We all know the staggering difficulty of offering genuine forgiveness, especially when we've been deeply and personally wronged. But nestled within the New Testament is a short, often-overlooked letter that serves as a profound and surprising case study in what can be called "Redeeming Forgiveness"—the story of a slave owner, a runaway slave, and the radical request that would change their lives forever.

There are 2 lessons on forgiveness we want to highlight from the often overlooked book of Philemon.

First, Forgiveness Isn’t Erasing the Past—It’s Creating a New Future

Often times we hear people say that "you need to forgive and forget", when someone does you wrong. To that we say, "Not So". Forgiving doesn't mean forgetting, it means you don't hold the offence against someone, but don't forget what they've done. True forgiveness doesn't ignore the past but courageously creates a new future.

Second, A Sincere Apology Is Proven by a Changed Life

In our world of easy apologies, this story in Philemon draws a sharp line in the sand. It contrasts true repentance with the "unhealthy established pattern of doublemindedness" that plagues so many relationships, where apologies are offered but behavior never changes. True remorse is demonstrated through transformed action. Sincere repentance is validated not by words but by a transformed life.

Listen as we review this case study on God's Grace & Forgiveness.

Send us a text with your questions or comments.

Email us: alpha7ministries@outlook.com

Also, be sure to visit:
Alpha 7 Ministries for guidance, spiritual insight, and advice on Life & Living, Parenting & Family, Marriage & Relationships, Spiritual matters, and more.

Elder DeBorrah K. Ogans Amazon Author Page - Review and learn more about books she has written, including:

"Religion: How It Helps or Impairs Mental Stability".

"Proverbs Daily Devotional - Goldmine of Spiritual Wisdom"

"The Enchanting Legends of Shiloh Mansion"

"How Do I Love Thee - Food For Thought Before You Say I Do"

Elder Randall Ogans Sr. Youtube Channel . Smooth instrumental music that weaves the styles of gospel, soul, and jazz together with dazzling reinterpretations of classic hymns. Musi...

When we think of thanksgiving, our minds often drift to a fleeting feeling of appreciation or a beloved annual holiday. But what if this concept is far more dynamic? What if gratitude isn’t just a passive emotion but an active spiritual discipline, a powerful force for shaping our lives?

Psalm 100 reveals just that. It reframes thanksgiving not as a mere reaction to good fortune, but as a foundational practice for spiritual well-being. God’s Word is “alive and powerful… the necessary essential spiritual food and medicine for our mind, body, and soul,” and this psalm is a potent dose of that medicine.

Thanksgiving Is a Daily Lifestyle, not just a yearly event, recognizing that every single day is a “Gift from God.” Psalm 100 is not just a poem for a special occasion; it is an instruction manual for daily living. Inspired by King David’s writings, it gives a direct and simple command for how to approach each day.

Listen as we explore powerful truths hidden within this ancient song that can transform our understanding of gratitude from a momentary feeling into a life-altering strategy.

Send us a text with your questions or comments.

Email us: alpha7ministries@outlook.com

Also, be sure to visit:
Alpha 7 Ministries for guidance, spiritual insight, and advice on Life & Living, Parenting & Family, Marriage & Relationships, Spiritual matters, and more.

Elder DeBorrah K. Ogans Amazon Author Page - Review and learn more about books she has written, including:

"Religion: How It Helps or Impairs Mental Stability".

"Proverbs Daily Devotional - Goldmine of Spiritual Wisdom"

"The Enchanting Legends of Shiloh Mansion"

"How Do I Love Thee - Food For Thought Before You Say I Do"

Elder Randall Ogans Sr. Youtube Channel . Smooth instrumental music that weaves the styles of gospel, soul, and jazz together with dazzling reinterpretations of classic hymns. Musi...

We all want to be happy. It's a fundamental human desire, a lifelong pursuit that shapes our goals and relationships. Yet, for so many of us, true happiness feels like a moving target. It comes in fleeting moments but often fades when our circumstances change.

This cycle can be exhausting, making us wonder if there’s a joy that runs deeper than our daily ups and downs.

What if the secret to a more resilient joy isn’t a new achievement, but a deeper connection?

Psalm 16, a short but profound poem written thousands of years ago, suggests that true fulfillment comes from developing a personal, ongoing, and intimate relationship with God. It challenges our modern ideas about success and points us toward a source of joy that is both surprising and unshakable.

We know this to be true.

Listen as we take this deep dive into Psalm 16 - The Path of Life and Joy!

Send us a text with your questions or comments.

Email us: alpha7ministries@outlook.com

Also, be sure to visit:
Alpha 7 Ministries for guidance, spiritual insight, and advice on Life & Living, Parenting & Family, Marriage & Relationships, Spiritual matters, and more.

Elder DeBorrah K. Ogans Amazon Author Page - Review and learn more about books she has written, including:

"Religion: How It Helps or Impairs Mental Stability".

"Proverbs Daily Devotional - Goldmine of Spiritual Wisdom"

"The Enchanting Legends of Shiloh Mansion"

"How Do I Love Thee - Food For Thought Before You Say I Do"

Elder Randall Ogans Sr. Youtube Channel . Smooth instrumental music that weaves the styles of gospel, soul, and jazz together with dazzling reinterpretations of classic hymns. Musi...

It’s easy to get lost in the urgent demands of daily life. We spend our days building careers, managing finances, and creating comfortable homes for ourselves and our families. We are busy, often overwhelmed, and focused on securing our personal success and well-being. While these pursuits are natural, they can sometimes cause a critical shift in our priorities..

This is not a new problem. In 539 B.C., after the Persians conquered Babylon, King Cyrus issued a decree allowing the Jewish people to return to their homeland after 70 years of captivity.

They returned with a clear mission, but their focus faltered. An often-overlooked prophet named Haggai delivered a short but powerful message to this community because they had put personal comfort ahead of their central purpose, and their lives began to reflect that misplaced focus.

Listen as we discuss the book of Haggai - Challenge, Promise, and Priorities.

Send us a text with your questions or comments.

Email us: alpha7ministries@outlook.com

Also, be sure to visit:
Alpha 7 Ministries for guidance, spiritual insight, and advice on Life & Living, Parenting & Family, Marriage & Relationships, Spiritual matters, and more.

Elder DeBorrah K. Ogans Amazon Author Page - Review and learn more about books she has written, including:

"Religion: How It Helps or Impairs Mental Stability".

"Proverbs Daily Devotional - Goldmine of Spiritual Wisdom"

"The Enchanting Legends of Shiloh Mansion"

"How Do I Love Thee - Food For Thought Before You Say I Do"

Elder Randall Ogans Sr. Youtube Channel . Smooth instrumental music that weaves the styles of gospel, soul, and jazz together with dazzling reinterpretations of classic hymns. Musi...

Ancient spiritual texts can sometimes feel like well-worn paths. We know the famous lines, the comforting phrases, and we can easily believe we've gleaned all there is to know from them. But what if there are profound, game-changing truths hiding in plain sight, waiting to be rediscovered?

Psalm 24 is one such text. It contains powerful principles for navigating modern life with greater clarity and purpose.

These aren't just historical lessons; they are active, transformative truths that can reshape how we see ourselves, our world, and our spiritual journey.

The psalm opens with a foundational declaration that sets the stage for everything else: God has ultimate ownership over everything that exists.

True Ownership Changes Everything. It's Not Really Yours (And That's Good News).

This isn't a restrictive or limiting idea meant to diminish us. Instead, it's a liberating truth that reminds us of God's complete sovereignty and authority.

This core principle reframes our entire perspective. When we understand that the world and everything in it ultimately belongs to its Creator, our role shifts from anxious owner to faithful steward.

Embracing this concept can profoundly alter how we view our possessions, our accomplishments, and our place in the world. It releases us from the pressure of ultimate control and invites us into a partnership with the One who holds it all together.

Listen as we take this deep dive into Psalm 24, acknowledging that:

Everything Belongs to Abba Father God

Send us a text with your questions or comments.

Email us: alpha7ministries@outlook.com

Also, be sure to visit:
Alpha 7 Ministries for guidance, spiritual insight, and advice on Life & Living, Parenting & Family, Marriage & Relationships, Spiritual matters, and more.

Elder DeBorrah K. Ogans Amazon Author Page - Review and learn more about books she has written, including:

"Religion: How It Helps or Impairs Mental Stability".

"Proverbs Daily Devotional - Goldmine of Spiritual Wisdom"

"The Enchanting Legends of Shiloh Mansion"

"How Do I Love Thee - Food For Thought Before You Say I Do"

Elder Randall Ogans Sr. Youtube Channel . Smooth instrumental music that weaves the styles of gospel, soul, and jazz together with dazzling reinterpretations of classic hymns. Musi...

Have you ever felt utterly worn out emotionally, facing betrayal not from a distant enemy, but from within your very own household? Fortunately, I can say that we have never had this experience, however, we know that others have.

In looking at Psalm 26, we can see that it’s a profound and isolating pain to do what is right and still find your life in chaos, with nowhere to go and no one to turn to. King David, a man after God’s own heart, knew this agony intimately. During a terribly difficult period of his life, his own son Absalom rose up against him, causing him immense pain and heartaches.

Yet it is from this dark hour, from the depths of his despair, that David pens a raw and honest prayer in Psalm 26. This psalm offers surprising and practical wisdom for navigating our own trials with unwavering character. In this episode we explore four impactful takeaways from David’s response to his crisis that can guide us today.

1. True Integrity Isn't Perfection, in terms of “Flawlessness” —It's Honest Effort

2. The Bravest Prayer Is an Invitation for Scrutiny

3. Unwavering Trust Is Forged in Chaos, Not Calm

4. Private Praise Is the Foundation for Public Endurance

When facing our own trials, are we standing on the shaky ground of our circumstances, or are we, like David, finding level ground through honest self-examination and unwavering trust?

Send us a text with your questions or comments.

Email us: alpha7ministries@outlook.com

Also, be sure to visit:
Alpha 7 Ministries for guidance, spiritual insight, and advice on Life & Living, Parenting & Family, Marriage & Relationships, Spiritual matters, and more.

Elder DeBorrah K. Ogans Amazon Author Page - Review and learn more about books she has written, including:

"Religion: How It Helps or Impairs Mental Stability".

"Proverbs Daily Devotional - Goldmine of Spiritual Wisdom"

"The Enchanting Legends of Shiloh Mansion"

"How Do I Love Thee - Food For Thought Before You Say I Do"

Elder Randall Ogans Sr. Youtube Channel . Smooth instrumental music that weaves the styles of gospel, soul, and jazz together with dazzling reinterpretations of classic hymns. Musi...

Today we want to focus on “Prayer”.

Prayer is a conversation with God. During that conversation, it’s important to keep your focus on the one to whom you are speaking, God.

Have you ever heard someone praying, particularly during a worship service, and in the middle of the prayer, they seem to forget they are talking with God, and they start saying things to the people who are listening, rather than to God?

What about when they say something to satan or the devil during the prayer, such as "satan, get out of our worship service, or go back to the pit of hell”?

Well, first, satan ain’t going back to hell. That is not where he dwells, yet. According to scripture (Job 1 & 1 Peter 5), he is the prince of the power of the air, he is going to and fro on the earth, prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Also, know that satan is a fallen angel, he is not like God. Only God is Omniscient (All-knowing), Omnipotent (All-powerful) and Omnipresent (Present everywhere at the same time).

Imagine what God might be thinking: you started a conversation with me, the Most HIgh God, and then you diverted your attention to talk to someone else, even satan? Don't invite satan into your conversation with God.

Knowing that prayer should be a conversation with God, we want to share with you “A Prayer To My Heavenly Father”.

This prayer is a rich conversation with God, full of praise, requests, and declarations of faith. As you listen, note that the prayer focuses on a deep sense of thankfulness. In the prayer there is An Attitude of Gratitude.

Listen to this conversation with God, A Prayer To My Heavenly Father.

Send us a text with your questions or comments.

Email us: alpha7ministries@outlook.com

Also, be sure to visit:
Alpha 7 Ministries for guidance, spiritual insight, and advice on Life & Living, Parenting & Family, Marriage & Relationships, Spiritual matters, and more.

Elder DeBorrah K. Ogans Amazon Author Page - Review and learn more about books she has written, including:

"Religion: How It Helps or Impairs Mental Stability".

"Proverbs Daily Devotional - Goldmine of Spiritual Wisdom"

"The Enchanting Legends of Shiloh Mansion"

"How Do I Love Thee - Food For Thought Before You Say I Do"

Elder Randall Ogans Sr. Youtube Channel . Smooth instrumental music that weaves the styles of gospel, soul, and jazz together with dazzling reinterpretations of classic hymns. Musi...

Today we want to challenge a phrase we hear all the time. We hear it in the world, as well as in the church. That phrase is “Nobody’s Perfect”.

How many times have you heard that said? How many times have you said it yourself?

On the surface, it sounds like someone is asking for a bit of grace. However, it becomes a weaponized excuse to defend behaviors the word of God explicitly calls wrong.

We want to take aim at that phrase, as it’s often used to justify when we’ve done something wrong or displayed a character flaw. It gives an individual endless room to justify shortcomings.

Using excuses in many cases is not about acknowledging human weakness, but is an active choice against growing, an active rejection of the call to mature spiritually.

If that’s you, then you are a member of the “Nobody’s Perfect Club”, which is not a club you should belong too.

Whenever I hear that phrase, I’m reminded of the scripture where God said to “be ye perfect, for I am perfect”.

God wouldn’t tell us to do something that couldn’t be done. So, it becomes clear that perhaps we don’t quite understand what God means, when he tells us to be perfect.

Listen as we take this deep dive into “perfection”, what it means, and what it doesn’t mean.

Send us a text with your questions or comments.

Email us: alpha7ministries@outlook.com

Also, be sure to visit:
Alpha 7 Ministries for guidance, spiritual insight, and advice on Life & Living, Parenting & Family, Marriage & Relationships, Spiritual matters, and more.

Elder DeBorrah K. Ogans Amazon Author Page - Review and learn more about books she has written, including:

"Religion: How It Helps or Impairs Mental Stability".

"Proverbs Daily Devotional - Goldmine of Spiritual Wisdom"

"The Enchanting Legends of Shiloh Mansion"

"How Do I Love Thee - Food For Thought Before You Say I Do"

Elder Randall Ogans Sr. Youtube Channel . Smooth instrumental music that weaves the styles of gospel, soul, and jazz together with dazzling reinterpretations of classic hymns. Musi...