What Matters?
What matters to God?
It’s not the size before His eyes.
It’s not the dollar amount
Or the savings account.
It’s not the burden but the pleasure.
That’s the measure of the treasure.
It’s the joy in the heart,
And that’s just the start.
He likes a happy giving,
An honest forgiving.
A willing participation,
And this is my today’s narration.
mnj
I have often read Galatians 5:22-23, “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”, and wished I could portray all of these from the inside out for others to see. However, I am a complete failure.
It was interesting to read the In Touch devotional this morning regarding the above list. I know the meaning of each fruit listed, but the devotional defined them in a new way. I am quoting below what was given from In Touch mainly because I want to keep this in mind for reference. The wording may be changed a little as I apply it to myself.
Love- is the foundation for all other virtues and is cultivated by me embracing God’s unconditional love.
Joy- is contentment regardless of my circumstances.
Peace- comes from me trusting God and surrendering to him.
Patience- is developed by me trusting God’s perfect timing.
Kindness- is God’s compassion reflected to others.
Goodness- occurs as I mirror His righteousness and justice.
Faithfulness- means I am steadfast and trustworthy.
Gentleness- comes when I approach others with humility.
Self-control- requires me to exercise restraint and rely on the Holy Spirit’s strength.
After reading Dr. David Jeremiah's book "The Great Disappearance-31 Ways To Be Rapture Ready", I attempted to put together a poetic summary the best way my simple mind understands it. I really cannot began to comprehend the glory of God and His workings.
Three Spectacle Events
The manger scene is a true story
Revealing God’s glory.
Jesus came in flesh and obscurity,
Living as a servant lowly but in purity.
All did not witness the miraculous birth event
Nor understand what it meant.
Many wanted Him crucified.
Some laughed, some cried
When Jesus died among men.
But He arose to live again.
That was His First Coming,
But there would be a second return.
Until then, souls will burn and yearn.
The second event
Will come as a thief in the night
By God’s glorious might.
A Rapture will take place in the sky
And happen in the twinkling of an eye.
But no one knows the hour or date;
Although, Jesus’ re-appearance will be great!
Those in Christ will no longer wait.
There will be a shout, a trumpet sound
To gather believers in Christ up from the ground.
The dead will rise first in this fanfair,
Then those alive, who remain, will be caught up in the air.
This will be the great disappearance!
Unbelievers will not witness this Rapture God sent;
They will be confused and left wondering where the people went.
The third event will be the Second Coming,
Occurring after seven years of dark days
When evil will blaze,
And the Antichrist rise to power.
People will cower.
The Church, taken by the Rapture,
Will cause a religious fracture.
Few will be saved;
Most will be Satan enslaved.
The tribulation will be dreadful,
And, with the Second Coming, people regretful.
The Second Return will not be as the First.
Christ will not come as a servant but rather a judge.
He will arrive in splendor,
Ready, judgment, to render.
Every eye within the crowds
Will see Him coming in the clouds,
Charging in with His Heavenly forces;
His Saints riding white horses.
Jesus’ Second Coming
Will be stunning!
The Second Coming will not be as the First.
The First was in humility and simplicity.
The Second as a King in majesty.
With the First, a crown of thorns was placed upon His head.
With the Second, Jesus will be crowned with many crowns, instead.
With the First, He was the Lamb that was slain.
With the Second, He will reign.
Lord of Lords He comes!
And, He will not except the wicked crumbs.
There will be no more warning,
And the wicked, in their judgment, will be left mourning.
Lord of Lords!
King of Kings!
The Second Coming will fulfill His vow,
And before Him, every knee will bow!
Mary Crisp Jameson 4/15/2024
“Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” Revelation 22:17 NIV
I planted my garden several weeks ago thinking the nights were finally getting warm; however, here in late April the nights and even some days are still cool.The plants are just sitting there, not growing. There is no rushing the process.
I was reminded by my In Touch Devotional this morning that “growth is a slow process, and slow growth can be a good thing. It takes time to develop strength, coordination, and the intelligence needed to do certain mature tasks.”
This tells me I need to be patient with my plants and their grown as well as with my own growth before I can expect a great harvest of fruit.
Years ago, when I sprained my ankle very badly, I had to use crutches to get around. It wasn't until my hands were tied to the crutches and I could not carry anything that I realized how much I needed my hands for daily activities. It was the same with my feet. All the members of my body not only have a distinct purpose, but they have many uses.
My eyes are for seeing objects and things, but they should also be used to look compassionately at others; to see their needs and problems. My hands are for carrying and doing things, but they are also for offering help. My mouth is for speaking my mind and thoughts, but it also should be used for speaking forgiveness and love. My ears are for hearing what is being said and what is happening around me, but they are also for listening to the cares and problems of others so I may reach out in compassionate love. My heart is for pumping blood to give me life, but it is also for reflecting love and giving joyful life to others.
I pray I will use all the members of my body to share God's righteousness and bear His fruit.
"...We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work..." Colossians 1:9b-10a
I love family from my nieces, nephews, cousins, down to my brothers and sisters, with the closest one being my own daughter. I was raised with family events where we all got together for great feasts. We played, laughed, and prayed together, yet we were all different.
My daughter often tells me she had to have been switched at birth because she and I are as different as night and day or as some might say water and oil. Yet, that does not make us love each other less. It just makes us laugh at our many differences.
I love to get “dirt under my nails” in the garden, whereas she prefers a nail salon. I get up “on the go” when the sun rises. She, on the other hand, prefers to sleep in. I am an “outside person”. She prefers the inside. I enjoy cooking -most times. I not sure she knows the purpose of her stove. On second thought, maybe she is adopted. (Ha! Ha!)
But to put joking aside, my daughter is the one who keeps me young! She is the jewel I brag about with pride. She is the one I talk with daily. She holds my heart! She is smart, tender-hearted, compassionate, intuitive, and a fierce lion when it comes to protecting her mama. And, isn't that what family, although different, is all about!
Actually, I do not think we are oil and water. Oil and water does not blend as the day blends into night. We blend! We are willing to accept each other's views, each other's ideas, and learn from them. God created all people different. He gave each person their own special gifts. That is how the world turns, and if we were all willing to consider each other's opinions and differences maybe there would be less anger.
I smile when I remember what scripture says. “We have different gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.”
It makes me extremely happy that my daughter and I both know the God who created us so unique and in such contrast to each other. I am joyful in the knowledge that we both know the Spirit who distributed our various gifts. We have fun laughing at our opposite ways of doing things and can even love each other through our irritating differences.
Genesis 1:27 "So God created mankind.."
Romans 12:6 “We have different gifts…”
1 Corinthians 12:4 “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.”
I have always thought it would be adventurous to take a Safari into the jungle and see all the wild animals. The lion comes to mind as one of the fiercest with it muscular, broad-chested body, hairy mane, and mighty roar. I certainly would not want to meet up with one on foot.
I might be more comfortable if I were traveling with Samson. In scripture, when the Spirit of the Lord came upon him in power, he tore the lion apart with his bare hand as he might have torn a young goat.
I might not have minded being around a lion if I had been with Daniel in the lions’ den, because God protected him.
Yet, I am warned in 1 Peter 5:8 to watch out for lions, “to be alert and of sober mind for my enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
I take great comfort in knowing that the lion grows weary, and I have the ability just as Samson did to grow strong. Psalm 34 tells me that. “The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”
A few days ago I wrote about how God has given me so many second chances by His forgiveness, and I am so grateful. I truly regret the waste I have made of God’s kindness.
One person in the Bible that comes to mind and who did not waste God’s kindness was Paul. After his conversion experience on the Damascus Road, he changed his mission in life. In fact, I wrote about Paul a few years back which I have not shared on my blog, but it was shared by a friend in his book, From Tarsus to Rome-A Historical Novel of the Apostle Paul, which is currently published and found on Amazon. Just click the link below to find it.
The Damascus Road
What was there about the Damascus road:
A worn and dusty trail where a miracle was bestowed?
The Damascus road-
Herein lies a story with a twist;
A road Saul couldn’t resist.
Amid the ruts and the dust,
Rode a man Christians could not trust.
This vengeful, Saul, breathed murderous threats;
He wanted to imprison, without regrets.
This was a man with ambition; a man on a mission.
Yet, the Damascus road gave him a different vision.
The Damascus road, dusty and dreary-
A road Saul chose to ride, though he was tired and weary.
This soldier in armor, whom Christians feared,
Fell to his knees when a mighty light appeared.
He heard a voice speak ever so unique,
“Why Saul?
Why do you persecute me?”
Saul looked about, but he could not see.
The Damascus road, touched by the hand of God,
Changed a heart wicked and flawed.
No longer did Saul want to kill or spread ill-will.
This was a man on a mission; a man of ambition;
A man setting people on fire for the Messiah.
It was Jesus’ name he wanted to proclaim!
Here was a man once blinded,
Yet healed and truth revealed;
A man whose heart was changed;
No longer, Jesus estranged.
What was there about the Damascus road
Where a bright light glowed?
The Damascus road, one well-traveled;
Out of it,
A miracle occurred; a mystery unraveled!
Mary Crisp Jameson 8/4/2014
“Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.” Act 9:22 NIV
Before and After
If I thank Him before, it’s faith.”
Both are greatly viewed.
But, since faith is what I desire
What I need to build upon-
Let me thank God
PRIOR
Thank you, O Lord,
BEFORE-
In my thoughts,
For your coming, open door.
Thank you
In ADVANCE-
For what I seek;
For my second chance.
BEFORE-
Let Your precious name
Be the fruit upon my lips
In ADVANCE
Of blessings, I claim.
EARLIER than later
I seek You
Because You are greater!
Mary Crisp Jameson 4/9/2024
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart…” Proverbs 3:4a KJV
As I was reading about my God being a God of second chances, my thoughts took me back to a mental review over my life. I can truly say I have been given many, many second chances. I won’t list the details because they are too personal and often too sinful on my part but I have been given second chances in:
Marriage
Friendships
Desires
Finances
Jobs
Family situations
Daily choices
Many mistakes have been made, much forgiveness has been handed to me, and still God walks with me. I envision myself as the woman the men brought to Jesus to be stoned. Jesus said, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.” At that, those who heard began to go away. Jesus straightened and asked the woman, “Where are the ones who condemned you? She answered, “No one.”At that Jesus said, “Neither do I, but go and leave your life of sin.”
I usually wake before it gets light outside especially since the time change, and I have not enjoyed my 1st cup of coffee outside lately until yesterday. The temperature was finally just right, the pollen was out of the air, and Spring was in the air, so I enjoyed quiet time on the patio. The early morning, spring sounds bring relaxation and a closeness to God as I acknowledge that He created it all. He owns it all!
All Is His
I look at the flowers in bloom,
Decked in radiant costume,
And I see the beauty of God.
Roaming around streams and brooks
In awe of their shimmery looks,
I find His peace.
I watch the clouds floating by,
Up so high,
And know by whom they were created.
God walks with me
And, wonders, He helps me see.
I listen to the birds twit their song,
As they fly along,
And I hear the sound of God’s voice;
It makes me rejoice.
I hear the wind;
Feel it upon my skin.
It was sent by God.
I feel the breeze
And, with God, I feel at ease.
With His gently touch,
He gives so much;
Like the gentle raindrops,
A Godly kiss upon my cheek, before it stops.
God has created it all!
Between He and I, He built no wall.
He is always within my reach and call.
Mary Crisp Jameson 4/7/2024
“And God saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it was very good…”
Genesis 1:31 KJV
Corrie ten Boom once said,
“If you look at the world you’ll be distressed.
If you look within, you’ll be distressed.
If you look at God, you’ll be at rest.”
That appears true in my life. World news certainly depresses me. I find little joy in hearing what is going on. If I look within, I often get depressed. I can do nothing myself-I have no power and often at a loss to know what to do or how to do it. My thoughts lead me astray. However, if I look at God, I have peace and rest within my soul.
Scriptures about God give me rest and peace for I know He is my power. He rules! Below are just a few I look to for rest in God. These should be made World News.
Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Psalm 4:8 “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone Lord make me dwell in safety.”
Psalm 46:10 “He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.”
This is my quote:
Only God can change World News.
Only God can rid the depressed.
Only God can give peace and rest.
When I read James 1:2, “Consider it all joy…” I wondered how I might strive to do that even through trials. Then I did a spin-off and wondered how others see me in everyday life. Am I:
Positive or Negative
A mover or a whiner
Tolerant or complainer
Loving or unloving
Unruffled or worrier
Pleasing or unpleasing
Do I smile or frown, laugh or worry, look happy or sad, forgive or hate, complain or strive to fix it?
Then I was reminded of what Paul wrote in Philippians 4, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength."
Never Give Up
Do I care enough-
Stay tough
Or get in a huff?
Do I want it enough?
Do I really care-
Shed a tear-
Make time to spare-
Pray-
Every hour through the day?
Do I give up in despair
Or stay in prayer
When life is grey-
When it doesn’t go my way?
Do I keep praying,
Staying,
Never-straying
When life is rough-
When life is tough?
Do I want it enough
To never give up
Until God fills my cup?
Mary Crisp Jameson 4/4/2024
“From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God.” Jonah 2:1 NIV
When I woke this morning I wondered what I was going to do first. As a Christian that was really a no-brainer.
“In everything you do, put God first...”
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness…”
“Love the Lord with all your heart…this is the first commandment…”
I do love all the firsts, for “He first loved me…”
I have often said that I just want a little “me time” which means, “Everyone just leave me alone and let me get away by myself.” I really do not mean that literally for there is always One who I want with me at ALL times.
I realize that I am never alone, and I am so glad and blessed by that knowledge. Psalm 139: 7-10 reinforces this: “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there. If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will lay hold of me.”
This knowledge that I am never alone gives me comfort and peace. I love my "me time."
Me Time
“Me time” finds me never alone
But with the Lord upon His throne.
Alone, I do not wish to be;
But just the Lord and me.
“Me time” is a time to praise
Before the lifting of morning’s haze;
Before the beginnings of my days.
“Me time” is a moment for listening-
A moment for partitioning.
It starts while the dew is glistening.
It starts in early morning
Before the sun begins its adorning.
“Me time” is a time to hear His voice;
A time to rejoice:
A time amid the busy day
In my work or in my play.
“Me time” is a call to pray.
Mary Crisp Jameson 3/29/2024
This Good Friday we celebrate the death of Christ. We celebrate the expectation of the resurrection!
Jesus Arose!
Every day, but especially at Easter, I am reminded of how God took the sinless Christ and, in death, poured my sins into Him so I could have God’s goodness poured into me if only I believe.
The King James version of 2 Corinthians 5:21 states it like this, “For He hath made Him to be sin for us (me), who knew no sin, that we (I) might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”
The Living Bible version puts in like this, “For God took the sinless Christ and poured into Him our (my) sins. Then, in exchange, He poured God’s goodness into us. (me)!”
When Jesus died on the cross, He took the sins of the world. When I believed, I received the Holy Spirit and by God’s grace I had God’s goodness poured into me.
For this I celebrate and "Praise the Name of My Lord!"
Medical advice says Vitamin C is good, and I need more than a double dose to keep me going. I find that I need it daily. I especially need it early in the morning to start the day:
Christ in Command
Christ in Charge
Christ to keep me:
Calm
Cheerful
Caring
Courageous
Confident.
Carefree
Compassionate
The sun is shining bright and all outside is quiet and peaceful. My home and the outside acreage around it is my haven, but it is not my forever home which will be more glorious than I can ever imagine.
Forever Home
As a member of God’s household,
I’ll walk streets of gold.
There’ll be no fear.
My eyes will weep no tear.
There will be no sorrow to worry about tomorrow;
No suffering or pain;
Only healthy life running through my vein.
I’ll live with no more sin,
As like in this world I’ve been.
I’ll have no more sickness or sadness;
No more problems to figure out;
Love will just take hold and sprout.
There will be no darkness there;
I will not be in despair
Or have concern over fright.
God’s glory will be my light,
Stamping out the darkness of night.
Heaven will be my home
Where I will gladly roam.
I’ll have a prepared place;
Prepared by Jesus by His grace.
It’s no dream
Or someone’s scheme.
When I cross death’s shore
I’ll live with the family of God forevermore.
Heaven is for real!
And, God has stamped me with His seal.
Mary Crisp Jameson 3/27/2024
“…And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6b
Book of Kings
I studied the Book of Kings
About those who worshiped idol things-
About those who did evil in God’s sight.
I studied about the few who did right.
There was bad and there was good.
No King did all he should or could.
Life was a repeat-
A win or a defeat.
Those who did right in the eyes of the Lord
Received their reward.
Those who did evil
Ended their reign in upheaval.
In the Book of Kings
I learned about the failure to obey,
The patience of God every day,
How evil can repeat and sprout,
How judgment will eventually be carried out.
The Book of Kings teaches history details
And how God’s plan prevails.
It’s about battles, lost and won,
And how God is not, yet, done.
Mary Crisp Jameson 3/5/2024
“Rather, worship the Lord your God; it is He who will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.” 2 Kings 17:39 NIV
God is my Creator and He is...
“…God is love.” 1 John 4:8
“…the Word was (is) God..." John 1:1
“God is faithful…” 1 Corinthians 1:9
Jesus Loves…and He gave me quite a few examples of what it means to love like Him. These examples are found all throughout His earthly walk as well as when He was on the Cross.
At the last supper, I imagine I was there with Judas. When Jesus fed Judas, He fed me. When Jesus washed Judas’s feet, He washed and cleaned mine, as well. Jesus had such love for me, He was willing to feed a deceiver. He allowed me a choice just as He was willing to forgive for the act of betrayal.
At the last supper, I imagine I was also with Peter who said, “I will never deny you. Peter did and I have too. Yet, I was fed, my feet were washed, and I was forgiven just as Peter was loved and forgiven.
When Jesus was arrested, I imagine I was there among the crowd when they mocked and spit upon Him. I was there when one of the criminals asked to be remembered. I was there when Jesus said, because you asked, “today you will be with me in paradise.” Jesus was talking to me. I imagine I was at the foot of the Cross when Jesus took His last breath just after He cried out in agony and pain, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Jesus was praying and interceding for me. In death, He was loving me.
To say I love Jesus is easy, but loving Him and others the way Jesus loves is not so easy. To do so, I must follow in Jesus’s footprints – His example- and strive to love like Him.
I enjoy adding hints of white and black to my decor, but I am so glad the world is not just black and white. Life would be boring without color. The colors all around me display the glory of God. God is great!
Display of Color
The Artist’s hands paint a world for all to see;
A mix of colors over land, sky, and sea.
His every stroke-unique!
Splashes of color across the canvas, they streak.
O Lord!
I in awesome wonder what thy hands hath made-
How colors ignite in sapphires, topaz, and jade;
How violets and red blend and spread;
How blues give way to indigo as colors mix and flow.
How green paints a worldly scene,
Turning to red, orange, and brown.
How colors expand from sky down to the ground,
How yellows turn to gold,
How all creates a masterpiece to behold,
How blacks and white give dark and light.
O Lord!
My heart rejoices in Your awesome art.
You, the Artist, have created a visual sight,
Pleasing and right
With hues and tints here and there.
Nothing can compare.
What wonders Your hands hath made!
A palette of colors
Painting a vision with precision.
O Lord, my God!
Thy power throughout the universe displayed;
I marvel at what Your hands hath made.
How great thy art!
Mary Crisp Jameson 3/22/2024
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth
His handywork.” Psalm 19:1 KJV
Yesterday, when I came inside from working in the yard, my boots were dusty and muddy, so I pulled them off at the door before entering the house. As I sat and looked down at my feet, I found my socks to be dirty, as well. I yanked them off and desired to have my feet washed but was too tired. My back was hurting and my feet ached from push-mowing the lawn. I thought, “Who would wash my feet for me?”
This brought to mind when Jesus washed His disciples feet. Jesus and his disciples’ feet must have ached from all the walking they did in sandals across mountainous plains. Their feet would have been muddy and/ or dusty. As He and His disciples gathered around the table for their meal, Jesus took it upon Himself to wash His disciples’ feet. One of His disciples, Peter, was appalled and declared to his Master, “Never shall You wash my feet.” Jesus’ reply was, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”
At that point, I knew who would and had washed my feet. In fact, Jesus washed all of me by His death upon the cross.
