THE LIVING GOD’S JOY

Posted on December 21, 2018 by Barbara Jones

Do you have #joy right now? I am not seeing many #smiles as I’m mingling with others this year. I walked into the entrance of a very busy shopping complex this week where four other ladies were standing and all were looking on their phones. They never even looked up to make eye contact much less smile or acknowledge anyone. I see isolation among us. What about you? Are you happy? Where does joy come from? Let’s see what the Bible tells us. In Nehemiah chapter 8 tells us that Nehemiah (the governor) and Ezra (the priest and scribe) said unto all the people the words of the law of Lord given to Moses..10.”Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared for this day is holy unto the LORD: neither be you sorry; FOR THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH….and all the people went their way to eat, and drink and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.” Read the Word, Celebrate His Gift, Share His Love – produces JOY. Jesus Christ said, “If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. These things I have spoken unto you, that MY JOY MIGHT REMAIN IN YOU, AND THAT YOUR JOY MIGHT BE FULL. My commandment is that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:10-12 It is a MERRY CHRISTMAS when you have the JOY of the LORD. Smile Jesus loves you and share with another.

THE LIVING GOD A CONSUMING FIRE

Posted on December 13, 2018 by Barbara Jones

#Fire consumes! Just look at what took place in #Paradise, California. Here in the heart of Georgia we have had #turbulence, #wind, #rain, and now #freezing temperatures which require so heat even in the south. Wouldn’t you know my furnace quit on me. I had to wait three days without heat during 20 degrees nights for a part to be delivered to the repairman. Just so happened to have a wood pile under the deck, but it was wet from all our rain. Inside I had several dry logs which worked to get the fireplace started. I had forgotten how much you have to tend to a fire to keep it going. When I put those wet logs on the hot embers they really smoked; however, after awhile they still put out heat. My son-in-law brought over a load of fresh cut wood and filled the wood storage for me – true blessing. One forgets how awesome the warmth and beauty of a glowing fire can be. When the wood is not prepared and cured then you get smoke in your eyes and a mess that your constantly adjusting. All this took me to God’s Word and reminded me of the warmth and inner glow which He imparts to all those He indwells. “Yet, once more, signifying the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. We receive a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve GOD acceptably with reverence and godly fear: FOR OUR GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE” Hebrews 12:27-29 May GOD consume our lives by removing the dross (sin) thereby leaving us with His beautiful warming glow that can radiate to others.

THE LIVING GOD’S SAVOUR

Posted on December 7, 2018 by Barbara Jones

We detect #odors all around us. Some stores not only have #perfumes inside but spray their classic #scent outside to entice buyers to come inside. They give away small samples which they hope will make you want that aroma. I hate to tell you, but many of these artificial substances make me sneeze, whiz, and produce a whopper of a headache. Ever been there? I remember a family friend from my childhood would come through the door and give me a hug. I would hold my breath, because she reeked with garlic – it was on her breath, pores, and clothes. I was very aware of her presence. Dogs can sniff out a person’s trail by their noses for we all have a distinct chemistry. Have you ever contemplated that we have an odor to God? 11Corth.2:14-17 “Now thanks be unto GOD, who always causes us to TRIUMPH in CHRIST, and make MANIFEST the SAVOUR OF HIS KNOWLEDGE BY US IN EVERY PLACE. FOR WE ARE UNTO GOD A SWEET SAVOUR OF CHRIST in them that are saved and and them that perish; to the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. Who is sufficient for these things: For we are not as many which corrupt the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” May we choose to follow the real true words of God and ask to be surrounded with the sweet savour of the blood of the LAMB Jesus Christ covering our sins with purification! Original ionization.!..

THE LIVING GOD CAN TEACH ME

Posted on November 28, 2018 by Barbara Jones

Were you carefully #taught? As a young child, I was taught to obey the #laws of #God and #Country! I was not exempt from keeping the laws just because I was a child and a girl.. The rules of the road applied to me as I rode my bicycle to school. My how times change. Everyone seems to have their own cause today so they have a lawyer who will enable them to get away with whatever scheme that pleased them for that moment. And so it goes…$$$pay to play. As I watch the news, I observe individuals who think the laws do not apply to them for one reason or another. Lawlessness is ramphant! I see stealing, murder, fraud, sexual assault, identity theft, and gang violence all portrayed within minutes on line. Who made the law anyway? The Bible gives us truth and teaches us in God’s Word if we will listen. Ps.119:65-80 “O LORD, according to thy word TEACH ME GOOD JUDGEMENT and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments…68.Thou are good and do good: TEACH ME THY STATUTES. 69.The proud have forged against me, but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. 70.Their heart is fat as grease, but I delight in thy law….78.Let the proud me ashamed..80.Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.” May God open my eyes to lawlessness and may MY LORD AND SAVIOUR continue to TEACH ME …..How about You? Will you let the LIVING GOD TEACH YOU?

THE LIVING GOD IS GRACIOUS

Posted on November 21, 2018 by Barbara Jones

Have you ever been awe struck? It might have been at a time when you meet a dignitary or saw the first love of your life. Did it shiver your timbers? Then reality set in when the awesome personality simply was not gracious! I was hosting a respected individual for dinner at a 1854 farmhouse, when he abruptly proclaimed -“Best thing to do for this place is tear it down” I said nothing, but respect flew out the window. We all have opinions, but some are best unspoken when they injure others. To be gracious is a gift from the Lord, because it is not self centered. What did Jesus say as recorded in Rev. 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any one hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come into him and will sup with him, and he with me.” There is one whom we will always praise as He thankfully invites us to come into His presence . “Praise the LORD, I will praise the LORD with my whole heart in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation. The works of the LORD are great, sought out of them that have pleasure therein. His work is honorable and glorious; and His righteousness endures forever. He has made His wonderful works to be remembered: THE LORD IS GRACIOUS AND FULL OF COMPASSION. He sent redemption to His people: and commanded His covenant forever: holy and reverend is His name.” Ps.111 May we all be taught by our gracious Living God.

THE LIVING GOD IS OUR HELP

Posted on November 16, 2018 by Barbara Jones

DO YOU NEED #HELP? At sometime I believe we all need #assistance. With #catastrophes constantly being shown in real time before us on world news via #internet and #tv, we see death, destruction, and chaos evident all around. It seems to me that the entire world is in upheaval with hurricanes, floods, fires, tornados, earthquakes, rockets, wars, invasions, murders, and crimes. So what can I do? “They helped every one his neighbor; and everyone said to his brother, ‘Be of good courage for the carpenter encouraged the (workers) with the nails and rebuilding.”Is.41:6 There are many charitable organizations that give assistance and even numerous loving individuals that provide support, but the devastation has to be faced. How? I think it is a personal one on one encounter which determines the battle. How? Ask GOD! “In my trouble, I cried to the LORD, and He answered me” Ps.120:1 “My help comes from the LORD who made heaven and earth. The LORD IS YOUR KEEPER” Ps.121:1-5 “GOD is our refuge and strength, a VERY PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE. Do not fear though the earth be removed and mountains carried into the sea…the heathen rage, the kingdoms removed…He makes wars to cease unto the end of the earth…Be still and know that I Am GOD..the LORD OF hosts is with us” Ps.46 The word of God is truth..Is.41:10,13 “Fear not; for I AM with you; be not dismayed for I AM YOUR GOD: I will strengthen you, I WILL HELP YOU, yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness...I THE LORD YOUR GOD will hold your right hand, while saying to you, “FEAR NOT, I WILL HELP YOU” Choose today who you call for aide, but as for me- I will call upon the LORD. God has a 24 hr. helpline!

THE LIVING GOD’S REWARD

Posted on November 8, 2018 by Barbara Jones

Have you ever been given a #reward for something you did? Maybe you turned in a wanted criminal and received #money. I have been rewarded throughout my life from others when they just said, “Thank You” for simple acts of caring for them through cards, food, listening, and loving. None of these gestures on my part are outstanding, but they do require making a choice whether to give time and thought to others! As I observe families and groups today, I am amazed how self absorbed our society has become. Proverbs 11:21-31 gives us some very choice words “One who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind and the fool shall be servant to the wise of ♥heart. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life and he that wins souls is wise. The righteous shall be rewarded in the earth.” Sometimes we think no one pays attention to us or sees us, but God sees us all. “Love the Lord for He preserves the faithful and GOD PLENTIFULLY REWARDS THE DOER. Be of good courage, He shall strengthen your heart♥, all you who hope in the LORD.”Ps.31:23,24. Now is the time to think where you are spending your time and to whom or what you are giving all your attention. One day we shall find out God sees, hears, and knows all. That day is coming …Rev.22:12 “JESUS said, I come quickly; and MY REWARD IS WITH ME TO GIVE TO EVERYONE ACCORDING TO THEIR WORK.”

THE LIVING GOD IS THE MEDIATOR

Posted on November 1, 2018 by Barbara Jones

How many #opinions do you hear in a day on TV or online? Are you inundated with #political ads and robo calls? How many of the #judge shows do you watch where the judge has to mediate between two plaintiffs? I have this picture in my mind of our society today in a constant court battle, How you say? Get the picture of our LORD – the JUDGE and before Him are all of us as plaintiffs , but only some have asked JESUS CHRIST TO BE THEIR MEDIATOR. We want our pitiful story heard, shouted, and rectified; however, there is the accuser’s opinion in the matter which can be more vociferous! So how do we resolve this upheaval today? I believe only through accepting THE MEDIATOR, JESUS CHRIST to cover our sins with His blood sacrifice before His Father, the Judge our LORD. “The mighty GOD may judge His people – for He is judge himself.”Ps.50:4,6 “Vengeance belongs unto the LORD. Again, the LORD shall judge His people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the LIVING GOD.”Heb.10:30,31 So what or who do you turn to now? “to JESUS THE MEDIATOR....see that you do not refuse His speaking. For if they did not escape that refused Him on earth, how much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him that speaks from heaven.” Heb.12:24 God’s Word is relevant right now Tim. 2:1-6 “Prayers, supplications, intercessions, and giving thanks for all men, kings, and all that are in authority so we may lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. There is one God, and one MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MEN, THE MAN CHRIST JESUS; who gave himself a ransom for ALL, to be testified in due time.”