THE LIVING GOD – HEARS

Posted on March 15, 2018 by Barbara Jones

Can you #hear me now? That is what others were asking me lately because the #flu settled in my #ear causing sound blockage! I know my neighbors could hear my audio devices while I relied on texts and closed captioning to augment the sound barrier. Communication is so vital and hearing is a blessing. When I was a thirteen, I was talking to some schoolmates who would always start talking before I finished a sentence. I finally ask them why they wouldn’t let me complete a thought. One answered, “You have a slow southern drawl and I can’t wait on you” You see I was from Texas and this was Denver, Colorado. Think they wanted me to ‘Go tell it on the mountain.’ Accents, languages, dialects, attitudes, and even disabilities hinder our ability to communicate effectively many times; however, there is someone who breaks down all enclosures! Who might that be? Ps.34:15, 17 “The EARS OF THE LORD ARE OPEN TO THE CRY OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND HE HEARS AND DELIVERS THEM OUT OF ALL THEIR TROUBLE” God will listen even when you have a slow southern accent like I still have or if you simply have trouble expressing yourself . God actually wants to hear from us. Our God is a gracious loving God. How many people do you know that want to hear what you have to say whether it is complaining or praising? Is.41:13,17 “For I the LORD thy GOD will hold your right hand, saying Fear not, I will help you…When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, their tongue fails for thirst, I THE LORD WILL HEAR THEM, I THE GOD OF ISRAEL WILL NOT FORSAKE THEM” GOD HEARS YOU

THE LIVING GOD – RENEWS

Posted on March 10, 2018 by Barbara Jones

https://youtu.be/E6uESxXkS84

Hang On! Have you felt like you are #teetering on the #edge? This morning as I looked out of my kitchen window at the popcorn tree and it was filled with #robins, #cardinals, #finches, baby #flickers, and #bluebirds. I could not even count all of them as they were hanging on twigs, perching, and swooping to get the last of the popcorn before the leaves emerge. My cup was filled with joy while sipping coffee as I watched God providing food for the birds. God renews His creation. His timing is perfect even to sustain the life of the birds and trees. We see emerging green leaves on the branches just in time for the spring growth and renewal. Those birds count of that tree for sustenance . I see the baby woodpecker returning to the same crook in the branch from year to year. Where do you go for strength and renewal ? I turn to God as He renews and refreshes. “God gives power to the faint and to them that have no might, He increases strength. Even the youth shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but THEY THAT WAIT UPON THE LORD SHALL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH, they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint” Isaiah 40:29-31 After the flu this season, I needed to be reminded that God is the one who renews and to rejoice in His care! Rev.4:11 “Thou art worthy, O LORD, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou has created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” Just as I had so much pleasure watching the birds feasting in the popcorn tree this morning, I am reminded that we were created for God’s pleasure. What does He see? Hang with HIM!

THE LIVING GOD – COUNSELS

Posted on March 1, 2018 by Barbara Jones

Are you hearing from all the news sources that #counselors are needed to help people #cope with #life and #death tragedies. Well, I certainly agree; however, who is giving the aid? I have noticed promo’s for a new TV show making fun of the idea that one would try to live by the Bible. Today’s supposed intellects seem to promote their own idea of superiority which always starts with “I”. The great “I AM – LORD” is left out of priority and in His place the focus has become Me, Me, Me! Where do you go for help? Ps.33:10,11 “The LORD BRINGS THE COUNSEL OF THE HEATHEN TO NOTHING -BRINGING THE DEVICES OF THESE PEOPLE INEFFECTIVE. THE COUNSEL OF THE LORD STANDS FOREVER THE THOUGHTS OF HIS HEART TO ALL GENERATIONS” Everyone wants to have the best, most informed, intelligent, physician, yet our present society wants to self prescribe their own reality which is leading to disaster. In the book of Job we can read about all the ‘friends and observers’ who gave Job advice during his travail which amounted to no more than ‘just curse God and die’. That sounds like some philosophy heard today ‘just live until you die!’ or ‘what is wrong is right and what is right is wrong’. There is no hope or joy in this fatalistic thinking which leaves God out of our life. Job gave a word to his nah sayers in Job 12:13 “With GOD IS WISDOM AND STRENGTH, HE HAS COUNSEL AND UNDERSTANDING” My prayer is that we shall call for counseling from THE COUNSELOR….”O LORD, THOU ART MY GOD; I WILL EXALT THEE, I WILL PRAISE THY NAME; FOR THOU HAS DONE WONDERFUL THINGS; THY COUNSELS OF OLD ARE FAITHFULNESS AND TRUTH.” The Bible does proclaim that God counsels us through His Word if we seek and listen.

THE LIVING GOD – SAVES

Posted on February 22, 2018 by Barbara Jones

Days seem to fly by like the #speed ⇒of motion constantly propelled with more thrust. I can remember becoming a teenager in #Amarillo, #Texas during the #1950s when cars and people were very colorful. Yes, poodle skirts and bobby socks were the rage to wear while driving around in an aqua convertible! The days were filled with hope and anticipation of things to come and come they did. You see the #Billy Graham Crusade came to our football stadium. They had an organized team that prepared christian volunteers to counsel individuals that came forward during the invitation repenting of their sin and accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior. I was blessed to have been a teen counselor who was trained by Billy’s ministers on how ‘to listen and share how Jesus Saves’. What a privilege to have heard those passionate sermons delivered by Billy Graham and then to have walked down the bleachers onto the football field side by side with someone seeking Jesus. I shall always be thankful for the privilege of hearing Billy Graham and then learning from his team ways to share God’s abundant love with others. Baptists churches had a goal which stated “A Million More in ’54” so we would tell others that Jesus Saves. This training and experience influenced me into my college years. During my senior year at #Hardin Simmons University, I was teaching a Sunday School class of eleventh grade girls who began having personal quiet times with reading the Bible and prayer. I ask them if they wanted to come over to my dorm to talk about ways of sharing Jesus. So we had our girl time when I pointed out a list of scriptures from my Granny written in the back of my Bible which were followed by the principles and scriptures used in the Billy Graham Crusade.⇒John 3:16-18 “GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE. FOR GOD SENT NOT HIS SON INTO THE WORLD TO CONDEMN THE WORLD; BUT THAT THE WORLD THROUGH HIM MIGHT BE SAVED. He that believes on Him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” Matt.1:21″JESUS SHALL SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS” Acts 16:30,31 “WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED? Paul and Silas said to the prisoners, “BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND YOU WILL BE SAVED” Joel 2:32 “WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED” These were my Granny’s list: + 1. Repent – Luke 13:5 + 2. Believe – Romans 10:4 +3.Receive – John 1:12 +4.Confess -Matt. 10:32 +5.Obey -John 14:15 ….. THE LIVING GOD SAVES….. yesterday, today, eternally

THE LIVING GOD – GOODNESS

Posted on February 15, 2018 by Barbara Jones

“Where do I turn to?” are lyrics of a song from yesteryear, but very appropriate for today. The horrific fatal shootings in our schools which occurred because of deranged minds have all authorities concerned and contemplating solutions which could stop future tragedies. I observe evil emboldened everywhere in our society today by the news, internet, movies, tv, and in peoples’ language and actions! Everyone wants to be noticed, but do our actions have consequences? What does God have to do with it? What does God have to do with schools? Psalm 27:11-14 gives us a pathway to goodness “TEACH ME THY WAY, O LORD and lead me in a plain path, because of my enemies. Deliver me from the will of my enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me and such breathe out cruelty. I WOULD HAVE FAINTED UNLESS I HAD BELIEVED TO SEE THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, I say, wait on the LORD.” My prayer is that we shall listen and learn and obey the Word of the Living God now and forever. “Why boast about yourself in mischief, O mighty man? GOODNESS OF GOD ENDURES CONTINUALLY.” Ps.52:1 Like the pop song of old was asking then ‘where do I turn?’ I can tell you to whom I turn in times like these — “Let the wicked be ashamed and be silent in the grave, and let the lying lips be put to silence which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous. O HOW GREAT IS GOD’S GOODNESS WHICH HE HAS LAID UP FOR THEM THAT FEAR HIM; WHICH GOD HAS WROUGHT FOR THOSE THAT TRUST IN HIM BEFORE THE SONS OF MEN!” Ps.31:17-19

THE LIVING GOD – HEART

Posted on February 8, 2018 by Barbara Jones

#HEARTS are displayed all around us in February. #Mojis depict all manner of ways to immediately display heart felt emotions to loved ones with one touch on your #IPhone. While our #technology has surged forward, has it improved our communication skills? I observe that the IPhone truly has emboldened the magnitude of “I”. Self centeredness is sooo apparent today. Notice your conversations or communications that start with “I”. Can you remember the last time that you actually put someone else’s needs before your own wants? Acquiring abundance seems to me to be evident on TV all the while setting life style examples for excessiveness. “Jesus said, ‘Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is there will your heart be also‘ Matt.6:20,21″ What does that have to do with my heart, you ask? I attribute this attitude to a hardened heart. “If you hear God’s voice, do not harden your hearts.” Heb.4:7 What happens to a hard heart? It turns black because their is no life blood flowing through it. “May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.” 11Thess.3:5 Now we were made in the image of God; so does GOD have a heart? Psalm 33:11 says “The COUNSEL and PLANS of the LORD’S HEART STANDS FOREVER FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION” May we ask the Lord for a red, red flowing beating heart not hardened with the burdens of sin by claiming Psalm 51 as our own. “Deliver me from blood guiltiness O God, my salvation. Purify me, wash me, and CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART” !! ALERT!! – You have a message..Direct from GOD …*Father, God is sharing from His Heart His Undying Love for YOU by giving you ‘the gift’ of eternal life via the sacrificial, substitutional death on the cross of His Only Son, Jesus Christ *… ACCEPTANCE REQUIRED…

THE LIVING GOD – JUSTICE

Posted on February 2, 2018 by Barbara Jones

https://youtu.be/hMPCNrWNCg8

Have you ever heard so many #controversial #opinions by supposedly intelligent people who are filling our #phones, #computers, #radios, and #televisions with their agenda! I don’t know about you, but I am tired of ‘their opinion’. “Just give me the facts, Mame!” Truth via 2018 communication seems hard to attain. One would think with all our technology that truth could be acquired. Is it man or machine or GOD that holds the key to justice? Jesus tells a parable to show that at all times we ought to pray and not lose heart which is recorded in Luke 18:2-8 “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God, and did not respect man. There was a widow in that city who kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent’ For awhile he was unwilling, but afterward, he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, lest by continually coming she wear me out’ Lord said, ‘Hear what the unrighteous judge said: now shall not God bring about justice for His elect, who cry to Him day and night and will He delay long over them? I TELL YOU THAT HE WILL BRING ABOUT JUSTICE FOR THEM SPEEDILY” God has no need for our lie detectors to know if someone is telling the truth. Ps.89:14 “Righteousness and JUSTICE are the foundation of the Lord’s throne: lovingkindness and truth go before Thee. ” I want to read and listen to God’s Word as He sheds light on the many worldly words spoken today. John 8:31,21 Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, then you are truly my disciples, and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free!”

THE LIVING GOD HEALED

Posted on January 26, 2018 by Barbara Jones

#Flu has been rampant everywhere this year! I had to get it too…and it does not want to leave the premises. With all of our modern #medicine , #physicians, and #facilities the #viruses and #bacteria are still rampant. I have had all the warm soups, teas, salt and water gargles, nose drops, aspirin and decongestants, but this ‘bug’ lingers on. I can only image how anxious the Centurion was when he approached Jesus in Capernaum, beseeching him, saying,”Lord, my servant lies at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.. Jesus said unto him, ‘I WILL COME AND HEAL HIM'” Matthew 8:5-7,13 “the servant was healed in the selfsame hour.” Then it is recorded that Jesus went into Peter’s house where He saw the mother of Peter’s wife who was sick and lying down with a fever. Matt. 8:14-17 “Jesus touched her hand and the fever left her: she arose, and waited on them. With evening they brought unto Him many that were possessed with devils: and He cast out spirits with His Word, and HE HEALED ALL THAT WERE SICK: that it might be fulfilled (come true) that spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself (Jesus) took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.” In the book of James 5:13-16 it states: “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray…the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins they will be be forgiven…confess your faults.. pray for one another that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” May I just say thank you LORD for hearing my prayers, for forgiving my trespasses, and for performing miraculous healings this very hour ! I believe the WORD OF THE LORD.