Author: Margarita

I'm Margaret (AKA "Margarita"). I am a Christian, wife, mother of three, and grandmother (AKA "Mimi") of three. My husband Stace and I met many, many years ago. We have had our share of up and downs but I'm forever grateful that he is the man God blessed me with. I am happy to report we have been married for 25 years. I love this space on the internet. I create blog posts about faith, my Christian Walk, and our life on the farm. I have learned from the Word of the Lord. I hope this space will give you encouragement and inspiration in your walk with God. I speak on topics that make some breathe a sigh of relief and make others get pretty uncomfortable. I believe that there is power in transparency and that as children of God, we shouldn't hold anything back. Yes, even those raw and messy parts of our Life's Journey. Over the last several years, I have wrestled with my purpose, struggled with various sins, survived some severe injuries, and was diagnosed with severe illnesses that have stopped me in my tracks. Although these dark times have been tough, my walk with God and family has proven to be so fulfilling and sweet, regardless of any earthly circumstance. Christ is enough! And I want you to see that He is enough for you too. The Lord has put it on my heart to share His Word with you. I'm truly honored to meet you and hope you'll introduce yourself to me as well.
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ACCESS TO THE FATHER / EPHESIANS 2:18

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Ephesians 2:18
For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

ACCESS TO THE FATHER / EPHESIANS 2:18

Access the God the Father comes through His Son, Jesus Christ, by the presence of the Holy Spirit in believers’ lives. “Access” means that we who have faith in Christ have the freedom and right to approach our heavenly Father with confidence that we will be accepted, welcomed, and loved.

  1. This access is gained through Christ, who gave His life on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin and to restore our opportunity for a personal relationship with God (Ephesians 2:13; Romans 5:1-2). Even now, Christ continues to intercede – to mediate and plead our case – to His Father in heaven for all who come to Him (Hebrews 7:25; 4:14-16).
  2. Access to God requires the Holy Spirit’s help. The Spirit’s power withing the lives of Christ’s followers makes it possible for them to pray according to God’s perfect will and purpose (John 14:16-17; 16:13-14; Romans 8:15-16, 26-27).

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. REDEMPTION / EPHESIANS 1:7
  2. HIS … POWER / EPHESIANS 1:18-21
  3. CHILDREN OBEY / EPHESIANS 6:1
  4. GUIDED BY GRACE ABOUT

Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace

GUIDED BY GRACE HOME
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SINCE WE HAVE CONFIDENCE / HEBREWS 10:19

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Hebrews 10:19
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

SINCE WE HAVE CONFIDENCE / HEBREWS 10:19

The word “confidence” (Greek parrhesia) occurs four times in the book of Hebrews (Hebrews 3:14; 4:16; 10:19; 10:35). Sometimes it means “bedrock belief” (a solid foundation of faith) or “bold assurance.” Here, however, it indicated a bold (yet humble) freedom and authorized access into “the Most Holy Place” of God’s presence because of “the blood of Jesus.” Such access was not available under the old covenant, except once a year by one man (the high priest). When Jesus died, however, the temple’s curtain was “torn in two from top to bottom” (Mark 15:38), indicating that the barrier to God’s presence had been removed; the way is now open for people to come directly to Him through faith in Christ. The curtain symbolized Christ’s body (Hebrews 10:20) that was torn through His suffering and death, which gave us spiritual freedom and access to God. This means that we can, with gratitude and confidence, constantly come to God in prayer. 

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. MAKE THE PEOPLE HOLY / HEBREWS 13:12
  2. LET US DRAW NEAR / HEBREWS 10:22
  3. HE LEARNED OBEDIENCE / HEBREWS 5:8
  4. THE WORD OF GOD / HEBREWS 4:12
  5. OBEY THEM / HEBREWS 13:17
  6. LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CITY / HEBREWS 11:10
  7. BELIEVE THAT HE EXISTS / HEBREWS 11:6
  8. ABEL … ENOCH … NOAH / HEBREWS 11:4-7
  9. BY FAITH WE UNDERSTAND / HEBREWS 11:3
  10. NOW FAITH IS / HEBREWS 11:1
  11. GUIDED BY GRACE ABOUT

Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace

GUIDED BY GRACE
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IF WE CLAIM TO BE WITHOUT SIN / 1 JOHN 1:8

START YOUR DAY RIGHT WITH DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) 1 John 1:8

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

IF WE CLAIM TO BE WITHOUT SIN / 1 JOHN 1:8

John uses the noun “sin” (Greek hamartian) – wrong-doing, offense against God and being out of bounds by His standards – rather than the verb. This means that he is emphasizing sin not just as a matter of God-defying actions but as a basic principle or trait in human nature.

  1. John is probably arguing against those who claim that sin does not exist as a principle or power in human nature, or those who say that their evil actions are not really sin. This deceptive belief is still with us today in those who deny the fact of sin or have a deterministic view of evil. Those who follow this view believe that sin is determined by outside causes or things we cannot control such as biological, psychological, or social factors. Therefore, each person has little or no real choice in relation to who they are and what they do. This leads to the conclusion that no one is responsible for his or her own sinful actions (Romans 6:1-2; 7:9-11).
  2. Believers must be aware that the sinful nature is a very real and continuous threat in their lives. Through the power of the Holy Spirit within them, Christ’s followers must constantly put to death the God-defying tendencies and actions of the sinful nature (Romans 6:11; 8:13; Galatians 5:16-25).

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. BECAUSE WE OBEY HIS COMMANDS / 1 JOHN 3:22
  2. MUST WALK AS JESUS DID / 1 JOHN 2:6
  3. THE DEVIL / 1 JOHN 3:8
  4. ASK ANYTHING ACCORDING TO HIS WILL / 1 JOHN 5:14
  5. Guided By Grace About

Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace

GUIDED BY GRACE HOME
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MAKE THE PEOPLE HOLY / HEBREWS 13:12

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Hebrews 13:12

Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

MAKE THE PEOPLE HOLY / HEBREWS 13:12

Jesus’ death outside the city represented the removal of sin, just as the bodies from the Old Testament animal sacrifices were burned outside the Israelite camp. Jesus suffered outside the city gate of Jerusalem as an outcast so that He could separate His people from their old sinful lives and set them apart for God’s service.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. LET US DRAW NEAR / HEBREWS 10:22
  2. HE LEARNED OBEDIENCE / HEBREWS 5:8
  3. THE WORD OF GOD / HEBREWS 4:12
  4. OBEY THEM / HEBREWS 13:17
  5. LOOKIN FORWARD TO THE CITY / HEBREWS 11:10
  6. BELIEVE THAT HE EXISTS / HEBREWS 11:6
  7. ABEL … ENOCH … NOAH / HEBREWS 11:4-7
  8. BY FAITH WE UNDERSTAND / HEBREWS 11:3
  9. NOW FAITH IS / HEBREWS 11:1
  10. GUIDED BY GRACE ABOUT

Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace

GUIDED BY GRACE
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LET US DRAW NEAR / HEBREWS 10:22

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Hebrews 10:22

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

LET US DRAW NEAR / HEBREWS 10:22

Faith and drawing near to God through Jesus Christ are inseparable.

  1. Faith is sincerely believing in God, entrusting one’s life to His care, relying on Him for help and strength and trusting in His goodness (Hebrews 11:6; John 1:12; 5:24). By coming to God through faith in Christ, one finds mercy, grace, help (Hebrews 10:1; 4:16; 7:19), salvation (Hebrews 7:25), spiritual growth development (Hebrews 10:14) and cleansing (Hebrews 10:22).
  2. Therefore, when there is no drawing near to God in prayer and companionship with Christ, there is no saving faith (Hebrews 10:38). Jesus Himself equates faith with sincere prayer to God (Luke 18:8).

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. HE LEARNED OBEDIENCE / HEBREWS 5:8
  2. THE WORD OF GOD / HEBREWS 4:12
  3. OBEY THEM / HEBREWS 13:17
  4. LOOKIN FORWARD TO THE CITY / HEBREWS 11:10
  5. BELIEVE THAT HE EXISTS / HEBREWS 11:6
  6. ABEL … ENOCH … NOAH / HEBREWS 11:4-7
  7. BY FAITH WE UNDERSTAND / HEBREWS 11:3
  8. NOW FAITH IS / HEBREWS 11:1
  9. GUIDED BY GRACE ABOUT

Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace

GUIDED BY GRACE
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HIS DELIGHT IS IN THE LAW / PSALMS 1:2

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Psalms 1:2

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

HIS DELIGHT IS IN THE LAW / PSALMS 1:2

True followers of God not only avoid evil, but they also build their lives around God’s Word and actively serve His purposes. They try to obey God and follow His plans because they truly take pleasure in what God loves and desires (2 Thessalonians 2:10, where the wicked perish because “they refused to love the truth”). A godly person’s actions are motivated by love for God and a heart that has been changed and made new by the truth of God’s Word.

ON HIS LAW HE MEDITATES DAY AND NIGHT

Those who desire to live with God’s blessing and favor meditate on God’s law (His Word) in order to shape their thinking, attitudes and actions in a positive way. Meditating on God’s Word involves reading a passage and thinking on it long and seriously to know its meaning. It involves comparing it with other Bible passages and determining how to rightly apply the truth to one’s life. When meditation on a passage in the Bible it is helpful to consider the following question:

  • How might God’s Spirit be applying this verse to my present situation?
  • What is this passage teaching me about God’s character?
  • Is there a promise here for me to recognize and claim?
  • Is this passage revealing a particular sin I must try to avoid?
  • Is God giving a command I must obey?
  • How should this truth affect me relationship with other people?
  • Is my spirit in harmony with what the Holy Spirit is saying?
  • Is the passage expressing a truth about God, salvation, sin, the world or my personal behavior that I need to understand better with the Holy Spirit’s help?
  • Is there something in this passage I can thank or praise God for?
  • How can I grow closer to God in light of what He is showing me through His Word?

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. BLESSED IS THE MAN / PSALMS 1:1
  2. YOUR WORD IS … A LIGHT FOR MY PATH / PSALMS 119:05
  3. CALL UPON ME IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE / PSALMS 50:15
  4. Guided By Grace About

Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion.
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace

GUIDED BY GRACE HOME
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BLESSED IS THE MAN / PSALMS 1:1

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Psalms 1:1
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

BLESSED IS THE MAN / PSALMS 1:1

Psalms 1 serves as an introduction to the book of Psalms. It contracts two kinds of people. Each group has a distinct set of life principles in relation to God:

  1. Those who love God and do what His Word says in right are called “the righteous” in Psalms 1:5-6. They separate themselves from beliefs and behaviors that may be common in the world but are offensive to God (Psalms 1:1-2).
  2. Those who follow beliefs and behaviors that defy God and reject God’s Word are called “the wicked” (Psalms 1:4-6). God knows and blesses those who follow Him, but the ungodly have no part in god’s kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9) and will perish (Psalms 1:6). The distinction between these two kinds of people will always exist, and the separation between them will continue into eternity. The freedom of choice to accept or reject the opportunity God has provided to renew our broken relationship with Him determines which group a person belongs to.

DOES NOT WALK IN THE COUNSEL OF THE WICKED

The first verse of the book of Psalms emphasizes the distinction between the righteous (those who trust God and follow His ways) and the wicked (those who reject Him and go their own way). True followers of God can be recognized, in part, by what they do, where they go and the company they keep. It is necessary to avoid things that are spiritually harmful and defiant in order to experience God’s blessing and favor.  

Bible Study Tools I Use

Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. YOUR WORD IS … A LIGHT FOR MY PATH / PSALMS 119:05
  2. CALL UPON ME IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE / PSALMS 50:15
  3. Guided By Grace About

Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion.
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace

GUIDED BY GRACE HOME
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REDEMPTION / EPHESIANS 1:7

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Ephesians 1:7

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

REDEMPTION / EPHESIANS 1:7

The word translated “redemption” (Greek apolutrosis) occurs three times in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (Ephesians 1:7, 14; 4:30). It means “ransomed or restored by the payment of a price.” To be redeemed also relates to being rescued and set free. The term “redemption” is very fitting because it shows how spiritual salvation was obtained – by the payment of a ransom. The price Jesus paid to save and restore up spiritually was extremely costly: “through His blood.” Paul explains that God’s provision of “redemption” and spiritual salvation through Christ’s personal sacrifice covers the full range of human need, this includes our need of forgiveness, spiritual liberation, restoration to a right relationship with God, peace, love, new life, understanding, community, acceptance, security, hope, and victory in our conflict against Satan and his forces of evil.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. HIS … POWER / EPHESIANS 1:18-21
  2. CHILDREN OBEY / EPHESIANS 6:1
  3. GUIDED BY GRACE ABOUT

Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace

GUIDED BY GRACE HOME
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FORGIVENESS OF SINS / MATTHEW 26:28

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 26:28

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

FORGIVENESS OF SINS / MATTHEW 26:28

Forgiveness is necessary because we all have sinned (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8), which means that we have offended and rebelled against God, broken His laws, ignored His standards and gone our own way (Isaiah 53:6; 1 John 3:4; 5:17). Sin has destroyed our relationship with God, who is completely holy (completely pure, perfect, complete, and separated from evil) and cannot associate with wickedness and rebellion. God’s perfect justice requires that our sin be judged, and because sin is so opposed to God’s character it requires the most extreme penalty – death and eternal separation from Him. Apart from His mercy we would certainly be pronounced “guilty” and sentenced to death (Romans 1:18-32; 6:23). However, God Himself provided the solution to satisfying the penalty of sin by sending His Son, Jesus, to die in our place and pay the penalty for sin once and for all. For all who willingly accept Christ’s sacrifice as their own and yield the leadership of their lives to Him, God offers forgiveness. This becomes the means by which our broken relationship with God can be restored (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 2:13).

  1. For God to be able to offer forgiveness in the first place, a blood sacrifice was required (Hebrews 9:22). But in order for the forgiveness to be complete, the sacrifice had to be perfect. That is why God is the only one who could have provided the perfect sacrifice, which He did through Jesus’ death on the cross. Jesus’ death is the basis for forgiveness (Matthew 26:28; John 1:29; 3:16; Romans 8:32).
  2. The Hebrew and Greek words for forgiveness carry the meanings of “to cover,” “to pardon,” “to cancel,” “to send away.” God’s forgiveness involves canceling our debt to Him and keeping no record of the sin that has been committed (Mark 2:5; John 8:11). It involves saving individuals from eternal punishment (Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:10), accepting them back into His family (Luke 15:20) and freeing them from the control that sin once held over their lives. Forgiveness transforms and renews the whole person, bringing individuals into Christ’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13) and promising them eternal life with Him (Luke 23:43; John 14:19).
  3. In order to receive forgiveness, people must confess (admit) their sin, repent (turn from their own sinful way, surrender to God, make a complete change, and begin following His purposes, Matthew 3:2; Acts 2:38) and demonstrate faith (an active trust that gives God leadership over their lives; Acts 5:31; 20:21; 1 John 1:9). God’s forgiveness is an ongoing need for believers so that we might maintain our saving relationship with God (Matthew 6:12, 14-15; 1 John 1:9).

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. SATAN / MATTHEW 4:10
  2. DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS / MATTHEW 25:41
  3. MONEY / MATTHEW 6:24
  4. GO … MAKE DISCIPLES … BAPTIZING / MATTHEW 28:19
  5. SALT OF THE EARTH / MATTHEW 5:13
  6. YOU ARE WORTH MORE / MATTHEW 10:31
  7. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME

Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace

Guided By Grace
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HE LEARNED OBEDIENCE / HEBREWS 5:8

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Hebrews 5:8

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

HE LEARNED OBEDIENCE / HEBREWS 5:8

Jesus, as God’s Son in human form, learned through human experience what it means to obey God when facing intense sufferings and temptations. He learned not through trial and error, as we often do, because He never failed. Rather, He learned by actually doing – by obeying perfectly all the time. Because of that obedience He suffered greatly, even to the point of giving His life; yet He never gave in to sin. As a result of His perfection (Hebrews 5:9), He became a perfect Savior and high priest, qualified in every way (Hebrews 5:1-6) to bring us eternal salvation (Hebrews 5:9; 2:10). From Christ’s example, we learn that faithful obedience to God in a corrupt world will often lead to suffering and adversity (Hebrews 12:2; Isaiah 50:4-6; Philippians 2:8).

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • www.biblestudytools.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. THE WORD OF GOD / HEBREWS 4:12
  2. OBEY THEM / HEBREWS 13:17
  3. LOOKIN FORWARD TO THE CITY / HEBREWS 11:10
  4. BELIEVE THAT HE EXISTS / HEBREWS 11:6
  5. ABEL … ENOCH … NOAH / HEBREWS 11:4-7
  6. BY FAITH WE UNDERSTAND / HEBREWS 11:3
  7. NOW FAITH IS / HEBREWS 11:1
  8. GUIDED BY GRACE ABOUT

Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace

GUIDED BY GRACE
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