Marion Arbuckle

The Main Thing--2 Corinthians 5:9

"Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing......" When I am beset by temptations and trials....When I am full of joy and rejoicing....When I am discouraged and disillusioned....When I am questioning and…

My story in His story

It has been a good story thus far in my 60 year span of being a part of His story. I have found Him faithful, even when I have turned away from Him. I have heard His persistent footsteps behind me, even…

John 21:25 (MSG)

Your True Self

Jesus is The Source for everything: my life, all of creation, and EVERYTHING! There is nothing you see or imagine that was not created by Him. Yet, "the world didn't notice" (v 10) and His own people…

John 1:9 (MSG), John 1:10 (MSG), John 1:11 (MSG), John 1:12 (MSG), John 1:13 (MSG)

A Love That Acts

God is telling me about His kind of love, a love that not only speaks, but acts, for the benefit of someone else. "It is in giving that we receive", a quote from somewhere in the recesses of my mind,…

Isaiah 58:7 (MSG), Isaiah 58:8 (MSG)

My Papa!

Adopted into God's family as His son, as Jesus' brother, is a concept that really stretches my emotions and my comprehension! I can really only be thankful that God has chosen me to be a part of His family.…

Galatians 4:6 (MSG), Galatians 4:7 (MSG)

Worshiping Him

The Wise Men, or Kings, or Scholars traveled far from their homes to honor and worship the Baby, for they understood His uniqueness and preciousness. Their gifts reflected an understanding greater than…

Matthew 2:11 (MSG)

No surprises here!

Faith to trust God in all circumstances and situations! Faith to believe Christ supplies my every need! Faith to be confident when faced with challenges beyond my ability! Why would I doubt that Mary…

Jeremiah 32:17 (MSG)

Beyond the Impossible

Gabriel was busy that year! Announcing first to Zachariah and then to Mary, he gave the news of an improbable birth and an impossible birth! God seems to take joy in bringing about the impossible. There…

Luke 1:13 (MSG), Luke 1:14 (MSG), Luke 1:17 (MSG), Luke 1:18 (MSG), Luke 1:30 (MSG), Luke 1:31 (MSG), Luke 1:32 (MSG), Luke 1:33 (MSG), Luke 1:34 (MSG)

A snow-white life

Vivid memories of Christmases past always include snow! Even last Christmas, holed up in a little cabin in the mountains with all those we love, Christmas snow falling and covering everything, hiding…

Psalm 51:7 (MSG), Psalm 51:8 (MSG), Psalm 51:9 (MSG), Psalm 51:10 (MSG)

He "moved into the neighborhood"

When Jesus was born, God became flesh and moved into the neighborhood--took us residence with us; came from the glories and abundance of heaven and took on trappings of humanity; from the palace to a…

John 1:14 (MSG)

A Chorus of Hallelujahs

Angels announced His birth. Angels along with a choir announce and proclaim His 2nd coming and eternal rulership! It is no wonder that "The Hallelujah Chorus" arouses such emotion among so many. It is…

Revelation 19:6 (MSG), Revelation 19:7 (MSG), Revelation 19:8 (MSG)

"...so that I can live among them"

God desired a place to "live among" the people of Israel as they journeyed to the Promised Land.  I suspect God did this more for the awareness of the Israelites than for Himself!  He wanted them to be…

Exodus 25:1 (MSG), Exodus 25:2 (MSG), Exodus 25:3 (MSG), Exodus 25:4 (MSG), Exodus 25:5 (MSG), Exodus 25:6 (MSG), Exodus 25:7 (MSG), Exodus 25:8 (MSG), Exodus 25:9 (MSG)

Giving or Getting?

Jesus taught us and Paul reminds us, in this encounter with his friends from Ephesus. At Christmas this year, I realize that there is really nothing that I need! I would love to give more to those who…

Acts 20:35 (MSG)

Dark-dwellers overcome by LIGHT!

Isaiah foretold Christ's coming (fulfilled in Matthew 4).  His Light shines brightly, continuously.  I have seen that great Light and I seek to follow that light daily as it chases away the darkness that…

Isaiah 9:2 (KJV), Isaiah 9:3 (KJV)

First Place=Last Place

Jesus knew His disciples were "discussing" who was the greatest, and He confronted them about it. He took the time to show them what true greatness is. It is serving the others! To drive the point home,…

Mark 9:35 (MSG), Mark 9:36 (MSG), Mark 9:37 (MSG)

Blessed Shepherds!

How scared they must have felt! How excited they must have felt! A range of emotions in just a few minutes that shook to the core their understanding of their world and themselves! But, see how they readily…

Luke 2:15 (MSG), Luke 2:16 (MSG), Luke 2:17 (MSG), Luke 2:18 (MSG)

Renewing the appointment!

How wonderful and matchless God's grace, to renew the appointment for us, giving us the chance to enter His rest! We often turn away from His offer, until we finally realize the surpassing value of Jesus,…

Hebrews 4:7 (MSG), Hebrews 4:8 (MSG)

From chasing down Disciples to Champion Disciple

After Saul is converted, and Barnabas stood with him to convince the Apostles his conversion was real, there was peace for the church for a time, and it multiplied! God took the champion Disciple-hater…

Acts 9:31 (MSG)

Bold, Loving, Sensible

Gifts God gives, spiritual in nature, are to be used for His glory and the growth of His Kingdom. Even material goods--God does not supply them just so our life will be more comfortable, or to satisfy…

2 Timothy 1:7 (MSG)

Get away-Walk-Work-Watch

Fatigued, exhausted from trying to live "Christian"? Christ calls us to Get Away with Him--get away from trying, get away from manipulation, get away from rule-keeping, get away from traditions. Recovery…

Matthew 11:28 (MSG), Matthew 11:29 (MSG), Matthew 11:30 (MSG)

Living in Christ's anointing

Christ anoints us by giving us the Holy Spirit as true confirmation of His presence in and with us. The Holy Spirit serves as the medium through which we receive spiritual gifts, useful for glorifying…

1 John 2:27 (MSG), 1 John 2:28 (MSG), 1 John 2:29 (MSG)

Walk right up to Him

Just like you run into an old friend at Starbucks, Walk Right Up To Him.....just like you visit a favorite uncle, Walk Right Up To Him....Jesus fully understands me, understands you, more deeply than…

Philippians 1:27 (MSG), Philippians 1:28 (MSG), Hebrews 4:14 (MSG), Hebrews 4:15 (MSG), Hebrews 4:16 (MSG)

boldness because we trust Christ

Trusting in Christ means I am secure, no matter what! Therefore, I can speak the message with confidence and courage; and I can do His will courageously; and I can follow Him, totally abandoned to His…

Ephesians 3:12 (MSG)

Total commitment to God

They would not bow! They would not bend! They would not burn! How often am I presented with a challenge to worship another god? How often do I resist the temptation--and sometimes give in! God is the…

Daniel 3:16 (MSG), Daniel 3:17 (MSG), Daniel 3:18 (MSG), Daniel 3:27 (MSG)

"a changed life--changed inside and out"

Jesus is confronted by the "religion experts" about His association with "crooks and sinners". His response tells me His purpose: "I'm here inviting outsiders....to a changed life, changed inside and…

Luke 5:29 (MSG), Luke 5:30 (MSG), Luke 5:31 (MSG), Luke 5:32 (MSG)