When we think of the Christmas story, our minds often conjure peaceful, serene images: a silent night, a gentle mother and child in a humble manger, the soft glow of a guiding star. We sing carols about heavenly peace and the sleep of a newborn king.

The full Christmas story is far more complex and profound than a simple, silent night. It is a narrative that contains political espionage, a desperate escape for survival, and the tragedy of a state-sanctioned massacre. It's a story charged with tension, fear, and remarkable courage.

The Christmas season is a season of “giving”. We know that it is the day we celebrate the greatest gift ever given, and that’s Jesus Christ. The most precious gift of anyone. God gave us the very best He had.

Listen as we share the true meaning of Christmas, which lies in a divine gift that offers hope amidst a complex and sometimes harsh world.

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 look at the core story of the Christian faith, especially around the holidays, we tend to fixate on that one traditional image. The manger, the shepherds, that very gentle scene.

For centuries, the image of a child in a manger has been the traditional scene of Christmas. We see it on cards, in front yards, and in our minds—a familiar and comforting picture. But behind this well-known tradition lies a true story of profound eternal significance. And it is far more than just a historical event.

In this episode we explore a few impactful truths, that reveal the true depth of the gift God gave to the world. For God So Loved the World, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, the most precious gift of anyone.

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...

The Christmas season arrives with a familiar flurry of activity. Our calendars fill with parties, our homes fill with decorations, and our minds fill with gift lists and travel plans. In the joyful chaos of celebrating, we exchange greetings, share meals, and create memories. It is a time of genuine excitement and warmth, meant to bring people together.

But in all our enthusiastic preparations and festivities, is it possible we are overlooking the very center of the holiday?

In this episode, we share a sobering story from the East Coast, which serves as a powerful reminder of this danger.

There is a cultural trend that seeks to remove Jesus from the holiday, pushing him to the sidelines.

Jesus is the reason for this season, and every other season. This is not merely a slogan for a coffee cup; it is the foundational truth.

Listen and be encouraged to "Keep Christ in Christmas".

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 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...