#Springtime brings a burst of yoshino cherry tree blossoms resembling pink cotton candy on a stick throughout our beautiful city landscape. My family tries to get together here to enjoy the magnificent splendor of thousands of blooming trees that may endure only days. This year we all went by our family grave site to check on the head stones. As we were walking up, my daughter, Jeanetta noticed that all the yellow pollen had covered the name and scripture engraving. She went back to her car where she retrieved a cleaning rag and started polishing the script. This act of love made me remember what Psalm 135 says about the Lord’s Memorial written on the Word. 13.”THY NAME, O LORD, ENDURES FOREVER; and THY MEMORIAL, O LORD THROUGHOUT ALL GENERATIONS” Do you need to polish up His Word so that you can KNOW HIM AND MAKE HIM KNOWN….
Author: Barbara Jones
The LIVING GOD #RISEN
Looking for the #Easter bunny with chicken #eggs or #Santa with #flying #reindeer? Are you #amazed at the #yarns we spin over and over to #gullible #people to make #money and over shadow the #truth? Do story tellers take some truth from the Bible and try to give God’s attributes to fictional entities? When Jesus, God’s Sinless Son, was crucified and died on the cross for our transgressions (sins), He was able to reconcile us to God the Father if we ask forgiveness and choose to follow Him. Jesus overcame death and the grave; He Arose the Victor. Mark 16 records three women Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome taking spices to anoint Jesus’ dead body in the spulchre at the rising of the sun. When they saw that the heavy stone was rolled away from the entrance they looked inside where a young man clothed in a long white garment said to them, “Be not affrighted you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who has been crucified; HE IS RISEN; He is not here: here is the place where they laid Him. Go your way, tell His disciples and Peter that He goes before you into Galilee: there shall you see Him, just as He said to you.” Now this is to be record is to be shared for when Jesus met with the eleven He said unto them, “Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he who disbelieved shall be condemned.” Then after the Lord spoke to them He was received up into heaven and SAT on the right hand of God.” Remember at His trial that the high priest had ask him, Are you the Christ the Son of the Blessed: Jesus said, “I am; and you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven” Keep looking UP
THE LIVING GOD #SAT
#Riding on any #animal which has not been trained is just #looking for a #tumble! Being raised in Texas where rodeos made bareback riding an art and encouraged the young that they could do it. I remember my father telling our neighbors that “his” five yr. old daughter could stay on the young calf we had in the back lot a longer time than anyone. So he had his own kid’s rodeo that day with each ride timed to see which one lasted the longest before being bucked off. (Yes, his only child held on) I learned at a very young age, that riding on a beautiful horse in an arena or parade is very majestic not like my calf. When I read in Mark 11 about Jesus riding on a young colt into the streets of Jerusalem, I was and am still enthralled by His humility and majesty. “as Jesus had commanded (his two disciples) brought the colt to Jesus and put their garments on him; and JESUS SAT upon the colt..many people spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees and and strayed them in the road..they went before and followed, cried, saying Hosanna; Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord!” Yet, we know Jesus took the greatest tumble/fall/death in just a few days after this triumphal entry not because of his shortcoming, but FOR the sin of man. Just think. “Psalm 68:4 ..Extol GOD that RIDES UPON THE HEAVENS by His name JAH and rejoice before Him. 33. LORD RIDES UPON THE HEAVENS which were of old; He sends out His voice and that a mighty voice ascribe the strength unto GOD” (YES, GOD’S ONLY SON WON THE VICTORY IN THE FINAL RACE OF DEATH)
The LIVING GOD #TRUTH
“What you #talkin bot?” (Remember that saying from an old #TV #series?) That is what I want to say to the #politicians as they are #bantering about their “truth of the day” Truth is not like choosing the special of the day which is determined by the desire for the moment. 11Timothy3 “This know that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves…trucebreakers, false accusers…lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 7.ever learning and never able to come to the KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH” Webster says truth conforms to fact or reality by being in accord with what is or has been and must conform to rule; exactness; correctness. In other words, truth is truth which God’s Word proclaims from the beginning to the end and to all generations . How do I know? The Bible tells me so..Ps.100:5 “For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and HIS TRUTH ENDURES to all generations.” Ps.117:2 “TRUTH OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER” John 14:6 “JESUS SAID, ‘I am the way, THE TRUTH, and the life, no man comes unto the Father, but by me.’ 16:13 ‘when the SPIRIT OF TRUTH comes, he will guide you into ALL TRUTH.” 17:17 “Sanctify them through God’s TRUTH; THY WORD IS TRUTH”
The LIVING GOD #CLOTHED
#Seasonal #change is upon us as #Spring takes on a beautiful new #dressing. We look in our closet to see what clothes work and are in fittin’ form to be worn. All my family have a mutual joke about my wardrobe as they winkingly say, “It’s the uniform, again”! You see, I like an outfit that “feels good.” Yes, some of mine have been through the wash many times. I know my favorite clothes cannot last, because fabric wears away with time. What in the world does not degrade? Only our Lord and Savior! Psalm 93 tells us the Lord’s clothing is everlasting! You say, “What are you talking about?” I think all the writers for these super heroes in science fiction comics, series, and movies get their ideas on dress, powers, and superior intellect from the Bible. You see God is his own designer, manufacturer, writer, producer and director. v1.&2.”The Lord reigns, HE IS CLOTHED WITH MAJESTY; THE LORD IS CLOTHED WITH STRENGTH, wherewith HE HAS GIRDED HIMSELF; the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved. His throne is established of old: thou are from EVERLASTING.” v3.4.5. “The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves. The LORD on high is MIGHTIER than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea. Thy testimonies are very sure: HOLINESS becomes thy house , O LORD FOR EVER.” Are you looking for a new spring outfit? Choose Jesus as your covering! “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have CLOTHED YOURSELF WITH CHRIST” Gal.3:27
THE LIVING GOD #JOY
#Pain, #tragedy, #storms, #death, #sickness, #divorce, #murder, #politics,and #wars are constantly before us on the daily #news. How do those sights and sounds affect you? Well they leave me feeling mighty helpless evaluating todays’ situations! From my own perspective, I realize that dispare is coming through my reasoning.”Lean not to your own understanding, Trust in the LORD with all your heart.” Prov.3:5 Could I be like the character in Charlie Brown who walks around with a rain cloud over his head which is filled with gloom? Paul writes in Colossians ” That you may walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with JOYFULNESS, giving thanks unto the Father…..who delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins….As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him” When Ezra read the law of the Lord before the people they wept! Then he said to them eat/drink make mirth because they had understood the words (of law of Lord) that were read to them…for the JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH. Neh.8 I want Paul’s walk with the Lord to be my example as he wrote in Acts 20 that after many trials, afflictions, and sicknesses. that he counts his life living for Jesus with praise. ” so that I might finish my course with JOY, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”
The LIVING GOD #LAW OF LOVE
Law – #order – #justice – #liberty – Sound like a TV series? The news gives more time and coverage to law breakers then those giving their lives upholding the law. As I have observed people from the 40’s until today, I see a totally self obsessed society! (selfies -snapchat -get the picture?) Listen to your recordings, most songs start with “I”. Indulgence of drugs and sex are seen as a pastime for the “meet all my needs” person who cannot see beyond his own nose. Self centered individuals think they are above or can get around all laws. Just get a lawyer! Where do YOU go to find the right opinion on law? Liars prefer to just make it up as it comes up? In God’s Word, the Bible, we find in Matthew 22:35-40 a lawyer asking Jesus Christ a question before the Pharisees and scribes “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the LAW? Jesus said to him, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND. This is the first and foremost commandment. The second is like unto it, YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. On these two commandments depend all the LAW and the Prophets.” (Might want to read last weeks’ blog, my six year old neighbor taught me the meaning of this scripture)
The LIVING GOD #LOVINGKINDNESS
LOVINGKINDNESS comes in various #times, #places, #packages, and #people. Can you remember #receiving or #giving lovingkindness? I shall never forget MB, my first grade next door neighbor playmate. Well let’s start at the beginning …My grandmother brought me a beautiful golden tabby kitten for my birthday and I loved my “pitysang” ( I had no front teeth and couldn’t pronounce “pretty thing”) I would dress her in my babydoll’s dress, cap, booties, and lay her on her back so I could cover her with a blankie in my doll stroller carriage. Then I was ready to go knock of MB’s door to come out and strole with us on the sidewalk. Afterwards we would park the stroller, free pitysang from doll clothes, and all three would climb the umbrella tree in the front yard where we each had our favorite limb. So fun! Then one day I came home from school ready to do my piano practice where Pitysang would sit on the piano bench next to me. No Pitysang! Mother said she was outside so I got MB to help me – call and search. We found her lying by the back fence in a very weak state! I picked her up, carried her inside for Mother to fix her (poisoned)- Instead as I carried her in the bathroom, she died in my arms. I was sobbing, well- whaling really. MB had gone home (do you blame him he was six) I heard a knock on the backdoor and Mother came in to me and said MB wanted to see me. There he was with tears on his cheeks holding out his hand to me and said, “I’ll give you this nickel if you’ll stop crying!” Mother gave us a shoebox and together we buried Pitysang in the back yard next to the blooming sweet peas. That was LOVINGKINDNESS which time does not erase from my mind! After learning to read the Bible, I realized that the greatest LOVINGKINDNESS is recorded in GOD’S WORD. Ps.69:16 “LORD, thy LOVINGKINDNESS IS GOOD: turn unto me according to the multitude of they tender mercies.” Ps.118:1 “Give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good; for His LOVINGKINDNESS IS EVERLASTING.“