31 Days

Last year I downloaded the one year Chronological Study Bible on my Kindle. I wanted to read through the Bible in 2023 in a different version. I was able to accomplish this and still read my two favorite  devotionals most days, but I wanted to try something different this year. 
     Since January has 31 days, I decided to read the Book of Proverbs which has 31 chapters, thus enjoying a Proverbs chapter per day.  Since I just completed my January reading I double checked the months with 31 days. They are March, May, July, August, October, and December. If I read the Book of Proverbs these months I will have read Proverbs seven times this year. So, my goal in 2024 is to do this along, of course, continuing with my two favorite devotionals.

I Am What I Am

 I am sure most folks my age remember Popeye and his famous saying, "I yam what I yam. I'm strong to the finish 'cause I eats me spinach." 
     I would have to change that a bit to, "I yam what I yam. I'm strong to the finish 'cause I love my Jesus." Saying this made me think about how well I am made and what I "yam", so I wrote the following: 

I Am What I Am 

 

I am what I am

And loved by the Lamb.

I’ve no need to be like another

Or talented like sister or brother.

My gifts may be few,

But I’m what the Potter drew.

He gently molded, 

Mashed and folded.

He made not my thoughts like some,

And often I feel plain and dumb.

Yet, the Preparer 

Made no error. 

I was in His awesome plans 

When my ball of clay was in His hands.

I'm awesomely made,

Carefully measured and weighed;

Every freckle, finger and toe

Formed as only He would know.

None the same in every batch;

God didn’t make a match.

With that said,

I proudly tread ahead.

I’m God’s intended design,

So, I need not whine and pine.

I’m what He had in mind.

What I am is what you find. 

 

Mary Crisp Jameson. 1/27/2024

 

“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works: and that my soul knoweth right well.” Psalm 139:14 KJV 

 

 “But now, O Lord, thou art our Father; we are the clay and thou our Potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” Isaiah 64:8 KJV

 

Gifts Year Round

I may have put away my Christmas tree for the next 11 months, but I still am enjoying a constant flow of gifts. God sends them daily. It is so exciting to wake up with enthusiasm, waiting to see which gift I will unwrap; gifts wrapped up for me when Jesus died on the cross. 

         Some of my gifts, to name a few, are:

Acceptance by the Father 

Blessings 

Cheerfulness within

Desire for God’s Word

Endurance to run the race

Forgiveness

Grace

Hope

Immunity from death

Joy heartfelt

Knowledge of belonging

Love everlasting 

Mansion waiting for me 

Never-failing Lord by my side 

Open-hand of guidance 

Peace

Quieting of my soul 

Refreshing; a washing away 

Salvation

Thankfulness

Understanding  

Victory in Jesus  

Washing away of sin

X-ray cleansing from within 

Yielding to God

Zest for life with Zillions of blessings because God is in it   

 

 

 

         

 

Gift of Second Chances

To forgive, by definition, is to stop feeling angry or resentful toward others for an offense or mistake or to cancel a debt.  

     Forgiveness may be one of the most difficult things to do. When Jesus took my sins upon Himself at the time He died on the cross, He gave me the "gift of second chances."  

     What makes it easy for me to forgive us to realize that it helps me. It releases the burden of weight which I do not have to carry around anymore. 

     When I think about it, I am not only giving myself a gift but the one being forgiven a gift, as well. For me, forgiveness is the gift of second chances. 

     I am so thankful I am given second chances daily. So, why not pass it on? 

 

Look For The Beauty

When I completed the attached coloring page, I was reminded how I can "find beauty in the small things of life" by simply looking for it.  Whether in a holding pattern waiting for God's timetable, feeling lonely, or all is well, I just need to keep on TRUSTING and looking  for the beauty that surrounds me. Something as beautiful as a butterfly or a flower in bloom can put a smile on my face.

 

What's In a Name?

What’s in a name? We all like to hear our names called by others. It should be a sign of recognition and, hopefully, respect. I am always amazed by people who can remember names because it is one thing that has always been hard for me.

     Yet, there are several names I do not forget, and I am saddened when I hear them used improperly in speech. My God and my Jesus actually have many names like; Abba Father, Messiah, Christ, Alpha and Omega, and Lord. I could go on and on with the list, but not now. What saddens me is when I hear God, Jesus, Christ, Lord and other names regarding my Creator and Savior used in profanity. These are all names to be reverence. 

     Actually, we are told to honor God’s name. “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”  Exodus 20:7 and Deuteronomy 5:11. Then in Leviticus 19: 12, God says, “And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the Lord.” 

     Should I ever slip in anger or in casual conversation by the use of my God’s holy name, I am more than saddened. I am terribly remorseful. “Father, forgive me!”

  

Fear Not

I have made many decisions over my lifetime, wondering as I did so if it were the right one and if I would regret it. Some were right decisions and some were not, but God walked with me through each one. 

     I made a decision 56 years ago, today, that God walked with me through and it led to the greatest earthly blessing I could ever have imagined. Because of this walk, I had a daughter 5 years later whom I am very proud of. She fills my life.

Fear Not 

 

“Do not fear!”

“Do not be anxious!”

“Do not be afraid!”

So, I stay prayed.

God said it!

So, it must be true.

He promised when He set me into His mold 

That He would protect and, me, uphold.

He stated, “I will give you strength.” 

So, though my life be in shambles,

I trust God is near,

For His words are, “Do not fear!”

Though I know not which way to turn,

Though I know not what lies before,

God opens the proper door.

I need not be anxious.

I need not be dismayed.

The righteous path is laid.

I need not consider time;

How, where, or when!

Just stay prayed, in place, 

Because God is in my space. 

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 1/20/2024

 

“Fear thou not, for I am with thee: be not dismayed, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10

Think Like Jesus

My devotion this morning started out as, “To think like Jesus means to be willing to forgive the people who have hurt you.”

     To think like Jesus stuck in my mind as I wondered just how Jesus would think. I decided to consider the following: 

 

Think  L I K E Jesus!

           

L ive for others not just self

I mitate Jesus’ ways and identify with the Father 

K indle love to all

E nemies are to be prayed for and loved

 "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5:44 GNT

Prayer and Open Doors

I acknowledge that I am weak in my prayer life, but I also know that when I am at a loss as to what to pray Jesus is there to intercede for me; to make my proper requests known. 

     Not all my prayers are answered, at least not in the way I expect. I have to remember that when I pray for sunshine, someone else may be praying for rain. When I pray for a certain door to be opened for me or a loved one, someone else may be praying for that same door to be opened for them. 

     With all this in mind, I must keep the faith knowing that God opens the right door at the right time. I just have to be make plans and be prepared to step through it and “go when the light turns green.” 

     Proverbs 16:1, “We can make our plans, but the final outcome is in God’s hands.”

     

Look Forward

This past year I wrote a book about past days, a time in which my parents grew up. The book was intended to tell future family generations of a time that is no more. It was a time of hard farming, canning, and working just to put food on the table, all different than what we have today. This was to be a reminder of times past. Yet, it was a time of when life was simple with no electronics or modern day devises.

     The past is interesting, but I believe God wants me to look forward, walk forward, and hope forward. Instead of thinking about “the good old days,” God wants to point me toward the future. In fact, isn’t that what He tells me in Proverb 4:25? “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.”  

     LORD, I pray that whether I look backward or pause in my current holding pattern that I always look forward to the future with You as my guide and my hope. 

 

I Do Not Know But I Know!

I did not know if there would be electricity when I woke this morning because of the predicted weather, but I was hopeful. I did not know if the ground would be covered in ice or snow but it was predicted. There was only one thing I knew for sure about this morning when I went to bed last night, and that was that God would be in charge. I was in His care. My surety in life goes something like the following: 

I Know Not

 

I know not what life will bring

But I know how my story will end.

For that I give praise to the King.

I know not the joys or challenges ahead,

But I know of the final victory

Because of the blood my Savior shed.

I know not how long I live

But I know who always does

And what He came to give.

I know not of what, tomorrow, I face, 

But I know who holds the future

And about God’s grace.

So many things I do not know

But I know, my life, God bought

And in heaven, for me, He makes a space.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 1/15/2024

 

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” Proverbs 27:1  

“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:14

 

 

 

Laughter

I am reminded with a happy heart of the slogan, “When you laugh, the world laughs with you, but when you cry, you cry alone.” Actually, I like the first part best because I believe in Proverbs 17:22, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”  Again in Proverbs 15, I am told, "A merry heart maketh a  cheerful countenance..." I believe God gave us laughter for a reason, and He expects and wants us to laugh. 

     You know, Sarah, who was already in her 90’s, laughed when God said she would have a child. It was a laughter of disbelief over what she heard that she thought was foolishness, and God heard her laughter because He asked, “Why did Sarah laugh?” With the question, I think God smiled!  Again, years later, Sarah laughed after she had born a child when she said, “God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.” 

     Laughter is very much a way of projecting joy. I believe it is very good for the soul. It makes the heart merry. It is healthy! Laughter makes a cheerful countenance. The facial features look a whole lot better with a smile rather than a frown. 

     Have you ever just sat alone and projected good-hearted laughter out-loud? Do it! It makes the heart feel good. 

     "Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha.....(Do a strong belly laugh. Out-Loud and Alone, of course!)

     

     

God Has The Day Planned

There are times, many times, I do not sleep well and wake up feeling tired and a little disgruntled. It takes a while to remove my dreadful thoughts of the coming day. It takes a moment to regain the positive knowledge that God has the day planned, and He has by back. It is this knowledge that makes me smile as I rise to face the day. 

Weary And Tired

 

I woke up weary and tired.

But did you know?

Have you heard?

God never tires, 

And I am inspired.

I foresee limits coming my way- 

Maybe speechless, 

Not knowing what to say.

But have you heard?

Do you know? 

God has no limits!

 He goes the distance,

Always ready to give assistance.

I cannot tell what lies before

Or any open door.

I cannot see past the end of the road,

Or what may be bestowed.

But did you know? 

Have you heard? 

God sees the distance-

Only asking I forego resistance.

He offers His hand

Should I stumble,

Or should I take a tumble. 

Do you know?

Have you heard?  

Whatever I lack,

God has my back.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson. 1/10/2024

 

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” 

Isaiah 40:28-29 NIV

 

A Walk In Nature

I always enjoy a walk in the woods. It give me comfort! However, since it was too cold and windy to take a peaceful walk outside, I did it from remembrances within my mind. I hope you get a vision of my walk. 

A Walk In Nature

 

A walk in nature yields

Trails in the woods and tiptoeing across meadows and fields.

I see the deer that pants for water brooks

And smile at their cautious looks

While rejoicing in God’s favor.

To give thanks, I do not waver. 

I spy the woodland coon

Washing food amid the setting moon.

I feel the presence of God within,

Always thankful for the washing away of my sin. 

I do not despair

But, rather, yield to Him in prayer.

I find a peace!

I feel my restlessness cease.

A walk within nature, amid the wild,

Takes me back to being a carefree child.

And, I feel God has smiled.

Stepping away from the forest land,

I am empowered by God’s awesome hand.

As I stand in the great oak’s shade, 

Might is displayed.

I observe oxen plowing garden rows

And shade my eyes to watch the hungry crows. 

With the ox there is strength,

While the crows lift their voices- 

Seeking seed-filled choices. 

I sense life! 

A presence!

From the Omnipresence.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson – 1/9/2024

 

 “As the deer pants for the streams of water, so my soul pants for You, 

my God.” Psalm 41:1 NIV

The Divine is Mine

Today, I just want to praise His name for He fills my heart.

The Divine Is Mine

 

Great is He!

The One who was sent for me.

Majestic is His name;

The One who came.

He is divine.

He is mine,

And I am His.

He was and He is-

My Savior on high,

Below and above the sky.

He is my King!

O, let me sing.

A song of His wonderful name,

For no other is the same.

He is divine.

He is mine.

I am His.

He was and He is!

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 1/7/2023

 

“Praise the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His acts of power; Praise Him for His surpassing greatness. Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise Him with the harp and lyre, praise Him with timbrel and dancing, praise Him with the strings and pipe, praise Him with the clash of cymbals, praise Him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.”     Psalm 150 NIV

 

    

 

 

Prayer Warrior

“When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up-the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, your Savior.” Isaiah 43:2-3a

     When I consider the above verse, God did not say when I go through deep waters of trouble, I would not get wet from my tears. He did not say I would not have heartache through my difficulty. He did not say I would not feel burned through the flames of my frustration and shortcomings. He said, “I will be with you!”

     Others have the same worldly feelings when they go through loss, troubles, and sickness. They get wet through their tears. They feel burned through their difficulties. 

     Although God is with them, they need my prayers. I need to become a stronger prayer advocate by keeping a handy list of those I am aware of who needs prayers, by being more observant of those I come in contact with, and by lifting up a name that comes to mind when I wake at night. There are so many ways I could become a better prayer warrior. I need to work on this!

 

Treasure

I spent 47 years working in banking. I’ve seen people save for their futures and seen people waste and spend and get in debt. I spent years advising clients on how to save and how to get out of debt. As I think back, did I ever tell any of my clients where their real “treasure” could be found? How they could really become “rich”? Where they could really find a “treasure”? How they could be secure in “riches”?

 

     1 Timothy 6:18-19 gives a clue. “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and 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.”

 

     “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field…in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field.” Matthew 13:44

    

    

 

Focus on Jesus-Day 3 2024

 As I continue to Focus On Jesus, I have expectations and desires. I desire to gain a heart for God and for others as well as improve self. Below are a few truths I believe with occur as I Focus on Jesus.

     1.     Focus on Jesus and dwell in a love that never fells.

2.    Focus on Jesus and gain a peace that will never cease. 

3.    Focus on Jesus and find a Father who is good and kind. 

4.    Focus on Jesus in daily walk and He will be within my talk.

5.    Focus on Jesus and gain spiritual strength to go the length.

6.    Focus on Jesus with the dawn and be encouraged to press on.

7.    Focus on Jesus and let Him fill my needs and forgive my deeds. 

8.  Focus on Jesus for blessings overflowing, with fullness growing. 

9.    Focus on Jesus with the mind, not blind with the eyes, and be wise.

10. Focus on Jesus, and I will find a friend who will be with me to the end.

  

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3 kjv

  

 

  

Focus

Last Friday, I created a motto to strive for this 2024. It is Focus On Jesus. There are several definitions for focus. One is to “pay attention”. Another pertains to the eyes. If the level of light is not just right, I cannot see clearly enough to focus my vision. 

     As I walked through the house last night in the dark, I was reaching for a chair here or a wall there-all to help me tread a path without stumbling over something.  I needed light to see. That is what God does for me. He is the Light in the darkness. He guides me through what I cannot see.

     When I woke this morning, the first thing I reached for was my glasses. No matter how good my eyes or how strong my lenses, I can only see so far. I not only need the Light to focus, but I need help to guide me further than the distance I can see. God does that! He has my year planned. He sees further than my vision.  

     If I Focus On Jesus, He will get me through.

"Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2 niv

     

The Beginning

This is my second post this morning, but after the first one I decided there was more to say about the beginning since this is the 1st day of 2024. God started it all In The Beginning.  He made it all, continues to make it all, rule over it all, and blesses it all. Without Him, there would be no 2024. 

 The Beginning

 In the beginning 

The world was not spinning

Until God made it so.

He made it to glow

After forming heaven and earth 

Within the first day’s birth. 

There was light. 

Then there was night.

He made the dry land and the wet land, 

Preparing it for man.

God commanded seed to sprout 

And filled the rivers with trout.

He made the birds and creatures;

All with different features.

God said, “It is good and fine.”

Then he created the human bloodline.

He made man

To rule the land

And blessed it all.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 1/1/2024 

 

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1 

 

 

 

Hello 2024

“Hello 2024!”

     2 Corinthians 5:17 states it like this, “The old has gone, the new is here!” Of course, this scripture is talking about being saved in Christ and becoming a new creation. 

     I became a new creation in Christ when I was ten, so in 2024 I want to become a better creation in Christ as I strive to let Him be my daily guide and focus outward on Jesus and others instead of inward on self.  

     God does not change, but He brings changes, so in 2024 I will look ahead and rejoice in the newness of life, leaving the past behind, ever mindful of what I am told in Isaiah 43:18-19, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!”

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV