WHEN Jesus left home He knew the direction He was headed. He knew there were things He needed to accomplish. When He quietly began, His Mother caused Him to become headlines, before He was actually ready. Even so, in His quiet, humble ways, He continued into the field He was prepared for, and He never looked back. From His beginning, He knew the path before Him, and He was more than ready, as He headed out. He knew it, and He knew the Father was with Him all the way!
WHEN we begin a new adventure, make a change, move from here to there, we prepare. We begin to save money. We get all our ducks in a row. We seek help. We begin to get excited, and sometimes we just want to call the whole thing off. In our preparation we are not sure of the direction we are headed, for we usually only have an idea; a wish list or a dream! As we grow older and our seasons change, we adjust to our new normal. We look back and remember and then continue in our new normal. We continue to wish a lot, and dream! We are the ones who decide whether we are too young or too old! We are the one who settles for what is, instead of keeping on in the direction that we were heading. Sometimes we get bored!
LOOKING back is what causes us to stumble. Jesus kept His eyes on the Father and His mind set was sure. We change our minds all the time! We think we have made our minds up and then something happens. We take detours and even explore! We have to mentally remember that even though we are not where we want to be, we are not where we use to be!
IN MY studies this week I found myself in chapter 4 of both Matthew and Luke. These are passages following Jesus’ baptism by John. Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. In preparation Jesus fasted for forty days and nights. Afterwards He was hungry, thirsty, and physically tired. Two things we learn from these passages is that Jesus was tempted and sinless! However, there is so much more to learn here!
JESUS never belonged to Satan. When Satan came he tried to lead Jesus in tempting him. He asked Jesus to prove that He was the son of God. Jesus responded with “It is written; Man does not live on bread along!” Satan took Him up on a high place and showed all the kingdoms of the world in a flash of a moment. “I Satan, will give you authority and all their glory, if you will worship me?” Again Jesus answers with; “It is written; You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only will you serve!” Quick as a wink Satan took Jesus to Jerusalem and they sat upon a pinnacle of the temple. Again Satan wanted Jesus to show proof of His deity with; “Throw yourself off and let the angels save you, as it is written!” Jesus responded with; “You shall not tempt the Lord your God.” Jesus knew!
JESUS KNEW that Satan had no hold on Him! Before His baptism the Holy Spirit came upon Him. After His baptism, Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit. After Satan came on the scene in the Garden of Eden, all life has been has been under his wings. He has shown each one how to live in sin and to become accustomed to being sinners. You and I have been there! We know what it is like to be a sinner!
JESUS KNEW He had the power to withstand Satan’s arrows and Jesus also knew that Satan left Him in the wilderness, only to return when it was time. Satan did return, and used many people, to complete Jesus’s directional path on the Calvary Road. We have known Satan but now we belong to Jesus! We too have power to withstand Satan arrows. Let’s be sure, not wishy washy! Let’s know who we are when the sun rises in the morning, and sets in the evening. Let’s understand who the Father is and who we decided to become! Satan’s wings no longer cover us! We are under the wings of angels provided for us by the Father, through His Son Jesus; who came to save the lost! You and me! Jane Ann Crenshaw 6/23/16
Saturday, June 25, 2016
Sunday, June 19, 2016
DO YOU RESEMBLE YOUR FATHER? 6/19/16
ALL LIFE has a father! Although all have a father in order to be conceived, not all are raised by a father. Many children are adopted and raised by one they call Dad. Dad is one that cares for and takes care of a child. Many fathers are Dad’s! Not all Dad’s and/or fathers are good, and not all, are bad! Who do you resemble? Who do you take after? Who stands behind you and lift’s you up when you fall? Who continues to love and encourage you even on your bad days? Who is there when you are discouraged and want to give up?
I LOVE bible stories that talk about children and their parents. I love considering these stories as I have lived my life. I love the scriptures that reveal what kind of children we should be, and if we are as we should be, then who we become as an adult. “A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother!” Proverbs 10:1 I realize I am not a son, but a daughter. I take that verse seriously anyway!
MY EARTHLY father died relatively young! During the years I knew him, he was an alcoholic. He was more of a father to my older siblings than he was to me. But when he spoke to me, I listened! He was my father! My argumentative nature did not argue with him! It did with my mother! My father played the piano and I loved that! He also was a breakfast cook (chef) and I loved that! He had wisdom that he was not even aware of, and I loved that! As far as I know, he had only one love, and that was my mother!
DO I RESEMBLE my father? He was shorter than most fathers and I am short. He had a ruddy completion with freckles on his arms. I had red hair, with freckles. He drank and I do not! He used some bad language which I don’t. He couldn’t hold a job but I persevered. He had blue eyes, my eyes are blue! He lacked self confidence and so did I, until I met Jesus!
EVEN THOUGH people see me, recognize me and call me by my father’s name; and those who know, and remember the name I have taken in marriage; are more apt to recognize the name I was given when I was adopted by the Father, who lives in heaven.
WHEN I MET JESUS, I became acquainted with His father and chose to be adopted into the family of God. It changed everything! This family is the salt of the earth, and it is the light of the world.” That is what a believer is like! Salt and light! (Ref: Matthew 5:13-16)
Jesus said that we are blessed to be a part of His family! People now recognize me by my new name; Christian!
I HAVE no complaints about my childhood and how I was raised. I have no complaints when I was gainfully employed, nor about my life as a wife and mother. When I was old enough to understand what my heavenly Father was offering me, wise enough to allow Him to change me, everything in my life changed! It made all the difference in Jim’s and my little family!
DO I RESEMBLE my heavenly Father? Physically? No! Coloring? No! Eyes? I don’t know! I know that I am drawing closer every day to becoming all that God has created me to be! I know my spirit is being renewed every day! I know that I am still growing in the Word and as long as I stay in His Word, He is drawing me nearer and nearer to Him!
“YOU, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48
The word perfect here means complete; mature. However the comparison is made between God and His children. So it surely means more than mature. Perhaps when we can become selfless by loving and being kind to others our perfection is getting more refined. Not in just the family, but to those who are not deserving. God so loved the world that He gave His only Son! That kind of love! “But Jesus looked at them and said to them; “with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible!” Matthew 29:26 Jane Ann Crenshaw 6/18/2016
I LOVE bible stories that talk about children and their parents. I love considering these stories as I have lived my life. I love the scriptures that reveal what kind of children we should be, and if we are as we should be, then who we become as an adult. “A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother!” Proverbs 10:1 I realize I am not a son, but a daughter. I take that verse seriously anyway!
MY EARTHLY father died relatively young! During the years I knew him, he was an alcoholic. He was more of a father to my older siblings than he was to me. But when he spoke to me, I listened! He was my father! My argumentative nature did not argue with him! It did with my mother! My father played the piano and I loved that! He also was a breakfast cook (chef) and I loved that! He had wisdom that he was not even aware of, and I loved that! As far as I know, he had only one love, and that was my mother!
DO I RESEMBLE my father? He was shorter than most fathers and I am short. He had a ruddy completion with freckles on his arms. I had red hair, with freckles. He drank and I do not! He used some bad language which I don’t. He couldn’t hold a job but I persevered. He had blue eyes, my eyes are blue! He lacked self confidence and so did I, until I met Jesus!
EVEN THOUGH people see me, recognize me and call me by my father’s name; and those who know, and remember the name I have taken in marriage; are more apt to recognize the name I was given when I was adopted by the Father, who lives in heaven.
WHEN I MET JESUS, I became acquainted with His father and chose to be adopted into the family of God. It changed everything! This family is the salt of the earth, and it is the light of the world.” That is what a believer is like! Salt and light! (Ref: Matthew 5:13-16)
Jesus said that we are blessed to be a part of His family! People now recognize me by my new name; Christian!
I HAVE no complaints about my childhood and how I was raised. I have no complaints when I was gainfully employed, nor about my life as a wife and mother. When I was old enough to understand what my heavenly Father was offering me, wise enough to allow Him to change me, everything in my life changed! It made all the difference in Jim’s and my little family!
DO I RESEMBLE my heavenly Father? Physically? No! Coloring? No! Eyes? I don’t know! I know that I am drawing closer every day to becoming all that God has created me to be! I know my spirit is being renewed every day! I know that I am still growing in the Word and as long as I stay in His Word, He is drawing me nearer and nearer to Him!
“YOU, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48
The word perfect here means complete; mature. However the comparison is made between God and His children. So it surely means more than mature. Perhaps when we can become selfless by loving and being kind to others our perfection is getting more refined. Not in just the family, but to those who are not deserving. God so loved the world that He gave His only Son! That kind of love! “But Jesus looked at them and said to them; “with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible!” Matthew 29:26 Jane Ann Crenshaw 6/18/2016
Sunday, June 12, 2016
CLANDESTINE OPERATIONS! 6/12/16
HAVE YOU ever done things in secret? I am talking about intentionally, deliberately keeping secrets to the point of doing and saying things not in character, just to make something, extra ordinary, happen? Why do it in secret? Why put yourself in these kinds of positions, that around every corner you need to create a scenario to cover what you did, or what you are about to do? To make something special for someone you love! Absolutely! Okay, now you know I have been in planning stages, doing all the necessary preparations, and then when there is no return; creating daily scenario’s to keep what was in motion, under wraps until the big day! For months I have been filled with secrets!
I HAVE lived most of my life paying attention to the truth. Don’t lie! Even when I do a deceitful thing, I tell someone. I wasn’t always like that! Like most children we lie to either protect ourselves from punishment, or because we want something, and then try to show our innocence, when we are not innocent!
HAVE you ever read a scripture and have it jump right out at you as though pointing a finger and saying; “you are guilty, you liar!” That is what a story in Numbers 32 did to me many, many years ago. It lives with me always! When the Israelites were beginning to settle east of the Jordan, assignments were being made. Instructions were given by Moses and if they followed the Lord in all these ways, God would subdue the land, and they could take possession. However, in verse 23, they are warned by God; “But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out.” When you read further in God’s Word, you will find many reminders regarding lying! “A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.” Proverbs 14:5
I HEARD my Dad say; “It is easier to tell the truth, than it is to remember!” Isn’t that the truth! When speaking the truth, the truth is always there in memory. When you tell stories, you have to remember because the lie is always followed with more and more embellishments. You become an actor playing a part. You need to memorize your lines to keep the story going. In my secret project, my made up stories became, total improvisation!
THE BIG DAY was yesterday! My husband will be 80 in a week, so celebration was called for. Family and friends came and surprised Jim, and I mean we surprised Him; big time! This whole process took a lot out of me because I needed to impose on others to put it all together. Secret phone calls, wanting the car to go by myself (which I never do) and cleaning my house, along with putting plants into pots to spruce up the yard. So much to do in so little time because I couldn’t start the big stuff too early.
THE DIFFERENCE between practicing the sin of lying for my preservation or self indulgence, I was deliberately giving false information to keep Jim from suspecting anything towards a celebration of his birthday. If I had asked he would have said no and I couldn’t go against his wishes. The only thing that I could tell myself in order to keep this up was that Jim is a deserving man. I want as many who can. to come and celebrate with him! I thank the Lord every day for Jim and give God all the honor and glory for bringing this man into my life.
“DO NOT LET anyone deceive you with foolish words; it is because of these very things that God’s wrath will come upon those who do not obey Him. Ephesians 5:6 I pray God will forgive me for the foolishness of words in order to surprise Jim. “Since you are God’s dear children, you must try to be like Him. Your life must be controlled by love, just as Christ loved us and gave His life for us, as a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice that pleases God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 Christ has changed us from enemies to friends of God! What I did, had no malicious intent, but only love! Happy birthday Jim! Jane Ann Crenshaw 6/10/16
I HAVE lived most of my life paying attention to the truth. Don’t lie! Even when I do a deceitful thing, I tell someone. I wasn’t always like that! Like most children we lie to either protect ourselves from punishment, or because we want something, and then try to show our innocence, when we are not innocent!
HAVE you ever read a scripture and have it jump right out at you as though pointing a finger and saying; “you are guilty, you liar!” That is what a story in Numbers 32 did to me many, many years ago. It lives with me always! When the Israelites were beginning to settle east of the Jordan, assignments were being made. Instructions were given by Moses and if they followed the Lord in all these ways, God would subdue the land, and they could take possession. However, in verse 23, they are warned by God; “But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out.” When you read further in God’s Word, you will find many reminders regarding lying! “A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.” Proverbs 14:5
I HEARD my Dad say; “It is easier to tell the truth, than it is to remember!” Isn’t that the truth! When speaking the truth, the truth is always there in memory. When you tell stories, you have to remember because the lie is always followed with more and more embellishments. You become an actor playing a part. You need to memorize your lines to keep the story going. In my secret project, my made up stories became, total improvisation!
THE BIG DAY was yesterday! My husband will be 80 in a week, so celebration was called for. Family and friends came and surprised Jim, and I mean we surprised Him; big time! This whole process took a lot out of me because I needed to impose on others to put it all together. Secret phone calls, wanting the car to go by myself (which I never do) and cleaning my house, along with putting plants into pots to spruce up the yard. So much to do in so little time because I couldn’t start the big stuff too early.
THE DIFFERENCE between practicing the sin of lying for my preservation or self indulgence, I was deliberately giving false information to keep Jim from suspecting anything towards a celebration of his birthday. If I had asked he would have said no and I couldn’t go against his wishes. The only thing that I could tell myself in order to keep this up was that Jim is a deserving man. I want as many who can. to come and celebrate with him! I thank the Lord every day for Jim and give God all the honor and glory for bringing this man into my life.
“DO NOT LET anyone deceive you with foolish words; it is because of these very things that God’s wrath will come upon those who do not obey Him. Ephesians 5:6 I pray God will forgive me for the foolishness of words in order to surprise Jim. “Since you are God’s dear children, you must try to be like Him. Your life must be controlled by love, just as Christ loved us and gave His life for us, as a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice that pleases God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 Christ has changed us from enemies to friends of God! What I did, had no malicious intent, but only love! Happy birthday Jim! Jane Ann Crenshaw 6/10/16
Saturday, June 4, 2016
OH PIFFLE! 6/5/16
I FIND it ironic how my Mom can pop into my head when I am just looking thru a dictionary. Mom had an 8th grade education, but she was filled with wisdom, cliche’s, prudence, sound judgment and good learning. My brother Lloyd used the dictionary daily, to learn new words. He would try them out on everyone, including me. To this day, I still use some of his favorite phrases and on occasion, remember Moms! This morning I came across; piffle! One of my Mom’s favorites!
FOOLISH nonsense; twaddle; idle talk or action. Sounds like a Mom word, doesn’t it?
Twaddle means to chatter. I chatter! I always have and probably always will! To chatter means to talk at random. Profound, I am not! Truthful, probably not always! However, my name is Christian, therefore, I persevere to learn all that I can from God’s Word, so I can speak about things that fill me with excitement and joy! Will my children, grandchildren, think of me when scanning thru the dictionary? Probably not, but hopefully they will remember what books I read!
“ALL SCRIPTURES is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for corrections, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 This passage is chock full of the nutrients of healthy living. These words are not idle chatter, nor nonsense! I take it seriously and strive to allow it to change me. I am still in training, I am loving the work the Lord has given me!
THE REBUKING or reproofing is something hard to swallow, but is necessary to show us our errors. When it corrects our faults it is pointing us in the right direction. The instructions are literally showing what God expects from us and what trials will come our way.
And oh, the blessings and the promises! God leaves nothing to our imagination. He spells everything out and says; “Come!”
IN THE BOOK of John, God tells us that the Word, was in the beginning. You and I know that the Bible didn’t exist in print until man was already established and could print things. Did you know that the Word is a noun! The Word became a man and His name is Jesus! Jesus was in the beginning! “Through Him God made all things; not one thing in all creation was made without Him. The Word was the source of life, and this life brought light to men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out!” John 1:3-5
THE WORD, who is Jesus, is the life that God reveals to us in human terms, so that we can understand who He is, what He does, and who we are and what we need! His light takes away our ignorance and error. The darkness of the world cannot put His light out! Doesn’t this excite you? Are you intrigued about His presence in this world and how you can become a part of His kingdom? I am not asking these questions for the sake of asking questions; I really would like to know how you feel about Jesus the Christ, and about God’s written Word that became flesh! And how all of that put together in one book, can make a big difference in your life!
DOCTRINE is not being taught as much as in the beginning of the Church. Paul encourages Timothy to “preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own liking's, and will turn away from listening to the truth, and wonder into myths.” 2 Timothy 4:2-4 Don’t listen to trickling, watered down, chatter. Pay attention when the leader says; “you don’t have to; or that isn’t necessary; or it’s not talking about that!” Instead ask the questions; “Show me why God says that? Why does the Bible say that, if it isn’t necessary? Then why does it say it that way, if that is not what it is talking about? Or just say; "Oh piffle!" Jesus says; “Come!” Jane Ann Crenshaw 5/31/16
FOOLISH nonsense; twaddle; idle talk or action. Sounds like a Mom word, doesn’t it?
Twaddle means to chatter. I chatter! I always have and probably always will! To chatter means to talk at random. Profound, I am not! Truthful, probably not always! However, my name is Christian, therefore, I persevere to learn all that I can from God’s Word, so I can speak about things that fill me with excitement and joy! Will my children, grandchildren, think of me when scanning thru the dictionary? Probably not, but hopefully they will remember what books I read!
“ALL SCRIPTURES is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for corrections, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 This passage is chock full of the nutrients of healthy living. These words are not idle chatter, nor nonsense! I take it seriously and strive to allow it to change me. I am still in training, I am loving the work the Lord has given me!
THE REBUKING or reproofing is something hard to swallow, but is necessary to show us our errors. When it corrects our faults it is pointing us in the right direction. The instructions are literally showing what God expects from us and what trials will come our way.
And oh, the blessings and the promises! God leaves nothing to our imagination. He spells everything out and says; “Come!”
IN THE BOOK of John, God tells us that the Word, was in the beginning. You and I know that the Bible didn’t exist in print until man was already established and could print things. Did you know that the Word is a noun! The Word became a man and His name is Jesus! Jesus was in the beginning! “Through Him God made all things; not one thing in all creation was made without Him. The Word was the source of life, and this life brought light to men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out!” John 1:3-5
THE WORD, who is Jesus, is the life that God reveals to us in human terms, so that we can understand who He is, what He does, and who we are and what we need! His light takes away our ignorance and error. The darkness of the world cannot put His light out! Doesn’t this excite you? Are you intrigued about His presence in this world and how you can become a part of His kingdom? I am not asking these questions for the sake of asking questions; I really would like to know how you feel about Jesus the Christ, and about God’s written Word that became flesh! And how all of that put together in one book, can make a big difference in your life!
DOCTRINE is not being taught as much as in the beginning of the Church. Paul encourages Timothy to “preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own liking's, and will turn away from listening to the truth, and wonder into myths.” 2 Timothy 4:2-4 Don’t listen to trickling, watered down, chatter. Pay attention when the leader says; “you don’t have to; or that isn’t necessary; or it’s not talking about that!” Instead ask the questions; “Show me why God says that? Why does the Bible say that, if it isn’t necessary? Then why does it say it that way, if that is not what it is talking about? Or just say; "Oh piffle!" Jesus says; “Come!” Jane Ann Crenshaw 5/31/16
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