I do not know how many times Jesus said, “Come! Follow me,” but one writer I looked up said that Jesus said, “Follow me” 21 times.
I imagine that when Jesus says, "Come," He wants me to:
C -all on Him daily
O-pen my heart to His Word
M-eet with Him first in every day
E-nter into talk with Him in times of need and in times of plenty
and
"Follow Me" would be "Believe" and do as He did.
There is a reason the Son of God, Jesus, came to earth. It was because of the sin of man. Scripture tells us there is a sin that leads to death and there is a sin that does not lead to death. It is found in 1 John 5. We must believe in Jesus to overcome death for “all have sinned and all short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
Sin
It didn’t matter the plagues, the parted sea, or the pillar of fire-
Sin climber higher-
In the show was the hot, hot furnace and the lion’s den-
But it really didn’t change the hearts of men.
There was the belly of the whale;
It brought obedience but stubbornness was still there to tell.
The flood wiped all away when it came,
But sinful ways were reclaimed.
Defeat was in battle’s play
When men turned away and didn’t pray.
That was all in the Old Testament’s day,
And still here today and in play.
Sin just climbs higher
‘cause man’s hearts don’t listen to what came prior.
It just continues to transpire.
Mary Crisp Jameson 6/10/2026
Daily there are hurdles and tense moments, but we have choices in our reactions.
Protector and Defender
The natural tendency is to fight back;
Restraint we lack.
When misunderstood, we defend what others offend.
When attacked, we react.
When criticized, words are returned, not minimized.
But what did Jesus do?
“When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate.”
He did not return in hate.
He let God determine His fate.
“He made no threats.”
Jesus had no cause for regrets.
“He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.”
He trusted!
He wisely adjusted.
God was His rock, so He did not balk or worry about the talk
God was His defense-
In the present and hence.
Jesus was not moved by what others had to say-
Come what may.
God was His stronghold,
And Jesus walked bold.
Mary Crisp Jameson 6/6/2026
“When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.”
1 Peter 2:24 NIV
“He only is my rock and my salvation: He is my defense; I shall not be moved.” Psalms 62:6 KJV
I’m not one to sat around when I have a project to do. I want it over -done and completed. That is a fault at times. Rushing the job may not always be the best. Sometimes there is a delay for a reason. A “wait” is sometimes for the best, but it sure makes me antsy.
This reminds me of the season I often have for waiting for God’s answers. His delay is usually for a reason. What do I do during that time of waiting?
W-ill the time or the “wait” to God
A-sk daily though He heard the first time
I-ssue prayers
T-alk to God
And in the Delay
D-o something constructive
E-nter into new ideas
L-et it go
A-sk in prayer
Y-earn for God’s direction
Always Trust...
I am going to do a little rambling this morning.
In Genesis 2, scripture tells us that on the seventh day God had finished His work and "He rested." It did not say He slept. Think about it, God had made man, who, by choice became sinful. I am sure at that point God had to become too busy taking care of man to sleep. Psalms 121 backs up this point, “He will not let your foot slip- He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Then in Matthew 15, there is the parable of the lost sheep, whereby, the Shepherd leaves the hundred sheep to go out and find the one that is lost. Yes, I believe God is much too busy with man to sleep. That is how great God’s love is for His children. God neither slumbers nor sleeps. He is always available to hear our prayers and help us in our time of need.
I don't live in a perfect world, yet. I am also not perfect. God is perfect and Heaven will be perfect. In the meantime- God has sent help!
Not Perfect
God is perfect,
And I am not.
But I needn’t be fraught.
For a plan was in God’s forethought.
He sent His Son into a sinful place
To give me grace.
You see, Jesus came to atone for me-
To make me washed clean-
Made snow white
In His Father’s sight.
I cannot look upon God’s face,
But He gives me grace.
He sent His Son to set me free.
Then, He sent the Spirit to speak to me.
God is perfect,
And I am not.
That’s why it takes all three-
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!
Mary Crisp Jameson 5/31/2026
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God ...But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ...For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” Ephesians 2:8,13,18
Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” He went on to say, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
To love those who mistreat me is often hard to do, but Jesus says do it. I am to love:
The L onely
O verbearing
V ery people who hurt me
E veryone
Basically as Matthew 7:12 says, “In everything treat people the same way I want to be treated myself.”
