THE LIVING GOD – BEAUTY

Posted on May 17, 2018 by Barbara Jones

There is #beauty all around us especially this time of the year as everything has #fresh new leaves with beautiful #blooms. Growing up on the Texas panhandle we didn’t have many trees or blossoms without pampering them with extra water and care. So…this enabled me to I have a full view of the magnificent color of the spectacular sunsets. Through the years now I have lived in the mountains, by the seashore, on the plains, in desert basins,which have been in cities and farming communities that enabled me to see God’s beautiful creations wherever He has placed me. I realized all of this is a reflection of the Creator. Zech.9:17 “How great is GOD’S BEAUTY” Isaiah 33:17 “Your eyes shall see HIM IN HIS BEAUTY” 1Chron.16:29 “Worship the LORD IN THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS” As we spend time with friends, we tend to take on some of their demeanor in our speech, outlook, and makeup. I had two unusual experiences last year after turning eighty. I was in a hardware store when one of the lady employees came to help me with a purchase and she said, “You are beautiful.” I said, “thank you!” In all my years, I had never had anyone say that – much less now. Then several months later, I was standing in line at the post office when a young man walked in to stand behind me and he said, “Madam, I just want to tell you that you are beautiful” Now I know God works in mysterious ways; however, my after thought to their commits was that they may have noticed a reflection of my Lord with whom I spend the most time! “LORD takes pleasure in His people: HE WILL BEAUTIFY THE MEEK WITH SALVATION” Ps. 149:4 “LET THE BEAUTY OF THE LORD BE UPON US” Ps.90:17

THE LIVING GOD – DAY

Posted on May 10, 2018 by Barbara Jones

In #America we have named a #day for all sorts of #events, #animals, and #people. As a child (many moons ago) I only remember about 8 days during a year that were celebrated; however today it seems everyday has been labeled for someone or something. While reading God’s Word, the Bible I am amazed by the coming Day of the Lord. Time passes so much faster for me with each passing year, so I can only image God’s calendar. 11Peter 3:8-15 “beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some me are; but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance THE DAY OF THE LORD WILL COME as a thief in the night; the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with intense heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing that all these things shall be destroyed, what manner of persons ought we to be in all our living as we look for and earnestly desire the COMING OF THE DAY OF GOD….nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells…..We are to look for such things and be diligent that we may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless through (Jesus Christ) considering the long-suffering of our LORD IS SALVATION.“ Yes, there will be a Day of Reckoning –the Bible tells me so! Is the Lord on your Daytimer?

THE LIVING GOD – I COME

Posted on May 3, 2018 by Barbara Jones

While attending college at #Wayland in #Plainview, #Texas, Tommy (later to become my husband) had the privilege of being a summer missionary in #Jamaica. This gave him a lifelong love for the people which prompted him to lead the church he pastored to go, serve, share, and teach the Bible there each summer. All of our family were privileged to be apart of those trips which made a lasting imprint on each of our lives. I remember the Jamaican people walking, singing, and talking with a joyful spirit. As I would say, “Please come at 10:00a.m. for Bible School” The reply would always be, “Me soon come!” You see, they walked dirt paths over hills, valleys and streams to get to their destination and most did not have watches. They would arrive, but not always on our timetable. That has been a profound lesson for me when I think of God’s coming again when He returns on His time! Hebrews 10:9-20 “I COME TO DO THY WILL, O GOD. He takes away the first, that He may establish the second…..by which we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” In His time, Jesus came once as our substitutionary sacrifice, but shall come again (on His time clock) to redeem His own! Rev. 22:12-13 JESUS SAID, “BEHOLD, I COME QUICKLY, and My reward is with me to give to every man according to his works. I AM ALPHA AND OMEGA, THE BEGINNING AND THE END” And ‘that’s all folks’ Jamaicans got it right with their phrase — Me Soon Come!

THE LIVING GOD – ENDURES

Posted on April 26, 2018 by Barbara Jones

Just how much can you #endure? It seems to me that there are more #diseases, #storms, #crimes, and #media #slanders each day portrayed in live video feeds from around the world. There is pain and suffering in each of our lives through the life and death of loved ones. I have experienced sickness, childbirth, surgery, migraines and watched my children and grandchildren suffer ongoing disabilities. Through the years I have observed many people in public and private settings and the ones I have wanted to emulate have a calm assurance and peace that passes their circumstances! What made the difference that was being manifested? With further searching, I found they had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ who is the Messiah, Yeshua, the Light of the World, Glory of Israel, the Hope, the Redeemer, and their Salvation. God is the answer..Heb.12:1-3 “Seeing that we are compassed about with so many witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and sin which easily besets us and run with patience the race set before us by looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him ENDURED THE CROSS, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God for He endured such contradiction of sinners against Him.” We each have a limited lifespan — so what matters? 1Peter 1:23-25 “Be born again, not of corruptible seed, but incorruptible by the Word of God which lives and abides forever. For all flesh is as grass and the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withers and the flower falls away, but the WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER” I am putting my faith and trust in the Living God who endures forever. Psalm 117 “Praise the LORD FOR HIS MERCIFUL KINDNESS IS GREAT TOWARD US: AND THE TRUTH OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER”

THE LIVING GOD – JUDGE

Posted on April 11, 2018 by Barbara Jones

#America has become a #litigious #society! It seems to me that people think anything goes if it is what they desire without a minute of thought for others. My great grandfather Hancock was a U.S. Marshall in the 1900’s. He had arrested four outlaws on the Oklahoma/Texas border and as they approached the jail, he was shot in the back. Now that was lawless gang territory! Sound like today? I see a difference. Those outlaws did not have a lawyer to find a loophole in the law of justice to present to the judge. As a child I thought when the judge brought the gavel down that was a period to the sentence; however, age has opened my eyes to legal injustices. I have never heard so many different lawyers opinions on prosecuting our President and his associates. God has seen it all through the centuries and His Word never changes! Is.33:22 “LORD IS OUR JUDGE AND LAWGIVER” Have we forsaken Him and His Word? Get a clue – Ps.89:18″LORD IS OUR DEFENSE” Do we even have an inkling of GOD’S omnipotence? Hebrews chapter 10:26-31 “If we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins but a certain fearful looking judgment and fiery indignation which shall devour the God haters….for we know Him that said, ‘Vengeance belongs unto Me, I will recompense’, said the LORD. Again, THE LORD SHALL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the LIVING GOD.” Remember this day … we shall all come before THE JUDGE one day!

THE LIVING GOD – LAW

Posted on April 6, 2018 by Barbara Jones

All #news seems to be about #lawbreakers. Check it out on local #newscasts or the worldwide #web! If there is a statue prohibiting certain actions individuals seem to feel they have a right to circumvent anything that displeases them at that moment. Life without boundaries seems to be the goal for many today. It appears that some think all they need in life is a ruthless lawyer to allow them to slip through loopholes so they can do as they please. Their rule is do unto others before they do it to you! Never listening to ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!’ The Lord knew us from the start and gave us laws which are good for all. How do I know? The Bible tells me so! Ps.19:7,8 “The LAW OF THE LORD IS PERFECT, restoring the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure enlightening the eyes” Have you noticed society today endorses protection of their animals with invisible fencing, but does not recognize their own need for perimeters. Is.33:22 “LORD is our judge, the LORD IS OUR LAWGIVER” I think we need to stop, look, and listen to GOD’S LAW TODAY. Ps.40:8″I will do thy will, O my GOD: THY LAW IS WITHIN MY HEART” Ps. 119:142 “GOD’S righteousness is everlasting righteousness, and THY LAW IS THE TRUTH” Have you seen on TV the show Law Call? They all need a lawyer to file a case on their behalf ….Do you need Jesus to cover your sins before the highest Judge? Then follow God’s call. “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit….then have life and peace.“Rom.8:4,,6

THE LIVING GOD – SUFFERED

Posted on March 29, 2018 by Barbara Jones

Have you experienced #pain and#suffering? Most of us know about or have endured some miserable pain and the #heartache of prolonged suffering. Today we take a pain pill to make life bearable, but even that does not always work. God made our physical body with pain sensors to alert us of bodily distress. When Jesus Christ , God’s only son, was bodily here on earth, He experienced physical pain just like we do. As a carpenter occasionally misses a nail and the hammer hits a finger – ouch! We all know that smarts… As Jesus was maturing here, he felt all his scrapes and bruises; however, that was nothing compared to the weight of the cross. “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: …He has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows:…He was wounded for our transgressions,… He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him: with His stripes we are healed….He was oppressed … He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth:…He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter” Isaiah 53:4-7 Was there a purpose for all this suffering? What does the Bible say: 1Peter 3:18″Christ has once suffered for sins of the just and the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.“ 4:1,2″As CHRIST SUFFERED FOR US IN THE FLESH, strengthen yourselves with the same mind: for he that has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men but to the will of God. 19. wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” There is no substitute – now is the time to give your achey body and soul over to the Living God so you can be alive forevermore with Him.

THE LIVING GOD – AVENGER

Posted on March 22, 2018 by Barbara Jones

Do you ever feel like nobody #cares about you? This old saying “Nobody loves me everybody hates me – I’ll just go out and eat worms! first ones was easy, second one was greasy, and third one got stuck in my throat then I started crying like I was dying when I gotta a lump in my throat” pictures distress not a solution, but a cry for #HELP…Instead of worms are you trying #drugs,#alcohol, #tobacco, #opiods, or other #anxiety reliefs? In this world of #injustice, #sorrow, #tragedy, and travail, where do you turn for #comfort? TV in my opinion just exasperates turmoil. Is the music of the day soothing to your soul? I can tell you where I go to find solace and that is in God’s Word. 1Thessalonians 3:7 “brethren, we were comforted in all our affliction, suffering trouble, distress by your faith: for now we live, if you stand fast in the LORD“ Sometimes we are having such a pity party that we forget that we have an avenger, protector, intercessor if we only call on Him; however, there seems to be some who prefer enjoying personal desires. People flock to the AVENGER movies who never realize they have their own personal living avenger is GOD. 1Thess.3:11 “Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, directs our way unto you.” 4:6-9″No man defraud his brother in any matter; because the LORD IS THE AVENGER OF ALL SUCH…. For GOD HAS NOT CALLED US TO UNCLEANNESS, BUT UNTO HOLINESS. …GOD has given us HIS HOLY SPIRIT….for you yourselves are taught of GOD to love one another. 5:9 “God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our LORD JESUS CHRIST” Now we all have troubles, heartache,and trials, but we have a choice in where we deliver our stress. Do you internalize everything or turn it on all those around you? Do you whisper or scream your distress? The Lord can handle it – if you only repent (for we all have sinned) and ASK GOD TO BE YOUR AVENGER