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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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Sometimes we just need a transformation. Romans 12:1-2 tells you how to transform into the person you were born to be. Read the verses that change everything.

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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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Are you having trouble navigating these changing times? Change is sometimes slow to happen, but there are some lessons that we learn through it. Listen in and find out about them.

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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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Change can be a good thing and it can be bad, but did you realize how much change can hurt, even when it's good. Listen to this story of Jacob and see how God sometimes orchestrates change that scars us for life but works for our good.

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