Knocking At The Door

After Jesus died on the cross, there were still many who did not believe. Today, there remains many who do not believe. 

     I can’t help but feel how devastated Mary and her companions must have been at first when they went to Jesus’ tomb and heard the Angel say. “He is not here” Yet, their hearts were filled with joy when the Angel followed it with the good news, “He is risen!” 

     For those who refuse to believe in Jesus, what will they hear when it is too late and they knock at the door? 

     

 

Knocking at the Door

 

I knocked and waited.

My tap, I am sure was heard.

My feelings were mixed and stirred.

Had I waited too long?

All these years, had I been wrong? 

Was it too late? 

What was to be my fate? 

I knocked some more

And listened for a sound behind the door.

Regret had me wishing I had called before.

My fate awaited;

Life had been vacated.

I needed the One I had never received;

The One, in whom, I had never believed.

Weeping! 

My heart racing and beating!

Silence was within my hearing,

 And I stood weak and fearing.

Jesus did not appear,

But a voice I could hear

As I shed a non-stop tear.

“For you, He is not here.”

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 6/29/2024 

 

“He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the 

Lord lay.” Matthew 28:6 KJV

Job's Q&A

 When I am down and out, I often go to the Book of Job. Most would say, "Reading Job is too depressing." However, seeing all the problems Job had gives me insight into how thankful I should be. My problems have never been even just a sampling of his. Reading about Job also uplifts as I see Job's restoration and later blessings. It increases my hope by knowing that whatever I lose on this earth will be gained 3-fold and more in heaven. Job inspires me! He had questions and God gave answers. 

Q&A  

How can I question?

Or give full expression?

To the One coming out of the whirlwind;

The One who can heal and mend,

And always my traveling friend.

My task is not to ask: 

Where was I when the foundation was laid?

When all was weighted?

When the stars were placed, and they stayed?

Where was I when the sea was chained

Before bursting forth, uncontained?

Where was I when the clouds were provided billowy apparel?

When the angels sang a joyful carol?

Where was I when the earth was being measured?

When it was being fine-tuned and pruned? 

My questions require no reply

From the One on high.

Yet, He whispers it in the wind, through the breeze,

And I am at ease. 

When all was becoming breathtaking,

I was in the making.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 6/27/2024

 

“Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Job 38:1-2

Day's Project Instructions

 My husband is a planner by nature. I am, instead, one who says, "Let's just do it." I often jump in without a plan which can, of course lead to disaster. I decided this morning, I needed to form a plan for my day and came up with the following instructions: 

Get Approved: 

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

 

Look at the blueprints:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,“ plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29”11

 

Study it:

I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes1:13a

 

Pray about it: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 

 

Consider the Nails:  

“Having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:14

 

Look for guidance;

“Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Come to life!’ Or to lifeless stone, ‘Wake up!’ Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it.” Habakkuk 2:19

 

Heed the Partner:

 “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:26 

 

Vengeance

There was a time in my life when I struggled, really struggled with forgiveness.  I had to search the scriptures and read them daily in order to forgive. In doing so, I clung to Romans 12:19-20 among many others. 

Vengeance 

 

“Vengeance is mine!”

That’s God’s quote.

It’s His line,  

followed by a good antidote.

Revenge is not for me to do;

not mine to pursue.

Vengeance is God’s to carry through,

so why should I stew?

God’s the One 

Who said, “Vengeance is mine,

I will repay.!”

That means it’s done in His time,

and not for me to find a way.

My place is to feed,

to give drink;

His Word to heed.

It’s not for me to rethink. 

Revenge is not mine to seek.

I’m not, with the enemy, to dine.

but rather to turn the other cheek.

I’m not, with Satan, to align.

I’m not to be, evil, overcome

but to do good.

Rather revenge succumb,

let goodness be seen and understood.  

Rather than hate, I’m to love instead,

heaping burning coals upon the enemy’s head.

“Give those who do wrong, loving bread!”

That is what God said.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 6/23/2024 

 

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he is thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.”  Romans 12:19-20 

Top 10

An artist of any kind gets excited when he achieves the Top 10 list. I am working on my Top 10 today. They are: 

 

Worship

Love

Forgive

Care

Befriend

Listen

Laugh

Work

Play

Rest

Accountable

I am accountable: 

 

A lways, acknowledge Him- (In all your ways acknowledge Him... Proverbs 3)

C omfort others- (“…You ought to forgive and comfort him…2 Corinthians 2)

C hildren are to be taught- (Teach them to your children”-- referring to the laws and commands... Deuuteronomy 11)   (…Bring the children up in the instruction of the  Lord.” Ephesians 6:4) 

 

O bey God- (You must obey my laws and follow my decrees… Leviticus 18)

 

U nderstand, by faith, all was formed by God- (By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command…Hebrews 11)

 

N ame the Lord; Let His name be upon the lips- (When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.” Luke 11)

 

T rust God- (Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not to your own understanding; submit to Him…Proverbs 3) 

A nswer gently- (A gentle answer turns away wrath …Proverbs 15)

B elieve- (Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life…John 3)

 

L ove one another- (…As I have loved you, so you must love one another…John 13)

E nter into praise- (“Praise the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mightly 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.” Psalm 150) 

The above does not cover all that I am accountable for, but it is a start. Thank you, Lord, for your grace and love. 

 

 

 

Permanent

Permanent holds different meanings for different folks. In my earthly walk, few things are permanent; things change, life changes, people change. But when I received Christ I received a precious permanence or, in other words, an everlasting. I received a love and a Father who never changes. He is permanent! 

Following is what permanent means to me: 

P erk Underserved

E verlasting Life

R endered His 

M ade New 

A cceptance Regardless 

N amed in His Book

E armarked with Grace

N ourished by His Love

T ogether with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

 

"For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations." Psalm 100: 5 

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Discovering God's Will

 In Touch presented some good scriptures on "Discovering God's Path. I copied a few below that were meaningful to me for reference and added my captions. I did this because I truly want to know why God created me for this planet, and I want to fulfill my purpose. I thank Him so much for loving me and caring for me regardless of my failures.

Ask-Call upon the Lord—
    Psalm 25:4 “Make me know Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths.”

 

Believe on Jesus and Receive the Spirit–

    John 16:13 “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever he hears, He will speak, and He will disclose to you what is to come.”

 

Study the Scripture—

    2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.”

 

Pray always --

    1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”

 

Obey and Walk with the Lord --

    Psalm 36: 9 “For with You is the fountain of life; In your light we see light.” 

 

Wait for answers --

    Psalm 37:34a “Wait for the Lord and keep His way.”

 

Father's Day

As I think about Father's Day, I remember my Dad. I know he would have tried his best to do what was right for me. However, I can't help but think more about what my Heavenly Father did. He truly did what was best; He sent His only Son for me. His Son did what was right and what His Father wanted. He obeyed just as I should do, but in my fleshly nature I fail. I cannot help but think about what I would have done in the Son's situation. 

What I Would Have Done

 I would have hidden and not done what was bidden.

They would have dragged me to the tree.

I would have kicked within the conflict,

Screamed in fear for all to hear,

Showed my grief before the thief,

Wailed and cried before I died.

I would not have forgiven the nails that were driven.

I would have denied guilt as my blood was spilt.

All within hearing would not have seen me persevering.

But, 

Jesus did not hide,

Even knowing spears would pierce His side.

He was not dragged to the tree.

He did not plea.

He did not fight what was to be.

Though in agony at Calvary,

Upon that hill, He did His Father’s will.

He forgave before the grave,

And said as he bled, 

“Father, forgive what they have done to Your Son.” 

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 6/16/2023

 

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted His raiment, and cast lots.” Luke 23:34 KJV

 

Encircled

 Some days, I just want to "Shout it Out" on how much Jesus loves me.

 Encircled 

He’s on my right.

He’s on my left;

Found in front and behind-

Oh, what peace of mind!

Happiness may be fleeting,

But joy remains.

With Jesus, it’s a constant state;

One His love creates.

I’m in His hands,

In His arms,

Encircled about-

Oh, let me shout it out!

Loved, I am!

Though tried and tested,

Yet, I’m glad.

So, if you don’t love Jesus, that’s just sad,

 For in His love,

One is :

Encircled,

Loved, 

Embraced,

And Graced.

Mary Crisp Jameson 6/15/2024 

 

“I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore, my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth; my flesh also shall rest 

in hope.” Psalm 16:7-8 KJV

God's Name

I have a confession to make; one in which I am ashamed and have had to ask my Father for forgiveness. There has been this old lady comedian which I have watched a few times doing Facebook skeets. She has often made me laugh with her frank and funny answers to questions. However, during the course of her answers, she often uses God's name flippantly. She does not use it in a hateful, course way and I found myself laughing at her replies. Today, she used God, Jesus, Lord, and Jesus Christ in just about every sentence. I found myself wondering why I ever thought she was funny. I instantly found myself asking God's forgiveness because using His name in any way other than to glorify Him is very important to me. It should be. He died for me! He has even commanded me, "Do not that the name of the Lord, thy God, in vain." I want to honor His request. 

HIS NAME

The heavens declare His glory!

In a loud voice the angels announce, “Behold the Lamb!”

What a story!

Power, praise, and honor are given by His name.

To lift Him up should be our aim.  

 

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost-

The Creator, Savior, Living Spirit- giving life upmost;  

To use His name in vain

After so much gain! 

Your name, Oh Lord, your name-

To hear it used in vain should set your people aflame. 

The sweet, sweet name of Jesus,

A man who died for us; 

To use your name in vain

After your blood, your death, your pain;

The Son, Jesus, our Savior’s precious name-

Used in vain? Oh, what a shame!

 

 The holy name of God-

Our Father, Maker of all, the Creator!

Who in all the world is greater?

To violate His name?

The One who sent His only Son, to die He came –

The Trinty, Three in One-

Father, Holy Ghost, and Son.

Why, oh why use the names in vain?

What good?  What gain? 

 Rather, declare as do the angels- 

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty” 

   Giver of grace, let us honor thee.  

                                                                                 Mary Crisp Jameson  2017

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 

 

TIME

I have a fault in thinking about time and how much I can done in a day, but yet when I do not have things I wish to do, I get bored. Time is either going too fast or too slow. I have to remind myself daily who is actually in charge. 

.

Time

 

Time moves on from dusk till dawn-

Day to night;

Moments and minutes not in sight.

It drags and lags.

A year speeds by with history left to apply.

The future lies ahead as time has sped.

Through it all- large and small,

Only One is in control of the whole.

Within a snap of His finger, 

Time can disappear or linger.

There’s a plan for man;

A prologue and an epilogue!

In between - a design.

So, no need to pine and whine.

He works it out;

His plan, He brings about.

It is what it is.

Time is His!

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 6/13/2024 

 

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV 

 

 

 

TRUST

It is hard living life without someone I can trust. There is One who I have come to know and in whom I place all my trust. 

TRUST

In whom I place my trust

Is likened to riches; silver and gold dust.

I trust not in the fake;

Those not caring what’s good for my sake.

I trust not in superman or batman;

For me, they hold no plan.

I trust not in the celestial Santa Claus

Who only has a yearly cause.

I trust not in the rich man on the street

Whom I only casually meet.

I trust not in acquaintances offering ill-advice,

For that I pay a price.

I trust not in my own under-standing, 

Which often leads to a disappointing crash-landing.

My trust has to be founded, well-rounded,

Before I am astounded.

In whom do I trust?

The One who is Just!

The One I have come to know!

The One who makes life flow and me to grow!

The One who made the world spin 

And forgave my sin.

God is the One I trust!

To love Him is to make my heart bust.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson  6/11/2024 

 

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV

 

 

 

 

Love

There are many different kinds of love. Among them is a passionate love, but there is also a friendly neighborly one. There is a love that allows others to be different, a willingness to listen, care, and still be united through our differences. 

     Personally, I like to feel loved, and I like to let others know that I love them, as well. Working for many years in the banking industry, I learned to meet people with a hand-shake, but in reality I am really a “hugger.”  A friendly hug shows that I care.

     Yet, when I think about true love, I have to rely on 1 Corinthians 13 where I learned what love really is. “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way. It is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.”

     Some people love me more than others, but the greatest ever-lasting love comes from my Father. No one else loves me more. “For God so love the world (me), that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever (me) believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16

     I know that God loved me as He was creating me and I know that “We love, because He first love me.” 

Let Me

It is not always easy to control my tongue, but I can work on it. 

Let Me 

 

As down the road, I walk

Let me

Sing and choose my talk,

Think before I speak in just a blink.

Skip into the day, considering what I say. 

 

As I daily trod, 

Let me

Speak words not emotionally flawed,

Hold my tongue before my speech is sung.

Take considerate note 

Before speaking thoughts that quickly float.

Let not

My mouth be put in motion with rising emotion.

 

Through my walk, 

Let me

 Quietly choose my talk,

Taking the higher road before my words are sowed.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson   6/8/2024 

 

“A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.”  Proverbs 29:11

What's Not Funny?

 I read something this morning that gave me pause about what I might sometimes laugh about.

"Sin is not funny. Sin put Jesus on the cross." 

Adverbs with Meaning

Immediately, Freely, Entirely, and Forever- I don’t have to look up these words to know their meaning. These are simple adverbs describing an action. Yet, if I think of them in terms of the action God does for me, they hold special meaning. When I ask for forgiveness, God forgives immediately. He forgives freely, He forgives entirely. He forgives forever.    

     Although I may repeat my request for forgiveness of the same sin , I don't have to do that. I already have His mercy. I just need to let go of my guilt and regret and cling to His promise found in Proverbs 28:13b “But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them (sins) shall have mercy.” 

From A to Z

God knows me from A to Z, and He loves me anyway.  Mark 12:30 tells me to love Him the same. "Love the Lord Your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."  So, I want to take a moment to tell God what He means to me from A to Z.  

Lord, 

You are my All;

Living within the very air I breathe, 

So let me boast of the One in whom I believe and the One I receive.

Because of You I am blessed.

You are my Christ and Creator;

My Deliverer-The One in whom I depend.

I cherish the time in which we spend.

You are Everlasting; 

I rise early to talk with You; To be content.

I pray Your will be done in every event; Your wisdom is excellence.

My Father! What a Friend You are and, in You, I place my faith, 

I am grateful daily for my God and Your grace.

You are my Helper and Healer.

Your love inspires even in the midst of fires.

Because of Your Son, Jesus, I have joy.

I cherish Your Kingship, Your kindness and forgiveness.

My Lord! My Life!

My Master! My Maker!

You have made me New;

You have Occupied an obstinate heart and made me over-joyed.

You have given me protection and peace;  

Your promise of Partnership will never cease.

You are the Quiet-voice I seek through life’s troubling quests.

You are my Redeemer and my Rock, giving me rest.

You are the Father of many, but One of an Only Son, 

My Savior and Shepherd, who paid a price;

Made a Sacrifice, to reap me restful sleep.

I am forever thankful as I trust in You.

Within my understanding, you are never unavailable, always infallible.

You are vital, valued, and I thank you for victories.

Daily, I seek Your will. I seek Your warmth. I seek Your walk.

You, O Lord, possess the x-ray to my thoughts and my soul. 

You make me whole!

You have walked with me from infancy, through youth, though old-age;

Turned every page! 

You have taken my yoke. You are my hope.
Through all my zigzags in life, You are my zest for living and being.

"Love the Lord Your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." Mark 12:30 NIV 

FOCUS

Oftentimes, my focus is not where it needs to be. Hopefully I can make improvements, if only for today. What can I do with my “Focus”? 

 

F ix my eyes on Jesus

O bserve surroundings and others to care 

C lose my eyes to distractions  

U se my eyes to see God’s beauty

S ee truth to live wisely  

Walk, Stand, Sit

As an infant, I had to learn to walk. I am sure I did it with help from others. I had to learn to stand on my own as well as sit properly. As an infant, it was all new to me.  

     As an adult to walk, stand, and sit can be a new experience for me every day, if done properly it not only leads to being firmly planted and rooted, but it helps others do the same. 

     Actually Psalm 1:1 tells me how not to walk, stand, or sit. “How blessed is the man who does not walkin the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!”  

     If I walk, stand, and sit the right way with the Lord’s help, I am firmly planted. Verse three tells me, “He will be like a tree firmly planted…”