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This sermon explores what it means to trust God when every option comes with consequences. Drawing from the courage of the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, this message reminds us that dilemmas don’t just test our choices—they reveal who (and what) we truly trust.

Key Takeaways:
• A dilemma forces a decision with real cost—but faith clarifies our response
• Pharaoh chose fear and control; the midwives chose trust and courage
• Trusting God means standing for life, justice, and truth—even against power
• God’s promises are already at work before the crisis begins

In moments of pressure, will fear shape your decision—or will faith?
“I will trust in the Lord… until I die.”

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As we step into a new year, survival is not the goal—wisdom is. In this first sermon of 2026, Pastor Marben Bland challenges us to move beyond habit, autopilot, and routine faith and instead recommit ourselves to living wisely in every area of life.

Rooted in Proverbs 8:11, this message reminds us that wisdom is more valuable than wealth, comfort, or success. It calls the church and each believer to reflect honestly on the past year and to step forward with intention, discipline, and faith.

Through four God-centered commitments—Reach, Grow, Care, and Serve—this sermon invites us to align our decisions, priorities, and practices with God’s will. This is a message about discipleship that touches the whole person: mind, body, spirit, and community.

Whether you’re celebrating victories, carrying scars, or simply grateful to be here, this sermon offers direction, hope, and a clear call:
Let’s do it again—but let’s do it wisely, faithfully, and together.

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Blue Christmas—also called The Longest Night—reminds us that Advent is a season of both joy and honesty. The Longest Night falls each year on the winter solstice, around December 21, when darkness lasts the longest. We are now only days away from that night, a reminder that for many, this season carries shadows of grief, loss, and longing.

Yet even on the darkest night, Scripture whispers hope: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it” (John 1:5). Jesus, the Light of the World, meets us gently in our sorrow. He does not demand celebration—He offers presence, comfort, and peace.

As the longest night draws near, may His steady light guide you toward healing and renewed hope.

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Today’s message reminded us that when Isaiah called Jesus the Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6), he wasn’t talking about a therapist—he was describing a divine strategist, a King who guides His people through confusion, crisis, and spiritual battle.

Pastor Bland taught that Jesus shows His Wonderful Counselor power in three ways:
1️⃣ He counsels the confused — revealing truth with compassion.
2️⃣ He counsels the discouraged — restoring hope and clarity.
3️⃣ He counsels the broken — lifting people from failure into purpose.

He also challenged us to be wonderful counselors by:
✔️ Listening before we lead
✔️ Speaking truth with compassion
✔️ Guiding people toward God, not ourselves

If we want to counsel like Jesus, we must first be counseled by Jesus—letting Him speak into our confusion, disappointment, and broken places.

Let’s be the counselors this world desperately needs

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In this moving Advent sermon, Pastor Marben Bland reminds us that Advent is a season of holy preparation—a time when God calls us to change how we love, serve, and live. Drawing from Isaiah 9:6, he shows that Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace—and because we are made in God’s image, these qualities are also placed within us.

Pastor Bland beautifully highlights the life of Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, whose recent passing leaves a powerful legacy. Bishop Jackson embodied these Advent characteristics:
• Wonderful Counselor – guiding pastors, uplifting congregations, and offering wise counsel throughout the AME Church.
• Mighty – restoring Morris Brown College’s accreditation, championing social justice, and helping lead Georgia toward historic voter participation.
• Everlasting Father – caring deeply for orphans, communities, and the global church.
• Prince of Peace – bringing stability during COVID and calming conflicts with grace and leadership.

Pastor Bland then calls us to live out the “three wells”:
• Love Well – love God fully and love others faithfully.
• Produce Well – use your gifts to do mighty things for God.
• Leave Well – live a life that leaves a legacy of faith, justice, and peace.

This Advent, unwrap the gifts Christ has already given you—and use them boldly, just as Bishop Jackson did.

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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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