Food for the Soul

There are many scriptures that tell us about “food for the soul.” 

 

In Matthew 4:4 Jesus said, “It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” 

 

In John 6:35 Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never to hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” 

 

In Psalm 63:5 we hear David say, “I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.”  The ERV version puts it like this: “When I sit down to satisfy my hunger, my joyful lips hunger to praise you!” 

 

My parents understood that having God in our home was more important than the food on our table. They also showed their children the importance of praising God before we fed our hungry stomachs. I came to understand all of this as I grew and came to know by Lord. 

 

 

Food for the Soul

 

I was raised on tators and peas;

They were good and pleased.

I had beef and pork;

Tender and easy to fork.

Chicken was fried in grease,

And I loved every piece.

There was fish from a pond;

A taste in which I was fond.

Things were seasoned with pepper and salt,

To a fault.

There were cakes and pies;

Never considering the sugar highs.

There were wild blackberries from the vine;

We were too poor for fruit, more fine,

We had lots of biscuits and bread,

And that’s how I was fed.

Nothing went to waste;

We savored every taste.

But, before we passed the food to every place,

We said grace. 

All round the table loved our cook and host,

But what meant the most 

Was the gathering in prayer,

‘cause God was with us there.

Good food may have filled my hungry hole,

But God filled my soul.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 9/22/2025

 

“So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV 

 

The Best

God’s way is always best. Let me…

 

B egin each morning asking for God’s will to be my will.

E nter into conversation with God first every day.

S at quietly in prayer.  

T ake up Jesus’s cross and follow God’s commands.

 

Lord, I pray your best be seen in me!

Focus on God

I read a statement this morning from Daily Hope which I want to remember. It stated, “The bigger God gets in my mind, the smaller my problem becomes.” That needs to become one of those every day quotes: 

 

                           “The bigger God is in me-

                  The smaller the problem!” 

That does, indeed, require me to take my focus off my problem and put it on God!

 

The Valley

A valley is an elongated low area often running between hills or mountains and typically containing a river or stream running from one end to the other. The Bible is filled with cities with valleys. Yet, there are other types of valleys in life. It can be a spiritual low point, a time of trial and challenges. 

     I like to think about my spiritual valleys and remember that God has always been with me when I walked through them. Although, I am not fond of walking through the dark valleys, that is when I often have felt the closest to God. 

     Psalm 23 is a world of comfort when traveling through the valley. Actually, it is comfort in daily life, no matter the situation! 

     I like to pray to God, that You, Lord are my shepherd. You maketh me to lie down, You leadeth me, You restore my soul, You walk me through the valley, You are with me, You maketh my cup to run over! You, Lord, are with me all the days of my life!

 

Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
² He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
³ He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
⁵ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Worry- Pros and Cons

Worry is a five-letter word that keeps cropping up in my life, but it gets me nowhere. Jesus tells me not to worry, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own,” but worry is one of the hardest things to let go.

 

Let me consider the pros and cons

 

Worry –doesn't change past, present, or future 

             places the focus on fears  

             does not show faith

             makes me unhappy

             is wasted time 

 

Worry, put aside- brings more joy

                            shows faith in God

                            removes focus off self

                            produces wiser use of time

                            helps to live for the moment

                          

                           

 

A Sinner

I wish I could say that I am not a sinner, but that would be a lie. I hate my sinful ways because I love my Lord and want to live better to show His glory. However, because I am a sinner, I am so much more thankful to God for His forgiveness. 

O Lord, 

I am a sinner, but I am comforted. 

I am consoled 

   because of the forgiveness You do not withhold.

You did not scold the woman caught in adultery. 

You simply said, “Go, and sin no more,”

   though she had the Pharisees in an uproar.

You did not reject the man on the cross. 

You said, “Today, you will be with me in paradise,” 

   though you were the one paying the price. 

You did not destroy Nineveh for their wicked ways;

   for, with compassion, you lengthened their days. 

You did not admonish Jonah when he wished he was dead;

   You sent a shade to cover his head.

Then you sent a worm to cut it down;

   And, in love, explained about the town;

   of how, with compassion and pity, 

   You wanted to save that sinful city. 

O Lord, 

Your forgiveness and love are my comforting hope

   when I view my sin through a microscope.

Your mercy and grace are my comfort, warmth, and peace.

   as I dwell on my sin that seems to never cease. 

 

                        Mary Crisp Jameson 9/11/2025 

 

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26 KJV

 

 

 

Break The Chain

It is possible because of God, and because of God only! He is the One able to break the chains! 

 

     In Galatians 5:19-22, we are told what our flesh nation is drawn toward. It is immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, and carousing. 

 

     However, in Galations 5:22-23 we are given the Fruit of the Sprit which comes from God. They are love, joy, peace, patience, kindnesss, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

 

     Does anyone recognize what we are seeing today with all the violence we are watching on television in our cities, towns, and neighborhoods? 

     Does anyone recognize what we are seeing in the political world today? 

     Does anyone recognize what we see in our schools? 

     Does anyone care?

 

Let's not make it our way! Let's make it God's way! I implore us all to travel the upper road which is God’s way, using:  

         Love

         Joy

         Peace

         Patience

         Kindness

         Goodness

         Faithfulness

         Gentleness

         Self-Control 

 

Wouldn’t we be happier? 

Wouldn’t our lives be better?

Wouldn’t our lives be healthier? 

Wouldn’t we laugh and be more joyful? 

Wouldn’t we feel better when we rest our head at night? 

    

 

Fast and Pray

A fast, as defined, is a period of voluntarily refraining from eating, and sometimes drinking, for a set amount of time, often for health, religious, or cultural reasons. 

     People fast for diet reasons. People fast for health reasons, and people fast for drawing near to God. 

     There are many examples of fasting in Scripture. These people were seeking the Lord and His  guidance. 

     The following is a review on people who fasted in Scripture in order to seek God and His guidance. 

Moses fasted before receiving the 10 commandments. “And he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water.” Exodus 34:28a

David fasted. “David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.” 2 Samuel 12:16 

Daniel fasted. “And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes.” Daniel 9:3

Before Esther was to go before the King, she feared and she fasted, along with her people. “Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer. Go gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day. I also and my maidens will fast likewise…” Esther 15-16a

Jehoshaphat called a national fast. “And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.: 2 Chronicles 20:3

Ezra called on the nation to fast. “Then I proclaimed a fast there at the rive of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and our little ones, and for all our substance.” Ezra 8:21 

Joel called a fast. “Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assemble…cry unto the Lord.” Joel 1:14

Jesus fasted. “And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days, He did not eat nothing; and when they were ended, He afterward hungered.” Luke 4:1-2

Paul fasted. “And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.” Acts 9:9 

These examples don’t stop here. Many people throughout history have fasted as they have sought God and His direction, and God has provided many rewarding experiences. As it says in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”  

     Our nation is separated. We need unity with God. Our government needs God in it. Our schools need God in it. Our homes and families need God in it. Is it time to fast and pray?

My Shape

I know that God shaped me and molded me before I was ever born. I am His creation. 

     In the Daily Hope Devotional, the author talked about unique ways God shaped us. He used the acrostic SHAPE along with his definitions, as follows:  

 

S piritual Gifts are God-empowered abilities given to believers as serving, teaching, encouraging, leading, etc.

H eart refers to desires, hope, interests, ambitions; what I love and care to do; what we to do and what we care about.  

A bilities are the natural talents born with-what I am can and am able to do.

P ersonality affects how and where you use your gilts in ways different than others.  

E periences teach lessons that help you mature and help minister to others.

 

     I decided to explore my SHAPE based on the above. My SHAPE would look like: 

 

S piritual Gift would be the desire I have to write this blog for God with the hope it will inspire and lead others to Christ. 

H eart comes with loving others and being with family having with the desire for the best in their lives. 

A bilities are my creativity. 

P ersonality comes from my positive attitude and my willingness to share my spiritual thoughts through this blog. 

E xperiences comes from my easy-nature dealing with others. I would place my perservance in reading and studying God’s Word in this category. I could never mature spiritually without striving to know God and my Savior. 

 

God shaped me in the beginning, but He also shapes me daily by my reliance upon Him. Without God, I am nothing!

 

I Just Know!

My salvation happened when I was ten! I knew it was time to acknowledge Him.  

     Actually, I never remember not attending church, so I don’t remember having this sudden “Jesus Moment!” I just knew! He was in my heart. 

     I do remember Mother being outside washing clothes in an old washpot when I talked with her about being saved. I do remember walking the aisle and Mother having to motion Dad to step back and let me out of the pew. I do remember the other girl who was saved the same day. 

     There have, of course, been a few times in life I doubted my salvation because of hearing others speak about a sudden salvation experience. However, I never doubted in the times I was straying in sin because there was a tugging, a guilt, a knowledge that Jesus was clinging to me and pulling me back. When I, knowingly, offend someone, I have a tugging to ask forgiveness from them and from God. I live with sin, so I know the cleansing grace which God provides when I sincerely repent. 

     I have a yearning to please God. I want it! It is not a burden! I love the joy in my heart when I talk with God. There is a peace even in the hardest of times, and it comes from knowing God and His promises. 

     If you ask me how I know I have salvation today, I would say: 

 

I Just Know

 

You may ask, “How do I know?”

I just know that I know that I know.

There’s a joy in my heart.

I gained it at the start. 

It’s forever and forever.

It’s sealed within-

Never to be unzipped.

I’m gripped,

Held tight,

Given the light.

I know that I know that I know.

I won’t be dropped.

I won’t be let go.

I’m held stable,

For He is able! 

There’s no question mark which lingers.
I’m held tight within His fingers. 

I accepted!

God washed me clean,

And He’ll never let me go!

 

Mary Crisp Jameson   9/10/2025 

“Therefore, He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.” Hebrews 7:25 NIV 

 

Two Rough-Cut Beams

From my fleshly desires, I often think about what God can do for me in the way of blessings, healing, and so much more, but I also think about what He did for in the the most important of all ways. I think about His awesome love, of how He sent His only Son to die for me. I think about Jesus and how He, of His own free will, took up His Cross and died for me.  I think about how God loves me so much that He does not even require any work from me. He requires only that I believe in Jesus and His death on the cross to be saved. How wonderful is that!

Two Rough-Cut Beams

Upon two beams of rough-cut wood,

I was justified, as soldiers pierced Jesus’ side.

His blood flowed red, as He hung His head.

In death, He arose to take another breath,

And He will return for His sheep and, heaven, I will reap.

 

Upon two beams of rough-cut wood,

I was sanctified and redeemed; I was cleaned.

No good deeds are demanded; 

I am saved, coming, empty-handed.

 

Jesus died upon two beams of rough-cut wood;

That’s all that needs to be understood.

He promised a Heavenly place by His mercy and grace;

So, no good works will deliver from the grave,

Only belief in God’s Son will save.

He did the work and said, “It is done!”

I need not kneel with a host of good deeds- no none!

I need not strive to earn His favor,

For upon two beams of rough-cut wood,  

Jesus became my Savior!

And, I give thanks for the rugged cross on Golgotha hill,

Where Jesus died for me of His own free-will.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 9/8/2025 

 

“And He bearing His cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha.” John 19:17 KJV

 

 

 

The Name of Jesus

Every parent takes time to contemplate what to name their child. This is usually a big deal! 

     I was reminded in my reading today that neither Mary nor Joseph got to name Jesus. This was God’s Son, so God, Himself, named Jesus. In the first Book of Matthew, God sent an angel to Joseph in a dream saying, “Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife for that which is conceived on her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.”

     Jesus is a special name, meaning Savior. I looked up other names used to refer to Jesus. Christ from the Greek word means anointed one. Messiah from Hebrew means anointed one or chosen one. Immanuel from Hebrew means God with us. 

     I could describe Jesus from A to Z, among them; Wonderful, Counselor, Lord, Teacher, etc. but my point is that Jesus’s name is special. His name is to be revered, respected, and honored and never used in any other way. 

     Jesus is my Savior and He was named by God to save me from my sins!

 

 

Made Strong Through Christ

I know I have limitations, but I am encouraged by Philippians 4:13 which states, "I can do all things through Christ which stengtheneth me." Knowing my weaknesses, I wrote the following because I rely on my Lord to make me strong and whole. 

My Fleshly Being 

 

O Lord,

You created me in your image.

I feel and reason,

But only You can change the season.

I am limited in body,

But You have no limitations.

You rule the nations.

I am confined-

Only You can indwell 

Within every human body and cell.

My life is here for a term-

You, O Lord, always was, is now, and forever

Helping me with my endeavor.

I came to be when You molded me,

But You existed before and will always forever be.

I change in thought and time,

But You, O Lord, are constant, unchanging, steadfast-

The One I need first and last.

You created me,

And I become weary, tired, and fearful,

But You are there to make me cheerful.

Lord, I am only flesh-

You are Spirit, the joy of my soul,

And it is You who makes me whole. 

You, O Lord, are the world’s ruler and maker;

Me- only a partaker. 

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 9/3/2025 

 

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils, the breath of life, and man became a living soul.” Genesis 2:7 NIV 

 

 

 

 

Pivotal Point

A pivotal point, as defined, is a crucial moment, event, or idea that significantly influences the outcome of something. It acts as a turning point that determines what will come next. 

     A few of my fleshly pivotal points have been:  

Graduation

Employee

Marriage, 

Birth of a child

Divorce

    But there has been one pivotal point in my life that rises far above any other in my life, and that is my salvation experience where I recognized that Jesus died for me and that He is my Savior and Son of God. 

     There will be another fleshly pivotal point in death, but I look forward to yet another pivotal point. There will be one with the Rapture,  where Jesus returns to take his children to be with Him. I will be included!

     My prayer is that whoever has not accepted Christ, do it now, before it is too late in death or before the Rapture.  I want you to "Go With Me." 

 

 

The Little Engine That Could

It is so easy to think a negative thought, be a discourager, a doubter, a pessimist, or even a naysayer. Being like this can easily take the “wind out of someone’s sails” causing a person to lose their motivation and confidence. 

     These type people might love me, but I WANT to be around those who are up-beat, who think positive thoughts, and give encouragement. Personally, I want to be like the “Little Engine That Could,”and is famous for saying, “I think I can! I think I can! I think I can!”  The Little Engine thought it could, and it did. 

     However, I have to carry this a bit further and say that what I think I can and what gets done should always be guided by the Lord and accomplished through the Lord’s help!

 

My go-to scripture usually always comes from the King James Version but I enjoy considering other versions as well. Therefore, I compared the following to give more emphasis toward my point.  

 

King James 29:25 goes like, “The fear of man bringeth a snare but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.”

Consider the MSG version, “The fear of human opinion disables, trusting in God protects you from that.”  

Then the GNT version states it like this. “It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the Lord, you are safe.”