Pens, Notes and Chai

Posted By marita on May 2, 2012

I have been working on John 1:1-14 and am linking up with Do Not Depart for Hiding His Word in My Heart.

I am working on vs 7 and 8 this week. These first 8 verses have so much depth.

1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.

2. He was in the beginning with God.

3. All things were made through Him and without Him was not anything made that was made.

4 In Him was life and the life was the light of men.

5. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.

6. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

7. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.

8. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

So far the verse that has been impressed on me most was verse 4. In Him was life. All life comes from Jesus and without him there is only death.  When we accept that Jesus died for us we gain eternal life.

Someone once said that “simple doesn’t mean easy”.  That is how I see life in Christ.  It isn’t complex, it is quite simple, believe.  John 3:16 says,” For God so loved the World, that he gave his only begotten Son, that who so ever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” If we believe we have everlasting life. Believing requires action, an ongoing action that isn’t easy.

Believing results in change.  Change of self.  Becoming humble and submissive to authority.  Loving others and putting their needs before your own. Forgiving and not being easily offended.  A belief that causes change is a belief you can stand firm in, you will be passionate about.

The key to life is simple. Believe.

The action required is not easy. Do the hard work.  Chose life.

Blessings,

Marita

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Posted By marita on April 3, 2012

The last few years I have been trying to commit God’s word to memory. I have had some very rewarding successes and some miserable failures.  Last year worked out pretty well.  I had accountability, last year.  This year I started out doing it on my own, really on my own.  I had my plan, I started finding wonderful  verses to memorize. For some reason I just couldn’t get going.  I would make an effort then, be to tired, not follow through, skip practice, set myself up to fail.  I was doing it on my OWN. Really… when will I learn? Why is it so hard to submit and remember to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in making decisions. Doing it on my own never gets me anywhere.

So I am starting fresh, starting this Sunday.  It starts with prayer, then a challenge from “Hiding His Word in My Heart“.

It is a 50 day challenge to memorize John 1:1-14. I love those verses and am really looking forward to putting God’s Word in my heart.

Why don’t you come join the community and Put His Word in your heart.

Here is a great resource for memorizing:

An Approach to Extended Memorization of Scripture

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Posted By marita on July 25, 2011

I recently read an article on the dailymailabout sand.  The article shows photographs of the beautiful intricate details of a grain of sand when it is magnified.  Each grain is unique and has incredible details and vivid colors that we cannot see with the naked eye. 

It got me to thinking about the many times I have walked on beaches enjoying the ocean, the wind and the people, even looking for unusual shells in the sand and surf.  I never thought that much about the infinite number of grains of sand, each tiny grain unique with its own story.  AMAZING! Right before my eyes and I never saw, because I never took the time to magnify.

The incredible pictures in this article bring a new meaning to the phrase “treasures hidden in the sand” in Deuteronomy 33:19.   Although it is unclear what this verse is referring to, these pictures certainly open up a whole new treasure in a place I have so often taken for granted, sometimes even found to be a nuisance.

Once again I find Euchersteo in the most unexpected places, in the everyday, right before my eyes.  If only I would stop to magnify the common, Oh what treasures I might find.

~Blessings~

marita

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Posted By marita on June 25, 2011

I recently memorized a verse which has become my confession of faith verse.  I’m sure it is that to many people.  Galatians 2:20 says: I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (ESV)

Oh how I love that verse.  It pronounces my freedom given by Christ because He loved me.  As I was pondering this verse and what it means to me an  old song popped into my head that I used to hear a lot when I was young.  An old southern gospel song written by James McCall titled “Thank God I am Free”.  The Lyrics are:

For along Time I Traveled, Down A Long Lonely Road,
my Heart Was So Heavy, In Sin I Sank Low.
then I Heard About Jesus, What A Wonderful Hour.
i’m So Glad That I Found Out.
he Would Bring Me Out. Through His Saving Power.

chorus

thank God I Am Free, Free, Free,
from This World Of Sin,
been Washed In The Blood Of Jesus,
been Born Again.
hallelujah I’m Saved, Saved, Saved,
by His Wonderful Grace.
i’m So Glad That I Found Out,
he Would Bring Me Out And Show Me The Way

Like A Bird Out Of Prison, That’s Taking It’s Flight.
like A Blind Man That God, Gave Back His Sight.
like The Poor Wretched Beggar,
that’s Found Fortune And Fame.
i’m So Glad That I Found Out,
he Would Bring Me Out Through His Holy Name.

chorus

thank God I Am Free, Free, Free,
from This World Of Sin,
been Washed In The Blood Of Jesus,
been Born Again.
hallelujah I’m Saved, Saved, Saved,
by His Wonderful Grace.
i’m So Glad That I Found Out,
he Would Bring Me Out And Show Me The Way

This song is lively and has such a feeling of thankfulness and excitement in what God did for us as sinners.  The freedom we have been given when we believe.  I do Thank God I am free and that He made that possible through the death and resurrection of His son Jesus Christ.

Do you have a special verse or song that reminds you of your freedom in Jesus Christ?

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Posted By marita on May 24, 2011

Rest …Just the word is relaxing, isn’t it?

Webster’s defines rest as :

1. a bodily state characterized by minimal functional and metabolic activities.

2. freedom from activity or labor.

I have been raised in a church that puts a heavy focus on the Sabbath.  A day of rest.  A day free from labor.  Growing up with a respect for keeping the Sabbath, I have a great appreciation for stopping work and all the business of the work week and taking a 24 hour period to sleep, pray, worship and study the Word of God.  It is very refreshing to just stop, end work and take time to be with God.

In Mark 2:27 The Holy Scripts state “The he said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.’ “ God gave the Sabbath to man because we need it.  A rest. A stop from our worries.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible for Mark 2:23-28 says: “The Sabbath is a sacred and Divine institution; a privilege and benefit, not a task and drudgery.  God never designed it to be a burden to us, therefore we must not make it so to ourselves.  The sabbath was instituted for the good of mankind, as living in society, having many wants and troubles, preparing for a state of happiness or misery.  Man was not made for the sabbath, as if his keeping it could be of service to God, nor was he commanded to keep it outward observances to his real hurt.  Every observance respecting it, is to be interpreted by the rule of mercy.”

Sabbath keeping is not a salvation issue.  You won’t receive eternal life just because you keep the sabbath and you won’t lose your eternal life if you don’t keep it.  However, keeping the sabbath does give you a time to rest your body, mind and spirit.  We eliminate the need for the popular “me” time when we observe a regular sabbath rest.  Stress is reduced, peace is gained.

I encourage you to try the Sabbath.

“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.” Psalm 62:5

Blessings~

Marita

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Posted By marita on April 5, 2011

Since I have moved to the valley in Arizona I have gained a new understanding of scriptures that refer to the desert or sun scorched land.  This land can be brutal even deadly if precautions aren’t taken.  For example, we would never take off for a drive more than 5 miles from home with out bottled water.  Getting stranded without water in this area could be life threatening.  On the other hand, there is beauty here that can’t be found anywhere else.  The sunsets and sunrises here are phenomenal.  Skies are rarely cloudy and nights skies are usually incredibly clear. However, about mid-day on a summer day with the sun beating down at 109 degrees, you understand “a sun-scorched land”.

One of my favorite verses that I love as of late is Isaiah 58:11.

The Lord will guide you always; He will satify your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.  You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

Oh, feed me LORD, that I might be a spring to those I be-friend and love in this place. May you be encouraged through scripture and the land you are occupying in this season.

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Posted By marita on April 1, 2011

My Hope is in Him. 

Hope is the word that has been jumping out at me in my studies of scripture for the last month.  I just love it when I keep seeing a specific theme or word over and over in the Word.  It  is a confirmation of sorts.

The Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance for the KJV shows that hope is used 126 times. 68 in the Old Testemant and 58 in the New testement.

In Romans 15:13 God is called “The God of Hope”.  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power  of the Holy Spirit.”

In Psalm 62:5 it says: “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.”

Our hope comes from God and is found in him.  Hope is one of the 3 elements of christian character along with faith and love. (see 1 Corinthians 13:13.)  Our christian beliefs are centered on hope.

I challenge you to do a search and read some of the scriptures on hope and see where the study takes you.  It is amazing how just reading those scripts can lift your spirits.  After your study don’t forget to give God thanks for the hope we have in him.

Trust Him,

Marita

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Posted By marita on March 3, 2011

“In the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and I will look up.” Ps 5:3

Lately I have been drawn to focus on praying.  I am amazed at what a difference focused, purposeful prayer makes in my life. Peace, Joy, and ease of communicating with the Holy Father are some of the blessings I am receiving from prayer.

Praying scripture is what I am beginning to work on currently.  Prayer helps build my prayer life by helping me to:

• Understand God’s character
• Trust God’s promises
• Recognizing God’s Faithfulness
• Claiming God’s Provision

I have found scriptures to pray for my husband, my daughter, myself.  Scriptures for repentance, for praise, for forgivness, greiving.  I am so excited to be learning how to pray scripture.

There are many ways to pray. I would love to hear of your prayer experiences, and if  you have a prayer request please let me know.  I would be honored to lift your request up in prayer.

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Posted By marita on February 1, 2011

A song comes on the radio…a text to my friend of 40+ years. “The Bay City Rollers are playing on the radio!”

Her reply “Remember when…”

And I’m already remembering.

Two friends – 1500 miles away.

One memory – Sharing with one I’ve done life with.

Shared memories, shared hope, shared dreams… Best Friends.

Hope you are blessed to have someone you can share memories with.

Blessings~

Marita

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Posted By marita on January 20, 2011

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentation 3: 22,23.

It is such a comfort to know that God’s faithfulness, His compassions never fails.  They are new every morning! Especially as I rise to another day of not getting enough rest, not getting to be in the WORD enough.  So many little tasks to do at work and home that obsorb my time.  Then guilt feels my heart, knowing I didn’t make time for what is most important. 

It isn’t always the case, sometimes I make it.  I get up in plenty of time to spend precious time with the LORD to start my day.  How I cherish those days.  It just sets the tone for my whole day. However this week, for some reason has been particularly difficult. 

If you are also having a difficult week, with all the everyday getting in your way.  Take heart.  Our God is merciful and compassionate…and he is waiting.   Start afresh. Run to Him and bask in His unfailing love.

~Blessings~

Marita

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