, the midpoint of the season is when the all-star game is played. The all-star break is a time where major league teams evaluate their chances at making the playoffs. The 2021 Atlanta Braves had a losing record of 44-45 at the all-star break. Superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. was lost to a season-ending knee injury. Atlanta’s pitching ace Mike Soroka was also out and hurt. Experts gave the Braves a 0.3 percent chance of winning the World Series. Very little was going well for the Braves most folks saw them including this fan as a losing team.
Alex Anthopoulos the general manager of the Braves did not see them as a losing team. He acquired Joc Pederson, Adam Duvall, Jorge Soler, and Eddie Rosario remaking the outfield along with fireballer Richard Rodriguez reinforcing the bullpen. The 44-45 Braves got the message, their general manager saw them differently not as a losing team but as a World Series-winning team which is exactly what they became.
Abram grew up in a pagan home in an unbelieving and idolatrous society. With such an upbringing many could easily see Abram as a sinful unbelieving man, however, God saw things differently. When Abram was 99 years old God made an extraordinary promise to a person of his background. The Lord declared to Abram that at long last he and his wife would have a son and that he was changing his name to Abraham reflective of God’s vision and status for him to become the father of many nations.
God sees you differently from what you and the world may see you to be. God’s plans for you are far greater than we can ever imagine. Many of us may not know how God sees us and what plans God has for our lives. The discovery process may take some time remember Abraham was 99 when God came to him, but it will happen. For those of us who know what God has in store for us, I have this advice live as God sees you and not as the world sees you. We need to look no further than the World Series Champion Atlanta Braves and Abraham to know that God sees you differently.
I am in my second week as the pastor of the Greater Saint Peter African Methodist Episcopal Church in Jonesboro, Georgia. There are so many things to do, meetings, mortgages, budgets, directions, transitions, and moving. Phone calls with members, elders, and even our Bishop. The days have been exciting, enjoyable, and I must admit exhausting.
Jesus in his busy days provides the role model that I need in my busy days, no matter how busy you are never too busy for God.
In Mark 1:29, we find Jesus teaching all day in the synagogue. In the middle of his teaching, a man with an unclean spirit interrupted. Jesus dealt with him casting out the demons. In the afternoon, Jesus goes with his disciples to the house of Simon Peter and Andrew, his brother.
There Jesus finds Simon’s mother-in-law in bed very sick. He heals her and she begins to serve them. I imagine Jesus and his disciples were thinking they would finally get an evening to have a great meal and relax. But about that time, outside the house was the whole city. They were waiting to be ministered to by Jesus. Mark records there were those who were possessed by demons and those with various diseases. Jesus goes out and ministers to them. I imagine this goes on into the late hours of the night. It was another day of a full schedule for him.
When the next day approached, Jesus had a human decision to make. Get the day going again and go out and continue to minister in Capernaum. The crowds would be back. There were still more people to heal. Busyness was at the door of his day ahead. However, in verse 35, we see what Jesus did often when faced with a busy day. He got up early before the crowd woke. He went out to a quiet place to pray and to be with his Father.
Jesus needed time to find out His Father’s plan for His day. The needs were great. The people would be waiting, the disciples would need instructions. The list of things to do would get long. Jesus knew he needed to pray. He needed to hear from His Father. He needed to plan his day in light of what the Father wanted and not what the crowd wanted.
The thing I have learned this week, more important than budgets, mortgages or moving is that we are never too busy for God. When we put God first going to the Lord in prayer he will give our busy days direction, order, and purpose. Remember, we are never too busy for God.
Pediatricians can start vaccinating children ages 5-11 years against COVID-19.
Federal health officials gave final approval to use the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for about 28 million children in this age group. Booster shots for adults who have taken the vaccine are now available. Dr. Cynthia Snider, MD, MPH the medical director of infection prevention at Cone Health in Greensboro, NC joins Dr. Veita Bland, MD to talk about the latest COVID-19 &
What does it mean to be greater? 1 John 4:4 tells us that we are greater when Jesus is within us. Therefore, to have Jesus within us means that we are greater which means that we are greater than great. Often as Christians, we forget that we are greater, we forget because this world can beat us down, we forget because we fail to spend time in the word, we forget because we become disillusioned by preachers who lie, cheat and steal. We forget because the devil is working all kinds of schemes to make it easy to forget that we are greater. For we are greater not for anything that we have done, rather we are greater for what we have become. And what we have become is a disciple of Jesus.
So, in the midst of a pandemic where sickness, silliness, and death are all around it is time for us to take up the blood-stained banner of the Jesus that is in all of us to be greater.
Join me tomorrow as I preach the first sermon in my new pastoral assignment at Greater Saint Peter African Methodist Episcopal Church in Jonesboro, Georgia. My teaching will be from 1 John 4:4 and it is entitled, It is time to be Greater. Our Worship Starts At 10:00 AM and you can catch the service on our Facebook Page www.facebook.com/GSP9540. So until tomorrow at 10:00 AM blessings, peace, and love.
Death is the absence of life. Death is something that we all experience. We experience the death of famous people like Colin Powel, we experience the death of people who pop into our lives because of television or the internet like Gabby Petito and now Brian Laundrie.
We experience the death of loved ones as many of us have over the years have lost grandparents, parents, siblings, and friends.
And yes, one day we will experience our own death, that moment where we will slip into eternity.
John 11:32-44 deals with death. For me, the text reveals three important Biblical truths about death taught to us by Jesus. Discover these truths in a teaching from John 11:32-44 entitled The Death of Death. Sunday School is at 10:00 AM, Worship is at 11:00 AM all times are Eastern watch us on our Facebook page @NBCDublin or call in at 857 799 9977. So, until tomorrow blessings, peace, and love.
Psalm 150 calls us to Praise God in his sanctuary. Well for almost two years many sanctuaries have been limited in the ways people have come into the building to praise God. However, instead of lamenting the limitations of coming into the sanctuary, the faithful people of God have created many ways to praise the mighty deeds and greatness of the Lord.
Yes, while we long for the days of being back in the sanctuary praising God with tambourine, dance, strings, and pipe. We will still praise God within the sanctuary of a Zoom session, we will still praise God within the sanctuary of a conference call, and we will still praise God in the sanctuary that we now call home. Because we know, count on, and believe pandemic or not that everything that halth breath will praise the Lord, and that everywhere we are and all that we do is a sanctuary.
This Sunday, October 31 at New Bethel we will observe All Saints Day. All Saints Day is a time set aside on the Christian calendar to honor those who have died in Christ. With special emphasis on those who have passed within the last year.
As we have done in previous years, on Sunday we will call the roll of those who have died in the past year. If you have a loved one or family friend who has died in the past year anytime between November 1st, 2020 until now, we would like to honor them on Sunday.
Please call or text me at 608 358 1309 no later than Thursday, October 27th. I need the name and picture of the Saint who has passed. This Sunday’s service will be virtual-only and will be available at 11:00 AM ET following our 10:00 AM ET Sunday School.
Watch the service on our Facebook page @ nbcdublin or listen to the service on your phone by calling 857 799-9977. I hope to hear from you as we honor your loved one or family friend. - Blessings, Peace, and Love.
In a sermon recorded live at New Bethel in East Dublin, Georgia Marben inspired by Mark 10:46-52 discovers how a conversation with Jesus changed the life of a blind man named Bartimaeus and how your conversation with Jesus will also change your life.
This week we will study the story of blind Bartimaeus from Mark 10:46-52. Within this remarkable story that ends with Jesus proclaiming that it’s Bartimaeus's faith that brought him sight. There is a remarkable conversation between Jesus and Bartimaeus which demonstrates how faith is developed.
I hope you will join me tomorrow in person or online at New Bethel for a teaching that I have entitled A Conversation With Jesus. Our Sunday School is at 10:00 ET, and worship begins at 11:00 ET. Catch us on Facebook @ nbcdublin or you can call in without a passcode or waiting room with our new worship number 857 799 9977.
So, until tomorrow blessings, peace, and love.
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus going on before!
The Bible is full of accounts of battles wars and the soldiers who fought them.
Perhaps, the most well-known soldiers in the Bible are Saul, Jonathan, David, and Deborah.
God directed and blessed the army of Israel and its soldiers through many battles. Nations and soldiers who battled without God’s blessing rarely claimed victory. However, those who trusted in God and fought for legitimate reasons found His favor.
Colin Powell, former secretary of state, four-star general, and lifelong Christian has died at age 84. General Powell lived a trailblazing life of faithful service to our nation while being an inspiration for many including this old soldier.
The General cared deeply about people. The General served his country and humanity nobly. The General loved his family and his God unswervingly.
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus going on before!
And as General Powell marches on to his rest I can with great confidence say that he lived and died with fidelity to the standard set by Jesus when he said, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Well, done.
Bible Study – Real Women of The Bible, Study # 11 of 12 The Woman At The Well - Wednesday, October 20th @ 7:00 PM ET
NBC Book Club – The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish
– Saturday, November 16 @ 3:00 PM
Official Board Meeting – Saturday, October 23rd @ 11:00 AM
New Conference Call Number: 857 799 9977
Quarterly Conference 3rd Quarter – Tuesday, November 9 @ 6:00 PM
Macon East District Conference Hosted by New Bethel –
November 20th, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM @ New Bethel
Mortgage Burning Service – 11:00 AM Saturday, February 26, 2022
Saints God is concerned about your body, God is concerned about your mind and yes God is concerned about your soul.
With this concern, God has given us many ways to keep us healthy in body, mind, and soul.
So, in this sermon, God has moved me to use this message as a way of checking up with all of us as to how we are keeping our body, mind, and soul healthy.
You know I love to text; it is a quick and easy way to send messages as we check on family and friends in these difficult times. Now God does not text but the scripture that I will preach tomorrow at New Bethel is God checking on all of us.
Listen to the Word of the Lord from 3 John, chapter 1 verse 2 “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul.”
God is concerned about your body, your mind, and your soul, and God has given us many ways to keep us healthy in body, mind, and soul.
Join us tomorrow at New Bethel as we explore God’s plans for us in a sermon, I have entitled Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, Healthy Soul.
Sunday school is at 10:00 AM ET, Worship is at 11:00 AM ET join us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ nbcdublin. So until tomorrow blessings, peace, and love.
The Reverend, Doctor Gloria Wicker the efficient and effective Pastor of the Wesley Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Milledgeville, Georgia, joins the podcast to talk about her ministry, her career and a certain “pick up line” a young Reverend Alan Wicker may have said to her when they first met.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the importance of breast health. Dr. Ashley Hawkins, MD the Medical Director, and Breast Radiologist at Solis Mammography of Greensboro, NC joins Dr. Veita Bland, MD to discuss the significance of mammography, self-examination, and medical check-ups as key parts to breast health.
Live long enough and you will need deliverance. Deliverance is defined as the action of being rescued or set free. Where do you need deliverance? Where do you need freedom? Do you need deliverance from pain, deliverance from sickness, deliverance from debt, or deliverance from a bad relationship? Psalm 107 tells us that when we cry to the Lord we will be delivered from our distresses. So let us give thanks to the Lord, for he is good his steadfast love endures forever, for when we cry out the Lord will give us freedom, the Lord will give us deliverance.
In celebration of our 152 anniversary, Pastor Marben discusses the promises of Psalm 100. Reminding us that we are God’s sheep and for 152 years New Bethel has been a pasture for God’s sheep.
Psalm 100 reminds us that we are the sheep of God’s pasture. Likening us to sheep is an excellent comparison because we have so many sheep-like tendencies. We are easily misguided; we are emotionally and physically vulnerable; we see the world with a short-sightedness that promotes fear, division, and racism.
In the midst of this sheep-like craziness, The Lord is our shepherd. Giving direction to the misguided, strengthening our vulnerabilities, and providing vision to overcome fear, division, and racism.
God provides his sheep with a pasture a place of peace, a place of joy, and a place of love. New Bethel has been a pasture for God’s sheep for 152 years. Join us tomorrow as we celebrate our church anniversary. I will be preaching from Palms 100 in a sermon entitled: “We are the sheep of God’s pasture.” Sunday School is at 10:00 AM ET, Worship is at 11:00 AM ET join us either in-person or on Facebook at NBCDUBLIN.
So, until tomorrow, blessings, peace, and love.
Listen to more sermons, devotionals, and podcasts at www.marbenbland.com
Charles Richardson joins The Podcast to comment on today’s news. Recorded live at Mama’s Breakfast and BBQ in Macon, Georgia Charles gives a COVID 19 update and shares his informed opinion on raising the debt ceiling, redistricting, and the life of Henry Aaron. Listen to more episodes at http://www.marbenbland.com
Natural disasters, accidents, and tragedy are bound to strike at times. While you can’t avoid them completely, you can help brace the impact when disasters occur. Emergency preparedness is the easiest way to lessen the damage when something bad happens.
Steven Grose, Senior Management Coordinator with Guilford County Emergency Services, and Scott Muthersbaugh, Deputy Public Information Officer with Guilford County Emergency Services, join Dr. Veita Bland, MD to discuss steps you can take during the disasters that will come.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord is the wonderful and important call to worship known by many in Psalm 100. An equally wonderful and important call is made in the third stanza when the Psalmist reminds us to Know that the Lord is God and that we are the sheep of his pasture. God loves us, God wants to take care of us, and God wants us to bask in the protection of his pasture. So, where is God’s pasture is it in Heaven? Is God’s pasture someplace on earth? Is God’s pasture some state of being? Well, the truth is God’s pasture is wherever we are for God is ever-present with us. And if we have accepted Jesus, God, is in us - meaning we radiate the peace, joy, and love of God.
So make a joyful noise to the Lord for we are the sheep of God’s pasture.
After more than two decades as Mayor of Dublin, Georgia Phil Best has stepped down. Interim Mayor Julie Driger has announced that she will not run for election in November.
City Councilman Jerry Davis and Attorney Joshua Kight are running to lead the city.
In an interview conducted at Paula’s Fried Chicken candidate Joshua Kight joins The Podcast to discuss his vision for Dublin.
Candidate Jerry Davis was invited to be interviewed however, because of scheduling conflicts, he was not able to appear. Our microphones are always open for Councilman Davis and we hope to speak with him whenever his schedule permits.
Now from Paul’s Fried Chicken in Dublin here is our conversation with Joshua Kight, candidate for Dublin Mayor.
In a world where we share everything from selfies to pictures of our food the question must be asked, are you sharing Jesus?
In a sermon recorded live at New Bethel, Pastor Marben explores the call of Jesus for us to share the Gospel in a sermon from Matthew 28:16-20, entitled Go Tell It.
God made us to share, and we have used our brainpower to figure out ways to do it. The printing press was invented to share our written ideas on paper. We use language, facial expressions, and our bodies to share thoughts, actions, and emotions. Computers, the smartphone, the internet, and social media have given us the ability to share instantaneously almost anything to nearly anyone in the world.
So, with all these means of sharing available are we sharing Jesus? Join us tomorrow as we explore this question in a sermon from Matthew 28:16-20 entitled, Go Tell It. Sunday school is at 10:00 AM ET, worship is at 11:00 AM ET. Watch the service on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/nbcdublin. So, until tomorrow blessings, peace, and love.
Charles E. Richardson is the formal Editorial Page Editor for The Telegraph and Macon.com. Today he joins the Podcast for a discussion of the events and issues in the news today.
“…. A truly abundant life is not measured in possessions, or money, or status. An abundant life is measured in faith and faith can’t be with us when we run with the weight of sin in our lives.”
In a sermon recorded live at New Bethel, Pastor Marben explores the example that Jesus has set as we run the race of our lives in a sermon from Hebrews 12:1-2 entitled Running With Jesus.
You know sometimes it is difficult to understand a passage of scripture. Words and phrasing get in the way making it almost impossible to get meaning from the Word of God. Then there are passages like Hebrews 12:1 and 2 the text describes our lives like a race whose running is being watched by a great cloud of witnesses both heavenly and earthly. We are called to do three things as we run, first, we are called to lay aside the weight of sin which will hinder our progress, second, we are to run with perseverance for clearly there will be times when the race will be hard, and finally, we are to look to Jesus as we run, for Jesus who endured the cross, disregarding its shame is the pioneer and perfector of our faith.
I invite you to learn more about the race that we are running as we explore Hebrews 12:1-2 in a message entitled Running with Jesus -Running with power Running with Joy. Our Sunday School is at 10:00 AM ET and worship will start at 11:00 AM ET. As always we are on zoom and Facebook @nbcdublin. So, until then blessings, peace, and love.
In a sermon recorded live at New Bethel Pastor, Marben in a teaching from James explorers how we can live knowing what God wants.
We recall the life of Muhammad Ali in Ken Burns film airing on PBS
Ali was clear about his identity calling himself the greatest, and he was in both in and out of the ring.
Jesus asks two questions about his identity first who do people say that the Son of Man is? In response, the disciples said some identified Jesus as John the Baptist, or Elijah, or Jeremiah.
The second question was more revealing “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter knew the identity of Jesus saying, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.
Ali knew he was the greatest and acted so. How do we act with the identity of Jesus imbedded in our lives?
Knowing the identity of Jesus is not enough. Like Ali we are the greatest when following Jesus, so let us take the identity of Jesus and live a life of greatness.
In our 2021 world, there seems to be a passcode for everything. Login to anything from your phone to your bank account and there will be a passcode. God does not require a passcode to access him. As the book of James tells us you only need to draw near to God and God will draw near to you.
You are invited to draw near to God at New Bethel tomorrow as we look at a teaching from James entitled “What does God want”?
Our Sunday School is at 10:00 AM ET, with worship starting at 11:00 AM ET, and we will stream everything on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/nbcdublin.
So, until tomorrow blessings, peace, and love.
In a world with floods, fires, violence, viruses, suffering, and death have you ever asked what does God want?
Submit yourselves to God is the answer given in James 4:7, which begs the question what is submitting to God? James answers that we submit ourselves by not being bitter envois or selfish. We submit ourselves by not being boastful, but with humility. We submit ourselves by telling the truth.
“What does God want?” is only surpassed by this question: “Have you submitted yourself to God?” In our submission, we will echo the plea of James to resist the devil and to draw near and God will draw near to you.
What does God want? God wants you but the question is do you want God?
You know there has been a lot of talk about laws in the news these days.
There is talk about laws mandating either the vaccine or masks.
There is talk about the voting law passed in Georgia.
And regardless of where you stand on the abortion issue, there is talk about the Texas abortion law.
Laws created by man are imperfect and filled with unintended consequences and yes laws can be flat-out wrong.
In a sermon recorded live at New Bethel. Pastor Marben teaches from Psalm 19 and the psalmist’s observations about the perfect laws of the Lord.
Did you know that the skin is the body’s largest organ? The skin, hair, and nails provide a protective covering against germs helping us in maintaining a healthy immune system. Demonologist, Dr. Amy McMichael, MD, Professor, and Chair of Department of Dermatology at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center joins, Dr. Veita Bland, MD to discuss ways to keep our skin, hair, and nails healthy.
Twenty years ago today, I was in my office in Pittsburg. I was to board a plane later that day but, in the meantime, I had a business meeting scheduled with a man from Chicago. Before he arrived, we learned of what happened in New York.
Our offices were not far from the airport, and as we got additional word of what was happening we decided to tell the nearly 500 people in the building to go safely home.
As the last of our employees were leaving, the man from Chicago arrived. Flying in on one of the last flights before plans were grounded, the man from Chicago greeted me not knowing what had happened. As I relayed the stunning details of what had happened, the man from Chicago had only two thoughts how was his family and how could he get safely home.
Flights had been grounded, hotels were filled with stranded airline passengers and crew. With nowhere to go, I offered the man from Chicago lodging at my home. He declined, not because he did not want to stay at my home but because he wanted to return to his home. He got a rental car and the man from Chicago made his way safely home.
Jesus said, “In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2) On this tender day, we can all remember where we were, what we were doing, and like the man from Chicago how were our loved ones and how we make it safely home.
God is concerned for you and has prepared a home for you not only in the afterlife but in this life. So, on this twenty anniversary of the 9/11 attacks when so many died and where so many more have died in the past 20 years for our freedom. Let us follow the teachings of our Lord understating that the first of our freedoms is to love the Lord and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
If we believe that and we know that then we can defeat anything in our way, from a terrorist to a virus because we are doing the Lord’s work. We are doing the Lord’s work because freedom in loving the Lord means that we wear a mask so that our brothers, sisters are protected. We are doing the Lord’s work when we believe more in the collective good than individual entitlement, which is falsely thought by so many to mean freedom. And we are doing the Lord’s work when we take the vaccine, not because of a mandate from the government but because we love the Lord so much that we follow the commandment to love our neighbor.
When we do the work of the Lord we will be guided safely home, just like the man from Chicago.
In a teaching from Matthew 18:20, delivered on September 5th, 2021, for Homecoming at Wesley Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Pastor Marben pays tribute to retiring Pastor Gloria Wicker as he preaches about how God wants to be in us as two or three of us gather in this pandemic-driven homecoming.
New Bethel’s Homecoming Revival will be on Monday, September 6th, and Tuesday, September 7th. You can catch the revival live on our Facebook page @ NBC Dublin starting at 7:00 PM ET each night. Sermons from the revival will be feathered on The Podcast and on our website www.nbcdublin.com. Today, the Reverend Michael Ephraim, Sr. pastor of “The Cathedral of the South." The Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Albany, Georgia, joins me as we talk over lunch at Panera Bread, about his love for Southern California sports, his ministry along with his transition to living in the south, and his secret to preaching a revival.
James 1:27 calls us to an impossible call of faith. A call requiring us to live undefiled before God and unspotted from the world. Operating alone would be an impossible call but with God living up to this impossible call is possible.
Enjoy this full 40-minute service of music and Word from The New Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in East Dublin, Georgia.
Today, we mourn the loss of 13 American Soldiers and an estimated 60 Afghan citizens killed as they attempted to answer the impossible call to freedom by leaving Afghanistan. James 1:27 calls us to an impossible call of freedom. A call requiring us to live undefiled before God and unspotted from the world. Operating alone would be an impossible call but with God living up to this impossible call is impossible.
Join us tomorrow at New Bethel as we study James 1:27 in a sermon entitled “Answering the Impossible Call”. Sunday School is at 10:00 AM ET, Worship is at 11:00 AM ET. This virtual-only service will be available on Zoom and on Facebook at NBC Dublin so until tomorrow, Blessings, Peace, and Love.
It seems living to 100 and beyond is done with great regularity in Clinton the small Central Georgia community where I grew up. I can count at least three centenarians who have reached the milestone in the last twenty years.
Mary Emma Lawson, my next-door neighbor is the latest.
Mrs. Lawson moved to Chicago, married, and had a son Mark. When her husband died, she returned to Clinton in the mid-1970s with young Mark in tow. She built a home took care of her mother and for nearly fifty years since her return, Mrs. Lawson has weathered the storms of life anchored to a faith that has never wavered. A faith that has blessed her for 100 years.
But her calling is to be a blessing to others.
A blessing to Clinton, a community that she decided to come back to despite bigger opportunities available in Chicago.
A blessing to her son Mark, standing by him when few would. Always providing a home to return to and unconditional love to help rebuild his life.
A blessing to Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, serving the Lord wherever her services were needed.
Mary Emma Lawson has lived the Godly life described in Ephesians 4:2 a life of meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing all in and with love. She is living a life of faith. A life of blessing to others for 100 years.
The CDC reports that the Delta variant is now the dominant strain of COVID-19. It is 40-80% more transmissible than the original strain. This means one case of Delta-variant COVID-19 can cause five to eight additional people to get infected if they are not vaccinated. Dr. Cynthia Snider, MD, MPH the medical director of infection prevention at Cone Health in Greensboro, NC, discusses staying safe as she joins Dr. Veita Bland for a pandemic update.
In a sermon recorded live at New Bethel, Pastor Marben examines the fundamental question raised in Joshua 24:15, where do you and your household stand with the Lord?
After 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites are at the threshold of entering the promised land. God's original plan for Israel was to take their Promised Land in days, not decades. But it took Israel 40 years to be ready.
Joshua gathers the Israelites reminding them of the miracles by which the Lord gave birth to Israel. In God’s call of Abraham and Sarah. In God’s deliverance through the plagues of their Egyptian slave masters and their escape, through God’s the parting of the sea.
Then Joshua asks a question of the Israelites that we must answer today. “Are here to serve God? Joshua clearly makes his own stance known saying “as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Join us tomorrow at New Bethel as we will explore the question of Joshua in a sermon entitled “as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Sunday School is at 10:00 AM, worship is at 11:00 AM all times are eastern, and we are on Facebook at nbcdublin so until tomorrow blessings, peace, and love.
The Reverend Levornia Franklin is the pastor of the historic Steward Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in downtown Macon, Georgia. In an interview recorded live at the Sixth Episcopal District Leadership Congress in Augusta, Georgia Reverend Franklin joins The Podcast to talk about his faith journey, pastoring in the pandemic, and playing tuba in his high school marching band.
Images of desperate Afghans clinging to departing U.S. military planes underscored America’s messy failure after 20 years of war.
Let’s be honest messy situations are part of the human condition, and despite all our attempts to avoid them we are living with some messy situation in our lives.
But there is hope Proverbs 24:16 tells us that the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.
In this time of mess let us not be like the wicked stumbling in times of calamity. God has ordained our righteousness and is calling for us to get up from the mess. It with that same resolve as a righteous people we will get out of the mess in Afghanistan.
Taking care of our eyes is important. Regular eye health exams will show signs of eye disease or conditions that can affect not only your vision but your overall health. Doctor of ophthalmology Roy Whitaker, MD joins Dr. Veita Bland, MD to talk about Glaucoma and healthy eye health.
Genesis 3 tells the story of not only the successful temptation of Eve and Adam, but of the aftermath. In a sermon recorded live at New Bethel, Pastor Marben explores how God wants us to deal with the aftermath of temptation, by telling us about his temptation with a Seersucker Suit.
We have all heard or perhaps used the phase, the devil made me do it. The comic Flip Wilson made a living using that phase for big laughs as his signature character Geraldine would say it to explain away behavior that was unbecoming.
I have used it in the same way, telling folks that stuff that I have done was not my fault, rather is the doings of the Devil who has taken control of me. Causing me to do things that I would not do otherwise.
In Genesis chapter 3 we see the true way in which the Devil works. The Devil does not make us do things rather the Devil temps us into doing things on our own. Playing on our weakness, and our need for physical gratification, material gain, and our want of status and power.
Join us tomorrow at New Bethel as we explore how the Devil works and how our faith in the power of God can defeat any temptation that the Devil can bring. In a sermon from Genesis 3:1-24 entitled, “The Temptation Of A Seersucker Suit”
Our hybrid worship starts with Sunday School at 10:00 AM, and Worship at 11:00 AM all times are eastern, and everything is available on Facebook at nbcdublin. So until tomorrow blessings, peace, and love.
The Reverend Terrie Patterson has truly led an interesting and blessed life. She has been a police officer serving 31 years on the Athens Georgia police force. A parent raising three wonderful children and is now the pastor of New Liberty African Methodist Episcopal Church in Thompson, Georgia. In a discussion recorded live at the 6th Episcopal District Educational Leadership Congress, Reverend Patterson joins The Podcast to chat about her life her ministry, and being her mother’s caretaker as she battles Alzheimer's disease
I like clothes and a tour of my closet reveals that I have many suits everything I need for every occasion, casual, business, and church. However, as the summer is winding down, I have this great temptation to add to my collection by buying a new seersucker suit. Taking advantage of the sale price for a summertime suit, that I don’t really need but I greatly want.
In God’s Garden, Adam and Eve had everything they needed for life. Lovely surroundings, great weather, wonderful food, and best of all they had a mighty God who walked them, talked with them, and told them they were his own.
Genesis chapter 3 reveals the details of the temptation and fall of Adam and Eve. Like me, they had everything they needed but they succumbed to their desire to have something that did not need but greatly wanted.
A sign that temptation is near is when we put more focus on what we don’t have instead of celebrating the good things that we do have. Temptation is near when we forget that God is near. However, the temptation is defeated when we know that God is with us.
Join us tomorrow for Bible Study at 7:00 PM ET as we examine Eve and the temptations prevalent in our lives. Will be on Facebook at NBCDublin. And so, until tomorrow with or without a seersucker suit, Blessings, Peace, and love.
Recorded live at New Bethel, Pastor Marben explores Psalm 34 and what it means to bless the Lord always.
We are driven by taste.
Our taste bud rules us. We are in an unending search of things that are tasty. The food companies know this and are endlessly offering things to bring satisfaction to our taste and separation of our money into their coffers.
Take Pringles Potatoes Chips, according to an article in website the Daily Mail there are some 34 different Pringles flavors, from the original to sour cream to Screamin’ Dill Pickle to Cheeseburger there seems to be a Pringles chip for you, and for a lot of folks because in 2012 Kellogg brought Pringles for a whooping 2.7 billion dollars.
Yes, our taste bud rules us.
Psalm 34:8 tells us to O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.
Tomorrow at New Bethel we will tase as see the goodness of the Lord in a teaching from Psalm 34 entitled: I Will Bless The Lord Always. Sunday School at 10:00 AM, Worship at 11 A.M. all times are eastern, and we are streaming on Facebook at NBC Dublin.
So, until tomorrow Blessings, Peace and Love.
Psalm 34 calls on us to bless the Lord at all times. What would our lives look like if we continuously blessed the Lord?
As an imperfect human, I doubt that I could do it.
However, as an imperfect human, I rejoice that I serve a God that loves me so much that blessing the Lord at all times is not required, but loving God is.
For it is in loving God that we can find the continuous blessing of the Lord that the Psalmist is calling us to do.
When we love God, we will bless God because we will devote our time to the Lord in the study of his word.
When we love God, we will bless God with our talents giving our best to the master.
When we love God, we will bless God with our money giving beyond our tithe to causes and people that are building the kingdom.
Because of my love for God, I will bless the Lord at all times.
After 17 months of being apart, New Bethel returns in-person worship. In a sermon recorded live Pastor Marben Bland, explores Ephesians chapter 4 verses 1-7 as he raises and answers the question of how we can live a life worthy of our calling.
The Reverend Doctor Gregory V. Eason, Sr. is the Senior Pastor of Flipper Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church, Atlanta. In nearly 40 years of ministry Reverend Doctor Eason has pastored throughout Georgia and has been at the forefront of civic, economic and faith concerns not only for the people that he pastors but for everyone.
In a talk recorded live at the Marriott Hotel in Augusta, Georgia site of the Sixth Episcopal District Christian Education Leadership Congress the Reverend Doctor Eason joins The Podcast to talk about his life, his ministry, and the state of the church. Special thanks to Cheryl Bland for her help in making this Podcast happen.
The Reverend Doctor Gregory V. Eason, Sr. is the Senior Pastor of Flipper Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church, Atlanta. In nearly 40 years of ministry Reverend Doctor Eason has pastored throughout Georgia and has been at the forefront of civic, economic and faith concerns not only for the people that he pastors but for everyone.
In a talk recorded live at the Marriott Hotel in Augusta, Georgia site of the Sixth Episcopal District Christian Education Leadership Congress the Reverend Doctor Eason joins The Podcast to talk about his life, his ministry, and the state of the church. Special thanks to Cheryl Bland for her help in making this Podcast happen.
It's A Matter Of Your Health Podcast Extar
What is the role of the doctor when their patient is dying? Oncologist Dr. Gus Magrinat, MD joins Dr. Bland for a revealing conversation about the attitudes, and actions of doctors as they interact with patients and the families of the nearly three million people who die each year in the United States.
Julie Driger is the interim of Mayor of Dublin, Georgia. The longtime elected official who has serviced on both Dublin City Council and the Laurens County Board of Commissioners became mayor when now-former Mayor Phil Best retired after serving the city for almost 30 years.
Mayor Driger is the first woman and the first African American to hold the position. She will serve until a new mayor is elected in November of 2021.
The mayor joins The Podcast for a conversation recorded on the porch at her home to talk about her life, her career in politics, and her hopes for the people and the city of Dublin.
Paul in Ephesians 4:1 exhorts us to live in “a manner worthy of the calling with which we were called.”
We are called by Jesus to live lives of equality, equity, and equal opportunity, all in the glow of God’s love.
However, it seems that the world has called us to live greedy lives filled with inequality, denied equity along with opportunity that is separate and unequal. Motivated by a lie of racial supremacy that can blind us to the love of God.
In this chaos, there is hope, because the call of Jesus is more powerful than the call of the world.
Softly and tenderly, Jesus is calling. His persistent call is that we can live better lives. We can live free of the slavery of white supremacy, the fear of equality while operating in the truth of the Lord instead of the big lie of a defeated president and his followers.
Jesus is calling, exhorting us to live in a manner worthy of the calling of God.
Biblical scholars reveal that the word compassion is used at least eight times to describe the actions and attitude of Jesus. If we are truly to be like Jesus, we need to understand the principles of the compassion of Jesus. A closer examination of today’s text along with the other examples from the Bible has led me to three principles about the compassion of Jesus that I would like to share with you today.
Alabama Republican Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday called out "the unvaccinated folks" for the rise in Covid-19 cases in her state, a remarkable plea at a time when many GOP leaders are refusing to urge people to get vaccinated even as Covid-19 cases surge in many parts of the country.
Many may believe that such blunt talk shows a lack of compassion by the Alabama governor.
The greatest compassion ever known is the compassion of Jesus. However, embedded in him compassion is the blunt words and actions that only Christ can convey to us. Words and actions calling on us to take up the cross, deny ourselves and follow Jesus.
Tomorrow at New Bethel we will learn more about the blunt words and actions of Jesus in a teaching entitled the compassion of Jesus. Sunday School is at 10:00 AM, Worship is at 11:00 AM both times are Eastern and will be available on Facebook at NBC Dublin.
So, until tomorrow blessings, peace, and love.
In Mark 6:30-34, Jesus suggested a time of rest for the disciples for they have served a ton of people healing and teaching them.
As they were going to a remote place by boat, a large group of people saw them and started to rush toward the boat. Jesus also saw them and was moved with compassion.
Compassion is a term that explicitly describes Jesus. Compassion motivates people to go out of their way to be of service. Compassion is not pity, compassion is not passive, compassion is rolling up our sleeves and getting involved even when it may not be convenient for us.
So, if we are to be like Jesus we must engage with people beyond concern, pity, or despair we must engage with the compassion of Jesus.
The Rev. Antonia Coleman is a friend of New Bethel, she joins us online from Chicago for Bible Study, Book Club, and Worship Services. Rev. Coleman is a recent graduate of McCormick Theological Seminary, and I am pleased to announce that Rev. Coleman will be teaching parts of upcoming the Real Women of the Bible study that will start on August 4.
Listen as Rev. Coleman brings a word from the Lord in a sermon entitled “A Conversation With The 23rd Psalms.”
The Lord Is My Sheppard I shall not want” …... these are the familiar verses from the 23rd Psalm These are verses that has brought us comfort, these are verses that has brought us hope, these are verses that have brought us inspiration. Join us tomorrow at New Bethel where guest preacher the Rev. Antonia Colman will deliver the message entitled The Lord Is My Sheppard I shall not want” …... these are the familiar verses from the 23rd Psalm These are verses that has brought us comfort, these are verses that has brought us hope, these are verses that have brought us inspiration. Join us tomorrow at New Bethel where guest preacher the Rev. Antonia Colman will deliver the message entitled a Conversation with the 23rd Psalm. Sunday School is at 10:00 AM, worship is at 11:00 AM both will be streamed live on Facebook at NBC Dublin. So, until tomorrow blessings, peace and love.
According to a study commissioned to commemorate Crown Day 80% of Black women are more likely than white women to have to change their hair from its natural state to fit in in an office environment.
For women of color, hair is a powerful statement of culture, heritage, and health. Nellie Lee a licensed cosmologist and instructor at Dudley Cosmetology University joins Dr. Bland for an informative talk about hair health along with timely tips of taking better care of our hair.
Jeremiah 23 speaks bluntly about the failure of leadership that has scattered the sheep of the Lord’s pasture. Jeremiah squarely put the blame of the exile of God’s people on the political, religious, and family leaders who disobeyed God, creating permission for the people to do the same.
The pandemic exiled worshippers out of the church building. However, innovated Sheppard’s in the form of pastors, church leaders, and congregations have prevented the flock from being scattered.
As in-person worship returns the sheep of the Lord have come back energized. Tempered by their time of being away they are ready be the righteous branch proclaimed by Jeremiah.
Let us rejoice for the solidity of the church as the sheep return to the House of the Lord which in actuality they never.
It’s vacation season and after a year plus of lockdowns, it’s time to take some time off. Triple-A estimated that more than 47.4 million Americans took to the roadways and the skies during the July 1-5 period.
Did you know that Jesus took vacations, in fact, he took numerous vacations? Today let’s talk about vacations in a teaching from the Word of God that I have entitled, Vacation Like Jesus.
Scripture tells us that Jesus rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:39).
The call of “Peace, be still!” invites us to calm our anxious hearts and trust in the One who can not only sleep during the storm but can help us do the same.
Although Jesus was asleep in the boat that day, Scripture tells us our God “will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4), and is ever aware of all that we need, right when we need it.
As cool as the other side of the pillow is how Steward Scott, the late ESPN sportscaster would describe an athlete who made a great play. Jesus is that kind of athlete and he wants the same for you even when you are on vacation.
Explore the calmness of Jesus tomorrow in a teaching called Vacationing with Jesus. Sunday School is at 10, worship is at 11. Our live stream is on Facebook at NBC Dublin. Until tomorrow Blessings, Peace and Love.
It’s vacation season and after a year plus of lockdowns, it’s time to take some time off. Jesus took numerous vacations. He took time off to reenergized, to pray, and to spend quiet time with God. Like many of us, Jesus found it difficult to take long vacations, but he did carve out time for small sabbaticals, vacations where he took God with him. Taking time off before making a major decision, or after a heavy period of ministry and yes Jesus even took time off when he had enough people.
I hope you are planning some vacation time, even a few hours away can make a big difference, and when you do remember to vacation like Jesus and take God with you.
The Rev. Dr. G. Dianne Lewis an Endorsed Federal Chaplain of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Chief of Chaplain Services for the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia joins The Podcast to discuss her career, her faith, and how to minister in a hospital setting in the middle of a pandemic.
For generations, our leaders have dreamed of The American Dream, the notion that we live in a land of unity with liberty, justice, and equality for all. Nebuchadnezzar, king of the Babylonian Empire had a dream that neither he nor his wise men could interpret. Daniel, an Israelite in exile and a man of God interpreted the dream to mean that the Babylonian empire was rocked by division and unholy alliances which would lead to its destruction.
As we celebrate the 244th birthday of this country has Nebuchadnezzar’s dream replaced the American Dream? That is a question we will explore tomorrow at New Bethel with a teaching from Daniel 2:42-45 entitled American @ 244 A Nation With Feet Of Clay. Sunday School at 10:00 Worship Services at 11:00. You can watch us on Facebook at NBC Dublin.
So, until tomorrow Blessings, Peace, and Love.
You know sometimes it is good to have a chat with a friend. Today as we start the second season of The Podcast, I have a sit-down talk with my friend Katie Carmichael. Kattie joins me in the first of many conversations I plan to have this season with friends as you get to listen to some of the great chats I have with my friends about life and the things that we are involved with.
I hope you will enjoy this discussion along with the one-minute devotionals, sermons, and issue-oriented podcasts where we will bring in experts to talk about the topics of the day. We will also take the podcast out on the road this season where we will interview guests in coffee shops, churches, restaurants, and wherever we can find interesting people to talk about interesting things.
American exceptionalism is the idea that the United States is inherently different and hence better than other nations.
As we approach the 4th of July holiday our celebrations will take many forms as we rejoice in the birth of our nation.
“LORD, there is no one like you! For you are great, and your name is full of power” are the words of Jeremiah. Let us remember the exceptionalism of God as we celebrate America.
Let us remember it is American exceptionalism that gave us America's original sins: slavery, racism, and white privilege.
Knowing that only God is exceptional will overcome America's original sins: giving us the blessings of love, peace, and equality from sea to shining sea.
Happy Birthday America let’s celebrate knowing that only God is exceptional
On June 19, 1865, two months after the end of the Civil War, General Gordon Granger, arrives in Galveston, Texas. Informing the slaves of their freedom, making effective the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been issued two and a half years earlier.
At last Slavery in the U.S. had ended. Or has it?
Human trafficking is still happening. Justice Department data confirms 400,000 Americans and 20,000 foreign nationals are trafficked yearly. 80% of them women and children mostly all involved in sex trafficking.
Galatians 5:1 tells us “For freedom, Christ has set us free; therefore, submit not again to a yoke of slavery.” Yes, celebrate the freedom of Juneteenth but we cannot rest until everyone is free. Don’t get it twisted Juneteenth did not end slavery.
Yes, its Father’s Day, a time when celebrating fathers. However, for too many children a father is a fraud and a fantasy. Having a father is a concept that does not exist and in the rare case that it does the father-child relationship is fraught with disfunction, disruption, dishonesty, and pain.
But let’s be clear the notation that Black men are not being fathers to the children they sire is a myth and it is time for us to call it out for what it is and to be clear about statistics quoted by Fox News and even Black public figures like President Obama.
Deep in the despair of their exile in Babylon the profit Jeremiah tells the Israelites that God has plans for their good, plans that will give them a future and a hope.
On the eve of this Father’s Day as we celebrate the first Federal Juneteenth holiday, we all want hope, happiness, and harmony as a future for our children.
However, for too many children a father is a fraud and a fantasy. Having a father is a concept that does not exist and in the rare case that it does the father-child relationship is fraught with disfunction, disruption, dishonesty, and pain.
But there is a father for the fatherless. God is our Father and God will not give up on you, God will not deny you, God will take care of you.
Join us tomorrow at New Bethel where the Father’s Day message will be from Jeremiah 29:11, in a teaching entitled The Plans Of A Father.
Sunday School is at 10:00 AM, Worship is at 11. We are streaming on Facebook at NBCDUBLIN so until the next time we post blessings, peace, and love.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s disease is more prevalent among African Americans than among whites with estimates ranging from 14% to almost 100% higher. Patrick McPhail Martin, Ph.D., the interim director of the Center for Outreach in Alzheimer's, Aging and Community Health (COAACH), and an associate professor of biology in the College of Science and Technology at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University joins Dr. Bland to discuss the emerging public health crisis among African Americans the Silent Epidemic of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Today’s devotional It’s All About Love
Thirty-two years ago, today my son Chandler was born bringing a wave of relief, responsibility, and reverence.
Chandler’s birth is near Father’s Day, an opportunity to reflect on double milestones. Reflecting on being a father and a grandfather, I think I finally know the meaning of the sacred roles that I now get to live out, it’s all about love
Being a father is to emulate God’s love. Being a father is to provide a love that is patient, kind, and is not easily angered. Being a father is to spread the Gospel to your children not only by teaching them the Word but by living the Word.
Happy Birthday son and praise God for the blessing that it’s all about love.
Jesus traveled through Galilee teaching in the Jewish synagogues, preaching the Good News about the Kingdom of Heaven wherever he went.
Enormous crowds followed him but instead of saying pleasing things to keep the people on his side, Jesus laid out a simple truth. Heaven can be entered only through the narrow gate and that the highway to hell is broad. In essence, Jesus was saying for the vast majority of those flocking around to see him Heaven is unattainable.
However, unattainable does not mean impossible for with God nothing is impossible.
Jesus traveled through Galilee teaching in the Jewish synagogues, preaching the Good News about the Kingdom of Heaven wherever he went.
Enormous crowds followed him but instead of saying pleasing things to keep the people on his side, Jesus laid out a simple truth. Heaven can be entered only through the narrow gate and that the highway to hell is broad. In essence, Jesus was saying for the vast majority of those flocking around to see him Heaven is unattainable.
However, unattainable does not mean impossible for with God nothing is impossible. Join us tomorrow at New Bethel for a teaching from Matthew 7:13-14 entitled Finding The Gateway To Life.
You can find us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/nbcdublin.
Sunday School is at 10 Worship is at 11 so until tomorrow blessing, peace, and love!
As controversy swirls over the comprehensive new voting law that drastically alters Georgia’s election system, another battle with equally profound implications looms on the horizon: redistricting.
In the coming months, state lawmakers will begin redrawing the lines of Georgia’s legislative and congressional districts, a process that will help determine control of the state government and its policies for at least the next 10 years.
The once-a-decade redistricting process will play out in a particularly charged atmosphere this time, coming on the heels of high-profile presidential and U.S. Senate elections with narrow margins, false claims of “voter fraud” and court challenges to restrictive new voting laws.
Today on the Podcast we talk about redistricting with State House Representative Carolyn Hugley, Janet Grant, Vice-Chair of Fair District Georgia, and Helen Butler Executive Director of The Georgia Coalition For The People’s Agenda.
In less than 60 days Nehemiah and the people of Israel had completed the monumental task of building the wall. Finally, after years of vulnerability the city of Jerusalem was safe.
After months of lockdowns, masks, and social distancing, the vaccine has given us our lives back. People are gathering again; the months of vulnerability are finally over. The ordeal of Covid 19 is nearing completion.
Even with the physical completion of the wall Nehemiah knew that completion could not be accomplished until he and Israel thanked God. So he gather the people together for a teaching of scripture in praise and thanksgiving.
As we emerge from the pandemic let us thank God for his deliverance as we rejoice in the victory that he has brought. Yes, It’s Time To Thank God!
Join us Wednesday at 7:00 PM ET on Facebook as we study the Word from the Book of Nehemiah. Find us on Facebook by searching nbcdublin. Join us because it’s time to thank God!
Sermon and tribute to the Class of 2021
I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me”
This simple yet powerful verse from Philippians 4:13 reminds us that with God on our side nothing is impossible. And that the square root of impossible is possible in you.
This is graduation season, a time when the possibilities of education meet the realities of life.
One hundred years ago Today, the Greenwood section of Tulsa Oklahoma. was burned to the ground by a white mob.
10,000 people were left homeless, more than 800 injured and 39 dead, it was a massacre.
The truth about the Greenwood massacre was covered up for years until 75 years later a commission concluded that the white mob was incited by lies about an alleged rape
It's ironic that one hundred years later the lie about the Capital riot is being covered up as Republicans have blocked a proposed bipartisan commission.
A false witness will not go unpunished, and a liar will be destroyed, is the command from Proverbs 19:9
Let us rejoice that the Word of God is true and the liars 100 years ago in Tulsa and 6 months ago in Washington will not go unpunished.
In this sermon from Romans 8:12-17, Pastor Marben poses the question if Superman were your friend and he offered to fight your battles for you would you let him? He then answered God our friend and God is our Superman, and he will fight our battles if we let him.
In the midst of his pain and suffering on the cross, Jesus cried out Abba Father as he looked to the Lord for comfort and strength.
God is inviting us to cry out Abba Father in moments big and small. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost will empower us to overcome any problem that comes in our way.
To us the answer typically never obvious but it is to God. So let us be like Jesus and cry out Abba Father, and let the Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost lead the way.
Join us tomorrow at New Bethel for teaching from Romans 8:22-27 entitled the Battle Is Not Yours. Our Sunday School is at 10:00 AM ET and Worship is at 11:00 AM ET. We are still worshiping online checkout out Facebook page www.facebook.com/nbcdublin to catch the service.
So until tomorrow Blessings, Peace, and Love.
The Reverend LaKesha Womack an ordained Deacon in African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and the CEO of Rethinking Church Strategies LLC believes that when we think about Church Growth we need to think beyond the numbers, we need to focus on the resources and programs that can attract people to our church. Reverend Womack, a graduate of Vanderbilt University and the Campaign School at Yale University joins The Podcast to talk about church growth strategies.
Has anyone said to you Christians don’t act that way? Well, I have breaking news for you Christians do act that way and in many other ways both good and yes bad.
Paul in Romans 8 says that even though Christ has freed us from sin, the powers of the flesh still rage within us.
We can win this battle when we realize that it is not our battle to win, instead, it is the Lord’s. God loves us and has adopted us and with that adoption, God will take on all the battles of your life, if you let him.
So, the next time somebody says Christians don’t act that way? You can say, I know, and God is working on that because the battle is not yours it’s the Lord.
In this Pentecost Sermon from May 23, 2021, Pastor Marben reveals how the Holy Spirit can equip, empower and inspire. In a teaching from Acts 2:1-21
The UPS slogan “What can brown do for you" is a demonstration of the capabilities of the world's largest package delivery service.
The Day of Pentecost depicted in Acts 2:1-21 showcases the capabilities of the Holy Spirit.
It shows the Holy Spirit as a mighty wind capable of filling an entire house with power and grace.
It shows the Holy Spirit as a uniter allowing people of different tongues to speak the single language of Jesus.
It shows the Holy Spirit as a voice calling on all who hear it to be saved
So, the question is what can the Holy Spirit do for you?
Jesus gave us the answer when he said seek and you will find knock and the door will be open.
Let us rejoice that God has given us the Holy Spirit and it can do for you whatever is righteous and just.
So what is the role of faith and spirituality in medicine? Dr. Veita Bland a board-certified family medicine physician and hypertension specialist is joined by The Rev. Dr. Teresa Fry Brown, the Bandy Professor of Preaching at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, for a lively discussion about faith and health. Listen to the podcast now at www.drblandradio.com
Nearly 50 days after the crucifixion the disciples were gathered together in Jerusalem. Suddenly from heaven, there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind. At that moment the Holy Spirit, the Advocate promised by Jesus arrived. This moment that we know as the Day of Pentecost changed everything.
For with the prophecy of the passion and the resurrection of Jesus completed, God gave us the Holy Spirit to power us through the moments of life.
With the Holy Spirit, we can get through the moments of disappointments,
With the Holy Spirit, we can get through the moments of despair
With the Holy Spirit, we can get through the moments of death
Because God so loved us that He gave us Jesus and the Holy Spirit so that we can have advocate for the moments that can change everything.
With the good news, this week from the CDC about mask waring the end of the pandemic is within reach. When the history of the pandemic is written we can all say that we were witnesses. Being a witness means that we have a story to tell, an accounting for what has happened.
Jesus in Luke 25: 51-52 led his disciples out to Bethany. Then he lifted his hands over them and blessed them in his love. 51 While he was still speaking words of love and blessing, he floated off the ground into the sky, ascending into heaven before their very eyes!
The disciples were witnesses to the great power of God. But what did they do with that witness? They told it far and wide just as Jesus asked them to do.
In late March Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed a law overhauling the way our state runs its elections. The effect of the new law on Georgia's 7.4 million voters will be mixed. But one thing is certain the law has stirred a nationwide debate over voting rights. Today on The Podcast, Pastor Marben is joined by Adrick Ingram, The Corner in Hancock County Georgia, Janice Davis, an election expert, and voting precinct manager in Bibb County, Georgia and Kathy Adams, immediate past President of Democratic Women of Georgia, a group committed to electing women to office, for a discussion centered on the facts about the new law and how it will impact communities of color.
On April 21stformer Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted on all charges in the death of George Floyd. Today on The Podcast, Marben Bland is joined for a discussion of the verdict and law enforcement by State Representative Derrick Jackson, candidate for Lt. Governor of Georgia, Charlie Bailey, candidate for Attorney General of Georgia and Governor Henderson, Author Southern Justice: Broken In Every Way: A road to no end.
Special thanks to Kathy Adams for her help in bringing this outstanding panel together.
It’s A Matter Of Your Health The Podcast @ www.drblandradio.com
Hi this is Marben Bland, and if you are like me, I am always concerned about my health and ways to get healthier. Well, let me tell you about a new podcast that you might like. It is called It’s A Matter Of Your Health.
My sister Dr. Veita Bland has been a primary care physician for over 40 years, and for nearly 20 years she has hosted a local radio show, in Greensboro, North Carolina. Now that show is a 30-minute podcast featuring interviews with physicians, clinicians, and other professionals all designed to keep you healthy.
You can check out the show at www.drblandradio.com and follow us on Facebook at drblandradio
So, I have a pop quiz for you with only two questions. First Question: Can you name the retail chain that opened the most new stores in the US last year? Well, if you guessed Dollar General you are correct.
Before ascending back into Heaven, the resurrected Jesus proclaimed, “The Great Commission.” Instructing us to spread the gospel creating new disciples. Yes, Jesus wants us to create disciples like Dollar General pops up stores.
Now for my second pop quiz question: When was the last time you shared the good news of Jesus? You know there are so many ways to share the gospel.
So the next time you see a Dollar General pop up think of “The Great Commission” instruction to create new disciples. And when we do we can create new disciples, faster than Dollar General can pop up stores.
Before ascending back into Heaven, the resurrected Jesus announced to the disciples who were there and all of us who are His disciples now, something called “The Great Commission.” Detailed in Matthew 28:19–20, Jesus instructed all of us who are His disciples to spread the gospel to all the nations of the world, creating new disciples.