Encounter with Jesus

There are many examples in Scripture about what can happen when a person has an encounter with Jesus. A few are: 

 

1.Mary Magdalene was demon possessed but was made right with God. After Jesus cast out her demons, she followed Jesus in His travels.

2. Paul was a persecutor of Christians. After his Damascus Road conversion, He made his life all about building the church.

3. Zacchaeus was a tax collector known for cheating the people, but He changed his life when Jesus appeared and told him to “come down.”

4.The Samaritan woman at the well, changed her life when Jesus told her to “go and sin no more.” 

5. The man on the cross next to Jesus acknowledged Jesus and was saved there on the cross when Jesus told him, “Today, you will be with me in Paradise.”

 

All a person needs to do have an encounter with Christ is to believe. 

 

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16-17

 

 

 

 

Today

There are many “todays” in scripture. 

     Yesterday was once a “today.” 

     Today is “today.” 

     Tomorrow will soon be a “today.” 

Hebrews 3:13 says, “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

 

    What will I do with my "today?" Today, I will strive to love as Jesus did and let not my heart be hardened away from Him and the people I meet. 

Come and Follow Me

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.

 

Sin

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

Protector and Defender

Daily there are hurdles and tense moments, but we have choices in our reactions.

Protector and Defender

 

When wronged-

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 

 

Wait within the Delay

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...

 

He Does Not Slumber

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.