Salt and Spice

Because of my husband’s struggle with high blood pressure, I use no to very little salt. I often forget that when I cook for others, they expect better seasoned, tasty food. In defense, I do use a lot of different spices, but those can become flat if left on the shelf too long. They lose their flavor, and need to be thrown out and replaced.  

     I admit that bland food does not enrich people’s palates. Salt and fresh spices greatly enhance the taste!  

    This is much the same in life. Sometimes, I just have to STOP to remember that I need to add salt and spice to my life as well as others. With God's, He can restore my usefulness and I can become a tasty palate for others. 

     As it says in Matthew 5:13, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses it saltiness, how can it be made salty again: It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

 

The Unparishable

The Redemptive Plan from Old to New

 

My redemptive plan started before the world began.

God had a plan that He would expand.

The story is woven from beginning to end

About a shedding of blood that God would send.

It’s a story of death, renewal, and reconciliation

From Genesis to Revelation.

God’s redemptive plan is a connection between blood and sin;

Of how slavery can end and freedom ring in.

The plan began when God first covered Adam and Eve with an animal skin;

It was to hide their sin.

Later, the Israelites used doves and lambs for sacrifices to absolve their wicked ways,

But these were only temporary, perishable things during their days.

From the Old Testament to the New, the perishable was used until God send His Son

For His redemptive plan to be finally done!

The narrative shifted

When God’s own Son was gifted.

There was no longer to be a temporary, perishable sacrifice;

One not done twice or thrice,

But only once-and-done by God’s only Son.

And, it was for all and anyone!

When Jesus hung His head, and His broken body was diminished,

He cried out, “It is finished!”

Jesus exchanged His unblemished, spotless perfection for my sin

To give me heaven’s permanent win.

He gave me a once-and-done blood provision-

His Father’s foreknown redemptive vision.

As One, 

Father and Son,

They completed the redemptive plan for man.

Jesus obeyed His Father’s will 

And He lives still!

For this reason, I, too, live still, to count the days

Until, upon heaven’s gate, I gaze.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 3/6/2025

 

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world…” 1 Peter 1:18-20a 

 

Which Comes First?

There is an old mystery often asked, “Which came first? The chicken or the egg!” 

     I actually have no answer, but in reading my devotional about the words that come from my mouth in the way of gossip or words that injure others, I questioned, “What comes first? The heart or the thoughts before I speak. 

     Luke 6:45 says, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” Then I found in Mark 7:21a, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts…”

     Therefore, I conclude, my thoughts, good or bad, first come from my heart before I think them and then spew them carelessly rom my mouth. 

     Since my heart needs the work, I pray this morning Luke 6:45, O Lord, “Let the words of my mouth and the medication of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” 

 

Early Morning Delight

I have never been one to sleep late, In fact, there are some mornings, I cannot wait to start the day. I do, however, enjoy, first, my morning sessions with God. He is the One who wakes me to the joy of the day.

 Early Morning Delight

 Within my early, morning yawn, 

My Lord comes like a light shining at dawn.

In His ornateness, 

He comes with all His divine greatness.

In my morning hour, 

God awakens me with His gift of strength and power;

He is my safe haven through the day, 

Making straight my way.

In my awakened state, I feel the comfort of His arms;

Here to protect throughout day’s harm.

At first light, 

I know I am precious in His sight.

His presence replaces the covers upon my bed,

Relieving the burdens of my day’s dread.

God is my morning glee,

And He is here for me.

Within His safety net, 

I do not fret.

I arise to greet the day; 

Come what may!

He is my shield, 

And with Him I am sealed.

At dawn’s early light, 

God is my delight!

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 3/3/2025

 

“There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun*, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in His excellency on the sky.” Deuteronomy 33:26   (*Israel)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everyone

Everyone means all… and we are told that “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Therefore, it is possible that “everyone” can be saved,” but everyone will not call on the name of the Lord.
    Those who do not call on the name of the Lord will not find their name written in the book of life, and “anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.”  Revelation 20:15 

He Did Not Have To!

Jesus left His mansion in the sky 

  But He did not have to…

Jesus left His Father to come to earth

  But He did not have to…

Jesus came to serve

  But He did not have to…

Jesus came to save

  But He did not have to...

Jesus came to take away my sin

  But He did not have to... 

 

Jesus did it all willingly.

   He did not have to, but He did!

   He chose!

   He chose to love me willingly!

My sins are many

  But they do not have to be…

"Just as the Son of Man did not come to be serves, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28

Hebrews 12:2 In My Words

^{One of my bible study questions asked me to take Hebrews 12:2 and put it into my own words. Actually, it asked me to put part "a" into my own words but I could not just take a part of the scripture, I had to use the whole.} 

^{Hebrews 12:2  "}Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

My Revised Version in My Words 

Jesus laid aside His princely crown

When, from heaven, He came down.

He did it, in joy, for me.

He endured the cross!

He took on my shame to give me gain.

In the human form of man,

He, in joy, completed God’s plan. 

He, in joy, followed His Father’s will

And lives still!

He, the author and finisher of my faith

Now lives at God’s right hand, 

And I look to Him, in faith, for grace. 

Mary Crisp Jameson  2/27/2025