THE LIVING GOD #VICTORY

Posted on July 13, 2017 by Barbara Jones

Are you a #winner? Do you like to be on the winning side? I know I do! Tommy used to say, “If there is a contest on TV – even battlebots -my wife will watch it.” That is true as I like to see the overcomer. Victory is sweet.. Today, victories take a back seat to all the tragedies constantly bombarding our airways as the headlines seem to dwell on losers..murder…tragedy…drugs…depression. Newsflash…..You can be victorious. Yes-You can have victory even in this downcast world in which we live. How ? Let me share God’s Word. 1Corth.15:53-57 “When corruptible shall put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting: O grave, where is thy victory: The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. but thanks be to God, who gives us the VICTORY through our LORD JESUS CHRIST.“ At the age of four, my favorite book was ‘The Little Engine That Could’; however, as I matured God enlightened me to the fact that He was my internal power source and there is no victory without Jesus Christ. 1John5:4,5 “Whosoever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the VICTORY that overcomes the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

THE LIVING GOD’S – WORLD

Posted on July 6, 2017 by Barbara Jones

What kind of a #world #view do you have? Has it changed over the years? I know my opinions fluctuated with #wars, #terrorists, #dictators, and threats of mass #destruction. I remember a Coke commercial, “I’d love to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony!” (that was many years ago) Long before that jingle, I was singing, “Jesus loves all the children of the world – – they are precious in His sight” You see I still hold to the same truth I have found in the Word of God – let’s start at the very beginning (a very good place to start) Gen. 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” Ps.24:1 “The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; THE WORLD AND THEY THAT DWELL THEREIN.” Is.54:5 “THE GOD OF THE WHOLE EARTH SHALL HE BE CALLED” Col.1:16 “by Him all things were created, both in heaven and earth, visible and invisible whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created by Him and for Him“ Our world was created and is sustained by the Word of God; yet He gives us insight to our present situation. Want to know? 1John 4:1,2 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false teachers have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God: for every spirit that does not confess Jesus…is an antichrist. 2:2″Jesus Christ is the propitiation for our sins and not ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” We may be perplexed daily with all the wars and rumors of wars and turmoil in our personal lives. How do we respond? We can overcome…”Whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world –our faith and who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” 1John 5:4,5

THE LIVING GOD – LIBERTY

Posted on June 29, 2017 by Barbara Jones

What does #liberty mean to you? #Freedom? #Rights? #Immunity? As a child of four, I remember my father and my mothers’ three brothers were all in the armed forces fighting for me in WWll. (that’s what mother said) I would hear FDR talking over the radio and feel afraid for my loved ones surrounded with bullets and bombs. So many lives were lost; however, all of my family came home – even Uncle Gerald received a silver star at the age of 23. In 1940’s, I felt our entire country was working together to stop the Nazi takeover. Then a shift came from the rebellious 1960s forward with free love, peaceniks, riots, marches, drugs, and hate speech which were all done under the banner of rights! Confusing? Let’s turn to God’s Word – the Bible for Truth and clarity. “When you turn to the Lord the veil shall be taken away . Now the Lord is that Spirit: and WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS, THERE IS LIBERTY.” llCor.3:16,17 Now that is the first Truth we need to acknowledge – liberty is with the Spirit of the Lord! “We are troubled on every side yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair. We have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us”llCor.4:6,7 “Stand fast in the LIBERTY wherewith CHRIST HAS MADE US FREE. YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED UNTO LIBERTY (FREEDOM); ONLY DO NOT USE FREEDOM (RIGHTS) INTO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FLESH, BUT THROUGH LOVE SERVE ONE ANOTHER” Gal.5:1,13 Are you seeing God’s Liberty – we are free to serve and love others! You say, “What’s in it for me?” Let me tell you …James1:25 “One who LOOKS INTENTLY AT THE PERFECT LAW, THE LAW OF LIBERTY and ABIDES BY IT, not having become a forgetful hearer, but an effectual doer this MAN SHALL BE BLESSED IN WHAT HE DOES.”

THE LIVING GOD #HERE

Posted on June 22, 2017 by Barbara Jones

Who? What? Where? #News Flash…#GOD IS HERE! You say, “Take a look around…#violence abounds prompted by hate, rage, and terror!” What do you watch? Where do you go? Who is your friend? Do you think that all the time we spend watching, reading, and listening to worldly opinions are making us more enlightened to follow their philosophy? I believe we all have a choice to make everyday as to how we spend our time… what we do…where we go…who accompany’s us. Have you made time for the Lord? Before I hear the news or talk to others, I start my day reading God’s Word the Bible. You see, I want to go to the true source, My Creator, Sustainer for the Living God is here in my life. I just read Isaiah 58 and 59. May I share with you, 58:2 “they seek me daily and delight to know My ways, as a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of Me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching God.” 59:2 “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.” Does that sound familiar? Be informed GOD IS HERE to all who will turn from the evil and call upon Him..58:9 “Then you shall call, and the LORD shall answer; cry out, and He shall say, HERE I AM….14 then you will delight yourself in the LORD” Each of us have daily decisions to make, my prayers is that you will KNOW THE GREAT I AM IS HERE.

THE LIVING GOD PURGES (CLEANS)

Posted on June 15, 2017 by Barbara Jones

https://youtu.be/2Hk8mrz-YAI

Time to make a #clean sweep of things? I will admit it is hard for me to let things go whether it is people or objects. You see I have painfully been removing stored materials from a top shelf in a closet today. It is not easy for me to #purge/clean/remove things. (might have some Monk tendencies) Maybe you are one of the now generation who seems to think everything is disposable so you have no problem tossing and replacing. Infomercials are continually showing me the latest gadget to clean or remove the dirt and germs that plague all of us. Today healthy supplements are promoted to cleanse/purge our body from toxins that accumulate from bad dietary choices. We know that our physical body has to be washed and cared for properly to sustain our functioning capabilities but what about our spiritual self? Do you need to clean/purge your mouth from some of the things going in & out? Where are you going and staying? With whom are you keeping company? What spot in your life needs to be removed? Heb.9:14″…. the BLOOD OF CHRIST, who through the ETERNAL SPIRIT offered HIMSELF WITHOUT SPOT TO GOD, PURGES YOUR CONSCIENCE FROM DEAD WORKS TO SERVE THE LIVING GOD… 28..So CHRIST was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation..10:10 WE ARE SANCTIFIED THROUGH THE OFFERING OF THE BODY OF JESUS CHRIST ONCE FOR ALL.”

THE LIVING GOD #HOUSEHOLD

Posted on June 8, 2017 by Barbara Jones

The Hardin Simmons University Range Rider which is a publication for their alumni arrived at my household last week and I was enthralled. On the impressive cover is a picture of HSU’s new president with his wife and their five children which has the statement “We are family” framing the portrait. Then there are printed sub titles of articles stating ‘ CENTENARIANS of HSU’ and ‘LOVE STORIES from the FORTY ACRES’. Let me share some stories from the HSU’S household. This first one, I observed years ago when we were underclassmen. Bill ’59 & Sharon ’60 met through the BSU office where they were very active on campus. While sharing God’s love with others, they both became aware that they desired to lovingly spend their lives with each other and were married on Valentines Day. Years passed and they celebrated their 53rd anniversary Feb. 14, 2013 but on March 29, 2013 Sharon passed into Glory. I remember their preparation, dedication, and love for each other all the while wanting to serve and enrich God’s household through the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Thanks Bill for sharing your love! Now another thank you to an HSU alumni whose words are an inspiration. Mrs. Preslar age 103 advice to all – choose friends wisely. “Your companions are like the buttons on an elevator: they can either take you up or take you down” Who is your life companion? Who will never leave you or forsake you? Are you in the HOUSEHOLD OF GOD? “Now in Christ Jesus you who were sometimes far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. He is our peace who has made both one and broken down the middle wall of partition between us…..through Him we have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now you are no more strangers or foreigners, but FELLOWCITIZENS WITH THE SAINTS AND OF THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD.” Eph.2:13-19 Now that’s GOD’S FAMILY

THE LIVING GOD #HOPE

Posted on June 1, 2017 by Barbara Jones

“Hope you have a good day!” Perhaps someone said that to you recently or you received a #moji like that. If you listen to any newscast, I believe you will disheartened. Stories of #crimes, lies, abuse, violence and pure evil seem to be placed front and center on all communications today! If we hear someone actually saying that they hope we will have a good day, some may wonders if they are in touch with reality. I have so many loved ones and acquaintances who have major health problems, financial worries, and marital discord that can seem insurmountable. Is there hope in a hopeless society? I say yes! My source comes from GODS WORD – THE BIBLE. “Thou, LORD, are my HOPE in the day of evil” Jeremiah 17:17 We certainly have evil all around us being presented day and night around the clock, but our God is more powerful. Who you gonna call? God is listening for your voice. Rom.15:6,13 “..with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. Now the GOD OF HOPE fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in HOPE, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” My e-mail to you today …’I pray that you shall be a conduit of hope via the power of the Holy Ghost.’

THE LIVING GOD #COVENANT

Posted on May 25, 2017 by Barbara Jones

Our #President has just traveled to #Israel and signed some #agreements (covenant) with them. While their meetings were taking place, I was reading 1Chronicles 16 during my daily Bible time where the Lord our God speaks of His covenant…concerning Israel. We consider a covenant to be (1) an agreement (2)a promise with legal validity (3) law (4) contract. Please read v.14 “He is the LORD OUR GOD; His judgments are in all the earth. 15. BE MINDFUL ALWAYS OF HIS COVENANT; the WORD WHICH HE COMMANDED TO A THOUSAND GENERATIONS; EVEN OF THE COVENANT WHICH HE MADE WITH ABRAHAM, AND OF HIS OATH UNTO ISAAC; AND CONFIRMED THE SAME TO JACOB FOR A LAW, AND TO ISRAEL FOR AN EVERLASTING COVENANT, SAYING, UNTO YOU WILL I GIVE THE LAND OF CANAAN, THE PLACE OF YOUR INHERITANCE. 27.Glory and honor are in His presence; strength and gladness are in His place.” Zechariah 8:3 “The LORD SAID, “I am returned unto Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain. There shall yet be old men and women dwelling in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very aged. The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing thereof, said the LORD of hosts” LORD OF HOSTS said, Behold, I will save my people from the east and west countries and will bring them to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God in truth and in righteousness” 22. “Yes, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD OF HOSTS in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.” The Living God’s Covenant is an everlasting agreement, PROMISED by the original law giver and recorded in His Holy WORD. What a day of fruition.