Food for the Soul

There are many scriptures that tell us about “food for the soul.” 

 

In Matthew 4:4 Jesus said, “It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” 

 

In John 6:35 Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never to hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” 

 

In Psalm 63:5 we hear David say, “I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.”  The ERV version puts it like this: “When I sit down to satisfy my hunger, my joyful lips hunger to praise you!” 

 

My parents understood that having God in our home was more important than the food on our table. They also showed their children the importance of praising God before we fed our hungry stomachs. I came to understand all of this as I grew and came to know by Lord. 

 

 

Food for the Soul

 

I was raised on tators and peas;

They were good and pleased.

I had beef and pork;

Tender and easy to fork.

Chicken was fried in grease,

And I loved every piece.

There was fish from a pond;

A taste in which I was fond.

Things were seasoned with pepper and salt,

To a fault.

There were cakes and pies;

Never considering the sugar highs.

There were wild blackberries from the vine;

We were too poor for fruit, more fine,

We had lots of biscuits and bread,

And that’s how I was fed.

Nothing went to waste;

We savored every taste.

But, before we passed the food to every place,

We said grace. 

All round the table loved our cook and host,

But what meant the most 

Was the gathering in prayer,

‘cause God was with us there.

Good food may have filled my hungry hole,

But God filled my soul.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 9/22/2025

 

“So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV 

 

The Best

God’s way is always best. Let me…

 

B egin each morning asking for God’s will to be my will.

E nter into conversation with God first every day.

S at quietly in prayer.  

T ake up Jesus’s cross and follow God’s commands.

 

Lord, I pray your best be seen in me!

Focus on God

I read a statement this morning from Daily Hope which I want to remember. It stated, “The bigger God gets in my mind, the smaller my problem becomes.” That needs to become one of those every day quotes: 

 

                           “The bigger God is in me-

                  The smaller the problem!” 

That does, indeed, require me to take my focus off my problem and put it on God!

 

The Valley

A valley is an elongated low area often running between hills or mountains and typically containing a river or stream running from one end to the other. The Bible is filled with cities with valleys. Yet, there are other types of valleys in life. It can be a spiritual low point, a time of trial and challenges. 

     I like to think about my spiritual valleys and remember that God has always been with me when I walked through them. Although, I am not fond of walking through the dark valleys, that is when I often have felt the closest to God. 

     Psalm 23 is a world of comfort when traveling through the valley. Actually, it is comfort in daily life, no matter the situation! 

     I like to pray to God, that You, Lord are my shepherd. You maketh me to lie down, You leadeth me, You restore my soul, You walk me through the valley, You are with me, You maketh my cup to run over! You, Lord, are with me all the days of my life!

 

Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
² He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
³ He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
⁵ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Worry- Pros and Cons

Worry is a five-letter word that keeps cropping up in my life, but it gets me nowhere. Jesus tells me not to worry, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own,” but worry is one of the hardest things to let go.

 

Let me consider the pros and cons

 

Worry –doesn't change past, present, or future 

             places the focus on fears  

             does not show faith

             makes me unhappy

             is wasted time 

 

Worry, put aside- brings more joy

                            shows faith in God

                            removes focus off self

                            produces wiser use of time

                            helps to live for the moment

                          

                           

 

A Sinner

I wish I could say that I am not a sinner, but that would be a lie. I hate my sinful ways because I love my Lord and want to live better to show His glory. However, because I am a sinner, I am so much more thankful to God for His forgiveness. 

O Lord, 

I am a sinner, but I am comforted. 

I am consoled 

   because of the forgiveness You do not withhold.

You did not scold the woman caught in adultery. 

You simply said, “Go, and sin no more,”

   though she had the Pharisees in an uproar.

You did not reject the man on the cross. 

You said, “Today, you will be with me in paradise,” 

   though you were the one paying the price. 

You did not destroy Nineveh for their wicked ways;

   for, with compassion, you lengthened their days. 

You did not admonish Jonah when he wished he was dead;

   You sent a shade to cover his head.

Then you sent a worm to cut it down;

   And, in love, explained about the town;

   of how, with compassion and pity, 

   You wanted to save that sinful city. 

O Lord, 

Your forgiveness and love are my comforting hope

   when I view my sin through a microscope.

Your mercy and grace are my comfort, warmth, and peace.

   as I dwell on my sin that seems to never cease. 

 

                        Mary Crisp Jameson 9/11/2025 

 

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26 KJV

 

 

 

Break The Chain

It is possible because of God, and because of God only! He is the One able to break the chains! 

 

     In Galatians 5:19-22, we are told what our flesh nation is drawn toward. It is immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, and carousing. 

 

     However, in Galations 5:22-23 we are given the Fruit of the Sprit which comes from God. They are love, joy, peace, patience, kindnesss, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

 

     Does anyone recognize what we are seeing today with all the violence we are watching on television in our cities, towns, and neighborhoods? 

     Does anyone recognize what we are seeing in the political world today? 

     Does anyone recognize what we see in our schools? 

     Does anyone care?

 

Let's not make it our way! Let's make it God's way! I implore us all to travel the upper road which is God’s way, using:  

         Love

         Joy

         Peace

         Patience

         Kindness

         Goodness

         Faithfulness

         Gentleness

         Self-Control 

 

Wouldn’t we be happier? 

Wouldn’t our lives be better?

Wouldn’t our lives be healthier? 

Wouldn’t we laugh and be more joyful? 

Wouldn’t we feel better when we rest our head at night?