Fruit of the Spirit

It has been a very long, hot August and September. The area where I live has gone the longest that I can ever remember without rain. And, Lord, I pray for rain. I pray You dump a full portion upon us. 

     That being said, I have decided I will not be planting my usually turnip green patch this fall. It is past time for planting, and I do not desire to water a garden as I cannot even water my yard. My grass is dead and I certainly have no need to mow.

     However, I can water my fruit. There is no expense required. I go back to the golden rule I learned in childhood. “Treat Others as you want to be treated.” This leads also into nourishing my Fruit of the Spirit - the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and goodwill toward others. It takes so little effort. All I need to help me is the Living Holy Spirit residing within me. 

     My prayer today is, Lord, I not only pray for rain, but I pray You help me grow my Fruit of the Spirit. 

Meditate

My Scripture for today is Psalm 1:2, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord; And in His law he meditates day and night.”

 

I’ve never tried to meditate. I looked up how. It said to: Find a quiet spot-Set my position -Close my eyes -Focus on my breath- Return or start over if I lose focus or get off-track 

 

Yet, how do I mediate on the Lord all day? I came up with: 

 

M ake time

E nter into communication with the Lord

D o it minute by minute, day and night

I gnite my love for Christ

T alk to God

A lter my fleshly desire

T ake the initiative to put God first

E mbrace the Lord and His Word

Click on the link below to preview my book on Amazon 

https://www.amazon.com/Old-Testament-Gleanings-Mary-Crisp/dp/B0H3H975TC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2I3LPMY59F0UN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Klnkucqxk9Yu9ZgpiLLvzkUTRUkf1jP8_QOuTu96NsiecUfhtsPo77mw_4LACAh3rGfuAtaQ2nAtTaQGwYU4RYz0vYi_y9BYSMYXx-GEff-mfF7aCEzsSa325AJQ6Q2soBub2fwxa9CGe0sUMiIIOelzzfbDcTScCl2SS4ybr0ha8KIqOdw4iPUTBJX5QXUszm8ZdBSX5vjMsCvjXzCnzZ5q3qmrpmocYkIAO7yLuTQ._vh64PuHYNlmmC7UevgWODtK9s-C8w4l7QLv1ZeQKz8&dib_tag=se&keywords=old+and+new+testament+gleanings&qid=1784812824&sprefix=old+and+new+testament+gl%2Caps%2C234&sr=8-1

The Price of My Sin

Jesus and the Price of Sin 

 

Eve started it and Adam followed.

Yet, if I had been there, it would have been me.

All the children were next. Like a flock of sheep, we tag along.

The cost was great.

At first, there was a sacrificial blood offering.

Sin was too great. The blood offering required more.

Picture the greatness of God’s love!

He delivered to us His only Son. 

Jesus came. He left His Father. He left His home.

Here was the picture of a man who had no sin. 

He came to walk among those who did.

What more did He have to pay? What more was the cost?

What did Jesus have to endure for me!

Jesus had to live with what He knew was to come. 

There was a willingness, yet, “His sweat was like drops of blood.” Luke 22:44 

“Judas betrayed him.” (John 18:2) In sin, I, too, betray my Lord.

Peter denied Him. I, too, have denied Him.

Jesus was flogged. (John 19:19) He was beaten with a whip. 

His flesh was torn- His blood ran red.

“The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head.” John 19:2

“They slapped Him in the face.” John 19:3b

He was forced to carry His own cross to Golgotha. John 19:17

What more would my sin cause?

It was the spikes driven into His hands and feet.

It was the pressure upon His body hanging there on the cross.

It was grotesque what Jesus suffered for my sin.

Yet, upon the cross, He forgave a thief when He said, 

“Today, you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:24b

Jesus had to look upon His mother standing there in grief and tears. 

 Not only was Jesus nailed, but His “side was pierced.” John 19:34

The soldiers “divided up His clothes by casting lots.” Matt. 27:35

In Jesus’ final hour, He suffered when His Father looked away.

He called out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Matt. 27:46b 

God had looked away, for my sin had been placed upon His Son. 

Jesus cried again, “It is finished! John 19:30

He had paid the price. He took my sin. 

The Intervention!

An intervention is a purposeful action to alter a process or confront a loved one.

Have you ever had an intervention? You might have, without even knowing it.

 

I believe God did and still does many interventions.

     Jonah had an intervention when he was going the wrong way. God sent a storm and a big fish. Jonah’s unexpected joy ride last 3 days before he was spit out and turned around.

     Paul had an intervention when he was walking the Damascus Road. He was going the wrong way. God sent a blinding light to stop Paul from what he intended. His blindness lasted 3 days before His eyes were opened.

     Moses had an intervention. He was encouraged to return to Egypt by a burning bush. It took some talking between him and God to convince Moses that he was the man for the job.

     Consider the flat tire, the appointment missed, the unexpected event-anything that changed your plans for the day: were those interventions? 

     Regardless, at the end of day, always be thankful.

         

Freedom

I woke up feeling grateful for living in a free country, having the freedom to make choices. I just pray my choices are righteous ones that lead to pleasing my Savior and Lord.

 

It is good to be free, not chained in bondage; Sometimes gaining freedom takes action:

 

F-reedom to make a choice - one not leading to bad consequences 

R-eaching out to the One true God.

E-xpeling evil fleshly thoughts

E-ntering into thankful praise for my Lord

 

The scriptures tell about being free and having freedom: 

 

“For freedom Christ has set us free’ stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

 

“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” 1 Peter 2:16

“Out of my distress I called on the Lord, the Lord answered me and set me free.” Psalm 118:6

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 

 

 

Daily and Hourly Trust

TRUST

 

Life is an exciting journey with God in it. 

 I may not know what is in the day but I know God walks with me. 

He is with me in the valleys and on top of the mountain peaks,

in the desert plains and in the moisture laden fields,

in the happy times and the sad times, 

in the waking hours and in my sleep, 

in the drought and in the rains, 

in the laughter and the tears,

in the gain and in the loss,

in the lows and the highs.

Trust in Him.

God is there!

Attention Getter!

“And he looked, and behold, the bush was burning fire, yet the bush was not consumed. So Moses said, ‘I must turn aside now and see this marvelous sight, why the bush is not burned up.’” Exodus 3:2b-3

 

Two thoughts here: The Lord was getting Moses’ attention.

                               Moses turned aside to look.

 

Two questions now: What does it take for God to get my attention?

                               Do I turn aside and obey or go my way?

2 Words to Live By

There two words I live by every single day. They sustain me!

Without God these two words are as nothing.

 

Faith- 

   Faith is belief. 

      Faith gives hope. 

         Faith can move a mountain. 

            Faith does not cease ‘cause God is there. 

 

Grace- 

   Grace forgives. 

      Grace is love. 

         Grace is unmerited favor.

            Grace is always there with belief in Jesus.

Storm at Sea

 When you go through the sea of life who do you call out to? Who do you reach for? 

Storm At Sea

 

There was a storm at sea

It was no small tempest.

The waves beat against the boat,

Lightening flashed,

Thunder rolled; 

It was wet and cold.

 

Peter decided to step out into the storm-

Fear overcame,

But God reached out His hand

To help him stand.

 

Jonah decided to run away. 

He couldn’t run.

He got tossed overboard and swallowed by a fish,

But God gave Jonah his wish.

 

As a prisoner, Paul set sail.

The storm raged.

No sun nor stars appeared.

The sailors felt hopeless and caged.

Yet, Paul trusted,

And God gave the men their lives.

 

The winds blew.

The thunder rolled,

And waves climbed higher,

No one knew what they’d go through,

Yet the hand of God was there in mighty power.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson  9/3/2026 

 

“When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.” Luke 27:20 

 

Money

As a retired banker and loan officer, I am going to have a little fun writing this one. I have seen too many who cannot afford to acquire homes or pay bills simply because they mismanaged their money.  

Money

Some have it. Some don’t.

It’s mysterious!

It talks,

It walks,

It flies,

And it hides. 

In a blink, money can simply disappear.

It can do harm,

Or it can do good

It is sought but not easily found.

It can be given,

Or, it can be taken

Money can bring on tears,

Or it can bring laughter.

It can be turned into more,

Or it can be turned into less,

Money has power-

It can plant seeds of growth,

Or, it can establish debts galore.

Money has needs-

It needs a proper handler-

One with discernment,

A budget planner,

And a tracker of sorts.

It needs someone who seeks, not earthy treasures, 

but those above.

That would be one who establishes its worth.

 Mary Crisp Jameson  9/2/2026

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” Proverbs 21:5 

 

(Descriptive)...“When your eyes light on it, it is gone for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle.” Proverb 23:5a

Discernment

 I am sharing one thing that hit home this morning as I was reading my "In Touch" devotional. The writer was talking about "Listening to God." In it was prayer. He stated, "When we bring our heart to Him, we should linger - making space for Him to speak into our stillness." That spoke volumes to me for I had to ask, "How often do I really linger in stillness?" The rest of the devotional led me to write about developing discernment.

Discernment

 

Discernment does not come easy.

It takes a work.

I have to lend God my ear,

And let Him draw near.

I have to truly seek and yearn,

Using scripture to learn.

It’s the source of revelation

And a way to know what God is like.

There are circumstances I must endure,

Yet staying strong and Godly pure.

Then there is prayer.

It’s not a one-way dialogue ‘cause God is there too.

It’s a two-way talk

I have to have concerning my walk.

Then we return to the listening ear

Allowing His words draw me, to Him, ever near.

Developing concernment takes some space-

A space filled with prayer

A two-way communication allowing God to be in there.

So here’s the summation for a bit of concernment.

I need:

A listening ear,

My Bible open,

God in my circumstances,

A yearning within my learning,

Prayer with space for God to talk,

And a daily constant repeat within my walk. 

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 9/1/2026 

 

“Yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice in understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2:3-5

 

In The Wait

I have had several projects going on, and they never seemed to come together. Then finally last week they all fell into place. The wait was frustrating. When I read about David call out to the Lord, I simply had to write about the wait because God is in the wait with me. 

In The Wait

 

“How long, O Lord?

Will You forget me forever?

But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness.

My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.”

That’s the lament David cried.

It was simple in God’s eye.

It was an honest plea from David laying his anguish out.

God was listening-His was still watching- He was still about.

For David, the delay was frustrating,

But God was with David in the waiting.

God heard!

He was stirred!

Yet, David’s request was deferred.

Then we see another thread

And one we have read.

David trusted-His heart rejoiced,

And that’s what David voiced.

This was a simple and earnest prayer

And God was there.

God didn’t need perfect or rehearsed words to hear

He simply wants His children to draw near.

Yesterday, today, tomorrow

God never veers away

He is in the wait, today.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson  8/31/2026

 

“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? But I have trusted in your steadfast love.” Psalm 13:1a, 5a

 

When and Then

I completely agree with Rick Warren’s Daily Hope this morning. It was about “when and then.” He wrote about when so and so happens then I will be happy. He gave examples. It is so true! As he wrote, “happiness is a choice.” Having something “when” won’t make you happy “then.” Therefore, enjoy what you have NOW!

The One I Call

 It's always good to have a friend to call at any time. It gives me comfort to know my friend is available at any time and is always there.

The One I Call 

 

God is the only One-

The One and Only!

It’s to him I call;

I call God when I fall down,

When I frown,

And when I feel like I’m about to drown.

I call God when I feel up,

When He fills my cup,

And when I feel anxious and all bound up.

I call on God when I’m in the valley, 

And I call on Him when I’m on top of the mountain.

I call on God whether good or bad-

Whether happy or glad,

Whether taking a walk or just doodling on a notepad.

I call on God any time, any hour, any minute, any second,

‘Cause I can, and isn’t that grand?

I reckon I just need to check in.

I call on God anytime, anywhere,

‘Cause He is there.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 8/24/2026

 

“The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.” 

Psalm 145:18 ESV

Wait! How Long?

I believe I posted this poem some years back, but it came to mind this morning. The reason is that I am waiting on the Good Lord to send rain. I have been waiting for weeks now. He is rather slow doing this. 

     Then I thought that really God is just telling us, "How long have I waited for you? How long before you will give me your time? How long before you praise me for your daily blessings which I give? How long before you lift my name up and tell others about me? I have waited now it is your time to wait!"

Hurry And Wait!

I threw the cover from my arm as I shut off the alarm;

Then jumped from my bed to get everyone fed.

I’d overslept, but still got the floors all swept.

I threw on the wash, but I was late, “Oh my gosh!”

“At this rate, Lord, you’ll just have to wait.”

I rushed into work, and said “Hello” to the clerk.

It was half past eight, and I was running late.

As I sank into my job my head began to throb,

But soon it was ten, and I threw down my pen.

It was time for my break, and that’s something I’d take.

I’d enjoy the time for it was all mine.

I had to relax, find some coffee and snacks;

Read the news and get other people’s views.

As it came to an end I had more work to attend.

“I’m in such a state, Lord, you’ll still have to wait.”

I had unopened files which I stacked in different piles.

They were enough to make me swoon, but I planned to quit at noon.  

As I looked at my watch, my task looked top-notch.  

So I wrapped up loose ends to lunch with my friends.

 Reservations had been made, and all was prepaid.

As I entered Mel’s I knew there’d be stories to hear and to tell.

The noise was loud, coming from all of the crowd.

“Lord, it’s no time to pray- not in this café. 

I’m sure it’s alright to wait till tonight.”  

At the end of the day there were events to convey;

Kids to get into bed and stories to be read;

There were movies to view and mail to go through.

Time was slipping by as I began to close my eye.

I crawled into bed -fluffed up the pillow as I laid down my head.    

“Lord, it’s awful late. I’m so sleepy you’ll just have to wait?”

                                                                 Mary Crisp Jameson   

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock… Revelations 4:20

Do You Know?

I just published a book, Old and New Testament Gleanings. It is a one to two page summary of each Book of the Bible in poetic form. The link to Amazon is below.  I am now in the process of writing a sequel which provides a one page character description of characters in the Bible. Below is a sample of what is to come. 

Do you know who Rhoda was in the New Testament?  Her name was only given one time. Following is who she was. 

“And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate.” Acts 12:13-14

 

“They said to her, ‘You are out of your mind. But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, ‘It is his angel.' But Peter continued knocking.” Acts 12:15-16a

 

“But Peter continued knocking.” Acts 12:16a

 

Rhoda

 

Imagine if you will

a girl who was so surprised she forgot to think.

She moved simply by her instinct.

Peter had knocked on the door.

Rhoda, a servant girl, came to answer.

Peter spoke. What he said, we know not what,  

but Rhoda recognized Peter’s voice.

She became so excited she did not open the door- it remained shut.  

This was at Mary’s house, and there was a group there praying. 

 Instead of letting Peter in, 

Rhoda ran to tell the group that Peter was at the door.

 Peter was left standing while still knocking and being ignored.

But Rhoda was too joyful and stirred to think to let him in.

The group at the house were responding in disbelief.

The chatter was probably not brief,

and Peter was still knocking.

One was saying, “Your out of your mind.”

Another may have leaned back to listen and remained, in amazement, reclined.

Rhoda excitedly continued insisting that Peter was at the door.

Another joined the conversation, “It must be his angel,”

as Peter continued knocking.

Finally, they opened the door and were amazed.

Rhonda joined everyone as they praised.

Why were they in awe? 

Why was Peter left knocking?

Peter explained to them,

“An angel awakened me in my cell

and said, ‘Peter, get up quickly.’

The chains fell from my hands, 

and the angel led me past the guards and out the gate.”  

No one had expected Peter to be at Mary’s house nor knocking,

least of all Rhoda.

Rhoda was just a servant girl stirred with excitement-

Her joy was so deep, she forgot to open the door.

 

 

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A Little Humor

While reading my devotional this morning, I was still pretty sleepy and read foes as toes. It made me laugh. Then it brought to mind the following about the toes most all of you with our babies while wiggling their toes. I don’t know why? It just popped in my head.

 

“This little piggy went to market, this little piggy stayed home, this little piggy had roast beef, this little piggy had none, and this little piggy cried, “wee, wee, wee” all the way home.”

 

After that I decided to write 5 little things to encourage children to learn: 

Jesus loves me

Jesus lives in me

Jesus saves me

Jesus guides me all day long

Jesus helps me when I fear- all the live long day.

 

Said I Wouldn'd- But Did!

I said I would’nt, but I did. How many times have we all said that and went ahead and did it. My confession is that I said I would not water the grass but I am doing it. Lord! My plea and prayer is give us rain! Please! 

 

R aindrops falling on My Head, I promise to sing.

A ll day long, please let it rain.

I nto praise, I will rejoice when You bless with rain

N o One knows better than You, Lord, how we need rain.

                           Amen!

 Now back to "I said I wouldn’t but I did". Peter said he wouldn’t deny Jesus, but he did. He denied Him three times. How many times have you? 

Days of the Week

I have seven days to plan for something every week. Sometimes I get up asking myself, “What will I do today?” Other days I check my calendar to see what appointments I have. At one time, I tried setting specific tasks for the day, like Sunday is church day, Monday is a day to cook, Tuesday is a day for washing,  Wednesday is mow day, and on and on. That was entirely too structured. It did not work for me. I find it simple to just take “one day at a time” for whatever comes my way.

     Reading Psalm 23:6 and Psalm 145:20 gave me further thought. God does the same every day no matter what day it is. He gives me goodness and mercy every day, and He protects and loves me every day no matter what day of the week it is. I rejoice in that.

 

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6 

 

“The Lord preserves all who love Him," Psalm 145:20

    

Complain or Rejoice

It’s Monday! A new week! A new day! A new hour! A new minute!

 I ask myself? What’s better!

 Complaining or rejoicing?

Inaction or motion?

Frowning or Smiling?

Worrying or “Letting God”?

Stewing on something or doing something?

 

Hmmm...I think my verse of the day will be Philippians 2:14 ESV, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing.”