A Child of Weakness

I am constantly reminded of my fleshly weakness but am so grateful that God knows these weaknesses and loves me anyway.  I am also so grateful for Jesus who took my sins and weaknesses and made them white as snow.    

I was also reminded of God wink moments today.  After I wrote the following, I was searching for a scripture that went along with the writing.  During the process, I checked one of my daily devotional sites and Psalm 73:26 was the scripture for today.  A perfect verse, in may opinion.

A Child of Weakness

 

With every breath, I long to follow Jesus,

But I am a child of weakness.

Where is my meekness?

My mind deceives;

My uprightness leaves.

My heart grows weary,

Making the days dreary.

My thoughts remain evil,

Leaving the day in upheaval.

Jealousy abounds.

From my mouth comes raging sounds.

Love does not grow,

So, what do I have to show?

Although I say I ‘ve been saved,

A grateful path, I have not always paved.

With every breath, I long to follow Jesus,

But a sinner I am;

A forever straying lamb.

My shameful sin

Is continually placed on Him-

The One who sacrificed

To save my life.

And, though I fail to follow by what I sow,

My sins have been made as white as snow.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson  1/23/2022

 

“My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my 

portion forever.”  Psalm 73:26 

 

 

 

 

 

The Lord's Prayer

     Prayer is powerful!  It is actually a simple conversation with God which anyone can do.  We do not have to have the gift of speech.  God just wants to hear our heart.   

     Matthew 6: 9-13 gives us a sample of how to pray.  As I read it this morning, I decided to break it out to show more of my heart to God.   

(Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.)

My Father, Holy is your name.     

To honor it upon my lips is my aim;

Within my thoughts, let it be the same.  

 

(Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.) 

Until your kingdom comes, for which I yearn,

I pray your will within me learn; 

Let it burn.

 

(Give us this day our daily bread.)

Thank you for the day and provision; 

Protection from collision;

More than I could envision.

 

(And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.)

Forgive the sin for which I’m inclined. 

Let me forgive, in kind, for peace of mind; 

Animosity to leave behind.

 

(And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.)

And, deliver me when I stray. 

Keep the evil one away. 

Help me run from temptation, this day. 

 

(For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen!)  

You, O Lord, designed the Universe; 

All things within your power to disburse.

Into your glory forever, willingly, I immerse.   

                                     Amen!

 

                 Mary Crisp Jameson  1/11/2022

Why?

Ask and Ye shall receive….  Why couldn’t I…?  Because…

 

“Because of your little faith, Jesus told them.  For if you had faith even as small as a tiny mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move’ and it would go far away.  Nothing would be impossible.  But this kind of demon won’t leave unless you have prayed and gone without food.”  Matthew 17:20 LBV

“Go and gather all the Jews of Shushan and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day; and I and my maids will do the same, and then, though it is strictly  forbidden, I will go in to see the king; and if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4:15

 

“We have fasted before you, they say.  Why aren’t you impressed:  Why don’t you see our sacrifices?  Why don’t you hear our prayers?  We have done much penance, and you don’t even notice it!...Because you are living in evil pleasure even while you are fasting , and you keep right on oppressing your workers.”  Isaiah 58:3 

 

“Look, what good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling?  This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me”  … No, the kind of fast I want is that you stop oppressing those who work for you and treat them fairly and give them what they earn.”   Isaiah 58:4 

 

 

 

 

The New Year 2022

     Well, here it is, 2022!  Thanks to John Wayne, I got engrossed in one of his movies and actually stayed up to see the New Year begin.  Surprisingly, there were also fireworks all around this little country area.  .  
     With the onset of 2022, I just have to start the day with praise to my Lord for all His past and future blessings.  He has shown His love in so many ways and commands that we do the same.  "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."  

     I want to love more like Jesus does and like God commands.  So here is my acronym to begin 2022.

L -augh with and live in harmony with others

O- ffer love to all

V- alue everyone

E- ncourage and enjoy others

 

Goals

      It's that time when we talk about developing resolutions for the new year.  I prefer goals over resolutions because my resolutions usually just go by the wayside.  Most would argue that a goal and a resolution are the same but, by definition, they are different.  I firmly believe in setting goals.  A goal gives me hope and something to work toward, and it may take me a number of years or even a lifetime.  Because I classify myself as a dreamer,  I am far less likely to give up on a goal.  In setting goals, I need to rely on what is important: 

     Proverbs 3:21 tell us about two goals.  "Have two goals: wisdom - that is, knowing and doing right - and common sense.  Don't let them slip away."  Then in 1 Corinthians 9:25 we find, "So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step.  I fight to win.  I'm not just shadow boxing or playing around." Then in 2 Corinthians 10:13, "...Our goal is to measure up to God's plan for us..."  

     With all this in mind, I haven't decided to add to the goals I have already set or just be more determined than ever to work harder on my existing ones.  Whatever the case, "Happy New Year" to all this coming 2022.  

     

      

Christmas -Who and Why

    The Christmas Season is one for making memories with family, but most importantly, it is a time for remembering Who made Christmas.  2 Corinthians 8:9 tells us that there was One who became poor to make us rich.  "You know how full of love and kindness our Lord Jesus was: though He was so very rich, yet to help you He became so very poor, so that by being poor He could make you rich."  Matthew 1 tells us why and renames who He was,  "And she shall bring forth a Son and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins."  
    So, as we give our loved one gifts this season, let us remember the greatest gift of all.  Let us worship the One great Giver by the example of the wise men: "And when they were come unto the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh."

    

Baby or Giant Steps

     Sometimes, when I start the day I really don't want to adult.  It takes baby steps to build into giant steps. It takes a few more cups of coffee and a lot longer to get out of my pajamas.    When I compare this to beginning the day with the Lord, I also often just want to take baby steps.  But that does not work for me.  When I start the day with the Lord, I take a leap of faith- I trust, I give Him my burdens, I acknowledge my weaknesses and my unforgiving heart.  That is a simple step but also a giant step.  When I talk to God, love flows, peace and joy comes.  That is GIANT, leading into a good day with the Lord.