What Matters?
What matters to God?
It’s not the size before His eyes.
It’s not the dollar amount
Or the savings account.
It’s not the burden but the pleasure.
That’s the measure of the treasure.
It’s the joy in the heart,
And that’s just the start.
He likes a happy giving,
An honest forgiving.
A willing participation,
And this is my today’s narration.
mnj
I have often read Galatians 5:22-23, “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”, and wished I could portray all of these from the inside out for others to see. However, I am a complete failure.
It was interesting to read the In Touch devotional this morning regarding the above list. I know the meaning of each fruit listed, but the devotional defined them in a new way. I am quoting below what was given from In Touch mainly because I want to keep this in mind for reference. The wording may be changed a little as I apply it to myself.
Love- is the foundation for all other virtues and is cultivated by me embracing God’s unconditional love.
Joy- is contentment regardless of my circumstances.
Peace- comes from me trusting God and surrendering to him.
Patience- is developed by me trusting God’s perfect timing.
Kindness- is God’s compassion reflected to others.
Goodness- occurs as I mirror His righteousness and justice.
Faithfulness- means I am steadfast and trustworthy.
Gentleness- comes when I approach others with humility.
Self-control- requires me to exercise restraint and rely on the Holy Spirit’s strength.
After reading Dr. David Jeremiah's book "The Great Disappearance-31 Ways To Be Rapture Ready", I attempted to put together a poetic summary the best way my simple mind understands it. I really cannot began to comprehend the glory of God and His workings.
Three Spectacle Events
The manger scene is a true story
Revealing God’s glory.
Jesus came in flesh and obscurity,
Living as a servant lowly but in purity.
All did not witness the miraculous birth event
Nor understand what it meant.
Many wanted Him crucified.
Some laughed, some cried
When Jesus died among men.
But He arose to live again.
That was His First Coming,
But there would be a second return.
Until then, souls will burn and yearn.
The second event
Will come as a thief in the night
By God’s glorious might.
A Rapture will take place in the sky
And happen in the twinkling of an eye.
But no one knows the hour or date;
Although, Jesus’ re-appearance will be great!
Those in Christ will no longer wait.
There will be a shout, a trumpet sound
To gather believers in Christ up from the ground.
The dead will rise first in this fanfair,
Then those alive, who remain, will be caught up in the air.
This will be the great disappearance!
Unbelievers will not witness this Rapture God sent;
They will be confused and left wondering where the people went.
The third event will be the Second Coming,
Occurring after seven years of dark days
When evil will blaze,
And the Antichrist rise to power.
People will cower.
The Church, taken by the Rapture,
Will cause a religious fracture.
Few will be saved;
Most will be Satan enslaved.
The tribulation will be dreadful,
And, with the Second Coming, people regretful.
The Second Return will not be as the First.
Christ will not come as a servant but rather a judge.
He will arrive in splendor,
Ready, judgment, to render.
Every eye within the crowds
Will see Him coming in the clouds,
Charging in with His Heavenly forces;
His Saints riding white horses.
Jesus’ Second Coming
Will be stunning!
The Second Coming will not be as the First.
The First was in humility and simplicity.
The Second as a King in majesty.
With the First, a crown of thorns was placed upon His head.
With the Second, Jesus will be crowned with many crowns, instead.
With the First, He was the Lamb that was slain.
With the Second, He will reign.
Lord of Lords He comes!
And, He will not except the wicked crumbs.
There will be no more warning,
And the wicked, in their judgment, will be left mourning.
Lord of Lords!
King of Kings!
The Second Coming will fulfill His vow,
And before Him, every knee will bow!
Mary Crisp Jameson 4/15/2024
“Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” Revelation 22:17 NIV
I planted my garden several weeks ago thinking the nights were finally getting warm; however, here in late April the nights and even some days are still cool.The plants are just sitting there, not growing. There is no rushing the process.
I was reminded by my In Touch Devotional this morning that “growth is a slow process, and slow growth can be a good thing. It takes time to develop strength, coordination, and the intelligence needed to do certain mature tasks.”
This tells me I need to be patient with my plants and their grown as well as with my own growth before I can expect a great harvest of fruit.
Years ago, when I sprained my ankle very badly, I had to use crutches to get around. It wasn't until my hands were tied to the crutches and I could not carry anything that I realized how much I needed my hands for daily activities. It was the same with my feet. All the members of my body not only have a distinct purpose, but they have many uses.
My eyes are for seeing objects and things, but they should also be used to look compassionately at others; to see their needs and problems. My hands are for carrying and doing things, but they are also for offering help. My mouth is for speaking my mind and thoughts, but it also should be used for speaking forgiveness and love. My ears are for hearing what is being said and what is happening around me, but they are also for listening to the cares and problems of others so I may reach out in compassionate love. My heart is for pumping blood to give me life, but it is also for reflecting love and giving joyful life to others.
I pray I will use all the members of my body to share God's righteousness and bear His fruit.
"...We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work..." Colossians 1:9b-10a
I love family from my nieces, nephews, cousins, down to my brothers and sisters, with the closest one being my own daughter. I was raised with family events where we all got together for great feasts. We played, laughed, and prayed together, yet we were all different.
My daughter often tells me she had to have been switched at birth because she and I are as different as night and day or as some might say water and oil. Yet, that does not make us love each other less. It just makes us laugh at our many differences.
I love to get “dirt under my nails” in the garden, whereas she prefers a nail salon. I get up “on the go” when the sun rises. She, on the other hand, prefers to sleep in. I am an “outside person”. She prefers the inside. I enjoy cooking -most times. I not sure she knows the purpose of her stove. On second thought, maybe she is adopted. (Ha! Ha!)
But to put joking aside, my daughter is the one who keeps me young! She is the jewel I brag about with pride. She is the one I talk with daily. She holds my heart! She is smart, tender-hearted, compassionate, intuitive, and a fierce lion when it comes to protecting her mama. And, isn't that what family, although different, is all about!
Actually, I do not think we are oil and water. Oil and water does not blend as the day blends into night. We blend! We are willing to accept each other's views, each other's ideas, and learn from them. God created all people different. He gave each person their own special gifts. That is how the world turns, and if we were all willing to consider each other's opinions and differences maybe there would be less anger.
I smile when I remember what scripture says. “We have different gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.”
It makes me extremely happy that my daughter and I both know the God who created us so unique and in such contrast to each other. I am joyful in the knowledge that we both know the Spirit who distributed our various gifts. We have fun laughing at our opposite ways of doing things and can even love each other through our irritating differences.
Genesis 1:27 "So God created mankind.."
Romans 12:6 “We have different gifts…”
1 Corinthians 12:4 “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.”
