Mary Crisp Jameson - copyright material







Monday, February 27, 2017

Love and the Cross

     We often read stories that warm the heart.  Usually, most are the result of courage and love.  That's as it should be, for one of the greatest characteristics we can develop in life is love. 

     1 Corinthians 13:13, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 

     Within the same chapter we are told just what love is:  " If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. ..."

Other people have said:  
     "Love is when the other person's happiness is more important than your own."
     "Love isn't love until you give it away."
     "Love will find a way."

     The above quotes are all good characteristics of love, but the one true example of love was when Jesus loved everyone enough to spread out His arms and allow the nails to pierce His hands.  What we have to remember is that Jesus was not forced upon the cross. 

     John 10:17b-18,  "I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” 

     His death was planned,  His method of death was planned, and His place of death was planned.  It was all pre-appointed! 

     John 3:16,  "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Friday, February 24, 2017

Do Prayers Expire?

     When I woke this morning and started planning the day, I decided my task for the day would be to toss out those expired salad dressings, relishes, and other food items that had accumulated in the shelves of my refrigerator door.  Then I would tackle the medicine cabinet.  This seemed like a good plan, but first I needed to make a trip to the gym for a good workout. 
    On the return trip home, I spotted a sign on the church parking lot which read,  "Prayers Do Not Expire."   Since expiration  dates were on my mind, I was a little awed by this simple reminder on prayer life and expiration dates.
     You might ask, "If prayers don't expire, why are they not always answered?"  All I can say is that God already has a plan for us, but he still wants us to pray.  "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."  (Jeremiah 29:11-13)   We are also told to "Pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

      In researching prayer further, I also came across a few in Revelations.  I interpret these verses to mean that our prayers are on record forever; they do not expire.   Read these verses and you decide.  

      Revelation 5:8, "And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.

      Revelation 8:3 "Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne."

     Revelation 8:4, "The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand."

     When I see Jesus, face to face, my desire is that my prayers be filled with praise for Him, that they be filled with thankfulness, that they not be just about me, my wishes and desires, but about others as well, and that they be filled with God's desires for all mankind.   
    
 

Sunday, February 19, 2017

The Mind

     The mind is powerful!  It's a tool to a healthy lifestyle, and a light to the personality.  
          My thoughts create within me courage, meekness, and determination. 
          My thoughts turn negatives into positive attitudes, creating happiness and well-being.
          My thoughts are what make me a more loving individual and a willing forgiver.
          My thoughts assist in turning enemies into friends.
          My thoughts help to see the other side, and makes for a less critical nature.
     In essence, my mindful thoughts make me who I am and what I am.  My actions from these thoughts can have an impact on not only changing me for the better, but also changing others.
     By creating healthy thoughts, I can show my light to the world.  Matthew 5:16, "...let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
     I am reminded about courage which is developed from healthy thoughts.  In Numbers 13:30 "Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it."   Caleb had positive thoughts, courageous thoughts, and determined thoughts.  All the others were frightened, and most said, "We can't...We are not strong enough."  This led to 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.   I have to interject that the people were right when they said, "We are not strong enough."  They needed to trust in God to make them strong.  The mind is not powerful enough to do all that is required to develop a healthy mindful approach to life without God first in our thoughts. 
     The question I have to ask myself is, "Where will my mind lead me today?  Will I let God be first in my thoughts?  Will I trust enough to 'let go and let God' strengthen my mind and mature my thoughts"

     Psalm 10:4 "In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God." 
     Psalm 13:2  "How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?"



    
 
      

Friday, February 17, 2017

A Cool Drink of Water


 
     If anyone really wants a refreshing, cool drink of water, try a relationship with God.  John 4:14 "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." 
 
     The following was taken from In Touch.  I wanted to share it because it is so meaningful. 
 

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Valentine's Day

     Valentine's Day is associated with love, heart shaped designs, and cupids.  But, what is love?  1 Corinthians not only defines it for us but tell is what we are without it.  "If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing." 
     "Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous, love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly, it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth, bears all things, endures all things.  Love never fails..."
     There is no greater love that has ever been shown than when Jesus laid down His life for me.  Jesus even prayed for me as He hung upon that cross when he asked in agony, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."  
     Other examples of love which we can apply to our lives today are: 
     In Luke 15, we read about the Parable of the Lost Son (Patience and Forgiveness).  The Father, who had waited patiently for his son to return from his riotous living, instantly forgave him and celebrated with him.   
     In Luke 10, we are given the Parable of the good Samaritan (Neighborly Love) who seeing a man that had been beaten and robbed had compassion.  He bound up the stranger's wounds, carried him to an inn, and took care of him. 
     In John 11, we are given the story of Lazarus and his death.  When Jesus saw the anguish of Lazarus's family and friends, "He wept."  (Compassion)
     There are so many deeds people do to show love, but sadly the news seldom shares these stories. Yet, love is written on the hearts of many, many people.  They have followed the words given in Proverbs 3:3, "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart."   

Sunday, February 12, 2017

Red, White and Blue

     I am so very proud of our American flag with its tri-color of red, white, and blue.  In addition, I am honored to stand up in its presence in salute for this great country.  I am honored to stand in salute to the men and women who have fought to keep this country great.  
     When I stand in salute of the flag of the United States of America, I praise God for this land He created and the sacrifice He made.  God gave His son to die for me.  Jesus freely laid down His life so I could live.  Herein is the first remembrance of the Red, White, and Blue for which I stand. 


            The Red, White and Blue
            A battle raged;  
                 A cross was staged;
            My Savior bled-
            "Forgive them," He plead
 
            For me, His blood ran red,
            For me, His stripes bruised blue;
            In death, He washed my sins, snowy white.
 
            I salute the Red, White, and Blue-
            A resurrection- The Savior true.
            I salute His sacrifice;
            For victory, Jesus paid the price. 
         
            For me, His blood ran red,
            For me, His stripes bruised blue;
            In death, He washed my sins, snowy white.
                                        Mary Crisp Jameson
           

Friday, February 10, 2017

Exercise

     Exercise, for me, is often a drudgery.  I have to really self-talk myself into it.  Yet, I feel so much more energized afterwards. 
     When I think about it, I suppose I often have what I call a "Jonah moment".  He didn't like what God called him to do.  He argued and complained but in the end he finally did what God asked him to do.  In the end, even though Jonah did not like the outcome, God did.   
     This puts me back to my first thoughts.  How often do I say "yes" to a request when I really want to say "no", but the outcome leaves me with satisfaction.    I just have to remind myself to be open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and "exercise" by moving forward toward the center of God's will.   
    

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Success Through Prayer

     We all like success.  It brings a feeling of euphoria and joy.  So, I asked myself, "What can I do to achieve the most success and the fastest success?"  I believe the answer to this is prayer.  We need the involvement of our Father in  all areas of our life.
     Today and every day, we have before us an opportunity to make a difference in our nation through prayer.  Regardless of our beliefs, we need to unite in prayer.  Regardless of whether we like who is in office, our President, Vice President, or members of Congress, we have an opportunity and a responsibility to prayer for godly leadership and for unity.  This does not mean we have to change our ideals or beliefs unless we are led by God to do so.  It simply means we want great things for our country and the people.  We need God to lead our country.
     As I was studying the parable of the prodigal son, and his return to his father, the author reminded me of two things: 
    First, if the father knew what was happening to his son as he journeyed alone, in trouble with no help and without direction, it was like a knife wound in the father's heart.
    Secondly, everything the son had to began his journey came from his father, and everything he needed to regain his life was to be found only in his father's house.  
     The author also stated, "the joy of the father upon his son's return was unrestrained."
     Wouldn't it be awesome to see unrestrained blessings showered upon the United States of America?  How could we be more successful than that?
    
2 Chronicles 7:14     "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.