Posted by The 5.2 Project on Friday, July 31, 2009,
by, Maria Hartman
Darkness can be very scary, especially if we are in an unfamiliar
place. Darkness prevents our eyes from seeing what is around us, and it
greatly limits our function and productivity. But consider this:
darkness is incapable of taking away the light. Our enemy is darkness
but our God is Light.
Have you ever been driving at night when
there is a bit of fog and light rain? I noticed recently how the
headlights of my car just cut a path through, penetrating the darkness
so that I... Continue reading ...
Posted by The 5.2 Project on Thursday, July 30, 2009,
by, Maria Hartman
An airport is a place with a flurry of activity both day and night;
planes and people coming and going from all over the world. Although it
is simply considered a transportation center, it is often a place of
great emotions.
I love to go to the airport when I am receiving
a visit from those I love. An ordinary building becomes transformed
into an exciting place, and I look forward to being there with great
expectation. On the other hand when I have to part with and say goodbye... Continue reading ...
Posted by The 5.2 Project on Wednesday, July 29, 2009,
by Maria Hartman
Luke 10: 38-39 Now it happened
as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman
named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called
Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was
distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said,
“Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?
Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her,
“Martha, Martha, you are worri...
Posted by The 5.2 Project on Tuesday, July 28, 2009,
by Maria Hartman
My five year old daughter is famous
for telling it like it is; she isn’t my most ‘encouraging’
child by any means, but she is by far the funniest. God uses her as
well, to remind me of things eternal. This is what happened the other
day as she and I were driving home from the store.
A trailer carrying a boat went
by and I asked her if she saw it. She didn’t see it, but it led her
to remember when she had a boat. She said, “Mommy that
was a very, very long tim...
Posted by The 5.2 Project on Monday, July 27, 2009,
by Maria Hartman
Jesus was baptized while He was
on earth by John the Baptist. Immediately, as Jesus came up from the
water, the heavens were opened to Him and the Spirit of God descended
upon Him like a dove. Matthew 3:17 says: And suddenly a voice came
from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
God speaks out loud of His approval
and love from heaven, clearly claiming Jesus as His own. All is good…great
even. My mind, though so limited, can only...
Posted by The 5.2 Project on Friday, July 24, 2009,
by
Maria Hartman
My friend and I help to teach at
our church on Wednesday nights. We began with one question this
past week: WHO IS GOD?
The response was incredible. As
each hand was raised, my friend wrote the answers that were given on
the board. Here is a list of all of them for you; I know you will be
blessed.
Posted by The 5.2 Project on Thursday, July 23, 2009,
by
Maria Hartman
Have any of you taught your teenagers
to drive? Talk about scary, huh. But as I observe my son, and even drive
with him (very prayerfully), I notice something that we as Christians
need to imitate. He is by no means ready to drive independently
because he has only driven about 10 times so far, but what IS good about
what he is doing is this: he is on the alert. He doesn’t want music
on (do you believe that?) and he doesn’t want any distractions. Of
course that is...
Posted by The 5.2 Project on Wednesday, July 22, 2009,
by Maria Hartman
I just can’t stop thinking about
the scripture I most recently posted from Mark 11: 22-24. If you haven’t
read it, grab a Bible and please do so, or refer to yesterday’s post.
Without question, God is trying to teach me something big. Do you feel
the same? This is so powerful and important, and I can’t even move
on because God has called me to STAY here. I hope there are others out
there who want to stay on this too.
Posted by The 5.2 Project on Tuesday, July 21, 2009,
by Maria Hartman
Good morning, afternoon, or evening
friends! I hope you will carefully read the scripture below and let
the Word of God sink deep into your heart and mind. It’s the greatest
transformer ever!
Mark 11: 22-24 So Jesus answered
and said, “Have faith in God.”
For assuredly, I say to you whoever says to this mountain,
‘Be removed and be cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart,
but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever
he...
Posted by The 5.2 Project on Monday, July 20, 2009,
by Maria Hartman
On a recent road trip with my kids,
we got on the subject of heaven and hell. Specifically, how Jesus clearly
speaks more about the place of torment called hell than about the glorious
paradise called heaven. “Why is that?” asked one of my sons. I answered
him the best way I could, and then God gave me an analogy that really
hit home.
Come join us on our drive...
I told them to imagine that we
were driving along an ordinary road, exactly as we were, and everything...
Posted by The 5.2 Project on Saturday, July 18, 2009,
2 Peter 1: 5-11
Day by Day: I will be sharing
few verses of scripture today. I may add a few questions to ponder,
but the Word alone will be the presented each Saturday of the week.
May it richly bless you as only the Living Word can.
But also for this very reason,
giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
F...
Posted by The 5.2 Project on Friday, July 17, 2009,
by Maria Hartman
Have you ever thought about the
fact that the best gifts are the ones we need and the ones we
want? This certainly can be true of material possessions, but I am talking
about something much more significant.
About 23 years ago, God gave me
a gift. At that time, I could have never anticipated how much of an
impact it would have on my life. I didn’t take me long though to recognize
that somehow it was like none other. This gift opened my eyes to who
Jesus was and help...
Posted by The 5.2 Project on Thursday, July 16, 2009,
Part III by
Maria Hartman
Remember, all ‘these’
started the same; all ‘these’ had the seed sown.
V 14: The
sower soweth the word. Jesus. Get
ready, He is about to explain.
V 15: And these
are they by the way side, where the word is sown, but when they have heard,
Satan comes immediately and takes away the word
that was sown in their hearts.
The word did reach them, but notice too, the devil is always ready….he
came immediately, and he takes it away.
Posted by The 5.2 Project on Wednesday, July 15, 2009,
by, Maria Hartman
Part II
Yesterday, we left off with Jesus
teaching the multitudes. Now we are going to hear what He told those
closest to Him after the multitudes left.
V 10: And when he was alone,
they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
Just like us at times, the disciples didn’t understand what Jesus
was saying. So Jesus does what He so graciously does best; He patiently
and lovingly teaches hearts that really do want to understand.
Posted by The 5.2 Project on Tuesday, July 14, 2009,
by, Maria Hartman Part 1
Did you know that Jesus taught
doctrine in a parable? He did; therefore parables are a whole
lot more than nice little stories; they are messages which illustrate
a life lesson. They are deep truths from God.
Mark 4:1 tells us that gathered
by the sea was a great multitude listening to Jesus teach. V 2 And he
taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, Hearken; Behold, there
went out a sower to sow:
Posted by The 5.2 Project on Monday, July 13, 2009,
Every body has a story. Every person faces struggles, strains, hardships, victories, and surprises. Every day. Friend if you face uncertainty or hurt today, remember that you are on the road to somewhere. This is not your destination. If you face joy, triumph, or rest today, remember that you are on the road to somewhere. This is not your destination. Do not take today as the ultimate outcome of all things. Do not miss today for fear of tomorrow. Trust Him for today. That's all He asks. He already ho... Continue reading ...
Posted by The 5.2 Project on Saturday, July 11, 2009,
OK folks, I know we are all busy,
but I want you to devote some quality time to this. Not because of anything
I am writing, but because of what will follow. I encourage you to do
the following:
Read these words as
if you’ve never read them before. You may have read them before,
but this time, really listen. Jesus is speaking out loud to His Father.
Imagine if you will that God has allowed you the awesome privilege of
hearing the heart of His Son, as He shares the passion and ...
Posted by The 5.2 Project on Friday, July 10, 2009,
by Maria Hartman
Prayer is something that can never
be stressed enough. We are admonished in scripture to Pray always
(Eph 6:18), to Pray without ceasing (1Thess 5:17), Pray
everywhere (1Tim 2:8), Pray
one for another (James 5:16), etc.
Prayer is just like talking to
your best friend. It is sharing and listening. It is essential for a
growing relationship with Christ. Prayer is powerful, purposeful, and
very personal. It cannot be replaced by good works and it can’t be
faked. Prayer...
Posted by The 5.2 Project on Thursday, July 9, 2009,
by
Maria Hartman
“These things I have spoken
to you, than in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation,
but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
Jesus is talking to you friend.
Can’t you just hear the tenderness in His voice…..Don’t be discouraged
and defeated my beloved…….
Let’s not just skim over this
verse, let’s really listen to what He has to say. This is after all,
Jesus speaking. He speaks that we might hear and underst...
Posted by The 5.2 Project on Wednesday, July 8, 2009,
by Maria Hartman
Hebrews 11:1
People often use the phrase, “Seeing
is believing”. But as Christians we know that faith is believing,
very often without seeing. If my belief depended upon what I
can see alone, I wouldn’t believe anything. For example, I believe
my mom lives in NY although I cannot see her. I believe my daughter
has a head full of curly hair and the sweetest smile around, but she’s
not here as I write this. Now some may say that I can say these things
only becau...
Posted by The 5.2 Project on Tuesday, July 7, 2009,
by Maria Hartman
Picture this. You are currently
in a very long and strenuous race; in fact, it is a major marathon.
You move at a steady pace because that is what is necessary and what
is required of you. You are driven to win and therefore you persist.
It isn’t about winning for the sake of winning, it is purely for what
awaits at the finish line. You run when it is sunny, you run when it
is cold and windy, and you run in the dark. This is by no means an average
race. This is somet...
Posted by The 5.2 Project on Monday, July 6, 2009,
by Maria Hartman
It was just an ordinary, Saturday
as far as I could tell. But it wasn’t. I was surrounded by the strangest
sights, as I viewed a bizarre world. My family and I were strangers
in a foreign land; misplaced somehow amidst a massive group of ‘aliens’.
Yes, that’s it; I must have been dreaming.
Everywhere I looked, I saw immorality.
There were women holding hands and embracing in ways which ought not
to be, there were teenagers garbed in black from head to toe, with...
Posted by The 5.2 Project on Saturday, July 4, 2009,
by, Maria Hartman
On this
4th of July, let us give
thanks and praise to our God. He is worthy! Let us also thank Him for
those who have fallen for our freedom, and those who now stand for our
freedom. Please lift up our county, its leaders, our troops, our churches,
and our children in prayer today.
Blessed is the
nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for
his own inheritance. Psalm 33:12
Posted by The 5.2 Project on Friday, July 3, 2009,
by Maria Hartman
I have gained so much from participating
in this 5.2 Project. Its meaning and message have been profound in my
life. I find myself thinking about that little boy occasionally. Who
was he? What did he look like? Were his parents and siblings there?
Was he scared to offer what he had in the midst of all those people,
or was he comfortable with it? Many of these questions won’t ever
be answered this side of eternity, and that’s ok. What is most important
is to take fr...
Posted by The 5.2 Project on Friday, July 3, 2009,
by Maria Hartman
I love the sunshine, but don’t
like the storms. This is true for many of us, not just literally, but
spiritually as well. I love when the wind gently blows and the sun is
beaming down on me, (70 degrees is perfect) and everything looks so
bright, crisp, and clear. I love when I am walking in the Spirit and
am focused on my God and everything is right and good because I know
who He is and who I am in Him. I don’t like thunder & lightning
or the pouring rain, especia...
Posted by The 5.2 Project on Friday, July 3, 2009,
by Maria Hartman
Picture this: your husband (or
wife) has plans to take you out to dinner somewhere really special. He
calls the restaurant and makes reservations for two. Sounds good
doesn’t it!!
My husband, boys and I recently
went to a NY Yankees game in Baltimore with my sister and her husband.
These tickets, which were not cheap, were purchased by my sister months
in advance for that particular day. We each had a ticket which reserved
a place for us. It didn’t have our names on i...
Posted by The 5.2 Project on Friday, July 3, 2009,
By Maria Hartman
For if you live according to the flesh you
will die; but if BY THE SPIRIT you put to death the deeds of the body,
you will live. Romans 8:13.
If ‘by the Spirit’ was not in this verse, we would be in some major
trouble. What’s the big deal? Well, if we are consistently driven by
what the flesh feels and wants…. we will die. Whew!! That is nothing to
take lightly; it should cause us some serious reflection upon what
living according to the flesh really means.
Posted by The 5.2 Project on Friday, July 3, 2009,
by Maria Hartman
Many
have heard and read the scripture from Jeremiah 18: 1-6 many times. It
is a great picture of what God wants us to see. It is God the Potter,
and you and me the clay.
God most certainly molds us and shapes us and forms ‘new’ characteristics in us, and He wants us to know that He does. Let me explain. In verse 1, God told Jeremiah: “Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear my words.” It was God’s desire for Jeremiah to see ...
Posted by The 5.2 Project on Friday, July 3, 2009,
by Maria Hartman
My
husband’s grandmother is 92 and is in a nursing home with the last
stages of colon cancer. We went to see her yesterday, and as I sat and
gazed upon the body of what once used to be a very active, productive,
and diligent woman, I was reminded how we often leave this world the
very same way we enter it: totally dependent.
James 4:14b says: For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
You are invited!"Day by Day" Is an opportunity for you to share what you are learning about God and His word with others. Join our wonderful friend Maria as she offers insight that the Lord gives and offers it back to Him by sharing. Please don't miss this chance to "share what you know" ... so that we can know more about our great God together! To submit your thoughts or comments just send it in an e-mail to the5.2project@gmail.com or write it straight in the box below and we'll post it for you. Thank you for sharing with us this way!
Comments:
Thank you Maria. Today was a wonderful reminder to me ... Thank you for you faithfulness! Love, Rachel
Thanks once again Maria for your “sharing” today. Such a great encouragement to me today and this was such a good study on these verses. THANK YOU
Maria, what a blessing your writings are to me. I love reading how God is working in your life and how beautifully you are so willing to share. What a wonderful Savior we have!! Thank you Maria from the depths of my heart. Donna
Thank you Maria for your lesson today! Praise God, He can do the impossible! Love, Rachel
Thanks once again, Maria. Your “studies” each day have once again blessed and touched my heart. I love what you did that illustrated GRACE! Just want you to know that your sharing is not in vain or going unnoticed! - Terrie
Thank you for the reminder that God made me for such a time as this; my adequacy is in our Great and Loving GOD!
Gravity: I can NOT wait to defy gravity! Come quickly LORD Jesus! Praise God, His thoughts are greater than my thoughts!! Thank you for sharing, Maria!
On 1 Peter:
Maria, Thank you so much for sharing what God is showing you in His Living Word! I Peter was a great encouragement to us through Levi's cancer and surgery. Just as you shared, we were continually reminded that our suffering was not in vain! God graciously allowed us to see His Hand at work every step of the way! I praise God for the opportunity to test my faith! Love, Rachel
Maria, I’m so thankful for your willingness to share and your incredible ability to do it in such an awesome way. I am always encouraged, and learning as I read and I’m so grateful for all that you do! Love, Mary
Thank you, Maria, for all your thoughts that you have shared so diligently over the past weeks! They are truly a blessing and inspiration to me! Often they are convicting to me, but that's what I need. Thank you for allowing our God to use you in this way. - Terrie
