My Help Cometh

I have been working on the following for a while. In fact, I had even forgotten about it. Finding it this morning, I decided to give it completion and share my visit with a Stranger, the One who walks beside me everyday. If I will only recognize Him; He will carry my daily load; my fears, my apprehensions, and my worries.  He is willing. 

My Help Cometh … 

 

I was walking a lonely road. The burden I carried was a heavy load. 

 

A Stranger came along the trail and said, “You look frail from that weight.” He smiled and continued, “Let me carry it a while.”

 

I replied, “It is much too heavy; too immense.” It made no sense to give it to a Stranger though He seemed friendly and of no danger. 

 

The Stranger offered another plea, “Trust me! Please do. I am willing to take that  weight from you.”

 

I stumbled under the load, then gave a laugh, “It’s my burden, but I’ll let you carry half.”

 

He took the part I allowed. I was too proud to give Him all. The load I still carried made me stumble again. I felt my spirit crumble. I was weary and tired. This weight was undesired. 

 

The Stranger reached out his hand to help and I wept. I gave Him the rest of my load. He took it all and never slowed as we walked on down the road. 

 

Continuing on, my burden was gone. I was no longer tired, only uplifted and inspired.  

 

The Stranger didn’t seem to mind and never stumbled a time as up the hill we walked and climbed.   

 

We fellowshipped! We sang! I felt no burdensome pain. There was relief- no weight or grief. I had cast onto the shoulders of the Man walking my road, the heavy load. I had given my baggage to Jesus!

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 8/30/2023

 

“My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:2

 

What's In Your Belief?

Belief is our brain's way of making sense of things. Some in this world do not get the concept of anyone  who would come for the sole purpose of placing their self on an altar of sacrifice. However, for those who have chosen to believe in Jesus, there is more to it than simple belief. Once we take that step of belief it turns our whole life into a miracle. In John 3:16  we find, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believers in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." I describe only a few of the many wonderful, fulfilling miracles I receive by belief below.  

What's In Your Belief?

Belief!

What’s in it for me?

Someone to shoulder my grief.

Peace in the soul;

A light that infects the whole.

God’s Word, a light to my feet.

Oh! How sweet!

Belief!

What’s in it for me?

Glee;

A life that’s free;

A Father forever-

His guarantee.

Forgiveness

And loving kindness;

A cleansing from sin;

The Spirit within.

Belief!

What’s in it for me?

A permanent home, set in gold

With no hot or cold.

A city with no need for moon or sun;

It’s illumined by The Son.

I have life eternal

With the Trinity, Three.

That’s what in it for me. 

It never hurts to have belief; 

It gives relief. 

It provides mercy and grace, 

Making for a happy place. 

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 8/26/2023 

 

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17 

“The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” Revelation 21:23 NIV  

 

 

A Riddle!

What or Who Am I?

 

I tower above all others

With roots reaching and spreading.

There are those who cringe in my season of shedding,

But I am desired and admired.

There are those who wilt within my presence. 

Others thrive from the shade I provide.

I am proud 

As I watch over the crowd. 

I am strong

But leery of what may come along.

I am a giant; 

Considered compliant, defiant, or self-reliant.

My arms reach out in magnificent strength-

Full of depth and length.

I am loved, loathed, feared-

Some want me gone, my beauty smeared.

I am both loved and hated,

But by God created!

To me, many come

Yet, my glory not enough for some.

What am I? 

Who am I? 

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 8/24/2023 

 

To Find The Answer Scroll Down

Verse: “To whom art thou thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? Yet shalt thou be brought down with the trees of Eden unto the nether parts of the earth:…” Ezekiel 31: 18a

Keep Scrolling Down For Answer 

 

  You decide...

A mightly tree placed on earth by God 

Or the USA, also provided and blessed by God. 

 

The Fork In The Road

I am far from being an expert at hearing God's will spoken, often making impulsive decisions and just being hopeful they are the right ones. However, I know there is truly a process to listening for God's voice. 

Finding a place where all is peaceful and silent is a good way to start: 

S eek God 
I gnore worldly voices  
L end the ear
E nter into prayer
N oiseless environment
T ake time needed to listen and hear

 

The Fork In The Road

I came to a fork in the road

Not knowing which direction to take.

I felt an ache

In the moments I stood there-

Wide awake.

One path I knew for sure-

The other obscure.

I wanted to take the right road-

One pleasing in God’s eyes,

But my doubts flowed.

I asked God to make me wise. 

I said, “O Lord, please speak.

It’s your will I seek.” 

The fork in the road-

I only ask God’s will be showed. 

 

Mary Crisp Jameson. 8/21/2023

 

“Therefore, Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down and it shall be, if He call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth. So, Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the Lord came, and stood and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak, for thy servant heareth.” 1 Samuel 3: 9-10

 

 

 

 

Praise God and His Son! He's not done!

I've written a few praise poems in the past because I need to praise God more often. In fact, I need to praise Him everyday. Because of Him, I exist. Because of Him, Jesus lives! Below is a praise I did this morning. 

Praise!

 

I praise You God!

First, You planned and created me,

Knowing just how You’d set me free.

I praise You God for what You’ve done-

Loving me enough

To sacrifice Your Son.

God, You planned to give me merit

To give me worth,

And You sent me the Holy Spirit.

I praise You God for Your Son

And for what He’s done.

I praise You God because I live.

I praise You God because You forgive.

I praise You God, ‘cause Jesus lives!

I praise You today.

I will praise You through the days ahead.

I praise You God!

Because of me, Jesus’ blood was shed.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 8/18/2023

 

“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes One who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matthew 3:11 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's In The Bank

My parents were born around the time of the Great Depression. They struggled to make a living; therefore they didn't have much money left over for savings until later in life. However, they knew how to create treasure that was worthy. They stored it in Heaven's bank.  

It’s In The Bank 

I made an investment paying dividends;

I hope it never ends;

It went to friends. 

Another paid a good interest rate,

And that is great;

Nothing to bemoan or berate.

It put food on a poor man’s plate.

I strive to grow my wealth 

And seal my future health

By placing treasure in Heaven’s bank

Where the interest won’t tank; 

Where cash 

Makes the best splash.  

I find no fault 

In Heaven’s vault.

It’s the best bank anywhere-

No traps, no snare-

No market falling scare.

In Heaven’s bank 

Cash doesn’t grow moldy and dank.

It’s becomes a treasure,

Serving others, to give God pleasure.  

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 8/15/2023 

 

“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” 

1 Timothy 6:18-19 NIV

 

 

 

Grace

I have a granddaughter named Grace. I think it is a beautiful name given to an out-going, bright and talented granddaughter. But, more than that, Grace is given by God. It is His unmerited favor and unconditional love; it is undeserved but bestowed. Grace is:

Grace is  Generosity

Grace is     Respect 

Grace is for  All

Grace is          Compassion

Grace                Endures   

The "Pat on the Back"

“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips.” (Proverbs 27:2) This was my scripture for the day. It reminded me of a recent conversation which went something like this: 

 

Me: At least you are talented.

Her: No, you are the one with talent.

Me: I don’t know what at.

 

Why are we so prone to deny the compliments of others? Following the above verse, my devotional went on to ask how we feel when we receive praise? Did it make us glad or uncomfortable? How do we react to praise? 

 

The devotional gave a few points to consider when we receive praise, as follows: 

1.     Acknowledge the comment by thanking the person. Don’t explain why we feel unworthy of the praise.

2.    Identify and acknowledge the character quality in ourselves that led to the comment. We are called to encourage others and accept the fact they see something in us that we miss seeing.

3.    Share what the encouragement means to us personally. Tell the other person how much we were blessed by his praise. Remember, that praise goes both ways. 

 

There is a lot to be said about encouraging others and giving them that little “pat on the back”, and when we get that encouragement ourselves, accept and recognize the good we do. 

 

 

Scripture Never Withers

My yard and garden were about to burn up. I needed God's ray of rain to restore and bring it back to life. It is the same with Scripture. I need God's Word to lift me up, keep me refreshed, and nourished.  

Scripture 

The grass withers,

And the flowers fade

Without God’s aid.

He sends the dew and the rain

To restore once again.

So, it is with man. 

We have dried up human thinking

When Scripture, we aren’t drinking.

But, man has no need to be dried up,

When they can fill their cup.

The Word of God is a living, active thing-

Wisdom given by a King.

The Psalms teach how to repent and share;

How to care!

The gospels introduce us to Jesus, God’s Son;

About love and how it’s done.

The epistles show ways to hope in the midst of trials,

As we walk tiresome miles.

To keep from being dried up,

We must daily take a bite and sup;

Meet with the One who transforms

And rescues from life’s storms.

Scripture nourishes! It restores! 

It opens doors! 

It teaches and convicts;

It solves conflicts. 

It encourages with poems, prayers, and laments. 

It’s filled with every-day life contents. 

When we indulge, we engage. We connect!

We gain positive side effects.

Scripture!

It’s been here from stone age to modern age.

It will never be upstaged. 

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 8/10/2023 

 

The grass withers and the flower falls, but the word of our God endures forever.”  

Isaiah 40:8

 

Milk and Honey

I love America, a land, I consider, flowing with “milk and honey”. 

     The Lord told Jeremiah to tell the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem He was displeased with them because they had broken the covenant He had commanded for them to follow which was, “Obey me and do everything I command you, and you will be my people, and I will be your God. Then I will fulfill the oath I swore to your ancestors, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey.”  Because of their sin, God was going to bring disaster upon them. 

     God has to be extremely displeased with the world. He created all things and provided a land flowing with milk and honey. Will it be taken away? Why? 

              We have taken God out of schools

              We call men women and women men

              We kill our babies by ripping them from the womb

              We worship man-made idols 

              We steal- we loot

              Almost in every movie and book, God’s name is used in vain. 

                   We watch it, listen to it, read it, and do the same.  

              There are many more whys….

Regardless, for those who love God and have accepted Jesus we have assurance that we will have a glorious permanent home with Him.  Humanity is unfaithful and sinful, but God remains faithful. God keeps His promises!

               

A Million Excuses

When I do for others, I know that I am showing God's love. Yet, I often tend to grumble, make excuses, or give reasons when I simply do not want to take time out of my schedule to be the person God intends for me to be. 

A Million Excuses 

I’ve given God a million excuses-

Dozens more rejections

In not following His directions. 

I’ve given a thousand plus reasons

Throughout my seasons.

Excuses here, excuses there-

They remain a snare,

Trapping me in Satan’s care.

Excuses to not listen, 

Excuses to not follow, 

Excuses to not heed

Though that is what I need. 

I have a hundred made-up reasons;

Reasons, for others, I did not do,  

Reasons I did not witness,

Reasons I chose to stray, 

Reasons I forgot to pray

And ignore

The One and Only;

The God to whom I ask for more,

The God who walks before,

The God who opens every door,

The God who has provided,

The God who has daily guided.

A hundred thousand times, I ask to be forgiven 

For manufactured reasons given. 

May my excuses be pardoned by God’s grace

When I see Him face to face.  

I pray they all go up in smoke 

When I kneel at Jesus’ feet-

Jesus who bore my yoke.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson  8/5/2023 

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11: 29-30 NIV 

God's Love

 When I read Ephesians 3:18 this morning, I was reminded of the song Deep and Wide. The lyrics are: 

Deep and wide
Deep and wide
There's a fountain flowing deep and wide

Since God's love flows deeper and wider than I can ever imagine I wrote the following about God's love for me: 

God’s Love 

 

God’s love is deep and wide

As He walks by my side.

It’s wide and deep,

Protecting even as I sleep.

His love is long and wide-

wide and long,

Giving me joy through my daily song.

His love is deep and high,

Making me strong within my cry.

It surpasses my knowledge-

My human insight.

God’s love reaches beyond the scope 

of breadth, length, depth, and height;

'Tis so sweet,

It makes me complete.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson   8/5/2023

 

 “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long land high and deep is the love of Christ.” Ephesians 3:17b-18 NIV

 When I read Psalm 16:11 this morning, I was compelled to thank my Lord for what He has done for me.

 In Your Presence 

Lord, Thank you for my growth and increase,

For walking with me through the garden,

For your love and your pardon.

Lord, thank you for holding my hand,

For giving me peace.

In your presence there is joy and pleasure.

My cup runneth over in full measure.

You, O Lord, are my treasure.

Forever and forever,

I long to be with You wherever and in whatsoever.

Your presence is my increase,

My joy, my delight,

Turning wrongs into right.

You enrapture;

My soul, You capture.  

O Lord, I thank You for your Light,

For Your might,

You are my life, my shining Knight!

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 8/1/2023 

 

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16;11 KJV