THE LIVING GOD – REASONS

Posted on January 18, 2018 by Barbara Jones

Do you #talk to God? With whom do you #converse? I recently answered my #phone and I heard … “Hi, Grams!” I was surprised and said, “Well, Hello, Gabe” I was thrilled to be speaking to my 2 year old great grandson so I immediately spoke out ” I love you!” He then said, “Bye, Grams” I immediately called back to see if everyone was ok and learned he had gotten his grandfather’s phone, gone to the corner of the room and called me. Sometimes you just need to hear that you are loved! Do you have REASONS to call someone today? How long has it been since you called on our Heavenly Father to communicate and just hear His voice of reason, wisdom, compassion, and unfailing love! As I was reading Isaiah 1:17,18 His Word so clearly expounds His willingness to listen to our short comings! “Learn to do well; seek judgment, deal righteously with the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, said the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” Here in the south we just had a blanket of snow covering our landscape, but today it is disappearing. God’s word is everlasting His words never evaporate. When we follow God’s reason and call on Him to ask His forgiveness He hears our call through every storm of life….”in Christ Jesus our Lord: we have boldness and access with confidence Eph.3:12″ “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Heb.4:16″ Call the LORD, ….I know you will hear, “I AM LOVES YOU“

THE LIVING GOD – STEDFAST

Posted on January 11, 2018 by Barbara Jones

While watching the #History Channel’s series on the #Curse of #Oak #Island, in one episode the Lagina brothers discovered a map through an archival search on the island which had old #French writings with the name of a wealthy French nobleman, Rochefoucauld. The Laginas went to France to see his castle and talk with the 42nd generation about the family connection to Oak Island. (that’s another mystery) When Sonja Mastossian, the curator & decedent examined the writing on the map she observed one word that had been interpreted to mean ‘drink’ that in the old French dialect would be said for ‘West’. Now that changed the usefulness and direction 180 degrees! You say, “what is that to me?” I say, “that looks like a picture of our culture today.” How? – Words, words, words are being flipped upside down as far as east is from west. Society is policing speech by changing words to fit their own meaning and agenda! Just look in your older dictionary for word clarification and then the new definitions on the internet. Websters defines stedfast as”firmly in place – unchanging“. With that meaning of the word stedfast, the Bible attributes it to God by recording words spoken by king Darius in the book of Daniel chapter 6 verses 25,27-“king wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace ..unto you. .. I make a decree, that in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the GOD of Daniel: for HE is the LIVING GOD AND STEDFAST FOR EVER, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall be even unto the end. He delivers and rescues and He works signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, Who has delivered Daniel from the power (paw) of the lions.” The WORD matters yesterday, today, and forever!

THE LIVING GOD – IMMUTABLE

Posted on January 4, 2018 by Barbara Jones

Have you made a New Years #Resolution? What #change are you wanting to make in your life? As a child I always had a new #challenge -such as jacks, marbles, yo yo, jump rope, skates, baseball, tennis, bicycle, swimming, ballet, piano, horseback riding and then there was reading, writing, and arithmetic! It seems just as I was getting the right tempo that it was time to switch to the next challenge in my life. Yes, I still have the old cracked tennis racket, worn toe ballet shoes, catcher mitt & bat, ice skates; however, time has taken its tole on each. Even the marked white Bible I carried to Sunday School barely stays together after all the years. I looked in my annual from college and read comments which classmates wrote that they hoped I would always share God’s love with others. While I was looking back in time (feeling my age), God was bringing me up to date through His Word that HE is always the SAME, HE is UNCHANGING, He is IMMUTABLE The ONE that has not deteriorated in my life is Jesus Christ, the son of the Father, and the Holy Spirit – THE LIVNG GOD. “Wherein GOD, willingly showed unto the heirs of promise the IMMUTABILITY (permanent character of His word) that by two IMMUTABLE (unchanging) things it was impossible for God to lie, so we have strong consolation to have refuge by holding upon the hope set for us (which is in Jesus Christ) Heb.6:17-20 “JESUS CHRIST THE SAME YESTERDAY, AND TODAY, AND FOREVER.” Heb13:8 Hold on to the Lord in times like these when everything seems out of date and disposable. “Know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fulness of GOD.“ Eph.3:19 May you be filled this year.

THE LIVING GOD – GOOD PLEASURE

Posted on December 28, 2017 by Barbara Jones

What brings pleasure to you? Do you enjoy: controlling a robot, driving a new car, climbing a mountain, eating a fabulous meal, reading a good book, watching movies, playing games, being in a crowd, or just having solitude? It seems to me that I am living in a pleasure seeking society that wants “anything” that will let them escape reality. In Jonathan Cahn’s – The Book Of Mysteries , he writes in The Mind Binders “since the head is what rules your life….The secret is to take the Word of God and bind it to your mind, to your thoughts, to your emotions, and to your will.” Now what does that have to do with God’s good pleasure? Have you ever even thought that God could have delight or is He always consumed with ruling, punishing, and controlling? The Living God has infinite authority and enjoyment forever more. Miracle of miracles, He has pleasure in you and me and He is going to share His kingdom with us. How do I know..the Bible tells me so! Luke 12:23,31,32 “Life is more than food, and the body is more that clothes..seek not what you eat, drink nor be doubtful minded..but rather seek the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you..Fear not, …IT IS YOUR FATHER’S GOOD PLEASURE TO GIVE YOU THE KINGDOM.” With our mind we make choices. Choose Christ..”Let this MIND be in YOU which was also in CHRIST JESUS. that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. FOR IT IS GOD WHO WORKS IN YOU BOTH TO WILL AND TO DO OF HIS GOOD PLEASURE.” Philippians 2 Are you bringing pleasure to GOD?

THE LIVING GOD – IMMANUEL

Posted on December 21, 2017 by Barbara Jones

https://youtu.be/Xc9Z43YPF-Q

As I opened my Christmas cards this year, I was amazed. Each of them had #Peace or #Rest or #Calm with a blue and white template. Very telling about this year’s #need. Through the years I have observed jingle bells, santa, snow scenes with churches. warm fireplaces and even Xmas on cards, but the manager scenes were the main spotlight on the cards which I received. Today fewer people even send cards in this email – text society; however, I do enjoy a beautiful hand picked card thoughtfully chosen by a friend which has been delivered to me personally. You know God has written each of us a personal message through His Word which was delivered in person by His Son – IMMANUEL – JESUS. Isaiah, the prophet, first foretold us in Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign -Behold a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name IMMANUEL.” Matthew 1:22-23 “Now all this took place that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet (Isaiah) might be fulfilled, saying..BEHOLD THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME ‘IMMANUEL’ which translated means ‘GOD WITH US‘.” Send a card, send a text, shout it out – Jesus, son of God, Immanuel, is GOD WITH US who is the prince of peace!

THE LIVING GOD – ENLIGHTENS

Posted on December 14, 2017 by Barbara Jones

Are your #Christmas #lights on? Do you use #candles, colored lights, spot lights, twinkling ones or all the fore mentioned? I love natural beeswax candles. In fact on my Christmas tree, I even have some beeswax angel ornaments that imminate a warm glow when the light passes through them. Candles not only shed light, but give such a warm luster to everything and everyone around them. I think food tastes better illuminated by candle light. I have had many different lighted Christmas trees in my lifetime. There have been live ones, flocked ones, artificial ones, but every tree had some lights. Some lights lasted longer, some were prettier than others, but each had a way of illuminating my hopes and dreams through the triumphs and tragedies I was facing. When painting with oils on a canvas, I have been amazed how light on dark makes a picture come to life. The Bible tells us it is His Light that gives us Life…Psalm 18:28 “FOR THOU WILL LIGHT MY CANDLE: THE LORD MY GOD WILL ENLIGHTEN MY DARKNESS” … Is His light on in your life?

THE LIVING GOD – EYES

Posted on November 30, 2017 by Barbara Jones

This morning I was awakened to the sound of a #leaf#blower. I arose, dressed, and scurried outside to confer with my yardman because it was the wrong day and hour for mowing. He informed me that his schedule was changed as he had to go out of town. As I return inside to get a cup of coffee to sip, take a seat, and then slip on my reading glasses so I can see the Word from my Bible, I start sneezing! My glasses slip off -I put them on -ah-chew – off – sneeze – I saw the lights! This goes on and on. My eyes are watering, ears are itching, my nose is running, my heart is fluttering, and the tissues are flying. I get up head to the bathroom to brush the pollen out of my hair and wash my hands and face. I then refresh my cup of coffee, return to my chair, and resume my time with God’s Word. I carefully place the reading glasses over my nose so my eyes can read the written words of the Bible. My eyes, nose, and ears are still itchy, but I will not touch them as I open the page to Psalm 33:13,18;34:15 “THE LORD LOOKS FROM HEAVEN” – “Behold, the EYE OF THE LORD IS UPON THEM THAT FEAR HIM, UPON THEM THAT HOPE IN HIS MERCY” – “THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE UPON THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ARE OPEN UNTO THEIR CRY” Have you ever felt the presence of the LIVING GOD as you sit in chaos?

THE LIVING GOD – FIRSTFRUITS

Posted on November 16, 2017 by Barbara Jones

What thoughts come to you when you think about Thanksgiving? Food just might come to mind. I know we all have a picture of that perfectly basted turkey with dressing/gravy. As a child my favorite dish was the fruit salad with all the fresh apples, bananas, pineapple, oranges which were topped with whipped cream. Way back in the 40’s, fruit was only available during it’s growing season, but on special holidays they would have limited supplies of fruits from the tropics. Today our grocery stores make fresh foods available year round that come from around the world via transport and refrigeration. I wonder if that has given many a sense of entitlement with gratitude and thankfulness being tossed aside. As you enjoy this Thanksgiving would you read with me about the Firstfruits in 1Corth. 15:20-28 “NOW IS CHRIST RISEN FROM THE DEAD, AND BECOME THE FIRSTFRUITS OF THEM THAT DIED. For like Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive, but every man in his own order: CHRIST THE FIRSTFRUITS; afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to GOD, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death…When all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto Him that put all things under him, that GOD MAY BE ALL IN ALL.” Thank you, LORD…