Surrender

My scripture verse for today is, “And He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and great and commandment.” Matthew 22:37-38 ESV

 

To love God 1^st and foremost, I have to spend time in the scriptures and get to know Him. 

I also have to surrender:

 

Surrender to Him

Surrender my heart

Surrender my time

Surrender my love

Surrender my life

Surrender my selfish desires

 

“God is good all the time. All the time, God is good.”

 

 

 

The Hidden Word

One of the first verses I memorized when I was growing up was from Psalm 119:11, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Of course, it was the King James Version which is always my go-to for discerning scripture. There are not many ways a Bible version can change the words of this verse. I did look up the International Children’s Bible Version which stated it this way, “I have taken your words to heart so I would not sin against you.” 

     This scripture is completely self-explanatory, I have to study God’s Word in order to hold it fast in my heart and my thoughts to follow God’s laws and help me resist Satan’s temptations. 

Scripture Never Withers

My yard and garden were about to burn up. I needed God's ray of rain to restore and bring it back to life. It is the same with Scripture. I need God's Word to lift me up, keep me refreshed, and nourished.  

Scripture 

The grass withers,

And the flowers fade

Without God’s aid.

He sends the dew and the rain

To restore once again.

So, it is with man. 

We have dried up human thinking

When Scripture, we aren’t drinking.

But, man has no need to be dried up,

When they can fill their cup.

The Word of God is a living, active thing-

Wisdom given by a King.

The Psalms teach how to repent and share;

How to care!

The gospels introduce us to Jesus, God’s Son;

About love and how it’s done.

The epistles show ways to hope in the midst of trials,

As we walk tiresome miles.

To keep from being dried up,

We must daily take a bite and sup;

Meet with the One who transforms

And rescues from life’s storms.

Scripture nourishes! It restores! 

It opens doors! 

It teaches and convicts;

It solves conflicts. 

It encourages with poems, prayers, and laments. 

It’s filled with every-day life contents. 

When we indulge, we engage. We connect!

We gain positive side effects.

Scripture!

It’s been here from stone age to modern age.

It will never be upstaged. 

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 8/10/2023 

 

The grass withers and the flower falls, but the word of our God endures forever.”  

Isaiah 40:8

 

Breakfast Food

 Dad was raised a farmer, and he always had a garden. I remember as a young child going with him to his parents' to "dig potatoes." Actually he was going to plow the potatoes to the surface and I was to help pick up the potatoes afterwards. Grandmother always kept her leftover breakfast biscuits and bacon in what we called her pie safe. I asked for one after we arrived, and Dad said, "Sure, I never work a hungry horse and I wouldn't want you working hungry either."
     God, also, does not want his children to start the day hungry. That is the reason He provided "food," His Scripture! His Words are our body's sustenance and the spiritual food which provides daily hope. Scripture is Fatherly advice to get us through the daily battles of life. We need to feed on His Word, and let it dwell within us. The more we taste it, the more we want the comfort and hope it provides. 

     "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly." Colossians 3:15 NIV 

    

Scripture

     When we become children of God, we are infants to His Word.  Just as we had to learn our ABC's gradually, we have to learn the Word and we can only learn His Word by studying the scriptures.
     The following are some of the ways I describe God scriptures or His Word:

God's inspired Word
Gold mine of promises
Anchor to secure and make steady
Promises for life's struggles
Sacred writings
Holy and to be honored and obeyed

     When I was younger I could easily memorize scriptures when I really applied myself.  As I have gotten older I find memorization harder, but it is wise to study, memorize, meditation on, and claim the truths of scripture.   
   

Forgiveness

     The hardest thing most of us have to do is to forgive.  I heard someone say this morning on a television show that "without forgiveness love dies".  This is so true.  We see it all around us today, especially in the media.  There seems to be no harmony, no willingness to do what is right because of the focus on revenge.  Not only do we stop loving others, but we are also not loving ourselves.
     There are so many scriptures in the Bible which tell us about forgiveness.  If we would take these to heart, our world would change.  The most important thing about forgiveness is what is it does to the one unwilling to forgive.  Harboring this need to resent, and actually hate, harms our own inner being.  So what do we do?  First of all, we need to seek scriptures found on forgiveness and apply them to our hearts, minds, and lives.  Then we STOP every aspect of our unwillingness to forgiveness. 
  S eek scripture
  T alk it out
  O vercome self
  P lan a change

God's Promises

     According to an unknown writer, I am given 54 promises which God made to me.  These, as quoted by him and followed by supporting scripture, are as follows:

1.  ...for the Lord my God will be with me, wherever I go. Joshua 1:9
2.  God will keep me in perfect peace if my mind is 'stayed' on Him.  Isaiah 26:3
3.   I (the Lord) will never leave you or forsake you."  Hebrews 13:5
4.   I am with you, always, to the end of the age."  Matthew 28:20
5.  The peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7
6.  He cares for me.  1 Peter 5:7
7.  I will do even greater things than Jesus did, because He went to the Father.  John 14:12
8.  If I remain in Him and his words remain in me, whatever I ask will be given to me.  John 15:7
9.  The Holy Spirit will guide me into all truth.  John 16:3
10. The Holy Spirit will give me the right words when I need them.  Mark 13:11
11.  In this world I will have trouble.  John 16:33
12. If I seek to live godly in Christ Jesus, I will be persecuted.  2 Timothy 3:12
13. I am justified by Him, freely, by His grace.  Romans 3:24
14. I have peace with god because I've been justified by faith in Jesus.  Romans 5:1
15. I have access into this grace.  Romans 5:2
16. There is no condemnation on me because I am in Christ Jesus.  Romans 8:1
17. The Holy Spirit will help me to pray.  Romans 8:26-27
18. All things work together for my good.  Romans 8:28
19. Nothing will separate me from the love of Christ.  Romans 8:35
20. I shall bear the likeness (and resurrection body) of Jesus, the 'man from heaven.' 1 Corinthians 15:49
21. My labor in the Lord is not in vain.  1 Corinthians 15:58
22. God has created good works for me to walk in, today.  Ephesians 2:10
23. I am being transformed into His likeness.  2 Corinthians 3:17
24. God won't let me be tried or tempted beyond what I can endure.  1 Corinthians 10:13
25. God comforts the downcast, including me.  2 Corinthians 7:6
26. God is able to make all grace abound to me, so all my needs will be met.  2 Corinthians 9:8
27. I am worth (to God) more than the birds that He feeds.  Matthew 6:26
28. God will supply all my needs.  Philippians 4:19
29. God won't forsake me (the righteous in Christ) nor have my children become beggars. Psalm 37:25
30. God's grace will be sufficient for me.  2 Corinthians 12:9
31. I will reap what I sow.  Galatians 6:7
32. I have an inheritance.  Ephesians 1:14
33. I have been brought near by the blood of Jesus.  Ephesians 3:12
34. I may approach God with freedom and confidence.  Ephesians 3:12
35. The Father has qualified me to share in the inheritance of the saints.  Colossians 1:12
36. Christ now is in me!  Colossians 1:27
37. God is faithful and will sanctify me.  1 Thessalonians 5:24
38. God will repay with trouble those who trouble me.  2 Thessalonians 1:6
39. God has given me a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline.  2 Timothy 1:7
40. I have a crown of righteousness awaiting me, because I long for His appearing.  2 Timothy 4:8
41. God won't lie to me, because God cannot lie.  Titus 1:2
42. Jesus will help me if I'm tempted.  Hebrews 2:18
43. Varied trials will lead to my maturity.  James 1:2
44. If I ask for wisdom from God, He will give it to me.  James 1:5
45. If I ask, God will provide it.  James 4:2
46. If I resist the devil, he will take a hike.  James 4:7
47. If I draw near to God, He will draw near to me.  James 4:8
48. Prayer is effective.  James 5:16
49. After i have suffered for a little while, He will strengthen, confirm and establish me.  1 Peter 5:10
50. A new heaven and earth await me, called the 'home of righteousness'. 2 Peter 3:13
51. He forgives and cleanses me as I confess my sins to Him.  1 John 1:9
52. When Jesus re-appears, I'll be made like Him.  1 john 3:2
53. God has given me eternal life. 1 John 5:11
54. I am a present possessor of eternal life, which is mine in the present tense verb "have."  1 John 5:13

The writer further states, "If you are in Christ, and He is in you, these staggering promises are all yours!  You have inestimable wealth - not the silly kind of mansions and money, yachts, and luxury cars - but the wealth of the presence, power, purpose, and promises of the eternal God, made known to us in Jesus. and sealed with the comforting Holy Spirit.  You and I are wealthy, indeed!"

Being Satisfied in Jesus

A few days ago I talked about being satisfied and from where my satisfaction comes.  Today, I am going a bit further with scripture application.

Seek Jesus  --  Matthew 6:33 " But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Accept Jesus through belief  --  Mark 9:23  "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth."

Thirst after Jesus and His righteousness  --  Matthew 5:6  "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. "

Indulge in prayer with Jesus  --  Matthew 21:22  "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."

Savor time with Jesus and In His Word  --  James 4:8   "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."

Find Time for Jesus  --  Psalm 42:8  "Yet the Lord will command his loving kindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life."

Alter the daily schedule for Jesus  --  Proverbs 8:34  "Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors."

Choose Jesus first  --   Joshua 24:15a   "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; ..."

Trust in Jesus  --  Proverbs 3:5-6  "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. "

Imitate the ways of Jesus  --  1 Corinthians 11:3    ^"But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God."

Open your heart to Jesus  --  Matthew 6:21  "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. "

Nourish your soul on Jesus --  Psalm 33:20  "Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield."

Humor With A Cool Drink Of Water

     The five year old had just gotten up and was whining.  The mom scolded, “You got up on the wrong side of the bed.  You need to go back to bed.”  The child cried, “But how do I know which side to get up on?”
     The best way to “get up on the right side of the bed” and start any day is with a prayer.  Ask God to direct your path and relinquish your strong self will to His.   When you allow God’s will to carry you through the day you will find that most projected problems simple disappear.  Life becomes less stressful and what you expected to be a big issue simple didn’t happen. 

http://www.amazon.com/Humor-Cool-Drink-Water-Devotionals-ebook/dp/B00I61KFP0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1392856193&sr=1-1

 

     On a positive note, a laugh and seeking God first sets the pace for the day.  My devotional kindle version of "Humor With A Cool Drink of Water" found on Amazon, just a click away on the site above, provides just that.  In it you will find a humorous joke, a short devotional thought for the day, and a scripture verse. 

Anniversary

     It is my anniversary, and I have put up with it for 17 years… kindness, patience, endurance, and a God fearing character.  What more can I say?  Oh, yes- I have been blessed!
     I have to admit, my husband does not make beds.  He does not dust furniture or my doo-dads. He does very little to no cooking, but he does do dishes, vacuum, and take out the garbage.  He may sit in a chair while I shop, but he does take me shopping.  I believe you call that patience.  He is  retired and while I still have to crawl out from under the covers to get dressed for work, there is seldom a morning when he does not compliment me before I leave for work.  Anger is not a part of his character.  I could count the times I have seen him even semi-angry on five fingers, never going past my first hand.   The time my jealous dog and him had a stand-off in the hallway, just after we got married, does not count.  When I express a concern, he is never embarrassed to pick up my hand at that moment and pray with me. I do not remember ever hearing him say an unkind word about anyone. 
     The best way to describe my 17 years with my husband would be to simply read 1 Corinthians.  My husband meets all of those qualities, and that is what my husband has given me for the past 17 years.
     Thank you Chuck and “Happy Anniversary!”
   
    1 Corinthians: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

 

Christian Water -Poetry Under A Friendly Shade

     Last Sunday our pastor talked about water; how the “the water keeps rolling along!”  He talked about how catastrophe the flood in Noah’s day was. Then he turned it around and talked more about water; how refreshing the rain can be on a hot summer day and how nourishing a cool drink of water can be. 

     The very next morning I opened up my devotional with Joel Osteen and there was a comment, of all things, about water.  Joel said, “Just as a seed needs water daily to grow, your spirit needs the Word of God daily.  Your faith needs to watered by His Word.”

     “Well,” I thought, “wonder what I can write about water?”  The following are my inspirational thoughts about water. 

Water – Medicine For The Soul 

It was the Red Sea water that opened up as the Israelites fled,

It was directed by God who led the way and kept them fed. 

Water! Drink hardy, drink long;

Nourish your body with a Christian song.

It was water that flooded the land,

But it was God who rescued Noah with a foretold plan.

Water! Drink to your health;

Follow Jesus and He will give you wealth.

It is water that nourishes the body and keeps you whole,

But it is the Word of God that nourishes the soul.

Water! Drink up;

Let God’s Word fill your cup. 

It is water that’s needed for the seeds to grow,

But it is a walk with God that helps faith to overflow.

Water! Wet those seeds of kindness in you;

For that’s what Jesus wants you to do. 

It is water that washes away the dirt and grime,

But it is Jesus who washes away your sins and your crime.

Water! Wash until you’re clean;

Let Jesus, in you, be seen.

 It is water from a shower rain that refreshes the land,

But it is prayer time with God that transforms and helps you withstand.

Water! Drink and be strong;

Listen to what He says and avoid all wrong. 

It is water from the waves of the ocean tide that brings tranquility,

But it is our willingness to follow God that brings humility.

Water!  Soak it up and fill your body with love and peace;

Then your worries will all decrease.

It is water that sustains as you go out each day,

And it is Jesus who watches over you in every way, 

Water! Before ye labor, drink it first;

For Jesus promises you will never thirst.

                                                     Mary Crisp Jameson 5/23/2011 

Scripture (John 4:14)  But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

  

Inspirational Devotional for Mother's Day

Mothers are special people and must truly be the most patient people on the face of this earth.  Only God could be more patient with His children.  God never abandons His children through all of their rebellious ways.   Just like mothers, God wants His children to have a harvest of plenty, but He also wants His children to seek Him.  The following is an except from the book SO? Whatever!

A mother had lost all patience in dealing with her son and his constantly getting into mischief.  She asked, “How are you ever going to get into heaven?” she asked.  The son said, “I will run in and out slamming the door until St. Peter finally says, ‘Billy, come in or stay out.’”

Billy got the idea of persistence down pretty good.  He knew how to turn a “no” or a “do not” into acceptance.  That is exactly what we need to do in life.  It is easy to get frustrated when our season of hope is not realized.  The key is not to go backward.  Keep hoping, keep planting, and keep pursuing your dreams and goals.  There is a season for everything.  God will find favor and show increase if you keep your eyes on Him. 

Leviticus 26:4 I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit.

Humorous Joke and Devotional for the Day

The following is a humorous joke followed by a devotional thought and Bible verse.  It is taken from the book, So? Whatever!  

    The man’s weight was out of control so he goes to his family doctor who says, “You are going to have to lose a hundred pounds.”  The man argued, “There’s no way I can lose that much weight.”  The doctor told him there was a diet guaranteed to work.  The man then asked, “What type of diet is that?”  The doctor responded, “Put it in your mouth, if it tastes good, spit it out.”

    The man reached that weight over a period of time.  It began as a small gain and gradually got out of control.  That is the way sin works.  It begins as something small.  When left un-confessed and encouraged by others, it will progress to something larger.  One single drug usage could ultimately make a person into a drug addict.  Don’t try to solve your small problems and allow them to grow into large ones which you cannot handle.  Take your small problems to Jesus every day.
    Romans 6:12  Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.